The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of October 26, 2026

The Craving is ThereSanDiego's weekly guide to what's worth eating and drinking in San Diego right now. Every Tuesday, we surface new restaurant openings, standout happy hours, limited-time menu specials, and upcoming food events across the city - so you know what's happening before everyone else does.
intersection of art and science
Celebrate 25 Years of Ocean Science at Birch Aquarium
Some anniversaries get a plaque. The Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation is getting three Monday nights at Birch Aquarium instead. The Jeffrey B. Graham...
DogFest Southwest 2026
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Bring Your Dog to Liberty Station for DogFest Southwest
  • Liberty Station
Join us for DogFest Southwest, a fun-filled day for you and your dog at Liberty Station with games, music, and a costume contest.
Live jazz performance under the stars at The Rady Shell
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Feel the Rhythm of Latin Jazz at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Dizzy Gillespie are getting the tribute they deserve, and it’s happening right on the water at The Rady Shell at...
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Raise a Glass at San Diego’s Own Capital of Craft Beer Fest
  • Broadway Pier & Pavilion
San Diego’s craft beer scene gets its own festival, and it’s about as local as it gets. Capital of Craft Beer Fest is taking over...
Buddy Guy 90 Concert Tour
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Celebrate Buddy Guy’s 90th Birthday at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Experience the legendary Buddy Guy live at the San Diego concert, celebrating his incredible journey through electric blues music.
Sails and Ales Beer Fest at Kona Kai San Diego
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Sip Your Way Through Sails & Ales Beer Fest at Kona Kai
  • Kona Kai Resort and Spa
Sails & Ales Beer Fest is back for its sixth year, and this time it’s bringing sunset views, local brews, and a whole lot more...
9/11 Memorial Stair with Rincon Fire Department
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Climb 110 Flights at Harrah’s SoCal to Honor the Fallen of 9/11
  • Harrah’s Resort SoCal
110 flights of stairs is not an arbitrary number. It is the height of the World Trade Center towers, and this year a group of...
Birch Aquarium Red Octopus
Meet the Two Juvenile Red Octopuses Now on Display at Birch Aquarium
Witness the transformation of red octopuses at Birch Aquarium, a rare opportunity to see them thrive after hatching from eggs.
family-friendly and dog-friendly eatery in san diego
Bring the Kids, Bring the Dog: El Punto is Coming to Liberty Station This October
City Tacos has been a San Diego staple since 2014. What Gerry Torres is building next makes it look like a warm-up. El Punto at...
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Toast 40 Years of Busalacchi at The Feast
  • Little Italy
The Busalacchi family is turning 40, and they’re celebrating the way any Italian family would: with a massive dinner in the middle of the street....
Celebrate the Craft festival at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
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Taste Southern California’s Best at Celebrate the Craft
  • The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Celebrate the Craft is back for its 23rd year, and honestly, it just keeps getting better. This is The Lodge at Torrey Pines’ signature culinary...
Taste of College Area San Diego
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Eat Your Way Down El Cajon Boulevard at the Taste of College Area
  • College Area Business District
Discover hidden gems along El Cajon Boulevard at the Taste of College Area. Enjoy a variety of cuisines all in one delightful route.
Jackalope Art Fair
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Shop Handmade and Feed Butterflies at Jackalope
  • Preble Field, NTC Park
Experience the vibrant jackalope artisan fair in Liberty Station with a diverse array of makers and an interactive butterfly garden.
MAKE After Hours
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Stay Late for MAKE Cafe’s First After Hours
Join us for MAKE after hours, an evening pop-up featuring Afrobeat music, dance classes, and local culture in Normal Heights.
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
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Kick off Your Shoes at Julian’s Grape Stomp Festa
  • Menghini Winery
Celebrate 28 years of the Julian Grape Stomp Festa. Enjoy grape stomping, entertainment, and activities for the kids!
San Diego Brazilian Festival at Waterfront Park
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Feel the Beat at San Diego’s Brazilian Festival
  • Waterfront Park
San Diego is throwing the 17th Annual Brazilian Festival, and it’s turning Waterfront Park into a full-blown carnival for the day. If you love drum...
LeucadiART Walk's 20th anniversary celebration
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Celebrate Two Decades of Art at LeucadiART Walk
LeucadiART Walk is hitting its 20th year, and this milestone edition is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Get ready for a full...
Taste of Gaslamp 2026 celebrating its 30th anniversary
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Clear Your Afternoon for Taste of Gaslamp
  • Gaslamp Quarter
Taste of Gaslamp is turning 30, and this milestone year is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Get ready to taste your way...
Stellen San Diego Gaslamp
Watch Hotel Z Become Stellen San Diego Gaslamp in Early 2027
Get ready for Stellen San Diego Gaslamp in 2027! Enjoy its warm, modern spaces and a design that enhances the Gaslamp experience.
Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair
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Catch 75 Bands for Free at the Adams Avenue Street Fair
  • Normal Heights
Celebrate music and community at the Adams Avenue Street Fair. Enjoy 10 blocks of entertainment and diverse musical acts this September.
Zuma san diego
Grab a Seat at Zuma, the Global Izakaya Brand Making Its California Debut at the Guild Hotel
Zuma has spent nearly 25 years taking over the world – Hong Kong, Istanbul, Rome, Miami, Madrid, and more. Now they’re open in San Diego,...
Explore Arts District Liberty Station’s New Season of Art and Artists
Arts District Liberty Station just dropped a whole new lineup of artists, exhibits, and public art, and this is one of the best times to...
The Lobby Bar at the LaFayette Hotel & Club
The Best Cocktail Bars in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
San Diego has always had a reputation as a ‘party’ town, but it also has some of the best cocktail bars on Earth for those...
Breathe & Sea event on South Ponto State Beach
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Reset by the Sea at Breathe & Sea’s End-of-Summer Bash
Breathe & Sea is back, and this time it’s the biggest one yet. Get ready for an end-of-summer bash on the sand, brought to you...
Upcoming Events
Le Petit Chef Ritual of the Golden Citrus Sea
Step Into a Storybook Dinner at Le Petit Chef in the Gaslamp Quarter
October 29, 2026
6:30 pm
Dine with the world’s smallest chef at Le Petit Chef Magical Cooking Book. A two-hour magical meal awaits you in San Diego.
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert
Celebrate 40 Years of Labyrinth With a Live Band in El Cajon
October 28, 2026
7:00 pm
  • The Magnolia
Relive the magic of Jim Henson's Labyrinth concert with live music enhancing the classic film experience at The Magnolia.
Grim Musical Comedy
Meet the Grim Reaper’s Daughter in GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse
October 27, 2026
7:30 pm
Uncover the hilarious chaos in GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse as Diana navigates love and her new job in the family business.
Gary Clark Jr
Spend a Phone-Free Night With Gary Clark Jr. at Humphreys
October 27, 2026
7:30 pm
  • Humphreys Concerts by the bay
Discover the excitement of the Gary Clark Jr San Diego concert and enjoy an evening filled with rich music and talent.
The Doja Cat World Tour 2026 brings big hits and bigger energy to San Diego
Catch Doja Cat Live at Viejas Arena on the Tour Ma Vie World Tour
October 27, 2026
7:30 pm
  • Viejas Arena
Doja Cat is bringing the Tour Ma Vie World Tour to San Diego, and it’s shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest concerts....