The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of September 28, 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.

Rendering Moniker General downtown san diego

San Diego

Get Ready for Moniker General’s Third San Diego Location – This Time Downtown

Moniker General is coming downtown, and honestly, it makes all the sense in the world. The coffee and cocktail concept that helped shape Liberty Station...

Showing

Prost! La Mesa’s Oktoberfest is Back for 3 Days of Bier, Brats, and Good Times

La Mesa Village

Join the fun at La Mesa Oktoberfest! Enjoy live entertainment, games, and great food in San Diego's biggest German celebration.

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Float a Lantern and Honor a Loved One at the Japanese Friendship Garden

Japanese Friendship Garden

Toro Nagashi Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden is where a ceremony with floating lanterns is done in honor of those who have passed.

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Watch Moulin Rouge on the Big Screen at the San Diego Museum of Art

San Diego Museum of Art

The Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art is hosting a special film screening of John Huston’s classic 1952 film Moulin...

Step Into Aloha: OluKai Opens its First San Diego Store in La Jolla

Visit the OluKai La Jolla location for premium footwear and a unique design that embodies the spirit of both Hawaii and California.

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Take in Ocean Views and Five Live Acts at the Pacific Records Festival

Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park

Mark your calendar for the Pacific Records Festival! Experience great music and stunning views at Kate Sessions Park this July.

Insomniac's Into the Horizon Festival crowd at Waterfront Park San Diego

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Lose Yourself in Two Days of EDM at the Horizon Festival

Waterfront Park

Insomniac’s Into the Horizon Festival is coming to Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego for a two-day electronic music event on the city’s most iconic...

Head Up to the Andaz San Diego Rooftop for a Month Full of Good Times

If you’re looking for a reason to get up to the Andaz San Diego rooftop this month, the calendar is doing a lot of the...

Ziggy Marley performing live on the Brightside Tour 2026 in San Diego

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Catch Ziggy Marley Live at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

Ziggy Marley is bringing his Brightside Tour to San Diego for a night of live reggae at one of the city’s best outdoor venues. Supporting...

Your Summer Guide to Temecula Wine Country

Explore the Temecula Valley Wine Country summer lineup featuring live music, poolside cocktails, and new tasting experiences.

Little Italy

Mark Your Mornings: Cloak & Petal is Opening a Japanese-Inspired Café

Little Italy is getting a new coffee spot this summer, and it’s coming from one of the neighborhood’s most respected kitchens. Cloak & Petal –...

Crowds celebrating Scottish heritage at the San Diego Scottish Highland Games San Diego

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Immerse Yourself in Scottish Heritage at the 50th Annual San Diego Highland Games

Five decades of Scottish heritage, athleticism, and community come together this summer as the San Diego Scottish Highland Games celebrate their 50th anniversary – and...

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Catch the Beach Boys Live at the Rady Shell – With the Full San Diego Symphony

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Experience the magic of The Beach Boys at The Rady Shell concert with the San Diego Symphony for a perfect summer night.

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Open the Symphony Season Under the Stars at the Rady Shell

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

The San Diego Symphony's summer season kicks off at The Rady Shell with a sweeping program lead by Rafael Payare.

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Join San Diego’s Largest Juneteenth Celebration at Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park

Experience Kinfolk Fest 2026 at Waterfront Park, featuring live performances from top artists across genres and an amazing atmosphere.

Animals Thriving at Lions Tigers and Bears Rescue Sanctuary

Come Out and Celebrate Gotcha Days at Lions Tigers & Bears

At Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in Alpine, every animal has a story – and this season, three of its most beloved residents are marking...

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Find the Clues, Crack the Code, and Save the Order at UC San Diego This Summer

Forget everything you know about escape rooms. Decoding DaVinci is part scavenger hunt, part immersive theater, part outdoor adventure – and the entire UC San...

Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook Off

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Enjoy a Free Summer Day at OB’s Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach does summer better than most neighborhoods, and the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off is a big reason why. Every year, Newport Avenue...

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Del Mar’s Summer Solstice Returns With Ocean Views and Epic Eats

Powerhouse Park

Del Mar's annual Summer Solstice event is coming back to Powerhouse Park, and we're already planning our strategy for maximum food sampling.

Tajima Ramen marking 25 years in San Diego with special events and promotions

Tajima Ramen is Turning 25 and the Whole Month is a Celebration

San Diego’s own Tajima Ramen is marking 25 years with a full month of throwback specials, DJ nights, ramen deals, giveaways, and community events across...

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Grab Your Crew and Head to the Loma Club’s First Annual Loma Luau

The Loma Club is bringing a little aloha to Liberty Station with their first annual Loma Luau – an evening of Hawaiian BBQ, handcrafted tiki...

SunLife Organics is Now Open at Hotel del Coronado

If you’ve ever wanted a reason to make a day of it at The Del, here’s another one. SunLife Organics has officially landed on Coronado...

Downtown El Cajon’s Free Friday Concert Series is Back for the Summer

Music on Main is back at Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon, and this year it’s bigger than ever. Formerly known as the Dinner and...

Step Into Silver Hoof Creamery, Old Town’s New Folklore-Inspired Ice Cream Parlor

Old Town has a new reason to wander in. Silver Hoof Creamery is a woman-owned soft serve parlor opening in the heart of the neighborhood,...

Mötley Crüe performing at The Return of the Carnival of Sins

Rock Out With Mötley Crüe in Chula Vista

September 18, 2026

6:30 pm

North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

The Return of the Carnival of Sins is bringing Mötley Crüe back on the road for a run that celebrates both the show’s 20th anniversary...

Chula Vista

Grab Your Putter and Bar-Hop Through North Park at Putt-Oberfest 2026

September 17, 2026

4:00 pm

North Park Mini Park

Mini golf and bar hopping in one event? North Park really did that. Putt-Oberfest is back, and it’s exactly as fun as it sounds –...

North Park

Otay Ranch Town Center's Hispanic Heritage Celebration in full swing

Dance the Night Away at Otay Ranch Town Center’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration

September 15, 2026

4:00 pm

Otay Ranch Town Center

Otay Ranch Town Center is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month in style with its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Held at the Food Pavilion in...

Chula Vista

An Evening with the Artist: Daniel Ketelhut

Spend Sunday Evening With Artist Daniel Ketelhut at Andaz San Diego

September 13, 2026

5:00 pm

Andaz Hotel San Diego

Unlock the stories behind art at Andaz San Diego's Evening with the Artist. Meet Daniel Ketelhut and enjoy free admission.

San Diego

Play Mahjong and Sip Moët at Provisional Kitchen at Pendry San Diego

September 13, 2026

3:00 pm

Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

Someone at Pendry San Diego had a very good idea. Provisional Kitchen is running a Mahjong & Moët mini-series – a 90-minute guided session led...