The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of August 31, 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.
Upcoming
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
Upcoming
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
Upcoming
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
Upcoming
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...
San Diego International Film Festival
Celebrate 25 Years of the San Diego International Film Festival
Discover the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival, known for highlighting Oscar-winning films and emerging talent.
Upcoming
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
Upcoming
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...
3rd Annual College of Taste Area
Upcoming
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
All done
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
All done
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
Upcoming
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
All done
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
All done
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
Upcoming
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
Upcoming
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
All done
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...
Easy San Diego road trips that should be put on your calendar.
19 Amazing Road Trips From San Diego
One of the best things about living in San Diego is that it’s always good road trip weather! Lucky for us, there is no shortage...
Upcoming
Do Fall Beachside at Belmont Park Fall Fest
  • Belmont Park
Forget changing leaves and crisp weather, San Diego does fall its own way, and Belmont Park’s Fall Fest is proving you don’t have to leave...
Upcoming Events
Toast 40 Years of Busalacchi at The Feast
October 11, 2026
5:00 pm
  • 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....
La Mesa Oktoberfest
Prost! La Mesa’s Oktoberfest is Back for 3 Days of Bier, Brats, and Good Times
October 2, 2026
4:00 pm
  • La Mesa Village
Join the fun at La Mesa Oktoberfest! Enjoy live entertainment, games, and great food in San Diego's biggest German celebration.
Shark Snorkeling Birch Aquarium
Shark Snorkels Return to Birch Aquarium
September 30, 2026
8:00 am
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Get ready for shark snorkels at Birch Aquarium and enjoy a memorable snorkeling adventure with docile Leopard Sharks.
3rd Annual College of Taste Area
Eat Your Way Down El Cajon Boulevard at the Taste of College Area
September 27, 2026
11:00 am
  • 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.
Come Sing Along With Brandi Carlile at The Rady Shell
September 22, 2026
6:00 pm
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Brandi Carlile is bringing The Human Tour to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and she’s not coming alone, special guest CMAT is joining her...