The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink – Week of May 18, 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.
Music Director Inon Barnatan
La Jolla Music Society Locks in Inon Barnatan Through 2030
La Jolla Music Society just announced they’re keeping Inon Barnatan as SummerFest Music Director for another five years, and honestly? Best news we’ve heard all...
Bella Vita Fest Street Chalk Art in Little Italy
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Bella Vita Fest Brings Italian Culture to Little Italy’s Streets
  • Little Italy
Bella Vita Fest 2025 is taking over Little Italy, and we’re already planning our Saturday afternoon around wine tastings and pizza slice-offs. This free festival...
Father Joe's Villages' Golf Classic
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Father Joe’s Villages Golf Classic: Swinging for San Diego’s Veterans
Father Joe’s Villages’ 5th Annual Golf Classic is happening at Grand Golf Club in Del Mar, and this tournament goes way beyond just a good...
music festival
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Same Same But Different is the Lakeside Festival Escape We Need
Same Same But Different 2025 is happening at Lake Perris, and we’re already counting down the days. This isn’t your typical massive festival experience—they cap...
La Mesa Oktoberfest
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La Mesa Village Transforms Into Bavaria for San Diego’s Ultimate Oktoberfest
  • La Mesa Village
We’ve been waiting all year for this, and it’s finally here—La Mesa Village is about to become the epicenter of San Diego’s most authentic Oktoberfest...
College Area San Diego
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Taste of College Area Returns for Year Two With Trolley Rides Between Stops
  • College Area Business District
The College Area Business District is bringing back their Taste event for a second year, and they’ve kept the one element that made last year’s...
Dmitry Shishkin
La Jolla Music Society’s October Lineup Brings Jazz Legends to The Conrad
La Jolla Music Society’s October lineup is looking absolutely incredible this year. We’ve been keeping an eye on what’s happening at The Conrad, and honestly?...
Wellness Experience at MCASD
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Breathe, Move, and Be Inspired at the Wellness Experience at MCASD
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The Wellness Experience at MCASD is happening, and honestly, this is the perfect way to ease into your weekend. Picture doing yoga with the Pacific...
Chef Jose Cepeda
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: 3 SD Chefs Leading the Way
Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the perfect excuse to spotlight the culinary leaders who are bringing authentic regional Mexican flavors to San Diego, and the...
sunset scripps pier walk
Scripps Pier Opens Its Gates for Science and Sunsets
Birch Aquarium’s Sunset Scripps Pier Walks are back, and honestly, this new guest experience might be one of the coolest ways to see La Jolla’s...
A Beer Lover’s Ultimate Guide To La Mesa Oktoberfest
Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego
Dig the lederhosen and dirndl out of the closet and grab your best stein. It’s that time of year again for the most famous German...
Best Restaurants in Old Town San Diego - Tahona
Guide to the Best Restaurants in Old Town San Diego
In this guide, we share the best restaurants in Old Town San Diego for every occasion—whether you want giant margaritas and mariachi bands, more sophisticated...
The dance floor at Bloom - one of the best nightclubs in San Diego Gaslamp.
The Best Nightclubs in San Diego: Gaslamp and Downtown
In the bustling streets of Gaslamp and Downtown San Diego, your nights are limited only by your energy and curiosity. From sports bars to speakeasies...
10 of the Best Coffee Shops in San Diego Where You Can Actually Get Work Done
Hey there, San Diego! It’s time to celebrate our favorite legal stimulant because National Coffee Day is just around the corner on September 29. So...
Wine Bar san diego
Wine Girl Brings Its Instagram-Ready Wine Bar Concept to the Gaslamp
Wine Girl is finally making its way to San Diego after building a solid following in Scottsdale and Napa Valley, opening in the Gaslamp in...
Nerissa Sounds Jazz Brunch Cruise
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Nerissa Sounds Brings Jazz Brunch to San Diego Bay
There’s something about September in San Diego that makes dining outdoors feel essential, and the husband-and-wife team behind Zolna Yachts gets it. Shari and Amos...
East Village Oktoberfest
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East Village Oktoberfest Transforms Quartyard Into Downtown’s Beer Hall
  • Quartyard
East Village Oktoberfest is back for its ninth year, and honestly, Quartyard knows how to throw a party that actually feels like you’ve been transported...
Grass Skirt Annual Tiki Luau
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The Grass Skirt’s Tiki Luau Returns With All-Inclusive Island Vibes
  • The Grass Skirt
The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is bringing back their signature summer send-off with an all-inclusive tropical celebration that’s become a local tradition. This eighth...
Aldea La Jolla
Guide to the Best Restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy Neighborhood
In this guide, we share the best restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood for every occasion—whether you want to grab a quick coffee and...
Outdoor patio in San Diego
8 Hidden Gem Restaurants in San Diego You Need to Discover
If you’re anything like us, you love discovering new restaurants throughout our beautiful city. But to be honest, searching online ends up showing the same...
grainbakers pretzel workshop
Grainbakers Brings Week-Long Pretzel Workshop Tour to San Diego Breweries
The nationally traveling breadmaking school that’s become a local favorite is returning for another intensive week of hands-on pretzel workshops across San Diego County breweries....
USS Midway dear doc
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USS Midway Museum Honors WWII’s 80th Anniversary Through Letters
  • USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is hosting an evening that brings history to life through the personal words of those who lived it. “Dear Doc” uses...
Alfredo Castaneda_Nuestra espera, 1999
San Diego Museum of Art Unveils Ambitious Fall-Winter Season
The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is launching six new exhibitions across its Balboa Park locations that showcase the breadth of global artistic movements...
mavericks beach club pickleball tournament
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Mavericks Beach Club Hosts Pickleball Tournament for Firefighter Aid
  • Mavericks Beach Club
Mavericks Beach Club is hosting a pickleball tournament that combines competitive fun with supporting local firefighters. The SD Fire Department Pickleball Tournament brings together the...
Upcoming Events
St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon
17th Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon at Nason’s Beer Hall
March 7, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Pendry San Diego
Nason’s Beer Hall at Pendry San Diego is hosting the 17th Annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave-a-Thon, a community event that raises funds and awareness for...
Necessity Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening in North City San Marcos
March 7, 2026
7:00 am
San Marcos is getting a new go-to coffee stop. Necessity Coffee is opening its newest location in North City, and they’re celebrating with a full...
MCASD art auction
MCASD’s Art Auction Returns With 60 Works From Emerging and Established Artists
March 6, 2026
6:00 pm
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is gearing up for its biennial Art Auction, and if you’ve been looking for a way to grow...
Moe's Mission Beach 4th anniversary
Moe’s Celebrates 4 Years With a One-Night-Only Whole Roasted Pig Dinner
March 5, 2026
4:00 pm
Mission Beach’s favorite neighborhood steakhouse is turning four, and they’re celebrating in a way that feels very on-brand – fire, flavor, and a little old-school...
Fit and Carté Hotel's Skyline Wellness Series
Carté Hotel’s New Rooftop Wellness Series Combines Yoga, Brunch, and Downtown Views
February 28, 2026
9:00 am
Carté Hotel is launching a new monthly wellness experience that brings together fitness, food, and some of the best rooftop views in Little Italy. In...