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.
Lucien La Jolla
Michelin-Trained Chef Elijah Arizmendi Opens LUCIEN With Hyper-Seasonal Tasting Menu
La Jolla’s dining scene is about to welcome something exceptional with LUCIEN, the debut restaurant from chef/owner Elijah Arizmendi, who brings Michelin-level technique to California’s...
san diego pride festival
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San Diego Pride Festival Delivers Grammy-Level Headliners and Epic Community Celebration
  • Marston Point
San Diego Pride just announced the complete 2025 lineup for their Festival, bringing serious star power to Balboa Park with headliners Kehlani and Kim Petras....
SDMA Centennial Artist Open Call
SDMA Seeks Local Artists for Historic Centennial Branding Project
The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is marking its upcoming 100th anniversary with something special—a centennial artist open call for regional artists to create...
beehive
Town and Country Resort Gets the Buzz With On-Site Beehive
Town and Country Resort just welcomed on-site beehives in partnership with Encinitas Honey, and they’re taking the whole concept way beyond just having bees on...
Comic-Con san diego event
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Comic-Con San Diego Transforms the City into the Ultimate Fandom Celebration
If there’s one event that turns the city into a living, breathing celebration of fandom, it’s Comic-Con San Diego. The San Diego Convention Center becomes...
San Diego International Organ Festival
The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival Returns
The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival brings nine weeks of free Monday evening concerts to the heart of Balboa Park, featuring performances on the...
Best 4th of July fireworks in San Diego
The Best 4th of July Fireworks Shows in San Diego
4th of July in San Diego is here…can you feel it? That’s right, it’s the smell of barbecues firing up, the sound of kids splashing...
Hilton Bayfront Comic-Con Experience
Hilton Bayfront Levels Up Your Comic-Con Experience
The Hilton Bayfront is going all-in for Comic-Con this year with fandom-themed menus, hosted panels, and special experiences throughout the property that will seriously enhance...
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
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La Jolla’s 4th of July Drone Show Doubles in Size for 2025
La Jolla’s 4th of July drone show is coming back for its third year, and they’re literally doubling down on what made the first two...
Marine Band San Diego Summer Concert at Little Italy
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Marine Band San Diego Honors 250 Years of Corps History With Patriotic Concert
  • Piazza della Famiglia
The Little Italy Association brings something truly special to Piazza della Famiglia with the Marine Band San Diego Summer Concert, celebrating a quarter-millennium of U.S....
Seaside Sessions del mar plaza
Seaside Sessions Returns With Free Ocean View Concerts at Del Mar Plaza
Del Mar Plaza brings back one of summer’s hottest free entertainment series with Seaside Sessions, offering live music on the Ocean View Deck. The combination...
Best thrift and vintage shops in San Diego
San Diego’s Best Thrift and Vintage Shopping Guide
There’s something deeply satisfying about finding the perfect vintage band tee for $8 or snagging designer jeans that retail for $200 but cost you $25....
Summer Chef Cookout Series
Culinary Fire at Bahia Resort’s Beachfront With Summer Chef Cookout Series
A new summer tradition is heating up at Mission Bay. Bahia Resort Hotel launches its Summer Chef Cookout series, featuring rotating top regional chefs who...
Playing with Fire at The Grill at Torrey Pines
Playing With Fire Sessions Bring San Diego’s Top Chefs to Torrey Pines for Ultimate Grilling Events
The Grill at Torrey Pines has created something we didn’t know we needed—a series of outdoor grilling collaborations that brings together San Diego’s most respected...
hotel pool
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy Opens Summer 2025
The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy is set to debut this summer, bringing 334 rooms of upscale hospitality to one of our...
The Beau Hotel Witherby
The Bar at the Beau Gets a New Name and Culinary Identity
The Beau Hotel has renamed its signature restaurant and bar to Witherby, marking a transformation that goes way beyond just changing the signage. This isn’t...
Lana Solana Beach opening
Lana Launches in Solana Beach With California Cuisine and Coastal Sophistication
The opening of Lana marks a significant addition to Solana Beach’s dining scene, bringing together seasoned industry veterans and impressive culinary pedigree. This Solana Beach...
sdma summer art adventures
Enriching Summer Art Adventures for Kids & Families at SDMA
San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) delivers summer art adventures that understand the summer challenge perfectly—keeping kids engaged with activities that are both enriching and...
Comic-Con Museum world premiere exhibitions
Comic-Con Museum Debuts Two Major Milestone Exhibitions in Balboa Park
Comic-Con Museum is timing things perfectly with the debut of two world premiere exhibitions celebrating significant anniversaries in pop culture. These world premiere exhibitions—20 Years...
Little Italy July events
Little Italy’s July Calendar Brings Culture, Baseball, and Community Together
Little Italy knows how to make summer special, and their July events deliver a perfect mix of neighborhood celebration, cultural pride, and community connection. The...
Enjoy the atmosphere at the Summer Arts Fest in Liberty Station
Summer Arts Fest Brings Three Months of Free Concerts to Liberty Station
Arts District Liberty Station has something special planned for summer evenings, and it’s exactly the kind of community celebration we love to see. Summer Arts...
Ivey Ranch Park summer season
Ivey Ranch Park Association Saddles Up for an Action-Packed Summer Season
Ivey Ranch Park has mapped out a summer season that combines hands-on learning, community engagement, and some seriously good music—all in service of their mission...
Sally's at Manchester Grand Hyatt
4th of July Specials Around San Diego
The 4th of July is the perfect time to support your local restaurants and bars, who are rolling out specials, exciting programming, and events with...
San Diego Mimosa Fest
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San Diego Mimosa Fest Takes Over Pacific Beach for Summer’s Ultimate Day Party
  • Break Point PB
Pacific Beach is about to become mimosa central as San Diego Mimosa Fest transforms the neighborhood into one massive brunch celebration. This all-access day party...
Upcoming Events
The Art of Banksy
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” Exhibition Arrives in San Diego
January 30, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Del Mar Fairgrounds
The world’s most famous and mysterious graffiti artist is coming to San Diego. The Art of Banksy Without Limits makes its San Diego debut at...
bright light volunteers
Let There Be Light Benefit Concert Supports Student Volunteers
January 25, 2026
2:30 pm
Bright Light Volunteers is throwing a benefit concert in Bankers Hill to raise money for scholarships that help students join international service-learning programs they couldn’t...
Wreckless Strangers & The Great North Special at Winstons
Infectious Grooves Hit Winstons: Wreckless Strangers & The Great North Special
January 24, 2026
9:00 pm
  • WinstonsOB
If you’re looking for a Saturday night that’s heavy on soul, groove, and live energy, Winstons in Ocean Beach has you covered. Wreckless Strangers and...
del mar dog beach
The Greatest Social Beach Volleyball Tournament Ever Returns to Del Mar
January 24, 2026
7:00 am
  • Del Mar Dog Beach
The Onesie Beach Volleyball Tournament is back for its 10th year, and if you’ve never played beach volleyball in a full-body onesie, you’re missing out...
new village arts the apiary
New Village Arts Brings Bold Sci-Fi Thriller The Apiary to Carlsbad
January 23, 2026
7:30 pm
New Village Arts is kicking off 2026 with something a little different – a sci-fi workplace thriller set in a synthetic honeybee laboratory 22 years...