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.
Outstanding in the Field dinner
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Outstanding In The Field Dinner: A Farm-to-Table Feast in Valley Center
Prepare to savor an Outstanding In The Field Dinner, where the charm of Peads & Barnetts Farm sets the stage for a spectacular Farm-to-Table Feast....
Tea by the Sea
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Enjoy Tea by the Sea and Support St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center
  • The Marine Room
St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) invites you to the 12th annual Tea by the Sea, a heartwarming event that combines elegance, creativity, and community impact....
San Diego and Oceanside’s local heroes at First Responders Night
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Celebrate Local Heroes at Frontwave Arena’s First Responders Night
Join Frontwave Arena for First Responders Night, a special event honoring San Diego and Oceanside’s local heroes with an action-packed San Diego Clippers game against...
Roseacre
Roseacre to Bring Elevated Dining and Design to La Jolla
Get ready for Roseacre, the highly anticipated dining destination set to open in Spring 2025 at 7766 Girard Avenue. Created by legendary design visionaries Paul...
Imperial Red Trolley
Karl Strauss Wraps Up a Milestone 35th Anniversary Year With Imperial Red Trolley
San Diego’s craft beer pioneer, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, is capping off its 35th anniversary with the release of Imperial Red Trolley, a bold reimagining...
san diego art community
Discover Big Creativity at the Teeny Tiny Art Mart
The Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is bringing big creativity to small spaces with the 5th annual Teeny Tiny Art Mart! This beloved exhibition showcases...
Tajima Crown Point
Tajima Brings its Famous Ramen to Crown Point
Tajima Crown Point is the latest addition to San Diego’s beloved ramen scene, officially opened on December 14 at 3782 Ingraham Street. Known for its...
San Diego tradition
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Make Holiday Memories Aboard the Jingle Belle Family Cruise
  • Bahia Resort Hotel
The Jingle Belle Family Cruise is back, bringing festive fun and family memories to Mission Bay! This beloved San Diego tradition is the perfect way...
Wildland in Carlsbad Village
Wildland Brings Rustic Cuisine to Carlsbad Village
Wildland in Carlsbad Village is officially opening its doors, bringing rustic cuisine and coastal-inspired dining to North County. This all-day restaurant, bar, and bakery from...
Hotel La Jolla's Sea & Sky and Chef Ernest Lopez
Chef Ernest Lopez Joins Hotel La Jolla’s Sea & Sky
Hotel La Jolla’s Sea & Sky has a new star in the kitchen! Executive Chef Ernest Lopez has taken the helm at this breathtaking penthouse-level...
SD Sockers Opening Night
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Experience SD Sockers Opening Night at Oceanside’s State-of-the-Art Arena
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as the SD Sockers Opening Night kicks off at Oceanside’s brand-new state-of-the-art Frontwave Arena! The Sockers will take to...
Taylor Swift's birthday
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Celebrate Taylor Swift’s Birthday at Swiftmas Skate
  • Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Swifties, it’s time to celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday in style at Swiftmas Skate at Downtown Skate, San Diego’s first outdoor roller rink! This one-night-only event...
Mission Bay Parade of Lights
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Experience the Mission Bay Parade of Lights
Get ready for a magical evening on the water at the annual Mission Bay Parade of Lights! This beloved holiday tradition lights up the bay...
‘TIS THE SEASUN at Del Mar Highlands Town Center
‘Tis The Seasun at Del Mar Highlands Town Center
Get ready to experience ‘Tis The Seasun at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, where holiday events in Del Mar bring festive fun for the whole...
Juniper and Ivy's new executive chef Jonathan Kinsella
Little Italy’s Juniper and Ivy Welcomes New Executive Chef Jonathan Kinsella
Juniper and Ivy, Little Italy’s trailblazing restaurant, is starting its second decade with a big announcement: Jonathan Kinsella has joined the team as the new...
Best new restaurant in San Diego
A Fresh Chapter Unfolds at La Jolla’s Aldea
Aldea in La Jolla, a 2024 runner-up for San Diego Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant,” is setting a new standard for bold Baja-inspired cuisine and elevated...
Santacon at Beach House at Almost Nakey
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Santacon is Back at Belmont Park
  • Belmont Park
San Diego’s ultimate holiday party is back as Santacon returns to transform Belmont Park into the most epic winter playground yet. This electrifying celebration brings...
Balboa Theatre’s Silent Movie Monday
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A Night of Vintage Holiday Charm at the Balboa
  • Balboa Theatre
The Roaring 20’s Holiday event is about to transform Balboa Theatre’s Silent Movie Monday series into the most extraordinary celebration of the season! Get ready...
December events in San Diego
Seasonal Events at Del Mar Plaza
The Del Mar Plaza festive events are about to unleash an absolute tsunami of holiday magic on December events in San Diego. Get ready for...
San Marcos Chamber's Holiday Market
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Enjoy the Best of Local Holiday Shopping at North City
The San Marcos Chamber’s Holiday Market is turning North City into a wonderland where North City local artisans are about to make your seasonal shopping...
San Diego Opera Chorus Making Merry
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‘Making Merry’ at the Balboa Theatre
San Diego Opera’s Making Merry unleashes the powerhouse San Diego Opera Chorus at the historic Balboa Theatre. Voices That Dazzle Picture “White Christmas” reimagined with...
unique multimedia presentation
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Unique Multimedia Performance by the La Jolla Symphony
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus brings us “Luminosity,” a unique multimedia performance where glowing sea creatures dance to the music. The Deep Sea Comes Alive...
holiday food drive by March and Ash
March and Ash to Host Annual Holiday Food Drive
The March and Ash Holiday Food Drive is back and better than ever, joining forces with San Diego County‘s largest hunger relief effort to make...
festive soiree at East Village Holiday Happy Hour
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Holiday Happy Hour Vibes in East Village
This December, the East Village is set to host Holiday Happy Hour at UCSD Park & Market—part of the new First Friday Happy Hour series,...
Upcoming Events
Ghost Light Masquerade
Step Into the Shadows at Ghost Light Masquerade
October 23, 2025
7:30 pm
If you’ve been looking for something that goes beyond your average Halloween event, we’ve got something that’ll genuinely intrigue you. The Rosin Box Project is...
Plaza Paseo Real's Halloween Spooktacular
Plaza Paseo Real’s Halloween Spooktacular Is Back for Some Family-Friendly Fun
October 18, 2025
11:00 am
Halloween season is officially here, and Plaza Paseo Real in Carlsbad is pulling out all the stops with their annual Halloween Spooktacular. Whether you’ve got...
42nd Annual Fall Arts And Crafts Fair At Bernardo Winery
Bernardo Winery’s Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair Returns for a Weekend of Handmade Goods
October 18, 2025
10:00 am
Bernardo Winery is hosting its 48th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair, and nearly five decades in, they’ve got the format dialed in. The entire...
Dominique Crenn Collaborates With Matsu
Three-Michelin-Starred Dominique Crenn Collaborates With Matsu
October 12, 2025
4:00 pm
When Chef Dominique Crenn joins Chef William Eick for a one-night dinner at Matsu, we’re witnessing something truly unprecedented in San Diego’s dining landscape. This...
La Mesa Oktoberfest
La Mesa Village Transforms Into Bavaria for San Diego’s Ultimate Oktoberfest
October 3, 2025
4:00 pm
  • 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...