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.
Pangaea Outpost 20th Anniversary
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Our Favorite PB Marketplace is Having an Epic Birthday Bash!
Pangaea Outpost is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and Pacific Beach small businesses are throwing the party of the year! This treasure trove of...
PST ART Regional Weekend workshops
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Ocean Vibes and Artistic Magic Collide at OMA
  • Oceanside Museum of Art
The Oceanside Museum of Art is hosting two incredible PST ART Regional Weekend workshops! Led by the amazing Transformative Currents artists, these sessions promise to...
Love Has No Borders: A Border Angels Documentary
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Border Angels Documentary Sets the Stage for an Evening of Moving Art
“Love Has No Borders,” Border Angels’ first-ever documentary, is about to take us on an incredible journey of hope and humanity. This powerful 20-minute film...
Wild San Diego
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Wild Side of San Diego Hits the Big Screen at The Nat
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
The Nat’s latest documentary, Wild San Diego, is about to show us our city’s untamed heart like we’ve never seen it before. This stunning nature...
most iconic divas jazz concert at Jacobs Music Center
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A Night of Jazz Royalty Hits the Jacobs Music Center
  • Jacobs Music Center
Three of the most iconic divas in jazz history—Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan—are getting a spectacular tribute at the first jazz concert in...
Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration
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USS Midway’s Holiday Light Spectacular Returns
  • USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum’s Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration returns for its second magical year! With 750,000 twinkling lights stretching from bow to stern, this...
Communion rooftop restaurant opening
A Heavenly New Rooftop Haven Lands in Mission Hills
The buzz around Mission Hills’ newest rooftop restaurant has been building for months, and now Communion rooftop restaurant is finally opening its doors. Perched high...
beachfront ice rink
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Get Ready to Glide at The Del’s Winter Paradise!
  • Hotel Del Coronado
Skating by the Sea at The Del is back, and it’s serving up pure winter magic with an epic SoCal twist. Picture gliding across their...
thanksgiving tips from san diego's top chefs
Two of San Diego’s Top Chefs Share Tips to Make Your Thanksgiving a Success
Move over, traditional turkey! We’re diving into some game-changing Thanksgiving tips from two of San Diego’s top chefs who are about to revolutionize your holiday...
80s neon-themed party at coin-op game room north park
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Game On at Coin-Op’s Totally Rad 11th Birthday Bash!
Who’s ready for the ultimate throwback party? Coin-Op Game Room North Park is cranking up the nostalgia with an incredible 80s neon-themed party for their...
brunch by Chef Cesarina
Chef Cesarina Brings Dreamy Brunch to Elvira
Chef Cesarina’s wildly popular brunch is expanding its magic to her second location, bringing her Italian kitchen wizardry to Elvira and transforming weekend mornings into...
The Conrad December lineup
Holiday Magic Hits The Conrad With Three December Shows You Can’t Miss
Get ready to deck the halls at The Conrad this December! As part of an exciting array of holiday events in San Diego, The Conrad...
San Diego Nightclubs
Your December Party Guide to Oxford Social Club
Among San Diego nightclubs, Oxford Social Club is about to light up the holiday season like never before—their December parties are serving pure fire! Star-Studded...
sweatshirts on sale
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Score Sweet Holiday Deals While Supporting Cardiff’s Local Gems
When Cardiff 101 Main Street invites us to shop local in Cardiff this holiday season, they’re celebrating something truly special—the vibrant independent businesses that make...
South Bay's most vibrant neighborhood
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Downtown Chula Vista Lights Up the Season
The Downtown Chula Vista Tree Lighting is ready to illuminate South Bay’s most vibrant neighborhood. The festivities begin with a dazzling ceremony at Memorial Park,...
premier destination in San Diego
Encinitas Named One of America’s Chillest Cities (And We’re Not Surprised!)
Looking for one of America’s most Zen cities? Encinitas just claimed the #10 spot, making it San Diego‘s premier destination for good vibes and peaceful...
tidepool adventures
Make a Splash With Birch Aquarium’s King Tide Adventures
King Tides with Birch Aquarium are making waves as one of San Diego‘s most fascinating outdoor adventures. These aren’t your average tides—we’re talking about the...
Fairmont Grand Del Mar Brings You A Holiday Season To Remember
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Holiday Magic Comes to Life at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
  • Fairmont Grand Del Mar
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar holiday season is joining the line up of San Diego’s holiday festivities, and they’re not playing around! This coastal paradise...
San Diego Fishermen's Working Group
Local Fishermen Cast a Wider Net of Support for San Diego Families
San Diego’s local fishing community, through the San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group, is making waves with an amazing new partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman...
Sensory Cocktail Experience San Diego
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There’s a New Sensory Cocktail Experience Coming to San Diego
Get ready to embark on a mind-bending mixology adventure! San Diego’s about to get a whole lot more intoxicating with the Sensory Cocktail Experience hitting...
JLSD Holiday Pop-up Market
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‘Tis the Season to Shop and Give Back
The JLSD Holiday Pop-up Market is about to transform downtown San Diego into a festive wonderland where unique holiday gifts meet community impact. This Saturday,...
J. Brix Wines North City
Natural Wine Magic Hits North City
San Diego’s wine scene just hit the jackpot with J Brix Wines North City, San Marcos. This isn’t just another tasting room—it’s the new home...
authentic Italian cuisine restaurant
Oceanside Just Got a Taste of La Dolce Vita
Amalfi Cucina Italiana just dropped the best kind of surprise on North County—a slice of authentic Italian cuisine that’s already turning heads in Oceanside. The...
Oceanside Transit Center mural
Wave Hello to Oceanside’s Newest Artistic Splash
The Oceanside Transit Center just got a major glow-up thanks to Art that Excites program, MainStreet Oceanside’s public art initiative. San Diego artist Jonny Pucci...
Upcoming Events
Nerissa Sounds Jazz Brunch Cruise
Nerissa Sounds Brings Jazz Brunch to San Diego Bay
September 21, 2025
12:00 pm
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...
Parfait Party at Tajima Ramen
Parfait Party’s Kawaii Maid Café Returns to Tajima Ramen for Round Two
September 20, 2025
1:00 pm
The collaboration that had people lining up around the block is back, and this time Parfait Party and Tajima Ramen are pulling out all the...
USS Midway dear doc
USS Midway Museum Honors WWII’s 80th Anniversary Through Letters
September 16, 2025
6:00 pm
  • 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...
mavericks beach club pickleball tournament
Mavericks Beach Club Hosts Pickleball Tournament for Firefighter Aid
September 15, 2025
12:00 pm
  • 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...
University Heights Movie in the Park
University Heights Serves Up Hocus Pocus with a Side of Community Baking Competition
September 13, 2025
6:00 pm
University Heights is taking their Movie in the Park series to the next level this weekend with a Hocus Pocus screening that’s got more layers...