The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of October 12, 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.

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Experience San Diego’s First-Ever Little Saigon Night Market on El Cajon Blvd

San Diego’s Little Saigon community is putting on its first-ever night market, and the concept alone is enough to clear your Saturday evening. Traditional Vietnamese...

The 54th Annual Barona Powwow celebration

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Watch Tradition Come Alive at the Barona Powwow

The Barona Band of Mission Indians is hosting the 54th Annual Barona Powwow over Labor Day Weekend, and this is one celebration you won’t want...

Celebrate 25 Years of Ocean Science at Birch Aquarium

Some anniversaries get a plaque. The Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation is getting three Monday nights at Birch Aquarium instead. The Jeffrey B. Graham...

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Bring Your Dog to Liberty Station for DogFest Southwest

Liberty Station

Join us for DogFest Southwest, a fun-filled day for you and your dog at Liberty Station with games, music, and a costume contest.

Live jazz performance under the stars at The Rady Shell

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Feel the Rhythm of Latin Jazz at The Rady Shell

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Dizzy Gillespie are getting the tribute they deserve, and it’s happening right on the water at The Rady Shell at...

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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...

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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

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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

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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...

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

Liberty Station

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...

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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.

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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.

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...

Bach Collegium San Diego Salzburg Connections

Spend a Night in Salzburg With Bach Collegium San Diego

October 17, 2026

7:00 pm

All Souls’ Episcopal Church
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Experience the Bach Collegium October performances celebrating Salzburg Connections with Mozart and Haydn in the city.

Sip for a Cause at Hallo-Wine’s Fall Festival in Point Loma

October 17, 2026

3:00 pm

Experience the Hallo-Wine Fall Festival featuring local wineries, breweries, and delicious food against a scenic backdrop.

San Diego

Mission Bayfest Returns to Mariner’s Point Park With Rebelution, Kolohe Kai & The Offspring

October 16, 2026

3:00 pm

Mariners Point

Mission Bayfest is heading back to the waterfront this fall, bringing three days of reggae, rock, and SoCal vibes to Mariner’s Point Park along the...

San Diego

Explore 15+ Art Stops – and a Brand-New Mural – at North Park Gallery Night

October 15, 2026

5:00 pm

North Park

North Park already has one of the more creative stretches in the city, and once a month, the whole neighborhood makes it official. North Park...

North Park

Celebrate 25 Years of the San Diego International Film Festival

October 13, 2026

5:30 pm

Belly Up Tavern
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
THE LOT La Jolla
Westfield UTC

Discover the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival, known for highlighting Oscar-winning films and emerging talent.