Three Major Restaurant Openings to Watch This Year
San Diego’s restaurant scene is about to get even better. Three highly anticipated spots are opening across the county over the next few months, each bringing something distinct to the table. Here’s what to know about Bacari in North Park, Pastaria Vivi in Encinitas, and Ikaria in La Jolla.
Bacari Brings Mediterranean Wine Bar Vibes to North Park
LA’s beloved Bacari is finally making its way to San Diego, taking over the iconic two-story building that used to house Urban Solace.
If you’ve been to any of their Southern California locations, you know what to expect – seasonally rotating Mediterranean plates meant for sharing, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a wine list that keeps things interesting.
Executive Chef and co-owner Lior Hillel, who has three-Michelin-star Jean-Georges in New York on his resume, is leading the kitchen. The space spans two floors plus an outdoor patio, and the whole vibe is designed to feel like an elevated dinner party. It’s the kind of place where you settle in for a while.
📆 Opens February 2026
📍 3823 30th Street, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here
Pastaria Vivi Is Encinitas’ New Pasta Destination
Michelin-seasoned chefs Brandon Jennings and William Treff are opening Pastaria Vivi in the Encinitas Village Shopping Center this March, and it’s not just another Italian spot.
The concept blends a specialty retail shop, daily handmade pasta and sauce counter, casual dining, and a monthly pasta subscription box service – the first of its kind around here. They’re offering more than 75 rotating pasta-and-sauce combinations, all rooted in Northern Italian tradition but showcasing California ingredients.
You’ll also find curated wines, housemade burrata and focaccia, and hands-on pasta-making classes. It’s designed to feel like an extension of your own kitchen, whether you’re grabbing fresh pasta to cook at home or staying to eat.
📆 Opens March 2026
ℹ️ More info here
Ikaria Arrives in La Jolla With Big Ambitions
The team behind Marisi, Puesto, and James Beard-nominated Roma Norte is opening Ikaria at One Alexandria Square this summer, and it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s most ambitious projects.
Inspired by the Greek island of Ikaria – one of the world’s original Blue Zones – the restaurant will focus on eastern Mediterranean flavors with bold Middle Eastern influence. New York-based Rockwell Group, the firm behind Din Tai Fung, Nobu hotels and restaurants, and countless Broadway sets, is designing the space.
Beyond the food, Ikaria plans to offer wine and cooking classes, fermentation workshops, and educational programming, positioning itself as both a restaurant and a cultural hub.
📆 Opens Summer 2026
ℹ️ More info here
See you there!
Whether you’re into shareable Mediterranean plates, fresh handmade pasta, or exploring Blue Zone-inspired cuisine, this year’s lineup has something worth planning ahead for.
See you there, San Diego!
