San Diego’s Best Beachside Bites
If you’re in San Diego, there are two things you simply must do: (1) enjoy our incredible food scene (starting with tacos, naturally) and (2) hit the beach! With that in mind, we invite you to stay with us at The Dana on Mission Bay, the perfect place to experience both. Here, you can savor San Diego’s foodie culture while being just steps from the sand.
To help you plan your trip, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular coastal spots for beachside bites near The Dana, where you can pair amazing beaches with flavors you won’t forget.
Local Favorites Near the Dana:
Firefly Eatery & Bar (Located Onsite at the Hotel)
Firefly Eatery & Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a sunset cocktail during happy hour with views of the water, marina, and pool. Prefer to take your meal on the go? Grab our guest-favorite Surfer Breakfast Burrito, fresh fruit, fish tacos, or a quesadilla and enjoy a bayside picnic or a bite on the beach.
Sandbar Sports Grill (1.1 Miles from Hotel)
Located next to Belmont Park at the Boardwalk in Mission Beach, the Sandbar is the place to go for fish tacos, especially since they continuously win all the “Best Fish Taco” competitions in the area. Dine beachside on the rooftop patio and enjoy ocean views and cool coastal breezes at one of the most popular beachfront restaurants in San Diego.
Photo: Sandbar Sports Grill
Cannonball (1.3 Miles from Hotel)
Ask any local: one of the best beachfront restaurants in San Diego is most definitely Cannonball at Belmont Park. Experience waterfront dining with refreshing craft cocktails, delicious sushi, and unforgettable California cuisine along with impressive Mission Beach views from the largest rooftop terrace in the city.
Photo: @cannonballsd
Draft (1.3 Miles from Hotel)
This popular Belmont Park beachside restaurant is a great place to grab a bite to go and walk straight out onto the beach for a picnic. Relax and put your toes in the sand as you enjoy burgers, salads, and even an ice-cream sundae from Draft on the beach!
Photo: @draftsandiego
Mike’s Taco Club (2.5 Miles from Hotel)
This Ocean Beach taco spot is just steps from the water and is one of the most popular beachfront restaurants in San Diego. Known as one of the best taco places among locals, Mike’s Taco Club is located right on the beach, has a pet-friendly patio, and serves unique dishes like the octopus taco and the surf and turf burrito! Stay for the view or take it to go and relax with lunch by the water.
Photo: Mike's Taco Club
Beachside Bites in Mission Beach & Pacific Beach:
Luigi’s at the Beach (1.1 Miles to Hotel)
Sometimes ya just gotta have a slice and, in San Diego, you go to Luigi's at the Beach. Known for the best pizza slices in Mission Beach, this popular beachside dive has been a staple on the waterfront since 1985 and is a favorite beachfront restaurant in San Diego.
Photo: @luigisatthebeach
Acai Carioca (2.7 Miles to Hotel)
Make sure to try some of the best and most authentic acai from a little beachy hut right by the shore at Acai Carioca in nearby Pacific Beach. This perfect sweet and refreshing treat is the ideal refreshing sweet treat to beat the heat with in the California sunshine.
Board & Brew (2.8 Miles to Hotel)
Nothing says SoCal quite like sunshine and a beachside sandwich. Since 1979, Board & Brew has been serving up some of the best beach grub around — complete with their famous secret sauce sandos. A must-try for beach day bites in San Diego!
Photo: @boardandbrew
Kono’s Café (2.9 Miles to Hotel)
Located along the Pacific Beach boardwalk, Kono’s Café is the place to be if breakfast is your thing. Try the breakfast burrito to get fueled for the day. It’s also a great place for surfers who often stop by in their wetsuits because it’s the ideal takeout spot for a post-surf meal.
Photo: @coastalclicker
Trader Joe’s in PB (3.0 Miles to Hotel)
Looking for the perfect place that has everything to build your own picnic with tasty snacks, drink options, and unique desserts? Trader Joe’s is easy to grab and is right on the way to the beach. There is something for everyone at this popular supermarket in San Diego.
Prince St. Pizza (7.8 Miles to Hotel)
One of the super popular beachfront restaurants in San Diego, this NY-style pizza parlor offers a tasty slice with beachy views! Try the Sicilian-style square slices and round Neapolitan pies with handcrafted signature sauces and dough made fresh daily. You’re gonna want to grab a slice or three…. it’s that good at Prince St. Pizza!
Photo: @nashvillelifestyles
End the Day at the Beach with Dessert in San Diego (Pacific Beach)
The Baked Bear (2.8 Miles from Hotel)
Grab a custom ice cream sandwich from the Baked Bear and head to the beach in San Diego! This funtoand beachy specialty ice cream shop lets you create the perfect ice cream sandwiches from your choice of over a dozen different ice cream and cookie flavor! From chocolate chip cookies with mint ice cream to snickerdoodles with toasted s'mores ice cream, this is one of the coolest places to grab a sweet treat in San Diego.
Photo: @thebakedbear
Desserts by Clement (3.0 Miles to Hotel)
Not saying we saved the best for last, but…this popular dessert spot is on point for everything sweet and the internet is on fire with news about its offerings! From macarons and croissants to cruffins and even the popular Dubai Chocolate Bar, this French pastry chef does it all! A sweet treat from Desserts by Clement is the perfect ending to a great beach day in San Diego.
Photo: @dessertsbyclement
Enjoy Beachfront Bites During Your Stay at The Dana
Before, during, or after spending some time at one of our many amazing beaches near the Dana on Mission Bay, be sure to check out one of the cool beachfront restaurants in San Diego. Stay and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner right on the beach, or take it to-go for a picnic on the sand!
Book your San Diego escape today with us at The Dana for the best resort-style amenities, onsite beachside bites, and pet-friendly accommodations on Mission Bay.
