Le list 2026
I’m excited to kick I’m excited to kick off 2026 with the latest edition of Le List, my handpicked guide to the best places, new openings, and neighborhood favorites across San Diego County.
This is where I share what I’m loving, what’s new, and what you should keep on your radar. Think of it as your personal guide to living and eating well in 2026, curated, tested, and selected with intention. As a former Angeleno, all of these restaurants are coming to San Diego from LA.
Coming soon
Gladstone’s (861 W Harbor Drive, Seaport Village) - After years of uncertainty, the iconic MALIBU seafood spot will open in 2026 at Seaport Village with a refreshed nautical design, wraparound patio, and classic dishes like king crab, Maine lobster, and clam chowder. Owner John Sangmeister says this long-awaited local outpost is a top priority, a half-century-old California favorite is about to drop anchor here in San Diego.
Goop Kitchen (3725 Paseo Place, One Paseo, Carmel Valley) - I literally CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ONE! Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness-forward Goop Kitchen is coming to San Diego, taking over the former Tender Greens at One Paseo in Carmel Valley. Known for clean, plant-forward dishes crafted by Michelin-trained chef Kim Floresca, the menu blends wellness with bold flavor—from the Goop Teriyaki Bowl to the vegan G.P. Bahn Mi. Its arrival adds a thoughtful, elevated option to One Paseo’s dining scene and is one of North County’s most exciting openings next year.
Honor Bar (1404 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar) - After nearly a decade, Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston’s, Gulfstream etc) is bringing Honor Bar to Del Mar in the former Bully’s North space. Chic yet casual, it serves elevated bar fare: burgers, deviled eggs, house-smoked salmon, and sushi plus handcrafted cocktails and curated wines. This place is going to be packed so get ready!
Jon & Vinny’s (303 Spruce Street, Bankers Hill) - LA’s cult-favorite Italian-American restaurant duo Jon & Vinny’s is headed to San Diego, with plans for a Bankers Hill spot at the base of the under-construction Quince Apartments, just blocks from Balboa Park. Expect their signature wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, breakfast dishes, and curated wines to land in a sunny, walkable corridor between Hillcrest and Little Italy. This will be their sixth location and first outside LA, making it one of San Diego’s most exciting upcoming openings.
Katsuya Ko – Westfield UTC, La Jolla
Katsuya is back in San Diego with Katsuya Ko at Westfield UTC, putting a youthful, approachable spin on Chef Katsuya Uechi’s acclaimed Japanese cuisine. The 3,000-square-foot space blends sushi and sashimi favorites with shareable comfort bites like chicken yakitori, pork-and-kimchi gyoza, miso cod, and even a Ko burger, all set in a sleek, modern design. Set to open in early 2026, this marks the brand’s return a decade after its downtown outpost.
Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles – Barrio Logan
The San Diego arrival of Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles has practically become a local legend, with a construction saga stretching nearly a decade. First announced in 2016, delayed, revived, paused, and teased countless times, the long-awaited Barrio Logan location promises 6,000 square feet of fried chicken, waffles, gravy, grits and a rooftop deck. Whether it finally opens in 2026 or becomes the world’s longest chicken-and-waffle experiment, San Diegans will only believe it when they see it.
Sugarfish – 2100 Kettner, Little Italy
Los Angeles sushi favorite Sugarfish is finally bringing its “Trust Me” omakase to San Diego in spring 2026. Chef Kazunori Nozawa’s famed menus of pristine fish, warm rice, and crisp nori will take center stage in a serene, ocean-inspired 40-seat space at 2100 Kettner, perfectly framing Little Italy’s harbor sunsets. This will be the brand’s first location beyond LA, OC, and NYC, making it a highly anticipated addition to the city’s dining scene.