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Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Chula Vista

top must-try chula vista restaurants
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Chula Vista, known for being the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, is a vibrant seaside town that boasts a bustling food scene.

Whatever cuisine you’re craving, there’s at least one restaurant that will satiate your palate, from classic American bites to international dishes.

This article enumerates the 10 must-try Chula Vista restaurants.

a plate of pasta with vegetables chula vista restaurants

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1. Italianissimo Trattoria

Italianissimo Trattoria serves authentic Italian cuisine in an intimate setting, perfect for a date night. It’s menu features a vegan section offering a variety of mains, including grilled artichokes, lasagna with cashew ricotta, vegetable ravioli, and mushroom pizza.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Vitello Al Mascarpone – Pan-seared veal scaloppine in a marsala mushroom sauce with a touch of mascarpone cheese.
  2. Salmone alle Noci – Pecan and walnut-crusted fresh salmon pan seared with honey lemon sauce.
  3. Panzerotti Camarata – Homemade cheese ravioli with shrimp and basil in a brandy tomato cream sauce.

Reviews:

“Love this place! The food is consistently excellent with great service and atmosphere. Best Italian in Chula Vista.”

– Gerre Jech-Galvin

Restaurant Information:

tacos with lime chula vista restaurants

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2. Tacos El Gordo

Tacos El Gordo is one of the best restaurants in Chula Vista to bring friends and family who crave great-tasting Mexican tacos. This spot offers an authentic Tijuana taco experience, with Mexican culinary staples prepared with handmade corn tortillas, top-grade meats, and the freshest ingredients.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Suadero – Brisket (beef breast) on a corn tortilla with your choice of fresh toppings.
  2. Lengua – Beef tongue on a corn tortilla with your choice of fresh toppings.
  3. Azteca – Grilled beef and cactus on a corn tortilla with your choice of fresh toppings.

Reviews:

“If your ever in Chula Vista and are addicted to fine Mexican street food like we are, make a beeline for Tacos El Gordo. Hands down the best pastor tacos outside Tijuana for one. They offer a wide range of dishes, so a good excuse to keep coming back. Unorthodox ordering method makes it loud and chaotic inside. Shame they don’t have outdoor tables. Too busy scarfing our food to bother taking pics.”

– Villa Mio Mondo

Restaurant Information:

shrimp and octopus dish in chula vista restaurants

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3. Los Cuates Seafood and Bar

Los Cuates Seafood and Bar boasts a diverse menu featuring an array of delectable seafood dishes and refreshing drinks. Savor the flavors of the ocean on your plate in an vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Ceviche Los Cuates – This house favorite is the signature ceviche made with shrimp and fish mixed with chopped cucumber and onions in a Los Cuates house sauce.
  2. Marina Mix – Cooked shrimp, octopus, scallops, fish, onion, tomato, cilantro, and cucumber all marinated in lime juice topped with avocado and pepper.
  3. 4 Mares – Fish, shrimp, octopus, and tuna marinated in lime with your choice of sauce (green or black). Topped with red onions and cucumbers.

Reviews:

“Birria tacos are amazing, especially the quesabirria so much flavor. Shrimp ceviche is delicious, and the adobada tacos are amazing. It is a nice hidden gem for downtown Chula Vista.”

– Alfredo Parra

Restaurant Information:

calamari with sauce chula vista restaurants

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4. Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro

If you’re craving tapas, Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro is one of the best Chula Vista restaurants you must visit. This spot serves a blend of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine and features a varied wine list.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Roadside Ahi Tuna Tostada – Guacamole, ponzu, fresh crema, tender greens, mild habanero salsa, and extra virgin olive oil.
  2. Paella – Shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, chicken, pork short rib, Spanish chorizo, and saffron.
  3. Calamari Fritti – Piquillo aioli and tomato sauce.

Reviews:

“One of my favorite places in Chula Vista! So delicious and amazing service. I’ve been coming here for years, and they have never disappointed. That’s when you know its a great restaurant.”

– Livana H

Restaurant Information:

fried wings and fires chula vista restaurants

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5. Vogue Tavern

This lively German-inspired beer hall located in a Tudor-style building near the Vogue Theatre is known for their German classics, such as schnitzels, sausages, salads, flatbreads, burgers, and wings.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Fish & Chips – Beer battered cod fried to order with shoestring French fries, tartar sauce, and lemon wedge.
  2. Mac & Beer Cheese – Large elbow macaroni cooked to order in house made beer cheese sauce topped with parmesan and panko.
  3. Chicken Wings – Choice of four or eight chicken wings served crispy and naked with a side of buffalo sauce and choices of ranch, blue cheese, and honey mustard.

Reviews:

“Great atmosphere and service. The tots are the best. Great selection of tap beers. The energy in the tavern was positive, along with the good selection of overhead music. This a must stop when visiting downtown Chula Vista.”

– Carlos Lopez

Restaurant Information:

a serving of sushi chula vista restaurants

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6. Izakaya Naruto

The term “izakaya” refers to a casual Japanese pub that serves food and drinks where people gather to socialize. Izakaya Naruto serves small dishes similar to tapas paired with Japanese beers and sake.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Abre La Boca Mucho Roll – Fried tempura with crab, cream cheese, and avocado. Topped with spicy crab and shrimp. Served with eel and spicy mayo sauce.
  2. Naruto Bowl – Spicy tuna, crab (imitation), onion slice, scallion on top of sushi rice with eel sauce and spicy mayo.
  3. Jalapeño Yellowtail Sashimi – Garlic rubbed yellowtail, seared then topped with jalapeño and lemon slices, dressed with olive oil and ponzu.

Reviews:

“Awesome experience! Very cute hole-in-the-wall with speedy and friendly service. The chef also checked in to see how our meal was, which was really cool. The Chula Vista ramen was absolutely delicious, as was the plum wine. Highly recommend and hope to go back soon!”

– Corrie Fyle

Restaurant Information:

tacos with white sauce chula vista restaurants

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7. Karina's Mexican Seafood

Karina’s Mexican Seafood is famous for serving authentic seafood specialties and traditional favorites. Its menu features dozens of coastal and regional dishes, especially from Sinaloa.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Agua Chile Negro de Mariscos – Shrimp, scallops, octopus, and caracol marinated in a spicy black Machin Chiltepín sauce.
  2. Tacos al Pastor – Marinated pork, grilled pineapple, cilantro, spicy mayo, guacamole, and onion in a corn tortilla.
  3. Chilis Panchitos – Three chili peppers stuffed with cream cheese and marlin wrapped in bacon and deep fried.

Reviews:

“The food was delicious and the servers were very kind and helpful. I ordered the shrimp fajitas, which were delicious! The tres leches cake wasn’t very milky tbh, but it was still pretty good. Overall great atmosphere and beautiful decor inside. I highly recommend coming for Mexican seafood! I was very satisfied.”

– Heidy Amaro

Restaurant Information:

meat, beans, tomatos and avocado in chula vista restaurants

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8. Aqui es Texcoco

This casual spot is known for serving the best traditional Barbacoa-style Mexican lamb barbecue. Barbacoa is a method of cooking that involves slow-roasting meat for more than seven hours in an underground fire pit covered with leaves of the maguey plant.

Aqui es Texcoco replicates this process using a specialized oven to create the closest dish to traditional Mexican lamb barbecue.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Cabeza Completa – Lamb head. Includes tortillas, salsa, lime, cilantro, and onion.
  2. Barbocoa en Pita – Lamb barbecue pita sandwich. Includes small lamb broth, pita bread with lamb, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and homemade dill yogurt sauce.
  3. Mixiotes – A traditional dish prepared with meat, peppers, spices, and maguey leaves wrapped in thin parchment paper and steamed to perfection. Includes small lamb broth and tortillas.

Reviews:

“Visited since my friends in town eat a halal food. They were very satisfied with the meat, they said it was tender and juicy. The salsa had a great spice level too, not for the faint of heart. I ordered the zucchini blossom and mushroom quesataco which were surprising so filling! Thanks Monica for great service.”

– Stephanie Wolfe

Restaurant Information:

a pasta dish served in chula vista restaurants

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9. Farmer's Table

This family-owned and operated business is one of the best dog-friendly restaurants Chula Vista. It serves American and Italian cuisine made using only the best organic ingredients from the South Bay region, including areas like Otay Mesa, Bonita, and Imperial Beach.

⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Pappardelle Al Pesto – Sundried tomato, mushroom, and pesto cream sauce.
  2. Chicken Marsala – Portobello mushroom, marsala wine cream sauce, spinach, and garlic confit mashed potatoes.
  3. 12 oz NY Steak – Mashed potato, sautéed broccolini, and rosemary butter sauce.

Reviews:

“Nice restaurant in downtown Chula Vista. The service d and atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. I had the ribeye.”

– Matthew Williams

Restaurant Information:

hamburger wiith salad on the side chula vista restaurants

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10. The Galley

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⭐️ Must-Try:

  1. Prime Rib Melt – Slow-roasted prime rib and Jack cheese on grilled sourdough.
  2. World Famous Fish & Chips – Fresh cod fillets dipped in homemade beer batter and served with fries and coleslaw.
  3. Chicken Quesadilla – Tender chunks of grilled chicken, avocado, cheddar, and Jack cheeses on a 12″ flour tortilla, served with salsa fresca and sour cream.

Reviews:

“This is my favorite spot in Chula Vista. Thanks to Sirenia for another amazing experience, and to the cooks who cooked our food. Delicious!”

– Leo Plata

Restaurant Information:

top must-try chula vista restaurants

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Conclusion

There you have it – the 10 must-try restaurants in Chula Vista, CA! Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these culinary hotspots will surely give you an exceptional gastronomic experience.

If you’d like to know more about Chula Vista, please give me a call at 619-393-6246 or send me an email at edward@teamrivera.com to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some of the restaurants offer vegetarian options, including Los Cuates Seafood and Bar, Izakaya Naruto, and Farmer’s Table Chula Vista.

The following are family-friendly restaurants: The Galley, Farmer’s Table, Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro, and Los Cuates Seafood and Bar.

The food served in these restaurants typically cost $20 to $50.