Finding foodie spots that have both a delicious menu and on-point interiors is kinda my forte. I really want a dining experience to be just that, a fully immersive experience where I can capture beautiful photography and enjoy a meal.

The San Diego eateries I’ve chosen for this list are popular with the Instagram crowd because they’ve mastered the art of trendy decor and creating fun photo opportunities for patrons. You’ll find brunch restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes and perfect date night places.

These top picks can be found all over the San Diego area because there’s just so many cute neighborhoods in this colorful city. Whether you’re a visitor on a beach vacation or a local, there’s always be new areas to explore.

Pro Photography Tips:

A few things I always look for in a restaurant I plan to photograph are: an abundance of natural light, fun colors to brighten my feed and a touch of whimsy with the decor. These elements create the most Insta-worthy and memorable photos to share with your friends.

Best Brunch Spots in San Diego

Breakfast Republic

Calling all breakfast lovers! Between the hours of 7am - 3pm you can enjoy all kinds of breakfast favorites from their menu. The interiors of their restaurants are filled with a combination of rustic touches, bright yellow color and off-the-walk decor. They have locations all over the San Diego area including North Park, Liberty Station, Encinitas, East Village, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and Mission Valley.

Snooze A.M. Eatery

There’s multiple Snooze locations in San Diego and they’re all so popular that you should expect a long wait for their weekend brunch. I’ve never actually eaten there because my husband would refuse to wait an hour to be seated. Nevertheless, during your visit enjoy one of their innovative twists on many of the breakfast classics.

Firehouse in Pacific Beach

If you’re looking for lighter breakfast eats and a beachy scenery then give Firehouse in Pacific Beach a visit. I love their build your own avocado toast option on the menu. They also have a lengthy alcoholic menu for boozy cocktails and drinks if you’re planning on starting the day with a bang.

Crushed in Pacific Beach

Crushed has been voted one of the best brunch spots in San Diego and their colorful mimosa flights have become Insta-famous. They’re conveniently located in Pacific Beach so you can take your mimosa buzz for a scenic stroll.

Insta-Worthy Coffee Shops in San Diego

Better Buzz Coffee

The Better Buzz San Diego coffee shop chain is everything Instagrammers love - cute, trendy and modern. They’ve been busy expanding all over the San Diego area with locations in La Jolla, Miramar, Pacific Beach, Hillcrest, Encinitas, Fashion Valley, Point Loma, Mission Beach and Escondido.

Holy Matcha in North Park

Probably the single most Instagram famous hot drinks spot in San Diego is Holy Matcha. Their “millennial pink” decor scheme is a photo favorite amongst shutterbugs. They also make fun matcha green latte art and you can request all kinds of designs.

I’ve been to their North Park location many times but still have to check out the new location in the San Diego neighborhood East Village. We shot this entire blog post inside the North Park Holy Matcha - check it out for some photo inspiration!

Communal Coffee

You may have seen the “Coffee + Flowers” mural floating around Instagram which is located at the Communal Coffee location in North Park. There’s also a second cute Communal Coffee shop located in South Park. Along with hot drinks and eats, they have sweet flowers and retail goods for sale inside their building.

Moniker Coffee Company

I have yet to visit this trending coffee shop and general store in Liberty Station. The interiors are industrial modern with plenty of natural light and natural furnishings. They are dog-friendly so you can sip your coffee with your pooch.

James Coffee Company in Little Italy

James Coffee is located in a large aircraft hanger building in the heart of Little Italy on India Street. It has a sleek and masculine vibe, the men in your life will dig this spot. There’s also small shops and mercantile to explore inside “The Space” as they call it.

Latte art from Holy Matcha in North Park.

Local San Diego Breweries

JuneShine Ranch

JuneShine is a local San Diego brewery that makes hard kombucha. The JuneShine Ranch is a large airy space open to the public and it’s by far the prettiest tasting room I’ve ever seen. It’s bright and the decor is boho feminine, right up my alley.

Babe Kombucha

Another local San Diego hard kombucha brewery is Babe. Their shop has some cute corners and a wall mural for photos. Their cans of kombucha are pretty cute too.

Gravity Heights

The Gravity Heights brewpub is both a brewery and restaurant in Sorrento Mesa, San Diego. Their space is filled with color and natural light making it an ideal photo spot. San Diego locals love their brunch food and brunch happy hour.

FruitCraft in Hillcrest

At FruitCraft they use all kinds of fruits to get creative with their brews of cider, kombucha, wine and more. Their space is very open and bright with modern decor. They’re located in a great walkable area of Hillcrest too.

Ballast Point Brewery

Our friends had their wedding rehearsal brunch at the Ballast Point Brewery in Miramar. I brought my camera along and snapped photos of the drinks and interiors. I loved the Pineapple Chili and Grapefruit Thyme Hard Kombuchas from Flying Embers. Inside the brewery there’s a modern decor theme with warm copper accents.

My San Diego Date Night Recommendations

Allegro in Little Italy

This is the newest hot spot in Little Italy and people are loving both the Italian food and the ambiance. The Allegro lemon garden patio was made for whimsical photos. Most of the tables outside have their own little fire pits so the evening vibes are on point too.

Crack Shack

The vibes at Crack Shack are always lively and filled with quirky puns about chickens and eggs. Their menu has all kinds of new and tasty ways to make fried chicken and sandwiches. The outdoor patio at the Little Italy location is very big and has fire pits and outdoor games.

Ironside in Little Italy

Patrons love the industrial-meets-vintage-fisherman style of decor found inside Ironside Fish & Oyster restaurant. Their plates of seafood dishes are fresh and pretty for photos, and you’ll find plenty of photogenic corners to photograph.

Campfire in Carlsbad

When heading into the actual wilderness is not an option, the next best thing is having a camping themed dinner at Campfire. It’s a very upscale and elevated version of camping with rustic trendy decor and chef made meals… but you can order s’mores!

Healthy Food Spots in San Diego

The Yasai By RakiRaki

The Yasai By RakiRaki in Little Italy is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant that makes plant-based sushi and other popular Japanese foods. Their Bento Box is so pretty and colorful with all kinds of botanical flowers and veggie surprises.

Sweetfin

At Sweetfin they serve both plant-based and fish poke bowls which are pretty as a picture. They have two San Diego locations - La Jolla and Del Mar. Both spots have beautiful interiors with lots of color and natural light.

Cafe Gratitude in Little Italy

If you hover over the images in this blog post you’ll see the bright and airy photos taken inside Cafe Gratitude in San Diego. The white marble counters and Spanish tile floor make for memorable interior photos. They have super healthy food options and a bar to order cocktails. They also have additional locations in Southern California that are just as cute.

Flower Child in Del Mar

This place counts as both a healthy food spot and a great place to capture color for photos. You’ll find dishes featuring yummy fresh produce and colorful mural backgrounds with flowers and boho vibes.

The Most Colorful Foodie Spots in San Diego

S3 Coffee Bar

If you like your coffee with a lot of razzle dazzle then S3 Coffee is for you. They have coffee and mixed drinks in all kinds of pastel and bright colors, plus latte art with all the trimmings. I’ve even seen photos of pink toast with flowers! The exterior of the building is nothing special but it’s cute enough inside with graphic wallpaper and neon signs.

Parakeet Cafe

The Parakeet Cafe local chain has four locations in San Diego including La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado and Little Italy. Their cafes feature colorful wallpaper, neon signs, pretty plates of healthy food and latte art.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop

This modern Mexican taco shop has fun with the Lucha Libre theme with bright vibrant colors and murals. Their North Park location even has a mini wrestling ring where you can take some playful photos. Their tacos are also delicious!

You can see photos inside Lucha Libre Tacos in my North Park Guide.

Puesto Tacos

Puesto Tacos not only makes some very photogenic taco plates and margaritas, but they also have colorful murals in their La Jolla and San Diego headquarters location. Keep scrolling to see my mango margarita from their La Jolla restaurant.

Cafe Coyote in Old Town

Old Town is the perfect place for either a romantic evening or a night out with friends. Add a pop of color to your night with colorful margaritas from Cafe Coyote. Order the margarita flight with flavors Cucumber, Chamango, Gold, Azul and Spicy Watermelon.

Chicken sandwich from Crack Shack in Little Italy.

San Diego Spots with the Best Views

Born & Raised in Little Italy

The interiors of this fancy steak house are reminiscent of the Great Gatsby era with ornate gold arches and vintage art deco touches everywhere. But the most noteworthy attraction is the skyline city view of Little Italy from the rooftop patio. This spot is very pricey so expect to drop some serious dough if you’re planning to eat a meal.

Coasterra on Harbor Island

Coasterra is probably the single best spot to see downtown San Diego skyline views while you dine. At night the lights are so bright and colorful from the skyscrapers, Padres stadium and bridge. They serve modern Mexican food with a unique margarita drinks menu. Try the fig and vanilla bean infused margarita!

Waterbar in Pacific Beach

Lounge with your friends in the center of all the action at Waterbar in Pacific Beach. The restaurant is located right on the Ocean Front Boardwalk and it’s a prime spot for beach and ocean views. This is a great place for both day and night, it’s a popping spot anytime.

George’s at the Cove

Enjoy some classic American food with stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The shores of La Jolla are some of the most coveted beachfront property in California and you’ll see why during your visit.

Pacific Beach Ale House

I’ve enjoyed some magical sunset dinners with friends on the skydeck at the Pacific Beach Ale House. It overlooks the sandy beach and on warm summer nights the vibes are kinda amazing. They also have a popular brunch with great daytime views of the ocean.

Best San Diego Ice Cream & Donut Shops

Hammond’s Ice Cream in North Park

You can try as many flavors as your heart desires with Hammond’s famous ice cream flights! These tiny little cones are customizable and you can pick from fun flavors such as brown sugar, ginger cream, honey lavender and so much more.

Cali Cream Ice Cream

Cali Cream Ice Cream offers 57 flavors made in small batches. They have two San Diego locations in Encinitas and Gaslamp Quarter. Their little ice cream cups are cute and colorful with polka dots, very ready for their Instagram moment.

Big Kahuna's Ice Cream

Take a walk along the scenic oceanfront paved path in Mission Beach and pit stop for a rainbow shaved ice from Big Kahuna’s. They’ve brought this classic Hawaiian treat to the California shores along with ice cream cones and smoothies.

Sidecar Doughnuts

Sidecar gets really fancy and high-end with their doughnuts with flavors like Rosemary Lemon Drop and Huckleberry. This gourmet doughnut shop also sells vegan and glue-free options. Their San Diego local is in Del Mar and they also have a few Los Angeles spots too.

Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop

Devil’s Dozen is a popular donut shop in Little Italy and you have to get there early before sell out of your favorite flavors. There’s often a line outside of people waiting for their fix. They are walk-up storefront so you’ll be taking your donuts to go.