San Diego’s buzzing food scene has a few new names added to the arsenal. Whether you’re craving chicken and biscuits or want to enjoy pasta and cocktails, here are some recent openings and places you might want to check out.

The Desmond at Kimpton Alma in San Diego. Photo by Carmen Varner

The Desmond

Get a bite of housemade pasta, carefully crafted cocktails, and locally sourced produce, fish, and more at The Desmond. Although not the newest spot on this list, this fine dining spot opened at the end of 2022 in the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. It’s tucked on the second floor of the revamped Kimpton Alma San Diego, so you might not easily spot it as you’re walking or driving. Get the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with duck confit, candied pearl onions, Madeira sauce, parmesan, and brown butter crumbs for a decadent and delicious meal.

The address is 1047 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101.

The Amalfi Llama

The Amalfi Llama recently opened at The Collection at UTC in San Diego. The eatery merges Mediterranean and Patagonian cuisine with menu items such as cedar roasted burrata with cherry tomatoes on grilled baguette, artichoke salad with Granny Smith apple, mushroom, pistachio, and Parmesan cheese, and lobster arrabbiata. If you seek the taste of southern Andes and Italian, The Amalfi Llam is an ideal dinner spot to try this interesting combination.

The address is 4575 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122.

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken

Get your chicken fix at Rise San Diego, located near San Diego State University on El Cajon Blvd. Rise has locations in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia with two current locations on the West Coast: San Diego (SDSU) and Thousand Oaks. They have boxes like chicken fingers on top of cheese grits or a chicken box with chicken fingers, a biscuit, a side, and dipping sauce. Not in the mood for meat? They also have veggie “chicken” fingers and veggie biscuits to pick from.

The address is 6364 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115.

Come check out San Diego’s food scene for a mix of luxury and convenient food options!

Feature Image courtesy of The Amalfi Llama