If you’re headed to this area in SoCal and you follow a paleo diet, then you’ll probably be planning your dining experiences down to a T to make sure you’re able to enjoy and eat food during your stay.
This article will bring you 15 of the best paleo restaurants in San Diego to cover you for the entirety of your next visit in the sunshine.
True Food Kitchen has numerous restaurants across the US and also has two locations based in San Diego.
True Food Kitchen offers tasty, delicious, and paleo-friendly dishes from late morning to night so you’ll be able to enjoy a good meal whenever you decide to pop in. All foods can be customized to be made paleo and staff will be well informed to be able to help you pick your meal.
From Poke bowls to spaghetti squash casserole, you’ll be able to enjoy both starters and mains to fit your tastes.
Some of the recommendations on our list don’t have desserts that cater to a paleo diet. However, if you’re in the Normal Heights area of San Diego head on down to Paleo Treats where you’ll be graced with a wide selection of paleo-friendly baked goods and desserts.
They have minimal seating but you can also order takeaway and also order online to be delivered to your accommodation if you’re nearby.
We recommend the Brownie Bomb and it is the perfect chocolate but nutty extra to finish off a good day.
Encontro in North Park is a firm favorite with local residents and is also hugely enjoyed by visitors to the area. Whilst they don’t have a designated paleo menu, all staff are welcoming and knowledgeable about paleo diners and will suggest recommendations to suit your diet.
Scottish salmon is a popular choice for paleo diets but there are also some great meat options to choose from.
The restaurant has a rustic and cozy inside, perfect for dinners out with friends or even romantic date nights. If eating out isn’t your thing, then you can also order for pick up or delivery on their website.
When visiting San Diego, The Lion’s Share should be a go-to destination on your list even if you’re not a paleo eater. The intimate and eclectic restaurant has an amazing atmosphere and also serves incredible food (sometimes until 1 am on weekends) to suit all dining experiences.
The menu is filled with seafood, red and white meats, and plenty of fresh ingredients so you’ll have no bother picking something to suit your paleo needs.
Burger Lounge, North Island, Bankers Hill, Normal Heights, and The Egyptian
Burger Lounge has numerous locations across San Diego so you’ll have no problem trying to come across one. They’re hugely popular with those who eat a paleo-diet due to their tasty grass-fed burgers.
It’s not just beef they serve either, they also have an array of turkey, fish, and chicken on the menu and even have some paleo-friendly tasty sauces for you to choose from.
The fast-food chain is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike for the wide choice that trumps fast-food giants like McDonald’s.
Nectarine Grove is an underrated and hidden gem located just off the North Coast Highway. The restaurant offers fresh, organic, local, and sustainably sourced food and is also 100% gluten-free which benefits the paleo-eater.
When ordering, let the employee know that you follow a paleo diet and they’ll be able to make suggestions or corrections to your order to fit with your lifestyle.
The Cali Club burger and The Grove salads are just two of our favorites that are also paleo-friendly.
Take a visit to Clairemont Mesa Boulevard if you’re after some superb Korean cuisine that also adheres to your paleo diet. Taegukgi Korean BBQ House offers delicious Asian food but at an affordable price point, meaning you can order and eat more to try out their menu.
The service is sublime and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and will be undaunting if you’ve never eaten at a Korean restaurant before.
There is no specified paleo menu so make sure to give your waiter a heads up when they sit you down so they can make some recommendations of what’s suitable for you.
Tender Greens, La Jolla Commons, Mission Valley East, Liberty Station, and Core Columbia
If you want to be spoiled for choice when looking at the menu then pop into one of Tender Greens’ many locations across San Diego. From salads to soups to even a chef’s special, you’ll be able to easily pick out some paleo favorites.
Like the name, you’ll be able to find plenty of notorious greens on every plate of food you’re served, but if you’re looking for something a little more cheeky then you’ll be able to indulge in some of their less health focussed dishes.
The casual and relaxed atmosphere is ideal for all the family and the restaurant even offers online ordering so you can pick it up when you’re ready.
Pay a visit to one of San Diego’s best Mexican restaurants, so popular in fact that it was even paid a visit by none other than himself LeBron James in recent years.
The Market Street restaurant is a perfect choice for after-work dinner and drinks with colleagues and is also a cozy location for date night.
Depending on how strictly you follow a paleo lifestyle, then you may be tempted to make full use of the restaurant’s evening and late-night happy hours where they serve fresh and tasty cocktails on their full bar.
Fig Tree Cafe, Liberty Station, Pacific Beach, East Village
Head to one of the idyllic three locations of the Fig Tree Cafe in San Diego to enjoy a vast menu that has a good selection of paleo options. We’d recommend eating your food outside if there are tables available as the San Diego sunshine is the perfect partner with your yummy food.
Whether you’re after a fresh light salad for lunch or a bun-free meaty burger then you’ll find something for everyone. The menu does specify dietary requirements but double-check when you’re ordering to make sure it’s suitable for you.
In the heart of the electric district of the Gaslamp Quarter is the Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chao. There are plenty of meat and fish options to choose from and many of the dishes can be made paleo after a simple request for your water.
The restaurant has a lunch and dinner menu and also has a delicious brunch menu that is only offered on weekends.
If you don’t fancy eating out, then you can order online and have your food delivered or pick up at the curbside from Fogo de Chao.
They also have private rooms available to accommodate for group business means or more private family functions to make a full occasion of it.
The Mission, East Village, North Park, and Mission Beach
The mission (based across 3 locations in San Diego) offers simple, healthy yet delicious food at an affordable price point.
You’ll be sure to have your smartphone at hand to grab some Insta pics here as The Mission pride itself artful presentation of their cuisine.
All waiting staff and chefs are properly trained and knowledgeable about dietary requirements so don’t hesitate to ask any questions regarding the menu and your paleo diet.
They’re only open 7 am to 3 pm and serve a breakfast and lunch menu so don’t leave it too late in the day to visit.
The Marketplace Grill is a blend of Southwestern and Middle Eastern cuisine and has been open for over 10 years.
Menus can vary depending on which location you visit, but there will be plentiful paleo options at each one. The Tony’s Special is one of our favorite choices for paleo-diets and you can choose from shrimp, chicken, sirloin, salmon, and more to put on your skewers.
If you happen to be within 3 miles of either of the 3 restaurant locations then you’ll also be entitled to free delivery of your online order as long as you spend over $15.
Mediterranean cuisine is often filled with fresh vegetables and juicy meats and that’s why Aladdin’s restaurant is a great choice for paleo-dieters.
Many people would skip a salad, but we highly recommend one of the many salad choices at Aladdin as the portions are huge and are packed with healthy ingredients that’ll keep you full for the rest of the day.
The menu is pretty vast so we recommend conferring with a member of staff to see what they recommend for your paleo needs.
The Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse has been open and booming since 1999 and is hugely popular with meat lovers and those who follow paleo diets.
They offer an A La Carte and Buffet menu option which all come at very respectable prices. The premium meats are carved tableside for the full experience and the abundant salad bar ensures you’re still getting your fair share of greens in for the day.
Make sure to make waiting staff aware of your paleo diet as some meats are specially marinated in non-paleo-friendly sauces.
