Family-friendly food halls are a parent’s dream come true. No more arguing over where to go out to eat as a family because San Diego food halls offer an eclectic mix of wide-ranging culinary delights, from tacos and Thai food, to pizza and BBQ to please everyone’s tastebuds…all under one roof. Read on for where to dig in now and for the scoop on several new food halls that are opening soon.
The Sky Deck
One of the most anticipated food hall openings is scheduled to open this spring and as of publication they’re almost ready! Located at an already fun family location at Del Mar Highlands, this will only add to the experience. You’ll soon find ten different dining options (Ambrogio15, Urbana Mexican Gastronomy, Le Parfait Paris, J at Sky Deck, Craft House, Kiin Extraordinary Thai, Marufuku Ramen, Zizikis Street Food, Glass Box, “The Brewers Deck” and Understory Cocktails) each with their own dining area that all surround a central cocktail bar. Not part of this food hall, but just downstairs are Batch & Box fresh baked cookies and Handel’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
Insider tip: Walk over to the kids splash pad and built-in trampoline with amphitheater seating so you can sit and eat while the kids play!
Del Mar Highlands
12925 El Camino Real
858-793-5757
Online: delmarhighlandstowncenter.com/skydeck
SocialEats
Just four blocks away from the pier, Pacific Beach will soon be getting their own food hall by SocialEats in late Spring 2021. This Los Angeles favorite has quickly grown into several spin-offs, each offering free local 2-mile delivery and third-party deliveries for those further away. They make it easy for you to combine items from several restaurants into just one order. Check out these fantastic food offerings: Pop!s Burgers & Shakes, Azule Taqueria, Supertoro, Street Noods, Hollywood Crab Shack.
Good to know: Take out, delivery, inside and outside public seating are available.
Pacific Beach
1037 Garnet Ave.
858-999-0253
Online: ordersocialeats.com
Little Italy Food Hall
Little Italy Food Hall was featured in USA Today‘s top 10 new food halls in the nation! Situated next to the bustling neighborhood’s Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy Food Hall was designed as a place of community to gather with friends, family and neighbors. The water fountain is the central feature that lights up at night, but you’ll also find community events and celebrations throughout the year on this pedestrian-only street. Sink your teeth into these fantastic food options too: Ambrogio15, Bobboi Natural Gelato, Mein St. Asian Kitchen, Wicked Maine Lobster, Not Not Tacos, Samburgers, Graze by Sam.
Little Italy
550 W. Date St.
619-269-7187
Online: littleitalyfoodhall.com
Windmill Food Hall
Windmill Food Hall opened recently in 2019 and has taken the food hall experience to the next level. Families can lounge and play in a communal indoor/outdoor space complete with custom vintage '30s and '40s-era inspired furniture. Enjoy a room called The Library which features a central fireplace you can relax alongside with a craft cocktail, and family-friendly games, including an interactive green screen, ping pong, skee ball, PAC Man, cornhole, foosball, shuffleboard and Jenga. Families will find 13 different restaurants here including Thai Style, Secret Sauce Wok & Grill, Cross Street Chicken, Notorious BBQ and more.
Good to know: Take out, delivery, inside and outside public seating are available.
Carlsbad
890 Palomar Airport Rd.
760-214-9127
Online: windmillfoodhall.com
Zion Food Market
Inside this Korean grocery store you’ll find a hidden Asian food hall serving it up since 1979. It’s like a little mini-mall where you’ll also find insurance and travel agents, a hair dresser, jewelry store and other small vendors selling things like blankets and kids toys from Japan, Korea and China. As for food, there are nine different food stalls with options like sushi, poke, hot pot, sashimi salads, bento boxes, tofu, chicken katsu, ramen, boba tea and red bean donuts. Check out a few fabu options: CDD Tofu & Grill, Hong Kong Banjum 0410, Wok Bar Spicy Hot Pot, Poke U, Boba Bar & Frozen Desserts and Paris Baguette Bakery.
Clairemont
7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
858-268-3300
Online: zionmarket.com
Outpost
Poway families will soon be able to enjoy an expansive new development that will include a 2100 square-foot urban food hall with 15 local artisan food vendors. Construction was halted in 2020, but they are now back on track to open up later this year, with nearby housing and on-site retail to follow. Established faves are slated to be from The Barrel Room, Urge Gastropub, Brothers Provisions, Mason Ale Works and Mason Coffee Works. We can't wait!
Poway
13247 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA
––Bonnie Taylor & Beth Shea
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