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The aromas of authentic Spanish cooking will fire up your appetite on entering this restaurant. Sit under minimal whitewashed walls at the bar or outside, and savor the best tapas in San Diego. Guitarists, dancers, and satellite feeds of Spanish football entertain on occasion.

For an elegant dinner before the theater or symphony, the southern French and Mediterranean cuisine here is hard to beat. The menu changes according to the season, but you’ll always find popular dishes such as Provençal chicken roasted in a clay pot and cassoulet. The wine cellar holds 800 selections with an emphasis on French Rhône wines.

Ancient Mexican and Spanish spices and traditions make for a unique Mexican dining experience. Shrimp, sea bass, and the filet mignon prepared with goats cheese and a dark tequila sauce are heavenly. Mole, the distinctive blending of spices, garlic, and sometimes chocolate, is a specialty, as well as 150 tequila selections.

Dine on exciting, romantic combinations of Pacific Rim, Mediterranean, and California flavors. If you’re not that hungry and would like to enjoy the sunset, try hors d’oeuvres in the lounge.

Hand-painted ceilings, glass sculptures, and whimsical artwork adorn this atmospheric restaurant. A large terrace overlooks the gardens of Balboa Park. A variety of margaritas and drinks from around South America complement an excellent cuisine best described as Latin and Italian fusion.

Take your pick from the “catch of the day” board and settle in at the oyster and sushi bar to await your table. Try for a coveted one on the outside deck directly over the water. You can request your fish be prepared grilled, fried, or Cajun style. A popular display counter offers fish to go.

Over a dozen carved Tiki gods welcome you aboard a Polynesian culinary adventure. A wide variety of pupus, crusted mahi mahi, and pineapple pork “pago pago” style, can only be accompanied by a tropical rum drink in a Tiki glass.

A loyal clientele proves this is one of the best Italian trattorias in the Gaslamp Quarter. Sidewalk seating offers prime people-watching, but head inside if you prefer a warm, romantic atmosphere in which to enjoy your northern Italian meal.

At this Little Italy favorite, the dim lights, the red-checkered tablecloths and hundreds of Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling haven’t changed in decades. Enter through the Italian deli in front to get to the spaghetti and meatballs and hand-tossed pizzas.

San Diego’s best Chinese restaurants are found in Kearny Mesa. The Asian community packs into this large dining room to enjoy lunchtime dim sum and fresh, simple but exquisitely-prepared seafood dishes at dinner.