Eat: Coasterra In San Diego Tops For Cruise Visitors

Coasterra – a top culinary destination in San Diego.

Cruising San Diego? Dine at Coasterra, an award-winning Modern Mexican restaurant perfect for cruise visitors looking for an innovative dining experience in San Diego.

Indoor and outdoor dining spaces with spectacular views of San Diego Bay. Photo credit SanDiego.org.

Cruise visitors staying in the nation’s eighth largest city will definitely want to spend time enjoying the fabulous climate, engaging attractions, and fabulous restaurants San Diego has to offer. One restaurant worthy of a reservation is Coasterra, which offers stunning bay front views of downtown with a robust menu of fresh Cali-Mex cuisine – although the restaurant refers to the concept as Modern Mexican food.

Creative menu and spectacular panoramic views of San Diego Bay

Coasterra patio view. Photo credit SanDiego.org.

Coasterra is located on Harbor Island (880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego). It is an easy Uber or taxi ride from the pier. What is great about the restaurant is the creative menu that combines classic Mexican dishes with a fresh twist. The modern Mexican plates are developed by Executive Chef /Partner Deborah Scott who does a great job innovating Mexican food.

Good Eats – Coasterra

I call it Cali-Mex food, which I would describe as classic Mexican dishes that combine ingredients like meat, cheese, and cilantro with locally sourced produce. Think about more locally sourced vegetables and less fat-ladden dishes typical of Mexican restaurant menus and you have Coasterra. Unlike typical Mexican restaurants, vegetarian and gluten-free diners can enjoy more than a quesadilla, in fact, the menu has a lot of options that vegetarians will enjoy. For cruise visitors who make their way to Harbor Island, the trek is totally worth it (it’s actually quite close and taking one of the city’s rental bikes could be an option).

Tasty bites

It’s Friday Afternoon Club- Where would you like to enjoy the evening? For me I would be at @Coasterra. #VisitSD pic.twitter.com/i4bnPOr7qW

— Carrie Finley.Bajak (@CruiseBuzz) June 17, 2016

Coasterra Guacamole
crushed avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, cracked black pepper, cotijas, lime, serrano

Crema de Elote
white corn soup with fresh shucked corn, roasted poblano crema, crispy leeks

Ensalada Coasterra
field greens, griddled panela cheese, roasted corn, black beans, red onions, carrots, zucchini, pomegranate vinaigrette, tortilla chips

Enchiladas de Pollo
two enchiladas with roasted chicken, tomatillo-serrano salsa + pasilla chile adobo with Chihuahua cheese, Mexican rice, pinto beans GF

Carne Asada
adobo skirt steak, Mexican rice, pinto beans, avocado salad, grilled red onions, mole salsa, warm tortillas GF

Sweets – Que Bueno!

Coconut Flan
toasted coconut, almond tuille

Helado Tostadas
coconut-lime-serrano, abuelita chocolate-dark cherry, Mexican vanilla bean

Churros Calientes de la Casa
housemade churros, spiced milk chocolate, salted cajeta & strawberry sauces

Make a reservation

To avoid disappointment, make a reservation in advance. Although you can’t reserve a patio table in advance, you can secure a reservation, which is important for cruise visitors with limited time in port.

Coasterra Restaurant Hours:

Dining Room
Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm Daily
Dinner: 5pm Nightly

Patio Dining
11:30am – Close Daily

Happy Hour:
Mon – Fri – 3:30 – 5:30pm
Tequila Lounge & Patio Only

Awards-Galore

Best New Restaurant Fine Dining 2016 – Gold Medallion Award
Best New Restaurant 2016 – San Diego Magazine
Best Water View 2016 – San Diego Magazine
Best Outdoor Patio 2016 – San Diego Magazine

Cruise Buzz