Kensington

There's a little something for every palate when it comes to local fare in Kensington. Restaurants here run the gamut of international cuisines: choose from Latin American, Italian, New American, Japanese, Mexican, and many others. You can also choose from casual dining establishments, trendy gastropubs, and upscale restaurants with an ambiance to match their exquisite menus. Here are a few highlights of the Kensington dining scene:

Many Restaurants to Choose from in Kensington

Cucina Sorella

Part of a larger group of San Diego restaurants specializing in California-influenced Italian fare, Cucina Sorella features dishes based on the seasonality of ingredients. Enjoy a delicious deep-dish pizza and other amazing fare at this casual eatery, which exemplifies the laidback nature of Kensington itself.

Visit the lively downtown district of Kensington.

The downtown district of Kensington is the perfect place to spend your afternoon or evening. This 5 block area is full of restaurants, boutique shops and even a small movie theater.

The Rabbit Hole

Don't be fooled by its location of Normal Heights. The Rabbit Hole is anything but ordinary, with an emphasis on locally brewed craft beer and amazing eats you can't find anywhere else. This Adam Avenue staple features weekly trivia, live music, and a happening happy hour every Monday through Friday, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Check them out at brunch for inventive dishes like fried chicken and waffles, Bloody Marys, and cinnamon donut holes.

Blue Boheme Restaurant in Kensington

Bleu Bohéme

For a taste of France as it used to be, you can't beat Bleu Bohéme. This is the spot for assorted French comfort food, including mussels and frites, Escargots, La Charcuterie, house-made soups, and Boeuf Bourguignon. You'll enjoy the quirky little stylings as much as the cuisine, which make diners feel like they're brunching in a Parisian cafe.

Kensington Cafe in Kensington

Kensington Café

Kensington Cafe is a little bit of everything. Need a quick spot to pick up a coffee to go? Planning a hearty brunch with friends and family? Looking for a place to enjoy small plates? Have a hankering for entrees like smothered chicken and baked pork loin? This homey establishment offers all of the above and more to diners.

Ponce's Mexican Restaurant

With five decades of service to Kensington, Ponce's Mexican Restaurant provides tasty Mexican dishes in a friendly, comfortable environment. Along with appetizers and classic Mexican dishes, this beloved establishment also offers specialty items. This includes Milanesa de Res (thinly sliced steak breaded and fried) and Carne con Chile (steak in chipotle sauce served with frijoles bayos).

Village Vino

For a wine selection that can't be beaten, Village Vino is the place. Their carefully-curated wine list is unlike any other thanks to their focus on sourcing from smaller wineries all over the world. When it comes to their Italian cuisine, start your meal off with a small plate, like an oven-baked chevre or charcuterie, before enjoying a hearty artichoke and pancetta flatbread.

When it comes to Kensington nightlife, prepare for fun and friendly dives and pseudo-dives, along with gastropubs, tapas bars, and cocktail lounges. Most establishments offer reasonable drink prices and a comfortable ambiance perfect for friends and dates.

Clem's Tap House features 50 beers on tap, a wide selection of bottled brews, and a sizable wine list. Their food menu features fried snacks, appetizers, gourmet pizzas, and paninis. For an authentic dive bar experience, the Kensington Club is a purveyor of live music featuring local bands from San Diego, as well as other fun events. Saddle up to a regular at the bar and order a cold brew.

Hitting up happy hours is a great way to get to know a new area while on vacation. Fortunately, Kensington is home to numerous happy hours at many different bars and restaurants. A few notable happy hour spots include:

Tanuki

If sake is your thing, Tanuki is just the place for you. Part Japanese cafe and part tapas-style eatery, this establishment features more than 100 varieties of sake, as well as sushi, sashimi, small plates, and more. Ask about their plentiful happy hour specials during your visit.

Working Class

Feel free to bring a four-legged friend to the Working Class for their canine-friendly happy hour. This establishment features an attractive outdoor patio and a good selection of craft beers, wines, and even kombucha. There are midday happy hours from 4 pm to 7 pm, along with late-night happy hours running from 10 pm to 12 am, during which there are discounted prices on starters, beer, and wine.

SKA Bar

With a focus on Asian fusion fare, SKA bar combines tasty drinks and plates. Choose from handcrafted cocktails, spirits, small plates, burgers, salads, and delectable desserts. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Perhaps you're not interested in the bar scene. In that case, Landmark's Ken Cinema is the place for you. This eclectic little theater features something for every cinema lover. Along with the latest new releases, you can also enjoy an array of independent flicks, including foreign and experimental cinema to enrich and entertain. This theater is also home to many special events, so be sure to check out their calendar during your visit. A far cry from the chain movie theater experience, Ken Cinema is a place for people who hold movies in high regard.