The BEST Inexpensive Places to Dine in San Diego

San Diego is full of posh restaurants with great food... and there are many websites which review those dining establishments.

It is ZooBloo's goal to ferret out those restaurants and cafes which are both outstanding AND very affordable. And to find and recommend OTHER places to eat that you might not think of... like picnicking on a beach... or finding a free buffet at a happy hour.

Charming and Cheap San Diego Restaurants and Cafes

Espresso Pizza on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in Ocean Beach is a pretty upscale Italian Ristorante ... which has an all you can eat spaghetti dinner with salad on Tuesdays for just $4.95.

Metaphor Cafe "... a coffee house in downtown escondido... in an old street front building most large companies would demolish. ... It attracts a certain type of person and way of thinking. Ironically, but most importantly, the metaphor is real. The metaphor is a place to meet people. Make jokes, tell stories, organize, discuss. Listen to new, cutting edge or otherwise hidden music. Eat good, unique food. Drink beer." Weekly specials starting at $6.95.

Surfari Eats Casual Ocean Beach eatery with interesting and inexpensive menu.

The Cottage (La Jolla) Charming atmosphere. Affordable fare.

San Diego Sushi Bars

EatSushi.com's San Diego Sushi Bar Database

Sushi Deli Too Rave reviews. Ultra cheap prices! This is the sequel to Sushi Deli One... for which I could find a website... but here's a neat blog about it.

All You Can Eat Buffets

San Diego Restaurant Buffets (list)

San Diego All You Can Eat Restaurants (list)

Brian's American Eatery. Has "all you can eat" specials on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday for $11.95 to $12.95, depending on dish.

Sushi Taisho (Carlsbad) "... All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Bar Menu Available every day—Lunch 11:30am to 3:00pm/ Dinner 3:00pm to 9:30pm Lunch: $19.95 Dinner: $24.95..." Freshly made right in front of you. 90 minute time limit.

Todai "...an upscale All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Seafood Buffet Restaurant .... 40 different kinds of sushi, over 15 dishes are served at both the salad bar and hot entree island, and a dessert bar with over 20 different cakes and fruits....Offering affordable prices paralleled with taste, quality, and variety, lunches range from $12.95 to $16.95 and dinner from $22.95 to $27.95..." One San Diego location

San Diego Happy Hours with Free Buffets and Discounted Hors d'Oeuvres

Green Tomato Restaurant 1/2 price well drinks and appetizers at the bar on Mondays and Tuesdays between 5 and 7 p.m. 1/2 price drink specials Wed thru Fri, see site.

Moose's Gaslamp 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2 price drinks during Happy Hour 4 to 8 Mon thru Fri.

South Beach Bar & Grill "...famous for... fish tacos, fish tacos and cold beer...Sport fish and old photographs line the walls as a lively mixture of 20-somethings, middle-aged couples and travelers staying at the nearby hostel knock back drinks from a full bar that features 27 types of tequila and 16 beers on tap. During the week, happy hour from 4-6 p.m. means $1 off drinks, $2 off pitchers of beer and anywhere from $1-$3 off appetizers and tacos (mahi and baja). There is also a daily beer special featuring $2.50 pints, $4 24-oz glasses and $9 pitchers of a quality brew like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Anchor Liberty Ale...."

The Field This authentic turn of the century pub was shipped from Ireland and re-assembled in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Every Friday from 4 to 7 there's a Free Happy Hour Buffet.

Delightful Places to Eat

Smooth Jazz 98.1 Sunday Champagne Jazz Brunch at Humphrey's By the Bay! Beautiful bay view, endless array of delicious food and desserts, free-flowing champagne, and live smooth jazz. $32 for adults, $14.96 for children 3 to 11.

The Cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla

More Ways to Live Large for Less:

Free VOIP  Talk for FREE over your broadband Internet connection using your regular phone.

Free Payday Loans  Get paid tomorrow instead of Friday. Your 1st loan is FREE.

Free Credit Report  Buying a new car or a home? Then you MUST check your credit report.

Free Laptop Computer  No kidding... there IS a way that folks are getting a laptop for FREE!

Free Satellite TV Installation  Get TV in 4 rooms for less than you're paying for cable.

Free Car  Learn how some folks are driving a car for free. Fascinating!

More Ways to Enjoy San Diego for Less:

More Ways to Enjoy San Diego for Less:

San Diego Art Gallery Walks and Receptions, Open Studio Tours

Free and Low Cost Music in San Diego

See San Diego Museums for Free

See San Diego Theatre for Free

See and Experience Dance for Free in San Diego

Free San Diego Festivals and Street Faires

Internships in the Arts

San Diego Churches, Clubs, Groups

Best San DIego Happy Hours

Open Mic Nights and Poetry Slams in San Diego

Meeting People, Making Friends in San Diego

San Diego's Natural Beauty: in the Wild and in Captivity

Villages and Towns of San Diego County

Budget Ocean Beach

Budget Pacific Beach

Budget San Diego Accommodations

Frugal Shopping in San DIego

San DIego Farmers Markets

Free San Diego Wi-Fi

Best San Diego Tours

San Diego Freebies