Coasterra – New San Diego Restaurant Stays Classy

Coasterra is San Diego’s new hot spot to drink and dine. Credit Auda Coudayre Photography.

Coasterra – the vibrant restaurant, bar, and event space that opened on Harbor Island in mid-August – is getting good reviews for its Modern Mexican food. However, when I joined other San Diegans for lunch there recently, I was equally impressed with the setting, architecture, and interior design.

Authentic San Diego dining

On this site, I write about ways to connect with the local culture while traveling around the world – and that includes finding the intersection of locally-sourced food and authentic surroundings. To date, I’ve described cozy spots in Canada, insider favorites in Chicago, and neighborhood eateries in Cozumel.

So what occurred to me over lunch is that Coasterra is the consummate authentic San Diego restaurant.

Patio seating at Coasterra offers a panoramic harbor vew.

Coasterra cuisine

Mexican food is a critical piece of nearly every San Diegan’s diet. For some that means Rubio’s fish tacos on a regular basis; for others it’s what’s served at home every day. I’m a pretty typical San Diegan not of Mexican descent, and I make quesadillas nearly as often as I make toast.

At Coasterra, Chef Deborah Scott starts with locally-grown produce and traditional dishes and infuses them with inventive flavors. I’m a huge fan of tortilla soup, and the one served at Coasterra is the best I’ve ever tasted. I also relished a few bites of a friend’s mushroom tamale made with crispy criminis, goat cheese, and pomegranate seeds. At a nearby table, diners were sharing starters from a tableside guacamole cart manned by “Guacamigos.” (While we all enjoyed our meals, the Arnold Palmers were not a hit.)

The bar at Coasterra specializes in tequila-focused cocktails.

Location, location, location

Of course, Mexican restaurants are not in short supply in San Diego, but I don’t know of others on the harborfront with a breathtaking city skyline view. The panorama at Coasterra stretches from Coronado to downtown and is visible from every table.

Navy ships at NAS North Island in the view on one side of the restaurant and sailboats in Sunroad Marina on the other side represent two important aspects of San Diego’s culture.

Eco-friendly solar panels shade the patio and provide energy to run the restaurant.

San Diego design and eco-friendly vision

Coasterra’s modern mid-century design creates comfortable spaces that reflect San Diego’s relaxed lifestyle. The day I was there, guests lounging in cabanas on the south patio had made themselves very much at home. Because of our world-class climate, most of the seating is outdoors on an expansive waterfront patio. Here, guests are shaded by an attractive canopy of solar panels that provide 35% of the energy needed to run the restaurant.

For out-of-towners, Coasterra – which is walking distance from the airport - provides a great introduction to the San Diego lifestyle. As a local, it’s a place to count our blessings. And it’s also, of course, a tribute to that immortal Anchorman Ron Burgundy who repeatedly reminded us to “Stay classy, San Diego.”

Have fun!

Elizabeth Hansen

BTW: Reservations are not accepted for patio seating. Book well ahead for an inside table.

Read this for more ideas about connecting with authentic San Diego.

Coasterra’s view of the downtown San Diego skyline is beautiful night and day. Credit Creative Found Studio.

Tags: authentic dining experience, CA, Chef Deborah Scott, Coasterra, dining with a view, eco-friendly, great skyline view, Harbor Island, Mexican food, Mexican restaurant, SAN, San Diego, San Diego Airport, San Diego Mexican food, San Diego restaurant, scenery, scenic view, Southern California, tequila, tortilla soup

Category: Southern California