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    Miguel's Cocina

    3.8 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Miguel's Cocina Photos

    Business Info

    MIGUEL'S COCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Miguel's Cocina

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    The not so good Dirty Martini
    Esther S.

    We've been to this Miguel's many times over the years, and overall it's been a decent experience. We came in on a Friday night 03/27. It was busy so we had a wait time of about 30 mins. The food is good...nothing particularly spectacular, but okay enough if you're in the mood for Mexican food in Old Town. Service is usually good, which we've appreciated. That said, our most recent visit left us a bit concerned. We came in with a group of five, and unfortunately one person in our party got sick afterward....like really sick. We're thinking food poisoning. He was the only one who ordered the surf and turf burrito, so that may have been the cause. He still can't have shrimp as he has flashbacks of this place. On top of that, the dirty martini we ordered was not good at all, which was disappointing. I had to ask for the olives. Odd! We've had enough good visits in the past to give this place a fair shot, but after this last experience, we're honestly not sure if we'll be back.

    Carlos R.

    So I came here yesterday and left around 4ish and first off once again this spot rocks!!! The food was so freaking good per usual to me. The service was even better. Thank you to the hostess Ms Anisha G her service was outstanding she kept coming back to check on the table and how the food was, when something ran out she asked if refills were needed, wasn't pressed to order & just showed all around great care and that is what I loved and expect each and every time I come to a restaurant to eat!! Hands down you deserved that tip and more Anisha!! We need more Anisha's!!! Make sure she sees this. Place was well kept up too clean too and decor was decent as well.

    ceviche
    Chris M.

    Walked in not realizing it was happy hour and pleasantly surprised! Great HH margarita!! Queso with the chips was a perfect start. We shared the HH 3 street tacos... so good! The ceviche was super fresh and just really good...not overly cold like it just came out of a cooler, nice size bites, right mix of spice and citrus. Also, had the fish tacos. Really good. Fish was cooked perfectly...nice and crispy. I would say a little more of the sauce on them and it makes something really good...great. Really nice bar with a TV. Caught a little bit of the Padres game. Little bit of a hometown crowd rootin for the Pads so that's always cool.

    Non-alcoholic options
    Becca K.

    Came here for a late lunch on a time crunch and had a great experience! The server was super understanding that we had an hour to get in and out and made it happen. They bring out salsa and a small thing of queso with the chips, which was awesome! We also got the guac which was really good! Everyone loved their respective dishes and we all left happy! The drinks were really good as well, but slightly small portions, so just be ready for that. Overall, it was super good and would definitely recommend!

    Shrimp omelette with chorizo potatoes
    Lynn R.

    We usually eat at the Point Loma location but we came to see the play at the cygnet theatre in old Town so we had lunch here today. Service was excellent and so was the food. I docked it a star because the bathroom was out of toilet paper. My husband had the shrimp omelette smothered in white sauce and the potatoes cooked with loads of chorizo. A rich and filling meal that he took half home. Loads of shrimp and cooked Peppers. The carne asada taco was delicious and smothered in guacamole. I took the swordfish taco home for another meal. Love their refried beans!

    Albondigas
    Laura P.

    I love the albondigas soup at Miguel's. For Happy Hour they offer a very large portion for a very reasonable price. Of course the margaritas are always good also. Although we were inside this time, this location has a beautiful outdoor patio. Sorry I didn't get a photo this time.

    Mitch P.

    10 of us came here at the suggestion of a friend, and he gets a congratulations. We were able to park in a lot behind the restaurant so that was the first "yes!" I got chicken fajitas and they were very good, and everyone enjoyed their meal. The server was very good and sitting outside we could see the neighborhood and people walking down the street in Oldtown, which we did after our meal. Would definitely recommend this restaurant next time you're in San Diego

    Jordyn J.

    Came back with my mom for some lunch and we loved it here. The food was delicious. Soooo good. This burrito trio was so tasty and a great way to taste a little bit of everything. As pictured, the chips and dips were also a total hit

    Chicken Fajitas Ceviche
    Gina M.

    Best Location in San Diego - Cozy Atmosphere and Great Service I've visited a few other locations in San Diego, but the Old Town location is by far my favorite. I loved the décor--it felt cozy and authentic. The food tasted very fresh, which was clear since, even though the restaurant wasn't too busy, it took about 15-17 minutes for all of our dishes to arrive together. The service was excellent as well. The staff genuinely seemed happy to be there, and that's one of the most important things I look for when deciding where to support with my business.

    Banquet room
    Rebecca H.

    This restaurant is my daughter's favorite so when we started planning a very small wedding reception we decided to see if Miguel's had a space for that. I'm so happy to say that they had a perfect space! Karina made the booking and arrangements so simple and effortless. Everything was upfront with no hidden details. The space and food was exactly what we discussed and it was great! There were 2 servers assigned to our 45 person event and they were also amazing. Both servers were super attentive to the bride and groom and were a constant presence any time anything was needed. The servers were so personable, addressing guests by name, remembering preferred drinks, and even chatting about gardening. I got many compliments from the guests about how great the service was. I cannot say enough about how great the restaurant made this experience!

    La Baja Combination
    Archie S.

    3.5 Stars but since there are no half ratings, rounding it up sounds fair. Miguel's Cocina is located in Old Towne San Diego and it's one of the nicer and prettier restaurants with lots of inside and outside seating. Being on a street full of Mexican Cuisine it has to stand out from its competitors and it does in its own way. Service was good and friendly, yet felt slightly rushed around 8:30 because they were closing at 9pm. I had tried their Ceviche and La Baja Combination which comes with Shrimp Enchilada and Beef Taco along with Rice and Beans. The ceviche was good but was just lacking a salt and a kick of spice but maybe that's me. The quality was definitely good though as you could tell the freshness was there. As for the entree, the Beef (carne asada) Taco was extremely simple but the seasoning and flavor of the beef was excellent. While I enjoyed the Shrimp Enchilada, I didn't enjoy the sauce it came with which was like a cheesy white sauce. Maybe it's just my opinion but something more like a classic red or green sauce would have been amazing with it. Over all, slightly above average in my opinion with my over all rating from service, and food. Parking could be tricky depending on time and the day, but the best place to park would be on the side streets or the Lot next to the Old Towne Historic Park.

    Tacos with rice and beans
    Kayla P.

    I came here last week with a couple of friends for some drinks and food while we caught up. My friend made a reservation, so it was very easy to get in on a busy Friday night. Definitely recommend making a reservation if you can. We receded right away, even though we were waiting for our last friend to arrive. One thing to note is that the parking is rather difficult on the weekends. Although Miguel's has a small parking lot in the back, it is extremely limited, so don't rely on it. Street parking is definitely possible, especially if you are willing to walk. I was able to parallel park, but my friend paid $6 for a parking structure nearby. I did enjoy the complementary chips, which came with queso and salsa. (Personally, I liked the queso more.) The service was good and attentive--our chips were restocked very quickly. The serving size of the dishes were generous, especially the plates that came with rice and beans. I also ordered the piña colada, which was sweet and just my type of drink! Overall, it's a solid place. Nothing really stood out to me, but it will definitely satisfy your craving for Mexican food. Then again, there are lots of places around Old Town!

    Taco trio
    Emily B.

    Good service. The raspberry mojito could have used a little more raspberry flavor though. I got the taco trio and subbed the chicken mole taco for the fish taco, it was a good but basic taco. The shrimp on the shrimp taco was amazing. Loved the flavor of the pork belly but the sauce was way too spicy. The queso was great.

    margarita, Flautas de Carnitas y Queso, Ceviche, Calamari

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    26 days ago

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    2 months ago

    Delicious and flavorful food! The menu has a good variety. Our table shared items and they were all yummy!!! We will definitely return.

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    1 year ago

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    4 days ago

    food wasn't that good if u r looking for a good Mexican restaurant. the food could have been better but the service was great .

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    Miguel's Cocina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Miguel's Cocina

    Are the gluten free items fried in a separate fryer to prevent cross contamination?

    No, these types of restaurants can never guarantee that no cross contamination will occur.

    Taco Tuesday specials?

    We offer $1 off featured tacos all day.

    Are you doing reservations and how big can your party be up to due to coronavirus?

    Since we only have outdoor dining at this time, please call the restaurant directly for this information - 619-298-9840.

    If you're in group make sure to ask for your own quest dip!

    Definitely

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Quixote

    Quixote

    4.0
    (686 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    I was in route to Chula Vista birthday shenanigans, figured I'd check this place out on the way…read more The dark gothic creepy vampire castle aesthetics was really the main reason why I wanted to come here. The vibes were so chill. Music playlist combo was perfect. So glad I did! Phenomenal service. My server Alex G. was the sweetest! I arrived shortly Monday afternoon so they weren't very busy. The food was ok, not much of a selection was available. Loved my brownie ice cream. So delicious. I was in food coma. My favorite was my personalized birthday candle! Definitely recommend this spot!

    Overall, the experience was Ok. I will give you the "fantastic" and the "work on."…read more Fantastic- 1. Food was great. We got guacamole, beet salad, and the El Festin. Drinks were ok. The one I got was not to my taste buds. A lot of mezcal drinks. If you like mezcal, this place has some good ones! 2. Server was awesome. She was attentive, nice, and friendly. Love her. She probably was the reason why we actually left the nice tip. 3. Ambiance was a "cool young hip" vibe. Music was great and eclectic. Work On- 1. Our hostess. We made reservation at 6PM. We got there and she told us to wait while our table is being set up. They ended up taking us to the upstairs room. They had to split the 2 tables to have a seat for us. They wanted us to sit at the table that is in close proximity of the walkway. I said I did not want to sit there because I did not want to have people walk by me the entire time. They had to push the table away from the second one and we had to be closer to the entrance. I said will sit at the second table since it's not near the entrance. I had to repeat this 3 times. She finally said ok, well, I will have to take you downstairs. I said ok. They finally sat us at a table with 2 chairs and out of the way. So, here is the thing.....why was I waiting, if my table was not being set up, to where you had to split 2 tables, and put me closest to the entry way of the door? 2. The lighting is very dark. It was hard to see the food to maneuver and eat. I get this is the ambiance. So...maybe brighter lamps at the table?

    Photos
    Dramatic dining space!
    Dramatic dining space!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Cool and dramatic setting!

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    Cool and dramatic setting!
    Coasterra

    Coasterra

    4.0
    (4.1k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    An Unforgettable Birthday Celebration!…read more I took my husband here for his birthday this past Monday, and the entire experience was absolutely incredible from start to finish. First, the location and the views are simply stunning. It set the perfect backdrop for a celebratory evening. But what really elevated the vibe was the music! The playlist was so on point that I literally found myself dancing in my seat to every single song. It created such a fun, lively energy. I also have to give a massive shoutout to our waiter, who was incredibly attentive, warm, and anticipated our every need. The entire staff went above and beyond to make my husband feel so wonderfully celebrated. From a sweet little "Happy Birthday" sign to a surprise dessert at the end of the meal, every detail was thoughtful and perfectly executed. This place is truly incredible. We will absolutely be back!

    I am a huge fan of all of the Cohn restaurants. Coasterra is one of the only ones in San Diego that…read moreI had never experienced until now. So I was very excited to see what this place had to offer. Celebrated my daughter's 19th birthday here this week, and to be honest, I was not impressed. The location and views from this place are unmatched. Tons of covered patio seating with a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline. As for the food, it was just ok. It was mostly mexican seafood, but there was a good mix of other items like steak and a wagu burger. Everything was served hot and fresh, but in my honest opinion, everything just lacked flavor. Everything I tasted was just bland, and I tasted a little bit of all of my family's meals. But everyone agreed. Maybe we are just spoiled with San Diego Mexican food. My biggest complaint of the night was the service. Our waiter started off well. He took our drink orders and when he returned, asked if we wanted to get appetizers started, which we did. Our appetizers came out and were finished and we still had not seen our server to order our main dinner. This continued to be the issue all night, we were constantly looking and waiting for our server. There were other servers that came around and filled our drinks and took our plates, and they were great! But we really didn't see our main server most of the night. And one of the times that we did walk by, my daughter asked for a new glass of water because she had dropped food into the glass. He took the glass and never came back. I ended up giving my daughter my water. I did notice that the servers at the other tables were awesome. They were attentive, and we constantly saw them checking on their guest. And like I said, we are fans of all of the Cohn restaurants we have dined at before, so the level of service we received is not typical. Maybe our server was new??? I will say, this is not a cheap place to eat. My family of 5 spent almost $240 and that was with no alcohol or desserts. So you would expect to receive a high level of service. Other than the ambience, our experience was just ok. I would highly recommend the restaurants next door, which are owned by the same owner, and have never disappointed us in quality and/or service (Island Prime or C-Level).

    Photos
    Skyline & bay views
    Skyline & bay views
    View from patio
    View from patio
    Main dining room

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    Main dining room
    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    I can't wait to go again!! Oscar's was amazing, best seafood tacos I've tried…read more The restaurant is a bit small and had limited seating, so we ended up eating outside, but it was a beautiful day. I tried the tacos especial (fish, shrimp, scallops) and grilled octopus and they were both amazing! I would get 2 tacos or 3 if you're really hungry.

    Fish tacos are a San Diego staple, and Oscars is said to be the best restaurant for them…read more Grilled Fish Taco: Best of the meal. The fish was grilled to tender, paired with smooth avocado puree and fresh salsa--a rich and satisfying bite. But! The biggest surprise is the tortilla--it was on the softer side, yet surprisingly chewy. Smoked Fish Taco: A classic and San Diego signature dish. The fish was shredded into small pieces, giving it a smoky flavor and a slightly dry texture. The taste was nice, but you don't really feel the meat in bites, so it was slightly less impressive. Fish Ceviche: Marinated in lemon juice, the proteins denatured, making the fish appear white and fully cooked, but it still had a firm, raw texture. Completely different from other raw fish ceviche I've had. But! Incredibly tangy!!! The first bite was so tangy it was almost painful; it was only after being served as tapas with tostadas that I gradually got used to it. Lemon juice, tomato, and onion--it was easy to imagine the refreshing taste, while the rich aroma of avocado nicely balanced the harshness. Shrimp Ceviche: The shrimp appeared to be cooked; they weren't large but were quite fresh, with firm and tender meat. See above for other details. The restaurant is located in a small food court, with very limited parking and seating. It may be inconvenient for groups of four or more to dine in.

    Photos
    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Battered Fish Taco
    Battered Fish Taco
    Fish Ceviche

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    Fish Ceviche
    California Burritos

    California Burritos

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Overview: very quick and friendly service, yummy California Burrito according to my bf…read more ---- We placed an order through the phone for a California Burrito ($13.90) and a Fish Taco ($5.50) and they said it would be ready in 5 minutes! We left right away to pick up the food and sure enough it was ready waiting for our arrival. One quick drive back home to dig in and the aroma was so enticing. California Burritos is very apt for their name, my bf rates it a 10/10. As a California Burrito connoisseur, he liked the addition of sour cream in it and said the flavors were delicious. He topped it with their green salsa for a little bit of a freshness to cut through the richness and fattiness of the meat and fries in the burrito. He didn't care for the fish taco that much and rated it a 4/10 but said the restaurant overall was a 10/10, as he thought there was too much lettuce and tomato throwing off the ratio of the taco. I, on the other hand, am a huge fan of veggies and liked the ample amount they provided. ---- There's a couple benches outside in front of the shop and seating at booth tables inside as well. It's a bit smaller to sit inside, I recommend sitting outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sunset is beautiful. ---- Overall: if you're in the mood for California Burritos come to the place rightly named California Burritos!

    They do things a little different at this place. The California had guacamole and sour cream. Makes…read moreit more like a carne asada burrito adding fries. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this burrito. It's large, filling, but their sauce had an almost artificial red color to it. Despite the weird look of the sauce, it had decent spice, wasn't overwhelming but wasn't weak either. Parking is very difficult here, and seating is limited. It's a small tack shop style place, made more for to-go orders. Service was fast and friendly. Their horchata is where they really lose a star, it's from a fountain and tastes like it, watered down artificial flavor. However you don't come here for the drinks, you come here for the large tasty California Burritos, hence the name. They've definitely won me over and I'll be back when in the area. That's this critic's review, until next time, I'll be eating.

    Photos
    California Burritos
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    California Burritos

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    Miguel's Cocina - mexican - Updated July 2026

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