Hollywood is where many celebrities live, work, and play. But sometimes, the stars look south to San Diego to take on another role — in the restaurant world, that is.
We’re shining the spotlight on local eateries powered by celebrity chefs and other names in showbiz. Lights. Camera. Action. Eat.
Hell’s Kitchen | Harrah’s Resort Southern California
When seven-time Michelin-starred chef and reality television star Gordon Ramsay opened this hotspot at the Valley Center resort in August 2022, fans were fired up. The 322-seat concept is based on (and named after) Ramsay’s popular TV cooking competition, and is the third and largest Hell’s Kitchen restaurant in the US.
Inside, diners can expect flame-themed decor, a photo wall highlighting the show’s winners, and the famous “HK” emblem everywhere. The menu boasts many of Ramsay’s signature dishes, including Beef Wellington. It gets busy here, so make a reservation.
By the way, this Hell’s Kitchen location made its TV debut in summer 2023: Ramsay filmed season 13 of his other popular show, “MasterChef” at the restaurant.
Malibu Farm | Seaport Village
Part of Seaport Village’s restaurant renaissance over the past few years is Malibu Farm, a California style concept founded by actor-turned-director John Stockwell and his wife, Swedish celebrity chef Helene Henderson.
Malibu Farm opened in late September 2023 at the former site of the landmark’s longtime Harbor House restaurant after sprucing up the building with a $7.5 million renovation. It’s the brand’s fourth location in Southern California, but its first in San Diego.
The menu features dishes like salads, tacos, and cauliflower pizzas. The prime bayfront spot also houses an ice cream and espresso bar, and a home goods boutique.
Ember & Rye + California English | Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad + Sorrento Valley
“Top Chef” alum, TV personality, author, and restaurateur Richard Blais debuted his luxe steakhouse at Park Hyatt Aviara in 2021. Blais is known to whip up all kinds of playful and innovative dishes at his North County restaurant — plus one-of-a-kind bubbly cocktails. Make a reservation, this spot is hot.
Blais also launched California English in Sorrento Valley, a fusion of California vibes-meets-English countryside. The menu includes Cheddar & Chive Scones with California citrus marmalade, the Wellington Burger, and the Yorkshire California Burrito.
OK, one more: Fans can also find Blais’ culinary creators at The Rady Shell — pre-order a Blais by the Bay Dinner before your concert.
Leu Leu | Leucadia
San Diego native, “Top Chef” alumna, and James Beard Award semifinalist Claudette Zepeda launched this “cosmic cocina and lounge for lovers of wonder, wine, and the weirdness of space + time” in February 2025. The 60-seat restaurant offers dishes that reflect Zepeda’s past culinary experiences and more recent travels.
Herb & Wood and ANIMAE | Little Italy and Downtown San Diego
“Top Chef” alum and restaurateur Brian Malarkey has opened several restaurants in San Diego over the years, including these two standouts. Herb & Wood — highlighted by USA Today’s 10Best in 2016 — specializes in elevated, seasonal, rustic Mediterranean cuisine with a modern California twist. Reservations are recommended.
ANIMAE is a swanky wagyu steakhouse focused on Asian fusion cuisine. The downtown spot is beloved for its city vibes, too — with a cool, gold-accented dining room and gorgeous art at its entrance. Make a reservation. This is also the restaurant where local Chef Tara Monsod has made her mark as a James Beard Awards semifinalist over the last few years.
OK, a couple more: Malarkey and his business partner Christopher Puffer also founded Herb & Sea in Encinitas and Le Coq in La Jolla, where Monsod was helming the kitchen as of June 2024.
Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa began their Nobu Restaurants partnership in 1994.
Photo via Nobu Restaurants
Nobu | Gaslamp Quarter + Hotel del Coronado
This globally-known restaurant will open its second SD location in May 2025, this time at Hotel del Coronado. Nobu is a partnership between namesake Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, producer Meir Teper, and restaurateur Drew Nieporent.
Both the downtown and Coronado locations feature the brand’s signature dishes like the Black Miso Cod and creative sushi options. Nobu del Coronado also boasts SoCal-inspired dishes unique to that location including Lobster Truffle Tempura and Beef Kushiyaki Skewers and 3,700-sqft of oceanfront dining space.
New in the house — Slice House by Tony Gemignani is now open in SD’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Photo via @slicehousesd
Slice House by Tony Gemignani | Little Italy
This pizza spot on Kettner Boulevard hails from restaurateur, author, reality TV personality, and World Pizza Cup Champion Tony Gemignani. The menu offers authentic New York, Detroit, Sicilian, and grandma-style pies.
Jitters Coffee Pub | Oceanside
Grammy-winning singer and North County resident Jason Mraz became a partner at this longtime Oceanside coffee pub in May 2025, ushering in a new era for the small business co-owned by Vallie Gilley. The space is now revitalized and the revamped menu features plant-forward dishes made with local ingredients.
Mraz was a regular customer at Jitters before embarking on this business venture and said local coffee houses are the places where people connect, create, and refuel.
The revitalized Jitters Coffee Pub in Oceanside.
Photo via Jitters Coffee Pub
“Jitters is a place that has seen my friends and me through so many chapters of life,” said Mraz. “I started my career strumming songs in the corner of a coffee shop; places like Jitters are part of my origin story. A coffee shop is like a clubhouse, a third space that’s neither home nor office, and I’ve always admired the warmth that Jitters offers this town. When the chance came to help revitalize it, I knew I had to jump in. Oceanside deserves a place like this—where everyone can feel at home and gather for good food and good fun.”
Chick & Hawk | Encinitas, (coming in 2025, date TBD)
This “fast-fine concept” from beloved skateboarding icon and Carlsbad native Tony Hawk has been waiting in the wings for a while — but the brand announced in September 2023 that they had gotten their permits to begin construction. As of February 2025, the restaurant said big progress had been made at “the coop.”
“Almost Open” pop-up events went down in March 2025, and when this spot finally hatches, the menu will feature everything from fried chicken sandwiches to oysters inspired the brand’s “roots in ‘90s skate and surf culture.”
Changes, changes
San Diego’s food scene is always evolving — here are some updates related to local celebrity restaurants of the past:
Graze by Sam, and later Basta | Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien — the author and laid-back chef with a whopping 3.8 million YouTube subscribers — partnered with Grain & Grit Collective to launch Graze in early 2020. Zien’s foray into the restaurant industry also led him and the hospitality group to launch the Little Italy Food Hall with concepts like Samburgers and Not Not Tacos.
In June 2024, Graze transformed into Basta!, an Italian restaurant run by Zien. In January 2025, Zien announced he was bowing out of the restaurant business. After seven years in business, Grain & Grit Collective closed the Little Italy Food Hall on Feb. 16, 2025.
VAGA Restaurant & Bar | Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas
“Top Chef” alumna Claudette Zepeda launched this buzzy resort restaurant in 2021, once calling the eatery her “love letter to San Diego.” Zepeda stepped back from running the kitchen in January 2022, but her influence remains on the menu. Executive Chef Ananda Bareño currently oversees VAGA.
