Cocooned in gilded wallpaper, the dramatically-lit dining room is a glittering backdrop for its menu of Vietnamese-French food, like a spicy spin on beef tartare with thai chiles and crispy shallots that not only reimagine the bistro classic. There’s also a show-stopping platter of dry-aged seared duck breast and confit duck leg that usually sells out before the end of the night, and a flan cloaked in Vietnamese coffee syrup, one of the city’s best desserts. The drink menu is worth its own review, but we’ll stop at the Saigon Moped, a mix of gin, debitterized bitter melon, perilla, and lime that makes a perfect sidecar for the salt-and-pepper fish belly snack that’s served only at the bar.

This modern Vietnamese restaurant in the Golden Hill neighborhood near the south end of Balboa Park incorporates the sauces, flavors, and fragrant herbs that are the bedrock of the cuisine and presents them in new and fun ways in both the cocktail and food menus. Crispy chicken wings are glazed in tamarind and served with a toasted coconut ranch sauce, a Thompson Heritage Farms pork chop is accompanied with a nước chấm broth, rice noodles, and lettuce, and an impressive dry-aged and smoked duck with XO sauce consistently sells out during the night. Kingfisher has been popular with locals since it opened, and it attracts a younger crowd.

Golden HillWithin just months of opening, Kingfisher had already garnered a coveted spot in Michelin’s California Guide. The gorgeously appointed dining room has an Art Deco vibe, with vivid shades of teal and seafoam, gilded accents, cozy banquettes lining the wall, and a massive center bar. Chef David Sim’s menu combines Vietnamese fine dining with French, SoCal, and Filipino flair.

Vietnamese and French influences reign supreme at stylish Kingfisher. Shoot for the stars here and opt all the way in for Chef David Sims’s perfectly executed Four-Course Tasting Menu. Don’t skip the housemade egg noodles, which come topped with black truffle and littleneck clams bathed in lemongrass and coconut.

Golden Hill’s Kingfisher stands out as one of San Diego’s must-visit dining destinations. The French-influenced Vietnamese cocktail bar offers stunning dishes that showcase flavors from across Southeast Asia, including the mussels in coconut and Thai basil broth, wild mushroom congee with crispy garlic, or the smoked dry-aged duck served with rice noodles, crunchy lettuce wraps, and nuoc cham chimichurri. This place stirs quite the buzz, but if you’re in the mood for a quieter experience, ask for a spot on the quaint yet still stylish outdoor patio.

Despite being only a year old this beautiful French-Vietnamese restaurant has already attracted a flock of food critics and accumulated national accolades including a mention on Bon Appetit’s list of 50 best new restaurants in America 2022. Get there early if you don’t want to miss Kingfisher’s smoked dry-aged duck that sells out every night. You’ll also want to try the beef tartare, wild mushroom congee, and crispy chicken wings washed down with their inventive Asian-inspired cocktails.

Kingfisher is one of the buzziest places in town, and you’ll definitely need a reservation to eat here. You’ll find beautifully-plated food incorporating flavors from all over Southeast Asia—go for the wild mushroom congee laced with crispy garlic, crunchy lettuce wraps, smoked dry-aged duck with rice noodles, and nuoc cham chimichurri. The dining room is anchored by an oval-shaped bar and a glowing, golden sculptural light fixture, as if your best design-savvy friend had a blank check.

Taking root from the culinary heritage of Vietnam, Kingfisher presents a classic take on authentic Vietnamese French-influenced food. Nestled in the historic neighbourhood of Golden Hill and combined with a forward-thinking and elevated craft cocktail program, Kingfisher strives to provide an exciting balance of the soulful and intricate flavours of traditional Vietnamese dishes and ingredients. They equally have a well-stocked bars and wine list to cater for their guests.

Kim Phan, Ky Phan and Quan Le — owners of the local Viet-Cajun Crab Hut restaurants — opened one of San Diego’s most stylish restaurants in 2022. A dramatic black-and-gold bar anchors the dining room, its walls covered with a sweeping lotus print in shades of green and pink. A soursop and coconut milk cocktail called Jungle Fang sets the mood for the cooking, overseen by executive chef David Sim, which melds Southeast Asian flavors with Californian creativity.

At this Golden Hill gem, which combines authentic Vietnamese French influenced food with a California vibe, you can experience a four-course prix-fixe dinner at the intimate 23-stool oval bar. For $150 per person, menu options will feature ahi spring rolls, diver scallop, and ribeye served with a truffle vinaigrette, lap cheong and grated comte. Finish the meal with pavlova served with California olive oil ice cream.

From the owners of Crab Hut in Mira Mesa, this new Golden Hill restaurant and bar will serve authentic Southeast Asian food with a California sensibility. Specialties of the house will include Vietnamese chicken curry, citrus-cooked rare beef salad and olive oil-poached shrimp salad. Until the restaurant can open in a more stable dining environment, Crab Hut is hosting monthly Kingfisher pop-up dinners.

Kingfisher, led by Chef David Sim, is celebrated for its unique fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisines. The restaurant offers a modern interpretation of traditional dishes, creating a dining experience that is both sophisticated and flavorful. Signature dishes at Kingfisher include raw scallops paired with sweet-and-sour elements, a perfect example of the restaurant’s innovative approach.

Perched in Golden Hill, this Vietnamese treasure peppers hints of French cuisine and pure California into its menu. Little neck clams, Vietnamese curry, and wild mushroom congee are some of the standouts from the menu. However, it’s the drink list featuring a Singapore sling, Saigon moped, and other cocktails that will make you start to crave this place after the first visit.

Kingfisher combines luxurious seafood offerings with a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Known for its attention to detail and commitment to sustainable practices, the restaurant delivers a memorable fine dining experience. The King Crab Legs and the Seared Ahi Tuna are standouts, offering rich, tender bites of the highest quality seafood.

Kingfisher is one of the most exciting fine dining restaurants in San Diego right now. With a moody gold-accented interior and dramatic French-Vietnamese vibes, it’s a stunner from the moment you walk in. The menu is a luxurious take on Southeast Asian cuisine, blending French technique with bold Vietnamese flavors.

Kingfisher (Golden Hill - $$$) a stunning cocktail bar placed right in the center of the room, highlighting an elevated bar program, but the Vietnamese food is fresh and delicious.

2469 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92102Phone: 619-432-1014 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Kingfisher (@kingfisher.sd)