My wife and I came to visit the museum and made a reservation for lunch at Artifact. The food and service were very good and we enjoyed our time here. We sat on the outdoor patio with great views of the trees and shrubs. It was much quieter that being inside and the weather was wonderful. Of course, parking was miserable! The lots are crowded but I should have realized that it is touist season. Don't let that scare you away, you can walk off your lunch. read more

Visited A@M again and a slightly different experience. Diverse menu still yet a lot of repeats even after 2-3 yrs..I thought being a global restaurant they would change their menus often but maybe not. Food lacked flavor depth this time. Service was nice and the fact that it's in balboa makes everything better because you can head out for a walk n explore the place or events. read more

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Rude bartender at 2pm on Tuesday. Bad energy. Very unpleasant experience. Interesting atmosphere and menu but was so turned off by his behavior we ended up leaving. read more

Top notch Shrimp Dumpling and refreshing hibiscus tea! Tempura was spot on, too. Great lunch. Great service. If only they had more evening hours.... read more

Artifact At Mingei - Shrimp Dumplings - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Second visit to Artifact, and I'm still loving the aesthetic interior, international menu, and service. COCKTAIL 5/5 the ladybug | rosemary vodka (spirit forward!) + cranberry + lime 4/5 artifact house tonic | gin + fig+ lemongrass cardamon + seltzer (very light on flavors) SNACK 5/5 vietnamese pork meatball + chili caramel + pickled carrot + kohlrabi + ginger + cilantro + mint + lemongrass emulsion 3/5 lebanese 7 spice fried chickpeas (seemed stale) SALAD 5/5 delicata squash + crushed kale + spiced corn nut + caciocavallo cheese + pickled shallot + huacatay mint gf PLATE 5/5 lamb kofta + twice cooked eggplant + roasted sweet pepper + compari tomato + cacik yogurt + shatta chili sauce + mint + hyssop + cilantro + saffron rice + bazlama flatbread 4/5 brandt beef choripan burger + scamorza cheese + roasted tomato + arugula + shaved red onion + chimichurri + dijonnaise (wanted more flavor from either the cheese, chimichurri, or dijon mayonnaise) read more

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Wow! I went here with my sister and was so impressed. The server was wonderful- friendly but no overbearing with great recommendations. The food was the best I've had in Balboa Park. I had a salad with a crusted avocado that was to die for. Lovely lunch! read more

Great place for a date night! We went to balboa park for an event at the NAT. There weren't that many options to eat at the park and we found this new restaurant. It's a bit on the $$ side but it's totally worth it esp for nice occasions. The server was great, and they have plenty of wine selection. The seats are a bit uncomfortable and too close to each other but the ambience of being able to have dinner inside a museum late at night was truly special. The food add that perfect romantic vibe to it. We just wish there are more options on the menu. Menu also is always changing so it's hard to predict what they have. Always check the website before going. read more

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I came here for a friend's birthday dinner, so of course I said yes to the experience -- but honestly, the best part was the fact that it's inside a museum. That was the vibe. Everything else? Meh. We started with drinks, which were pretty underwhelming across the board. Nothing memorable, and definitely not what you'd expect at these price points. It was a three-course meal, and unfortunately none of us at the table (party of eight) were impressed. My first course was actually good -- probably the highlight of the meal for me. But it went downhill after that. The second course was brisket, and let me tell you -- I didn't even know brisket could be bad until I had it here. Super disappointing. Dessert was a bourbon cherry cheesecake. It was alright, but very heavy on the bourbon -- like, almost overpowering. The cheesecake base itself was decent, though. The menu just felt uninspired and flat. For a place located in such a cool space, I was hoping for a much better culinary experience. So no, I wouldn't recommend it -- unless you're just stopping in for the aesthetic. Otherwise, save your money and go elsewhere. read more

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I took my son for dinner to celebrate his visit from Spain. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Being open room and in the middle of the first floor of the museum I thought it might be noisy; it was not. We had two appetizers that were spectacular. My son had the burger which he devoured. I had the beet and Asian pear salad which was perfect and light. I would definitely recommend and can't wait to try the Dan Dan soup. read more

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We wanted to try this place for a long time but we only had several times drink at here before. Mingei is my favorite museum in SD and a restaurant at here, it is gonna be good! Plus their drinks are pretty nice as I remember. And yes, I'll say here's food is worthy to try. We ordered a Vietnamese pork meatball and a choripan burger, they are all fusion style food, which I like - A lot of different culture inspired cuisine. Meatball is flavorful and burger is juicy and tender. I would like more Vietnamese flavor in the meatball like fish sauce I guess, now I feel the Vietnamese flavor is not enough. The service is nice and the atmosphere is great. I'll definitely recommend you come to try. read more

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Located at Balboa Park inside the Mingei International Museum, I visited this restaurant with friends after exploring the park. The space is thoughtfully designed and customer service was great. The interior had a modern art vibe, with soleil ceiling accents, warm wood details, and industrial touches. Beverage: Lychee and Black Tea. Refreshing and unsweetened, just what I wanted. Appetizer: We shared the Crispy Green Bean Pakora with Garam Masala, Cilantro, and Mint Chutney. I really enjoyed it and would order it again. Meal: Crispy tofu, king oyster mushroom, gai lan, Chinese eggplant, green onion, fermented black bean sauce, and chili crisp. The flavor was fantastic, though a bit oily. Dessert: Coconut tapioca, roasted pineapple, strawberry, and mango granita. Absolutely delicious, 5 out of 5. I would definitely get this again. I would come back to try their Rock Shrimp Gyoza next time. read more

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In theory and in concept, this would've been the perfect date. I mean, what's cuter than a museum date followed up by a dinner at a restaurant on the Michelin Guide? Located on the bottom floor of the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, Artifact is a trendy upscale restaurant with an open concept. Amazing food, amazing vibes, not-so-amazing service. They have a pretty good course menu deal- 3 courses for around $90-$100 if I'm remembering correctly. TLDR- the food is pretty great! We ordered the rock shrimp gyoza, short rib + egg noodles, yassa cornish hen, and basque cheesecake. All great choices with generous portion sizes. Onto my qualms. The service here was exceptionally slow, but only for our party. We had made a reservation, were prompt with arriving, AND were quick to order, yet we sat for over an hour watching everyone around us, many of which arrived after us, get served, eat, and leave. It was ridiculous! Our waitress was nice and respectful, but we just weren't getting served. I don't know if she forgot to put in our order or if we were getting discriminated against. If it was the former, I would've really appreciated it if she owned up to it and offered some sort of compensation. read more

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My friend and I were at the park walking around on a Saturday and got hungry. Although I do love the Prado the wait for it was hours and the other places you had to wait in line, then find a seat and there were none because there were thousands of people on the park on a sunny Saturday. So...what a lovely surprise when we found this option to be seated and served on with absolutely no wait to be seated! Yes please! We had a nice simple table in the middle of the museum and gift shop so there are people walking by, but the hustle and bustle never bothered me. The service was prompt and kind. They explained the food and alt options. My lamb burger was simply delicious and my friend loved her dish as well. We were very happy and continued to walk through the park and found some great art in the Spanish Village! I loved it and highly recommended it. read more

Artifact At Mingei - Lamb burger and side salad - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

The only thing we could accept is the flat bread , even the bread is just so so. The presentation looks great, but the flavor is so bad! We were wondering how could be so salty, the weird flavor doesn't match each other, fish doesn't taste like fish, just plain. We feel like the food is from the fridge premade, then warm them, decorate the plate. Very disappointing! read more

Artifact At Mingei - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Mixed experiences at Artifact. Bring your own picnic. Artifact is a restaurant affiliated with the renowned Mingei International Museum. To get there, we first had to pay $10 for parking, dutifully lining up behind the most ridiculous and ill-conceived parking machines on the planet. It kept referring us back to the GREEN ARROW. There are three green arrows on the screen. Which one to choose? We wasted a good 15 mns as did half a dozen puzzled customers trying to figure out the same thing. Thank goodness this idiotic idea will see its end in January 2027. That said, the park is beautiful and sparely populated. Go there while you can! It's a delight not to have to fight crowds (just find a cheaper parking spot). We were headed for the Clearly Indigenous Native Visions Reimagined in Glass (June 27-September 20,) an awe-inspiring display of glass art created by indigenous artists from Alaska to New Mexico. While on the second floor, we stepped into the art library, home to art and architecture books from all over the world. Now, where to go for lunch? Downstairs at Artifact made the most sense (why I have seen it spelled ARTEFACT?) The vast dining area occupies half the whole first floor of the museum, with the other half occupied by the attractive gift shop. We headed across the main dining area to the shaded outdoor terrace. The Artifact menu features a few intriguing dishes, including one which tickled my fancy (if not my palate) with its mention of garlic crème fraiche. My mother was French, and she never combined garlic and crème fraiche: an interesting combination. And so we ordered: Menu: **Avocado bowl + aleppo pistachio dukkah + pearl barley + chickpea + sweet potato + arugula + carrot + cucumber + garlic creme fraiche + carrot molasses (v) [lunch only]for 23.00 The combination of ingredients sounded interesting but the assemblage was strangely flavorless. I love dukkah, and I make it often: No flavor here. The swish of garlic crème fraiche on the plate was well seasoned, but the serving much too skimpy; same went for the carrot molasses; the handful of fried garbanzo beans had seen crispier days; the grated carrots were tasteless (Hint: try Moroccan style carrots with orange juice and cinnamon). Three sprigs of arugula hid under a peeled avocado half set in the center of the plate. How about slicing the avocado half and fanning it on the plate? Someone in the kitchen needs to practice styling food. A recap of our meal: Menu: **1 iced hibiscus tea: $7.50 My friend was in shock at the price of the glass of tea. Menu: **6 small shrimp mandu dumpling + sweet sour soy + ginger scallion oil + sesame + goochugaru chili flake 16. These tiny dumplings topped with the scallion and ginger lined the bottom of a small bowl. I thought I had seen similar size ones at Costco recently. MY FRIEND ONLY GOT 5.....NOT 6 as stated Advice: COUNT YOUR DUMPLINGS Then: The $3.95 SURCHARGE is left over from Covid days. The waiter took pains to explain that this went directly to the Urban Kitchen Group. It was NOT to be confused with the tip. LISTED: **A 3.95% surcharge will be added to each check. This charge helps support increased wages and benefits for our team members on the front line and in our kitchens and allows us to continue to provide the URBAN KITCHEN GROUP hospitality and service you have come to enjoy." The service was pleasant if a bit slow. The tip on the waiter's card machine seemed to be stuck on 22%, which I changed to 20%. Cost of lunch? plus tip, plus the surcharge: $52.08. Best to bring your own picnic. read more

The place inside is very nice. Staff was friendly. My lemonade was delicious and refreshing. I gave them a 3 star because my food was salty. The green beans had a lot of salt and my short ribs were also salty. The food would had been more enjoyable without all that salt. Wish I would had known I would had asked for no salt. Overall is a cute place. read more

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Along with the outstanding service and exemplary food choices we had, I forgot to mention it was our anniversary lunch celebration! Kelly generously brought us each a glass of champagne to toast our 35th year of marriage! It was an unexpected and generous gesture! We lingered through closing and left the beautiful venue happy and satiated. We will return very soon for dinner! read more

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I wish I could give this place 5 stars because the food is excellent and it's one of my favorite newer places in San Diego. The service is slow though, and I've been maybe 4 times and it's consistently been slow. I also wish they would leave a carafe of water because their water glasses are on the smaller side. They did not fill them unprompted, and whenever we would request refills it would take a while. On my most recent visit, I had the rock shrimp gyoza which I thought were excellent. The person I was with thought they were on the saltier side, especially because of the sauce they were in, and that they were too fishy. I could see both of those criticisms, but as someone who loves both seafood and salt I quite liked them. The avocado bowl was fantastic and probably one of the best things I've eaten so far in 2025. I'll definitely get this next time again. The roasted beet and pear salad was nice, but it seems like every restaurant has a beet salad on the menu right now so it didn't feel as exciting. It's definitely a little sweeter because of the pear and I would maybe order it is a dessert, actually. read more

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Had a wonderful lunch at Artifact at Mingei today, and it was a total delight the refined flavors, artful presentation, and a calm, beautiful setting right in Balboa Park. We started with the shrimp mandu dumplings, perfectly delicate with a juicy filling, brightened by sweet-sour soy, ginger scallion oil, sesame, and just the right kiss of gochugaru heat. The roasted beet & Asian pear salad was stunning so fresh, vibrant, and layered with creamy whipped feta, crunchy pistachios, watercress, and a fragrant orange blossom vinaigrette. Every bite felt so thoughtfully composed. For the main, the California sea bass moqueca was exceptional sooo tender, flaky fish in a silky coconut broth with roasted tomato and piperade, lifted by culantro, lime, and peanut for depth and brightness. Comforting yet elegant. We enjoyed everything with a crisp French Rosé, which paired beautifully with the entire meal and the museum setting. And we couldn't leave without dessert. We shared the mousse and the Basque cheesecake, both beautifully plated and absolutely delicious so light, silky, and the perfect sweet note to end a gorgeous lunch. T'was a lovely and serene dining experience with attentive and excellent service combined with very flavorful, creative, and visually gorgeous libations. Perfect pre or post museum indulgence. Will happily and definitely return when we visit SD again. read more

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It's not the food that is not great. The food is delicious (+1 star) It's everything else. I've dined at Artifact once before. This review is strictly for the bar part of Artifact. My biggest complaint from both experiences is their pretentious and elitist seating arrangements. Here you have a restaurant inside a museum with seating that wouldn't accommodate an above average sized individual. Get rid of that long couch as soon as possible people. If you are 6 feet, over 200 lbs., with any kind of muscular, or bone issues this place is not for you. If you are 5'5 (average height) relatively fit (no fat belly) this places seating might work for you. As we mentioned this to the bartender she said "yeah our seating is supposed to be uncomfortable" so there you have it folks you are supposed to be uncomfortable, potentially in pain while dining at Artifact. That's some horseshi* So who do you blame? Tracy Borkum, the restaurateur? Tim Kolanko, the chef? Jennifer Luce, the architect? Jessica Hanson York, museum CEO? I'm going to go with Jenniger Luce and Tracy Borkum, they must have been the ones seating on that awful couch when they decided it would work- because they were comfortable. It's quite funny how one couch can create such frustration in one's life. So much so I find myself writing a yelp review about a bar/restaurant seating options- especifically a couch! I hope this review helps someone tall and or overweight or someone's family member before dining here. Several things triumph food quality; comfort I believe is one of them. This is a sticky situation, I would hate to find myself in it. read more

Artifact At Mingei - "Hostess Table" with non existent host. Happy Hour: Friday & Saturday & Sunday (not listed on website) 2:30 - 5:00 pm AT BAR ONLY. - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have tried this place three times now and each time there's been a major disappointment. The menu is intriguing and it's so convenient for a pre-theater bite, but the service is -- from the snotty and unkind woman managing the seating to the scared-looking servers who avoid eye contact like the customers are tax collectors -- is enough to put off any diner. I happen to be a local and live nearby and I shudder to think that visitors would judge other Balboa Park establishments by this poor example of hospitality. The food has been ok, but not really strong enough to justify the precious prices. Sadly, a big miss and waste of a stellar location. read more

Wow!! Incredible food. Interesting flavors make for delicious meals! Everything we had was something we would have again! Service was top notch too!! read more

What a fun and unique spot in balboa park! I love that it's at the museum and that there's another restaurant inside the park. The appetizers were our favorite. The chicken sausage satay had a great texture and wonderful flavor with the ginger and lemongrass. The albacore tataki was fresh and tasty. The potstickers were great as well and flavorful. The roasted chicken had an odd texture to it and was our least favorite dish. I would come back here for the apps, but not the chicken dish. The service was kind and helpful. I would recommend checking this place out! read more

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Insane! Lives up to the hype- service was great and quick even on a busy day. Everyone there was friendly and enthusiastic about the food. Went with the shrimp dumplings. I'm usually indifferent to dumplings but these were incredible. They were so flavorful and the texture was perfection- just enough crispiness to contrast the tender filling. The chili oil was delicious- the spiciness dint overpower all the other flavors, such a great dish! read more

Artifact At Mingei - Shrimp Dumplings - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I enjoyed my experience at the Artifact. We sat outside with the cool wall to one side. I really like the Samosa. The pork meatball would have made a nice weight-loss meal: protein and salad. Though I didn't stop there; I also had crunchy bites of the butter leaf salad and finished off the bowl of pork dan dan noodles. It was an epic dinner served by friendly staff. read more

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Love this menu!!! Will go back!!! Staff and food are fantastic!!! If you like cocktails the choices are so unusual and good.

Went here on a Friday night. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outside and enjoyed the early evening. It was quiet and relaxing. We had their pre-fix menu, but a la carte also offers a great variety. We had dumplings for starters, sea bass and slow-roasted beef for the main course, and cheesecake and chocolate cake for dessert. The beef was over cooked, but they fixed that. The food was tasty and the service was OK. Certainly coming back. read more

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Hands down the best burger I've ever had -- and I do not say that lightly. Perfectly cooked, insanely flavorful, and one of those meals where you're already planning your next visit while still eating. The service was next-level: Kelly was warm, attentive, and genuinely thoughtful without ever feeling overbearing. You can tell the staff actually cares about the experience, not just getting plates on the table. And let's talk about the vibe -- the lighting was absolute perfection and the surrounding art tied everything together beautifully. Moody, stylish, and inviting in a way that makes you want to linger longer than planned. This place nails it on every level: food, service, and atmosphere. If you're even thinking about coming here, do it. You won't regret it. read more

This is a restaurant in the Mingei Museum near the gift shop. It was clean and in the open air. Not much in decor. The food, for the most part, was really good. But adding an extra surcharge is poor business. Just raise your prices. I had the Yassa Cornish Hen with braised collard greens, spiced caramelized onion, parsnip plantain purée, and rof sauce. It was flavorful and well presented. For dessert, I had the chocolate mousse with chai whipped cream. It was just too rich and sweet. I only had a few bites. They automatically add a 3.95% surcharge to every check, supposedly to cover higher wages and benefits. It's printed on the menu, but still feels like a way to sneak in extra costs instead of just pricing things honestly. I objected to the surcharge and they removed it, which tells me it's more about testing what they can get away with than something essential. If prices need to go up, raise them. Tacking on fees at the end makes the experience feel more like a transaction than hospitality. And with tip prompts preset to 20%, 22%, and 25%, it felt more like getting squeezed than taken care of. read more

Seabass! As soon a as I saw it, I knew I needed to try it. It was cooked in a tasty coconut broth and I enjoyed a hibiscus cocktail with it. Loved the outside patio and being able to enjoy Balboa park. read more

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Have come here 2 times thanks to a girlfriend P's recommendation, as we both venture out with our 3/4 month olds. Motherhood has been a trip! Restrooms nearby does have a changing station within. Servers have always been very pleasant and understanding. We were seated indoors the first time, and outdoors the second. We prefer outdoors as it's more open, under umbrellas - well shaded. And there's space for the strollers. The first time we dined in, we were under the bright lights which was a bit too much stimulation for the littos (at least for mine). Their appetizers are beautifully aesthetic and appealing. We have tried the snack tray the first time we dined in together, and got to sample all the dishes under "Snack." My favorite ended up being the vietnamese pork meatball which I got the second time around. The flavor is like an explosion inside your mouth with the seasoning, and the salad to compliment it. The entree to get is their yassa cornish hen. It's a super hearty dish with a delicious combo of braised collard green, spiced caramel onion,and parsnip plaintain puree. There is a bit of a kick to it. I've gotten their spiced lamb burger (during our first time) which is decent, but definitely prefer the cornish hen. Comes with fries which are nicely flavored. I have also tried the rock shrimp gyoza which wasn't bad, but didn't find it unique like the cornish hen. This is definitely on the pricier side, but the flavors are delightful. We visited on Tuesdays both times. The first time, a line started to form. The second time, not as busy - as I believe many didn't know there was a dine in, inside the Mingei - and went instead to the Prado. I liked this location due to the spaciousness and also the flavor profile. Most likely will come again if given the opportunity to try their dessert. read more

This beautiful and spacious restaurant is located in Balboa Park. My friends and I stopped by without reservations and were immediately seated. Our server was great. We started with the fried green beans. They were not for me but some of my friends liked it. The green beans were too soft for my liking and I didn't care for the breading. I ordered the short rib noodle dish for my main course. The short rib was cooked perfectly but was too salty for me. read more

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I can't convey how much I love this place. The food has been perfect. The flavors are assembled with great, nerdy insight and blend in such a way that everything tastes just right. We love the monthly dinners that are interpretations of cuisines from different places around the world, and are held on a single Thursday night each month. Some I liked better than others, but only because the style of food from a particular place wasn't my cup of tea, but that's fair enough. Overall I have enjoyed 99%. When dining there I feel like I am eating the food created by artists. The service has been friendly, and we love dining on the terrace when the weather permits-less boisterous than the indoor space. I think the chefs are amazing, good cocktails-I love the desert Flower is my go to. I can't wait to go back. read more

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Entrees were good, but really strong flavors - wasn't easy to finish the dishes for that reason. The cocktails were great, and the salad was great. Menu is creative and interesting. Worth a try for sure, the location (museum) is pretty cool! read more

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We eat our sandwich too quickly before I took a photo of our order. It was a Sunday afternoon and my husband and I had split a chicken salad sandwich on multigrain toast. We've been here two other times in the past and this was one where they were relatively quicker than in the past with our order. Normally it takes a long time. It is pricey for the $14.55 sandwich (which includes 3.95% surcharge") but you suck it up to it being a tourist location. The toast was overly toasted. It's tough to get a seat outside on a busy day too. Next time I'll plan ahead and bring my own sandwich. read more

Artifact At Mingei - Outside of the cafe - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Nice place in the park and good food. Nothing fancy, decent bar and good service. Would return

Super nice location in the wonderful Mingei Museum. We decided to splurge on a nice lunch. Both our dishes, samosa and dumpling (gyoza in reality) were super salty and over seasoned - no subtlety at all. read more

Went on a Sunday afternoon - tried calling but they didn't answer, but had no trouble getting a time on OpenTable. Once we got there it seemed like we could have easily just walked in. The environment is cute and novel - not too loud, tables well spaced. Everyone seemed pleasant. We got the little gem and roasted beets salads as well as the shrimp gyoza. Service was surprisingly slow which was the only reason for removing a star. I'm not sure why they don't just bring out a water pitcher instead of repeatedly saying "we'll bring you more water in a minute". For appetizers and a salad it did take an unusually long amount of time to come out. The salads were great - good presentation, good flavor. I preferred the roasted beets salad which was recommended by the server. Definitely look at the pictures though if you can, they weren't at all what was in my head from the description. The gyoza was a bit too salty for my tastes but they were properly fried and pretty good overall. We didn't sample any drinks but the menu seemed thorough. I think it's nice having this restaurant in Balboa Park. Certainly worth a try if in the area. read more

My friend and I found a reservation for Artifact soon after they got the Michelin mention. We were interested because their dishes are said to be "inspired by ancient methods and spices". It is a nice contemporary space within the Mingei museum. And service was pleasant. We ordered the potstickers and the short ribs. I like the ginger in the potstickers. The short ribs came with noodles and gai lan. Everything was flavorful, but not unique. I also had a Spiced Sangria. For dessert we had the delicious chai chocolate mousse topped with coconut whip cream and coconut cajeta. I now know that Artifact is part of the Urbana Kitchen restaurant group that include Cucina Urbana and Cucina Enoteca. They give back to the community, even more reason to give this place a try! By the way they also offer happy hour at the bar 3-5, Thurs-Saturday! read more

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My friend and I have been wanting to check out this place for a while and now it has earned a place in the Michelin Guide! We visited back in July and were able to get reservations. It was pretty neat that it's located inside the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park. I got the hibiscus masala spritz and she got a pink sangria. The drinks were simply decorated and refreshing. Mine had a very herbal taste to it. We shared the large potstickers and short ribs. Both dishes were great, but not mind-blowing. The short ribs were tender and very flavorful. For dessert, we chose the chocolate mousse! It came in a mug and was light and not too sweet. read more

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