I visited the Kettner Exchange over the weekend. The food was delicious! I had the spicy tuna crispy rice, pig mac bao, sichuan lamb noodles, spicy shrimp and Budino. They all slapped! The ambiance was dark and peaceful. The server was very kind and had great suggestions. 10/10 recommend. read more

Kettner Exchange - Spicy tuna crispy rice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I was very excited to try Kettner Exchange as this well-known restaurant has been a mainstay in Little Italy for over a decade. My wife and I made a reservation for a Friday evening dinner and were seated immediately. It's a beautiful restaurant with tasteful decor and a pleasant warm oak color scheme and gentle lighting. Service was very good and attentive. I noticed there was a wide variety of patrons dining from young families with kids, to retired couples, to young couples. As with every elevated dining experience, my wife and I like to try a large number of dishes especially appetizers and curate these picks with the help of our server. We settled on: charred cabbage, pig Mac Bao, Caesar twinkies, duck meatball, crispy rice, and garlic noodles along with cocktails and a dessert. I thought the majority of the dishes were just okay (3/5) which was disappointing given the price point. The pig Mac Bao in particular which lauded as a crowd favorite at Kettner lacked flavor which was unfortunate given how aesthetic and creative the dish was. The charred cabbage had promising flavor but our cabbage was undercooked and crunchy and the sauce was not evenly distributed leaving some bites lacking flavor. My two favorite dishes were the Caesar Twinkies and the garlic noodles. I would certainly get the garlic noodles again, they were absolutely bursting with flavor. Overall, glad I was able to try this restaurant but I was left disappointed with the food given the price point. read more

See all

Ok this was my second visit and this time it was for a birthday and sweet baby budino it was amazing. We had a cute little booth which I think the staff swapped from the countertop for the birthday boy and I. The drinks here are top notch and then we got down to the serious eats. They have multiple Michelin recognized dishes and I had no idea and honestly didn't care because I was busy trying not to lick all the plates. We each had our favorites but I was blown away again by these flavors and textures. The staff was so knowledgeable and attentive and then when we were already going to have to roll out from fullness, they surprised us with a baby budino dessert.... I may go back just for that creamy tiny pot of heaven. Highly recommend. Now for the tips and tricks: Make a reservation - duh they get busy Spring for valet - worth it given the location Skip lunch because it's a dumb meal anyway and you will be happier with more room for these dishes Ask about pairings for wine and or cocktails Enjoy! And take me with you! :) read more

See all

Came here on a Saturday for a date night, it had cute intimate ambiance before the rush of customers came in. The drinks were pretty good! As someone who doesn't like the taste of alcohol, the drinks were delicious!! I got a watermelon one and my date got a citrusy one. Once the DJ started up and the huge wave of patrons crowded the place it ended up being way too loud to have conversations so we only had one drink before we bounced to the next place. read more

Kettner Exchange - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I loved the bar area that gave almost a speakeasy type of feel. We had went during the evening and it was busy, but I managed to get a seat at the bar where I ordered this amazing espresso martini that was their seasonal with coconut! read more

Kettner Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Honestly I wasn't expecting much from the food here. I was just checking out their happy hour menu. But wow, their food actually pleasantly surprised me! Their menu had an Asian fusion twist to it and I have to say there were some bites of food with flavor combinations I have never tried before. Our lovely bartender gave us great recommendations. The ambiance was quiet on a Sunday evening but I imagine it being much more bustling on Friday or Saturday evening. Highly recommend the eggplant and crispy shrimp off their happy hour menu (I think everything was $10). Drinks were standard, nothing revolutionary but did the trick. Will be back! Also just an FYI they have some flies and mosquitoes that like to live there so wear long pants read more

Kettner Exchange - Spritz and a lamb noodle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

We stopped here for a happy hour drink. The upstairs was closed due to a private party so we sat a the bar downstairs. The bartender was friendly. They didn't have many drink or food options for happy hour compared to everywhere else. The non happy drinks were quite pricey. We for a couple drinks and they were just okay. Overall for the prices I feel like there is so many better places to try. read more

Kettner Exchange - Outside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

A good place to treat yourself as the ambiance and service at this place is amazing. I've been here over a decade ago for someone's birthday and finally doing a review about my most recent experience. Cocktails are on the pricier side but done very well. One of my best friends is vegan and I am not as pleased with their vegan options, but the food and flavor was good. I loved almost everything we ordered such as the dish with a whipped ricotta, eggplant, salmon, and pork belly bao. I definitely do plan to come back especially since their menu does change. read more

Kettner Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

OMG! Just go to this restaurant make a reservation and go. The food is amazingly unique. Mapo was my favorite. The crispy rice delicious. It came out so hot. It nearly burned my mouth. Great wine list and cocktails. And the dessert... if I could tell you one recommendation that is absolutely a must, The Budino it's a delicious smooth caramel with a little bit of sea salt and crème fraîche. Best thing ever!!!! The bar is open, but it's always packed. Make a reservation you will be so happy you did. read more

See all

This location in Little Italy is so friendly and modern! The drink menu is extensive and the bartender Hoppie is the best! The menu is extensive and you can't go wrong with any dish! In the heart of Little Italy it's a perfect location for any celebration! Parking is not easy but if you try up the side streets it's easier! read more

See all

My wife wanted to come here for Sunday Brunch because the menu looked interesting and because of the dining credit on our Chase card. We had a reservation around noon and were seated immediately. Our server was friendly and informative and the rest of the staff were very attentive in clearing the table and refilling out water. Ambience of the restaurant was pretty modern with a nice view of the harbor from Grape street. There is plenty of seating with two levels and a few different bar areas. This place is supposedly famous for their drinks, but we don't really drink so we ordered plenty of food. The crispy rice and spicy tuna was tasty but was not spicy at all. The sushi rice patties were fried like hash browns and were crispy and fluffy. The fried chicken was two pieces of breast meat and one thigh. Very crispy with a tasty mild numbing spicy peanut sauce. The lamb noodles were savory and not too gamey with a hint of numbing spice. Overall the food, service, and ambience was fantastic, but the portion size to price was just ok. Definitely worth a visit if you're not looking for value! read more

See all

This may be the greatest toughest experience I've ever had. We did not order a single dish that wasn't spectacular. And the drinks are just as innovative and delicious as the food. The service was attentive and speedy. The decor and the furniture set up is really stylish and comfortable. Everyone was so nice. This is a must go to in San Diego. read more

See all

Had a great night out here, with really good food and a nice atmosphere. Ambiance was nice, not too loud where you couldn't carry a conversation, but still lively in the lounge area. Tapas-style servings, which we liked so we could try out a few different dishes. Started out with the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, followed by Spicy Shrimp. Both were delicious. Next up, we had the Swordfish Wraps, which were good. The swordfish was wrapped in lettuce and they had a nice taste. We finished off with Grilled Mary's Chicken, which was a great dish for sharing. Our server provided timely and courteous service the entire evening and made sure we were taken care of. Parking as always is tough in Little Italy, but valet parking is offered at 15.00. We will return! read more

See all

We were so upset when we arrived and the kitchen was closed, even though Apple Maps and Yelp said the restaurant was open until 12 noon. It's very sad, please provide all the information on the platforms. I hope that your food is amazing, i will try maybe on my next vacation here) read more

The menu is tapas-style and best for sharing. I tried two of their Michelin-recognized dishes (duck meatball and spicy tuna sushi rice) as well as their whipped ricotta. Our favorite was the duck meatball: smooth, almost effortless to eat, nestled on creamy soft grits with marinara. Comforting, rich, and balanced. We enjoyed the deconstructed spicy tuna crispy rice, too. The rice cake had a perfect bouncy, chewy texture without being overcooked, the tuna was fresh and silky, and the avocado was creamy and ripe. I wouldn't say it was mind-blowing. The ricotta was inconsistent--too salty on some bites, oily on the other. I liked the bread as it was smoky but parts of it were burnt. The dish ended up feeling heavy rather than indulgent. Also, the Kex cocktail leaned very coconut-forward and tasted like a college student whipped together Malibu and pineapple juice. I can see it being a crowd-pleaser, just not my personal preference. The space itself is a major win. Nautical ship-inspired with a striking deconstructed eucalyptus tree at the center, the interior feels modern, vibrant, and effortlessly cool. The crowd was lively which is perfect for date night or a friends' get-together. Service was attentive and smooth throughout. Shoutout Patrick! read more

See all

This place was so awesome. They have a super cute rooftop patio/lounge with a bar. You can even rent a "cabana" For larger groups. I highly recommend making a reservation. The food was all super delicious, and the service was amazing. The staff was all super kind and knowledgeable. read more

See all

Kettner Exchange - what a dinner! It was our first visit to San Diego and KEX made our list of places to visit. Highly recommend for those who have never been. Our waiters were absolutely fantastic- super knowledgeable and helpful with making our food selections. Here are the fan favorites from our meal: - Spicy tuna crispy rice: little circles of crispy rice, with a nori-covered avocado and tuna (LOVE the presentation and just as delicious) - Butternut squash dumplings: as expected and with a great flavor - Duck meatball: MASSIVE single meatball in a little skillet with grits and tons of sauce. The meatball was the perfect texture, consistency, and flavor which isn't the easiest feat. - Molten chocolate lava cake: ah-MAZING. The perfect consistency of melted chocolate, and how can you pass up a vanilla McFlurry ice cream!?! The answer is you shouldn't. Fantastic meal. Cannot wait for our next trip back! read more

See all

I've only ever been to Kettner to get drinks so I was curious to try out the restaurant for their actual food. We came for Sunday brunch on Super Bowl so there was no wait for a party of 2. Parking: As with any other downtown establishments, be prepared to drive around to snag a paid street parking-- unless it's Sunday, then most meters are free. Vibes: It's a huge 2-story restaurant with lots of outdoor and indoor seats. They can seat a large group party. We were seated upstairs on the patio since it was a nice day out. They had at least a couple TVs. There were regular tables, bar seats, and low tables with couches on the patio. Service: Huge shoutout to Zach who was our great server! He was personable, explained the menu well, and gave us a great experience. Food: The brunch menu is mainly tapas style. There were only 2 of us so we were limited on the dishes to try. If you have more people, you'd be able to try out more. -Caesar Twinkies ($15): 3 pieces of brioche crouton filled with mascarpone. Absolutely delicious. You'd think that the crouton would be too hard to bite but it was the perfect crunch consistency with the flavors of the mascarpone. A must get!! -Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice ($22): comes with 4 pieces of crispy rice and the spicy tuna is on the side topped with half an avocado. Generous servings of spicy tuna since it was served as a whole mound. The taste itself was nothing special, however. -Szechuan Fried Chicken ($25): 3 big pieces of juicy thighs. The flavor was great. Not too spicy for me (but I like really spicy food). I'd get this again only if we had more people. -Honey Butter Toast ($13): 1 piece of thick toast topped with creme. I enjoyed the taste but it didn't wow me as much. But what we enjoyed more was the Budino: crème fraiche topped with caramel! Overall: I can attest that their brunch menu is pretty good. Perfect place to enjoy a nice sunny day meal. I'd love to come back to try their dinner menu sometime. read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant , good service .. food comes out very very very fast !! Swordfish lettuce wraps - would not order again Bok Choy - so so small and just ok Ricotta whipped w toast - this was Good one of the best things we had Kale salad - delicious Tuna w fried rice cakes - yummy Hot oil seared salmon -meh Spicy shrimp - nothing special I would go more toward 31/2 stars Atmosphere and service very good Nothing blew my mind read more

See all

Kettner is one of our favorite places to go when we want a great meal - the mapo is a go to and always delicious and the fried chicken for brunch is out of this world!! This place also offers lots of their cocktails as virgin mocktails and throughout this pregnancy the virgin dirty verde has made me feel like I'm not missing out!! The salted caramel Budino is also amazing - im not even a huge caramel fan but it's one of my favorite desserts! read more

See all

The ambiance inside was stunning with moody lighting, warm wood details, and such an elevated atmosphere. The outdoor area was just as beautiful and made the whole place feel cozy yet upscale. Our server was also amazing and checked in on us throughout the night to make sure everything was perfect. They were super helpful with recommendations and made the experience even better. I loved that it was tapas style because we got to try so many different dishes, and every single one was packed with flavor. The drinks, food, and desserts were all beautifully presented and tasted incredible. This is definitely not just a restaurant, it's a dining experience. One of the most memorable spots I've been to in a while. read more

See all

We ordered the Sonoma Lamb and Mapo rice rolls, and these were undeniably some of the most amazingly unique flavors I've ever tried. The cucumber salad tasted great as well. However, I felt that everything was just far too salty. The host and servers were very accommodating and took their time to answer all our questions while also providing us with wonderful recommendations. The layout and ambiance were beautiful. Overall, I loved this place and I've added this to my list of places to return to whenever I'm back in SD. read more

Kettner Exchange - Sonoma Lamb and cucumber salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Food was excellent and tapas style with asian flair. loved the noodles the spice was right on point. get the caesar twinkie. service was great. sit upstairs. we sat downstairs and it was warm and a little stuffy. cool concept on the decor read more

See all

I ended up really liking this place. From the moment I walked in Sean was so pleasant. Great presence. I recommend making a reservation if you plan on coming here beforehand. The service here is impeccable. The wait staff are really on top of things. Food is good. I had duck meatballs they were delicious. The food is mostly appetizers. So what I recommend is getting a couple of plates and then you share it with another person your with so you can try multiple things. They have drinks as well. Great vibes. Parking is a bit of a pain so I recommend a lyft or an Uber down here. read more

Kettner Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Fantastic local spot. Menu changes daily, but has some similar things every day. The tuna and lamb are my favorites. Some Thursdays, the in house magician is in and is fantastic. One of my favorite places to take guests. Ambiance can't be beat! read more

What a fantastic experience! We ordered 11 dishes and they paired them and coursed them out really well. For drinks we got the painkiller which was fantastic. I'll get that next time. The oddessy and the rosemarys baby was very good. I preferred the rosemarys baby We started with the big eye tuna sashimi which was excellent. And the butternut squash dumplings. That portion was a little too small. The eggplant was awesome! So different. Then we got the duck meatball and the puquillo pepper and peanut dip with focaccia bread. You would never know there were peanuts in it. The duck meatball comes with a creamy polenta. Yum! My husband loved it. The Caesar Twinkie was very rich and delicious. But a little too oily for me. I loved the lamb noodle dish. Next time I'll ask for the chili oil on the side. The spicy shrimp and the Szechuan frogs legs were my favorite. When you order that get the cucumber salad at the same time. The coolness of the cucumbers pairs really well together with it. Of the 3 desserts the honey butter toast was my favorite! I would come back again just for that! Our server, Eric was excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable. We will come back here again for sure! Can't believe this is the first time we have been here They have and upstairs and a downstairs. We sat in a booth downstairs. But upstairs looked like a lot of fun! read more

See all

Excellent services the draw back was it was so dark Our table had no light. We enjoy atmosphere and the delicious food and very unique experience there. We all shared 5 difference dishes We loved the Duck meatball next I want that for me and mapo my photos didn't come but next time We are definitely going back!! read more

See all

Leave it to San Diego to constantly impress. I'd already heard the buzz about this restaurant, so expectations were high--and they were met and exceeded. From the moment you enter, whether it's the live DJ or the open fire features, the space feels welcoming and inviting. The design is undeniably upscale. The food is even better. The plating feels like art, and the flavors--especially the spicy shrimp and other dishes--do not disappoint. I'll definitely be back. read more

See all

Near Little Italy, Kettner Exchange has an entrance slightly hidden down a long isle. The upstairs has indoors and outdoors both with trendy vibes. However, the overall feel of the restaurant did not feel so cohesive. The indoors and outdoors were very different and a DJ even came later at night. Additionally, unfortunately, since we were so close to the water we were hoping for water views, but the outdoors faces the opposite direction. The menu is filled with enticing small plates to share. We were pleased that the large majority of the menu could accommodate gluten free diet, and chose to share the Kale Salad, Roasted Carrots, and Grilled Romano Beans as our initial courses. All were tasty with unique flavor profiles, but the true standout was the Grilled Romano Beans, with a delicious char to them. We followed with the Lamb Szechuan Noodles, White Fish with jalapeños and the Duck Meatball. We enjoyed them all, and even though all were very different it managed to still feel like a cohesive dinner. Overall, tasty plates, but something felt lacking in the feel of the restaurant. read more

Know this place for a long time ,high standards, food are always good, amazing atmosphere and customer service , one of the best place in san diego read more

Always see this place driving from the airport and know it's fairly popular amongst my friends. Finally made it out due to our chase dining credits. It's a nice tapas restaurant that seems to turn into a club setting after 10pm but we didn't stay that long. Staff was really friendly. Counter seating was the only available option when making the reservation but it was actually really nice, spacious, and private. The food was great. My wife and I shared 4 plates and were worried about it not bring enough but were comfortably full at the end. The star of the show were the cocktails. We each tried 2 different ones and they were all 10/10. Probably some of the best cocktails that we've had in recent memory. We'll definitely be making our way back here soon! read more

See all

After many nights at the rooftop bar here, I got to treat my friend to a birthday Sunday brunch also on the rooftop. It was nicely shaded yet open and the music was not too loud so we could chat the whole time. It didn't seem to be busy at 11am which was perfect for our group and we felt we had the place to ourselves. The drinks were all tasty but the food even better! My friends LOVED the crispy fried potatoes and even combined it with the spicy tuna crispy rice. I personally loved the lamb noodles and could have eaten it all myself! Not to mention they really nailed the simple double double burger, cooked to a perfect medium. The birthday budino was a great ending to it all as well. Our waiter had the best energy and great recommendations. Overall a really nice experience and the birthday girl had a great time being celebrated. read more

See all

Beautiful place to enjoy a drink. We sat outside and I ordered DIRTY VERDE (tequila blanco, poblano chile liqueur, cucumber, lime, paprika oil). It was well balanced cocktail. read more

Kettner Exchange - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Hubby and I had reservations for dinner and arrived early to have a drink at the bar. At 6pm on Saturday, we went upstairs to an empty bar that filled up within minutes. The vibe was "young & hip" upstairs. Our dinner downstairs was "slick and cozy" in our booth. Our server Miguel was excellent and suggested we order 3 small items to start. We prefer small plates since we rarely finish anything large. The frog legs were AMAZING! The sauce was OOTW and the legs were HUGE! We also loved the tuna crispy rice. read more

See all

While my itinerary for my SD trip was somewhat fluid, I did want to make solid plans for dinner. That being said, I took to Yelp and a few other sources to get a taste of the city's greatest hits. I had been to the city before and was reluctant to repeat, so I made sure the spots were new to me as well. Kettner Exchange came up several times in my search - the reviews and photos looked great, so we decided to book dinner here for our first night. KE is located in Little Italy - the entrance is somewhat shielded off from the street, blocked off by a wall which I think adds to the aesthetic of the entryway. The restaurant itself is quite spacious - while there's a decent amount of space on the main level, we were led upstairs to their rooftop which contained a bar and more seating. The vibe was trendy with somewhat low lighting and contemporary design. The dishes at KE are meant to be shared, and are roughly arranged from small to large as you read down the menu. They have a good variety of different cuisines - mostly American but some splashes of Italian and Asian as well. Bur first, a drink - we decided on a dry red which was quite good. For food, we decided to get 7 plates in total: cucumber salad, katsu bao, spicy noodles with shrimp, heirloom tomatoes, whipped ricotta, the duck meatball, and the chicken. All of the food was delicious - it's hard to choose my favs, but I would say that the bao, noodles, and meatball were the biggest standouts. I'm not a big fan of duck, but it was prepared well and sat in some really tasty polenta mmm. The noodles had just the right amount of spice to them, and the katsu really elevated the bao. Honestly though, everything was really great. Service was good, I think our waiter's name was Miguel (judging from my receipt) - he was friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Overall, I had a great experience at Kettner Exchange - they do small plates well and have a really comfortable setting to enjoy them. read more

See all

Loved the vibes and dishes at Kettner Exchange! We sat upstairs in the indoor/outdoor area which was so pretty. Our server was great and very attentive. Per his recommendation we got several things to share between the two of us. Mary's chicken was perfectly cooked and tasty. The duck meatball with grits was great and we loved the ricotta! The seared salmon and cabbage were good but we definitely preferred the other items we ordered. Molten chocolate cake was a great way to finish the night! We will definitely be back. read more

See all

From a recommendation by another bartender from a different bar, we came to the Kettner Exchange for some cocktails! We absolutely adored the vibe, and sat at the roof in the late evening. Not pictured: we had an old fashioned (carajillo old fashioned) and the butterfly effect. Pictured is the whiskey sour. All of the cocktails that we tried were absolutely wonderful and well-balanced. Great flavor profiles, and we had to come twice while visiting. They also offer dinner options and other foods, which we didn't get to try, but it all looked wonderful. However, basing my review based on just the cocktails, it's absolutely solid. read more

See all

KE is a trendy restaurant/bar scene perfect for the adventurous kinds who are looking for a fun scene and quality food in downtown SD. The experience for our party of 4 was nice and memorable as we tried dishes we normally wouldn't. The drinks were good and inventive. Overall, solid 4 stars. Keep in mind the portions are on the smaller side so you'll need to order at least 2 dishes per person. read more

See all

Bar & restaurant in Little Italy. Can get very busy. Parking can be tough so plan ahead. I don't recall if they offer valet but there are paid parking garages in the area if you can't find parking on the street. I love the outdoor seating section. It's a fun place to meet friends for drinks & a fun date spot. The food is okay but I'd say it's more of a fun spot to have some yummy drinks. read more

Great vibes upstairs at the bar with friendly bartenders. Tried cabbage and mapo tofu. Both were enjoyable although not necessarily extra memorable. Tasted the butterfly effect and sour cocktails. Butterfly effect had more complex and slightly sweet and very creamy elements with the Osaka sour being balanced but less unusual and slightly more liquor forward. Street parking. read more

See all