San Diego’s seafood, steak and salad options give you several ways to eat out on keto. The useful question is what comes with the protein. Rice, potatoes and bread don’t disappear just because the main attraction is grilled.
This list was checked in October 2026. Menus change, so check the linked menu before you go.
Anywhere you eat, aim for protein plus non-starchy vegetables, with sauces on the side. I’d rather ask one extra question than discover the sweet glaze halfway through dinner.
Werewolf American Pub
Werewolf is an American pub at 627 4th Ave in the Gaslamp. Its menu lists a Seasonal Salad and a Beets / Brussels / Bleu salad with chicken or steak add-ons.
Start by asking about the Seasonal Salad’s ingredients and dressing. If you choose the beet salad, ask about reducing the beets and adding protein. The burgers come on buns; there’s no listed lettuce-wrap option to count on.
Meze Greek Fusion
Meze is at 345 6th Ave in the Gaslamp. Its Greek menu lists Lamb Chops, a Souvlaki Plate, Greek Salad and Octapodi Skaras.
A protein with Greek Salad is a more useful starting point than ordering a full plate unchanged. Plates come with rice, potatoes or pita, so ask what can be left off or replaced. Confirm the replacement before ordering rather than assuming it’s included.
Trust Restaurant
Trust’s wood-fired New American menu is served at 3752 Park Blvd, Suite 105C, in Hillcrest. The dinner menu lists Cedar River Prime Ribeye, Grilled Swordfish and Oakleaf Lettuce.
Start with the ribeye or swordfish, then ask about sauces and starchy accompaniments. The current Wood Grilled Octopus includes legumes, so the protein’s name alone doesn’t tell you whether the whole plate fits your carb target.
Kettner Exchange
Kettner Exchange is at 2001 Kettner Blvd in Little Italy and serves Asian-influenced small plates. Its dinner menu lists Bigeye Tuna Sashimi, Grilled Mary’s Chicken, Grilled Striped Bass and Braised Shanghai Bok Choy.
Build around one of those proteins and ask about the bok choy’s preparation. Check glazes and sauces before ordering; a small plate can still carry a sweet sauce. Confirm the day’s selection rather than planning around an older menu.
Parkhouse Eatery
Parkhouse is a brunch restaurant at 4574 Park Blvd in University Heights. Its menu lists two eggs any style with apple-smoked bacon, Retro Chicken Salad and Caesar Salad.
For breakfast, start with the eggs and bacon and ask what sides come with them. For the Caesar, leave off croutons and choose the listed chicken or steak add-on. The breakfast pizza uses house-made dough, so it isn’t a cauliflower-crust workaround.
Crest Cafe
Crest Cafe is a diner at 425 Robinson Ave in Hillcrest. The menu lists Sunrise Salmon with grilled salmon, chives, red onion and capers.
Use that as your starting point, then ask about sides that fit your carb target. Don’t assume the standard potato, bun or tortilla accompaniments will work. I’d settle the side order before committing to the plate.
One Door North
One Door North is at 3422 30th St in North Park. Its food menu lists Prime Flat Iron Steak and Camp Caesar Salad with chicken, salmon or steak add-ons.
Ask to leave off the steak’s mashed potatoes and check whether a suitable vegetable replacement is available. The Caesar is another route if you skip croutons and check the dressing. Neither choice requires an unlisted lettuce-wrapped burger.
100s Seafood Grill Buffet
This seafood and grill buffet is at 2828 Camino Del Rio S in Mission Valley. The menu lists seafood, grill and teppanyaki stations, plus Garden Salad.
Start with seafood such as shrimp, oysters or salmon, or ask about the grill’s chicken and lamb. Choose preparations without breading or sweet sauces and use the salad as your vegetable starting point. A buffet gives you choices, not a blanket keto pass.
Lanna Thai Cuisine
Lanna Thai is at 4501 Mission Bay Dr, Suite 1B, in the Pacific Beach/Bay Park area. Check its menu and ordering site before deciding on a meal.
Ask about Bangkok Steak or Thai BBQ Chicken, confirm that they’re available, and check for sugar in sauces or marinades. Leave off rice. I’d check those details directly before making this the dinner plan.
Havana Grill
Havana Grill’s current listed location is at Mission Valley Mall, 1652 Camino Del Rio N, Suite FS19. Its Cuban menu lists Ropa Vieja, Lechon and Vaca Frita.
Choose a meat option and ask to leave off rice. The Cuban-inspired bowl also lists several protein choices, but skipping rice still means checking the remaining toppings and sides. Keep the sauce question part of the order.
For more options, see keto fast food, keto-friendly seafood and ordering at In-N-Out.