Addison at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

We went back to Addison in San Diego, and it was even better than last time. You simply come in and enjoy what the kitchen creates, and every dish was incredible. The food felt familiar yet completely new with different ingredients and beautiful presentation. The wine pairing was out of this world, with some of the rarest bottles you can find in California. The service was perfect and the whole experience reminded us why this is a true three-star restaurant.

My husband surprised me with a birthday dinner at Addison back in February and it was the most amazing experience we’ve ever had from the moment we walked in. The service was so professional yet comfortable and I loved how choreographed it was. The food was unforgettable. The wine pairings are perfection. If we ever get to go back, it would be an absolute dream!

Hands down, the best dining experience in the San Diego region. The chef highlights local ingredients with a Pacific rim flair, exquisitely balancing taste, texture and visual presentation. Every dish is a work of art. The way the servers bring the food and wine to guests is like a ballet. Highly recommend the wine pairing. Truly superb.

This place is breath taking. Reminds me of a palace. Hard to get into! Plan way in advance. Extraordinary dishes- best food I have ever had. Small, delicate portions timed out perfect. Located on the grounds of the grand Del Mar but not in the hotel.

We have dined at several 1-star Michelin restaurants both in the U.S. and abroad, and this is the first 3-star we have had the pleasure of visiting. Addison was a delight from service to the last sip of coffee, our entire evening was perfect. The wait staff was professional yet personable. The food was impeccable from the plating to the flavors, every bite was on point. The atmosphere was lovely and the champagne and cocktails were decadent. The Wagu upgrade is absolutely worth it!

From the presentation to the flavors and the service, the whole night felt like a top-notch performance. Every course was creative and full of detail—if you’re a foodie, this place should be on your bucket list. I’d 100% go back again. The experience is slow-paced (ours took almost 4 hours), so plan to come early and just enjoy the ride. The tasting menu is $375 per person (before tax). Addison is tucked inside the Fairmont Hotel in San Diego and it’s the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Southern California. Reservations are a must—book 1–2 months ahead! Highlight of the night: the Shellfish Chawanmushi with Hokkaido uni and chopped bok choy. Silky, savory, and slightly sweet—it felt like being swept out to sea in the best way.

khoi ly

Addison in San Diego delivered a truly world class dining experience. The space is calm and spacious, with Southern California architecture and interiors that feel warm, grounded, and intentional. Lighting is perfectly balanced, softly illuminating each course and gently reflecting off the white tablecloths, which made the entire meal feel relaxed and unhurried. Tables are well spaced, so conversations feel private, with only subtle ambient music in the background. We enjoyed the 10 course tasting menu with the wagyu and Italian white truffle add ons. Every dish was beautifully presented on custom plates with thoughtfully chosen utensils. Flavor wise, every course was exceptional, easily a 10 across the board. Portions were generous, and we left comfortably full. Ingredients felt incredibly fresh, with an emphasis on local sourcing. Service was flawless and precise, almost choreographed, and while the initial upsell felt a bit overwhelming, every upgrade was worth it. This was a birthday surprise from my wife and a night we will never forget. We spent three hours there that flew by. A perfect experience for a party of two and a must visit if you are seeking an unforgettable fine dining experience in Southern California

Darlo

Overall, AMAZING! Beautiful place to celebrate a special occasion. It will be memorable and worth it! I've been fortunate enough to dine at many Michelin star restaurants and the service and atmosphere is definitely what you would expect. In terms of the food, everything ranged from good to delicious, but nothing stood out as exceptional and unique. I would say it was closer to a 2 star than a 3. Aside from a few inspirations from Mexico, I would say the Winter seasonal menu leaned more Asian fusion. Favorite dishes were: -sake cured kanpachi, pear, ginger, sake kasu sorbet -shiso, nori, macaron bite -n25 reserve caviar, koshihikari rice, smoked sabayon -ginger tart, koji, coffee, miso caramel (dessert)

Landy Lin

TL;DR: It’s the most expensive, but also the best food I’ve ever had in my life so far. There isn’t a single bad dish, and I feel lucky to live so close to this place. I came to Addison to celebrate my birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience from the moment I walked in. As soon as I stepped into the dining room, I noticed this gorgeous champagne glass with a vibrant stem—the kind of glass you immediately fixate on. I spent a good part of the meal contemplating whether I should order champagne just so I could drink out of it… and eventually I did. Zero regrets. It made the moment feel even more special. The food was outstanding from beginning to end. Every course was intentional, beautifully plated, and genuinely delicious. My favorite was their signature rice bowl—the kind of dish so good you stop talking mid sentence. Once you try it, you’ll want to swim in it. The service was exceptional as well. When the dishes are placed on the table, everything is done in perfect synchronization, which adds this elegant, almost theatrical touch to the experience. Addison isn’t an everyday restaurant—it’s a true event. But if you want one of the best meals of your life, this is absolutely the place. I’m genuinely grateful to have something this extraordinary right here in San Diego.

P P

I did not actually love the seasonal menu that day, also I think for many of the dishes, too much salt. However, service is definitely top notch and can make up the star missing, which brings my experience a 5 star experience. We brought our baby with us and they saved the big VIP room for us, which is private enough and HUGE! The staffs were very friendly and considerate, we had a good time there.

Jeremy B

We recently had the pleasure of celebrating our anniversary at Addison, and the evening proved to be an unforgettable dining experience. From the first sip of the tepache—a playful and refreshing expression of fermented flavors of Mexico—the menu unfolded like a story told with precision and artistry. The Prelude set the tone beautifully. The sake cured kanpachi nigiri was pristine in its clarity of flavor, while the Spanish anchovies with potato, wild arugula, and Meyer lemon jam delivered a striking balance of richness and brightness. The chicken liver churro with bitter chocolate and white truffle was daring yet harmonious, marrying decadence with an unexpected elegance. Among the seasonal selections, the caviar enhancements stood out magnificently. The Regiis Ova Reserve caviar with koshihikari rice, smoked sabayon, and sesame was a masterclass in layered textures and flavors—each bite luxurious yet precise. The fish and chips with burnt onion dip and dill relish offered a whimsical interlude, a playful nod to tradition elevated with refinement. The olive wagyu with squid ink cracker, tartare, and black garlic was another highlight, its depth and umami resonance carried to perfection by the pairing. The wine pairings were remarkable throughout the evening, each glass chosen with an intuitive sense of balance. The selections did not merely complement the dishes but deepened the experience, enhancing delicate notes and emphasizing contrasts with grace. Desserts were as thoughtful as the savory courses. The yuzu custard with candied ginger and ceremonial matcha offered brightness and finesse, while the tres leches with white truffle was a surprising and memorable finale, a luxurious close to an already exceptional evening. Addison delivered more than a meal—it crafted a memory. Every detail, from the careful progression of dishes to the seamless wine pairings, spoke of sophistication and intention. It was the perfect way to mark a special anniversary.

Imee C

Still impressed with overall experience compared to last we were here. Food was still incredibly rich & delicious. Service is still like a well rehearsed choreography from setting the food on the table to picking up the empty plates. It was very entertaining to watch. The entire dinner was expensive but was so worth it.

Yeji Soh

My husband and I visited here for our wedding anniversary. All the foods and drinks were amazing. They have exceptional choices for champagne- for the ones tough to get in market. Other than food/drinks, I liked their enough spacing in between tables which the staff mentioned it was designed like that on purpose to give customers enough privacy. Chawanmushi was definitely the highlight for me! :D

Daniel Conley

William Bradley and his amazing team have accomplished here something that is nothing short of a work of art. The entire experience exemplifies the tremendous care, dedication thought and effort behind the Addison. We had 815PM reservations and since that is later than our normal dinner by a lot (and since I hadn’t eaten in anticipation the entire day) we came a little early. I am glad we did because the bar lounge experience in and of itself set the tone from the start. The cocktails were phenomenal and the bartender was attentive and very personable. Staff was attentive but not intrusive. We were seated a little later than our reservation but there was no rush-it was not a problem. Once seated I was immediately swept away by the attentive and well practiced effortless synchronization of all the attendant’s movements. This would carry on through the entire evening. The food was of course exceptional and the sommelier was world class, literally. Despite me completely out of my league and a layman when it comes to wine and honestly being quite ignorant myself, there was no air of pretension from our wait staff and they were happy to accommodate my plebeian use of a phone app to catalogue some of the wines (Vivino). Overall, I must share I had reservations and concerns that this experience would be more hype than value but I must confess it was phenomenal. I will carry this forever with me…as a balance on my credit card (We did pay essentially a mortgage payment to enjoy our evening with William Bradley) but I must admit it was entirely worth it. I was able to host a dear friend and my wife to an unforgettable evening and The Addison delivered on all counts.

Anne Caroline

Dining at Addison is an unforgettable experience. Every detail — from the impeccable service to the beautifully curated wine list — reflects the artistry of a true three-Michelin-star restaurant. The flavors are refined yet full of soul, with each course unfolding like a story. Elegant, intimate, and absolutely worth the journey.

Ceci

My mom and I came to Addison for my birthday dinner! We’ve been to some three star michelin restaurants in NY, so we were wondering how Addison would compare, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! Just a note for those going, the location and parking for the restaurant is different from the actual hotel/resort, so don’t get them mixed up! Addison is located in a gorgeous resort, and their waiting area is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. We had reservations for 5:30PM, which gave us enough time to see and enjoy the restaurant in natural lighting before it turned dark out. I would definitely recommend getting an earlier slot! The tasting menu was delicious! It was a unique twist, with the chef combining Japanese, French, and Mexican flavors seamlessly throughout. What stood out to me the most however, was the menu’s emphasis on texture. It wasn’t something I always paid attention to, but this meal stood out because of it. Their signature dish, eggs and rice, was a great example: the crunchy rice, with the creamy sauce, topped with the caviar, was such a treat! The only thing I’d say is that the supplements weren’t really worth it. My mom got the wagyu, which was good and tender, but $100 was a bit much in my opinion. I got the caviar supplement, which does get added to 3 separate dishes, but it wasn’t anything mindblowing. It wasn’t worth the almost $200 either… Service was also excellent. Everyone described the dishes well, and the sommelier was super attentive and nice as well. The wine pairing was on the steeper side price wise, costing the same as the tasting menu itself, but it was a good pairing that really complimented the dishes. If you’re looking for a special meal, Addison has to be on your list! It’s such a charming restaurant, and is no wonder why they’ve maintained their three star status for so long.

Jordan Frazier

My husband surprised me with a birthday dinner at Addison back in February and it was the most amazing experience we’ve ever had from the moment we walked in. The service was so professional yet comfortable and I loved how choreographed it was. The food was unforgettable. The wine pairings are perfection. If we ever get to go back, it would be an absolute dream!

Maximus Lynn

We went back to Addison in San Diego, and it was even better than last time. You simply come in and enjoy what the kitchen creates, and every dish was incredible. The food felt familiar yet completely new with different ingredients and beautiful presentation. The wine pairing was out of this world, with some of the rarest bottles you can find in California. The service was perfect and the whole experience reminded us why this is a true three-star restaurant.

Kawai

From the presentation to the flavors and the service, the whole night felt like a top-notch performance. Every course was creative and full of detail—if you’re a foodie, this place should be on your bucket list. I’d 100% go back again. The experience is slow-paced (ours took almost 4 hours), so plan to come early and just enjoy the ride. The tasting menu is $375 per person (before tax). Addison is tucked inside the Fairmont Hotel in San Diego and it’s the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Southern California. Reservations are a must—book 1–2 months ahead! Highlight of the night: the Shellfish Chawanmushi with Hokkaido uni and chopped bok choy. Silky, savory, and slightly sweet—it felt like being swept out to sea in the best way.

Mary Brown

Hands down, the best dining experience in the San Diego region. The chef highlights local ingredients with a Pacific rim flair, exquisitely balancing taste, texture and visual presentation. Every dish is a work of art. The way the servers bring the food and wine to guests is like a ballet. Highly recommend the wine pairing. Truly superb.

Carrie Glad

This place is breath taking. Reminds me of a palace. Hard to get into! Plan way in advance. Extraordinary dishes- best food I have ever had. Small, delicate portions timed out perfect. Located on the grounds of the grand Del Mar but not in the hotel.

Lissa Newton

We have dined at several 1-star Michelin restaurants both in the U.S. and abroad, and this is the first 3-star we have had the pleasure of visiting. Addison was a delight from service to the last sip of coffee, our entire evening was perfect. The wait staff was professional yet personable. The food was impeccable from the plating to the flavors, every bite was on point. The atmosphere was lovely and the champagne and cocktails were decadent. The Wagu upgrade is absolutely worth it!

Jason Joe

The dining, wine cellar, service and ambience are all worthy of the 3-Michelin star accolade and many other recognitions bestowed upon Addison. Set in the beautiful grounds of the Fairmont Hotel, surrounded by the fairways of a picturesque private golf course, this experience will sweep you off your feet before you even arrive at the restaurant. Food and service is impeccable. Wine options are unparalleled. Use this opportunity to splurge with the ones you love to create a lifetime memory.

tom

Dining at Addison is an experience like no other. The tasting menu consists of many courses of food that are served over about 3 and a half hours. The tables and the dining area are spaced nicely apart to provide privacy. The whole eating experience is nicely choreographed with knowledgeable waiters serving the food and removing the plates. Each new course is announced with a description by staff member. At the end of the meal we were given a little jar of granola "for a breakfast tomorrow morning". And we also were provided a printed list describing each course of food that we had eaten. The whole experience is something to remember reminiscent of eating at a fine restaurant in Europe.

While the food and service were thoughtfully executed, the tasting menu ultimately fell short on value. I came in with high expectations for a three-star restaurant, and it didn’t quite meet them. That said, it was still an enjoyable experience overall, and the service was truly five-star.

Great food, but they were off for a 3 star michelin restaurant. Espresso machine had "been broken for months" and they only had a table side coffee service. That's fine, but you couldn't buy another espresso machine?!? And they charged for a supplementary without telling us the price in advance. Not a big deal, but wierd for a 3 star, to not disclose clearly.

Henry Manship

Great food, but they were off for a 3 star michelin restaurant. Espresso machine had "been broken for months" and they only had a table side coffee service. That's fine, but you couldn't buy another espresso machine?!? And they charged for a supplementary without telling us the price in advance. Not a big deal, but wierd for a 3 star, to not disclose clearly.

So bad wouldn’t even pay $200 here. The fish came with a hidden bone that almost CHOKED me; my water glass had a dirty spot on it; the quail thats supposed to be medium rare? Nope, it is raw + overly burnt. Didn’t even finish it. The wine pairing is in particular abysmal. I was so excited for their wine pairing that costs as much as one full tasting menu-but every single drink that was poured did not complement the dish. It took away the thunder and i had to waste a bunch of drinks due to how bad they went with the food. Service? Despite the server trying to ‘clean’ my table when im eating, we wanted to change a table and was approached saying they are “fully booked” for the night and will change us when its good. Never got any followups. When i complained about the fish bone and how it almost choked me and poked through my throat? Got “im sorry” from the waiter. I have been to multiple michelins around the US. Please, save yourself some money and spend it somewhere else. This place isnt even worth 1 michelin star. Please check out cesar (WAY BETTER quail + the touch of Japanese cuisine in french) if you want to have good food + michelin experience. Would recommend jungsik as well or literally any other Michelin. Please, dont waste your money here.

Cindy L

So bad wouldn’t even pay $200 here. The fish came with a hidden bone that almost CHOKED me; my water glass had a dirty spot on it; the quail thats supposed to be medium rare? Nope, it is raw + overly burnt. Didn’t even finish it. The wine pairing is in particular abysmal. I was so excited for their wine pairing that costs as much as one full tasting menu-but every single drink that was poured did not complement the dish. It took away the thunder and i had to waste a bunch of drinks due to how bad they went with the food. Service? Despite the server trying to ‘clean’ my table when im eating, we wanted to change a table and was approached saying they are “fully booked” for the night and will change us when its good. Never got any followups. When i complained about the fish bone and how it almost choked me and poked through my throat? Got “im sorry” from the waiter. I have been to multiple michelins around the US. Please, save yourself some money and spend it somewhere else. This place isnt even worth 1 michelin star. Please check out cesar (WAY BETTER quail + the touch of Japanese cuisine in french) if you want to have good food + michelin experience. Would recommend jungsik as well or literally any other Michelin. Please, dont waste your money here.

I recently dined at this three-Michelin-star restaurant for my wife’s birthday and overall, the food was exceptional. Every course leading up to dessert was beautifully executed — creative, balanced, and worthy of its reputation. The service throughout most of the evening was polished and attentive. However, during dessert, when my wife lifted part of the cookie component, a live bug flew out from underneath it (attached is a video of the bug flying out of my wifes cup). She even captured the moment on video. I calmly brought it to the waiter’s attention and simply asked for a replacement. I did not request a discount or any compensation. What surprised me more than the incident itself was the response. A manager came over and said, “No need to make a cinema out of this?” That comment felt dismissive and unprofessional, especially given the standards associated with a restaurant of this caliber. I understand that unexpected issues can happen anywhere. But at this level, how situations are handled matters just as much as the food. A sincere apology and a professional response would have gone a long way. The meal overall was impressive, which makes the handling of this situation even more disappointing.