Callie Restaurant: A Mediterranean Culinary Gem in San Diego

This was a great spot for Mediterranean food with a strong Moroccan influence. The server told us that they work with local farms and producers. They have a 5 course set menu that we wanted to try but decided to go with a la carte options to try a dish that we had one eye on. In total we got 5 dishes to share - babaghanoush with pita, kanpachi, pappardelle pasta, crunchy carrots, and aleppo chicken. The standout dish for us was definitely the kanpachi which is served with a creamy green hot sauce and black lime salt which was delicious! The aleppo chicken came with a super flavorful filling, which was spicier than we expected. The charred lemon and sumac pickles balanced out the flavor really well. The carrot dish was one we would pass on since it was pretty plain for the price. The restaurant is well decorated but it gets extremely loud in there. I found it hard to hear my partner from across the table. The ceilings are pretty high so it would have benefited from the addition of more fabric/rugs to help with the sound.

It was our first big date postpartum and this restaurant had been on my list for months. Arrived to our table with the cutest welcome cards! Our waiter was amazing with her suggestions. We went in thinking we were going to do the tasting menu however there were specials that we couldn’t pass up so we went a la carte. The wagyu toro toast is AMAZING! Best amuse bouche I’ve had in a long time. Duck was incredible with the persimmons, no notes. Uni butter pasta, wish there was more uni but truly decadent and the rice pudding was also so good! Cannot pass on the mushrooms too. Definitely recommend to all our friends and hope to go back with Bub next time.

Really, really delicious Mediterranean food in San Diego! I love the food scene here, and this being my first time at Callie, I really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Went with a party of 5 and it was a nice place to catch up! I thought our waiter was just okay — not “wowly” amazing — but they did their job, and I have no complaints. The food was great, and the service from the helpers (the staff who cleared and reset our table) was very attentive. I also loved the menu options!

Really enjoyed my experience here. All the staff was super nice, professional, and knowledgeable. The menu wasn’t too large but had plenty of good choices. We got the focaccia with whipped ricotta and it was unreal. The beat and rose salad was pretty amazing. The ambience was really nice and seasonal too. We also had a celebrity dining close by which was a fun surprise. Highly recommend checking this place out. Can’t wait to come back.

We tried the mediterranean feast, which was a delicious 5 course family-style meal. The only issue was that we had been told one dish was included but then was switched for something else when we were served. Otherwise, it was a great way to try a variety of Callie’s dishes. The duck breast was divine and I would go back just for that. Cocktails also delicious.

My wife and I went to Callie’s for Valentine’s Day Weekend. The service was impeccable. Literally, as soon as you take a sip of your water, someone is there at your table to refill it. Every time you finish a course, someone is there to clear up your table and provide the next set of silverware. It feels like you have 5-6 people serving your needs at each table. The food was fantastic. For Valentine’s Day, they had a 5 course pre-fixe menu. The only course we were underwhelmed by was the pasta. But the steak, Mediterranean octopus, hummus and lava cake were all delicious. It had nice music and ambiance as well. This restaurant is a bit pricey so I wouldn’t go here all the time. But for a once in a while experience, this is definitely a great restaurant to go to.

I came here with a girls group and we love our food. We had Katie as our server and she was very passionate and informative about the food! She really knew what she was talking about and it made the experience special. Some dishes were a little too salty for the group but overall we enjoyed it. I was personally impressed by the pasta dishes (lamb ragú pappardelle and lemon saffron linguine) and the quality of the veggies in the crudite! Enjoyed the Turkish bread pudding for dessert. We absolutely loved the atmosphere.

Callie delivered an exceptional Mediterranean‑inspired dinner that felt both elevated and deeply comforting. We started with the hummus, which was unbelievably smooth and layered with bright, citrusy notes — the kind of hummus that makes you rethink what hummus can be. The pita bread was warm, pillowy, and perfect for scooping, with just enough char to add depth. The fattoush was crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, with herbs and acidity that cut through the richness of the other dishes. It felt like the ideal counterpart to the spreads and mains. For entrées, the chicken main course was incredibly tender and seasoned with the kind of Mediterranean spice profile Callie is known for — bold but not overwhelming. The lamb dolma was a standout: savory, aromatic, and wrapped in perfectly cooked grape leaves that held everything together without being tough. The katayif halibut was one of the most memorable dishes of the night — flaky, delicate fish wrapped in a crisp, golden kataifi crust that added texture without overshadowing the halibut itself. It’s the kind of dish that shows off the kitchen’s technique. The patatas bravas were a fun, flavorful side: crispy, smoky, and served with sauces that added just the right amount of heat. Service matched the food — warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, with great pacing and thoughtful recommendations. The whole experience felt special without being pretentious, exactly what you want from a Michelin‑recognized spot in the East Village. Callie is absolutely worth a visit for anyone who loves vibrant Mediterranean flavors, creative technique, and a menu designed for sharing.