Animae · Restaurant · San Diego
James Beard-finalist Filipino-Asian wagyu fine dining in the Marina District
Animae is Executive Chef Tara Monsod's Filipino-American fine-dining room in San Diego's Marina District. In 2024 she became San Diego's first-ever James Beard Award finalist, then repeated it in 2025, recognized in the Best Chef: California category both years and the first San Diego chef to reach the finals back to back.
Her cooking draws on her heritage inside a high-precision kitchen where a coal-fired oven and a Japanese robata grill are the primary tools, producing food that does not fit neatly into any single category. The room matches the ambition: 7,600 square feet of emerald velvet, terrazzo floors, gold-leaf accents, and 20-foot ceilings hung with minaret-style chandeliers, designed by Bells and Whistles as an enchanted forest refracted through Art Deco.
Start with the Tuna Ki
Reserve a VIP table at Animae through the MyRSVP concierge. Submit a request via the form on this page and a host will confirm bottle minimums, arrival timing and any large-group requests within hours. MyRSVP handles San Diego reservations with on-the-ground hosts who book the toughest rooms in the city.
Hours of operation
- Monday: 17:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday: 17:00 – 21:00
- Wednesday: 17:00 – 21:00
- Thursday: 17:00 – 21:00
- Friday: 17:00 – 21:30
- Saturday: 17:00 – 21:30
- Sunday: 17:00 – 21:00
Frequently asked about Animae
How do I get a reservation at Animae in San Diego?
Tables at Animae are booked directly with the restaurant. If it is part of a bigger San Diego plan, MyRSVP handles the beach clubs and nightlife around your dinner and can point you to the venue's own reservations channel.
What should I order at Animae?
Animae is best known for its signature dishes and shareable plates. Tell MyRSVP your party size and any dietary needs and we note them with your request.
What is the dress code at Animae?
Animae runs an upscale dining dress code: smart, dressed-up attire, no athletic wear or beachwear. MyRSVP confirms any current door specifics with your booking.
Where is Animae located?
Animae is in San Diego. MyRSVP can build it into a full San Diego itinerary alongside the surrounding nightlife.
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