Callie · Restaurant · San Diego
Chef Travis Swikard's Michelin Bib Gourmand Mediterranean in East Village
Callie is chef Travis Swikard's Mediterranean dining room, opened in 2021 in San Diego's East Village. A San Diego native, Swikard spent more than a decade in New York cooking alongside Daniel Boulud and Gavin Kaysen, and at Boulud Sud he fell for the flavors of Greece, Spain, Italy, Morocco and the Middle East. Callie brings that palette home to the farmers, fishermen and ingredients of Southern California. The name is Greek for the most beautiful.
The menu is built for sharing, and it starts with spreads and a house pita: hummus with roasted garlic and spicy green zhoug, avocado labneh with pistachio and nigella seeds, and smoky babaghanoush with roasted onion and za'atar. From there the plates trace the coastline, from Japanese kanpachi with spicy serrano sauce, black lime and avocado to crunchy Egyptian carrots with cashew dukkah.
The handmade pastas are a highlight, from pappardelle with Duroc sausage ragu and wild fennel to a lemon saffron linguine with San Diego uni. For mains, the Aleppo chicken with sumac pickles, yogurt and coriander honey sits alongside harissa grilled lamb chops with tzatziki. Groups can hand the table to the kitchen with the Mediterranean Feast, five family-style courses.
The dining room sits on Island Avenue, with a private room for up to 18 beside the kitchen. Callie holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, has been named among the best new restaurants in America by Esquire and Robb Report, and carries a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.
Address: 1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, San Diego
Callie takes reservations through OpenTable. This MyRSVP guide covers the room, what it is known for and when to go in San Diego; use the booking link on this page to reserve direct.
Hours of operation
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 17:00 - 22:00
- Wednesday: 17:00 - 22:00
- Thursday: 17:00 - 22:00
- Friday: 17:00 - 22:00
- Saturday: 17:00 - 22:00
- Sunday: 17:00 - 22:00
Frequently asked about Callie
How do I get a reservation at Callie in San Diego?
Tables at Callie are booked directly with the restaurant. If it is part of a bigger San Diego plan, our San Diego partner 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 Callie?
Callie 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 Callie?
Callie keeps 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 Callie located?
Callie is in San Diego, at 1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. MyRSVP can build it into a full San Diego itinerary alongside the surrounding nightlife.
Featured in
Other San Diego venues
- Coco Maya · Rooftop patio and glass atrium bar serving modern American coastal food in Little Italy
- Cucina Urbana · Italian kitchen and retail wine shop in Bankers Hill since 2009
- George's at the Cove · Rooftop Ocean Terrace and Level2 dining above La Jolla Cove since 1984
- Herb & Wood · Wood-fired Mediterranean cooking with a California ethos in Little Italy
- Ironside Fish & Oyster · Fish and oysters in a 1920s Little Italy warehouse on India Street
- Juniper & Ivy · Daily-changing seasonal American cooking in a converted Little Italy warehouse
- Lion Fish · The seafood restaurant at the Pendry, Lionfish.
- Malibu Farm San Diego · Farm-to-table coastal California cooking on the bay at Seaport Village
- Mister A's · Iconic rooftop fine dining above San Diego since 1965
- Nobu San Diego · Nobu Matsuhisa's Japanese-Peruvian fusion in the Gaslamp Quarter
- Onyx Room · Three dance rooms on two levels at 852 Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter
- Rustic Root · Two-level Gaslamp restaurant on Fifth Avenue with a street-level dining room and a rooftop
Browse all San Diego venues · Build a custom itinerary · MyRSVP home