Does Animae take reservations?

Yes. Animae books through OpenTable. Tap Reserve to go straight to its booking page.

How expensive is Animae?

Animae is a proper splurge, around $$$$ on our scale.

What should I order at Animae?

Regulars go for the Short Rib Kare Kare, Lobster Palabok, Miyazaki Strip Loin (Japanese A5) and Turon Tart.

Animae is in Downtown, San Diego. Tap Directions for the exact address and a map.

Animae

Name: Animae
Telephone: (619) 432-1225
Price range: $$$$
Rating: 4.6

Restaurant· Asian Fusion, Filipino, Steakhouse· $$$$· Downtown, San Diego

Directions Call Menu

Chef Tara Monsod's Asian-inspired steakhouse at the foot of Pacific Gate, where A5 wagyu shares the table with kare kare and lobster palabok.

Animae opened in 2019 on the ground floor of the Pacific Gate tower by the downtown waterfront, from the Puffer Malarkey Collective, in a gold-lit art deco room whose name nods to anime and to actress Anna May Wong. Executive Chef Tara Monsod took over in 2021 and rebuilt the menu around her Filipino-American background, and in 2024 became San Diego's first James Beard Best Chef: California finalist. Today it runs as an Asian-inspired steakhouse: Japanese A5 Miyazaki and Australian wagyu cuts served with banchan, alongside short rib kare kare, lobster palabok and a turon tart to finish.

Best for: Celebrations and big-night steak dinners

Full Bar

Animae

$$$$ · Downtown

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Animae

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