# ARTIFACT at Mingei > ARTIFACT at Mingei — Norman restaurants in San Diego, CA. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/artifact-at-mingei-36507 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: Norman - **Location**: San Diego, CA - **Address**: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, US - **Phone**: 116197047523 - **Website**: https://mingei.org/visit/artifact - **Coordinates**: 32.731241, -117.151085 - **Claimed**: claimed - **Vibes**: Intimate, Modern ## About ARTIFACT at Mingei is a full-service restaurant inside the Mingei Museum at Balboa Park in San Diego, where craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices, and botanicals takes center stage. The menu rotates monthly to reflect the museum's changing international exhibitions, so every visit brings something new. On Friday evenings, dinner is served à la carte, and one special night each month features a regional tasting menu through the ARTIFACT at Night experience. The restaurant is led by Culinary Director Tim Kolanko alongside Chefs Wesley Johnson and Tony Coito, all part of the acclaimed Urban Kitchen Group. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, surrounded by art and design. ## Highlights - **Rotating cultural menu** — The menu changes monthly to mirror Mingei's current international exhibitions. - **ARTIFACT at Night** — One Friday each month features a special regional tasting menu from around the world. - **Art-inspired plating** — Every dish is crafted to look and taste like a work of art. - **Ancient-method cooking** — Recipes draw on heritage techniques, botanicals, and globally sourced spices. ## FAQ ### Where is ARTIFACT at Mingei located? ARTIFACT at Mingei is located at 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, on the Entry Level of the Mingei Museum inside Balboa Park. ### What are the hours at ARTIFACT at Mingei? ARTIFACT at Mingei serves dinner on Fridays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with ARTIFACT at Night events running until 8:30 pm on select Fridays each month. Lunch service is also available, so check the current schedule at mingei.org/visit/artifact for updated hours. ### What kind of food does ARTIFACT at Mingei serve? ARTIFACT features craft cooking inspired by ancient culinary methods, spices, and botanicals, with a menu that reflects the museum's rotating international exhibitions. Lunch offerings have included rock shrimp gyoza dumplings and citrus-dried chili glazed pork shoulder. The dinner menu is à la carte on Fridays, and one night each month spotlights a specific cultural region through a special tasting menu. Reviewers describe every dish as both visually stunning and deeply flavorful. ### What is ARTIFACT at Night? ARTIFACT at Night is a monthly special dinner event where the kitchen takes guests on a culinary journey through a specific country or region. Past events have featured themes like the Polynesian Triangle, complete with shared bites and multi-course tasting menus. It takes place on one Friday evening per month from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and it has been praised by diners as one of the most memorable dining experiences in San Diego. ### What is Franki? Franki is a restaurant discovery app that helps you find great places to eat through real video reviews from actual diners. You can browse reviews, photos, and videos of ARTIFACT at Mingei on Franki, and earn cash back when you dine there. Download Franki on the App Store or Google Play to start exploring. ### Who is behind ARTIFACT at Mingei? ARTIFACT is part of the Urban Kitchen Group, founded by restaurateur Tracy Borkum and known for exceptional food in imaginatively designed environments. The menu is crafted by Culinary Director Tim Kolanko alongside Chef Wesley Johnson and Chef Tony Coito. The team also operates CUCINA urbana, CUCINA sorella, CUCINA enoteca, and URBAN KITCHEN at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. ### Is ARTIFACT at Mingei good for special occasions and groups? ARTIFACT suits a range of occasions, from intimate date nights to family outings and group hangouts. The modern, art-filled setting inside the Mingei Museum creates a distinctive atmosphere that works well for celebrations. ARTIFACT at Night events, with their curated regional tasting menus, are especially popular for memorable group dinners. ### Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer seating options? Yes, ARTIFACT offers both indoor and outdoor seating on the Entry Level of the Mingei Museum, surrounded by art and functional design. ### How can I contact or make a reservation at ARTIFACT at Mingei? You can make a reservation and explore the current menu at mingei.org/visit/artifact. ARTIFACT also offers gift cards available through the same website. ## Reviews ### comedinewithchar — 4.4/5 · Oct 10, 2024 @dine.mingei @michelinguide @mingeimuseum @shopmingei -chicken sausage satay + ginger + sweet soy + lemongrass emulsion -albacore tataki + cucumber sunomono + tosa zu + furikake -pork potsticker + black vinegar + chili oil + wu xiang fen + sesame seed + cilantro -roasted heritage chicken + butter masala + pole bean + paneer + kulcha + cilantro #sandiego #restaurant #michelin #michelinguide #yum #balboa #park #balboapark #chicken #museum #travel #summer ### sandiegofoodie — 5.0/5 · Jul 8, 2024 The most amazing thing about this restaurant is that the menu changes every month based on the exhibits in the museum. ### ks — 5.0/5 · Dec 28, 2025 Coffee ### adventuretimewithlolo — 5.0/5 · Mar 24, 2026 Great international food items and interesting cocktails/mocktails. ### teresaseret — 5.0/5 · Apr 2, 2025 Food was so good like always, menu is always rotating with new seasonal dishes. Every dish looks and tastes like an art piece. ### lexy_carmela — 5.0/5 · Jun 29, 2025 Each month a special cultural dinner takes place at artifact which features a unique tasting menu centered on a country or region. Recently attended the June dinner which was Polynesian Triangle and it was one of the best dinners I’ve had this year! Several shared bites as the first course, one fish and one meat entree tastes and an amazing dessert. Definitely will be back for another special event and to check out regular menu service as well!