restaurants near san diego safari park

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THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido

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• Escondido    
• Escondido Restaurants    

Restaurants near San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Fish House Vera Cruz

• “Amazing ” 06/01/2024
• “Happy Hour ” 12/09/2023

• “ Not Too Impressive ” 16/02/2024
• “ Just OK ” 19/06/2023

• “ Wonderful ” 16/10/2023
• “ Delicious! ” 09/03/2020

• “ BEST in the HISTORY of DONUTS ” 15/01/2024
• “ The best! ” 28/12/2023

• “ A Wonderful dining experience... ” 10/04/2024
• “ Best seafood in Escondido ” 25/02/2024

• “ Best burger I have had in a lo... ” 26/01/2024
• “ One of my favorite burger shac... ” 17/12/2023

• “ Typical Cheesecake Factory ” 12/07/2023
• “ Great service, great food ” 16/08/2021

• “ Bj brewhouse ” 21/04/2024
• “ Great food great service somet... ” 17/04/2024

• “ Nice and casual ” 01/07/2022
• “ Irish music with dinner ” 08/06/2022

• “ Pretty Good Alright ” 28/05/2023
• “ The best ” 24/10/2021

• “ Great spot for breakfast or lu... ” 04/03/2024
• “ A decent diner in the heart of... ” 23/11/2023

• “ Such a Surprise ” 16/08/2019
• “ Great gem of a restaurant ” 28/04/2019

• “ Not the same ” 30/09/2023
• “ Flavorless and disappointing. ” 24/03/2023

• “ Great value. ” 23/03/2024
• “ The Best Diner Style Restauran... ” 26/09/2023

• “ Great Thai Food ” 26/04/2024
• “ Ok food ” 01/03/2021

• “ Best Mexican food in a City wh... ” 16/11/2019
• “ Tacos ” 01/11/2019

• “ Top shelf Chinese restaurant ” 04/06/2021
• “ Nice staff the worst food ” 22/01/2020

• “ Just popped in for Happy Hour ” 01/10/2023
• “ Skip the sides ” 19/06/2023
• “ Worst service ever ” 01/04/2022
• “ Completely no contact order. ” 29/08/2020

• “ High hopes but skinny sandwich ” 26/03/2022
• “ Fabulous Sandwiches! ” 18/02/2020

• “ good burgers and steaks ” 06/06/2023
• “ Prime Cardboard ” 26/03/2022

• “ I Guess It Is Better to Order... ” 07/11/2023
• “ Great portions for the price ” 19/07/2022

• “ BAD day for sushi ” 24/07/2023
• “ Fantastic Sushi and great serv... ” 19/02/2023

• “ Excellent ” 17/02/2023
• “ Food Overload ” 11/01/2020

• “ My new favorite sushi place ” 05/04/2024
• “ Great sushi and great service ” 23/04/2020
• “ Overpriced Japanese food ” 22/05/2023
• “ Great Little Ramen Restaurant. ” 12/02/2020

• “ Hot subs were yummy! ” 29/03/2019
• “ Super Subs, Super Service! ” 04/08/2018

• “ Plan 9 Alehouse, where you com... ” 03/07/2022
• “ Wonderful ” 01/06/2021

• “ Great Authenitc Mexican Food ” 27/10/2017

• “ 4:00pm ” 16/11/2018
• “ Nice roast beef and pork ” 26/07/2018

• “ Burger time ” 13/11/2019
• “ A great surprise for breakfast ” 03/09/2019

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Restaurants Near San Diego Zoo, CA

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Restaurants near San Diego Zoo

Civico 1845

• “An imaginative gem of Italian food” 09/03/2024
• “Italian food in Little Italy - perfetto.” 28/02/2024

• “ Sabertooth Grill ” 14/01/2024
• “ Good lunch in the zoo ” 15/08/2019

• “ Large serving, tasty food ” 11/08/2023
• “ I loved the orange chicken! ” 03/08/2023

• “ Amazing coffee drinks! ” 27/07/2023
• “ Refreshing ” 01/11/2020

• “ Good spot for a more sit down... ” 17/04/2024
• “ The food could use some work. ” 29/03/2024

• “ Good Food, Great Team ” 25/04/2024
• “ Expensive for cheap food ” 16/04/2024

Borrego Kitchen & Cocktails

• “Great Views” 30/10/2022
• “Great View and Bar Staff” 30/04/2022

• “ Menu description better than t... ” 13/11/2023
• “ Gr8 Jazz Venue - San Diego gem... ” 28/02/2023

• “ Excellent flavors but not so a... ” 20/04/2024
• “ Very good ” 09/01/2024

• “ Disappointing ” 05/12/2023
• “ Worth the 20 Minute Drive from... ” 24/04/2023

• “ Small but Great Food ” 26/02/2020
• “ Great food in a beautiful loca... ” 11/02/2020

• “ Expensive ” 14/11/2023
• “ OK for a quick stop ” 20/08/2022

Table 509 Bar & Kitchen

• “I would give more stars if I could” 22/03/2024
• “Great breakfast experience near our home” 07/03/2020
• “ Nothing great ” 29/01/2022
• “ A Good Option for Food ” 02/10/2019

• “ A tradition worth repeating ” 20/04/2024
• “ Mixed ” 27/03/2024

• “ New Michelin restaurant is so... ” 23/06/2023

• “ Good food;bad service ” 21/10/2023
• “ Explosion of flavors. ” 03/09/2023

• “ Fresh homemade great tasting f... ” 21/02/2024
• “ Visit Italy without leaving CA ” 01/02/2024

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Store

• “Always reliable at any of their locations” 23/04/2024
• “It feels like a vacation” 18/04/2024

• “ Tasty Margaritas and food ” 23/07/2023
• “ Such a fun night, we went back... ” 21/03/2023

• “ Conflicted ” 10/07/2023
• “ Disappointed ” 19/04/2023

• “ Little Paris in Bankers Hill. ” 09/04/2024
• “ Complimentary bread and birthd... ” 05/02/2024

• “ Hillcrest San Diego Neighborho... ” 28/03/2024
• “ Perfect location and great foo... ” 02/03/2024

Harney Sushi

• “Best Sushi I Ever Had!!!!!” 07/03/2024
• “Amazing!” 21/10/2023

• “ just wow ” 12/01/2024
• “ Best sushi in San Diego ” 28/12/2023

• “ Super delicious vegan burgers! ” 13/04/2022
• “ Vegan dream takeout! ” 23/02/2021

• “ Stick with the tea ” 11/03/2024
• “ Convenient place for a quick b... ” 27/09/2022

• “ All around a good dining exper... ” 26/11/2023
• “ Unfortunately, I didn’t like a... ” 10/03/2023

• “ Top vegan choice ” 20/04/2023
• “ The Future is Here at Donna Je... ” 10/03/2023

• “ Convenient ” 08/09/2022
• “ In between flights ” 24/12/2019

• “ Nice place but deserts are sma... ” 04/02/2024
• “ Neighborhood treasure ” 02/12/2023

• “ Iconic for a reason! ” 17/04/2024
• “ Service was good, food was oka... ” 06/04/2024

• “ Rood hostess ” 10/12/2023
• “ Hamachi Kama rocks ” 02/08/2022

• “ Good food ” 26/01/2024
• “ Great customer service ” 07/11/2023

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The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook

Enjoy an incredible view of the African Plains at the Safari Park's newest gathering spot: the Watering Hole restaurant and bar. Watch rhinos and giraffes as you dine on menu items including tasty sandwiches and fresh salads, or relax with a refreshing beverage from the full-service bar with a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and mixed drinks.

An 18% gratuity charge to be added to checks for parties of 7 or more.

Hours are subject to change. Please check for operating hours upon arrival at the Safari Park.

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San Diego Zoo Restaurant – 16 Best Dining Options

America’s finest city may be synonymous with sun, swimming, and surfing but San Diego is so much more than beaches.

Besides boasting over 70 miles of coastline, this urban paradise is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo .

An international leader in conservation and wildlife protection, the San Diego Zoo has been educating and entertaining visitors of all ages for over a hundred years.

With over 100 acres of lush botanical gardens, native habitats, and exotic species to explore, there’s never enough time to conquer the USA’s most visited Zoo.

A full day of spying Komodo dragons, cruising the sky in the Skyfari®, Aerial Tram, and, of course, cuddling up to everyone’s favorite marsupial is sure to build an appetite.

Are you searching for a quick cafe bite or a full-service restaurant? If so, follow along with our handy guide to discover everything you need to know about San Diego Zoo Restaurants.

San Diego Zoo Food Policy

So you’ve pre-purchased your San Diego Zoo tickets, and you are roaring and ready to kick off your entire day of animal adventure. Next, check out our helpful tips on how to have the best San Diego Zoo Day ever in our Insiders Guide .

However, we’ll jump to the San Diego Food Policy for the hungry foodies in a hurry. Thankfully, the San Diego Zoo allows all guests to bring in their own food and/or drinks. Although, they must be packed into small nonglass containers.

Guests should be forewarned that they do not permit into the park: 

• Glass containers
• Party trays
• Birthday cakes
• Decorations

Additionally, the Zoo provides no facilities for food storage, so pack accordingly.

Lastly, to uphold the safety of all park guests and the animals, the Zoo asks that you do not bring glass, alcohol, or straws into the park premises.

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to the San Diego Zoo: Coupons, Discounts, and Deals

Our takeaway? Pack picnic-friendly snacks and meals that don’t require refrigeration and won’t perish in the balmy San Diego Sun. 

Sandwiches, pre-sliced veggies, chips, and fruit are all great options. Bring a refillable water bottle, plenty of juice packs for the kiddos, and hightail it to one of the Zoo’s designated picnic areas for a fantastic al fresco lunch.

If you lack the time or motivation to preplan your day of San Diego Zoo dining, don’t fret! There are boatloads of flavorful food options to be found within the Zoo’s limits. From formal fine dining to internationally inspired casual fare, San Diego Zoo Food has no shortage to choose from.

San Diego Zoo Restaurant Option

Albert’s restaurant.

While first-time visitors might be skeptical about a ‘fine dining establishment’ sharing the same space as kettle corn stands, members know that Alberts Restaurant San Diego Zoo is the real deal.

The place boasts a magical treehouse-like ambiance complete with a private waterfall and a full-service bar. Therefore, a reservation at Albert’s Restaurant San Diego Zoo is an ideal way to commemorate any special trip or occasion.

Located in the Lost Forest Zone of the Zoo, this dining favorite is known for its deliciously creative and inventive cuisine. 

If you take a closer look at this San Diego Zoo menu , you’ll discover a wide range of zoological influences. Inspired, of course, by the diverse range of cultures and areas represented by the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

Before you begin your culinary safari, please note we highly encourage making reservations for Albert s Restaurant. Since it is the Zoo’s only formal dining experience, it’s extremely popular and always busy!

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Albert’s gorgeous open-air deck and weekend brunch are an unbeatable combination. So if you are going to do breakfast at the Zoo, you can’t miss their Bloody Marys or bottomless mimosas.

For a divinely delectable lunch or dinner, we suggest starting with everyone’s favorite Cheesy Garlic Bread. This fluffy delight is served with two different types of whipped butter, black garlic, and roasted- as well as crispy garlic chips and a tantalizing sherry vinegar sundried tomato pesto.

Vegetarians should opt for the surprisingly substantial Roasted Vegetable Garden. A lovely symphony of roasted zucchini, summer squash, bell pepper, and sweet cipollini onion – all served with lemon vinaigrette and olive tapenade.

Carnivorous or pescetarian folk can’t go wrong with the flavorful Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich. Accompanied by a delightfully crunchy kale slaw, or the San Diego staple of Baja Beer-Battered Fish Tacos, elevated by pico de gallo.

Lastly, if you choose to imbibe, the cocktails here are top-notch and feature the cutest critter names. Albert s offers full service dining complete with delicious drinks. Our favorites are the Baboon Blackberry Smash’ or the ‘Porcupine Pomegranate Skinny Margarita.’ 

San Diego Zoo Food Options

Albert’s restaurant may hold a monopoly on fancy. Meanwhile, there are tons of other options when it comes to San Diego Zoo food for more casual grub.

Busy Bee Cafe

Buzz on over to the Zoo’s newest eatery to feast on elevated American bar and grill fare. This San Diego Zoo menu is stacked high with kid-friendly favorites such as honey corn dogs, triple trouble burgers, pizza, and wings.

In addition, chowhound families can feed a whole posse of finicky eaters by purchasing a family-style meal. This includes a hot dog or pizza entree, sides, and four fountain sodas.

At this cheeky cafe, located in the Zoofari Party area, a standout is the BBQ crunch hot dogs. A polish kielbasa served with smoky bbq sauce, coleslaw, and french-fried onions on a fluffy lobster roll. In addition, we also recommend the Italian truffle parmesan chicken wings.

End your meal with the Busy Bee signature honey bun dripping with raw wildflower honey glaze for a sweet treat.

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San Diego Zoo Sandwich Co.

Calling all early birds! Hitting the Zoo early to sneak in even more time with the tortoises, koalas, and bonobos? If so, we highly suggest fueling up at the San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company .

One of the few Zoo eateries open early, the breakfast sandwiches served here are downright crave-worthy. 

Opt for bacon, egg, and cheese on your choice of English muffin or bagel. Or keep it light by savoring their avocado toast drizzled with balsamic glaze and bacon on sourdough bread.

For a later in the day meal, their Cobb salad is fresh and filling. Or go for their vegetarian sandwich with brie, artichokes, red bell peppers, and caramelized onions, a delightfully cheesy way to sneak in some more veggies.

Front Street Sweet Shack

After you get your fill of all things creepy, crawly, and scaly at the Reptile House, head on over to the Front Street Sweet Shack for some mouthwateringly hearty and sugar-fixing fare.

A far cry from healthy food, but sinfully delicious nonetheless. The Shack boasts crafted shakes, sundaes, toasted sandwiches, and the Zoo’s famous doughnut burger.

Unless you are looking for some serious carb-loading Instagram content, we’d suggest skipping the overindulgent doughnut burger. Instead, save those calories for their superb Monte Cristo sandwiches.

A dynamic power play between sweet and savory, this brioche bread sandwich is stuffed with ham and gruyere cheese filling. Then fried in egg batter and topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of raspberry sauce. Served with a side of curly fries, this is a Shack favorite.

Related Post: San Diego Zoo Tips: How To Make The Most Of Your Visit

Looking to keep it simple? You can’t go wrong with their most popular dish, the hand-breaded buttermilk brined chicken strips. Available in three different flavors: Smokehouse BBQ, Nashville Hot, and Thai Chili.

Safari Kitchen

Saddle up for some sizzling safari park fun at this homey hotspot, dishing out gourmet burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, fries, and loaded tater tots. Safari Kitchen is right next to the Monkey Trail. Therefore, making it a popular option for some post primate gazing fuel. 

It also offers a great deal of shade in the afternoon, making it a cool place to seek some refuge from the San Diego sun.

Cranky children will be assuaged by the fun-filled kid meals offered here. They even include a souvenir package. Meanwhile, adults will appreciate the sweet and spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken Sandwich.

Rumor also has it that the Safari Kitchen’s bacon cheeseburger is one of the best in the park.  The Angus beef patty is stacked with applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato you’ll need to load up on napkins!

Sydney’s Grill

Take a trip ‘down under’ when you stop by Sydney’s Grill for some super satisfying BBQ, fresh salads, and ice cream treats.

This cheery yellow cafe has plenty of space in which to spread out. So feel free to take your meal to either the front or back patio. 

Dinner and a show? You can even catch acrobatic or special shows being performed on the back patio on rare occasions.

Finger licking good BBQ is the specialty here. Therefore, the BBQ brisket sandwich dressed with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and onion rings is a must.

For another filling entree perfect for sharing, the BBQ pulled pork nachos easily feed at least two. It is piled high with gooey cheese sauce, green onions, black beans, sour cream, and even more shredded cheese.

Not feeling particularly hungry? The Charcuterie and Cheese Plate is a lighter option. Complete with various meats, savory cheeses, fruits, dried cranberries, crackers, and a locally sourced honey stick. Pro Tip : It pairs excellently with a glass of wine.

Hua Mei Cafe

Asian-themed delicacies abound at this delightful cafe named after the first US-born giant panda cub to survive stateside. 

Hua Mei and the rest of the Giant Pandasmay be long gone, but their cuddly black and white memories remain. So it is still well worth exploring the Asian Passage to say hi to their cute rosy-haired cousins, the Red pandas.

Some of the most creative San Diego Zoo food and gluten free choices can be found here, and we love Hua Mei for its wide range of menu items.

Sample their pork potstickers, vegetable egg rolls, and perfectly salted edamame when you order the taste of Hua Mei appetizer, or keep things more traditional with their stupendous Chicken teriyaki. Made with smoked chicken and crispy vegetables, it has an addicting flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

For those not watching their figure, the Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger is well worth some extra steps around the Zoo! Its fiery sriracha bourbon glaze packs quite a punch, and the smoked applewood bacon is as crisp as can be. 

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In need of some slightly healthier fare? The Asian Chicken Caesar salad puts a unique spin on this traditional dish by swapping croutons for crispy wontons and toasted sesame seeds. You’ll find a lot of vegetarian options that taste good here.

Sabertooth Mexican Grill

Mexican-inspired cuisine will always reign supreme in San Diego, and the Zoo’s Sabertooth Mexican Grill is a serious contender for some of the best food at the San Diego Zoo.

The Sabertooth’s excellent location within Elephant Odyssey makes it an ideal place to relax in some shade and watch these gentle giants do their thing. 

Over-stimulated kids will also relish the opportunity to climb the sabertooth tiger statue. Finally, parents can snap some fridge-worthy photos of the whole family in front of the short-faced cave bear.

Zesty, south of the border, options abound on this San Diego Zoo Menu, from tacos, to burritos to nachos, in addition to craft beer and house-made margaritas for mom and dad.

Starving sabertooth tigers should order the California burrito, liberally stuffed with your choice of carne or pollo asado, pepper jack cheese, Mexican crema, guacamole, and pico de gallo. While taco pursuits might prefer the pollo asado tacos served with fruity pineapple pico de gallo and accompanied by rice and beans. 

Larger zoo groups, or especially hungry families, can feed well over four people with the Family Nacho & Taquitos Meal Deal. 

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Tempt your sweet tooth with the heavenly sugar-crusted and bavarian creme-filled churros served with both Mexican chocolate sauce and dulce de leche. 

Treetops Cafe

Looking for lunch with a view? Treetops Cafe claims the best views in the Zoo, and rightfully so! With its multi-level decks, you can soak in the Museum of Man tower, the Bashor Bridge, the green of the canyon below, and even the planes landing at Lindbergh Field. 

Smack dab in the middle of the ‘Lost Forest’ section. This canopied oasis delivers quality-style Italian dishes like flatbread pizza, meatball sandwiches, and spaghetti.

Grab a seat on the outdoor deck and polish off a meat lover’s pie or Hummus vegetarian wrap.

Families trying to save a bundle should check out their ‘family meals,’ including four Flatbread Pizzas, one Caesar Salad, four Garlic Bread Sticks, and four fountain sodas.

Lagoon Terrace

Has the hangry crying started before you’ve even entered the Zoo? Conveniently located next to the Zoo’s entrance, Lagoon Terrace is an easy stop for when the kiddies (or adults) are crying out for pizza.

Choose from several different personal pizza options, including meat trio, veggie, pepperoni, or cheese paired with a refreshing frozen lemonade. 

Not keen on the ‘za? Dripping in marinara sauce and mozzarella, the Meatball Sandwich is a tender and uber filling option to keep you energized for hours of Zoo fun.

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Lastly, the family meal deal here is pretty respectable (and ideal for children who despise sharing) since you can order three different pies, one salad, and four fountain sodas for one low price. 

Hitting that 3 pm slump already? If you’re hankering for a caffeine fix or looking to relax with an ice-cold draft beer, Zoo Brew is the place to be! Situated halfway down Treetops Way, this cute and cozy cafe pours out the best coffee drinks and brews. 

For a real energy boost, treat yourself to an expertly brewed latte with a side of fresh mini doughnuts.

Hua Mei Cones

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! So give the people what they want when visiting the famed Hua Mei Cones .

Cool off post-Asian Passage stroll with one of their Instagram-worthy super sundaes. Try the cinnamon churro or warm cookie crumble, which showcases creamy soft serve, crushed sandwich cookies, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles.

Not feeling the dairy? Ditch the ice cream and enjoy a cinnamon sugar-dusted churro sans crazy toppings. 

Best Restaurants Near San Diego Zoo

Scratching your head trying to come up with the best places to eat near the San Diego Zoo? Stop your endless scrolling and leave the research to us! Thankfully Balboa Park’s many amusements and attractions have enticed several first-rate eateries to open their doors.

Feeling a bit fancy? Elevate your day with an exceptional meal at the Prado , one of the best restaurants in San Diego Zoo. Equal parts historic and homely, this charming restaurant is located in the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park and features four main dining areas.

Break bread on the terrace and enjoy outdoor seating or sample cocktails in the Solarium. Wherever you choose, you are guaranteed creative Californian-style cuisine and specialty cocktails. For example, try their Spicy Mezcal Margarita made with real serrano peppers! 

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First, prime your appetite with an order of Spicy Calamari Fries, served with Korean chili sauce. Then, swoon over their pan-roasted sea bass or Kvaroy Salmon & Short Ribs. Finally, round out your luxurious meal with a plate of yummy Banana Chocolate Panna Cotta to share. 

A side of art with your ale? One of the restaurants by San Diego Zoo, Panama 66 is an uber-hip bar and restaurant that occupies the open-air setting of The San Diego Museum of Art’s Marcy S. May Sculpture Garden. 

Besides delivering a delicious array of local beer, wine, and seasonal cocktails, they create simple and satisfying dishes centered around locally sourced ingredients.

Raise a glass with one of their specially mixed house libations, such as the ‘Bears Knees,’ which features bourbon, amaro nonino, Aperol, lemon, blackberries, and honey, before moving on to the food.

Please your tablemates by offering to share a Mediterranean-style hummus board and then move on to sampling their addictive chicken banh mi sandwich, garnished with the most fantastic shoyu aioli.

If possible, check out their live music schedule before you visit, as you could be treated to some incredible jazz and jam sessions. 

The Tea Pavilion

Embrace your inner peace and tranquility at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Tea Pavilion. But, dishing  up way more than just tea, this serene oasis bestows the most magnificent views of the beautiful Japanese gardens.

Marvel at the majesty of the Japanese maples as you tuck into sushi, Japanese noodles, rice bowls, miso soup, salads, and snacks. Slowly sip a piping hot green tea and linger over mouthfuls of chewy Yakisoba noodles served with carrots, cabbage, ginger, onions, and nori. 

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For a more filling option, try a curry rice bowl with your choice of tofu, grilled chicken, beef, or salmon.

Cucina Urbana

Contemporary Italian cuisine married with the bounty of California’s local seasonal ingredients, what could be more delicious? Cucina Urbana puts a flavorful twist on traditional Italian staples with their from-scratch menus.

The Cucina team is dedicated to perfecting inventive and seasonal dishes in addition to running a comprehensive in-house program where they make all of their charcuterie, sausage, cheese, artisanal bread, and pasta entirely from scratch. In addition, their robust wine program highlights over 200+ labels from around the world, making it an excellent place to sample many Californian and Italian varieties.

Snuggle up to your Zoo companion and get ready to share small plates of fried squash blossoms, grilled octopus, and burrata with tomato conserva before contemplating your main.

Feeling spicy? Split a calabrese salami, pineapple habanero jam, and provolone topped pizza or gush over the incredible Brandt beef bullseye steak served with creamed spinach, roasted cherry tomatoes, and carb-rich crushed fingerling potatoes. 

Conclude your food-gasmic affair with an infusion of dolce when you share a traditional tiramisu topped with toasted hazelnuts.

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The San Diego Zoo provides 365 days of wildlife wonder and excitement to California residents and visitors from all over the globe.

From checking out the creatures that roam the savannah at Africa Rocks to kicking back at a 4D Theater show or gleaning invaluable animal knowledge from a Rhino specialist, there’s never a dull moment. However, meandering through 100 acres of jungle, plains, and desert can really cue those hunger cravings.

Satisfy growling tummies by grabbing a snack, meal, or full sit-down dinner at any of the exceptional San Diego Zoo restaurants.

Whether you choose to dig into a delicious double-stacked burger or experience the sophisticated flavor profiles of a pan-roasted sea bass, there are bountiful meal options to be had at the San Diego Zoo.

Which is your Favorite Restaurant at San Diego Zoo?

Let us know in the comments!

Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...

1 comment about “San Diego Zoo Restaurant – 16 Best Dining Options”

We had the Monte Cristo sandwich at Front Street Sweet Shack today. It was horrible! It was so greasy, we could squeeze a river of grease from the bread and then the sauce drizzled on top of the sandwich made it nearly impossible to pick up. The sandwich must have been deep fried in not hot enough oil, thus absorbed way too much of the grease. Just a terrible sandwich! I had to use a clean napkin to wipe my hands with every bite, which after about 3 bites went into the trash. Don’t waste your money like we did.

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Where’s the Best Place to Eat at San Diego Safari Park?

Surprise! There’s a sit-down restaurant at Safari Park with appetizing food, full bar & amazing views. But it may not be the best choice for kids, breakfast, vegans, or eating nearby before or after your visit. So which one’s best for you?

The best restaurant in San Diego Safari Park is The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook. They’ve got a wide menu of appetizers, sandwiches, and salads. Prices are moderate at $15 – $20 for lunch per person with full table service and bar. Entrees are big enough to share. And the view is outstanding!

If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated. Read my Advertising Disclosure for more info. Thanks! ~ Nancy

* Save with a secret promo code on each San Diego Zoo or Safari Park 1-Day Pass. Go any day. Go directly to the gate. Click  HERE  to get your code, instructions & discounted tickets by email. By clicking the link above you agree to receive an automated email message. Valid only at aRes Travel , San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller. Read my full privacy policy .

Read on for more of what to expect from The Watering Hole . But good as it is, it can’t be the best choice for everyone. So I’ve also collected info on the other eateries within San Diego Safari Park and nearby.

(Going to San Diego Zoo too? Here’s an article that I wrote on where to find the best food at the Zoo .)

IMPORTANT: All of the park’s restaurants can close early or may never open depending upon how many people are attending that day. Call 760-747-8702 on the morning of your visit to make sure that your eatery choice will be open for you.

Why the Watering Hole is the Best Place to Eat at Safari Park

The View is Spectacular at the Watering Hole

This restaurant has some of the most spectacular scenery in San Diego. There are 180-degree views overlooking Safari Park’s African Plains enclosure. No fence blocks your sightlines to rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, many different types of antelope, and the Cape buffalo bachelor herd. Want to see more animals while you’re dining? Go to Africa.

Our waiter pointed out the Thompson’s gazelles. He called them “Cheetos” because they’re the cheetah’s favorite snack in the wild. 

There are no elephants out there. According to the FDA, the Safari Park needs to maintain a certain percentage of shade trees for the animals. The elephants would knock that percentage down to zero within a week. That’s why they are confined to Elephant Valley .

Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook Food is Unexpectedly Good, but Pricey

You’ll have a much better meal at the Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook than you’d expect at a major tourist attraction. It’s tasty, solid, adult fare, and definitely not fast food. There’s a full bar. The staff is attentive and friendly. But it is not cheap. Like everything else at Safari Park, any profits go towards animal conservation and care. Consider the extra cost as a way to make the planet a better place.

My favorite thing at the Watering Hole is the house-fried potato chips (aka “crisps” to my friends across the pond). They’re hot, thin, crispy, and oh so crunchy. And the portion is big enough to make a rhino happy. Ok, that was just a slight exaggeration to emphasize that the serving is large. This side dish makes any of the sandwiches served here special.

Watering Hole Insider’s Tip:

This restaurant is popular. To avoid a long wait, make reservations on Open Table especially on weekends.

The Watering Hole opens at 11:00 AM:

Here’s a shortlist of dishes that I copied from their menu (see their latest posted menu here ). This list WILL CHANGE so don’t howl at me like a gibbon if you don’t see your favorite on the menu when you go to eat there:

• Nachos – tortilla chips with chili, lime, salt seasonings, chipotle queso, nopales salsa, cotija cheese, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro. Messy but good. Chicke option
• Burrata and merinaded olives
• Rhino-sized Pretzel with Pub Mustard and Bacon Beer Cheese Dip
• Upscale sandwiches: pulled pork, beef and cheddar, open faced tuna. Served with fresh-made potato chips.
• Salads: Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad, Caesar, wedge salad
• Vegan: Beyond Sausage Sandwich – peppers, onions, marinated tomatoes, spicy pepperoncinis on an Italian roll
• Kids meal – Mac ‘N’ Cheese or turkey sandwich, crackers, carrots, beverage
• Desserts – Flourless Chocolate Torte, Sugar-crusted Brulee Cheesecake.

Ask your waiter for vegan and gluten-free options.

The Watering Hole has a full bar. The Baobab Tree Bar (see the photos below in the building and decor section) has a good selection of local craft beers, some on draft & wine.

Check out the special cocktails made just for that location. They had a Serengeti Sunset with coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple, and grenadine that looked tasty. But if you’re going to watch rhinos from your table, you might want one of their Charging Rhino drinks (California citrus vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and kiwi puree) instead.

The Watering Hole’s medium priced…for San Diego

Expect to spend between $15 – 20 for lunch per person for entrees unless you’re going to split them. And most of the plates are big enough for two. It will cost more if you order wine, craft beer, or cocktails.

It’s uncrowded, but accessible

It’s midway through the park and away from the heaviest crowds. It’s relatively easy for people with mobility issues to get to. Take an ADA bus from the Ranger Base (at map marker #2). The bus will let you off by Lion Camp. There’s a slight downhill and then a mild incline up to The Watering Hole.

There’s full table service

The servers are friendly and knowledgeable about the food, drinks and animals outside. All seating is under a breezy open-air pavilion. The covered patio construction provides plenty of shade. In the heat of summer there are water misters and fans to keep you cool.  

It’s kid-friendly

The grassy area in front of the restaurant between the covered eating area and the animal exhibit will keep your small critters corralled. They can run around like crazy without driving you there. 

The building and decor are exotically beautiful

The building was designed by Hubble and Hubble , an architectural company established by San Diego artist James Hubble and his son. They specialize in green structures that honor the earth and use natural, local materials whenever possible. 

The architectural style is modeled on traditional Cameroon African mud brick thatched huts. The (few) walls look as if they were hand formed with the occasional hand print embedded in the rough surface. 

Belly up to the Baobab Tree Bar for a beer. The building’s designers modeled it on some real trees in Africa and Australia with hollow insides that are used as meeting places.

If you look up once you’re inside the Watering Hole you’ll see polished timbers holding up a steeply pitched wood. There’s a “thatch” roof outside. It’s not really straw or reeds. No one at Safari Park is crazy enough to make roofs with dried grass in Escondido. That would be like building a roof with unlit matchsticks.

There are gender-neutral bathrooms. There’s also a large family bathroom for changing babies.

Summary-Why The Watering Hole’s the Best Food at Safari Park

The food at The Watering Hole is definitely the best at Safari Park, but it’s not 5 stars outstanding. However, you aren’t paying top dollar either. Service can be slow, but it’s always friendly. Kids may be noisily running everywhere. But there’s usually enough room to allow you to pick a seat away from the noisier groups. 

But most people that go to The Watering Hole to eat would go back again. There’s something magical about sharing a meal with rhinos…

NOTE: The Watering Hole is popular for weddings and corporate events so definitely check to see if it will be open when you get there. Make your reservations on Open Table .

The Best Places to Eat Breakfast in Safari Park

• Thorntree Terrace

People eat at Thorntree Terrace because it is close to the park entrance with plenty of shaded seating around the restaurant. They have a limited selection of breakfast, lunch, and family-sized selections. Check out their menu here .

A variety of burgers with fries is served all day. The selection includes variations on cheese, bacon, and even a vegan one.

Breakfast’s served until 10:30 AM. You’ll find breakfast burritos, bowls with English muffins. Bob & I split a breakfast burrito and country potatoes. We were full afterward and we’re both tall people.

Thorntree Terrace lunch entrees are served starting at 11:00 AM. They have a decent Mandarin Orange Chicken salad and rice bowls. There’s also a family meal special with two rice bowls, drinks, and two kid’s meals.

INSIDERS TIP : Do you smell buttered popcorn while eating on the patio in the back of Thorntree Terrace? Don’t look around for a snack cart, look up and search for binturongs. They’re gray, arboreal omnivores with prehensile tails whose urine contains 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, the chemical compound that gives popcorn its aroma. They’re nicknamed ‘bearcats’. Find a table at the back of the restaurant and watch the sisters bask in the sunny treetops. Most visitors to Safari Park don’t even know these girls are there and miss out on a fun experience.

Safari Coffee Outpost

You can buy espresso drinks, nitro coffee, mini donuts, and snacks here. Sometimes the public is allowed inside up to this point before the official park opening.

And if you happen to succumb to the temptation of coffee and sweets, great! Remember that when you buy at Safari Park you’re a ‘hero for wildlife.’ So toss the diet out the window. Buy two of everything!

Sit at the tables behind the Outpost and say hi to Max the Salmon-crested Cockatoo. He loves it when people talk to him. His squawks sound like he’s laughing with you.

The Best Places to Have Lunch in Safari Park

If you’re arriving around lunchtime.

• Thorntree Terrace . Close to the park entrance at Safari Base Camp. Lunch menu: Rice bowls, salads, wraps, burgers, salads, and a selection of local craft beers, some on draft. 
• Congo Kitchen . My second choice at the Base Camp. They often have an outdoor grill cooking up some tasty street tacos and nachos. 
• Barking Deer Pizza & Beer . The name says it all. They serve a variety of hand-tossed Napoliano style pizza. But there’s no seating. Find a table behind Thorntree Terrace and watch the coati as you devour your pie.

If you’re halfway through Safari Park try these eateries

Choose The Watering Hole if you’re looking for the best experience . It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but the food is the best at the park and the ambiance can’t be beaten. 

What can you eat at Mombasa Cooker? Grilled or breaded chicken tenders with 4 different types of sauce with fries or tots. Two adults can make a meal out of the 5-piece plate. You can also find hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads at this location. Their menu is shown here .

Why do people eat at Okavango Outpost? Panini, wraps, chicken strips, salads, nachos, kids’ meals, and local craft beers (see their menu here). If you like the artwork, masks & baskets hanging on the walls, buy them! Check for price tags or ask the counter workers.

My favorite here is the Kilimanjaro Rotisserie Club sandwich. It’s served on a croissant and stuffed with chicken, bacon, and swiss cheese. There’s also a side of garlicky aioli.

Plant-based eaters, there’s something here for you too. Ask for the Artisan Salad to be made vegan style, which is without the usual feta cheese.

There’s some inside seating in this restaurant. But try the outdoor patio seats because they overlook the African Loop lagoon. In the spring and early summer, the trees are loaded with nesting white egrets. Some trees have so many nests that they look snow-covered from a distance. The egrets are local freeloaders who’ve come to hatch their young by the good fishing grounds provided by the park. 

Drinks at Okavango Outpost. Are you an adventurous beer lover? Try the mega-sized beer float with chocolate sauce decadently spread over ice cream and whipped cream floating in a hearty dark ale. 

Coffee drinks!  For those who want the ice cream float without the booze, try the coffee float instead. It’s a rich and chilly caffeine buzz that’s big enough for two, but you probably won’t want to share.

For something a little different, try the Chimango drink. It’s mango sorbet, chamoy sauce, lime juice, and chili powder. Slightly spicy and altogether delicious on a hot day. Chimango is definitely a San Diego thing.

3 Best Places at Safari Park to Eat with Kids

These 3 Safari park restaurants and food stands have adjacent playgrounds. You can sit down and leisurely enjoy your meal while watching your little critters burn off calories.

Mawazo Kitchen – The best thing about Mawazo Kitchen is that it overlooks the Mawazo Woods Discovery Area (or Jungle Gym) playground. Feed the kiddos a Kids Meal or a burger then send them off to play. You can keep an eye on them while you’re sitting in the shade, eating a relaxed meal, and sipping a cold beverage or craft beer.

Entrees include various south of the border dishes, tacos, quesadillas, loaded salads, and a decent vegan black bean burger. Here’s their menu . The title says Samburu Terrace, which is what this restaurant used to be called. Location: At map marker #8.

Kibo Cones and Snacks – Grab some hot dogs, soft-serve ice cream, churros, and snacks for the kids. Then head over to the nearby Oasis Deli for sandwiches, salads, coffee, beer, and wine for the grown-ups. There’s limited indoor seating at Oasis Deli ( menu ) and lots of comfy outdoor patio furniture where the adults can watch the kids eat and play pirate on the Amani Likoni. It’s a play structure built in the shape of an ancient Egyptian barge. Location: Close to map marker #6.

Lion Camp Slush and Snacks – Choose this one if the weather is beastly hot. It’s right next to the Savanna Cool Zone where the kids (and maybe you also) can play among the animal statue water fountains. The Cool Zone surface is soft, squishy, and wet so children can play safely. The menu is limited to hot dogs and salty snacks like pretzels and popcorn. Cold drinks like build-your-own slushies, carbonated beverages, and beer make this a favorite stop for those who need a break from the heat. Location: Close to map marker #14.

Eating Cheap (on a Budget) at Safari Park

Can you bring food into safari park.

YES! If you’re on a budget you can bring your own food and beverages into San Diego Safari Park. Carry them in backpacks, purses, or in your child’s stroller or wagon. No coolers, straws, glass bottles, or alcohol allowed. 

All Safari Park food venues will gladly refill your water bottles for free.

5 Tips to save if you can’t bring your own food

• Buy a Fountain Beverage or Iced Tea at any of the food stations and keep the cup & straw all day. Refills are about $2. 
• Congo Kitchen and Lion Camp Slush and Snacks have hot dogs and a decent pretzel. They’re cheaper than most options in the park and the kids will love them.
• Look for the Family Meal deals. They are usually meant for 4 people and include 2 kids meals.
• Share plates. Most entree, wraps and salad plates at Safari Park can feed two. 
• Drink a couple of cups of water before your meal. It will fill you up and help you stay hydrated in the Escondido heat.

Best Outdoor Dining at Safari Park

Landscape views.

The best views at Safari park restaurants are at The Watering Hole and the Rift Sand Bar .

The Rift Sand Bar is a small snack shop located at the top of the elevators that take you down to Africa Woods and Lion Camp. There are a few shaded tables. The menu is limited to basic snacks, some sandwich wraps, and wine & spirits. But the high elevation view of most of the Park and the San Pasqual Valley is drool-worthy. 

Water views

The best places to eat with a water view in Safari Park are behind Mombasa Cooker and Kibo Cones and Snacks . Order your food and walk around to the sunny tables in the back.

Want shade? There are also plenty of tables inside the Mombasa Pavilion. Most of the time you can get a spot overlooking the lagoon and the island where a pair of shoebill storks live.

The water in Mombasa Lagoon is teeming with birds from the African ducks and geese to the freeloading local coots, mallards, and egrets. 

Do They Serve Alcohol at Safari Park?

All of these dining venues at San Diego Zoo Safari Park serve draft/craft beers:

• Thorntree Terrace 
• Barking Deer Pizza & Beer
• Congo Kitchen 
• Mombasa Cooker
• Macan Market
• Sheared Sheep
• Watering Hole at Kajamii Overlook (full bar)
• Raptor’s Nest (also wine & spirits)
• Mawazo Kitchen
• Rift Sand Bar
• Lion Camp Slush & Snacks
• Okavango Outpost

There’s Gluten-free and Vegan Food at San Diego Safari Park

7 restaurants offer both vegan and gluten-free menu choices at Safari Park. They are scattered throughout the park. Since they also serve other food, these are good choices for everyone in your group.

• Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook

Valentines Day Dinner at Safari Park

Have a wildly romantic time at the annual Valentine’s Day Dinner at San Diego Safari Park. This exotic couples’ dinner usually takes place under the vaulted faux thatched roof of Hunte Nairobi Pavilion. Turn left at map marker #2.

You can expect a visit from one of the animal ambassadors (sometimes a cheetah), a no-host bar, and a four-course gourmet meal prepared by the Safari Park Chef. 

Check-in usually begins shortly after 5 PM. Expect to pay around $120 per couple. This event always sells out. Starting in mid-January check online at the Safari Park Dining Events page or call 619-718-3000 for information. 

Best Restaurants Near San Diego Safari Park

Fast food nearby.

The closest fast-food restaurants are located in the Westfield North County Mall.

• Burger King
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Potato Corner (various styles of fries, chicken tenders & wings)

Cross Highway 15 and turn right into the Plaza del Lago Center and you’ll find:

• Chito’s Taco Shop
• Rock on Pizza

Best breakfast place close to Safari Park

Broken Yolk Cafe in Westfield Mall – The mall is right off Highway 15, so it’s very convenient. And parking is easy.

I’ll eat their Golden State Benedict anytime I can get it. It has the usual poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. But they add tomato, avocado (this IS San Diego, after all…), applewood smoked bacon and a zippy sriracha drizzle. Bob likes their chicken fried steak breakfast.

Nearby restaurants with great lunches

Personally, I’d go into Safari Park and order lunch at The Watering Hole, Okavango Outpost, or Thorntree Terrace and consider the little extra expense my gift to wildlife worldwide. But if you’re hungry before you get to the park or want something very different afterward try these:

Burger Bench – Unhinge your jaw-thick burgers with fresh local ingredients. You can upgrade to Impossible, Halal, or grass-fed Wagyu beef patties. Slurp down creatively flavored hand-made milkshakes. You must try the truffle fries or tots.

Chan Dara Thai Café – Large tasty portions for a reasonable price tucked away in an anonymous strip mall. Lunch specials for under $10. Try the See-Eyew Noodles, Phad Thai,  and their yellow curry. 

The unusual Angel Wings are worth a try. They’re chicken wings without the bones, stuffed with crab meat, ground chicken, and noodles. They’re deep-fried and served with cucumbers in a sweet plum sauce.

Careful with the spices at this restaurant. Level 4 is jalapeno, which is too much for me. 

Best Restaurants for Dinner near Safari Park

Cordiano Winery – It’s a smidgen less than 2 miles as the crow flies from Safari Park. 9.5 miles on twisty country roads if you don’t have wings and have to get there by car. But the views, the pizza ($16-18), and wines are worth the drive. 

The rest of the entrees are also generously proportioned. Pasta plates are $13-14 each. They’ve also got appetizers and desserts. Unfortunately, they’re only open Thursday thru Sunday. 

Vintana Wine + Dine – It’s a bit expensive but perfect for a special night out. You enter through a Lexus dealership and go to an elevator which deposits you in the restaurant’s bar. There are great views both from the inside and out on the patio. 

But the food’s the real star. Delicious from appetizers to dessert. Try the Brie Wheel. Steak & lobster cooked just right. The key lime tarts are just tart enough. And they make popovers ! It’s taken me years to get mine to pop consistently, and doing it hundreds of times every night? Respect! 

Go See Wolves and Eat Pie in Julian

Go visit the Julian Pie Company in Julian, CA. The drive is beautiful. And it’s not just the pies that are delightful. There are about a dozen little eateries packed into three short blocks. If you can’t find good food there, you aren’t hungry. Then visit the California Wolf Center in Julian, CA (read my article HERE ). You’ll see gray wolves and the very endangered Mexican gray wolf up close.

Closing Thoughts

Never worry about finding something that you’ll enjoy eating at Safari Park. There are plenty of options for everyone. Click on the following page link if you’re wondering what to see and do at Safari Park when you’re not eating. Bon Appétit San Diego Safari Park style!

Nancy Ulrich

I'm nuts...about animals, polymer clay, mixed media art & husband Bob. Happily planted in San Diego among good friends, family that I would have chosen if given the choice and optimism for a bountiful future for us all.

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THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• United States    
• California (CA)    
• Escondido    
• Escondido Restaurants    

Restaurants near San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Fish House Vera Cruz

• “Amazing ” 06/01/2024
• “Happy Hour ” 12/09/2023

• “ Not Too Impressive ” 15/02/2024
• “ Just OK ” 18/06/2023

• “ Wonderful ” 16/10/2023
• “ Delicious! ” 08/03/2020

• “ BEST in the HISTORY of DONUTS ” 14/01/2024
• “ The best! ” 27/12/2023

• “ A Wonderful dining experience... ” 10/04/2024
• “ Best seafood in Escondido ” 25/02/2024

• “ Best burger I have had in a lo... ” 25/01/2024
• “ One of my favorite burger shac... ” 16/12/2023

• “ Typical Cheesecake Factory ” 12/07/2023
• “ Great service, great food ” 15/08/2021

• “ Bj brewhouse ” 21/04/2024
• “ Great food great service somet... ” 16/04/2024

• “ Nice and casual ” 01/07/2022
• “ Irish music with dinner ” 07/06/2022

• “ Pretty Good Alright ” 27/05/2023
• “ The best ” 23/10/2021

• “ Great spot for breakfast or lu... ” 03/03/2024
• “ A decent diner in the heart of... ” 22/11/2023

• “ Such a Surprise ” 15/08/2019
• “ Great gem of a restaurant ” 27/04/2019

• “ Not the same ” 29/09/2023
• “ Flavorless and disappointing. ” 23/03/2023

• “ Great value. ” 22/03/2024
• “ The Best Diner Style Restauran... ” 25/09/2023

• “ Great Thai Food ” 25/04/2024
• “ Ok food ” 28/02/2021

• “ Best Mexican food in a City wh... ” 15/11/2019
• “ Tacos ” 31/10/2019

• “ Top shelf Chinese restaurant ” 03/06/2021
• “ Nice staff the worst food ” 22/01/2020

• “ Just popped in for Happy Hour ” 01/10/2023
• “ Skip the sides ” 18/06/2023
• “ Worst service ever ” 31/03/2022
• “ Completely no contact order. ” 28/08/2020

• “ High hopes but skinny sandwich ” 25/03/2022
• “ Fabulous Sandwiches! ” 17/02/2020

• “ good burgers and steaks ” 05/06/2023
• “ Prime Cardboard ” 25/03/2022

• “ I Guess It Is Better to Order... ” 06/11/2023
• “ Great portions for the price ” 18/07/2022

• “ BAD day for sushi ” 23/07/2023
• “ Fantastic Sushi and great serv... ” 19/02/2023

• “ Excellent ” 16/02/2023
• “ Food Overload ” 10/01/2020

• “ My new favorite sushi place ” 04/04/2024
• “ Great sushi and great service ” 22/04/2020
• “ Overpriced Japanese food ” 22/05/2023
• “ Great Little Ramen Restaurant. ” 12/02/2020

• “ Hot subs were yummy! ” 28/03/2019
• “ Super Subs, Super Service! ” 03/08/2018

• “ Plan 9 Alehouse, where you com... ” 02/07/2022
• “ Wonderful ” 31/05/2021

• “ Great Authenitc Mexican Food ” 26/10/2017

• “ 4:00pm ” 15/11/2018
• “ Nice roast beef and pork ” 25/07/2018

• “ Burger time ” 12/11/2019
• “ A great surprise for breakfast ” 02/09/2019

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Albert's Restaurant

Albert’s Restaurant - San Diego Zoo has partnered with OpenTable to provide free, secure and instantly confirmed online reservations.  Learn More

ALBERT'S RESTAURANT HOURS

Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DINE IN THE HEART OF THE ZOO

Located in the Lost Forest zone in the heart of the San Diego Zoo, Albert’s offers full-service dining where you can enjoy open-air deck seating overlooking a private waterfall. Zoo admission is required to access Albert’s Restaurant.

ALBERT’S WEEKEND BRUNCH

Come into Albert’s and make Saturdays and Sundays your “fun days,” by kicking off your visit with brunch! Before setting off to see the wildlife, enjoy a great breakfast along with a Bloody Mary or mimosa flight! Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday at Albert’s. Reservations not required, but encouraged, and can be made by calling 619-685-3200. Zoo admission required for nonmembers. 

DINING PROGRAMS

Albert’s Restaurant also hosts gourmet food and craft beer or wine pairing dinners, special holiday buffets, and more. You may even be joined by a furry, feathered, or scaled wildlife ambassador friend or two!

Upcoming Dining Programs

THE GORILLA BEHIND THE NAME

Undoubtedly the most famous resident ever at the San Diego Zoo, Albert was a handsome silverback western lowland gorilla. Born in Africa, Albert arrived at the Zoo in August 1949 at about four months of age. He and two baby female lowland gorillas were hand raised in the Zoo’s nursery. As Albert reached maturity, he was moved to a new open-air gorilla grotto, located where this restaurant now stands. In 1965, Albert fathered Alvila, the first western lowland gorilla conceived and born at the San Diego Zoo and only the seventh gorilla born in any zoo. During his years here, Albert endeared himself to an international audience through his majestic stature, mischievous behavior, and gentle demeanor.

Albert died peacefully on October 18, 1978; however, his spirit continues through the conservation efforts of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the ambiance of his namesake restaurant, and in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren living at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

We observe the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Guide when planning menus and purchasing seafood.

REDUCED WASTE

Produce is purchased pre-cleaned, eliminating excess waste being sent into the trash stream from the Zoo.

DROUGHT-WISE

Water by the glass is served only upon request, minimizing waste.

BIODEGRADABLE

Biodegadable flatware and drinking cups are used for to-go orders.  

Call us for information or reservations, or reserve through Open Table now!

PREFERRED HOTELS

Picture Your Special Day at the Park!

Save the Chubby Unicorns

Gorilla Shadow

30 New Restaurants and Bars That Have Opened in San Diego

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a curated roundup of recent restaurant openings big and small across San Diego. We begin 2024 with a collection of fresh spots that will be regularly updated; revisit last year’s extensive lineup here .

Did we miss a spot? Drop a note at the tipline and we’ll consider it for the next update.

APRIL 22, 2024

MISSION VALLEY— Another location of Gravity Heights has opened in Mission Valley. Designed with Tulum vibes, the breezy space pours beers produced at the brewpub’s flagship in Sorrento Valley and serves a similar menu that includes favorites like dirty fries and wings and some new additions from culinary director Ryan Johnston and executive chef Jordan Beall (Neighborhood) like a homemade pretzel and enchiladas filled with birria braised in their own Baja Sol Mexican Lager. 525 Camino De La Reina.

LA JOLLA— With locations across Mexico, including Mexico City and Tijuana, La Corriente Cevichería Nais has launched its first stateside location in downtown La Jolla. Known for its mariscos, the restaurant serves a menu that includes some of its more popular Mexican seafood dishes, including red snapper tostadas, mixed seafood ceviche, shrimp aguachile, soft shell crab tacos, and larger plates like whole grilled fish and octopus zarandeado. 456 Pearl Street.

NORTH PARK— The Seventh House has been rebooted into a Roman trattoria that’s currently serving dinner, with lunch and weekend brunch to come. Cacio E Pepe features its namesake pasta plus the three other iconic Roman pasta dishes — amatriciana, carbonara, and the lesser-seen gricia — on a menu that also includes crispy artichokes, Roman-style pizza, and entrees ranging from chicken saltimbocca, eggplant parmesan, and fried seafood. 2835 University Avenue.

SAN MARCOS— Located adjacent to the Links golf course, Lakehouse Resort at Lake San Marcos has refreshed its all-day restaurant into Brickmans . Upgrades include a remodeled dining room with more lounge seating, new TVs on the heated patio, and an elevated menu from executive chef Jarrod Moiles (Rancho Valencia) that includes a Reuben-inspired egg Benedict, a truffle burger, salmon piccata, and a half-chicken cooked under a brick and served with heirloom carrots, mashed potatoes, chicken jus, pickled onion, and frisee salad. 1025 La Bonita Drive.

LITTLE ITALY— Farmer’s Table co-founder Vincenzo Loverso has turned his long-running brunch spot into a new mostly Italian restaurant dubbed Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge . Still serving daily breakfast as well as weekend brunch, the menu includes daytime eats like wagyu steak and eggs, a zucchini blossom frittata, and banana French toast while dinner options feature pasta dishes finished in different cheese wheels, from fettuccini alfredo in a wheel of parmesan to bucatini carbonara swirled in aged pecorino. 550 W Date Street.

APRIL 15, 2024

PACIFIC BEACH— OMG Hospitality has replaced Backyard Kitchen & Tap on Garnet with a third location of Union Kitchen and Tap , its gastropub and sports bar with existing outposts in Encinitas and the Gaslamp. The 6,000-square-foot space has ample seating and a main bar boasting multiple TVs that will remain open until 2 a.m. Hosting live music on Thursdays and a DJ on Fridays, the venue offers a menu that includes prime bone-in ribeye and shrimp and grits for dinner and chicken and waffles, and egg-topped flatbread for weekend brunch. 832 Garnet Avenue.

MISSION VALLEY— AMP&RSAND, the redeveloped Class A campus that encompasses the former Union-Tribune building and features on-site amenities like a full-service fitness center and outdoor meeting spaces, includes a cafe from Bradley Schnell, who also operates Superbloom Café at Mission Bay Beach Club. Cushman & Wakefield leased the space to Therapie Bistro and Wine Bar , which roasts its own beans for an array of coffee drinks and serves a menu ranging from fresh pastries and breakfast toasts to salads and specialty items. 350 Camino De La Reina.

KEARNY MESA — A South Korean chain that recently landed at the H Mart food court specializes in soondae, or blood sausage, a favorite street food snack. This branch of Moobongri Soondae serves up plates of soondae and boiled pork along with spicy soondae soup and bowls of beef brisket and spicy pork neck bone soup. The H Mart food stall offers take-home meal kits of gopchang, or beef intestine, which is a popular meat for Korean barbecue. 7725 Balboa Avenue.

NORTH PARK— Birrieria Enriquez is a small, friendly spot revolving around Sonora-style birria, offering bowls of birria, quesabirria tacos, birra tortas, and birria ramen. The straightforward menu also includes menudo as well as cabeza tacos and tortas and a variety of savory and sweet tamales. 2041 University Avenue.

SORRENTO VALLEY — Located within Thai Test Kitchen is a new mostly-dessert cafe called Yummy Thai . It serves savory Thai-style burgers, including a satay chicken burger and green curry beef burger along with acai bowls, bubble tea, and trendy bubble waffles filled with homemade ice cream. The cafe also makes custom cakes topped with fresh coconut or foi thong, a Thai dessert made from strands of egg yolk cooked in sugar syrup. 10184 Telesis Court.

APRIL 2, 2024

UTC— The Amalfi Llama has arrived at the Collection at UTC. A partnership between Eureka! Restaurant Group and the Mexico City-based Grupo Carolo Hospitality, the 152-seat restaurant has a large outdoor patio with firepits and a kitchen anchored by a live fire grill and wood-fired oven. The eclectic menu includes prime and wagyu steaks, pizza, pasta, and more while the full bar features variations on a classic negroni. The restaurant is currently open for dinner nightly, operating until 1 a.m. on weekends. 4575 La Jolla Village Drive.

COLLEGE AREA— A fast-casual chain that’s been recognized by Food & Wine magazine for making some of the best biscuits in the U.S. has landed near SDSU, with more locations on the way for the San Diego area. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken offers scratch-made buttermilk biscuit sandwiches filled with breakfast ingredients or fried chicken along with sides like cheddar tots or grits. Orders can be placed online or via kiosks in the restaurant, with pickup available from heated food lockers. A grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, when 10 percent of sales will be donated to nearby Clay Elementary School. 6364 El Cajon Boulevard.

CORONADO— The newest food option at the Hotel del Coronado is the Laundry Pub , which has opened inside the property’s historic Laundry Building, first built in 1919. The casual spot serves pub fare like Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, buttermilk fried chicken paired with pecan and bacon waffles, and crispy gochujang-pork belly bites as well as a tap list highlighting local breweries. The family-friendly space also includes interactive games, including billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, and retro arcade games. 1500 Orange Avenue.

UTC— The Alley , a famous Taiwanese bubble tea chain with hundreds of locations across the globe is continuing its expansion in San Diego with a new shop near See’s Candies at Westfield UTC and another outpost opening next month in Mira Mesa. Slow-cooked in brown sugar syrup, its boba is featured in its most popular drink, the Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk which also comes flavored with matcha, cocoa, and ube but the vast menu also includes favorites like the Strawberry Mochi Smoothie and Mango Purple Rice. 4545 La Jolla Village Dr STE E-5.

MISSION HILLS— Trust Restaurant Group has rebranded and reopened its sidewalk scoop shop adjacent to its Italian restaurant, Cardellino. Now called Wild Child Ice Cream , the walk-up window is open Tuesday through Sunday with a menu of nostalgic, chef-created flavors that include mint chip, malted chocolate brownie, lemon meringue, and tie-dye, a colorful sorbet made with fresh raspberries, pineapple, and orange. 4033 Goldfinch.

MARCH 18, 2024

MISSION VALLEY— Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its march across San Diego with a new outpost in Mission Valley. The Los Angeles-based chain, which began as a late-night pop-up and counts multi-hyphenate artist Drake among its major investors, is aiming to blanket the country in Nashville hot chicken. Its menu features spicy chicken tenders and sliders in combos with fries and kale slaw with optional sides like mac and cheese and cheese fries. 2075 Camino De La Reina.

CARLSBAD— The all-day Parakeet Cafe has planted its 13th location in Southern California. The new North Countyrestaurant from owners Carol Roizen and Jonathan Goldwasser serves breakfast bites, waffles, and toasts along with soups, salads, and larger plates like grain bowls and sandwiches. Known for its superfood lattes made with the cafe’s own coffee blend, the counter-service spot offers an array of breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, from bakery director Quentin Collignon, formerly of Breadblok and Bottega Louie. 1935 Calle Barcelona, Suite 176.

CHULA VISTA— National City standout Mujer Divina has opened another branch of its burrito and coffee house in downtown Chula Vista. Chef Priscilla Curiel, who will also be bringing her acclaimed Tuetano Taqueria and a new breakfast shop next door, specializes here in grab-and-go burritos filled with her famous birria as well as machaca ranchera, frijol con queso, and papa con chorizo as well as an extensive menu of coffee drinks including cafe de olla, Mexican mochas, and churo lattes. 218 3rd Avenue.

SOUTH PARK— The neighborhood’s former Moose Lodge has been transformed by the team behind the Buona Forchetta family of restaurants into an event space and wedding venue that can accommodate up to 180 guests for a reception dinner. Meraki also functions as a traditional restaurant and bar, with a menu of shareables like empanadas, charcuterie boards, and flatbreads paired with cocktails from SPK Bar Hospitality that includes shochu martinis, spritzes, and sherry cobblers made with seasonal produce. 1648 30th Street.

HILLCREST— Hokkaido chain Baikoken Ramen has landed in the former Menya Ultra Ramen space. Based on a stock made from pork and chicken bones as well as dried fish and seaweed, the restaurant offers miso, salt, and, shoyu ramen bowls filled with curly noodles and toppings like chashu, soft-boiled eggs, and butter and corn. Side dishes include karaage, takoyaki, fried gyoza, and Hokkaido croquettes. 690 University Avenue.

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

LA JOLLA— Replacing Mermaids & Cowboys in the village is Aldea , a modern Mexican restaurant from La Jolla native Steve Horowitz. Currently open for dinner, with weekend brunch starting in March, the 3,200-square-foot space serves a menu created by executive chef John Villalba, an alum of New York City’s Tavern on the Green, and Las Vegas chef consultant Alex Reznick, who competed on season seven of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Beat Bobby Flay” on the Food Network. The lineup includes ceviche and aguachile as well as bone-in short rib birria and crispy pork belly. 1251 Prospect Street.

HARBOR ISLAND— The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina recently unveiled the first of several new food and drink offerings coming to the property. The 186-seat Rumorosa is an elegant Cali-Baja restaurant and bar whose dining room offers marina views through its floor-to-ceiling windows and an all-day menu from chef Cesar Oceguera that includes churro pancakes for breakfast, street tacos for lunch, and family-style plates like whole roasted local fish and 24-ounce grilled bavette steaks for dinner. The full bar mixes up inventive cocktails and pours Mexican beers along with wine from the Valle de Guadalupe. 1380 Harbor Island Drive.

KEARNY MESA— Following its late 2023 arrival in Mira Mesa , major Taiwanese chain Sunmerry Bakery has just rolled out its second San Diego area location. Its vast selection of bread, pastries, and desserts features Asian specialties ranging from pineapple cakes and bolo buns flavored with barbecue pork or Nutella to mango mousse and matcha tiramisu cakes, with drink options like boba tea and fruit smoothies. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this new outpost will be offering customers 10 percent off their entire order from now until its grand opening. 7951 Othello Avenue.

DOWNTOWN— A long-dormant restaurant space was recently filled by Istanbul Doner Kebab . Its mainly Turkish menu of beef or chicken doner kebabs served with rice or in a sandwich or a wrap also features doner burgers and grilled T-bone steaks, with beverages ranging from traditional Turkish coffee to pomegranate juice and pistachio milkshakes. The establishment also makes its own desserts, including cookies, cakes, and ice cream. 531 Broadway.

LEMON GROVE— Kansas City barbecue has landed in East County, courtesy of the Barn House BBQ . The restaurant, which features arcade games and a pool table, offersslow-smoked menu features plates of barbecued beef ribs, chicken, and pork ribs served with sides ranging from smoked beans to coleslaw along with pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and smoked meat-topped nachos and tacos. 8099 Broadway.

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

LITTLE ITALY— Local dynasty Busalacchi Restaurants (Barbusa, Nonna, Zucchero) has launched Lala , its latest restaurant and cocktail bar, in a stylish and intimate space that’s open daily at 5 p.m. Executive chef Nino Zizzo’s menu ranges from caviar blinis and steak tartare to Italian dishes like cioppino and veal parmigiana while the drink list from Antonio Gonzales includes housemade limoncello and barrel-aged cocktails like an Italian Old Fashioned. The ownership team — brothers PJ, Joey, and Michael Busalacchi and cousin Vince — plan to eventually offer late-night service on weekends. 1919 India Street.

MISSION VALLEY— Rise and Shine Hospitality Group (Breakfast Republic) has launched a new cafe in the Rio Vista Shopping Center near its daytime restaurant Mission Valley Breakfast Company. Featuring house-roasted beans, Ox Coffee offers an extensive beverage list that includes coffee and espresso classics as well as flavored lattes and blended frappes. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the menu also extends to matcha drinks like iced strawberry matcha. 8590 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite B. 8590 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite B.

KEARNY MESA— A Taco Bell has been transformed into another outpost of Angry Pete’s Pizza . Retaining the original drive-thru window, the restaurant does its signature Detroit-style pizza with variations like animal-style cheeseburger pizza and bacon mac & cheese pizza along with classic round pizzas and other snacks like Detroit Coney dogs, quesabirria tacos, and chicken wings. 335 Overland Avenue.

MISSION VALLEY— Serving the same menu as its branches in the Gaslamp and Seaport Village, the newest outpost of Spill the Beans opens daily at 6 a.m. With indoor and outdoor seating, the all-day restaurant is known for its California-style bagels paired with a variety of spreads or used for hearty egg-based breakfast sandwiches. Other options include chia pudding bowls and sandwiches as well as coffee, tea, and specialty lattes. 525 Camino de La Reina.

OCEAN BEACH— A vendor from the Ocean Beach farmer’s market has graduated to its first storefront. Chicken Over Rice Co. cooks up a streamlined Mediterranean menu that features build-your-own rice bowls, salads, and pita sandwiches with protein options of chicken or chickpeas and toppings that include cucumber salsa, garlic sauce, and tzatziki. 1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd Suite-E.

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17 trends and icons shaping san diego’s food scene in 2024.

By Troy Johnson , Jackie Bryant , Amelia Rodriguez , Maren Hawkins & Beth Demmon

Chew on this—a butter-drenched bible to our sizzling dining scene , bursting with all the bites, sips, chefs, and trends that make San Diego hallowed ground for food people.

View the 2024 Best Restaurants Winners List

The Smokeshow: Brad Wise

By troy johnson.

When it comes to things on fire, in Wise we trust. This year, San Diego’s star steakhouse chef went national . Brad Wise had a great track record (Trust, Fort Oak, Cardellino, The Wise Ox), but his casual-ish take on the steakhouse experience—Rare Society—boomed at a different decibel. Why? Because he’s nailed the art of woodsmoke, which has 400-something more flavor compounds than oven- or pan-seared proteins. And Rare’s lazy-Susan “steak boards” offer commitment phobes a ménage à steak. He expanded the concept up and down the West Coast, from Santa Barbara to Washington (the sixth iteration will open in Vegas next year). But he’s not done here at home—his “French-ish” brasserie arrives in North Park next summer.

The Experience: Omakase-Only

San Diego’s Japanese food scene owes a debt to Jiro Dreams of Sushi . Seven years after watching the 2011 documentary, John Hong opened Hidden Fish on Convoy Street . Like Jiro’s famed restaurant in Japan, Hong’s spot is omakase-only—no à la carte ordering. The chef simply serves you course after creative course, using the day’s best ingredients. Taking choice away from Americans ? Scandalous, blasphemous, and gold. It was the first of its kind in San Diego. Hong received national press, as did his newest concept Hitokuchi. Now he’s not alone. In the last year, two more omakase-only spots opened: Kinme (in Bankers Hill, from the beloved Azuki Sushi crew) and Ichifuji (thanks to two chef vets from Michelin-starred spots). A third, Hasekura, is on its way in Barrio Logan . Choice is overrated.

The Trend: Dry-Aged Fish

By jackie bryant.

Finally, it’s being said. The supremacy of fresh fish is a myth . Sushi only gets its trademark silkiness when aged. Most beef served in high-end steakhouses is aged over 20 days, so why wouldn’t the same benevolent science work wonders on seafood? It does. While the craft was already popular in Spain (where aged, cured tuna is called mojama), San Diego fishmongers and chefs—from Tommy Gomes of Tunaville and the crew at La Jolla’s Marisi to Davin Waite of Oceanside’s Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub (one of the OGs of the trade)—started tinkering with the technique this year. “Dry-aging fish is a game-changer when it comes to hedging the peaks and valleys in local fish supply,” Waite says. “It’s just like putting a piece of fish in the fridge, only it gets better with time, instead of worse.” Even though the process has “literally been around forever,” he adds, it’s still new to many of us. Not for long.

The Place: North Park

By beth demmon.

North Park ’s been billed as the heir to the city’s central food nerve for a long, long time. After a decade of revitalization, it’s finally happening. From Tribute Pizza (pictured) and Finca to Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Happy Medium, and Saigon Coffee, something delicious awaits every few feet. Three new concepts are incoming from some of the biggest names in the food and drink scene: Drew Deckman’s 31ThirtyOne (arriving around May), CH Projects’ Persian-fusion concept Leila (summer-ish), and Brad Wise’s French brasserie (sometime next year). The simmer is now a boil.

The Treat: Asian Bakeries

There’s a time and place for Boston creams and maple bars. And that time ended around when skinny jeans went out of style. This year, San Diego’s pastry adherents turned to melt-in-your-mouth Japanese milk bread, sugar-sprinkled Chinese doughnuts, and uber-fluffy red bean buns. SD’s Asian-owned and -inspired bakery scene exploded—probably because Asian desserts tend to be less excessively sweet than their Western counterparts, and the nation’s collective palate has shifted away from sugar bombs. Enter ube, black sesame, mango, and pandan treats. At places like ASA Cafe Bakery or Phoenix Dessert, you can switch up that iced vanilla latte in favor of royal milk tea, shaved ice with coconut milk and various fruits, or boba Thai iced tea.

The Arrival: José Cepeda

The biggest news in the city’s dining scene this year was arguably the 6,000-or-so (okay, seven) concepts artfully shoved into North Park ’s newly re-loved and relaunched LaFayette Hotel . The food had to make a statement as loud as the décor (not easy). CH Projects tapped elite chef Perfecte Rocher (El Bulli, Tarsan i Jane, Manresa) to quality control the whole operation, but the one to watch is Puebla, Mexico–raised José Cepeda, chef at the hotel’s signature Baja-goth restaurant, Quixote . “My grandmother used to tell me you get people from the stomach—that’s how people fall in love with you,” he says. Quixote’s menu is a mix of his family’s favorite dishes with twists learned during his time cooking alongside Joshua Gill at LA’s Mexican standout Mírame. Cepeda’s crab corn doughnut alone is a fairly romantic notion.

The Fermentalist: Tiago Carneiro

Hard kombucha hasn’t yet made a huge splash nationwide, but it’s catching fire ($179 million in 2023, with a projected $17 billion market over next decade). San Diego is ground zero for the movement thanks to our athleisure souls and twin fangirling for both probiotics and happy hour. Brands like Boochcraft and JuneShine broke the seal, and now the emerging force is Tiago Carneiro and Nova Easy Kombucha . Raised in Brazil by a father obsessed with fermentation, Carneiro and his brother built and sold Brazil’s largest craft brewery, Wäls. He moved his family to San Diego and opened South Bay’s first brewery, Novo Brazil, in 2015. The pandemic had him on the edge of losing it all. “I said to myself, ‘This was the biggest failure of my life,’” he recalls. So he gave spiked booch a try, and Nova took off. His bright pink, just-sweet-enough La Ola Dragon Fruit— a collab with Wave FC — was the drink of last summer and this summer, too. Now he’s partnered with the Padres.

The Cocktail Whisperer: Beau du Bois

His first move was to ditch bottled lime juice. To do this for an operation as large as Marisi (one location) and Puesto (nine), Beau du Bois hired a juice guy—a full-time role to keep fresh juice flowing, storing it in kegs to preserve shelf-life and eliminate waste. By opting for seemingly minor, time-consuming tweaks (like using a centrifuge to clarify peach juice for Marisi’s epic white peach bellini), du Bois and co-conspirator Derek Cram are producing some of the most craft-driven drinks in the city. No surprise, since the former was beverage director of a three-star Michelin ( The Restaurant at Meadowood ) before coming to San Diego. Up next is a 100-seat, Mexico City–inspired cocktail bar in downtown called Roma Norte, set to open this summer. The bar man says we can expect the best rum and Coke he’s ever had, using clear cola made from scratch.

The Curator: Tracy Borkum

For decades, museum food in the US was a forgery. Art on walls, shrugs on plates. Other cities realized Renoirs didn’t pair great with fridge-flavored pita wraps, so New York got Untitled from Danny Meier, Seattle got Taste from Craig Hetherington, and (finally) San Diego culture-seekers have Tracy Borkum and chef Tim Kolanko. Most know Borkum for her string of Italian cucinas (Urbana, Enoteca) and her Jewish deli, Goldfinch. But over the last few years, she has radically improved the mealtime fates of aesthetes in the city with Artifact at the Mingei and The Kitchen at MCASD La Jolla . Borkum got her art history degree from UC Berkeley, so maybe we owe a bit of gratitude to selfish pursuits.

The Vin-Garde: Chelsea Coleman + Coco Randolph

San Diego’s not historically a wine town. But that’s changing, thanks in part to juice nerds like Chelsea Coleman and Coco Randolph. Coleman is co-owner of three low-intervention wine temples— Mabel’s Gone Fishing , The Rose, and Bodega Rosette (along with sourdough bakery Secret Sister)—and she co-founded the natural wine festival Nat Diego , which lured national wine icon Alice Feiring to town. Randolph is wine director at North Park bistro Black Radish , as well as co-owner of the two-Michelin-star Californios in San Francisco. She won tons of accolades for her work at the latter, including Michelin’s 2021 Sommelier of the Year.

The Coffee: Saigon Coffee

By maren hawkins.

Vinh and Tu Duong’s father set the bar high for how a husband should treat his wife. Growing up, the siblings—and Saigon Coffee founders—saw their dad travel to faraway villages in the central highlands of Vietnam to bring back the finest coffee beans for their mother. Their mom taught them to slow-brew java with time-tested Vietnamese phin filters (pour-over, but make it fancy). From humble beginnings in 2012 at the Hillcrest Farmers Market to two bustling brick-and-mortars in North Park and University Heights, Saigon Coffee creates every cup with this ancient technique. The rich egg foam that tops one of their strong, satisfying iced beverages is worth being late for work… which you will be, unless you rise with the baristas themselves to beat the omnipresent line.

The Bread: Wayfarer Bread

By amelia rodriguez.

If Crystal White’s sourdough starter were a human child, it’d be in second grade right now. But instead of learning to subtract, the bubbly colony of lactic acid and wild yeast is doing what it does best: making bread delicious, with help from White’s lovingly obsessive attention to details like humidity and the seasons. Trained by bakers at The French Laundry, Tartine, and Proof, White launched Wayfarer Bread in Bird Rock in May 2018 following a series of successful pop-ups. The humble outpost has since made like its starter and sent San Diego’s bread culture rising ever-higher. While White’s crackly baguettes and fluffy cream buns generate Disneylandish morning queues, weekend evenings draw fans for pizza nights, when Wayfarer lays down veg- and meat-loaded pies with—you guessed it—killer crusts.

The Pizza: Amalfi Cucina Italiana

When four Italian friends who’d helped build the Buona Forchetta empire struck out on their own, some raised brows at the spot they chose—Lake San Marcos, a man-made, cult-loved boat community in suburban North County . Not exactly food-scene central. And maybe that was their stroke of genius. Putting a six-time World Pizza Champion (chef Marcello Avitabile) in a part of the county that’s been unfairly ignored by the culinary arts? Like putting a tiki bar in a PTA meeting. Huge hit. Now, the quartet has expanded to another un-hyped food neighborhood with Amalfi Cucina Italiana in Carmel Valley. The menu and specials are different, but both locations offer the same hefty Valtellina pizza, crafted with speck, provola di agerola, brie, caramelized onion, and sausage and wood-fired in a majestic Napoletano-style oven.

The Breakout: Shawarma Guys

Shawarma Guys founder Bryan Zeto grew up in an Iraqi Chaldean family in Detroit and was hailed as a top-notch home cook. But he still had a lot to learn about Middle Eastern cuisine before launching his food truck in South Park in 2019. A month of daily munching on slow-roasted meat, falafel, and other dishes helped the former phone salesman hone his recipes, including his now-iconic Wagyu shawarma and an addictive “garlic paste.” The truck nabbed a feature on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives , and, in 2020, Yelp named it the number-one restaurant in the country. The long lines that followed helped Zeto open a brick-and-mortar in La Mesa , with a Mira Mesa location on its way. His shawarma-stuffed egg rolls will melt you.

The Next Big Thing: Tanner’s Prime Burgers

Get ready to hear this name. A lot. Years ago, Brandon Rodgers moved to San Diego to learn from iconic chef Tony DiSalvo of the now-defunct Jack’s before joining Gavin Kaysen at El Bizcocho (Rodgers cooked on Kaysen’s Iron Chef team, winning the battle against Michael Symon). After a stint at French Laundry, he helped his friend Corey Lee open Benu. Rodgers was chef de cuisine when Benu was awarded its third Michelin star. And now he’s back in San Diego for a burger with a hell of a resume. He teamed up with Eric Brandt of family-owned Brandt Beef to open the first Tanner’s in Oceanside . Their calling card is one-third-pound USDA prime patties, smashed then topped with beef bacon, caramelized onions, New School American Cheese, sauce, sweet onions, pickles, and tomatoes on a brioche bun. Oh, and they also serve a beef tallow ice-cream sandwich. Watch out, Shake Shack.

The Marquee Maker: Jojo Ruiz

Some of the most promising chefs never get the support they deserve. Others get too much “support,” their talent and dreams sucked up by the bottom line of an unfeeling corporate structure. San Diego born-and-raised JoJo Ruiz seems to have found just the right fit with Andy Masi and Clique Hospitality. Together, they crafted marquee restaurants for two of the city’s top properties ( Serẽa at Hotel Del and Lionfish at The Pendry ), plus a sustainable sushi hand roll bar in Encinitas (Temaki). This year, their big unveilings were Lilian’s and Bing’s —the signature restaurant and bar, respectively, of the $100 million reimagining of the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Their secret? “JoJo’s passion is contagious, and it’s the soul of what we do together,” Masi says. A James Beard nod for Ruiz’s work in sustainable seafood doesn’t hurt, either. And they’re not done yet.

The Cornerstones: Mario + Morgan Jean Guerra

Leucadia’s got loads of charms: unincorporated shagginess, farmy beach town chutzpah, cliffside homes with stairways once used to smuggle drugs. But, for decades, a thriving food scene was not one of them. Mario Guerra did something about that. Born in Mexico City , he moved to San Diego when he was young (he was GM at downtown’s sorely missed Candelas). He got “real jobs” in finance and manufacturing and moved his family to Leucadia, but he kept dreaming about that restaurant life. He traveled the world based on food scenes and became a hell of a home chef. And, finally, he couldn’t resist: He opened Moto Deli in 2015 as a little food truck, and now he and his wife Morgan (head of design) have seven concepts , including Hamburger Hut (good burgers meet tiki drinks), Corner Pizza, pheromonal date spot Valentina, and Vale Bodega. Leucadia’s food scene owes a debt to his inability to stay away.

Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.

Jackie is San Diego Magazine's content strategist. Prior to that, she was its managing editor. Before her SDM career, she was a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.

Amelia Rodriguez is San Diego Magazine ’s Associate Editor. The 2023 winner of the San Diego Press Club's Rising Star Award, she’s covered music, food, arts & culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her three-year Duolingo streak.

Maren Hawkins is an editorial intern at San Diego Magazine. She is in her second to last year at San Diego State University and serves as a staff writer for The Daily Aztec. When she is not writing, she spends her time finding the best workout spots in SD, thrifting for the cutest clothes, and traveling whenever possible.

Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine . Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider , is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.

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© Copyright 2023 San Diego Magazine 1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA

• United States
• Little Italy

Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge

Make a reservation, order delivery or takeout, dining areas.

• Farmers Table Dining

Additional information

• Dining style Casual Elegant
• Price $31 to $50
• Cuisines Italian, Contemporary Italian, Market Cuisine
• Hours of operation Breakfast Mon–Thu 9:00 am–3:00 pm Fri–Sun 8:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–9:30 pm Sat, Sun 3:00 pm–10:45 pm
• Phone number (619) 255-0958
• Website https://vincenzosd.com/
• Payment options AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
• Dress code Casual Dress
• Executive chef Vincenzo loverso
• Catering We do offer catering pick up and delivery.
• Private party facilities Vincenzo Cucina and Lounge offers a variety of private event planning options. Our private dining room can seat up to 45 and it is equipped with 75" HD TV.
• Private party contact our Private Dining Coordinator: (619) 255-0958
• Location 550 W. Date St, San Diego, CA 92101
• Neighborhood Little Italy
• Cross street India & Date St.
• Parking details Street Parking
• Additional Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Caesar salad.

little gems + parmesan tuiles + caesar dressing

fresh tomato sauce + burrata + pesto sauce

Banana Foster French Toast

banana + brown sugar + rum

All gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan items are prepared in an environment where there is gluten, meats, and non-vegan products

Bloody Marys

The peter rabbit $15.00.

mushroom with melted mozzarella + arugula potato + mixed pickled veggies

The Butchers Block $16.00

corned beef + andouille sausage + bbq drizzled bacon + blue cheese stuffed olive

Tijuana Maria $16.00

bacon wrapped hot dog + mexican-style street corn + pickled veggies

Ragin' Cajun $16.00

bacon wrapped shrimp + jalapeño + andouille sausage + bacon + pickled veggies

The Barn Yard $55.00

Enjoy all our specialty bloody mary's in one pitcher topped with a whole roasted chicken. Designed for 4 or more people

Fruits & Grains

House made granola $10.00.

with fresh fruit + milk or fresh strawberry + yogurt

Seasonal Fresh Fruit Plate $10.00

Açaí bowl $13.00.

frozen açaí blended super fruit + banana + berries + granola + coconut

Omelets & Frittatas

All omelets served with house potatoes or organic black beans + choice of bread: english muffin, white, wheat, sourdough, or focaccia. Gluten Free bread +$1. Sub fruit +$3. Sub truffle arugula parmesan potatoes +$3

Veggie Omelet $14.00

spinach + organic cherry tomato + yellow squash + zucchini + crimini mushroom + fresh mozzarella + baby kale + queso fresco

Chile Relleno Omelet $16.00

shrimp + poblano + queso fresco + roasted corn + chipotle oaxaca cream

Cali Omelet $15.00

fontina + local avocado + bacon + potatoes

All benedicts served with house potatoes or organic black beans + choice of bread: english muffin or focaccia. Sub fruit +$3. Sub truffle arugula parmesan potatoes +$3

Classic $13.00

canadian bacon + hollandaise sauce

Turkey $14.00

sliced turkey + local avocado + hollandaise sauce

Served with house potatoes or organic black beans + choice of bread: english muffin, white, wheat, sourdough, or focaccia. Gluten Free bread +$1. Sub fruit +$3. Sub truffle arugula parmesan potatoes +$3

American $13.00

2 eggs any style + bacon or andouille sausage

Egg Sandwich $15.00

man candy bacon + local avocado + fresh mozzarella + sourdough

Breakfast Burrito $14.00

Scrambled eggs + bacon + green onion + ortega chili + cheddar + local avocado. Not served with bread

House-Made Meatball Hash $14.00

3 eggs any style + spinach + pesto + potatoes

Jambalaya $15.00

3 eggs any style + andouille sausage + shrimp + spanish rice + scallion + bell pepper + onion

Corned Beef Skillet $14.00

3 eggs any style + bell pepper + caramelized onion + potatoes

French Toast, Pancakes & Waffles

Gluten Free pancakes available +$2 | Cinnamon raisin Gluten Free French toast available for +$1

Buttermilk Pancakes $9.00

Add chocolate chips, strawberries, banana, mixed berries, and/or mascarpone cream (ea) $2

Brioche French Toast $11.00

Banana foster french toast $14.00, strawberry banana nutella waffle $13.00.

Add chicken +$4 | shrimp +$6 | steak +$6 | fish +$10

Farmer's $10.00

wild arugula + candied walnut + feta + fruit + pomegranate vinaigrette

Garden Greens $9.00

cucumber + tomato + balsamic vinaigrette

Pecan Crusted Chicken $14.00

mixed organic greens + pear + gorgonzola + balsamic vinaigrette

Greek Quinoa $12.00

tomato, cucumber + goat cheese + arugula + red onion + lemon + parsley + e.v.o.o.

Sandwiches & More

All sandwiches served with housemade fries or mixed organic greens salad. Sub soup of the day +$2. Sub Gluten Free bread +$1

Shaved Turkey $15.00

roasted bell pepper + green onion + fresh mozzarella + rustic sourdough

Pecan Crusted Chicken $15.00

tomato + arugula + gorgonzola + bacon + local avocado + garlic aioli + poppy seed bun

Burger $16.00

100% angus beef + bacon + cheddar cheese + baby kale + fried egg + brioche bun

Caprese Focaccia $14.00

fresh mozzarella + tomato + basil + artichoke + pesto

Pizza & Flatbreads

Available after 11AM. Gluten Free crust available +$2. Our imported Stefano Ferrara oven creates authentic Italian pizza with a delicate, thin crust with wood fire edges best enjoyed with a knife and fork

Truffle $18.00

fresh mozzarella + bacon + radicchio + caramelized onion + asparagus + black truffle

Prosciutto $15.00

fresh mozzarella + shaved parmesan + wild arugula + e.v.o.o.

Fennel Sausage $14.00

fresh mozzarella + roasted cherry tomato + fresh basil

Pork Belly $15.00

fresh mozzarella + goat cheese + pesto + local baby kale

Farmer's $14.00

fresh mozzarella + tomato sauce + natural ham + artichokes heart + mushroom + olive

Roasted Chicken $14.00

fresh mozzarella + goat cheese + pesto + broccoli + roasted garlic + roasted cherry tomato

Veggie $13.00

fresh mozzarella + roasted eggplant + seasonal zucchini + bell pepper + portobello mushroom + roasted tomato + fresh basil

Margherita $12.00

fresh mozzarella + tomato sauce + fresh basil

Man Candy Bacon $7.00

paprika + brown sugar

Bacon $6.00

Andouille sausage $6.00, truffle arugula parmesan potatoes $7.00, house potatoes $6.00, housemade fries $6.00, side mixed organic greens salad $4.00, side avocado $3.50, side tomato $1.50.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, Cold Pressed Tangerine, or Cold Pressed Grapefruit

• Glass $7.00
• Bottle $22.00

$5 Sml | $6 Lrg

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Cold pressed apple, cold pressed tangerine, cold pressed grapefruit, soft drinks, sprite $2.50, iced tea $2.50, lemonade $2.50, panna water $6.00, san pellegrino $6.00, kombucha $6.00, organic coffee $3.00, hot tea $3.00, hot chocolate $3.00, mexican mocha $4.50, cappuccino $4.00, chai latte $4.50, latte $4.00, merchandise, picnic blanket $20.00, hats $15.00, shirts $20.00, hoodies $45.00, black mug $8.00, glass $6.00, pitcher $15.00, what people are saying, overall ratings and reviews.

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

• 4.8 Ambience

Noise • Energetic

Dined 2 days ago

Is this helpful?

Does Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 255-0958.

How is Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge restaurant rated?

Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge is rated 4.3 stars by 1 OpenTable diners.

Is Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge currently accepting reservations?

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

550 W. Date St, San Diego, CA 92101

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