Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Lilo

5.0

5 (55)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A lively and immersive dining experience that welcomes you to celebrate life’s special moments, Lilo harnesses the untamed spirit of the California coast and the world's shorelines through a curated, multi-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature, served around a 22-seat chef’s counter.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible experience - truly no notes. Everything that was brought out from start to finish was magic. I don’t want to share too much and spoil the experience! Just trust that it is well worth every penny.

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The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1567)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

A very relaxing and beautiful venue with lush gardens to stroll. I highly recommend dining with ladies or anyone because the menu items are delicious and presented with care along with attentive service while enjoying the veranda and view..

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

LEILA

4.8

4.8 (1234)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

North Park

About the restaurant

A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects.

Reservations recommended , walk-ins welcome at the bar.

Leila welcomes you.

858-SAFFRON

Top review

AngelicaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely 💯 amazing! Food was delicious 😋 service was excellent, music on point and gorgeous 😍 inside, can't wait to go again!

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (151)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

cynthia

Dined 7 days ago

I absolutely love everything about lips the talent, drinks, and the hospitality! Thank you lips

Noble Experiment

4.9

4.9 (350)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Noble Experiment is a small, intimate cocktail bar located behind a secret door inside of Neighborhood restaurant at 777 G St. San Diego, CA 92101. Reservations for 4 or less are accepted as early as two weeks in advance. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@nobleexperimentsd.com. Walk-ins are welcome based upon availability.

Top review

Adam

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing experience and ambiance, the bartenders were magnificent and created some delicious drinks.

Little Victory Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (17)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Little Victory Wine Bar is a natural wine bar in Carlsbad, California. With a full farm to table food menu and indoor seating accommodating 24-28 guests alongside an outdoor patio offering 18 additional seats, Little Victory Wine Bar is intentionally scaled to foster intimate and meaningful interactions, cementing its role as a significant addition to Carlsbad Village’s growing culinary community.

Little Victory Wine Market is located at 505 Oak Avenue, Suite B, Carlsbad, California, 92008, and will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 4 - 10 p.m. Visit the website or follow along on Instagram at @littlevictorywinebar for future updates.

Top review

DelaneyVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Very cute interior, lovely staff and ambience. Definitely recommend!

Ketch Grill & Taps - Portside Pier

4.7

4.7 (162)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Ketch Tasting Deck offers a full-service dining experience on the 2nd floor at Portside Pier with stunning views overlooking San Diego Bay!
Brought to you by the Brigantine Family of Restaurants. For generations our family has created unforgettable experiences true to the San Diego lifestyle at our Brigantine & Miguel’s restaurants. We’ve hosted countless celebrations and poured many a round for the happiest of hours.
WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MAKES FOR THE BEST MEMORIES AND THE BEERS THAT CAPTURE THE FEELING. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE CRAFTED OUR OWN AND PUT THEM ON TAP.
From beer aficionados to casual drinkers, we’ve got everyone covered with our easy-to-love (and drink) brews made for making memories!

Top review

Berin

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Delicious food, incredible service, and perfect view.

Mister A's

4.8

4.8 (8951)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.

Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/
(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

Top review

SeanaVIP

Dined today

Amazing Wendy was awesome and we had the most incredible food

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Popular dish

Dubai Chocolate Baked Alaska

4.8

4.8 (5735)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Del Mar

About the restaurant

The minute you walk into Poseidon, you’ll be swept by the fabulous view. You couldn’t be closer to the sand and the beach than sitting at Poseidon on their beautiful outdoor patio. With such a spectacular ocean view, you’ll experience breathtaking sunsets and during the right season even catch a glimpse of the whales migrating up or down the coast. The bar offers a large circular firepit, which is nice on those chilly fall or winter nights. Off to the side of the bar is a split level dining room offering every table a panoramic view of the beach and the ocean. For decades, Poseidon has delighted both local San Diegans and the tourists that love the beach.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Very good meal. Service excellent. Ambience always lovely. One of our San Diego finds!

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4.7

4.7 (1158)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Youngblood experience: an elevated three-course beverage tasting, with a few delightful surprises, priced at $85 plus tax and gratuity. We’re thrilled to unveil what we’ve been working on!

Come find us.

Top review

Matt

Dined 5 days ago

Easily one of the best cocktail experiences I’ve ever had. Zach was incredibly personable and knowledgeable about the menu and carried our service with ease. The entire staff was welcoming and fun and made it an extraordinary experience.

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