Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Mona Lisa Cocktails & Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (84)

$50 and over

Italian

El Centro

About the restaurant

Step into Mona Lisa, an opulent haven of Italian cuisine. Discover a culinary masterpiece where prime steaks are elevated to perfection, accompanied by meticulously curated sides that redefine indulgence. Our open bar offers an endless selection of finely crafted cocktails and wines, enhancing every moment. With an ambiance of refined luxury, Mona Lisa invites you to savor the art of flavor in every bite of our prime steaks, making your dining experience unforgettable.

Top review

Tobyfoodievip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Excellent place, awesome service, food & drinks 100%

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Popular dish

Ribeye 16oz

The Grass Skirt

4.7

4.7 (668)

$31 to $50

Polynesian

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

From beverage director Eric Johnson love of tiki cocktails, to corporate executive chef Brian Redzikowski’s mastery of southeast asian cuisine, the grass skirt combines the fun, lighthearted, escapist nature of tiki culture, with the creativity and unsurpassed food and beverage quality guests have come to expect from SDCM restaurants.

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

Good food, good drinks, nice decor. The steel drum Muzak got a bit old.

Zinqué - San Diego

4.7

4.7 (398)

$30 and under

French

Little Italy

About the restaurant

zinqué is a beloved neighborhood hotspot & all-day restaurant serving French-inspired dishes, small plates, craft cocktails & a uniquely curated wine selection. Inspired by the zinc countertop bars & cafés of Paris, many of its customers consider it a second home—a place to work, linger & socialize.

Open from 7am till late, the space transforms from a European-style bistro & café, serving full breakfast with La Colombe coffee drinks & its famous Le Bowl for lunch, to full service dining at night. (zin-kæ)

Top review

ChloeJ

Dined on Aug 4, 2024

Such delicious food! Service today was fabulous as always! Yummy delicious food is always a MUST!

Temaki Bar

4.7

4.7 (21)

$30 and under

Japanese

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Translating to “hand roll,” Temaki Bar celebrates the tradition that all perfect hand rolls should be eaten within seconds of the chef passing them across the counter — while the rice is still warm and the fish, fresh and chilled.

Delivery and in-person to-go orders are now available!

Temaki Bar does not take reservations. We encourage guests to put their name on the online waitlist up to an hour prior to their expected arrival. The online waitlist can be accessed via our website,
temakibarsushi.com, or on OpenTable. Parties larger than 4 guests cannot be guaranteed to be seated together.

EAT HERE || LIVE FOREVER

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 12, 2024

Our favorite sushi spot, love the nigiri specials!

Urbana Del Mar

4.7

4.7 (147)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Its ‘Dia de los Muertos’ every day at URBANA, the Skydeck's most colorful restaurant. Farm Fresh Mexican Chef inspired plates. Complementing the menu, URBANA’S sexy departure on craft cocktails featuring Tequila and Mezcal favorites as well as top shelf agave spirits. Massive smiling murals a tribute to owner Javier Cuadra's Michoacán upbringing where ‘Dia de los Muertos’ is celebrated to define URBANA.

Top review

lofushar

Dined 1 day ago

I met up with my daughter and son in law and a couple friends. We had been at Urbana in Anaheim recently Since we loved it I thought we would try this one. We were thrilled here too! Great service, food, drinks and ambience. I love the Filet Mignonette Tacos The vegetarian options were perfect for my daughter. Can’t wait for next time to try the Lobster Tacos!

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Experience

URBANA hora feliz

Same Same

4.7

4.7 (8)

$31 to $50

Thai

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Inauthentic Thai, Jungle Vibes, Eclectic Drinks.

We are located on the second floor of the Carlsbad Village Faire Shops at the top of the east staircase.

Same Same has the perfect space for birthday bashes, holiday parties, corporate events, wedding festivities, and more!

*Reservations are for Dinner guests only, our bar is always open seating!
*Grace Period for reservations is 15 mins

Top review

Mark Vincentvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Lala, a new restaurant in Little Italy, offers a vibrant and fresh dining experience. The standout drink on the menu is the Stiletto, which is highly recommended for its exceptional flavor. With its lively atmosphere and quality cocktails, Lala is a great addition to the local dining scene.

Cocina de Barrio

4.6

4.6 (417)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Bienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our weekend brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 26, 2024

The entire staff was very polite and knowledgeable of the menu. The drinks are also delicious, and the appetizers are packed full of flavor!

Le Papagayo Carlsbad

4.6

4.6 (1057)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

At Le Papagayo Carlsbad Village you can expect live music nightly blended with the best in Coastal/Mediterranean/New American food and cocktails. With a full bar and service from 8am-10pm nightly you'll have ample opportunity to enjoy the newest addition to Carlsbad Village. Located conveniently off Carlsbad Village Dr. we are a short walk from State St and just off the freeway for easy access from either direction. We have a large public parking lot directly in front of the restaurant along with assigned parking off to the north end. Please come in and enjoy breakfast/lunch or dinner any day or night of the week and don't hesitate to call to see who's performing today :)

Top review

Kristen

Dined 5 days ago

Great! Love they cook with no seed oils. That is rare and soo delicious

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Popular dish

Lobster Roll

Camino Riviera

4.6

4.6 (14)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Join us for a full sensory journey through the Yucatán in our sultry dining room and open air lounge. SDCM Corporate Executive Chef, Brian Redzikowski has curated an eclectic menu that integrates his unique style with Mexican cuisine. The bar program is built on classic cocktails while celebrating the spirits and flavors from all over Latin America. We source rare expressions of mezcal and tequila from some of the most revered producers in Mexico.

We accept requests for both environments but cannot guarantee the ability to accommodate all requests.

Top review

Kat

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Amazing food…. The seabass taco was the best fish taco I’ve ever had. The Cesar salad is so bomb. If ur a Cesar person you must.

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Experience

Late Night Lounge

Nolita Hall

4.5

4.5 (695)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Nolita was inspired by the famous neighborhood in New York City – coined as such for being “North of Little Italy”. Upon opening in 2018, Nolita Hall was awarded an Orchid Award for the stunning interior design provided by Tecture Design and Fabrication.

Nolita Hall provides Little Italy with a much needed communal space to enjoy a first class dining and craft cocktail experience, without missing the big games. Our kitchen boasts a Fiori woodfire oven, contributing to most of our Italian inspired menu. Our beverage program provides approachable cocktails with uncompromising integrity of ingredient procurement.

Top review

Kwame'

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Always a great experience, great food, and awesome ambiance.

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Popular dish

CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Popular dish

MEAT LOVERS PIZZA

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