Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 February 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses 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 book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Youngblood

4.9

4.9 (1090)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

Our team has been busy crafting an exciting new beverage experience, and we can’t wait to share it with you soon! In the meantime, you can still indulge in our signature 90-minute, three-course cocktail experience for $67 plus tax and gratuity.

Starting February 12th, reservations will feature the all-new Youngblood experience: an elevated three-course beverage tasting, with a few delightful surprises, priced at $86 plus tax and gratuity. We’re thrilled to unveil what we’ve been working on!

Come find us.

Top review

DenisseVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This was one of the greatest drink experiences I have ever encountered! The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. You can also taste different flavors in the drinks from all over the world. I love the bartender spiels after each drink. Can’t wait to bring my girlfriends here!

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1536)

$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

Augustine

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent grounds excellent foods and style of foods. The waitress Andy was excellent and very down to earth The open Veranda seating was an excellent view of the lake/pond and the lushish gardens. A well worth location

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (94)

$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

Nicole

Dined 1 day ago

VaVaVoom and Endica took care of us all night!! Amazing show!

MOTHERSHIP

4.7

4.7 (384)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

North Park

About the restaurant

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine.

Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy!

WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

Top review

Heather

Dined 1 day ago

A truly immersive and unique experience. The food and drinks were beyond your standard bar fare. The staff was attentive, friendly, and helpful. Perfect for a special occasion!

LEILA

4.7

4.7 (781)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

North Park

About the restaurant

A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects.

Reservations welcomed, walk-ins for dinner, or drinks are available as well.

Leila welcomes you.

858-SAFFRON

Top review

Michelle

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing and stunning place, the food is delicious, the service is excellent and the environment transports you to another world, absolutely beautiful ✨

Wildland

4.8

4.8 (34)

$30 and under

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

WALK-IN'S ONLY FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

WALK-IN'S AND RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER.

Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County, celebrating the creative culture of California by bringing bold ideas to timeless traditions.

Night or day, this is a place for the every day.

We open daily at 8am, with counter service up until 4:00pm, inviting you all to come in and join us on a first-come, first-serve basis for breakfast and lunch.

Reservations are available every evening, and walk in guests are always welcome.

Private Dining Room reservations are available for parties of 12-18 guests.

Top review

Riley

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience, awesome waitstaff and friendly chefs. Drinks were fantastic and every dish was delightful and unique.

Mister A's

4.9

4.9 (8773)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Downtown

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

Eliz

Dined 6 days ago

The restaurant’s ambience is elegant and modern. The views of San Diego are stunning. The waitstaff were knowledgeable, helpful, and remembered all the little details we asked for. All in all it was a wonderful experience that my two best friends and I enjoyed immensely.

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Popular dish

8 oz Tenderloin

Popular dish

Dubai Chocolate Baked Alaska

Popular dish

Cookie Dough Baked Alaska

Puntamar

4.7

4.7 (9)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Puntamar is more than just a restaurant; it’s an authentic experience celebrating quality in every detail. Here, fun and excellence merge to create unforgettable moments for our customers. Discover the true essence of Mexican cuisine, crafted with authentic ingredients and genuine flavors.

Top review

Andrew

Dined on 19 Jan 2025

Excellent. Will go back for sure. Owner came and talked to us. Explained the background of the restaurant. Made personal recommendations that were fantastic.

Poseidon

4.8

4.8 (5636)

$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

SusanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious lunch, beautiful day overlooking the ocean, great service! Can’t wait to return.

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Ketch Grill & Taps - Portside Pier

4.8

4.8 (145)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

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

Gabriela

Dined on 20 Jan 2025

The ambience is amazing! Can never go wrong with a bayside harbor view in San Diego. Quality of food is incredible use of flavors were are amazing. We shared clam chowder, beet salad, hamburger, Brussel sprouts, and onion rings and calamari were breaded perfectly.

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