Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in Downtown

We had delicious food and great service. I had the large raviolis stuffed with crab and shrimp in a light cream sauce. My friend had the pasta and salmon dish, and she had plenty to take home. I chose the Opera Cafe because it was 5 minutes away from the SD Civic Theater, where we went afterward. I was very happy with my choice. Definitely recommend you eat there.

As always, the lunch at Asti was wonderful! It was Valentine's Day & most choose to dine in the evening, so we had the patio to ourselves. Our server, Anthony, was attentive and personable. The Pasta was cooked to perfection and the salad was fresh & very tasty! All in all, a very nice experience for a beautiful San diego afternoon!

Great experience. Wonderful service. The staff is super accommodating. Thanks Juan for a wonderful night.

I had the pleasure of dining at Grant Grill in San Diego, and the experience was elevated by the exceptional service provided by Samuel. From the moment we were seated, he was attentive, professional, and genuinely friendly. Samuel’s knowledge of the menu was impressive—he provided thoughtful recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes. Our wine was perfectly paired and he ensured that each course arrived at just the right time. What stood out the most was his ability to balance professionalism with warmth, making us feel truly welcomed. It’s rare to find a server who combines efficiency, attentiveness, and a personal touch so seamlessly. Samuel exemplifies top-tier hospitality, and I highly recommend requesting him for an outstanding dining experience at Grant Grill! Thank you, Samuel, for making our meal memorable—we’ll definitely be back!

I'm not one to be overly effusive in my review of restaurants, but Mimoza was surprising good on many fronts. Chosen for its proximity to the Balboa Theatre, we ordered the combination grilled platter, which was very generous in the number of meats included. The hot pita bread was a great accompaniment to the house made baba ghanoush. What stood out most was the attentive and kind service provided by the servers. We will definitely be going back again when we next visit the Balboa for a show.