Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

84 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant

1. Tom Hams Lighthouse

4.6

Exceptional(6639)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 35 times today

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.

2. Coasterra

4.5

Awesome(7527)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 90 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

3. Island Prime

4.6

Exceptional(8308)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 60 times today

Island Prime is a go-to spot for special occasions, as it provides a unique and exceptional dining experience. The stunning views of San Diego Bay and Coronado, along with its excellent food and service, make it an ideal place for birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and other special events. Many reviewers noted the exceptional attention to detail and the staff's superb customer service. Whether you're looking for a fine dining experience or an intimate setting to make a special day even more memorable, Island Prime is highly recommended.

4. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6425)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 71 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

5. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8615)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 58 times today

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)

6. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4273)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 61 times today

Barbusa is a lively, modern Sicilian restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego. Known for its authentic Italian dishes, craft cocktails, and stone-fired pizza, it's a favorite for celebrating special occasions. Reviews highlight the 'authentic, delicious' food, 'fast service', and 'great atmosphere'. Whether it's for business, family, or a romantic evening, Barbusa delivers an 'exquisite dining experience' with 'outstanding service' and a 'fun atmosphere'.

7. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4718)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 50 times today

Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.

8. Cloak + Petal

4.6

Exceptional(944)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Little Italy

Booked 58 times today

Cloak + Petal is a unique, intimate spot perfect for special occasions. With its Tokyo subway-inspired decor and an ambiance that's both hip and cozy, it's a place where you can enjoy authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The rave reviews speak of the excellent food, great service, and lovely ambiance, making it a perfect spot for celebrations, date nights, and birthday parties.

9. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7080)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 59 times today

CUCINA urbana is an acclaimed Italian restaurant in San Diego. It's celebrated for its quality food, excellent service, and unique ambiance. Reviewers rave about the 'fantastic wine selection', 'creative chef', and 'fantastic service'. It's the go-to spot for many for special occasions, as one reviewer mentioned, 'Cucina Urbana continues to be our goto restaurant for special occasions'. The restaurant's warm and welcoming environment, coupled with its exquisite food and drinks, make it perfect for any special celebration.

A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

10. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2427)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 24 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Stephanie
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Food and service was amazing as always! Chelsea was amazing at keeping us happy and making sure we were satisfied with the recent menu changes. Never had a meal I didn’t enjoy here.
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CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
•
4.5
A
Andy
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
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Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
L
Linda
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Superb experience, foodie speaking…food, service, ambiance, all top notch! Thank you Seth!!
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Island PrimePrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.6
J
John
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Mr. A's treats you like you are the only one they are there to serve. Food and drink are exceptional, not to mention the sunset view and continuous airshow. Excellent for a special occasion. Israel our server is tops.
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Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.9
R
Ronvip
San Diego •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
One of the best bay views available. Food is excellent quality and underpriced for the combination of location and food quality. Ron Mix
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Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.6

Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

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84 restaurants available nearby

1. Tom Hams Lighthouse

2. Coasterra

3. Island Prime

4. Herb & Wood

5. Mister A's

6. Barbusa

7. Cowboy Star

8. Cloak + Petal

9. CUCINA urbana

10. Solare Ristorante Lounge

See what locals rave about

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