Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Baja Betty's

4.9

4.9 (365)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Kameron

Dined on 10 May 2025

Marc was great. Love coming here on Fridays. Yay Marc

Jive Lounge

4.9

4.9 (64)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Jamul

About the restaurant

Our electric live entertainment venue just steps away from the casino floor features some of Southern California’s hottest DJs and best local bands along with great food, craft beers, and signature handcrafted cocktails.
Make your reservation today! A deposit of $20 per person will be required at the time of check in for your table. This deposit of cash or a credit
Card hold for the amount will be lifted when your party has surpassed this amount of purchased food or

Top review

Rey

Dined on 27 Apr 2025

We always enjoy our time here on our night out with dancing with food.

The Space Pad

4.9

4.9 (67)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Oceanside

About the restaurant

At The Space Pad expect to find cocktails with flavored smoke bubbles floating on top of your drink, cocktails that look like a lava lamp in your hand, change color as you drink, fruit suspensions, and spherified cocktails that you actually eat rather than drink, similar to giant boba pods each individually filled with cocktail ingredients that bursts with flavor and booze when you bite into it.

Reservations offer a 90-minute experience. WALK-INS WELCOME - Reservations not available? We always set aside space to accommodate walk-ins, first come, first served. And before or after your experience at The Space Pad you're welcome to join us at Kilowatt Brewing for our award winning craft beers, hard seltzers, adult slushies, and a bite to eat!

Top review

Diane

Dined on 5 May 2025

We had a great time coming here for a birthday. We had reservations for when they opened and got a large booth that fit all of us. The bartender was awesome and took our orders right away. All the drink were great and the atmosphere was fun and highly themed. It was our second time here and definitely won't be the last. It did take a long time to get our appetizers, but the bartender comped us a few drinks which was great and I think we stayed over our time a little bit, but she never mentioned it.

Dolce

4.8

4.8 (726)

$30 and under

Californian

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Dolce is a high quality, inviting atmosphere and the perfect Ranch neighborhood hideaway. Intimate and lively, Dolce offers delicious local, rustic wine-country inspired cuisine, fine wine and occasions for joyful gatherings.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined on 13 May 2025

Perfect “girls out happy hour” locale! So much fun, great small bites, super wait staff and easy environment. I love Dolce’s “easy elegance” atmosphere and unpretentious bites of goodness. Don’t go!

Ketch Grill & Taps - Portside Pier

4.8

4.8 (156)

$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

TariVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Kind and attentive staff - request for a view of the water was readily given. Excellent food and drink!

Rare Society - Solana Beach

4.8

4.8 (18)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Solana Beach

About the restaurant

Sink your teeth into Rare Society - a modern homage to the golden age of the American steakhouse. Chef and owner Brad Wise reimagines vintage upscale dining with a bold, contemporary edge: a wood-fired grill fueled by red oak, an in-house dry-aging program, sustainably sourced seafood, and a progressive cocktail menu that nods to the classics while pushing boundaries. The space hums with energy - smoke curling from the grill, the scent of fire and flavor wafting through the air. It’s easy to picture a Rat Pack-era dinner party in full swing: elegant, indulgent, just a little unruly. Rare Society doesn’t just pay tribute to steakhouse tradition - it revives it, reinvents it, and serves it with just a little bit of swagger.

Top review

Vince

Dined 1 day ago

Just wow! We had a reservation at 8. We were at the zoo all day and got off the coaster around 5. Snuck over and asked to sit at the bar and eat. We had a great meal. Chopped wedge salad, Lamb lollipops,tuna tartar, beef carpaccio and Brussels. Sooo good. All the servers were delightful. Trying to talk my wife into sneaking in for happy hour apps and wine tonight!

The Grass Skirt

4.7

4.7 (765)

$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

ErinVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great small plates well curated ingredients, yummy drinks loved the ambience

Discover more

Experience

Tiki Bingo w/ Sassy Stiletto Wed May 21st

Miguel's Cocina - Old Town

4.7

4.7 (43)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

The Freshest, Best-Tasting, Cali-Inspired Mexican Food. Our full-service, sit-down restaurant is the best spot to bring the whole family to savor handmade tortillas, mouthwatering salsas, and our famous creamy jalapeno white sauce.

Top review

sim

Dined on 29 Apr 2025

The pork tamale was excellent and I had the whole beans instead of refried on the side. It’s so yummy. The rice was good but I added some hot sauce and mixed in the beans. The cocktails are awesome. We had iced carajillo and added a little milk and orange rind. Delicious.

OB Surf Lodge

4.6

4.6 (16)

$30 and under

American

Ocean Beach

About the restaurant

OB Surf Lodge celebrates the vibrant spirit of 1960s SoCal surf culture, paying tribute to the iconic roots of Ocean Beach and the surf lifestyle that defined the area. Our coastal-inspired brunch, served with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, offers a fresh and exciting experience for every guest. We take pride in preparing our menu from scratch daily and cooking everything to order.

Top review

Chris

Dined on 11 May 2025

Reserved a table for Mother’s Day and it was actually reserved! With a name card and everything. They were greeting mothers with complimentary mimosas and roses. The hostess, waiter, bussers and everyone else were delightful. Pleasant, responsive, fun and hospitable. They made accommodations for my infant in his car seat and everything was lovely. We’re definitely be back!

Culinary Dropout - Del Mar

4.6

4.6 (53)

$30 and under

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

At Culinary Dropout, it’s all about raising a glass to good friends and even better vibes. A spot where flavor and music fuel the soul, kick off happy hour with ice-cold beer and our famous soft pretzels and provolone fondue. Staying for dinner? Dig into our handcrafted cocktails and 36-hour slow-braised pork ribs. Did we mention you won’t want to leave when the band starts? Come hang out and stay a while. We’re always serving damn good food for damn good people.

Top review

RICKVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Indoor outdoor setup with a good vibe, elevated but approachable menu, super friendly and attentive service.

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