Best Happy Hour Spots in San Diego

“The Mediterranean cuisine was so flavorful and fresh (seriously some of the best hummus, gyros, and salads we’ve had)”

“The food is consistently delicious; my favorites are the fresh arugula salad. Creamy hummus and the tasty grilled meats.”

“Sarah was our server. And her suggestion on what we should try was outstanding.”

“I had the lasagna and brussels sprouts, which were both outstanding, and my wife got the salmon and the broccolini.”

“We visited the Witherby before a show at the Balboa Theater, and we're blown away by its beauty, the excellent staff, and the food/drinks.”

“The shrimp garlic noodle was amazing! We tried the banana bread pudding an it was stellar too.”

“Really great NY style pizza, I snagged some cheese, pepperoni, and the hot honey. All were delicious and I enjoyed them all!”

“Best service. Carlos gave us a good time and Jacob served us the best pizza.”

“This place was and is still AMAZING!!! Light, crispy, new York style pizza.”

“Hands down the best Detroit style pizza I have ever had.”

“This place is my dream come true! As a Detroiter, I was blown away when I found out this place existed!!!”

“My family went for dinner recently and two soccer teams were having their team parties-every parking spot taken and still the food and service was on point!”

“I literally just had the BEST burger in SD! It’s called The Big Shoulders.”

“The food is delicious and always hits the spot, and you can tell the team genuinely cares about providing a great experience.”

“George is incredible! He brings so much energy and warmth to the place, making every visit memorable.”

“Loved all the staffs working here, especially Sunny, who took great care of us.”

“The fish is very fresh, and the toro roll is my go-to.”

“Even my picky children loved the food and they HATE FISH.”

“Chris was absolutely amazing! The food was 100/10! I’m honestly so speechless with how effective & pleasurable this dining experience was!”

“The chimichurri flank steak is to die for and the mahi with pesto and rice is the best.”

“The service was top-tier! Our waitress, Sydney, was running the entire restaurant and she was absolutely phenomenal.”

“My wife and I have had the pleasure of dining at Animae in downtown San Diego multiple times, and each visit has been consistently excellent.”

“The atmosphere has a moody-Great-Gatsby vibe that is perfect for an intimate night with a significant other.”

“The beet salad was delicious; the way they used tofu to mimic ricotta cheese was perfect!”

“The food was spectacular, fish super fresh and I had the best service from Argenis, super nice guy and gave me the best recommendation.”

“The Jun course we shared was perfectly paced (got to try things we wouldn’t have ordered and loved it) The quality of the sushi was so good for the price.”

“We love coming here as it’s way less busy than the Bay-Ho location. But not because the quality is any less!”

“We chose to start with a Caesar salad and fresh minestrone soup. Our main course was ravioli and pasta primavera.”

“We arrived at 11am when they opened and was seated at a table in the corner by a very nice waiter.”

“This will be my go to whenever I am in San Diego. Such a lovely place to eat ❤️”

“Have been going here for a couple of years now, and this place, hands down, has some of the best Thai food in SD!”

“The chicken fried rice is one of my favorites — the perfect balance of textures and flavors.”

“This place did not disappoint! Good thai food is something my girlfriend and I are always looking for and this place hit the spot.”

“George and Samia's warmth & friendliness which made it the best dinner in the world.”

“The owners Samia and George are extremely nice and always make sure that everything is to your liking.”

“This highly regarded restaurant has been featured on Guy Fieri's TV series Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”

“I had the special made on the cheese wheel! Pasta was excellent with a great Montepulciano wine!”

“Outstanding service as well. Definitely try it out, you won't be disappointed!”

“Amuri has quickly become one of my favorite spots here in Poway.”

“My family and I we just move to live in Hillcrest and honestly this is the Best pizza 🍕we ever try”

“This go-to in Hillcrest I've past by a dozen times. You have most likely as.”

“They were able to answer my questions. Gluten Free 12" pizzas are available (the crust …)”

“The lamb birria was tender and flavorful and the sope was soft a perfect vehicle for the beans, meat, and eggs.”

“On top of that, the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and portions. Highly recommend supporting this local spot.”

“Excellent vegan cuisine and outstanding cocktails! Really pleased that we stopped in and highly recommend to all diets.”

“Food is delicious and high quality, reasonable prices, and huge portions. Some of the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.”

“The best part of the lobster roll was the huge portions of lobster. Other restaurants put mayo and other stuff and the roll isn't even full still.”

“When I first came I saw the price for two sandwiches and was reluctant… but when they came out I was amazed! Extremely generous portions and delicious taste.”

“Would recommend a reservation as it was busy, and prepare for a potentially long wait for food.”

“Their mushroom risotto was one of the best meals I’ve had in years.”

“The service at a stellar 20/10! Angela and Vittorio took care of us, creating a homely atmosphere.”

“This is the perfect spot for a romantic date night, a celebration, or simply to treat yourself to a fine dining experience with a view.”

“I went for Sunday jazz brunch! Incredible staff and beautiful decor.”

“The service was impeccable. The staff was not only knowledgeable and professional but also warm and attentive, ensuring that every aspect of the evening was seamless.”

“The vibe is incredible. The aesthetics are sexy, beautifully curated, and the atmosphere feels elevated while still welcoming.”

“Our server, Carlos, was outstanding. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and gave thoughtful recommendations that truly elevated the experience.”

“While we'll give them grace on food prep time since the restaurant just opened, the service was outstanding.”

“Pizzas by Nathan were amazing. Recommend the arugula and also the Nutella pizzas specifically!”

“The pizza was delicious. They make the dough and everything fresh and in house.”

“It came at the perfect timing to eat and watch the Padre game.”

“This is the BEST bbq place i have had in San Diego, the tri tip is better then anywhere else & the garlic rolls are delicious!”

“The tri tip was especially tasty. We also ordered some baby back ribs, which were excellent.”

“The price was around 20 to 30. It had a nice sear and my steak was cooked properly.”

“Our favorite French restaurant! Best date night place, just casual date, or if you want to have great French food.”

“Been to Et Voila restaurant 6 times in the past few years and going again tonight with friends. Always excellent quality food and service.”

“Grace was a wonderful waitress. We felt like we were the only people in the restaurant.”

“From the moment I arrived the service was superb and the entire evening was a mixture of great food, excellent wine and a fantastic atmosphere.”

“The prosciutto-wrapped burrata was really nice too, I loved how it was placed on a thick slice of golden beet.”

“This place is hands-down was our favorite place when we lived in the area. It's well worth the price.”

“The beet salad and tuna starter (Thom Cru) were real stand-outs during an overall delicious happy hour meal.”

“I had the French Onion soup, delicious HOT and fresh truffles fries with REAL truffles from Spain, the duck pate with gorgeous accompaniment, escargot, and fresh baguette”

“Went for happy hour, the burger was phenomenal and the escargot was great too.”

“Our experience at Top of the Market was nothing short of phenomenal — and that’s all thanks to our incredible waitress, Julia.”

“I've been to a lot of fine dining places but Top of the Market takes the Top spot on my list.”

“For a Saturday night, it was pretty quiet, but we really liked that since it felt more private.”

“Delicious , fast, friendly and plentiful portions. Good value and the sides come in more than a Dixie cup!”

“I've stopped here twice now and have had wonderful service and delicious food and beer both times.”

“We thoroughly enjoyed dining at Del's Hideout, the setup is nice and open, family friendly, lots of tvs showing various sports games, the food is delicious”

“My family loved it!!! We had the Porterhouse for 2, Mussels, 2 oz A5 Wagyu (melter in our mouth) and …”

“The Steak itself was cooked perfectly, seared well, had an amazing tenderness, and was seasoned well.”

“My son was home from the military this summer and we went to dinner at Cowboy Star for his last night home.”

“Update: It’s still amazing, years later. The consistency of this restaurant is ridiculous.”

“This is one of our favorite places to bring big groups of friends and the pizzas are always a hit.”

“We’ve been to Tribute twice now—once a while back when we brought my mom along, and then just recently, just the two of us.”

“The manager, Luke was so knowledgeable and had the best personality and customer service, the absolute highlight of my evening.”

“Excellent broths, food and service. They give you just enough attention throughout your meal to be respectful, charismatic and get you what you need without pestering you.”

“The manager or owner (assumed) was also very amazing - accommodating and friendly!”

“Our server was the most helpful and friendly server we've had in a while. She gave us excellent recommendations.”

“Tucked away in a quiet corner of Mission Hills, you would probably never end up here without hearing about it first.”

“Tried to make a reservation 3 times with no luck. Ended up just a random day walking in and getting a table.”

“My friends usually get the Margherita or some other vegetarian one, and those are always delicious as well.”

“The best pizza, calamari. Wish I lived closer to come more often.”

“Went there for a date to try them after the new opening and renovations have done was great and tasted amazing.”

“We ended up having the tuna tartar, the escargot, lamb osso buco, and fish of the day (it was chilean seabass) and would highly recommend them all.”

“Chef's mercy menu was extremely well paired with the wines and offered a unique dining experience with plenty of pleasant culinary surprises.”

“We love going there for the happy hour and hang out in the bar area”

“The lunch menu $18 for a huge "salad bar" that does include charcuterie style meats, lix salmon & a delicious black bean soup w pork.”

“We've been to several Fogos in different states but this one was the best experience ever!”

“The Market Table was fresh and full of delicious options that complemented the meal beautifully.”

“Josiah was an excellent waiter—attentive without hovering, genuinely funny, and incredibly engaging.”

“Food has always been amazing. Service is always been amazing.”

“Only not amazing thing about this place was it's by a busy street.”

“The espresso martinis and flight of mimosas were only topped by the amazing food and service.”

“This is one of my favorite go to spots for date night or a night out with the girls!”

“Tuna Tostada was incredible and also the vegetarian options were great.”

“Amazing food and even better service at Cucina Urbana. Bobby at the bar is fantastic, and the pizza + chopped salad are must-orders.”

“The food was fantastic - from the salads to appetizers (focaccia!) to the pasta/pizza/fish/chicken to the dessert.”

“Our server Shawn gave excellent service. Truly favorite in the neighborhood. Highly recommend.”

“The salmon taquitos, poke salad and braised short rib w/ mushroom risotto (entree recommended by Davide. The best host) All ordered, were flavorful.”

“Alex was a fantastic server! 10/10 recommendations on the sushi! Alex recommended the tropical roll and the Leyenda De Zama roll they were amazing!!”

“I had the best experience at Zama thanks to David! From the moment we sat down, he was warm, attentive, and genuinely made the night feel special.”

“The food was superb! The seabass dish was cooked to perfection. Youhave to try the tiramisu. It's served in a terra cotta pot and delicious!”

“Our waitress was incredibly polite and friendly, and we had a wonderful conversation with our lovely waitress & the Restaurant owner himself!”

“Some of the best Italian food I’ve had in San Diego. Loved every dish we ordered and I would definitely recommend this place if you’re in the San Diego area.”

“Best Italian in town! Old school, family-owned business that's been a staple of Little Italy for decades.”

“I also had the best chicken parm sandwich of my life!”

“Any business that is 70 years old is that old for a reason. Quality. Consistency. Value.”

“Awesome service and delicious pizza and garlic knots! Pizza is a deeper crust and we ended up getting two orders of knots.”

“The meatballs and mozzarella sticks were amazing, and to call the truffle cream gnocchi "perfectly delectable pillowy clouds …”

“The chicken parm pizza looked nothing like the picture posted. All the chicken was burnt black, and was lacking cheese.”

“Pablo was an excellent host. He was so patient with our large party.”

“My wife is gluten-free and this place's gf pasta is truly phenomenal.”

“We didn't have a reservation, and thankfully we were eating early and were easily seated, but I would recommend making a reservation to be sure you get in!”

“This is my third time at Ichifuji which has been my favorite omakase spot in San Diego.”

“Chefs are masters in their craft, and it shows. Each preparation was absolutely amazing!”

“The food is truly delicious! Come for an amazing experience and gastronomical delight!”

“First time here and it was amazing. Staff was nice and friendly- he gave my son good options for being first timers.”

“I've been coming to this location for years. Food is always great, and the service is equally amazing.”

“Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks! Got a Mushroom Cheesesteak, a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Garlic Fries. Everything was excellent.”

“Common Stock is an excellent choice for high-quality cuisine at an affordable price, all while providing a perfectly lit ambiance.”

“Their Nashville Hot Chicken is scrumptious, and the drinks selection blend tradition with experimentation.”

“My only issue is the difficulty in finding parking and the cost of parking.”

“The Guido is one of the best burger that I have ever had.”

“Alex provided excellent service. He guided us through our order and helped us choose the correct quantities for each plate, which made a huge difference.”

“The atmosphere is fun, loud, and full of character — think license plates on the walls, cool music, and that laid-back SoCal energy.”

“Best sushi we have had in San Diego, even probably the best we’ve had in the US. Incredibly fresh and delicious 😋”

“Chef Ivan was phenomenal! Every dish was beautifully prepared, perfectly presented, and absolutely delicious.”

“We sat at the sushi bar both times and had excellent food and service.”

“The beef pho was so delicious and the young lady who served me was so kind and welcoming.”

“The food arrives in less than five minutes, and the service is outstanding—friendly and welcoming from start to finish.”

“The owner is just amazing and the hospitality is excellent.”

“Excellent daily happy hour 4-6pm value.$2 fish tacos and $6 Cab. Amazing to have a light fish dinner for $10 in this ever-inflated economy.”

“The cauliflower and Quinoa bowl. So, so tasty, the cauliflower is delicious!”

“The service is consistently outstanding, the food is always delicious, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.”

“Drinks were fantastic, brussel sprouts delicious, and lobster tacos had a good amount of lightly breaded lobster for a great price!”

“This restaurant is right on the boardwalk and has a beautiful view of the sand and the ocean.”

“The manager, Roxanne, is incredible! My parents have mobility issues and she ensures that we have a table that can accommodate them EVERY time we visit.”

“This spot tucked away in Point Loma is a go-to for amazing Italian cuisine in San Diego.”

“I have never been disappointed at The Venetian. One of my top pick places.”

“Super chill vibes, great service (shoutout to Quinn for being awesome), and just an all-around solid spot to grab a bite.”

“The food here was awesome! I had a relleno, taco, and enchilada. I recommend it all.”

“I had a relleno, taco, and enchilada. I recommend it all.”

“It's a very nice Mexican restaurant that is located directly at a local small airport.”

“The staff were attentive and know the menu inside and out. The service combines to provide an excellent experience for all diners.”

“Wow… every bite is like its own adventure. The variety of fish that was served paired with the detail of the chefs was a perfect combination that made this …”

“This was incredible. The service was perfect, the vibe was casual with the focus being the food.”

“This place was seriously the best. Great food, great prices and friendly staff.”

“The seaweed salad had a very beautiful presentation and it was delicious.”

“My favorite menu item is the beer and saki special!”

“We were seated at the bar, but with the dividers they placed it felt very intimate still, and we loved watching the chefs cook.”

“Our server (Mar) was my new best friend , and everyone else was respectful, friendly and wearing a smile while working a busy night.”

“They don't have hot sauce if wondering, but they have a chili sauce and powder I mixed that did the job and didn't take away from their amazing flavors.”

“We’ve eaten at practically every sushi spot in San Diego and nothing comes close to the quality you get here.”

“My whole family is full of sushi addicts and we still haven’t found anywhere that compares to Mr. Sushi.”

“When we arrived, the restaurant was completely full. Despite our reservation, we were told to sit at the bar.”

“The Sandbox has some of the best wings in SD! We also tried the BBQ pizza and it was so good!”

“Our server, the Canadian girl, was so lovely. The food comes fast and is delicious.”

“Very annoyed with the service and intentionally deceptive happy hour menu pricing. DO NOT order the Lychee Ball cocktail.”

“Kim was the best to guide us along on our first visit! Would recommend just based off of her service!”

“The food was outstanding,from the kimchi Brussels sprouts to the gnocchi.”

“Our server was great and she helped me order family style for the group, everyone went home happy with a belly full of great food.”

“The Starters: A Masterclass in Seafood We kicked things off with the Yellowtail appetizer, and it was the perfect opening note—insanely fresh, buttery, and bright.”

“The atmosphere was great and service was some of the best I’ve had in San Diego I would recommend it”

“The staff is amazing. Our server was personable, knowledgeable, and clearly cared about what she was doing.”

“Our wonderful waiter Seth gave us the best hospitality and we will definitely be coming back :)”

“I've had breakfast there twice and both times the food was hot and delicious 😋.”

“RAFAEL Razo our waiter happily gave himself an 18% tip without my authorization when he charged my debit card.”

“Brisket and pork ribs were good. Their bbq sauce was not my favorite as it had a high alcohol like flavor.”

“The brisket was on point, very delicious with tasty sides and of course I had to try the banana pudding, which was fantastic.”

“The wings were absolutely amazing and easily the best I have ever had, perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty.”

“Miguel’s Cocina in San Diego is a wonderful place to enjoy Mexican food with an amazing ocean view.”

“I had the black bean and corn enchiladas with sweet potatoes and they were delicious.”

“Our server did mention that there was a rush and that they were understaffed, but the main issue was the clear difference in service.”

“Andrew was our server and he was amazing! The wine he recommended was superb and was perfect with my dinner!”

“My go-to spot in Point Loma for Italian. It's my favorite ambiance + the food is always consistent and hot!”

“We went to Old Venice for my husband’s birthday with a large group of 13 and had such a great time.”

“Andres is the best waiter ever! From the moment we sat down, he was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared about making our experience great.”

“The pasta with pesto and shrimp was hands down one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had.”

“We had our 7 and 5 year olds with us and between the awesome music and outstanding service(and the food), they were engaged the entire time.”

“This place has the BEST salmon skin roll I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

“Delicious sushi, the friendliest service ever, and I love supporting a local family business!”

“This is hands down the best low key inexpensive sushi joint in the county.”

“Came to try their fries without seed oils! The duck fat is a great alternative and it tasted amazing, fresh, and crispy.”

“The food is great and I highly recommend the duck dive burger, but the service is another story.”

“The adobo chicken tacos were hands down the best tacos I’ve ever had.”

“Dare you to find a better dining experience in San Diego. Best Omikase in San Diego County, regardless of what stars and mentions others may have.”

“This is my second time having omakase at Kinme and it is again phenomenal.”

“My favourite omakase, and I've had many. I haven't felt this level of happiness and excitement in an omakase since my first one.”

“Margie was our server and she was fantastic, super attentive and made us feel well taken care of the entire time.”

“This place is amazing! Walked in simply for a drink with my wife and decided to have dinner for the smell alone!”

“Kevin was awesome. Happy hour was perfect. Cocktails are great!”

“Great indoor/outdoor patio with a DJ spinning vinyl and excellent selection of wine.”

“Perfect place for a before dinner cocktail, date and chatting!”

“Located on the corner of University and Normal Street in a small strip of shops, Cellar Hand is such a favorite.”

“I absolutely loved it!!❤️ I have Lupus, anemia, Epstein–Barr virus & I’m lactose intolerant so I truly appreciated the gluten free, seed oil free, vegan & dairy free options :)”

“It's great place to kick back and have amazing quality and tasting food in a cool casual environment.”

“He was also considerate in asking if I wanted to turn on another football game besides the Detroit Lions' game.”

“Truly the best smash burgers in town. They are cooked to perfect smothered in toppings and dripping with flavor.”

“Wonderful local tavern! Nestled in North Park this spot serves amazing smash burgers and has a good beer selection.”

“Both burgers were amazing definitely top of my smash burger list.”

“This is not fine dining, just the best Chinese I've found in SD so far.”

“Things on the website is inaccurate. For example chicken says 9 pieces but when asked they said always come with 8.”

“I want to start off by WARNING anyone with a shell fish allergy to stay away from this establishment.”

“Location: 10/10 !! Great atmosphere, cozy, and most of all, in the heart of the Gaslamp district (very central).”

“Jenna was our server and she was nothing short of fantastic and an absolutely favorite!”

“Considering the top quality ingredients and the excellent attention to detail, the price was shockingly low.”

“The lamb burger, which was one of the absolute best burgers I’ve ever had, and my fiancé had fish and chips that were …”

“Our waitress, Trang, was so knowledgeable about the menu, considerate of dietary needs and preferences, and was constantly on top of our needs.”

“This spot in Little Italy was very comforting and the service was chill just like the vibe of the place.”

“The staff are great! The vibes are fantastic! The food isnt very good, croquetas were frozen inside, and the cheese and charcuterie board had more flowers than jamòn.”

“Date night offers so many choices downtown, but you can't go wrong with live music and Spanish tapas and sangria!”

“This would be a good place for a lively energetic noisey evening out for people to enjoy themselves, especially with the live music.”

“We have been going to this wonderful restaurant for many years and have never been disappointed.”

“I sat at an almost empty bar and the rest of the place was just as dead, apparently because of the Padres game.”

“So good! Came a few minutes before 6 so were able to take advantage of the happy hour specials and tried 3 different street tacos”