Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

LIPS - San Diego

5.0

5 (51)

$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

AlmaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

A small table of 5 consisting of 3 generations... a first for all of us. Food was delicious, entertainment was spectacular. We had a blast!

Youngblood

5.0

5 (1052)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

A curated 90 minute, three course cocktail experience akin to none. $67 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are accepted as early as a month in advance for groups of 4 or less. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@neighborhoodsd.com

Come find us.

Top review

Reggie

Dined 3 days ago

One of my hometown staples for an upscale spot with elevated drinks and great vibes. The cocktails here are exceptional—each one crafted to perfection and absolutely amazing.

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1515)

$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

LizVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The weather was beautiful & warm today & we enjoyed dining outside. The food was great & the servings are large enough to split. I had a glass of sangria which was delicious. The service is great & we had a lovely day. We also took a stroll through the grounds which are lovely!

The Gutter

4.6

4.6 (26)

$30 and under

American

North Park

About the restaurant

“We Are All In The Gutter But Some Of Us Are Looking At The Stars” – Oscar Wilde.

Top review

KristinVIP

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

We had a great experience visiting the gutter. Beautiful lanes, quick service (drinks only, no food) and we had a great time

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Experience

Single Lane for 60 minutes and up to 6 guests 🎳

LEILA

4.7

4.7 (574)

$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

Alysia

Dined 2 days ago

Loved this place! The food and ambience are incredible. Only thing that can improve is the lighting. It’s pretty dark which i understand is for ambience but we could hardly read the menu lol. Other than that, 10/10 loved!

Mister A's

4.8

4.8 (8676)

$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

BillVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Mr A’s is a Christmas tradition for us and it never disappoints. It was busy but all of the staff were wonderful. They worked together like a well oiled machine. From cocktails to desert everything looked and tasted fantastic. Wendy was our wait person and I can only describe her as a rock star. She was working several tables without skipping a beat. She was cool and calm, friendly and helpful, all done with a smile on her face. All in all in was a great dinner. Than you Mr A’s.

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Rancho Santa Fe Bistro

4.8

4.8 (337)

$30 and under

American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro located in the heart of the beautiful downtown Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Our unique bistro offers an amazing menu and a superior wine selection for any lunch or dinner occasion. For lunch walk-ins are welcome.
Owner / Chef Mozy Jahanguiri, who has run restaurants in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas, has opened The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro in the space formerly occupied by The Pantry on Paseo Delicias. Mozy has prepared a menu that offers a wide variety of healthy and stylish fresh grill and more offering a balanced approach to food and wine along with bistro favorites including Oysters Rockefeller, traditional escargots, baked brie with grapes and honey and more for starters. Entrees to satisfy any taste of carefully sourced meats, seafood and much more. Be sure to check out Bistro's beautiful wood wine cellar, housing an extensive collection that spans an impressive 100 years (1897-1997) at a variety of price points.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

What a find in the middle of Rancho Santa Fe! All the decorative lights on, quaint wood framed windows, protected patio out front- we chose a corner table inside, cozy crates of wine and poinsettias piled around, soft conversations from the tables, the gentle maîtred, the comforting waitress. What an ambiance. The Norwegian salmon and New York steak were special. Extensive wine menu. We loved the experience !

MOTHERSHIP

4.8

4.8 (328)

$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

Ericka

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

The Mothership is an experience. From the entrance, decor, service and food. I truly enjoyed the donuts. I also had the noodles and tofu. If you’re alone you’ll be seated at the bar. I believe it was the best seat in the restaurant. If I’m ever in the area again, I’d try their sister restaurant too.

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Experience

EVENT 12.31.24

Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.8

4.8 (1457)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Jamul

About the restaurant

Prime Cut is a classic American steakhouse located inside the lights and flash of an upscale Vegas-style casino just twenty minutes outside the city center. With Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle leading our kitchen, an award-winning wine list designed by Manager Christina Ambriz, and a full bar featuring some of the most unique hand-crafted specialty cocktails, Prime cut is the perfect place for conversation or an intimate dinner.

Specials
Experience the best brunch in San Diego! Join us from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm every Sunday for Prime Cut’s Lobster Brunch. Enjoy a picturesque mountain view, sample from our award-winning wine list, or sip on your favorite craft cocktail while you indulge in delectable creations by Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle.
Lobster Brunch • Sunday • $59.95

Only guests over 21 years old may attend.

Top review

MATTHEW

Dined 6 days ago

This place blows all other steakhouses in San Diego out of the water in every aspect. And they've hidden it from us inside a casino. But this restaurant is where you'll hit the biggest win. No joke.

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1903)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Baci Ristorante offers diners a hint of old world Italian charm, with plush booths, white tablecloths, and gracious servers clad in tuxedos. While the decor is subtly modern, the menu is classic, celebrating Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Specialties include classic pasta dishes, veal, and fresh seafood, with especially tempting daily specials offered by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto. In addition to the cuisine, the restaurant's charming and welcoming features--include an extensive wine list, elegant patio setting, and romantic main dining room--have made Baci a consistent favorite among locals for over 30 years.

Top review

Mike

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Great food and great service for a lunch date...will do it again

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Popular dish

Parmigiana

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