Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in East County? 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!

Lemon Grove Bistro

4.9

4.9 (87)

$30 and under

American

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

In addition to offering comforting American favorites, our menu provides a selection of flavors inspired by our chef’s culinary experiences, ranging from classic Spanish fare to Italian favorites. Our menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest ingredients and provide an exciting dining experience throughout the year.

The Lemon Grove Bistro is in a historic mission-style building in the heart of Lemon Grove. Since 1912, it’s been a place where locals meet and build connections, whether they were picking up their mail at the Sonka General Store in 1944 or ordering custom cakes at the Grove Pastry Shop in 2012.

Come for the food. Stay to experience the inviting ambiance of the historic building and its new garden. Let’s build community--together.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 5 days ago

We come here for all our birthdays and the food quality never disappoints! Ordered the Mushroom Ravioli today, but we’ve had the Paella, Pasta, and Veef plate with mashed potatoes and we want to kiss the chef every time.

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Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1065)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.

Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.

Top review

Suzanne

Dined 1 day ago

I along with the rest of party chose a different holiday dinner, all were wonderful. The service and experience is always amazing. We look forward to what new creative dishes they with put out for the new year.

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4.8

4.8 (2386)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.

Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?

About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.

We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Our evening was great the food was delish as we celebrated our 51 wedding anniversary our waitress was delightful. We will come back thank you

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Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.8

4.8 (1455)

$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 1 day 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

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4163)

$30 and under

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history: "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today - just to name a few.

Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats.

With an updated nautical decor, the busy Oyster bar is hands-down the local favorite. Lush flowering foliage outdoors creates an elegant dining experience on one of two charming patios.

The La Mesa Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch every Sunday.

Join us for our signature Happy Hour.

Top review

FabienneVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always thoroughly enjoy our dining experience at The Brig . . . The food, service and ambience are great!!

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Aromi Italian Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (239)

$30 and under

Italian

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Discover Aromi, where Italian authenticity meets affordability. Our casual Italian restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, serving up delicious dishes bursting with flavors at budget-friendly prices. From traditional pasta classics to mouthwatering entrees, Aromi ensures an unforgettable dining experience that won't break the bank.

Top review

ElaineVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always a treat to come to Aromi. As close to Italy as you can get!

Baron Long Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (531)

$31 to $50

Californian

Alpine

About the restaurant

Baron Long Bar & Grill features a familiar food menu, along with craft beer & cocktails for friends and family to enjoy while dining in a comfortable, energetic, sociable sports bar environment. We’ve put our spin on American bar food classics using the best local ingredients and freshly prepared food that is sure to please sports fans and foodies alike.

Guests can watch the action of their favorite game on our 16 TVs located throughout the restaurant, including (10) 85” screens. Share some appetizers over drinks with your friends or order your favorite burger from our extensive food menu. The beverage menu boasts a seasonal craft cocktail menu, 16 draft beers from our showcase keg room, focusing on notable San Diego breweries, as well as two rotating taps that will pique your interest frequently.

Top review

jimenezVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Good food. Great prices. Excellent service from staff.

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

4.5

4.5 (386)

$31 to $50

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Here at Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill we are committed to providing our customers with an excellent dining experience. Each dish on our menu is prepared using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill is unique with its classic Japanese design, fused with a modern bistro look combined with earth tones and lighting to create a visual atmosphere one can't forget!

Top review

MelVIP

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

I was pleasantly surprised by this sushi place. I had no expectations and I loved the hamachi jalapeño bites, the genmaicha tea, my friend had the mount something roll and it was good!! We liked everything- we also had a miso soup and the pork gyozas

Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino

4.6

4.6 (1766)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Alpine

About the restaurant

The Grove Steakhouse has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. Resplendent with luxurious décor and a warm, inviting atmosphere, The Grove offers classic and contemporary cuisine for the definitive gourmet experience. Relax in calming ambience while you’re pampered by our world-class service. Our attention to detail and gourmet selections will make your dining experience a pleasure long remembered. Experience an exciting new menu, which includes an array of tantalizing entrées and desserts that are sure to satisfy and inspire you to return again and again.

Top review

Alberto

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

The best part of dining at the Grove is being waited on by Felix! He is great at what he does and is super friendly and personable. My wife had the filet mignon and I had the Ribeye cap. Both cuts were grilled to perfection, they were very tender and tasty - best steaks we’ve had in a long time. We were totally taken care of and will visit again soon…

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Popular dish

Petit Filet Mignon 8oz

Popular dish

Porterhouse Steak 22oz

Popular dish

Atlantic Sea Scallops

Casa Gabriela

4.7

4.7 (747)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.

The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

Top review

Gina

Dined 2 days ago

We really enjoy this beautiful restaurant. We always sit outside in the garden patio section. The staff here are top notch. Food is amazing. Can’t wait to go back.

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

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