Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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

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

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

Jive Lounge

4.7

4.7 (52)

$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

Partytime

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

The ambience was perfect. The service was excellent. I will definitely come again. It was great. I had such a marvelous time. We were celebrating my husband’s birthday and really enjoyed ourselves and our friends did too and I have family from Riverside County and they said they would be back good job

El Torito - La Mesa

4.6

4.6 (440)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Service was slow we were told people didn’t show up for work. Orders were not received correctly due to waiter being distracted with other customers calling him. Requested a Caesar salad and I had to remind the waiter my salad was not delivered. Requested no onions or peppers on the quesadillas and there were onions and peppers in the quesadillas. Did I mention service was slow

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Experience

Christmas

Retreat Pool & Cabanas

4.6

4.6 (322)

$50 and over

Californian

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

Everyone needs to treat themselves from time to time. If you’re looking for a getaway from the everyday, look no further than Retreat Pool and Cabanas. Our El Cajon venue offers guests the opportunity to relax, soak up some Vitamin D, and escape in a picturesque aquatic oasis. We offer an array of entertainment and performers throughout the summer months. Our unique and thoughtful layout features two beautiful pool areas and a cleverly designed lazy river. You’ll feel layers of stress melt away as you float down the slow-moving lazy river, taking in your surroundings at a leisurely pace.

Top review

MaryAnn

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

Awesome Lazy river is my fave Cabana was perfect So much fun

The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

4.6

4.6 (28)

$31 to $50

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room features a unique experience of service where you can choose to grill your steaks yourself at the communal grill and offers numerous cuts of meat. Not interested in doing the grilling? We will grill for you and we also have a great selection of entrees and appetizers that are prepared for you. Extensive craft cocktail list, great beer selection and live music most nights in the turquoise room.

Top review

marc

Dined 2 days ago

Kim was awesome. Everyone there really accommodating and friendly. Cool Ron Burgundy vibes.

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

Farmer's Table - La Mesa

4.4

4.4 (2011)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.

Top review

Shamera

Dined 3 days ago

Great customer service and great food. Our server was very attentive and the food tasted amazing

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa

3.8

3.8 (77)

$30 and under

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Ronita

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

I am so glad we had reservations. That pizookie deal sure brings out all the highschool kids. Our server was a plus. She was excellent and made our night!

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