Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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

4.8

4.8 (72)

$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

Tim

Dined 3 days ago

Always have a great time here. Food is always excellent with a great atmosphere.

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4119)

$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

Meredith

Dined 3 days ago

It's not easy but the Halibut is always so well pre-pared and boy does it taste too good. Ate too much we couldn't order the Mud Pie that we love, but there is always next time. Thank you.

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.9

4.9 (1039)

$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

Lance

Dined 7 days ago

Everything was great. Our food was amazing and the service as attentive and friendly. It was very hot in the dining area... but it was in the middle of a heat wave, so I will extend some grace on that! We love this place and its always on our short list when we are looking for something close and nice. I recommend Giardino's without hesitation.

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4.8

4.8 (43)

$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

Debbie

Dined on Sep 8, 2024

Emerald Chinese Cuisine. Great food, price just right!

Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino

4.6

4.6 (1736)

$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

Carolyn

Dined 2 days ago

Great menu... excellent choices. Great service. Beautiful plates of delicious food!

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Popular dish

Petit Filet Mignon 8oz

Popular dish

Porterhouse Steak 22oz

Popular dish

Atlantic Sea Scallops

Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1424)

$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 & Sommelier Gary-Joseph Robertson, 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 Cheryl Cruz.

Lobster Brunch • Sunday • $59.95

Only guests over 21 years old may attend.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Our server Ricki was great, she explained what was new on the brunch menu and gave recommendations. The food was delicious and the place was clean.

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Antica Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (2341)

$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

Dannyvip

Dined 3 days ago

Great food. Friendly service. Wonderful customer service and decor

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The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

4.5

4.5 (19)

$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

Cozette

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

It's was a Birthday celebration our server was Kim. Kim gave us her favorite dishes and we tried the mushrooms in bourbon, mashed potatoes, flat steak ,their version of Mac & chesse. All Kim's favorites dishes became ours. So thank you again Kim for a great Birthday celebration.

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

4.6

4.6 (365)

$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

RUBYvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

We ordered sushi, sashimi, drinks, and dessert. Everything was pretty amazing.

Casa Gabriela

4.7

4.7 (694)

$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

Chris

Dined 2 days ago

Food is amazing and creative menu. Price is on the upper end for Mexican food but is worth it. Will be returning to try different items on the menu. The cauliflower appetizer was awesome!

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

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