Best restaurants near me in Santee, CA

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

697 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill restaurant

1. Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

4.6

Exceptional(419)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • La Mesa

Booked 39 times today

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!

A photo of Brigantine La Mesa restaurant

2. Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

Exceptional(4295)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • La Mesa

Booked 60 times today

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.

A photo of Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon restaurant

3. Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4.5

Awesome(2183)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • El Cajon / Lakeside

Booked 31 times today

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on your own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget.

A photo of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa restaurant

4. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa

4.1

Excellent(99)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • La Mesa

Booked 14 times today

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.

5. LEILA

4.8

Exceptional(1229)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Middle Eastern • North Park

Booked 155 times today

A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects. Reservations recommended , walk-ins welcome at the bar. Leila welcomes you.858-SAFFRON

6. Casa Gabriela

4.7

Exceptional(876)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Mesa

Booked 44 times today

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.

7. Starlite

4.7

Exceptional(229)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Mission Hills

Booked 105 times today

Starlite: A timeless San Diego icon with a fresh future, helmed by Chef Ted Smith.Please note: Our establishment is 21+

8. Seneca

4.7

Exceptional(4620)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 121 times today

Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

A photo of Javier's - La Jolla restaurant

9. Javier's - La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(3847)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 231 times today

JAVIER'S presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. Enjoy hand-shaken margaritas, rare tequilas, craft cocktails and a vast selection of beer and fine wines. Dine with us in the main dining room, al fresco patios, one of our semi private dining rooms, or at the exquisite bar surrounded by one of the West Coast's largest selection of the world's finest tequilas. We at JAVIER'S consider all our wonderful customers a part of our family and thank them for their support and sharing in the success and joy that is JAVIER'S. Come experience the freshness of our original Mexican cuisine in a warm, friendly environment at one of our five locations.Please be advised we don't allow strollers. If you bring your stroller we have a designated area to store your stroller while you dine.

10. Juniper & Ivy

4.7

Exceptional(8284)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Little Italy

Booked 40 times today

Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.

Dining near Santee, CA at a glance

Updated on 6/13/2025

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From verified diners like you

G
GabrielleVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Excellent food - dining at Leila is an experience!
More info
LEILAPrice: Expensive• Middle Eastern• North Park
•
4.8
K
Karla
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Our waiter was amazing and the food was delicious! However, the place is a little loud due to your openness of the dining area.
More info
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La MesaPrice: Moderate• American• La Mesa
•
4.1
C
Catherine
San Diego •20 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
This is one f our “go to” places for excellent service and food. And lunch on their beautiful patio is extra special. We were celebrating and it was a great experience
More info
Brigantine La MesaPrice: Moderate• Seafood• La Mesa
•
4.8
M
Maggie
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 2, 2025
Our experiences at Black Angus have never been a problem. We have always enjoyed our meals & service. Thank you to everyone of your staff members.
More info
Black Angus Steakhouse - El CajonPrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• El Cajon / Lakeside
•
4.5
M
Mike and MollyVIP
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
We frequently dine at Banbu Sushi. It’s become our regular, decompress Friday go-to spot. Creative, high quality and delicious food and drink offerings, consistently excellent and friendly service (special thanks to wonderful Cass who has taken care of us several times!) keep us coming back! Depending on where your table is will change the rating on ambiance. Many places/tables warrant 5 stars while others not (due to kitchen traffic, noise level, temperature variance). It’s has always still been a wonderful experience and we’re so glad Banbu Sushi is thriving!!
More info
Banbu Sushi Bar & GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• La Mesa
•
4.6

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Best restaurants near me in Santee, CA

Price

Cuisine

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

697 restaurants available nearby

1. Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

2. Brigantine La Mesa

3. Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa

5. LEILA

6. Casa Gabriela

7. Starlite

8. Seneca

9. Javier's - La Jolla

10. Juniper & Ivy

Dining near Santee, CA at a glance

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Italian

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