How is The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma restaurant rated?

Name: The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma
Address: 1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA, United States, 92101-5101
Telephone: (619) 515-3000
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma

4.6 (149)

$31 to $50

Californian

1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-5101

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Great for creative cocktails

Unwind at our Downtown San Diego Café. We’ll prepare your favorite beverage: a flat white, a fresh-squeezed juice or an Aperol spritz. Any time of day. (We don’t judge.) We’re here to serve: tasty pastries, craft coffee, hearty SoCal cuisine like classic breakfast plates and our Alma Double Cheeseburger, and of course: delicious libations. Just ask. After all, it’s what we’re here for.

Not bookable

Online reservations at The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma can only be made directly on their website.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, American, Café
Hours of operation
Daily 7:00 am–1:30 pm Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 515-3000
Website
https://www.stayalma.com/restaurants-bars/the-cafe/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Private party facilities
Special occasions remind us there's always something to toast to. Whether it's a birthday bash, anniversary party, or even a dinner meeting, our private dining rooms are your culinary blank canvas. Invite your favorite people for a fun evening out with a curated menu and an impeccable vibe.

Location
1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-5101
Neighborhood
California
Cross street
Broadway
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
5th Street Blue line Trolley
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

Lounge Exclusive: Wine Flight
Multiple dates available
Sun - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM,Wed - Thu - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM,Fri - Sat - 5:00 PM - 9:45 PM
Stop by the bar in The Desmond for our newest offering: a wine flight featuring a variety of four 3oz pours, each paired with a light bite. Now available in The Desmond's lounge for $25 per person.
Wine B-Sides
Multiple dates available
Sun - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM,Wed - Thu - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Enjoy up to 50% off select wines by the bottle every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at The Desmond. Ask your server for details. Selection may vary.

Popular dishes

Oysters on the Half Shell$28.00
mezcal mignonette, lemon, house made hot sauce
Patatas Bravas$15.00
okinawan purple potato, harissa aioli, nuoc cham vinaigrette, scallion
Moroccan Lamb and Pork Meatballs$19.00
smoked tomato tajin, semolina polenta, honey, dates
Octopus al Pastor Tostada$22.00
guajillo harissa marinade, tepache avocado salsa verde, grilled pineapple, pickled red onions, cilantro
BBQ Spring Carrots$20.00
carrot top pesto, ras el hanout, honey, crispy quinoa
Spring Lettuces$16.00
green tahini dressing, marcona almonds, marinated cherry tomato, dill, grilled strawberries
Roasted Cauliflower$21.00
romesco sauce, salsa macha, vadouvan, grilled lemon
BBQ Carrots$17.00
carrot top pesto, whiped citrus goat cheese, ras el hanout honey, crispy quinoa
Fennel and Apple Salad$16.00
bloomsdale spinach, apples, dates, parsley, apple vinaigrette, fennel pollen

Fresh Pastas

Agnolotti$26.00
caramelized carrot, maitake mushroom, black kale, parmesan, chive
Bucatini$29.00
calabrian chili and pancetta sugo, herbed ricotta, pickled fresno, marjoram
Rigatoni$28.00
duck confit, candied pearl onion, madeira mushroom cream, bread crumbs, petit herbs

Entrees

Local Bass$50.00
bbq maitake, roasted sunchokes, lemon, fennel
Seared Tuna$40.00
pepperonata, white gazpacho sauce, green grapes, almonds
Hanger Steak$52.00
grilled asparagus, potato rosti, salsa macha, yuzu kosho bernaise
Roasted Half Chicken$34.00
coconut forbidden rice, snap pea salad, pepitas
Lamb Shank$35.00
mole negro, black kale, dukkah, petit herbs

Dessert

Wildflower Honey Coconut Tapioca$15.00
mango custard, honey sweet mango, coconut geleé, toasted coconut
Pecan Carrot Cake$15.00
citrus cream cheese, candied carrot curls, sumac carrot dust
Dark Chocolate Silk Pie$15.00
salted cream, shaved chocolate, morello cherry hot fudge, roasted cocoa nibs
Seasonal Ice Cream and Sorbet$10.00

What 149 people are saying

The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

149 Reviews

T
Trina
San Diego1 review
4.0
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Food excellent but had a long wait for service. Staff extremely friendly.
Is this helpful?
K
Karenza VIP
Chicago21 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service was nice. I was there to celebrate my birthday but for too full for a dessert. They put a cheesecake in my bag with a candle. That made my night.
Is this helpful?
C
Chris VIP
San Diego14 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Whether you are a local or a San Diego visitor looking for a place that is nearby but free of the Gas Lamp or Little Italy crowds, try the Desmond. In the Kimpton hotel - but promise - it is not your typical hotel restaurant. Excellent and creative chef, interesting menu, reasonably priced, attentive and delightful staff. What more could you want?! We have been here a few times - and every time we come back to the Desmond, we leave saying, we need to visit more often. It’s that good.
The Café & Lobby Bar at AlmaResponded on September 12, 2024
Hi Chris, We're overjoyed to hear that you enjoyed your experience at The Desmond. We're glad that our unique location and creative menu made a positive impression on you. We're also thrilled that you found our prices reasonable and our staff attentive and delightful. Your kind words mean a lot to us and motivate us to continue providing excellent food and service. We will be sure to share your review with the whole staff. We're looking forward to your next visit. Thank you for your continued support! Warm Regards, The Desmond Management Team
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando1 review
3.0
Dined on August 24, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food was WAY too salty for us, I mean wow. 9 pm on a Friday there was no one there so that should have been a clue food wasn’t great. Service was fine and they comped us a desert. Apologies to the folks there but I do not recommend this place.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
San Diego11 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Outstanding dining experience. The food was nicely paired with wonderful Justin with es.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
San Diego1 review
3.0
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Unfortunately the food wasn’t that good. The octopus was overly charred and the pork loin was so fatty I could t eat it. So for the price, I have had so much better. The ambiance was decent though and the company was great.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County4 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went for the Justin wine pairing dinner. Every single course was off the charts amazing. Excellent staff. We were on the rooftop for this event. Hard to beat a summer evening in San Diego on a rooftop!
Is this helpful?
VN
VernN
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All great . Super good food . They have a party chef that’s incredible
Is this helpful?
CS
CarolynS
San Diego9 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service, great atmosphere, and outstanding food. We will be back for sure!
Is this helpful?
IM
IMAO VIP
San Diego7 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Hidden gem on mezzanine level in Kimpton hotel with excellent service and a well curated cocktail list. The place was quiet on a Saturday night -- I guess people flock to Gaslamp to drink and party, so this place is a bit left out, and we can have all the space and attentive staff by ourselves :)
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FAQs

The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma is rated 4.6 stars by 149 OpenTable diners.

Not bookable

Online reservations at The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma can only be made directly on their website.

Google Map for The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma

1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-5101

Additional information

Cross street
Broadway
Neighborhood
California
Hours of operation
Daily 7:00 am–1:30 pm Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, American, Café
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
5th Street Blue line Trolley
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.stayalma.com/restaurants-bars/the-cafe/
Phone number
(619) 515-3000
Private party facilities
Special occasions remind us there's always something to toast to. Whether it's a birthday bash, anniversary party, or even a dinner meeting, our private dining rooms are your culinary blank canvas. Invite your favorite people for a fun evening out with a curated menu and an impeccable vibe.

The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma

About this restaurant

Not bookable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Lounge Exclusive: Wine Flight

Wine B-Sides

Rigatoni

Bucatini

Agnolotti

Bread Service

Everything Spice Parker House Rolls$10.00

additional dips$8.00

Starters

Oysters on the Half Shell$28.00

Patatas Bravas$15.00

Moroccan Lamb and Pork Meatballs$19.00

Octopus al Pastor Tostada$22.00

BBQ Spring Carrots$20.00

Spring Lettuces$16.00

Roasted Cauliflower$21.00

BBQ Carrots$17.00

Fennel and Apple Salad$16.00

Fresh Pastas

Agnolotti$26.00

Bucatini$29.00

Rigatoni$28.00

Entrees

Local Bass$50.00

Seared Tuna$40.00

Hanger Steak$52.00

Roasted Half Chicken$34.00

Lamb Shank$35.00

Dessert

Wildflower Honey Coconut Tapioca$15.00

Pecan Carrot Cake$15.00

Dark Chocolate Silk Pie$15.00

Seasonal Ice Cream and Sorbet$10.00

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is The Café & Lobby Bar at Alma restaurant rated?

Not bookable

Additional information