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The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

4.5 (1357)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027-7017

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 33 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Kid-friendly
Located in the San Diego Safari Park
OpenTable Diners Choice 2025 Award for Best Ambiance

Enjoy an incredible view of the African Plains at the Safari Park's newest gathering spot: The Watering Hole restaurant and bar. Watch rhinos and giraffes as you dine on menu items including tasty sandwiches and fresh salads or relax with a refreshing beverage from the full-service bar with a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and mixed drinks.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Escondido
  • Cross street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,357 people are saying

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park 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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Best Ambiance

  • North San Diego

    Kid-friendly

  • North San Diego

    Great for outdoor dining

  • North San Diego

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Watering Hole at San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers a "fantastic experience" with breathtaking views of the safari grounds. Diners rave about the "amazing view" and a chance to see animals like rhinos and giraffes as they eat. Standout dishes include the shrimp nachos and burrata appetizer. "Service was excellent," and guests appreciate the attentive staff. While some find the food pricey, many believe it supports the park's mission. Reservations are recommended to avoid long waits.

1,357 Reviews
  1. Kathy VIP

    San Diego22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time eating here but it won’t be the last. The food and service were great.

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  2. Nicole

    Philadelphia1 review

    2.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Took over an hour and a half to order a charcuterie pretzel and cheese cake. The restaurant wasn’t even busy! But only tables were in the shade and with the wind it was freezing, we kept having to go onto the grass area to warm up in the sun since the tables they usually have out there were not out during our recent visit.

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  3. jill

    Dallas6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Salmon salad was wonderful! Grandson loved M&C and Sundae. Just great!

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  4. Kathryn

    San Diego5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 29, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The draw is the location. On the edge of the wildlife enclosure. Great views.

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  5. Diego

    Baja California1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food is ok. Service was to slow,and you can see animals.. if you bring a telescope!

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  6. Rebecca

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The truffle grill cheesecake amazing! My guests had short rib sandwich and love it!

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  7. jennifer

    Hawaii13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely dining venue with vies of the Safari. Appetizers were delicious, so were the drinks. Mateo, our server, was amazing. would highly recommend if visiting the Safari park.

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  8. emery

    Los Angeles13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 21, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    its the view that’s basically it food was mediocre at best and the price is off course high for the basics, host was wonderful customer service was great staff extremely friendly but the food was terrible and pricey

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  9. Nick

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely amazing experience! We enjoyed the chicken club sandwich and the shrimp nachos. All while watching the animals roam and safari tours.

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  10. Leslie

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience. Excellent ambiance with the safari Savannah so close!! Our waitress Kaylee, went above and beyond to ensure that we had a great time!! Thank you, Watering Hole!! We’ll be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park is rated 4.5 stars by 1357 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. North San Diego
  5. Escondido

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 33 times today
Google Map for The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027-7017

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Neighborhood
    Escondido
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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