East County Restaurants
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Top restaurants this week
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Top booked
- 1
Javier's - La Jolla
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.7(3,916)La Jolla - 2
The Henry - Coronado
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(2,878)Coronado - 3
Cesarina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(6,068)Ocean Beach - 4
C-Level
Price: Expensive•Cocktail Bar•4.7(5,450)Downtown - 5
Brigantine at Portside Pier
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.7(4,631)Downtown
Top viewed
- 1
LEILA
Price: Expensive•Middle Eastern•4.8(1,410)North Park - 2
STK- San Diego
Price: Expensive•Steakhouse•4.4(3,561)Downtown - 3
insideOUT
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(2,668)Hillcrest - 4
Juniper & Ivy
Price: Expensive•Farm-to-table•4.7(8,347)Little Italy - 5
Callie Restaurant
Price: Very Expensive•Mediterranean•4.8(592)Downtown
Top saved
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Herb & Wood
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(6,789)Little Italy - 2
Coasterra
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.6(7,942)Harbor Island - 3
Kettner Exchange
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.7(1,510)Little Italy - 4
Madison
Price: Expensive•Mediterranean•4.4(3,177)University Heights - 5
Cloak + Petal
Price: Expensive•Sushi•4.7(1,082)Little Italy
Award winning restaurants in San Diego
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in East County
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Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.
Brigantine La Mesa
Price: Moderate•Seafood•4.8(4,329)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.Casa Gabriela
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.7(902)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.
Giardino Neighborhood Cucina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.7(1,140)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.Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.6(429)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!
Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.7(1,515)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 Christina Ambriz, 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.
Must be 21 years or older to dine.The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room
Price: Expensive•American•4.4(54)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.
*RESERVATIONS ARE ONLY OFFERED FOR THE DINING AREA, THE TURQUOISE ROOM IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.*
See what locals rave about in East County
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- RRyanSan Diego •8 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoThe food was great tasting and the presentation was beautiful. Madison, our server, was friendly and her recommendations were spot on. We even received a free fried banana dessert when we mentioned to Madison it was my husbands birthday. Thank you to the staff. We had a outstanding dining experience.More infoBanbu Sushi Bar & GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• La Mesa•4.6
- SSueVIPSan Diego •16 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoLove the vibrant atmosphere and great food. The service is excellent.More infoLimoncello La MesaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park•4.7
- EEmilioSan Diego •2 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoI loved the churros. My guests loved the place. They said they will be back.More infoCasa GabrielaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Mesa•4.7
- AAprilSan Diego •2 reviews5.0Dined on Jul 21, 2025We had lunch out on the dining room patio and it was amazing! Great ambiance, fantastic food and service was great as well.More infoBrigantine La MesaPrice: Moderate• Seafood• La Mesa•4.8
- LLukeSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined on Jul 16, 2025Can’t skip Pizookie night! It’s always a bit hectic so our waiter forgot a couple of items. But pizookies are always great!More infoBJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La MesaPrice: Moderate• American• La Mesa•4.1
Trending dishes in East County
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Restaurant experiences trending in San Diego
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Discover East County
In the East County area of San Diego, you’ll spend your time hiking and exploring the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Nature abounds here, and that includes the food. You’ll easily find American farm-to-table bistros with local wineries, French cuisine with cocktails, gastropubs equipped with on-site breweries, and a large beer selection. As the rugged outdoors is paramount, you’ll find many places with fresh meats as well as produce from local farmers. Besides the international cuisine offered, there is also an eclectic blend of hip restaurants offering contemporary takes on classic dishes. East County offers everything from local, family-owned restaurants to diners serving "western grub," all in the vicinity of the scenic and historical view of the San Diego backcountry.
Dining around East County Hot Spots
Landmark
Shopping area
Train Station
Stadium or Arena
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Popular area
Institution
Convention Center
Monument
Museum
Park
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Marina
Gallery
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Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in East County is Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant - Santee
The best vegan restaurants in East County are Brigantine La Mesa, Farmer's Table - La Mesa and Rams Hill
The best vegetarian restaurants in East County are Farmer's Table - La Mesa, Brigantine La Mesa and Antica Trattoria
The restaurants with the best service in East County are Rams Hill, Pizza by Aromi and Anni Venti Trattoria
The restaurants with the best ambiance in East County are Jamul23 - Jamul Casino, Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant - Santee and Rams Hill