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•4.6(3,847)La Jolla - 2
Cesarina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.9(5,953)Ocean Beach - 3
The Henry - Coronado
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(2,791)Coronado - 4
Benihana - San Diego, CA
Price: Moderate•Japanese•3.7(7,764)Mission Valley - 5
Coasterra
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.7(7,858)Harbor Island
Top viewed
- 1
STK- San Diego
Price: Expensive•Steakhouse•4.3(3,510)Downtown - 2
insideOUT
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.8(2,605)Hillcrest - 3
C-Level
Price: Expensive•Cocktail Bar•4.7(5,306)Downtown - 4
Juniper & Ivy
Price: Expensive•Unspecified•4.7(8,285)Little Italy - 5
Cocina 35 Coronado
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.5(336)Coronado
Top saved
- 1
Herb & Wood
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(6,726)Little Italy - 2
Kettner Exchange
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.7(1,481)Little Italy - 3
Cloak + Petal
Price: Expensive•Sushi•4.6(1,061)Little Italy - 4
CUCINA urbana
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.7(7,201)Banker's Hill - 5
Madison
Price: Expensive•Mediterranean•4.4(3,150)University Heights
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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(4,295)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.The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room
Price: Expensive•American•4.7(52)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.*
Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.6(419)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!Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino
Price: Expensive•Steakhouse•4.6(1,808)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.
Giardino Neighborhood Cucina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.7(1,123)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.Baron Long Bar & Grill
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.6(555)Baron Long Bar & Grill features a familiar food menu, along with craft beer & cocktails for friends and family to enjoy while dining in a comfortable, energetic, sociable sports bar environment. We’ve put our spin on American bar food classics using the best local ingredients and freshly prepared food that is sure to please sports fans and foodies alike.
Guests can watch the action of their favorite game on our 16 TVs located throughout the restaurant, including (10) 85” screens. Share some appetizers over drinks with your friends or order your favorite burger from our extensive food menu. The beverage menu boasts a seasonal craft cocktail menu, 16 draft beers from our showcase keg room, focusing on notable San Diego breweries, as well as two rotating taps that will pique your interest frequently.
Piedra Santa SD
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.6(28)Piedra Santa brings you the authentic Argentine asado movement to the vibrant Little Italy district. Our restaurant will proudly offer dinner service seven days a week, inviting guests to indulge in a culinary experience that celebrates the essence of Argentina. In collaboration with local farms, we are dedicated to crafting a truly distinctive atmosphere that revolves around the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Situated at the corner of Ash and India St, in the heart of Little Italy, Piedra Santa finds its ideal location.Casa Gabriela
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.7(876)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.
Outdoor dining in San Diego
See what locals rave about in East County
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- JJanVIPSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined 2 days agoOur server Bailey was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great food.More infoEl Torito - La MesaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Mesa•3.9
- AAliSan Diego •2 reviews4.0Dined 3 days agoDelicious food, great space, nice servers, but the staff needs more training on food allergies. Make sure you ask your server to check with the kitchen and not give their opinion of what ingredients are included if you have any allergies!More infoCasa GabrielaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Mesa•4.7
- MMonica1 review5.0Dined 7 days agoVery good! Thank you, enjoyed the food and drinks! Portion size was okay, Pizza was great!More infoFarmer's Table - La MesaPrice: Moderate• Farm-to-table• La Mesa•4.3
- CCatherineSan Diego •20 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 6, 2025This 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 experienceMore infoBrigantine La MesaPrice: Moderate• Seafood• La Mesa•4.8
- MMike and MollyVIPSan Diego •5 reviews5.0Dined on May 31, 2025We 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 infoBanbu Sushi Bar & GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• La Mesa•4.6
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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
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Park
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Marina
Gallery
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Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in East County is Zest Wine Bistro
The best vegan restaurants in East County are Brigantine La Mesa, Casa Gabriela and Antica Trattoria
The best vegetarian restaurants in East County are Farmer's Table - La Mesa, Casa Gabriela and Brigantine La Mesa
The restaurants with the best service in East County are Zest Wine Bistro, Press Box Restaurant + Bar and Anni Venti Trattoria
The restaurants with the best ambiance in East County are La Mesa Wine Works, Press Box Restaurant + Bar and Rams Hill