Diners' Choice: Healthy restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in East County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Jive Lounge

4.9

4.9 (64)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Jamul

About the restaurant

Our electric live entertainment venue just steps away from the casino floor features some of Southern California’s hottest DJs and best local bands along with great food, craft beers, and signature handcrafted cocktails.
Make your reservation today! A deposit of $20 per person will be required at the time of check in for your table. This deposit of cash or a credit
Card hold for the amount will be lifted when your party has surpassed this amount of purchased food or

Top review

Rey

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

We always enjoy our time here on our night out with dancing with food.

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4277)

$30 and under

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Heidi

Dined 4 days ago

I consider The Brig to be a terrific go-to for an elevated lunch and yesterday I tried the Tempura Lobster Tacos. Much to my surprise, the best thing on the plate was the jicama, cucumber remoulade. The tacos are incredibly messy to eat and frankly the proportions are off. Perhaps a redesign of the dish would improve it. The truffle fries were so greasy, we had to ask for a reorder. The vegetables were oily too. I think for 28 dollars, there should'n't be much to complain about. Sorry. Our server, Lulah (spelling?) was wonderful and charming!

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Antica Trattoria

4.7

4.7 (2440)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.

Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?

About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.

We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 1 day ago

The burrata was disappointing, but our entrees were excellent.

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Baron Long Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (548)

$31 to $50

Californian

Alpine

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

BonnieVIP

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

We took our family, who was here visiting from out of town to dinner. The food was amazing ( we all had salads) . Our server Mary was awesome, she kept our drinks refilled and was always checking on us, we were not rushed to leave after we were done so we could visit with our family for awhile. This is our favorite restaurant!!

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.7

4.7 (1114)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

wonderful service!!!

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4.6

4.6 (850)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

ChristineVIP

Dined today

Nice Cinco de Mayo! I’m glad you were open and had $5 margaritas.

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4.5

4.5 (2175)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

RodVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent tasting food, but at reduced portion sizes.

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Experience

Martini Experience featuring Grey Goose Vodka

Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.5

4.5 (1490)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Jamul

About the restaurant

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.

Specials
Experience the best brunch in San Diego! Join us from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm every Sunday for Prime Cut’s Lobster Brunch. Enjoy a picturesque mountain view, sample from our award-winning wine list, or sip on your favorite craft cocktail while you indulge in delectable creations by Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle.
Lobster Brunch • Sunday • $59.95

Only guests over 21 years old may attend.

Top review

Jean

Dined 2 days ago

We were seated at the time of our reservation. Food was excellent, and the lobster was delicious. Our waitress, Jennette was outstanding. She continously asked us if we needed anything. This is our third time dining at prime cut on Sunday. We will definitely dine there again.

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Popular dish

Seafood Tower

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Farmer's Table - La Mesa

4.4

4.4 (2049)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 2 days ago

We went for our reservation at 8:15. At this time on a rainy Sunday morning reservations weren’t needed. Food was good, service was good. We will visit again

El Torito - La Mesa

4.1

4.1 (483)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

Antonio

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

It was pleasant, service was excellent, just had one question I was charged a surcharge and I couldn’t understand why maybe you can explain it to me please thank you xo.

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Experience

Mother's Day Brunch

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