Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4126)

$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

Allisonvip

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Excellent as usual. Chopped Chicken Salad and the Salmon special was awesome. Dianna was the best server. She went above and beyond helping my aunt with food allergies with her food entree. I highly recommend.

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Antica Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (2354)

$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

Rich

Dined 1 day ago

The meal and service were very good and the price as as expected.

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Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1047)

$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

Nik

Dined 1 day ago

I went with a group of 11 for Saturday brunch. Lots of delicious choices on the menu, friendly, attentive service by Adriana, all-in-all a wonderful experience!!! Can't wait to try dinner there!

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4.8

4.8 (73)

$30 and under

American

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

In addition to offering comforting American favorites, our menu provides a selection of flavors inspired by our chef’s culinary experiences, ranging from classic Spanish fare to Italian favorites. Our menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest ingredients and provide an exciting dining experience throughout the year.

The Lemon Grove Bistro is in a historic mission-style building in the heart of Lemon Grove. Since 1912, it’s been a place where locals meet and build connections, whether they were picking up their mail at the Sonka General Store in 1944 or ordering custom cakes at the Grove Pastry Shop in 2012.

Come for the food. Stay to experience the inviting ambiance of the historic building and its new garden. Let’s build community--together.

Top review

THOMAS

Dined 1 day ago

We live in Poway which is about 25 miles away from Lemon Grove Bistro but decided to give it a try. Well worth the drive…..delicious food, the fisherman stew was particularly outstanding,efficient service and most certainly,fairly priced. We had heard good things about the restaurant and our dining experience was a most delightful one.

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Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

Casa Gabriela

4.6

4.6 (705)

$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

Jessica

Dined 1 day ago

We love Casa Gabriella! Great food, service and environment. Even with the craziness of Oktoberfest, we were treated as if we were the only ones there!

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

Farmer's Table - La Mesa

4.5

4.5 (1994)

$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

Steven

Dined 1 day ago

Our server, Brad, is the best. We have sat in his section before. Always personable and attentive. Great guy and makes great recommendations for food and drinks.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

El Torito - La Mesa

4.5

4.5 (413)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Took my 94 year old mother and my husband here. Service was decent enough. Not really completely wheelchair accessible. Had a small elevator that did the job from upper bar area to lower dining area, but the seating were not really wheelchair accommodating. Food was as good as I remember from way back in the day. Price was comparable to other area restaurants. Would go again if I needed an away from home dining experience.

The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

4.5

4.5 (20)

$31 to $50

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Irenevip

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Had a reservation so we were seated right away. Heard that it was a 50min wait without one. This was on a Friday evening, so highly recommend having a reservation. Staff was courteous and helpful. One of the highlights of this location is the grill where you can cook your own food, however we opted to have the kitchen cook our steaks. Ordered the filet mignon, medium rare and it was perfect! The sides were so good (mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese). Some of the best mashed potatoes that I’ve had in a long time. Drinks were nice and stiff. I hadn’t been here in years, but it was just as good as I remembered.

Aromi Italian Cuisine

4.5

4.5 (217)

$30 and under

Italian

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Discover Aromi, where Italian authenticity meets affordability. Our casual Italian restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, serving up delicious dishes bursting with flavors at budget-friendly prices. From traditional pasta classics to mouthwatering entrees, Aromi ensures an unforgettable dining experience that won't break the bank.

Top review

Jerryvip

Dined 2 days ago

Food and service are both excellent. Their pizza shop nextdoornis opening soon!

Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4.3

4.3 (2093)

$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

Sonja

Dined 5 days ago

The staff were wonderful and accommodating. Laura was an outstanding server who was very sweet. Food and drinks were great as usual.

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Experience

Moonshine Dinner

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