Diners' Choice: Great for fine wines restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the most notable wine lists 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

5.0

5 (65)

$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

WilliamVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

The staff is exceptional. They are always helpful and go beyond my expectations. The music is excellent and dance floor is amazing compared to other options in San Diego.

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4311)

$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

Chas

Dined 5 days ago

Our server Rose was the best! Super nice and top of it the whole time!

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Antica Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (2453)

$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

OlgaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything we ate was delicious. 100% recommended. Excellent service.

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Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1130)

$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

ChristinaVIP

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

We love this restaurant! We have been a number of times. Such a hidden gem. I loved the roasted pear salad, the penne salsiccia and the short rib. They also have gluten free penne and gluten free pizza crust, which gives me a lot of options.

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Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1508)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

The Food, Service and Ambiance exceeded my expectations. Definitely recommend this establishment for fine dining with meticulous service.

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Popular dish

Seafood Tower

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Bull & Bourbon Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (1799)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

Bull & Bourbon is a cut above other steakhouses – literally. Our innovative approach to classic steakhouse cuisine makes for a multi-sensory experience. Enjoy steaks prepared on our custom wood burning grill paired with our extensive and hand-selected bourbon menu for flavors that beautifully complement each other. Because we source local coastal California seafood, use steaks cut from our in-house butcher program, and choose select cuts from our on-site aging room, we always start with top-quality ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes. You will always know from where your food has been sourced, and our chefs approach cooking as the true art that it is.

Top review

Jack

Dined 1 day ago

Very prompt. Great service, delicious food, good music, clean restaurant and restrooms. Great experience.

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Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino

4.6

4.6 (1814)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Alpine

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Lee

Dined 1 day ago

Service was impeccable, Joseph our waiter was very professional and cordial, and given his service to our dining experience, I will be returning for exceptional dining experience.

Piedra Santa SD

4.6

4.6 (47)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

La Mesa

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Mark

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing experience, love the place, been there before. Get the Carpaccio table side

Lemon Grove Bistro

4.5

4.5 (114)

$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

John

Dined 5 days ago

Food wonderful as expected. Service friendly & quick as always. Loved sitting outside at the common table.

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Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

Aromi Italian Cuisine

4.4

4.4 (302)

$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

Carly

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Food was great! Outside seating accommodating our dogs which was so nice.

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