Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 (4127)

$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

Stevevip

Dined 4 days ago

Brigantine is consistent in quality and portion size of the food. Service was somewhat lacking this time: the server may benefit from training on how to pour a bottle of wine correctly (hand too close on the neck of the bottle) and how to be a bit more attentive to a table of four (no condiments offered).

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Jive Lounge

4.8

4.8 (45)

$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

Juliavip

Dined 4 days ago

It was awesome Paradym & B.I.G.Bands are great, enjoyed my drinks have/had a blast with my husband. Jamul Casino is fun place for great friends, food & drinks. Thank You😊

El Torito - La Mesa

4.7

4.7 (415)

$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

Williamvip

Dined 5 days ago

I ordered the fiesta platter with no jalapeños and no onions. The order was correct on the third try. I received jalapeños and onions. The second attempt no jalapeños but onions in the quesadilla. The third attempt was correct.

Baron Long Bar & Grill

4.6

4.6 (522)

$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

dave

Dined 7 days ago

Great food, service and fair prices. Would go back again

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 5 days 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

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

4.5

4.5 (375)

$31 to $50

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

Kathleen

Dined 5 days ago

Superior food, excellent service. Always full of people loving their food.

Retreat Pool & Cabanas

4.5

4.5 (322)

$50 and over

Californian

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

Everyone needs to treat themselves from time to time. If you’re looking for a getaway from the everyday, look no further than Retreat Pool and Cabanas. Our El Cajon venue offers guests the opportunity to relax, soak up some Vitamin D, and escape in a picturesque aquatic oasis. We offer an array of entertainment and performers throughout the summer months. Our unique and thoughtful layout features two beautiful pool areas and a cleverly designed lazy river. You’ll feel layers of stress melt away as you float down the slow-moving lazy river, taking in your surroundings at a leisurely pace.

Top review

MaryAnn

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

Awesome Lazy river is my fave Cabana was perfect So much fun

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.

Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4.3

4.3 (2094)

$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 on Oct 1, 2024

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

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa

4.1

4.1 (70)

$30 and under

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Kara

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

Always a great place for our family for a celebratory dinner, ending with a shared pizookie, of course.

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