Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Diego? 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!

Wilma's Carousel Bar

4.9

4.9 (10)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Little Italy

About the restaurant

As one of only two carousel bars in the United States, Wilma’s Carousel Bar offers a truly unique experience.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this nostalgic retreat with Executive Corporate Chef Brian Redzikowski’s French-Creole inspired dishes and Beverage Director Eric Johnson’s a selection of cocktails including both innovative spins on traditional favorites and imaginative new concoctions.

Top review

Traci

Dined today

Liz and Emma were amazing !! They were so undetectable and accommodating!! They helped our experience to be amazing!!! Would go back just because of them !

Adriana’s Cocina

5.0

5 (57)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Temecula

About the restaurant

Indulge in the authentic flavors of Jalisco-style Mexican cuisine with creative fusion twists at our family-style dining restaurant. Our goal is to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Led by renowned Chef Adriana Dominguez, our restaurant is dedicated to delivering fresh, flavor-packed dishes that are both inventive and nutrition-conscious. Chef Adriana is best known for her five-star full-service catering business, and now she's thrilled to invite you to our restaurant!

Top review

Ann

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

This was our first time to Adriana’s restaurant . We definitely will be going back ❤️ Food was delicious great service very friendly helpful explained the dishes we asked about very authentic Mexican food Great decor super clean a hidden gem a must go when looking for great Mexican food.

LEILA

4.7

4.7 (150)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

North Park

About the restaurant

A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects.

Reservations welcomed, walk-ins for dinner, or drinks are available as well.

Leila welcomes you.

858-SAFFRON

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined 4 days ago

It was lovely!!! The food, ambience and the restaurant in general was beyond!!!!

The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1462)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Janet

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

The very best dining experience this month. Ambiance and food was exceptional and the wait staff made it even better!

Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel

4.9

4.9 (97)

$30 and under

International

Jacumba

About the restaurant

Nestled in bouldery mountains along historic Old Highway 80, in a magical high desert community lies the Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel. The hotel has been designed with a sense of place, with natural materials, textures, & objects from ancient & primitive cultures from around the world. Our restaurant offers indoor dining under vintage ceramic lights and desert landscapes or our large outdoor shaded patios under a canopy of old-world lanterns and pine trees with a live music stage.

Our menu features an International High Desert menu that showcases the farms and ranches of Imperial Valley, the fresh seafood of Baja, and specialty regional purveyors. Make sure to save time to enjoy high desert elixirs, herbal tinctures, cold-pressed juices, tonics, and cocktails, handcrafted in our exotic desert hideaway bar.

Once you are here, nothing else matters.

Top review

Melisavip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Great setting and ambiance. Weather was nice so we ate outside on the covered patio. Mezze platter appetizer was delicious. I ordered the sea bass entree, which was good but very salty.

Youngblood

4.8

4.8 (980)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

A curated 90 minute, three course cocktail experience akin to none. $67 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are accepted as early as a month in advance for groups of 4 or less. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@neighborhoodsd.com

Come find us.

Top review

Rajeshvip

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service and drinks. Zack and Alexandria were working the bar. I would go back and would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a good cocktail with a cool ambiance. * Note on rating , there was no food.

The Kitchen at MCASD

4.8

4.8 (17)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

La Jolla

About the restaurant

The Kitchen @ MCASD
Ocean view dining in the heart of La Jolla.
Menu draws inspiration from the regions of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. Including Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, and others

located at the newly renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Top review

Jennyvip

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

Gorgeous location and delicious food; had a kid menu too

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Experience

The Study of Corn | September

Mister A's

4.8

4.8 (8445)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.

Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/
(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

Top review

Alexvip

Dined 3 days ago

The view and service is absolutely unmatched. The food is as always fantastic

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King Salmon "Wellington"

Ketch Grill & Taps - Portside Pier

4.7

4.7 (130)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Ketch Tasting Deck offers a full-service dining experience on the 2nd floor at Portside Pier with stunning views overlooking San Diego Bay!
Brought to you by the Brigantine Family of Restaurants. For generations our family has created unforgettable experiences true to the San Diego lifestyle at our Brigantine & Miguel’s restaurants. We’ve hosted countless celebrations and poured many a round for the happiest of hours.
WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MAKES FOR THE BEST MEMORIES AND THE BEERS THAT CAPTURE THE FEELING. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE CRAFTED OUR OWN AND PUT THEM ON TAP.
From beer aficionados to casual drinkers, we’ve got everyone covered with our easy-to-love (and drink) brews made for making memories!

Top review

Keenan

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Hostess gave us the perfect table with a view of the harbor and the party boats! Food was great! Thanks so much.

Bouquet Restaurant + Bar at Ponte Vineyard Inn

4.6

4.6 (520)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Temecula

About the restaurant

Enjoy fresh, locally-sourced cuisine fine wines and refreshing cocktails at Bouquet Restaurant, located at our luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Inn. Dine out on the terrace surrounded by manicured Italian gardens with stunning views of the vineyard and our 1-acre pond.

Enjoy live music during brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-3pm!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

The food was wonderful. A little wait to start but then a lovely experience

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