12 Incredibly Fun Restaurants in San Diego, CA
San Diego has so many fun restaurants! In a choosey city like this one, no restaurant can get by on gimmicks alone. That’s why these lively restaurants also offer premium food, drinks, and ambiance. Why let dinner be dull? Check out these 12 fun San Diego restaurants for an epic meal out on the town.
Park Social
8720 Ariva Court, San Diego, CA
(858) 737-4310
You’re going to want to park yourself at a table at Park Social if you’re looking for incredible food in a fun atmosphere! The all-day menu here offers everything from coffee to cocktails. Make your way down the menu to enjoy tots, tapas, street tacos, acai bowls, rainbow kale salad, and burgers. There’s even an incredible brunch with bottomless mimosas! The thing that gets this restaurant placed on the “fun” list is its selection of 30 self-pour taps. Choose from incredible craft beers and wines while hanging out in a fun, vibrant atmosphere.
The Lafayette
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA
(619) 296-2101
It’s impossible not to feel like you’re in the middle of a totally Instagrammable quirky movie with impeccable set designs when you dine here! The Lafayette looks like a dreamy vintage palace that can only exist in a filmmaker’s imagination. It gets even better once you learn that this glamorous hotel has a 24-hour restaurant called Beginners Diner that perfectly recreates the placement, flatware, drink dispensers, and neon signage from a 1940s diner! There’s also a glamorous pool bar that’s open from 10 a.m. to dusk.
Corvette Diner
2965 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA
(619) 542-1476
This is the place for you if you love poodle skirts, juicy burgers, and all things from the 1950s. Yes, there’s even a vintage Corvette at the entrance. Don’t be surprised if your server sings and dances while moving from table to table collecting orders. Of course, it’s more likely that you’ll be the one singing after you check out Corvette Diner’s incredible menu of American classics. This is where dreams of burgers, fries, and thick shakes live!
Mothership
2310 30th Street, San Diego, CA
(619) 630-2187
Mothership is the perfect place to grab an intergalactic bite! The attention to detail that goes into creating a space-themed aesthetic here will make you want to believe. You’ll definitely want to have a close encounter with some grilled oyster mushrooms or scallion pancakes before making contact with an incredible cocktail from the drink menu! The Astro Zombie made with aged Nicaraguan rum is the fan pick!
The Rabbit Hole
3377 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA
(619) 255-4653
This fun, friendly spot is the perfect place for drinks and dinner. Live bands, DJs, and karaoke are scheduled on weekends. It feels like there’s never a bad time to come here for a bite among friends. Patrons can enjoy separate menus for brunch, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late nights. The Pretzel Grande served with pickled red onions, beer cheese, and whole grain mustard has people coming from miles away for a taste. The Rabbit Hole is also known for its incredible burgers and wraps. The Gold Rush made with Jefferson’s bourbon, agave, and lemon juice is the classic drink on the cocktail roster.
Punch Bowl Social San Diego
1485 East Street, San Diego, CA
(619) 452-3352
Life is all food and games at Punch Bowl Social San Diego! In addition to being a full-service restaurant and gastropub, Punch Bowl is also a bowling alley, game house, arcade, and karaoke spot. Keep a craft cocktail perched with one hand while dominating in a game of bocce, shuffleboard, or scrabble with the other. The incredible menu of scratch-made American classics served here includes dirty fries, wedge salads, burgers, bison patties, and a crispy crawfish sandwich. Show up early for a boozy brunch if you crave a berry-stuffed waffle or crab and avocado scramble served with boozy favorites from the daytime cocktail menu.
The Grass Skirt
910 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA
(858) 412-5237
This speakeasy-themed restaurant is the perfect place for a fun, classy dinner out on the town. Tiki culture comes alive in a menu that features smashed cucumber salad, shrimp and pork wontons, hot and spicy garlic noodles, and grilled shrimp pad thai. While enjoying what feels like a tropical paradise tucked away on a city street in SoCal, you can sip a scorpion bowl, basic beach punch, mai tai, or any of the other incredible island-inspired cocktails on the menu.
Forbidden Cove
7576 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard (Kilowatt Brewing), San Diego, CA
(858) 715-3998
While rum is the name of the game at Forbidden Cove, you’ll actually enter through a brewery. There’s nothing forbidden about the breezy feeling you’ll get while enjoying the lovely island-themed patio at this popular speakeasy-meets-island spot. The very strong scorpion bowl for two is the perfect option for slow sipping. Reservations are highly recommended.
Altitude Sky Lounge
660 K Street, San Diego, CA
(619) 446-6086
This amazing rooftop restaurant located within the Marriott in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter offers some of the top views in the city. What’s better than looking out over 22-story views of Petco Park through a glass-wall balcony while enjoying bottle service? If you come for a late-night bite, the cozy fireplace enhances the ambiance significantly.
Wolfie’s Carousel Bar
2401 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA
(619) 255-7533
The round bar at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar is a revolving carousel! Brunch here is beyond dreamy. You’ll feel like you rode the carousel all the way to Paris once you get a taste of the brûlée French toast featuring custard-soaked bread pudding, fresh berries, and maple syrup.
The Jolly Joker Tavern
5225 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA
(858) 694-4201
A stylized interior, large patio space with bright lights, and great mix of rotating live bands all help to make the Jolly Joker a serious contender when you’re looking for fun! You’ll know you’re in for a great feast as soon as you sink into one of the restaurant’s signature high-backed velvet chairs. The casual menu here offers fried pickles, lemon pepper chicken wings, tots, and other comforts!
Boxing Crab
6663 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA
(619) 467-7290
The Internet made the concept of digging into a big box of freshly cooked seafood while wearing plastic gloves a thing. Boxing Crab makes it your reality! Each giant seafood boil comes with one corn and one potato. You will never forget the memory of filling up on your favorite seafood while letting shells fly!
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our San Diego page, here!
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