50 Best Cocktail Bars near Del Mar

“Beautiful Ambiance, Friendly Servers and Delicious Foods. Highly Recommend this place. Cheers!“

“This is Del Mars hidden gem for sure! We have dined next door a dozen times and never noticed this hidden little cocktail bar right in front of our eyes. The atmosphere is great, service is perfect but the star really was the cocktails. We got a few rounds but my favourite was the beet margarita hands down. Very fun, great job to La Tienda!“

“Visiting from San Diego, I randomly stopped by this bar for a small latte and ended up finding a place I’ll definitely come back to. The coffee bar staff was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and made the whole experience memorable. Great atmosphere, great service, and a genuinely warm vibe. Easily a 5-star experience.“

“Best grilled shrimp taco I've ever had, quite literally. The flavors, the presentation, it was exquisite. I walked in on a whim, due to the inviting ambiance, and the food, drink, and service (special shout out to Rudy!) was phenomenal. Highly recommend when visiting Del Mar!“

“Queso fundido the elites and the steak plate“

“Great atmosphere and super service“

“Delicious, fresh food, made from scratch pasta, wood fired meat and pizzas....and outstanding service!“

“Very intimate and romantic setting and great drinks.“

“Normally I like to keep gems like this to myself, but walking through literal back alleys in San Diego to be introduced to this incredible Hi-Fi listening speakeasy was just too awesome and I hope everyone I love gets a chance to get on the reservation list, stat. I'm a speakeasy veteran with a coast to coast cocktail sipping resume that spans from SF to Boston and New Orleans to Chicago, and this spot has definitely landed in my top ten. The atmosphere, the staff, the tunes, and the drinks are all so special and perfectly curated for maximum delight. Every aspect of CMB is comfortable and balanced, and so very easy to enjoy. They found a great groove and kept it going.“

“Great meal. Dessert was a wow.“

“Had the most amazing lunch there this afternoon - lovely calm atmosphere and the best tuna carpaccio I have ever had. The server was really knowledgeable and friendly. Pity we're only visiting because this is one place I would definitely do repeat visits.“

“I’m proud to call myself a regular here for happy hour from 4–5 pm. I’m vegetarian and skip the cheese, and I find the dishes incredibly tasty, inventive, and unadulterated. Everyone is so kind, and the whole bar has a great vibe. I recommend The Whaling Bar to everyone I end up talking food and drinks with. If you come after happy hour, the kale salad will not disappoint.“

“Great food, wonderful service!“

“great cocktails...... ....“

“This dish was absolutely outstanding. The tuna was perfectly seared on the outside while staying beautifully tender and fresh on the inside, with a rich, clean flavor that really stood out. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, from the crisp vegetables to the vibrant garnish.“

“My friends and I had a great time spending an evening at Sago last weekend! The food was absolutely incredible and the atmosphere was super fun. Our hostess Isabella was so kind and helpful and the servers were all great! We will definitely be back soon!“

“We loved our stay at the charming Cormorant Hotel! We enjoyed sitting on our deck which overlooked La Jolla Cove, shops and downtown LaJolla. The staff was really helpful and friendly; Megan went above and beyond to make sure our Anniversary stay was memorable with a welcome round of drinks to celebrate! Their Rooftop Restaurant, the Birdnest, was excellent as well, with great food and drinks and a view hard to beat! Note to travelers: as a smaller boutique hotel, there isn’t an elevator, but they do have a lift available, if needed.“

“Very friendly environment, bartenders are very nice and inviting, fun karaoke/pool/darts. Great time every time i go!“

“Great concept, like an In-N-Out that also serves alcohol. They have a very small and simple menu but everything is done very well, basically the definition of quality over quantity. The bartender Jeff was great, and the cocktails were excellent- like actually really good and I don't say that often. Prices were very reasonable for the area.“

“This restaurant never disappoints us! Always amazing food and service! Love love coming here.“

“Casual spot with some of the best poolside food! The beer and tequila clams were some of the best I’ve ever had and my steak frites was cooked perfectly to medium rare. It typically comes with chimichurri but I couldn’t have that, so chef prepared a delicious garlic and herb compound butter for me instead. Thoroughly enjoyed how delicious my meal was and it was made all the better by great service and atmosphere. Attentive service from Zack and an all round fantastic dining experience with some fabulous views of the sunset.“

“great sound, and stage. often there is a drum set and bass amp. Jay Cain is a great host!“

“Visited Pacific Point and had a lovely evening. The Wagyu beef skewers and the specialty rolls were definitely the highlights—highly recommend both! The atmosphere is fantastic, making it a perfect spot for cocktails or a glass of wine. Since it's located inside the Park Hyatt, the prices are on the higher side, but the quality of food and the vibes made it worth it.“

“If you are walking around Prospect Street, I highly recommend Zoya! My husband and I stumbled across this restaurant while trying to satisfy two different cravings, and it did not disappoint.

I ordered a pizza, and coming from a family that owned a pizza shop, I can tell you that their fresh dough and sauce are top-tier. My husband ordered the chicken shawarma with truffle fries, and it is hands-down one of the best shawarmas in San Diego. They include pomegranate seeds in it—if you know, you know!

We also had an amazing appetizer that is an absolute must-try. The server Yousif was fantastic; the owner and staff made sure to check on our table throughout the meal.

They even treated us to a complimentary dessert made by a local French baker! We truly enjoyed this restaurant and will definitely be back.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High-End Vibe, Incredible Value & Five-Star Service!
If you want a phenomenal Mexican dining experience that treats vegetarian and vegan guests with world-class care, South of Nick’s is an absolute must. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and exudes a chic, high-end atmosphere, all while delivering spectacular food and service at an incredibly approachable price point.

Flawless Vegan & Vegetarian Dishes
The food here is terribly fresh, beautifully presented, and elevates classic flavors:
The Starters: Plentiful, warm chips paired with a bean dip and dual salsas that are to die for—one with a wonderful spicy kick, the other deeply savory.
The Guacamole: Made with ultra-fresh ingredients; truly out of this world.
El Gringo Taco Salad: Utterly delicious! It literally dances in your mouth, served in a unique, crisp, rectangular edible bowl.

An Absolute Five-Star Crew
The fantastic energy starts at the door with an upbeat, friendly host team. Our busboy was also remarkably attentive and conscientious throughout the meal.

🏆 Noah is Off the Charts!
The true star of our dining experience was our waiter, Noah. Vegans and vegetarians are understandably discerning and often face menu anxiety, but Noah completely melted all of that worry away. He was incredibly astute and thoughtful, proactively ensuring every dietary need was flawlessly met.
Noah is a phenomenal ambassador for the restaurant. I actually tried to speak with the manager to rave about him, but they were unavailable. I truly hope management reads this because Noah is an absolute treasure—I would return again and again just to sit in his section.

Thank you, South of Nick’s, for the exquisite food, gorgeous ambiance, and amazing staff. We will be returning very soon!“

“Loved the ambiance and all the cocktails we tried were amazing!!“

“Carne asada tacos were fire and the margaritas were really good.“

“Great food and great service from a very friendly and attentive staff! Had an awesome date night! Our first time here but won’t be our last.“

“This place is amazing, it’s our first time here and it’s the best place for Mexican in N. County by far. Creative, innovative menu, everyone found everything to be delicious. Crazy good offering of plant-based dishes. Highly recommend!“

“Great JAPANESE Tonkatsu served with shredded cabbage salad just like in Japan“

“Amazing service, staff& sea food“

“Great atmosphere excellent food“

“Great food cooked by some great guys“

“I had an amazing experience at Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room & Kitchen! Our server, Danielle, took exceptional care of us and truly made my birthday feel special. The drinks were delicious, the ambience was perfect, and the Christmas décor was absolutely on point festive without being overwhelming. Everything came together for a memorable night. I enjoyed myself so much that I'll definitely be back, even all the way from the Carolinas!“

“Awesome place , great food and exceptional service/ staff.“

“Super attentive service. From the Hostesses, wait staff to buss boys. Food is delectable. Entrees were well prepared, fresh ingredients, served hot & salads crisp. Highly recommended.“

“Our waiter Wilson was absolutely amazing and beyond belief with recommendations and service. We sat at the bar and he treated us like royalty with the best menue call outs and recommendations. He was literally the Jack to my Rose, but the ship was not sinking. Get the salt and pepper shrimp and scallops!“

“They put us in a windowless back room for Valentine's Day. Every couple in there looked super disappointed when they realized we were in a closed room (converted storage closet) next to the bathrooms. Also, I needed a steak knife to eat my chicken. The other items we ordered were drowning in chunks of raw garlic or syrupy sauce. Overall it was poor dining experience.“

“Solana Beach Kitchen was amazing. Each dish was spectacular. Loved the Surf & Turf Nachos, the Calamari was the best I have ever had. The Mac n Cheese with brisket was a recommendation from the fabulous Tracy and it was incredibly delicious. Everything was so good that we returned the next night!! Highly recommend SB Kitchen.“

“I had such a great experience at Ayu Sushi in Carmel Valley! What I loved most was their dog-friendly patio—it's so spacious and convenient for pet owners. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, making sure both we and our pup were comfortable. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing outdoor lunch. The sushi was fresh and the service was top-notch. Definitely our new favorite local spot!“

“Nine of us had lunch here on a busy Saturday-glad we had reservations! The waitress did a fabulous job taking care of us and all our many requests. The food was excellent as well-the only exception might be the funfetti pancakes, which were a little sweet. My one BIG complaint was the LOUD MUSIC, especially the THUMPING BASS. I asked several times if they could turn down the volume, but no luck. I want to preserve my hearing, and for that reason I will not dine here again.“

“Great service, atmosphere, and the food is amazing. The drinks are wonderful. I will definitely come back again.“

“Good selection of traditionally made additive free tequilas“

“I’m almost hesitant to write this because I don’t want it to get too crowded, but The Kitchen at Torrey Pines and The Clubhouse deserve the love.

We live nearby and have been coming for almost a year, and everything has been consistently great. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is beautiful with ocean views, and the staff is genuinely friendly. Chef Fernando is always welcoming, and the team is very accommodating when we bring our kids.

Some of our favorites are the birria tacos, poke, turkey club with fries, and carnitas tacos. The Clubhouse is also a favorite for pastries, coffee, happy hour, and Taco Tuesday. The pastries are seriously so good and always changing, and the drinks, tacos, and small bites have all been great.

So happy this gem opened in our neighborhood. Easy 5 stars.

Tips: Order online if you’re in a rush. Pickup is easy with garage parking or by pulling up near The Kitchen. Open Monday–Friday only.

Hours: Clubhouse Café 8–11 AM, Happy Hour 3–6 PM. The Kitchen Breakfast 7:30–10 AM, Grab & Go/smoothies/barista beverages 7:30–10 AM, Lunch 11 AM–3 PM.“

“Nice hidden gem in the middle ofan office park with several restaurants and a bar.

Lots of seating and fast casual food service.

There's lots of construction going on here so stay alert for available parking.“

“Doug is the owner of T13 and he has opened his doors to host our King Tide Challenge event. We are so stoked to have a local spot that is so perfect“

“I have been going to this restaurant, Bazille for at least 8 years now and forever has my favorite food and burger that I have ever found. I have went to many different Bazille restaurants in California for their burger, drinks, all of the amazing cooks, servers & hosts are always so amazing which is why I keep coming back every time. The ladies that attended us yesterday night were so amazing & amazing attitudes, before closing time mind you is when we came in because we had wanted to show our family from out of state the food and we tried rushing to the restaurant as fast as we could as soon as they got to San Diego. I will forever be a regular at Bazille & will always recommend everyone to stop by this amazing restaurant! Thank you to the whole team that makes this happen everyday, you’re so appreciated!“

“Very come as you are, solid spot. Traveling for work and strolled in solo on a Saturday night to such good live music, baseball and playoffs on the TVs, kind people (bartender charged my phone 🙏) and a crispy cold Guinness. This is a rock solid watering hole.“

“Delicious food and great service!“