New American Restaurants near La Mesa, CA

“The food was outstanding. The service was great. Tyler was awesome. 5 stars“

“T&A Adventures is @ The Hills Local Pub in La Mesa California having THE BEST BURGER of our adventures so far! I mean WOW! Juicy deliciousness! Garlic Parm Burger - Half Pound patty, candied jalapeño bacon, swiss, garlic aioli, arugula, tomato, brioche bun, parmesean crisp - Served w Fries. Absolute 🔥! Our Server "Jordan" was awesome too.“

“I haven't had BBQ this good in San Diego. If you are craving legit smoked meats this place is awesome. service is as good as the food.“

“I live out east nowadays, but I visit my hometown in La Mesa yearly. Came to Curbside for the first time last year, and just now went back again. I wish we had food like this around here when I was growing up!! My gosh, the short rib beef is incredible. Had it on a salad last time, and just now had the short rib taco along with an equally impressive fish taco. I got a few bites of the beef kebab too, and it was just as top-notch! Great seating options with a view of La Mesa Blvd. Good beer list too. And wonderful staff. I wish I had more time to try more of the menu—but I’ll be back every time I’m in San Diego down the line. Wishing the best to Curbside!“

“great service from Jeff! Food hit the spot, too.“

“Great place way under rated, sleeper…“

“We had a great dining experience at Urban Plates in Long Beach. Mariana explained the menu choices in a very unrushed manner, and we decided on the steak. I ordered the Chimichurri grass-fed steak with balsamic brussel sprouts and herb-roasted potatoes. All of it was delicious ( and healthy too!). The deserts were absolutely killer too. We will definitely eat here again next time we're in Long Beach.“

“Absolutely the most creative menu in the City! Great Atmosphere, great choices. We always leave amazed at our experience and eager to return“

“Excellent food and very good service. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. It was expensive for breakfast, but great for a special occasion.“

“Off to mission valley an visit to yard house restaurant. I met a few friends at the yard house restaurant for a birthday lunch. Menu was large with many great choices. I ordered a BBQ chicken salad- it not only looked great, but tasted great too. My friends had a taco plate, fish and chips, an a chicken dish- all of which also lookes great! Prices were reasonable too. If you're interested the area, stop by an grab a bite!“

“What a hidden gem! Definitely regret not having visited sooner. As the name mingei implies, the restaurant is a carefully curated international exhibit of food and the cultures that celebrate it in their own unique ways. The staff are docents for your culinary adventure and the chefs are masters of their craft. Some of my best bites in San diego in the past couple years, came from Artifact and I cannot wait to go back with more uninitiated.“

“Excellent service!! Extremely comfortable rooms. 24/7 service.“

“Gorgeous view and atmosphere“

“Great customer service I had the mobile app glitch called in and the manager Claudia helped me will definitely order again“

“If an Old Fashioned had a younger cousin who ditched the cigar lounge, took a red-eye to the tropics, and came back wearing linen with a little attitude Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar is where you’d meet them.

You walk in and the place is doing that effortless “vacation brain” thing: light, airy, calm—but not sleepy. It’s the kind of room that makes your shoulders drop an inch without asking permission. And then the live music hits and suddenly it’s not just “nice,” it’s a whole vibe—that rare sweet spot where you can actually talk, actually listen, and still feel like you’re somewhere worth putting your phone down for.

Now, the bar program here doesn’t feel like it’s chasing trends. It feels like it’s chasing precision. That became obvious the moment I came across Hells Kitchen an Top chef award winning Chef Lawless and yeah, the demeanor was strict. Not rude. Not performative. Just the posture of someone who doesn’t do “close enough.” The energy was: I will tolerate nothing that comes between me and a drink done right. Which, honestly? Respect.

What came out of that seriousness was a cocktail that didn’t have a name at first because some drinks aren’t born with names, they’re born with purpose. It landed somewhere between a mimosa’s bright optimism and bourbon’s grown-up gravity. Citrus forward. A whisper of sweetness. A snap of carbonation that makes the whole thing feel lifted like it’s floating a half inch above the glass. Refreshing. Light. But still with teeth.

I kept trying to pin it down Is this a hazy IPA situation? A beer cocktail? Some clever riff? and the answer was better than any category: it was the perfect collision of beer and Old Fashioned logic, like someone took the blueprint of a classic, opened a window, and let the air in. It tasted like “citrus dream meets Old Fashioned concept,” and the insane part is it didn’t feel like a gimmick. It felt inevitable like a cocktail that should’ve existed all along.

Then came the moment every good bar needs: the naming ceremony. Ask enough questions, show enough genuine curiosity, and you get let in on the lore. That drink? That little bright, fierce, carbonated flex? That was the Lauren Special confirmed with the calm confidence of someone who knows they just made something you’re going to talk about later.

And that’s the thing about Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar: it’s relaxed without being lazy. Polished without being precious. It can sit in the Fashion Valley orbit without feeling like it’s trying to impress Fashion Valley. It’s paradise, but with standards. A place where you can unwind and still be surprised.

If you go, don’t overthink it. Get the drink that tastes like sunshine grew up and learned how to fight. And if Chef Lawless is behind the bar, trust the process. She’s not there to make you a cocktail.

She’s there to make you the cocktail.“

“Very popular spot good food minus the onions“

“Went here a second time on a busy Saturday night, and I would say I enjoyed it more than my first visit, which was right after they first opened. The service is great and the food is pretty good. But the beer and ambiance are just okay.

Likes: Poke Nachos, online Waitlist, great service, beer sampler

Dislikes: Amber beer (flat!), slightly slippery floor, no Apple TV (no MLS games)

Overall, I really want this place to do well, so I recommend checking it out. But I’m not a fan of hoppy beers and was really upset I couldn’t watch SDFC in their inaugural playoff run.“

“where do I even begin my experience was STUPENDOUS?! Thank you to the honorable mc and host who is a pillar in the representation of the LGBTQ+ community recognized by the city of San Diego for their philanthropy and activism I only found out after the show when I searched for a proper way to tag @ParisSukomiMax and that would be. . . #ParisIsMyHomegirl . she really is! she handled 👏 every guest with hilarity and grace!!! the outfits were 😍🤩 the numbers were PHENOMENAL ORIGINAL and beyond the entertainment I deserve at 1030am over brunch 😍. . I wish this fabulous team of entertainers the very best of clientele guests and fellow performers. . Thank you for having us 🙏 ❤️ ABSOLUTELY returning! . . We stay good in every hood and you should too regulators mount up support the arts and advocate for allyship 🏳️‍🌈 always, lest we forget. 🖤“

“They had to wonderful food and a great atmosphere when I was visiting California last week. The staff is so kind and patient. please support this lovely establishment. especially their chicken dishes are scrumptious“

“Great food and drinks! The service is superb!“

“We came here to eat last night as a family. Excellent food and service.

What really made the night special was the vibe and service. The Olympics were on and we enjoyed watching the games. I had to explain curling to the little one.

It’s laid-back but still feels like you can celebrate something meaningful there. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The little one ordered a Shirley temple and loved it. Our servers would give her an extra cherry whenever she asked. She was so happy.

Personally recommend getting the wings, brisket, potato salad, and beans. It was a dinner I'll remember. Thank you, Cali BBQ, for helping make it special. We’ll definitely come again.“

“Loved everything we got tonight, the chicken sandwich, pulled pork, amazing! So were the fried Mac and cheese balls!!!!“

“My friend and I went, for a nice diner I went to celebrate his Big 40th. BDAY! We was have a nice time,“

“This is a tiny neighborhood eatery with mega upscale quality and service. The burger melts in your mouth and your taste buds explode. Simple, delicious, unique. The quality of the meat shines through.

The chorizo deviled eggs are exceptional with a dense but creamy texture, and so many wonderful flavors.

Fries are crispy and heavily seasoned with flavorful salt and pepper.

Minimal seating, like I said, tiny but inside a few and about the same outside. Extensive and excellent wine list.

Cash only, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle. Bring your tastebuds ready for exciting experiences.“

“Great music with Whitney Shay“

“Everything about that place! Just AMAZING!“

“My wife and I went to this cozy place for dinner based on a recommendation. GOOD CALL! Our server was pleasant and checked in on us to make sure we were happy. The food was delivered fast and hot. We shared the 16 oz. T-bone steak. It came out pre cut, ready to share. We also ordered a wonderfully great big salad and a wonderful empanada with beef. The empanada was pleasantly spicy, but not overly. The steak came with lovely potatoes. We also ordered a side of broccolini. I’m not a big veg guy, but I have to say the broccolini was delicious. All said the meal wasn’t the cheapest, but was worth every bite.“

“What a fantastic place! Food was excellent and great proportions, likely the best flatbread I’ve ever had. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend and will return if in the area again.“

“Amazing food and amazing staff! My husband and I went for breakfast and ordered the meatloaf Benedict and the chicken and waffles tower. They were huge portions but so so delicious! The staff was super friendly and were very happy to be at work. Highly recommend!“

“There is no better spot for Cider in North Park (if not the WORLD) than Bivouac. A cozy campout aesthetic ran by the CiderQueen of SD herself, and a warm and hospitable staff to boot! The food and cider options are immense, with a delightful rotation of ciders to keep things adventurous! I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again - if I could give Biv a SIX out of Five, I would!“

“I love the salad and sandwiches“

“Very tasty beverages. Nice big ice cubes, made from tasty water. Friendly staff, and a back room shrouded in mystery...“

“Very friendly and professional staff . Five star ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Wowwwww !!! GRAND OPENING DAY!!! Urbane Cafe Chula Vista UFFF staff was on point despite that they were busy. Food is super fresh and really good. Love the vegan options. There is something for everyone in the menu. Wish you good luck and happy to have them you in our community 😊 Katia EFTG“

“You guys are the real MVPs Not having a special menu goes the extra mile to show that you’re willing to show gratitude to veterans. Now I’m a regular after eating here. Shout out for the flank steak last night. Our server Belle was great as well.“

“I had an excellent experience with Alan. His service was incredibly fast and efficient, and he was very friendly throughout the process.“

“Celebrated good friends’ birthdays on Fish and Chips night! Fun times with good food and great friends! 👍🏼😊🌻“

“Outstanding venue. First time visiting the establishment for lunch with some co-workers and I will be back for a more social setting!“

“Very easy walk from the courthouse on a lunch break from jury duty. Many light healthy lunch options and drinks fair priced and delivered with efficient kindness. My turkey avocado wrap was huge and fresh crunchy veggies paired with a nice container of tasty three color spiral pasta salad - al dente! Also nice clean roomy indiv restrooms. Comfy seating options indoors and patio. All can be boxed nice togo for you afternoon break snack.“

“I am late to reviewing and forgetting the servers name. She was from Maryland, and the reason we ordered more than just a pick me up coffee before the Japanese Friendship Gardens. Our server (delightful as can be and a great conversation partner) encouraged us to try the Spicy Calamari and Aquachile. It's not the best flavor pairings with coffee. So, stick with a bubbly libation when ordering these delightful dishes. The flavors, however, are divine. Fresh ingredients that remain high quality! We enjoyed a table overlooking the gardens and lucked into it without a reservation. Although, I recommend reserving in advance for optimal seating and table assurance.“

“Our group was vegetarians and vegans and everyone was very happy. I've had banh mi without the mayo before, but having a vegan aioli made it so much better. The service was very friendly and efficient. The seating is outside in a lovely courtyard, but depending on the time of day could be shady/ chilly, or sunny. You stand in a line to enter and order at a counter.“

“We had dinner there after seeing a play at the Balboa Theatre. We were greeted warmly by every staff member that crossed our path. Lovely wine selection and fairly priced. We both ordered the fish tacos with fresh pineapple salsa. My friend had them grilled and I had fried. Plating was inviting and the tacos were delicious. Our waiter Juan was friendly, helpful, and after asking our names referred to each of us with our names when checking on us. We both truly enjoyed our time there and will certainly be returning when next downtown for a play.“

“They have a white sangria that the wife just LOVES. Have to stop in every once in a while and grab a glass“

“Yummy food. Had the 805 fries and #5 Lumpia“

“Literally one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had. They delivered 25 min after my order was placed. Fries were still crispy!!! Very delicious.“

“Very good food and healthy choices“

“The food was incredible and great service!“

“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!“

“I honestly love coming to this bar — it’s hands down my favorite spot. It’s one of those places where you walk in and instantly feel at home. The atmosphere is always on point, the drinks are great (they make the best tequila mule 👌), and the kitchen never disappoints. Whether it’s a quick bite or a full meal, the food is always solid and hits the spot.
Big love to Amy, Rob, Dylan, Dani, Dobbs, Elise, Elisa, Erica, Dave, and James — you guys are the reason I keep coming back. The laughs, the chats, and the way you remember people and make everyone feel welcome really means a lot. It never feels like “just a bar,” it feels like my bar.
Appreciate all of you (and the awesome kitchen team!) for always making it such a good time. See you again soon 🍻“