Kingfisher absolutely lives up to the hype. The congee was surprisingly delicious and comforting in the best way, the wings were solid, and the kurobuta pork was amazing. We were bummed they were out of the duck breast on our first visit, but honestly everything was so good that we came back for a second visit—and they remembered us and saved the duck breast. Totally worth it. The duck breast and the leg confit were outstanding, like unbelievably good, and alone will bring me back again.
A few things to know: this is not a rush-in-and-out spot. Plan to spend at least two hours here, so come comfortable, with good friends, and plenty to talk about as the food comes out at a relaxed pace. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about every dish, the cocktails are well crafted, and the overall experience feels very intentional.
They do add a 20% service charge, but given the level of food, service, and care put into the experience, I felt it was absolutely warranted.
everything was incredible, price point a bit high but the food did not disappoint. the duck was perfectly cooked, and came with so many veggies. the beef tartare was incredibly flavorful and the heat was so good. the fish was perfectly cooked too. my only complaint would be the veggies was too salty. the service was amazing, heated patio was chilly but not too bad!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vanessa Ho
So not expect typical Vietnamese food here, it is definitely Asian fusion. Every dish was cooked well and flavors were good. Loved the drinks, each flavor really shined through. It is served family style and I would say 1 dish is good for 3-4 people. We got 7 dishes for 5 people and I wish I could have had more of some dishes but there was just enough for one serving for each person of a dish. I still left full and overall enjoying the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Krista Coulas
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect meal!
Food, drinks, and service exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed everything. Thanks for making it special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mina Kang
Honestly, the food was incredibly mid. It wasn’t bad but most certainly not great enough to warrant those prices. I’m someone who is willing to shell out money on good food and this just wasn’t it. You’re essentially paying for a nice atmosphere by coming here, I guess. Mandatory 20% service fee to sit at a bar with very uneven stools was a bit of a shocker in all honesty. It’s not a bad place, but I don’t think I’ll be returning again. If you have an unlimited budget and want a pretty place with not terrible food to take someone out on a date, this is the place for you. If you’re looking to actually fill your stomach and a great food experience, you’re probably better off going elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
A. Reed (Oomfie)
I highly recommend the tasting menu! Every bite was amazing. Staff were super helpful and attentive.
This is really a wonderful Vietnamese-French upscale restaurant that has a great sense of both flavor and smart vibes all across its menu.
For us, we usually come to Kingfisher via rideshare which is a quick ride from downtown SD, but if you do drive, there usually does seem to be street parking.
We also commit to reservations each and every time as well although it has been a bit easier to nab a reservation in recent months.
Coming into the restaurant, it's a beautiful area with a bar in the center and tables surrounding the area. It feels like a modern interpretation of Metropolis - art deco vibes with moody lighting. There's also a small patio area which is where we sat in our first visit with heat lamps during the colder months. When it gets noisy inside, I think the patio is a great option.
Service is also pretty great across the board. Our server on our first visit (apologies, we forgot your name!) was amazing. He walked us through the menu and gave us nice food hacks throughout when possible.
We've hit a lot of different menu items now with our various visits - here are some highlights:
*Dry aged duck: This is a dish we had to actually go back a second time because they sold out. Would come either early or try to denote in your reservation notes. We thought it was definitely worth getting and meaty. Love the crisp of the skin. Love that you can construct your lettuce wraps with lots of fun side dishes.
*Kurobata pork collar: This was the entree we went with our first visit as the duck had sold out. And we were pleasantly surprised. Definitely the easier dish to eat between this and the duck - gotta love the tamarind puree and herbs to really give the dish a wonderful vibrancy.
*Tail snapper crudo: A really solid appetizer to start with. Love the acidity and brightness of the dish.
*Beef tartar: Also amazing. It has a slight kick to it as well as a crunch that is a bit different than the typical beef tartar. Loved that it came with sesame rice crackers and watercress.
*Duck liver pate: A solid pate dish with a tiny bit of spicy/kick. The baguette is delicious as well as the wonderful fruit.
*Vanilla flan: Such a freakin' good dessert - a delicious play on Vietnamese flan. I love the Vietnamese coffee the they pour all over the flan and that you can use throughout the entire meal to continue and coat the dessert. Best of all, you can ask for ice as well to truly get the Vietnamese feel.
We've also gotten many of the cocktails which are all pretty good. Believe my favorites are the Sesame soirée and Saigon Moped.
A fantastic find that I think is worth a visit when in SD.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tahel Darel
One of my favourite places in SD. Not my first time here and definitely not the last. The food is amazing and unique. The atmosphere is wow. It’s definitely pricey but for me it’s so worth it.
Celebrated my birthday here on a last minute whim, honestly food was delicious and servers/ppl here were so down to earth! Thank you guys for the hospitality and love you showed us :)
The smoked dry aged duck was definitely the highlight for me, especially the chimichurri nuoc mam. The house made egg noodles were nice too. Service is very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is fun. Love the circular bar seating in the middle of the space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Filipe de Souza
Kingfisher is a gem of a neighborhood spot tucked away in Golden Hill — cozy, stylish, and perfect for a night out. I’m honestly kicking myself for not visiting sooner.
We started with drinks, and they set the tone for the whole evening. I had the Sesame Soirée, a beautifully balanced cocktail where the sesame added a unique depth, the citrus brightened things up, and the egg whites with coconut cream gave it a smooth, rich texture. For my next rounds, I went with “dealer’s choice,” leaving it up to the bartender, and every cocktail that came out was spot on. Truly spectacular.
For appetizers, we ordered the Tai Snapper Crudo, Crispy Pig Ear Salad, and Crispy Chicken Wings. All three were excellent, but the wings stole the show — perfectly crisp with a tamarind glaze that was tangy, sweet, and absolutely addictive.
Our second course included the Grilled Chino Farms Baby Broccoli, House-Made Egg Noodles, and the Littleneck Clams and Mussels. Everything was fantastic, but the clams and mussels stood out thanks to the incredible sauce. It was so good we ordered extra bread just to soak it up — honestly, we could’ve sipped it straight.
For mains, we went with the Snake River Farms Wagyu Skirt Steak and the Smoked Dry-Aged Duck. Both were beautifully executed, full of flavor, and satisfying in every way.
We ended the night with the Warm Bread Pudding and the Vanilla Flan, paired with a bartender’s twist on a Carajillo. It was the perfect sweet finish to an already amazing meal.
Kingfisher exceeded every expectation — the drinks, the food, the atmosphere — everything was on point. I can’t wait to go back and make up for lost time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Casey
The food was pretty good with a couple standouts. Their pork main and duck pate starter were great. Service was normal.
Biggest gripe is that for our reservation on a slow Sunday night (dining room half filled), they ran out of their headliner duck main at 6pm. 5 minutes earlier when our waiter walked through the menu they gave no indication that they were running low on their most popular dish.
This is the 3rd time in about half a year that my close circle of friends has experienced the duck 86’ed. It feels strange that such an expensive restaurant hasn’t been able to figure out their inventory for such a highly-ordered dish.
Kingfisher absolutely lives up to the hype. The congee was surprisingly delicious and comforting in the best way, the wings were solid, and the kurobuta pork was amazing. We were bummed they were out of the duck breast on our first visit, but honestly everything was so good that we came back for a second visit—and they remembered us and saved the duck breast. Totally worth it. The duck breast and the leg confit were outstanding, like unbelievably good, and alone will bring me back again.
A few things to know: this is not a rush-in-and-out spot. Plan to spend at least two hours here, so come comfortable, with good friends, and plenty to talk about as the food comes out at a relaxed pace. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about every dish, the cocktails are well crafted, and the overall experience feels very intentional.
They do add a 20% service charge, but given the level of food, service, and care put into the experience, I felt it was absolutely warranted.
Easily in my top 5 restaurants in San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wild Mushroom Congee, Smoked Dry Aged Duck, Kurobuta Pork Collar
everything was incredible, price point a bit high but the food did not disappoint. the duck was perfectly cooked, and came with so many veggies. the beef tartare was incredibly flavorful and the heat was so good. the fish was perfectly cooked too. my only complaint would be the veggies was too salty. the service was amazing, heated patio was chilly but not too bad!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So not expect typical Vietnamese food here, it is definitely Asian fusion. Every dish was cooked well and flavors were good. Loved the drinks, each flavor really shined through. It is served family style and I would say 1 dish is good for 3-4 people. We got 7 dishes for 5 people and I wish I could have had more of some dishes but there was just enough for one serving for each person of a dish. I still left full and overall enjoying the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect meal!
Food, drinks, and service exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed everything. Thanks for making it special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honestly, the food was incredibly mid. It wasn’t bad but most certainly not great enough to warrant those prices. I’m someone who is willing to shell out money on good food and this just wasn’t it. You’re essentially paying for a nice atmosphere by coming here, I guess. Mandatory 20% service fee to sit at a bar with very uneven stools was a bit of a shocker in all honesty. It’s not a bad place, but I don’t think I’ll be returning again. If you have an unlimited budget and want a pretty place with not terrible food to take someone out on a date, this is the place for you. If you’re looking to actually fill your stomach and a great food experience, you’re probably better off going elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I highly recommend the tasting menu! Every bite was amazing. Staff were super helpful and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love everyone there,I also love the chefs too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kingfisher, Wild Mushroom Congee, Baja Kampachi Crudo
This is really a wonderful Vietnamese-French upscale restaurant that has a great sense of both flavor and smart vibes all across its menu.
For us, we usually come to Kingfisher via rideshare which is a quick ride from downtown SD, but if you do drive, there usually does seem to be street parking.
We also commit to reservations each and every time as well although it has been a bit easier to nab a reservation in recent months.
Coming into the restaurant, it's a beautiful area with a bar in the center and tables surrounding the area. It feels like a modern interpretation of Metropolis - art deco vibes with moody lighting. There's also a small patio area which is where we sat in our first visit with heat lamps during the colder months. When it gets noisy inside, I think the patio is a great option.
Service is also pretty great across the board. Our server on our first visit (apologies, we forgot your name!) was amazing. He walked us through the menu and gave us nice food hacks throughout when possible.
We've hit a lot of different menu items now with our various visits - here are some highlights:
*Dry aged duck: This is a dish we had to actually go back a second time because they sold out. Would come either early or try to denote in your reservation notes. We thought it was definitely worth getting and meaty. Love the crisp of the skin. Love that you can construct your lettuce wraps with lots of fun side dishes.
*Kurobata pork collar: This was the entree we went with our first visit as the duck had sold out. And we were pleasantly surprised. Definitely the easier dish to eat between this and the duck - gotta love the tamarind puree and herbs to really give the dish a wonderful vibrancy.
*Tail snapper crudo: A really solid appetizer to start with. Love the acidity and brightness of the dish.
*Beef tartar: Also amazing. It has a slight kick to it as well as a crunch that is a bit different than the typical beef tartar. Loved that it came with sesame rice crackers and watercress.
*Duck liver pate: A solid pate dish with a tiny bit of spicy/kick. The baguette is delicious as well as the wonderful fruit.
*Vanilla flan: Such a freakin' good dessert - a delicious play on Vietnamese flan. I love the Vietnamese coffee the they pour all over the flan and that you can use throughout the entire meal to continue and coat the dessert. Best of all, you can ask for ice as well to truly get the Vietnamese feel.
We've also gotten many of the cocktails which are all pretty good. Believe my favorites are the Sesame soirée and Saigon Moped.
A fantastic find that I think is worth a visit when in SD.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my favourite places in SD. Not my first time here and definitely not the last.
The food is amazing and unique. The atmosphere is wow.
It’s definitely pricey but for me it’s so worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Beef Tartare, Grilled \u0026 Smoked Eggplant
Celebrated my birthday here on a last minute whim, honestly food was delicious and servers/ppl here were so down to earth! Thank you guys for the hospitality and love you showed us :)
Recommended dishes: Wild Mushroom Congee, Baja Kampachi Crudo, Smoked Dry Aged Duck
Restaurantji Recommends
The smoked dry aged duck was definitely the highlight for me, especially the chimichurri nuoc mam. The house made egg noodles were nice too. Service is very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is fun. Love the circular bar seating in the middle of the space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kingfisher is a gem of a neighborhood spot tucked away in Golden Hill — cozy, stylish, and perfect for a night out. I’m honestly kicking myself for not visiting sooner.
We started with drinks, and they set the tone for the whole evening. I had the Sesame Soirée, a beautifully balanced cocktail where the sesame added a unique depth, the citrus brightened things up, and the egg whites with coconut cream gave it a smooth, rich texture. For my next rounds, I went with “dealer’s choice,” leaving it up to the bartender, and every cocktail that came out was spot on. Truly spectacular.
For appetizers, we ordered the Tai Snapper Crudo, Crispy Pig Ear Salad, and Crispy Chicken Wings. All three were excellent, but the wings stole the show — perfectly crisp with a tamarind glaze that was tangy, sweet, and absolutely addictive.
Our second course included the Grilled Chino Farms Baby Broccoli, House-Made Egg Noodles, and the Littleneck Clams and Mussels. Everything was fantastic, but the clams and mussels stood out thanks to the incredible sauce. It was so good we ordered extra bread just to soak it up — honestly, we could’ve sipped it straight.
For mains, we went with the Snake River Farms Wagyu Skirt Steak and the Smoked Dry-Aged Duck. Both were beautifully executed, full of flavor, and satisfying in every way.
We ended the night with the Warm Bread Pudding and the Vanilla Flan, paired with a bartender’s twist on a Carajillo. It was the perfect sweet finish to an already amazing meal.
Kingfisher exceeded every expectation — the drinks, the food, the atmosphere — everything was on point. I can’t wait to go back and make up for lost time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was pretty good with a couple standouts. Their pork main and duck pate starter were great. Service was normal.
Biggest gripe is that for our reservation on
a slow Sunday night (dining room half filled), they ran out of their headliner duck main at 6pm. 5 minutes earlier when our waiter walked through the menu they gave no indication that they were running low on their most popular dish.
This is the 3rd time in about half a year that my close circle of friends has experienced the duck 86’ed. It feels strange that such an expensive restaurant hasn’t been able to figure out their inventory for such a highly-ordered dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Duck Liver Pate, Kurobuta Pork Collar
Phenomenal meal, great cocktails. A tad pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wagyu skirt steak was amazing, chicken was kind of mid. Overall good food, but the 20% automatic service charge leaves a bit of a sour taste
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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