49 Best Cocktail Bars near Solana Beach

“My wife and I dined here tonight for our 5 year anniversary. The staff is super nice and the service is amazing. The walkways are a little tight it feels a bit packed in - but they are trying to optimize for seating space and comfort. Our server was John he has worked at the resturante for over 20 years. He was really funny he told us a joke that make me laugh really hard. He said you know the 3 rings of marriage don't you? The engagement 'ring'. The wedding 'ring'. And finally the suffe-'ring'! Haha. The owner came by and said watch this place is going to be packed. He said I wish Monday was a Sunday so we could be packed again. The food was great the service was top notch. Trust me my wife is super picky. Not a cheap dinner out. In terms of a special dinner - or celebrating something nice you will be pleased with the result and price. Again my wife is extremely picky (tries to be GF) and she was very happy (she said it feels like we are on one of great cruise trip dinners with celebrity! that's a very high compliment for her - very rare - she loves a good cruising experience!). We will be coming back again. Thank you Pamplemousse Grill for making my wife happy!

(the place was busy - we risked going without a reservation but they scooted us into a nice booth - and took care of us)

(also really interesting art on the walls - my wife loved this also - and took pictures)“

“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.“

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

“Had a great experience at Rustic Root in San Diego. Roxanne was awesome — super attentive, friendly, and the service was on point all night. The food was terrific, and the cocktails were just as good. Great atmosphere, great service, and an all-around solid spot. Definitely recommend.“

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

“If you are looking for a cocktail that is visually stunning, complex, and incredibly refreshing, go see Logan and order the Blue Morning Mai Tai. It feels like a vacation in a glass perfect vibes for summer near the beach. Logan and the team are so warm and welcoming I definitely will be back to try some of the new cocktails and food.“

“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.“

“Great food, wonderful service!“

“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.“

“great cocktails...... ....“

“Absolutely love Sago. Literally the only spot I will go dancing in north county. They have the best music and they have a brand new menu that makes it perfect for group dinners. Vibe is always right. Staff are the best. Trista is our favorite server and Ahn (the manager) is the man! We can’t enough good things about this spot. It’s our favorite.“

“South of Nick's, located in One Paseo, is a great restaurant with a great selection of Mexican cuisine. The delicious, not-overly-salty tortilla chips are served with beans and mild and hot salsas. I highly recommend ordering the fresh guacamole for the table to share; it's a great complement to the chips. It was difficult to choose an entree, but I went with the El Vaquero. The steak was cooked perfectly, with the enchilada being the best I've had in San Diego. It also came with filet taquitos, guac, and refried beans, all of which were wonderful. I highly recommend South of Nick's for your next dinner out, regardless of your party size.“

“Came this evening & wrote the review before I’d even left so I didn’t forget!
WOW not only was this service exceptional, the food was absolutely amazing! I would give this a 100 stars if I could. Thank you thank you thank you!! I don’t live close but will be recommending this place to everyone that I know is visiting & if I return this will be the first place I’ll be coming for food.“

“One of the best spots in the area for Mediterranean food. We stumbled upon this place last year and enjoyed it so much that we came back again this year.

For the price, the quality and portion sizes make it well worth a visit. Unlike most Mediterranean restaurants that serve everything on a standard platter, the food here is beautifully presented on a long wooden board, making it perfect for sharing.

The Family Plate, which is advertised for 3–5 people, is realistically enough for about 3–4 adults, depending on everyone’s appetite. The Trio Platter is a must-order—the hummus, muhammara, and baba ganoush are all excellent. Just be careful not to fill up on the appetizers before the main course arrives.

Their wine selection is also very good. The meats were flavorful, although ours were slightly overcooked this visit. The chicken, however, had a nice crispy exterior and was delicious. The rice has a unique, light flavor that’s really enjoyable, but you may want to order an extra side since the portion that comes with the meal goes quickly. The falafel was ok, the lentil soup was good and light.

Overall, it’s a great place to bring family or friends, or simply enjoy a healthy meal before or after a beach day. It can get busy depending on the time, so expect a bit of a wait during peak hours.

The only downside is that the service can be hit or miss, as they often seem a little short-staffed. Thankfully, the quality of the food more than makes up for it.“

“Fun coastal ride today, lunch stop at The Hamburger Hut was PERFECT, per the super cool Bartender named Cisco, they think of it as in and out with a full bar! I noticed they had Old Forester Whiskey, but was on the bike, so could not partake, but will be back! Awesome parking lot for bikes. Good inside and patio seating. Burgers are smashburger style, fries are shoestring, buns are Kings Hawaiian, and everything is delicious!!! Ridden by this place countless times and had never been, it will be a routine stop now. Prices are excellent! You order at the window outside, then sit inside with a buzzer, if you sit at the bar (no minors) it is full service. Nice ocean views today and traffic was super easy! 👍“

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

“Truly a restaurant with outstanding food. We had the herb-smoked fish dip which was perfection. We had the sliders which were delicious. The grilled little gem salad was so good. The crispy brussels sprouts were so good, I could not stop eating them. Truly, it is rare to go to a restaurant these days and at every bite, say that you have never had something so delicious. This was one of those meals.“

“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.“

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

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

“Good tacos and margaritas for a decent price during happy hour. Service was a little underwhelming, but the restaurant wasn’t very busy when we came in, so maybe that’s why. Would recommend if you’re visiting Encinitas and are craving Mexican.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Great food cooked by some great guys“

“Amazing service, staff& sea food“

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

“We frequent here regularly when in San Diego and I would say our recent experience was subpar compared to our normal experience. It was Labor Day weekend so perhaps they were more slammed than normal but the service was inconsistent. We went for long stretches without seeing our waitress but when we did see her service was good. My biggest complaints were with the location of our table and the food expo. Our food was not all brought out at once we received two items then 5 minutes later two more items and then another 5 minutes before our last items. It wouldn't have been as big of a deal if one of the last items they sent was plain noodles for my toddler. Probably the fastest and easiest item and the thing we needed first. Plus when the food runners dropped off food they just dropped and ran. Usually they ask if we need anything (which we did) but we didn't even have a chance to ask. The biggest issue was our table. There were quite literally flies everywhere that kept landing on our food. I had specifically requested an indoor table when I reserved but seeing as they were busy I didn't want to be annoying. However the amount of flies made it impossible to eat. I finally had to ask if they had a fan fly which should have been offered right away. Also there were multiple ants crawling on the table and on my daughter's high chair which is especially concerning when they were crawling on my toddlers food. We made the best of it but I would refuse to sit outside again. It was louder outside with a few big parties and definitely warmer. Our total bill for 4 adults 2 kids with 4 alcohol beverages and one dessert was about $240“

“Great atmosphere excellent food“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“A solid sushi spot with fresh food and a good variety of rolls. We were seated quickly, which was a nice bonus, and the service was friendly throughout the meal. Everything tasted good, and the presentation was nice. Overall, a pleasant experience and a good place for a casual sushi dinner.“

“Queso fundido the elites and the steak plate“

“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.“

“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’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.“

“Nice change of pace and it was easy to get A table outside during covid.“

“My bride and I just spent 4 nights at the hotel. It was very nice. The restaurant, to us, is the crown jewel. We had a superb dinner. The seafood was fabulous, our server (Steven) was a delight and of course the sunset! We had breakfast on our last morning and it was very good! We came here years ago when it was Elarios and we were not disappointed this time either! We will return!“

“The service was impeccable, and the food was great“

“We went to this restaurant today at around 3 pm. Only two tables were occupied. We were seated next to a woman who was having a loud conversation on speaker phone. We were moved to a table two over where it was just as loud. I asked the woman if she could turn it off or use earbuds. She said she didn’t have earbuds and proceeded with her VERY LOUD CONVERSATION. We called the manager over which took a long time - she strolled over to us and smiled. She said she couldn’t do anything about it but offered to seat us at another table where we would still be able to hear the phone call. So we left. We are going to spend our hard-earned money at another restaurant. We hope the manager there does a better job controlling entitled patrons.“

“We had a wonderful experience at Bar Traza yesterday. Our waiter, Zach, was outstanding! He was informative, friendly, personable and very helpful. He truly made our late lunch experience memorable. We sat on the patio, overlooking the golf course with a great view of the surrounding area and hills. I definitely recommend Bar Traza and Zach!“

“Delicious food and great service!“

“Great atmosphere and super service“

“Just happened upon this place (new in the area). Sopes were fantastic, as well as their Margaritas. Will return, for sure!!!“

“Clean, grate service,Perfect location.“

“Great place, delicious stake“