Diners' Choice: Good for groups restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

Looking for restaurants that are great for groups in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Blind Burro

4.7

4.7 (696)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Blind Burro specializes in fresh, coastal Baja Mexican cuisine. Our emphasis is on quality, from the customer service, to the ingredients we use in all of our hand crafted food and drinks. We want our guests to enjoy Baja Mexican fare right here in East Village, San Diego. Come in and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where you can meet over a carafe of spicy margaritas or on tap house sangria. . Or try us for lunch with clients while enjoying steak tacos and a quinoa mixed green salad. Hope to see you soon in the unique, airy and comfortable environment we have created for you in downtown San Diego.

**All checks will have a 4% pandemic recovery surcharge due to the additional costs associated with the impact on our business and operations. This is not a gratuity and will be used to help us offset the additional product, labor, overhead and other costs.**

Top review

Joseph

Dined on 18 Oct 2026

Blind Burro is a solid choice for downtown and getting together for a night out. Experienced management and staff combined with delicious Mexican food make the stop in tasty and memorable. Highly recommended.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (74)

$30 and under

Mexican

San Ysidro

About the restaurant

Mexican Breakfast? You got to try the Best Chilaquiles in San Diego!

Top review

ClaudiaGold

Dined on 27 Oct 2026

Great food. Server was very nice and attentive to our needs

Punch Bowl Social - San Diego

4.7

4.7 (159)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Barrio Logan

About the restaurant

We're all about good vibes and unforgettable hangs. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends, belting out karaoke tunes (even if you don't know all the words), or just laughing over a few gutterballs, we've got you covered. With fourteen locations, each offering their own unique adventures, there's always a reason to come through and make some memories with us. Every night brings something new, from our crowd-favorites, Music Bingo and Trivia, to Silent Disco with 3 DJs. Bring your besties or get ready to meet some new ones! Let us host your next event! We've got the beats pumping, drinks flowing, and games ready to go. From full venue buyouts to exclusive gatherings, we have options to fit your every need.

Top review

JessicaGold

Dined on 12 Sept 2026

Great service, great food! Perfect location for a teen birthday gathering .

Wheat & Water

4.6

4.6 (12)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Wheat & Water is a neighborhood restaurant and bar in the heart of Bird Rock, La Jolla, serving some of Southern California’s best wood-fired pizza alongside elevated comfort food, fresh cocktails, local beer, and thoughtfully selected wines. Whether you’re joining us for lunch, daily happy hour, dinner, or a special celebration, expect warm hospitality, a lively atmosphere, and food made for sharing. Relax, settle in, and let us take care of the rest.

Top review

hawkeyeGold

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food and outstanding service! The staff was professional, attentive, and genuinely thoughtful, making the entire dining experience even more enjoyable. Their attention to detail and warm hospitality were truly appreciated. A wonderful experience overall!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Mission Valley

4.5

4.5 (128)

$30 and under

American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

laurie

Dined on 28 Oct 2026

Great food and prices- love the Pizookie deals! Noise level is very high and harder for older people but food selection is good for all ages.

Cocina de Barrio Encinitas

4.5

4.5 (234)

$30 and under

Mexican

Encinitas

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Welcome to Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Encinitas, CA! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty of tequila and mezcal selections, beer, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Monday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

doreen

Dined on 31 Oct 2026

This was our first visit...and it was perfect. The vibe is wonderful and our waiter was excellent. I was a little worried when I saw all the vegetarian dishes and there might not be enough to order but I was wrong. I had the chicken tortilla soup - one of the best I've ever had....not super traditional but excellent! Two friends had the chicken enchiladas and gave them a 10! And my husband had the Shrimp Ceviche - another 10.....Can't wait for an excuse to go again

Romanissimo

4.5

4.5 (140)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Romanissimo Cucina Italiana brings the bold flavors and timeless traditions of Roman-style Italian cuisine to the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy handcrafted pastas, signature Italian dishes, and a curated wine and cocktail list in a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for dinner with friends, date nights, and special occasions. From classic bruschetta and rich sauces to fresh seafood and hearty entrées, every dish reflects authentic Italian craftsmanship made with high-quality ingredients. Conveniently located downtown with validated parking and lively happy hour offerings, Romanissimo is a standout destination for Italian dining in San Diego. Reserve your table today and experience la dolce vita in the Gaslamp.

Top review

KeeleyGold

Dined on 26 Oct 2026

The pizza was incredible!!! Loved the Diavola, might be the best I’ve ever had.

Discover more

Celebrate Thanksgiving at Romanissimo! 🍂🦃

Draft Republic - San Marcos

4.4

4.4 (8)

$30 and under

American

San Marcos

About the restaurant

With bowling, an arcade, a full swing golf simulator, and more--Draft Republic is the most fun you can have in one place!

Top review

AdelaGold

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

We came here to celebrate my son's 27th birthday. We reserved a bowling lane for an hour. We were having so much fun we tried to extend it another hour, but the lanes were all booked. The ambience in the bowling area is fun. Booth could have been a little cleaner. We ordered some appetizers while we bowled, which were very good. After bowling we moved to the dining area for dinner. Food came out in a timely manner and was hot. They had no problem accommodating my husband's dairy allergy, which was great. We definitely plan on returning for a family fun night.

Lola 55 - San Diego

4.4

4.4 (27)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

LOLA 55 delivers a taco focused menu; chef-driven and made from the highest quality, locally-sourced ingredients. We pride ourselves on delivering authentic, traditional Mexican flavors in a modern and unique way.
Michelin Bib Gourmand rated since 2018
Our fish taco famously beat Bobby Flay in 2021 and is still the best fish taco in San Diego!

Top review

CamGold

Dined 4 days ago

Wow. The chicken taco I had was absolutely amazing. It was so good that since I left earlier today I’ve thought about it multiple times and my mouth waters. I now have to go back and get one of each taco. The tortillas are homemade and the ingredients are new to me and done perfectly. 11/10!

ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

3.7

3.7 (727)

$31 to $50

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Comfort fare meets California cool. ZENTRL brings together classic American favorites and fresh West Coast flavor in a vibrant, open-air setting. Designed with a relaxed spirit and a sophisticated edge, it’s where elevated drinks, effortless hospitality, and great food come together.

Our menu balances indulgence and freshness — from handcrafted burgers and wood-fired flatbreads to signature Chicken Schnitzel and Baja-style tacos, alongside crisp salads and hearty California bowls. There’s something for every craving, whether you're joining us before a film or settling in for the evening.

The bar is a destination of its own, featuring top-shelf spirits, a strong draft lineup, an extensive wine list, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails. With a 149-inch video wall, communal tables, an open layout, and inviting patios, ZENTRL is built for gathering — to share a meal, enjoy the game, listen to music, and connect.

Come for the food.
Stay for the drinks.
Experience ZENTRL.

Top review

KimberlyGold

Dined on 29 Oct 2026

Food was delicious, service was great, very very good experience!

Discover more

Experience

Monday AYCE Tacos & Touchdowns!

Experience

Thursday AYCE Wings & Football

Experience

Sunday Game Day Social Hour

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Diego