We have rounded up a list of San Diego’s top fourteen venues for hosting the perfect rehearsal dinner. From seaside elegance, to five-star fare, to local icons – this list has a little something for every taste and style.
1. DOWNTOWN CONTEMPORARY – GREEN ACRE
Brian Malarkey’s farm- and garden-focused eatery offers plated and buffet options in a rustic, eco-themed space. Dine in a private room, the aquarium room, atrium, patio, or even the on-site organic garden, and choose from grass-fed meatballs, vegetable gratins, Baja shrimp and stone crab cakes, kale chips, and other healthy eats. (Note that Green Acre has two locations; Green Acre Nautilus sits near North Torrey Pines Road.)
Location: Campus Point, UTC Area
Cost: $1,800-2,500 for venue
Contact: Taylor Berk, 858.263.4543, taylor@greenacresd.com
Photograph: Samantha Bonpensiero // See full list of vendors HERE
2. TRENDY ITALIAN – BOTTEGA AMERICANO
Bottega Americano goes beyond its restaurant and marketplace; the European-inspired eatery also boasts multiple event spaces, including two terraces with panoramic views of the downtown skyline. That means a variety of capacities, from intimate parties with a prix-fixe menu to a full restaurant buyout for parties of more than 100.
Location: East Village
Cost: Starts at $50/person
Contact: Sara Kincaid,
sara@bottegaamericano.com
3. TASTEFUL & SWEET – EXTRAORDINARY DESSERTS
The designer desserts purveyor offers an airy, contemporary space with tea hour, wine and cheese happy hour, and luncheon menus that include panini, pizzettes, and petite sweets. Both the patio and main dining room can be rented, seating anywhere from 40 to 200.
Location: Little Italy
Cost: Starts at $2,000
Contact: Stephanie Peterson, 619.294.7001
4. FIVE-STAR VIEWS AND FOOD – CALIFORNIA/MODERN
The fine dining component of George’s at the Cove offers three distinct dining areas as well as a larger ocean-view room—not to mention Chef Trey Foshee’s much-touted California cuisine. Jalapeño arancini poppers, Chino Farms carrots, and whipped coconut with chia seeds and bee pollen are just some of the menu options.
Location: La Jolla
Cost: $50-100/person
Contact: Kristine Fogarty, 858.454.4244 ext. 129, kristine@georgesatthecove.com
5. HIDDEN GEM – THE VAULT ROOM
Housed in a former bank, the downtown Courtyard by Marriott maintains much of its historical details, including Italian Romanesque revival architecture and a still-intact safe deposit vault from 1928 (seats 16). Both plated and buffet options are available, and you can select themed spreads.
Location: Downtown
Cost: Starts at $35/person
Contact: 619.446.3048
6. FAMILY FAVORITE – SOLARE RISTORANTE
The family-owned Italian eatery has two patios, multiple dining rooms, a lounge, and a wine cellar for very intimate dinners (seats four).
Location: Liberty Station
Cost: Starts at $400
Contact: Petra Belliti, petra@solarelounge.com
7. RUSTIC CHIC – CUCINA ENOTECA
Tracy Borkum’s Italian restaurant-meets-wine shop is filled with whimsical, equestrian-themed décor that pays tribute to the nearby polo fields. The full restaurant seats up to 220; Enoteca’s second-story, open-air garden patio accommodates up to 60.
Location: Del Mar
Cost: $40-120/person
Contact: Tiffany Tassano, 619.239.2222 ext. 4, tiffany@urbankitchengroup.com
8. HAUTE CUISINE – BIJOU FRENCH BISTRO
The opulent French bistro is backed by a James Beard-nominated chef. The Wine Room can accommodate up to 14, while the Private Dining Room can seat up to 34. Expect fine dining and a superior wine list, from the owners of Grand Del Mar.
Location: La Jolla
Cost: Starts at $65/person
Contact: Alessio Marini, 858.750.3695
9. SEASIDE ELEGANCE – THE MARINE ROOM
Fine dining meets the California coast at this La Jolla classic, which can fit up to 120 guests in its oceanfront space. In total, the Marine Room offers five distinct spaces as well as a restaurant buyout, as some brides choose to host their weddings here. Discerning guests will be impressed with Executive Chef Bernard Guillas’s cuisine, not to mention the wine list by Lisa Redwine, one of San Diego’s only advanced sommeliers.
Location: La Jolla
Cost: Starts at $62/person
Contact: Kayla Shirey, 858.964.1977, kshirey@ljbtc.com
Photograph: Ashley Williams Photography // See full list of vendors HERE
10. DOWNTOWN CONTEMPORARY – HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT
The hotel’s restaurant Vela has a private dining room that seats up to 25 guests and offers views of the bay and a newly renovated outdoor space. Other top venues at this downtown property include the Aqua Salon, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, and Promenade Plaza, a 7,000-square-foot outdoor and oceanfront expanse. Executive Chef Jonathan McCann, who once cooked for the Queen, focuses on quality ingredients done simply.
Location: Downtown
Cost: $500-25,000 for food and beverage minimum
Contact: Tracy Hernandez, tracy.hernandez@hilton.com
Photograph: Holly Ireland // See full list of vendors HERE
11. FABULOUS FIESTA – CASA GUADALAJARA
The vibrant restaurant comes fiesta-ready, with Mexican folk art, hacienda gates, and wrought-iron fixtures. Casa’s Courtyard venue is the most impressive of the three locales, decorated with a 200-year-old California pepper tree, a fountain made of Mexican cantera stone, and colorful talavera tiles.
Location: Old Town
Cost: $50-300/hour for room rental
Contact: Catherine Breedlove, catherine@casaguadalajara.com
12. BAYSIDE BEAUTY – LOEWS CORONADO BAY
The bay-facing hotel can host dinners anywhere on the property with a custom menu, but it’s tough to beat the sunset and skyline views from the Mistral restaurant, which offers a Mediterranean-influenced menu.
Location: Coronado
Cost: Starts at $49/person for groups of 12-35
Contact: Deanna Jones, 619.424.4469, deannajones@loewshotels.com
13. LOCAL ICON – BALI HAI
Bali Hai pulls from Asian and Hawaiian culture with a Pacific Rim-style menu and rooms like the South Pacific (a large indoor space with panoramic views) and the Hawaiian Village.
Location: Shelter Island
Cost: $50-100/person
Contact: banquets@balihairestaurant.com
14. BEACHSIDE BLISS – PACIFIC COAST GRILL
Few very SD venues actually get guests close enough to put their toes in the sand. PCG has several room and deck options, plus a killer Pacific Coastal-inspired menu.
Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cost: Starts at $25/entrée
Contact: Beth Bennett, beth@pacificcoastgrill.com
