Restaurants
Albie's Beef Inn
Near King's Inn Hotel, Albie's is a classic steak house and lounge complete with live musical entertainment and velvet paintings of nude ladies. If you like classic Americana this is a must stop. If you can't make it for dinner then stop for steak and eggs at Adam's next door.
1201 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 291-1103
Kings Inn/Waffle Stop
Across the highway from The Hanalei hotel...They have the best waffle mascot and nice classic Diner ambiance with great breakfasts at a good price
1333 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 297-2231
Red Fox Room
Steakhouse and Piano Lounge in a vintage but now-hip classic hotel.
2223 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 297-1313
Restaurant at The Pearl
Locally sourced ingredients, craft beers and inventive cocktails with poolside dining. Mid-century modern digs at their finest!
1410 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 226-6100
Imperial House
Continental restaurant and cocktail lounge.
505 Kalmia St
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-3525
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Historic Italian restaurant
1747 India St.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-5094
The San Diego Chicken Pie Shop
The San Diego Chicken Pie Shop is a classic, they have been in business since 1938.
2633 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 295-0156
Bali Hai Restaurant
The site of Tiki Oasis opening party as well as a regular stop for Arthur Lyman during his days of touring the mainland from the early 1960s to the early 1980s. Bali Hai s also a great stop for Sunday brunch.
2230 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 222-1181
Old Trieste Restaurant
exclusive dinner at a place run by the original owner for 36 years.
2335 Morena Blvd..
San Diego, CA 9211
(619) 276-1841
Hob Nob Hill
Historic coffee shop.
2271 1st Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-8176
Prohibition
A basement speakeasy hidden behind a door for a fake law firm. It’s open Wednesday-Saturday, and Thursday-Saturday entry is by guest list only, and a strict code of dress and conduct is enforced. To get on the guest list go to their website ahead of time and RSVP.
548 5th Ave,
San Diego CA 92101
Cat Eye Club
This downtown retro-styled lounge features classic cocktails and good tropicals. Many of the Tiki drinks are served in Tiki mugs and bowls. Modern tastey puu-puu style food offerings make this a comfy destination. Just a short jaunt down the 163 or the 5.
370 7th Ave,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 330-9509
Polite Provisions
Soda & Swine
Erick Castro heads up this authentic vintage cocktail lounge that takes cocktails very seriously. They also partner with the patio-yet-fancy home cookin style plates of Soda & Swine next door to provide a one-two punch of food and drink. Hopefully you are able to visit for Tiki Tuesday when they offer their versions of classic tropicals and one or two originals on a once-a-week, unique Tiki drink menu!
4696 30th Street,
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 677-3784
Seven Grand
Seven Grand has a huge lighted sign and a door one door down from the "Corner Store and Deli" in North Park neighborhood just around the corner from Bar Pink. Classic cocktails abound, whiskey is their specialty. Pool tables, taxidermied bucks, and a stage for entertainment round out the bill.
3054 University Ave,
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 269-8820
Bar Pink
Bar Pink is an anchor in the North Park area. On the Tiki Tuesday that we were there they featured Adrien Demain (of the Cheap Leis) and his wife as well as Ami's original Sneaky Tiki drink and a full menu of tropicals.
3829 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 564-7194
Craft & Commerce
Adjacent to Little Italy in a thriving loft scene area, C&C serve cutting edge cocktails with a nod to the classics. Fresh ingredients, drinks made to order based on your preference, patio area and multiple bars on different levels make this an accommodating destination.
675 W. Beech St.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-2202
Rudford's
We haven't eaten breakfast here because it's a little out of the way from Hotel Circle but we hear it is great and definitely vintage with a birth date of 1949!
2900 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-8423
Old Trieste
One of the classiest vintage steakhouses in town is Old Trieste
2335 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 276-1841
Hash House A Go Go
Voted best breakfast in San Diego.
3628 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 298-4646