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Dockside 1953 - Dockside 1953, San Diego, CA

Dockside 1953

4.4
4.4
607 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
With its spectacular waterfront setting on Mission Bay, nautical-inspired design, and a menu of mouthwatering dishes, Dockside 1953 is a favorite restaurant for hotel guests and locals alike. Aptly named for its marina-facing locale at the Bahia Resort Hotel and the year the resort opened, Dockside 1953 is a stunning standout in San Diego’s dining scene. Fresh, coastal-inspired, and locally sourced — the eclectic menu of California fare features dishes to satisfy all palates. With a dedication to high-quality ingredients, menu highlights include classic sweet and savory options for breakfast; salads, bowls, and flatbreads for lunch; sharable starters and fresh seafood entrées for dinner; and a thoughtful wine and cocktail menu. The extensive outdoor patio features cozy fire pits, gorgeous Mission Bay views, and a covered trellis to shade guests.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 07:00–11:30 Brunch Sat, Sun 07:00–15:00 Bar Daily 11:30–23:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–17:00 Sat, Sun 15:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–21:30
  • Phone number
    (858) 539-7634
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Alejandro Sicairos
  • Private party facilities
    For those special occasions, Dockside 1953 offers group dining accommodations. Our expert staff is dedicated to helping you plan the perfect event – whether it’s a business meeting, anniversary or a birthday celebration.
  • Area
    Mission Beach
  • Cross Street
    W. Mission Bay Drive and Gleason Road
  • Parking details
    We offer free self parking for our guests.
  • Public transit
    MTS Bus stops a few step from the hotel.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Christmas Eve Pre Fixe Menu

    US$79.00 per person

    24 Dec 2024 only
    Celebrate a memorable Christmas Eve at Dockside 1953, where the talented chefs take care of the cooking while you enjoy the magic of the season. Indulge in a festive three-course dinner featuring your choice of starter, entrée, and dessert, all while soaking in stunning bay views. It’s the perfect setting to share special moments with your loved ones this holiday season.
    Christmas Eve Pre Fixe Menu photo
  • New Years Eve Pre Fixe Menu

    US$95.00 per person

    31 Dec 2024 only
    This New Year’s Eve, celebrate on Mission Bay! The chefs at Dockside 1953 are cooking up an impressive four course dinner to delight the senses. Mouthwatering entrée options include grilled angus beef tenderloin, seared local halibut, and lemon potato risotto. With stunning waterfront views and live music, there's no better place to welcome a joyful New Year!
    New Years Eve Pre Fixe Menu photo

What 607 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dockside 1953 offers a charming waterfront dining experience with "amazing food," "superb views," and "exceptional service." Guests appreciate the cozy ambiance, attentive staff, and delightful menu options, particularly the seafood. While some find it pricey, many recommend it for special occasions, highlighting the restaurant as a "hidden gem" in Mission Bay.

607 Reviews
  1. Hugo

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We decided to visit the restaurant during a tour of Mission Bay and it was a very good decision. The restaurant is beautiful, the staff very friendly and attentive and the food delicious. We loved it.
    Dockside 1953Responded today
    Dear Hugo, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed the restaurant, the friendly service, and the delicious food. We hope to welcome you back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Gary

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The ambience was just okay, (the restaurant interior was more like an upscale diner), but the food was very good, the service was excellent, and what's not to love about a decent eating establishment on the bay. (Side note: nice touch by the chef to interact with guests and ask for their opinion on how the food was prepared.) That said, in my opinion, the food and beverage were overpriced, (and my wife and I dine out often). There was also a 3% kitchen "Appreciation fee." I realize there is now a trend in the restaurant industry to add a service charge, but given the prices, such a surcharge seemed unnecessary, if not inappropriate. There was also a $13 charge for bread. At $13, the bread and butter should have been exceptional, but there was nothing remarkable about either. Picky? Perhaps a little. But for a $200+ check for two, (which included two martini's at $21 each and iced tea at $6), I was expecting considerably more.
    Dockside 1953Responded 3 days ago
    Dear Gary, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the food and service but appreciate your thoughts on pricing and other details. Your input helps us improve the dining experience for all our guests. We hope to welcome you back soon for an improved visit.

    Is this helpful?

  3. C.

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The restaurant had less than 12 diners at 11 am for brunch. Our order wasn't taken for 15 minutes, then another 20 for ½ dz oysters-without plates and seafood forks-and a mimosa flight to be served. Took even more time for American breakfast order; it was underwhelming with rosemary breakfast potatoes and not much rosemary flavour. Be ready to ask for all condiments or utensils: jelly, butter and sugar for coffee, etc. They do not offer any unless you ask. My companion had Surf & Turf burrito and they only ate ½. A simple, regular sized burrito they cut in half. You'll get larger at the local taco shops. There was no garnishment, no salsa and no offer for any, nor any sides and again, not much flavour. This place must be for tourists that haven't had much experience with California coastal cusine. If flavour, presentation and service is what you like, you'll find better at other restaurants. We drove from La Mesa for $140, including tip. Ugh, never again.
    Dockside 1953Responded 7 days ago
    Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We value your input and will work on improving the service and quality for future guests. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for an improved visit.

    1 person found this helpful

  4. Sarah

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dockside 1953 went above and beyond to give us an amazing anniversary experience. The food and drinks were outstanding!! The atmosphere was simply beautiful!! Our server and the manager did everything in their power to make sure we had an extra special evening. I would highly recommend this restaurant—it is definitely a hidden gem in San Diego!!
    Dockside 1953Responded on 13 December 2024
    Dear Sarah, Thank you for celebrating your anniversary with us at Dockside 1953! We're thrilled you enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service during your visit. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Shari

    VIP

    Las Vegas

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 10 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a pleasure to dine at Dockside. Fabulous setting and our usual server Nick was top notch as always! ❤️
    Dockside 1953Responded on 12 December 2024
    Dear Shari, Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your dining experience and received excellent service. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Mike

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Great location. The service was basic not what we expected from a proposed nice place. The table was not set with all the dishes and had to ask for plates to even get our starters eaten. The food was good but the temperature felt like it waited a while to be delivered. Finally, the mimosa flight was not what was ordered and the server made substitutions without asking.
    Dockside 1953Responded on 10 December 2024
    Dear Mike, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the location and food, but we apologize for the issues you encountered with the service and table setup. Your comments are valuable, and we’ll work to ensure a more seamless experience in the future.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Barb

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waiter Patrick was outstanding. Very knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. Food was really good and would recommend sitting on the lovely patio.
    Dockside 1953Responded on 10 December 2024
    Dear Barb, Thank you for your great review! We’re so glad Patrick provided excellent service and that you enjoyed the food and patio. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Darrell

    VIP

    Fayetteville

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and atmosphere were great. Our server was excellent and did a fantastic job!
    Dockside 1953Responded on 11 December 2024
    Dear Darrell, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    1 person found this helpful

  9. Darrell

    VIP

    Fayetteville

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service. The atmosphere is awesome next to the beach.
    Dockside 1953Responded on 6 December 2024
    Dear Darrell, Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed your meal and the location and we can't wait to welcome you back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Shawn

    VIP

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing service, food, and outdoor space. Indoors was not up to expectations but the outdoor fire space was incredible for the evening. Listed price point on OpenTable should have been much higher.
    Dockside 1953Responded on 3 December 2024
    Dear Shawn, Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the service, food, and outdoor fire space. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dockside 1953 offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 539-7634.

Dockside 1953 is rated 4.4 stars by 607 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 18 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Dockside 1953

998 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109-7803

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    W. Mission Bay Drive and Gleason Road
  • Area
    Mission Beach
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 07:00–11:30 Brunch Sat, Sun 07:00–15:00 Bar Daily 11:30–23:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–17:00 Sat, Sun 15:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–21:30
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We offer free self parking for our guests.
  • Public transit
    MTS Bus stops a few step from the hotel.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Alejandro Sicairos
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (858) 539-7634
  • Private party facilities
    For those special occasions, Dockside 1953 offers group dining accommodations. Our expert staff is dedicated to helping you plan the perfect event – whether it’s a business meeting, anniversary or a birthday celebration.
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