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The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

4.6
4.6
1258 Reviews
$30 and under
Gastro Pub

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2 people
19:00
Booked 24 times today
  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Child-friendly
Located in the San Diego Safari Park
OpenTable Diners Choice 2022 Award for Best Ambiance

Enjoy an incredible view of the African Plains at the Safari Park's newest gathering spot: The Watering Hole restaurant and bar. Watch rhinos and giraffes as you dine on menu items including tasty sandwiches and fresh salads, or relax with a refreshing beverage from the full-service bar with a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and mixed drinks.

18% Gratuity charge to be added to checks for parties of 7 or more

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00–15:00 Sat, Sun 10:30–15:00
  • Phone number
    (760) 796-5654 ext. 5397
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Area
    Escondido
  • Cross Street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,258 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Watering Hole at San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a standout dining experience with "amazing views" of animals roaming the savannah, offering a "magical experience." Guests appreciate the "great food" and "excellent service," though some note slower service during busy times. Reservations are recommended for this "unique" spot.

1,258 Reviews
  1. tom

    VIP

    San Diego

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food has improved since I was last there. I love the fact they use plates, a big improvement from what they used before. It was very windy when we were there. The waiter was doing the best he could, but very crowded. Over all, I was pleased with the experience.

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  2. Krista

    San Diego

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a really unique place to eat! It's like you're eating in the middle of an African wildlife refuge. The view of the animals is great and there is a nice outdoor space where kids can run around. We had good service and the food was good, too. We all ordered the mushroom grilled cheese. It's a little pricey, but overall worth it!

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  3. Bruce

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our reservation gave us a front row seat to view the wildlife. Neat to be able to watch the giraffes, rhinos, and everything else, all while we were eating. The food was very good and well prepared. We found the prices reasonable. We'd definitely visit again.

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  4. Steve

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We've eaten at the Watering Hole twice and had two nice meals. All of the signature cocktails are excellent, and the food was much better than my expectations, especially the burrata appetizer. The scenery is unbeatable -- there's an artificial lawn directly overlooking the Safari Park's large enclosure, and you will see rhinos and other wildlife as you dine. People hang out and drink cocktails on the lawn as well. Would make it a part of any visit. A 2:30 reservation fits well with the 12-2 tour blocks common at the park.

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  5. David

    VIP

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 3 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful location, good food, excellent service.

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  6. Michael

    VIP

    Grand Rapids

    59 reviews

    5.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Really great food and how do you beat the setting.

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  7. Susan

    VIP

    New Orleans

    42 reviews

    3.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on 31 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant has an awesome view of the Savannah at Safari Park and that is the main reason that I go there. They changed their menu and they have no vegan options. However, they were willing to remove the salmon from the salad and discount the price of it. They are under staffed so their service was really slow. It took about 45 minutes to get our food, but our waiter was very nice. I would like to advise them to put salads on the menu where you can add your protein instead of having to have them remove it and figure out how much to discount it. I’ll probably continue to go there, but it would be nice if they could just at least have one vegan item on their menu.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Colin

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 30 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great location, good food and amazing views. Only complaint is food took a while about 40 minutes for 2 club sandwiches.

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  9. Nadine

    Nashville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    This Resturant has great views. Some animals roam while you’re eating. The food isn’t the greatest, but worth the price for the view.

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  10. james

    New Mexico

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a must lunch while at this beautiful park. You overlook the animals grazing on a hillside view. A magical experience. The food is great

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FAQs

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park is rated 4.6 stars by 1258 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 24 times today
Google Map for The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027-7017

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Area
    Escondido
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00–15:00 Sat, Sun 10:30–15:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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