Wormwood

Name: Wormwood
Address: 4677 30th St, San Diego, CA, United States, 92116-3245
Telephone: (619) 915-6706
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.7

4.7

827 Reviews

$50 and over

French

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2 people

16 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 14 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Great for creative cocktails

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.

Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.

We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.

Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Elegant Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
French, Mediterranean, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu, Sun 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:30 Happy Hour Tue–Thu, Sun 17:00–19:00
Phone number
(619) 915-6706
Website
http://www.wormwoodsd.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Omar Armas
Private party facilities
Create the elegant and whimsical social or corporate event of your dreams here in San Diego. Let our team elevate your guest’s experience with a Chef’s Table Dinner, Absinthe Tasting, and Live Music & Entertainment.
Private party contact
Amar Harrag: (619) 573-0289

Location
4677 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116-3245
Area
North Park
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Valentine's Day Special Tasting Menu $120pp
US$120.00 per person
14 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025
Join us for a romantic evening featuring a carefully crafted menu: ✨ Crudo Kampachi: Fresh Kampachi with tomatillo and cucumber aguachile, cured shinko pears, chia crisp, and cilantro blossom. ✨ Rosa de Alba Salad: A colorful blend of Rosa de Alba radicchio, Salanova lettuce, strawberries, Mimolette cheese, and sweet lemon vinaigrette. ✨ Lobster Fagottini: Black tahini pasta stuffed with Taleggio and lobster, served with citrusy pea and nettle soubise, and fava beans. ✨ Main Course Options: Baja Striped Bass: Sweet parsnip, crispy shiso leaf, and saffron vanilla sauce. Prime New York: Potato fondant, farmers’ vegetables, and bordelaise sauce. ✨ Dessert Options: Tarte Tatin Raspberry Soufflé: Paired with dark chocolate pastry cream.
Wormwood's Celebration Tasting Menu $120pp
US$120.00 per person
Multiple dates available
$120 per person. Marking a special occasion? Indulge in the spirit of La Bohème with our exquisite seven-course “Best of Wormwood” tasting menu featuring our signature caviar, oysters and a champagne toast. Perfect for commemorating life's special moments!
The Gourmet Hour
US$60.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Indulge in our exclusive early evening dining experience. The Gourmet Hour. Savor a carefully curated three-course menu that showcases some of our favorite dishes at a special price of $60 per person.

Offers

Live Music
Multiple dates available
Sun - 17:00 - 20:30
Featuring rotating artists playing live music in the enchanted patio from 6-8pm on Sunday evenings. (Weather permitting)

Gourmet HourUS$60.00
Indulge in our exclusive early evening dining experience. The Gourmet Hour. Savor a carefully curated three-course menu that showcases some of our favorite dishes at a special price.
Carpe DiemUS$90.00
Savor Chef's Curated Six Course Dinner. A Giving Moment, Featuring Seasonal and Local Ingredients Experience Chef's Passion and the True French 'Art De Vivre'
Celebration in StyleUS$120.00
Indulge in the Spirit if La Bohème with our Exquisite Seven-Course 'Best of Wormwood' Tasting Menu. Perfect for Commemorating Life's Special Moments. Menu Highlights include a Glass of Champagne, Fresh Oysters, Luxurious caviar & Coquilles St jacques.

Canapés

Foie Savory MacaronUS$6.00
Chicken Liver, Pear Sphere, Pickled Onion
MadeleineUS$8.00
Buckwheat, Whipped Fromage, Smoked Char Roe
DelicacyUS$8.00
Oyster Butter, Sago Pearls, Golden Kiwi, Trout Roe, Champagne Foam
Coquille Saint JacquesUS$12.00
Guanciale, Pecorino, Fresno
Huître x4US$17.00
Pamplemousse, Mezcal Mignonette, Cara Cara, Amaranth

Les Salades

Burrata CrémeuseUS$23.00
Winter Greens, Farmers Market Tomatoes, Persimmons, White Balsamic
Salade LyonnaiseUS$21.00
Smoked Sablefish, Caesar Beurre Monté, Poached Egg, Frisée, Pickled Onions, Parmesan
BettravesUS$19.00
Rye Tart, Herbed Fromage, Pistachio, Citrus, Zaatar

Pour L'Amour de Partager

PainUS$12.00
Parker House Loaf, Honey-Rosemary Butter
Tarte aux OignonsUS$22.00
Caramelized Onions, Puff Pastry, Petit Basque, French Onion Demi-Glace
Poisson CruUS$26.00
Shinko Pear, Avocado, Celery, Morita Pearls, Kombu Tomato Dashi
Wagyu TartareUS$31.00
Roasted Bone Marrow, Mustard, Pickled Serrano, Bordelaise, Sourdough

Pièce de Resistance

Fromage et Maïs AgnolottiUS$32.00
Wild Local Mushrooms, Mascarpone, Roasted Poblano, Pastis-Pecorino Foam
Poulet à la MoutardeUS$36.00
Mustard Greens, Mustard Seeds, Poulet Demi-Glace, Apricot
PoissonUS$38.00
Mussels, Farm Fennel & Carrot, Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc
Steak du BoucherUS$48.00
Porcini & Espelette Crusted Wagyu, Mushroom Bordelaise, Pomme Paillasson, Raclette Fondue

Le Fromage

Cheese PlatterUS$8.00
Selection of 1, 2 or 3 Cheeses Served with Condiments

Les Desserts

Tarte TatinUS$16.00
Winter Granny Smith Apples, Vanilla-Olive Oil Gelato
Tarte au ChocolatUS$15.00
Banana, Salted Caramel, Malt Crème Anglaise
Crème BruléeUS$15.00
Absinthe, Farmer's Market Strawberries, Caramel, Taj Farm Crema

Absinthe

"Absinthe is the only decent drink that suits an artist." Paul Gauguin

Absinthes de France

Absinthe Ordanaire 92US$13.00
Absinthe 1804US$32.00
Combier BlanchetteUS$18.00
Eliz GorgoneUS$31.00
Grande AbsenteUS$20.00
Jade C.F. Berger 1898US$28.00
Jade Esprit EdouardUS$35.00
La Fee ParisienneUS$18.00
La Fee BlancheUS$18.00
La Muse VerteUS$18.00
LucidUS$18.00
Pernod 136US$19.00
Paul Devoille Absinthe du CentenaireUS$25.00
Vieux Pontarlier 3-YearUS$32.00
Vieux PontarlierUS$15.00

Absinthes d'Europe

Butterfly Classic (Switzerland)US$22.00
Duplais Blanche (Switzerland)US$20.00
Duplais Verte 136 (Switzerland)US$19.00
Gruene Fee 130 (Austria)US$13.00
Kubler (Switzerland)US$18.00
La Clandestine (Switzerland)US$20.00

Absinthes des USA

Barber Lee (California)US$22.00
Dead of NightUS$16.00
Doc Herson's Green (New York)US$21.00
Doc Herson's White Poppy (New York)US$20.00
Emperor Norton 136 (California)US$20.00
Leopolds Bros Verte (Colorado)US$18.00
ReBru Absinthe Superieure (California)US$16.00
Two James Nain Rouge Verte (Michigan)US$14.00
Vieux Carre (Pennsylvania)US$16.00
St Georges CaliforniaUS$15.00

Pastis

H BardouinUS$13.00
HerbsainteUS$15.00
La Muse VerteUS$13.00
Pernod 136US$16.00
Prado MarseilleUS$13.00
RicardUS$15.00

What 827 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
French
San Diego
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Wormwood offers an enchanting experience reminiscent of a French bistro. Guests rave about the "charming ambience" and "delicious food," making it perfect for date nights. Highlights include the "superb" tasting menus and "incredible" service. While some note the setting can be chilly, the "magical ambiance" and standout cocktails create lasting memories.

827 Reviews

I
Irianny
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A fun experience! Came here for Valentine’s Day with reservations and had a smooth experience. Because of the holiday they only had a 5 tasting course. It was a bit packed understandably. The drinks were amazing! The food was a culinary experience. The service was on par. We were there for close to 3 hours however because the food came out very slow, however they gave us a discount because of it without us even asking. Amazing attention to detail!
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D
Dalia
San Diego
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The only thing I’m upset about is that I didn’t go sooner!!! Amazing place from experience to the best cousine I’ve had in years!!! It was raining hard and windy and they did everything possible to create a cozy experience in their patio. I will be back asap! Thank you for making our early valentines so special!
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E
Erin
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing drinks and food. The ambiance was excellent; it’s an adorable cool vibe inside. The servers knew the drinks and food inside and out. The food and drinks came quickly
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J
Jonathan
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Second time visiting this place and it did not disappoint. Service was amazing and food was phenomenal. We ended up going with the tasting menu and it was delicious. You pay for what you get here and that’s excellence.
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K
Kacy
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 7 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Maybe the best meal I’ve had in the last 10 years. Every dish was better than the last. The only issue we had was parking but the food was impeccable!
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G
Gabriella
New York City
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Such a let down, I made a reservation to have a special anniversary dinner and it was such a bust. We had to wait almost an hour to be seated. Then, they sat us next to a door that had people rushing in and out the whole time and that they kept propped open all night on a cold night. We asked to move to an open table and they wouldn’t accommodate unfortunately. Then we waited forever to be helped and forever for each course to come. They apologized multiple times for the long waits between courses and the cold but didn’t actually do anything about it. Would have been nice if they comped us something small in good faith. The food was good, but by the time we even got any food we were starving and the portions are small there. I knew this going in, and have had fine experiences before, and it would’ve been fine if the wait wasn’t so inconvenient. And while the food was good, it wasn’t so good that it made up for the experience. This is a pricey place too, and I’m okay paying top dollar for a great meal and experience but I feel we way overpaid for the experience we had.
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D
Debra
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I couldn’t have been more enthralled with this enchanting restaurant. The French/American influence was out of the ordinary starting with the absinthe and pastis options on the cocktail menu. The bar staff entertained with an education on them both and all the cocktails and drinks. We were celebrating a birthday and each item on the Celebration Tasting menu caused an explosion of taste that you only dream about. Each plate was more unique and delicious than the next. A Harry Met Sally moment. Our server, Kyle was educated, engaged and entertaining. This is a rare gem not to be missed in San Diego
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G
Grant
Greater Boston
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Wormwood has an excellent charm, reminding me of a French bistro. It’s clear that they take a lot of time to curate the menu and utilize fresh ingredients
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B
Bob
San Diego
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had an amazing time, we sat in the enchanted patio and it was wonderful! Food and cocktails were excellent and our server was incredibly attentive! Would absolutely go back.
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M
Mercedes
San Diego
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
My partner and I received a gift card so we decided to go on a date night here! *disclaimer I am dairy free so I did omit MOST dairy from our meals* I know silly to go to a European restaurant and omit dairy! Anyways, we got seated outside on the back patio which was cute & quieter than inside & the heaters kept us warm! As for the service we had 2 servers, our main server Kyle was a bit distant always coming off as rushed or super busy however his “assistant” felt more like our actual server. Her name was Savannah I believe - she was so friendly, knowledgeable, & helpful when it came to offering insight into some of the menu offerings. As a starter we ordered the chicken liver (I have never tried this but my partner had) this was a very unpleasant dish and especially unpleasant to start my meal off on this note. We both agreed that the chicken liver is of course a distinct taste, the problem was that the macaroon tasted so artificial. We also ordered the Wagyu tartare with a side of Uni - caviar butter (Kyle recommended) this was a delish add on!! Very tasty - probably our most pleasant meal to be honest. Lastly we shared the “Steak du Boucher” the potato was yummy, and the overall steak & sauce was underwhelming. nothing special here. I wish there was more depth with the flavor. Most of the food felt underwhelming & lacked flavor. I thought it could be due to omitting the cheese? Either way this place wasn’t memorable and we wouldn’t recommend or come back to be honest. A lot better food in SD In my opinion.
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FAQs

Wormwood is rated 4.7 stars by 827 OpenTable diners.

Wormwood does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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