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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
1283 Reviews
$30 and under
Gastro Pub

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2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
7:00 pm
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At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Booked 59 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

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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 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • 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, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,283 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
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Best Ambience

  • North San Diego

    Child-friendly

  • North San Diego

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Watering Hole at San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a must-visit for its "amazing views" of wildlife and "delicious food." Diners enjoy watching rhinos and giraffes as they savor dishes like the "miso salmon salad" and "pretzel charcuterie." Despite occasional slow service, the "unique dining experience" is highly recommended.
1,283 Reviews
  1. PattyE

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious. The service was outstanding. The view was awesome. Would definitely come here again.

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  2. tom

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a busy day at noon. But after checking in with the hostess we were able to walk out to the patio to take pictures of four rhinos aka chubby unicorns! Waited about 20minutes. Be sure to bake reservations and check in 20 minutes early to enjoy the views from the patio area

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  3. Kathryn

    VIP

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    I wanted to love this venue, but the only great thing was the view. They were understaffed - kitchen and servers. Our server was pleasant but had too many tables. The $25 short rib hoagie on a “French roll” was like a vending machine sandwich and microscopic in size. The side salad was mixed greens from a bag with nothing else. I went to the bar to get a drink since we had not seen our server and was chased to the other side by the manager. I would think an appetizer and drink at the bar would be pleasant. I can’t recommend anything else.

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  4. Robin

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing and one of my favorite spots to eat. Drinks are delicious also

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  5. Kathleen

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From your hostess to the wait staff everyone was very up beat, pleasant and friendly. This was my second time eating at the watering hole and as the first time the food, service, location etc. was excellent.

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  6. Deedee

    Orange County

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great sit down dining being as close as one can be to the savanna! Fairly priced with tasty food.

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  7. David

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and ambience! Waiter service was slow to start but all went well after our order!

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  8. Dawn

    Hawaii

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I've been multiple times and I've never been disappointed with food or service.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 February 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The Watering Hole has an amazing view of the Safari Park. This was my second time dining here. The burrata appetizer is to die for! But they recently changed their menu so unfortunately, their entree options are limited. There were a couple of hiccups during our dinning experience 1) long wait for drinks, our waiter had to get them himself because the bar was taking too long. (We got non-alcoholic drinks so not sure the hold up). 2) One entree was entirely wrong and the second one had a burnt brioche bun 3) the chicken sandwich was bland. Christopher, our server, was super friendly and did his best to navigate these hiccups.

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  10. Jana

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 9 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful spot, we watched the animals enjoying the sunny day. Food was ok. Drinks were good. Will be back

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FAQs

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park is rated 4.6 stars by 1283 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking


Find next available

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Booked 59 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 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • 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, 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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