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

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

4.5
4.5
1235 Reviews
$30 and under
Gastro Pub

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 27 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
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 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, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,235 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Watering Hole at San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers an "incredible location" with "beautiful views" of animals like rhinos and giraffes. While the menu is "limited," the food is generally "good," and the service is "friendly and attentive." This unique spot provides a memorable dining experience amidst the safari ambiance.

1,235 Reviews
  1. Frank

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best place to dine, have some nice drinks, and a breathtaking view over square miles of open animal habitat! Least expensive trip to enjoy the African Serengeti ...

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  2. Kathleen

    San Diego

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Miso and salmon salad was fabulous. Views are amazing!

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  3. Donald

    Palm Springs

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were greeted with a smile and cheerful spirit. The host was helpful and polite. The view from our table was terrific. The waitress was friendly and checked on us several times. This was not our first visit nor will be our last.

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  4. Julie

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Savanah greeted us warmly and maintained a friendly and professional demeanor throughout the meal. She paid attention to our needs ensuring drinks were refilled promptly and checking in at just the right moments.

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  5. Linda

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful outdoor venue at the Safari Park. Expensive for lunch, but the food was good. Service was a little slow but I think they were short-handed as so many businesses are now. Delightful experience,

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  6. Dolores

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    From this restaurant you can view rhinos, giraffes and other animals at Safari Park. However, it is a very poorly run place. We had reservations and we were seated. Another group in front of us with no reservations was told they had a 45 minute wait or they could sit at a small table on the fake lawn. They were served their food way before us. We waited an hour and half for our lunch. The adult food was good to ok. The kids chicken tenders were mushy and flavorless.They charged plenty for the kids meals and basically it was the same food at any place in the park.We definitely would not return to eat there again. It has great potential, but they need to learn how to be a restaurant and not a fast food establishment with super slow wait times.

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  7. Catherine

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waiter was excellent and the waitress Vu remembered us from last time we were there and came to talk to us. So lovely.

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  8. Allen

    San Diego

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 11 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Vu provided wonderful service today. We lover dining here and the food was terrific. Thanks to everybody who works there. The greeter was friendly and professional as well.

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  9. Ally

    Charlotte

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Took us 30 minutes to be greeted and asked about drinks and if we’d like water. Food didn’t come until after an hour of being seated. Wait staff did not acknowledge this or offer anything once we raised the issue.

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  10. Marsha

    San Diego

    182 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    182 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow. It’s been a while and the change is dramatic. Fresh ingredients that gave us great plates of food. We were really happy and will be back.

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FAQs

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park is rated 4.5 stars by 1235 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 27 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, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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