Albert's Restaurant Reviews

We made a reservation here for lunch on the day we planned to visit the San Diego Zoo during our trip, since it seemed to have nice views and good online reviews. We were disappointed to have a table with a view of the elevator, which was on the opposite side of the restaurant from the nice outdoor patio. The food was okay, but $60 plus dollars for an average lunch for two is too much. The menu is also more limited than it normally is, which the host let us know upon seating. The waitstaff is attentive and efficient in the lunch rush. Would probably check out another eatery if we were to return to San Diego.

Service was excellent - both attentive and accommodating. But make no mistake, this is not a place to enjoy a nice quiet dinner conversation. They should really have an adult section and a children's section because the screaming children at the next table made it hard to even converse. Since the zoo is a family attraction, the restaurant should provide crayons and paper to keep children occupied. Instead they throw napkins, bang plates and scream. Shame on the parents for not teaching children how to behave in a restaurant. The kids would have been happier at any of the other food concessions. Food was very mediocre. We will definitely not return.

Made reservations on line.. arrived 5 min. early was seated immediatley.. Luke our server was awesome.. very attentive and empathetic to what ever we needed.. Beer was our favorite Belching Beaver Peanut Butter milk stoudt.. I had the fish and chips.. wife had the casadilla .. We shared the hummis app.. it was so tastey , not real spicey and the chips where also great.. Great oasis in tbe zoo, loved the atmoshere, service and food.. Cannot go wrong here..

We decided to eat lunch at Alberts while visiting the zoo. We were so glad we did! The food was excellent and the service was second to none. My partner had the pork chop with red potatoes and peaches, and I had the chicken and bacon grill with truffle fries, absolutely delicious. It is such a shame that they haven't got another restaurant outside of the zoo because we would definitely have been visiting again during our stay in San Diego. Highly recommended!

Once at the lobby of the restaurant, we were taken to a table very fast. We had an excellent server named Madison, who asked about us, and wanted to get to know us; made us feel welcome. The environment with shutter blinds and vegetation very beautiful. We enjoyed our cocktails: Bluebird, Vodka and Cranberry, Craft Beer. All of our lunch plates excellent: winter citrus salad, veggie burger, grilled fish sandwich with Asian slaw, steak with salad wedge.

A faux Africa scheme decent food and a pleasant waitstaff makes for a very very nice sitdown restaurant at the San Diego zoo. This is by far the highest quality food at the zoo. And remarkably reasonably price.

My husband and I remember loving this restaurant in the past, but we hadn’t been in 7 years. The employees and the ambiance were amazing, but the food was just okay. Definitely edible but not worth $25-$35 per meal.

This was my first time at this restaurant. I really enjoyed the opportunity to have a dine in experience at the zoo. The staff was very nice and attentive, our server, Sara, was OUTSTANDING!!!! My food arrived to the table a little over cooked. The edges of my French toast were extremely hard and black. I looked at other orders of French toast being served to other tables. The other orders were golden brown.My egg, although I requested well done, was runny and oily. I asked for the rgg to be cooked a little longer. It was delivered a second time with more grease and just partially runny, not fully cooked. My friend enjoyed his hamburger. He stated it was good. I would return if someone else was paying. By the way, make a reservation via the Open table app. It will save you some time.

A perfect place for a sit down lunch at the zoo as they accept reservations. Service is prompt and friendly and the menu is short but offers a good mix for everyone. Portions are more than generous and will get you going for the afternoon.

We had a really nice lunch on a wet, cold day. The staff was sweet and worried about seating us outside in the chill, but it was fine for a couple of New Englanders. We started with the edamame fritters, and I had a great curry while my husband had crispy chicken. We loved all of it. They weren't packed that day, so we were in and out fast (though they were filling as we left), and I was thankful that their ban on strollers kept away the obnoxious families. There were kids (it's a zoo, after all), but they were well-behaved, as were the adults around us.

Great view, nice serene waterfall in background, cool & breezy on hot day. They squeezed us in without a reservation which was awesome. To be honest I was expecting poor to average overpriced food but I was pleasantly surprised. Started with garlic bread, when I want garlic I want a tasty loaf and this bad boy delivered, roasted and black garlic and herbs and cheese & pesto spread, absolutely delicious. We both had the steak frites which again were incredible. Steaks were cooked to perfection , onions & mushrooms were delicious, truffle wedges were yummy too. Great addition to the zoo, our server Madison was great, knowledgeable with the menu & attentive.

We decided to stop for lunch while we were in the zoo and made it just in time for brunch. Bottomless Mimosas? Yes, please. My husband got .. some cheeseburger thing. It was actually very good. But my Chilaquiles? Aaah MAZING! Literally the best thing I ate in San Diego. I was expecting the crappy, overpriced 'attraction' type food we all know and tolerate. This was not that. This was the best meal I had not only in San Diego but on our entire road trip from San Diego to Chicago. (Most of which was crappy, overpriced "attraction" food.) And were seated outside, right next to a waterfall. View attached.

This is the best restaurant at San Diego Zoo. It opens at 11:00 am and serves a complete variety of sandwiches, entrees and cocktails. I had the fish stew for lunch which was delicious and could easily have served as a dinner. The service was excellent and the restaurant is peaceful and relaxing with both indoor and outdoor seating.

The ambiance is fantastic, prices are a little high but you sit in a cool place and get waited on in the middle of a zoo! I had the melon salad that was a good selection of seasonal fruit. My spouse had a pork burger that he enjoyed. Make your reservation early. They do have a happy hour too!

This is a gem of a restaurant located in the San Diego Zoo. It is one of the only sit-down options available, The food is pricey but good. It was nice to eat something besides the fast food offerings in the zoo. There is a decent drink selection

A full service restaurant in the middle of a zoo? I did not believe it either until I visited the San Diego Zoo and around lunchtime ventured off to find it. With my map in hand I crossed a huge bridge, ran into gorillas and walked through thick forest but could not find it until I stepped into an elevator. I noticed a button for Albert’s and pressed it. The doors opened and I saw the entrance. It was located halfway down from a cliff side structure. It turned out you really need reservations to eat here based upon the long line in was standing in. My wife sneaked inside and luckily found a small bar with two open seats. After I received the text from her I walked inside to see a nice but rather small dining area packed with people. The bar was very small which felt like something you see in someone’s basement. The best part is we got a seat and avoided waiting for a table (if we could anyway at all). We were quickly served from the nice bartender and ordered drinks first. While studying the menu I selected Grilled Fish Tacos. There are other places to eat at the zoo but prefer this over pizza, burgers and chicken strips. Real plates with real food and my fish tacos consisted of pacific yellowtail with Spanish ingredients on it like pics de gallo and cilantro. It tasted excellent where the fish was cooked just right. It is a bit more expensive than ordinary concession stand food. And this is not like the Rainforest Cafe where it is themed and animatronic animals come to life, but more an adult fine dining relaxing experience.

I went to Albert’s with zero expectations but left full and impressed. After a long morning of walking around we enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing lunch out by the waterfall. We ordered the black garlic cheese bread and were blown away by how good it was! I’m still thinking about it so you know it was good. I also ordered the chicken picatta and it was great as well. Overall the service , food and ambience were all excellent. Definitely not something you’d expect from a zoo.

We had a great lunch in Alberts. This is an air conditioned oasis in the middle of the Zoo Food was very good & reasonably priced for the location you are in. The staff were friendly & attentive. We were told we would have to book but we didn’t & were seated with no problems I would definitely recommend a visit to recharge for the afternoon.

After a fantastic day in the zoo on a rainy Thanksgiving Week day, all you want to do is get off your feet and get something good to eat. The last place you expect to find good food is in a restaurant in a theme park location. But, what a great surprise. We had a super lunch with my wife and in-laws (mom-in-law is a docent at the zoo!). Great food, service and drinks. Don't pass it up. Forget the concession food (which I'm sure is good) but save room to eat at Albert's when in the zoo!

I had high expectations for this restaurant which were unfortunately not met. We had reservations and were seated 10 minutes after our time, which was fine. We thought it would be nice to sit for a meal after walking through the zoo all morning. The Moscow mule was not the best, wine was good though. The food took a little longer than expected, when it arrived one of our meals, spatchcock chicken, was tiny and undercooked. Server said the closer you get to bone the more red the meat would be, otherwise it would be dry. Never heard of this - and we’ve cooked spatchcock chicken at home. Server took the plate back and it was returned almost thoroughly cooked, and not dry (it was eaten as we were hungry). Server never asked if we wanted another round of drinks during our experience, just if he could get us anything else at the end. Other than this, the San Diego Zoo is amazing!!

One of our neighbors volunteers at the zoo and he invited a group to walk the zoo early evening. We arrived in time for happy hour at Albert's. You can set inside or outside and they have servers. I believe this is the only server dining place in the zoo. The have beer, wine and cocktails. my wife and I shared the queso fondido and I had a craft cocktail. The queso was large enough to share and it was very good. My craft cocktail was refreshing. It is a very pleasant pace to eat and drink at the zoo.

This restaurant is located in The San Diego Zoo. I ordered a grilled bacon chicken sandwich with fries. The sandwich was good and the fries were even better. I also tried a tropical paradise drink and it was very tasty. I recommend you stopping here for a bite or a drink while you're visiting the Zoo.

If you can get a table on the patio. They way the restaurant is built you are off the main walk way and it feels like you are in the Tree tops. With a waterfall behind you what a fantastic experience. Great food and good cocktails.

Sitting outside in Albert's Tree house is a wonderful, soothing experience and definitely worthy of the hype it has gotten. Unfortunately the food is only so-so. Me and my friend split an order of pot stickers which were pretty good. The real trouble came with my entree. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. It was the driest one, I've ever had in my life. I asked for extra BBQ sauce to hopefully punch up some taste/juice but it was a lost cause. Definitely not worth the money.

What's better than to sit down in a wait staffed restaurant to a cold beer, glass of wine or cocktail after spending a couple of hours walking around the zoo. We had a delightful lunch and a delightful server - Amanda - during our visit. The food is a bit pricey but a portion goes to support the zoo and it is a tourist location. Clam Chowder was the soup of the day and it was pretty tasty, nice size clams, good bacon flavor and just a tad to many potatoes. Potstickers were adequate, but not outstanding. Fish and chips also good. A bonus is the drink prices were not outrageous.

If you want a decent meal at the zoo I would suggest this place, it is a quaint sit down place at the top of the trees. Ask to sit on the Patio. You will likey have to wait but the wait was only about 20 min. Small menu, my husband and I split the Fish Tacos and the Chicken Sandwich. The fish tacos were very bland and the chicken sandwich was average. Both dishes needed some salt and maybe a sauce. Not a bad option for the zoo, would probably come back if I was here because its better then freezer bag food from the small little shops there.

If you go tot he SD Zoo I highly recommend Alberts for lunch. Food and service were very good. It was easy to walk in for four and we were sat on the deck by the water feature. Drinks and food were fresh. Prices were good. No need to leave the Zoo. Take a break at Alberts and go back to enjoy the rest of the Zoo.

We went to Albert's Restaurant at the San Diego Zoo and had a very nice experience. We sat outside under a canopy next to a waterfall and trees which was so quiet. We had excellent service, and the servers were so nice also. The menu is a little thin with items but the food was good. The prices are also a little pricey but that is to be expected inside the Zoo. You will get hungry if you stay long enough at the Zoo and Albert's is a good place to go.

We were really looking forward to eating here. The place, atmosphere and our server were great. The food? Not so much. There is a pork belly dish with a great sauce BUT PORK BELLY NEEDS TO BE RENDERED. It was flabby and the fat not rendered. My wife’s miso salmon was very good. My daughter’s pizza was good but too much pepper flake. My son in laws crispy fish had raw batter. Go for the atmosphere not the food

Came here with my family while visiting the zoo. First off the location is great, right in the heart of the zoo with trees and water all around. The service was very friendly and very quick. The food it self was very good, with a lot of choices. My wife was able to get an impossible burger, and our friend got a vegan pasta, so there are choices for everyone. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who is visiting the Zoo.

The 4 (adults) of us took refuge at Alberts for a late lunch. The menu has changed, so we again lost "our favorites" and try something else. Two of us had the fish and chips...really good ($22). The dish contained shrimp, fish and a large scallop..with fries. The other 2 picked chicken sandwich...looked really good, my wife could finish hers, too much chicken on the sandwich. We had a beer, 2 ice teas and a juice. Total with beverages , tax and tip $107. it is a bit noisy. Despite the cost, a bar, and so many other choices for families with children, the place just cannot get away from crying little ones. The small out door area was almost empty, as it was very cold.

We were seated outside under a canopy next to a waterfall and trees. The restaurant is in the San Diego Zoo, so quiet is a good thing. Excellent service, too. The only thing I would say could be improved is that the menu is a little skimpy. All three of us said we'd go back there when visiting the zoo.

We were pleasantly surprised to find this gem at the zoo. Even though they said there would be a 30 minute wait, we waited only about ten minutes before being seated. We enjoyed the food - the sandwiches are very big and served with a good amount of fries. In retrospect, the two of us could have split a sandwich and have been more than satisfied. You will enjoy this nice respite in the middle of the zoo!

After carrying a stroller down two flights of stairs to get to this restaurant (elevator was broken), they requested that we wake our baby up, as they do not allow strollers inside. We had a compact umbrella stroller that took up less space than a high chair. We ultimately did not eat there as we had timed the baby's nap with mealtime, so that we could have an enjoyable relaxing meal. We also came before lunch rush and the entire restaurant was empty. They were very stern and not accommodating at all. Very weird considering they are located within a zoo and the main customers are families with children.

This is a legitimately good restaurant right in the middle of the zoo. If you want a big step up from kiosks and food stands, this restaurant offers a nicer menu, wine and beer, and table service. It is a nice relaxing break for the middle of your San Diego Zoo day.

Richard provided great service and we appreciated the tranquility this restaurant provides away from the mass of people/kids/strollers/noise. We expect this when at the zoo but it can be too much sometimes and requires an area of solitude. It is definitely worth the extra cost of table service instead of canteen format dining. The food was very good too.

We go to the zoo frequently and love Albert's! Whether seated at the bar, inside or outside it is always a great space to enjoy a meal. The staff in bar and table are all excellent! I always have a great meal, chicken piccata, salads, sandwiches all really good! I am not vegetarian but several friends and family are and menu being rather a bit limited for them is only complaint. There used to be a mushroom ravioli that was really good, maybe make a comeback??!! Love this place!

This was a welcome oasis after walking around the zoo being hungry and tired. The setting is lovely and it is a sit down restaurant. Everyone was very nice, service and food good. I would highly recommend for all. Lots of families there.

I'm so glad we booked reservations for lunch here. It was a nice break from walking around the zoo, being able to sit down and eat lunch in a scenic environment. The food was really good too. We split a quesadilla and sandwich, but all of the menu options looked appetizing. I would eat here again.

After hours of walking and viewing the wonderful sites, it was a blessing to find Albert's inside the zoo! We had made a reservation ahead (recommended), and were able to sit outside, listening to the sounds of the waterfall, the birds, and truly felt that we were in a protected Rain Forest. The food was great, served quickly but not rushed, and provided us with the energy to walk the rest of the zoo. The staff was gracious and attentive.

Horrible place the wait is incredibly long and keeps getting longer as you wait first we were told 45 minutes it turned into an hour and half rude hostess even more rude managers

We stopped at Albert's for lunch while in the middle of going through the zoo. It was nice to take a break from all that walking to enjoy some wine and food. Even though the place was busy, we found the service to be on point. I can't recommend their chicken sandwich but their cesaer salad was honestly amazing! In the future if I wen to the zoo again I would eat here.

Beautiful atmosphere at the Zoo. The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly. This will be my “go to” for a relaxing meal every time.

One side of the restaurant had all the families with kids, the other side didn't, and they sat me in the middle of all the kids for some reason, even though I was kidless. The quesa birria tacos were alright but the fries were terrible. Good service until I was ready for the bill, then I couldn't find the server.

This was a nice restaurant overall! My wife and I came here in November and we had a lovely time; our waitress was attentive and kind and we weren't rushed through our meal. We enjoyed 2 tropical cocktails and they were flavorful and refreshing. We both got the salmon with a side of Brussels sprouts, both of which were cooked well and were delicious. It was really nice to find a good restaurant in the zoo and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a sit down meal during a long day at the zoo.

We ducked into Alberts to let the rain pass, and lucky us - it was brunch time. We were also fortunate in snagging a table outside by the waterfall. The food was good (I had avocado toast - nice touch with pickled onions to give it a sweetish zing), and my husband took advantage of the bottomless mimosas. The waiter was very attentive at refilling his glass and offering me more hot water for my tea. The outside porch is covered, so it gives good protection from the rain or sun. With the gorgeous gardens around the rest of the zoo, I guess I had higher expectations for the waterfall garden here. It was pretty and relaxing, just not up to par w/ gardens throughout the rest of the zoo. Given it's prime location, I was pleased with the reasonableness of the restaurants prices. The zoo can be a tiring place, and Albert's makes for a great place to relax and reenergize.

We had to eat here as it was the only Gluten Free recommended place we could find at the zoo. We are always scared that it really won't be for our celiac daughter, but they did know what they were doing and provided food that was safe to eat. The rest of the family had an awesome lunch and the setting is a lot of fun in the trees. Our server was attentive (while not completely knowledgeable about gf eating, but he went to ask chef and it worked out great).

On a visit to the San Diego zoo with my daughter one of the staff recommended Alberts It's tucked away and a little hard to find but well worth the hunt What an enjoyable lunch I had The Decour is clean and fresh The wait staff friendly and efficient The food was surprisingly good We ate outside and the feel was that of a garden - I lingered over my food and really hated to leave

The food here was really good. It is a nice sit down restaurant in the zoo. The food was very good although pretty pricey.

My friends and I love this restaurant. We eat here EVERY time we visit the San Diego Zoo and always have great food. The potstickers are a great appetizer if you intend to share, but I usually eat them as my meal. They have a full menu, including brunch on Sundays, and make the BEST bread!! You have to ask for the bread, but do so. You won't regret it. Also, they're trying to cut down on waste, so if you want straws for your drinks, you have to ask for those, too. I just love this restaurant!

During my Family visit to the San Diego Zoo visit in September 2016 we decided to have a nice lunch at Albert’s, which is located in the center of the Zoo. Albert’s is the nicer restaurant in the zoo, with sit-down service and a full bar. The take reservations, but will not guarantee any seating area. The best table is on the patio next to the waterfall. Sitting next to the waterfall really made the dining experience more enjoyable. The decor is classic African safari, fun, and tasteful. The service was OK, our server was professional, just not overly friendly. The food was good quality and tasted delicious. The portion size was average. The price was tourist location high, but not outrages. Overall it was a great dining experience especially if you want to make a birthday, anniversary, or life event even more special while at the Zoo. There is a full bar. Cocktails are about $12, and the margaritas were very good. Albert’s also has a seasonal happy hour from June 19 - September 5, from 3-5PM, daily. A selection of drinks are half price along with a selection of apps. Definitely worth visiting at this time if you are planning a meal here. A great secret location in the Zoo for a nice sit down meal. I would recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family.

Nice view. Good food. Pleasant service. Full cocktail bar. A place to relax and eat a meal. I enjoyed the time out from a full day of exploring the zoo.

Came to eat at this nice looking restaurant to have a nice experience lunch at the zoo. Found that it was quite the opposite. Once seated it took 15 minutes to get someone to come over and take our drink order even though there was plenty of waiters around and it wasn’t really busy. There wasn’t even a wait to get in. I noticed there were plenty of waiters walking around serving other customers, we were the only brown ones sitting down. Didn’t think it was like that, but after a good while longer a waitress came by to let us know that the gave her our table to serve, wow. So, I really didn’t have an appetite any more but my kiddos did, so I got my family up and went to eat somewhere else. I didn’t want my family to experience that, ever, but they did now. So, if you’re are a family trying to give your kiddos a good vacation experience, avoid this restaurant at all costs. I’d give a no star, but you have to give them a star for at least the look of it, pretty deceiving. The only good thing it came to be was that the zoo was a blast with an incredible amount of memorable fun and awesome things to see. Staff was great too!

This is a very cool restaurant. We made our reservation on line for 3pm, but got there 45 min early....they got us in in 15 min. It is so unique....tree house atmosphere and cool temperature when it was like 90 degrees outside. The food was excellent. If you go to the zoo this is a must. You get to relax.

Reall good for at a zoo. A friend of mine volunteers at the zoo and we like to meet him there for dinner. NOt a place where you dress up. WEar your shorts place after walking around the zoo. HArd to find. Have to follow the signs and suggest you get a reservation

One of my best meals in Southern California was while I was having lunch at the San Diego Zoo! On an unusually cool, misty day, I sought the comforts of a sit down restaurant at the zoo. Guides directed to me to Albert's and what a surprise. I sat in a protected outside venue overlooking a beautiful waterfall and enjoyed a hot serving of mushroom risotto.OMG! It was perfect and certainly generously portioned. Along with fresh sourdough bread, it was both warming and filling. Who in their right mind would think of such a wonderful meal at a major San Diego attraction? Don't miss this place!!

We enjoyed this wonderful dining experience set right in the middle of a zoo! Who knew a meal of this quality can be enjoyed surrounded by a much jungle landscape (including a waterfall). The service was excellent. We will return!

I debated to eat at another restaurant but this one looked much nicer. After a long day at the zoo, I could t wait to sink my teeth into you guessed it! Tacos! When in San Diego...for lunch I ordered the birra tacos. They were SO greasy I couldn't even eat one. The double Decker chicken sandwich was huge! And although the portion was big, the chicken tasted old and dry. We did not finish any of our meals. The only nice thing about this place is the outdoor seating area, relative. ✝️ Not worth it- stick to the pretzels outside.

Surprised to find a restaurant this nice inside of a zoo! It's tucked away a bit, but worth finding. Large seating area so we didn't have to wait for a table. Food was fresh and delicious and the service was great. We sat in a patio area near a little waterfall. It was great to be able to have a glass of wine, relax and eat a nice lunch away from the crowds while not having to leave the zoo.

Enjoyed eating here as part of our trip to SD Zoo, We shared some starters which were huge (recommend the wings, the garlic bread and brussel sprouts), and I had the french dip for a main which was okay (although I was quite full so didn't manage to eat it all!) Service was good, our server was very attentive

one word - risotto - add something to it or not - best risotto - service is great - setting is very nice

Our favorite place to eat in the zoo. There's a table on the back deck, next to the waterfall, that should have my name on it by now. The artichoke appetiser is delicious. So is the Jambalaya. But we;\'ve never had anything there we didn't like. Make sure to check out the portrait of Albert himself in the main dining room.

This is a really nice park eatery. The table service is efficient and friendly. The food was good and the menu diverse. The view was quiescent which is nice at the crowded zoo. There is elevator access. It has a bar and is elegantly decorated. There was no rush.

We had an excellent lunch at Albert's ... but the wait for a table was VERY long. It seems that the restaurant has cut back staff and only about 1/3 of the tables had staff, and the other tables were sitting idle. With only 3 small groups ahead of us at 2 pm, we had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. The food came quickly however and it was excellent. We overheard on diner complain that it was cold outside (wind and shade) so we were glad we dined inside.

The location is beautiful...right in the heart of the San Diego Zoo. Unfortunately the day we visited the stove was on the brink so their menu was limited but I will say the pizza that we had was amazing! I can only imagine what the rest of the menu would have tasted like. The service was wonderful. Our waiter found us a table next to the waterfall and was very attentive. I hope to be able to try the restaurant with an operating stove next time.

Forget your typical zoo / theme park food (hotdogs, hamburgers, etc.). This is the place you MUST go at the zoo! Seating indoors and outdoors. Ask for the patio in the back. Beautiful greenery and waterfall. Very atmospheric. The staff is excellent. Lily was our server. Professional, polite, efficient and very friendly. Oh... something. Start with a specialty cocktail, beer or glass of wine. Then dive into some cheesy garlic bread before you try one of the non - typical entrees. Our table the seared ahi, thick cut BLT and pastrami sandwich. Everything was cooked to perfection. We had some time to relax after lunch in the shade of our jungle patio before we headed out again to talk to the animals. Make a point to have brunch (weekends only), lunch or dinner here. Our compliments to the chef!

Went for happy hour drinks and appetizers before exploring the zoo. Great bartender, limited drinks and appetizers, but delicious nonetheless.

We were hungry for lunch and went to this place while we were touring the zoo. We expected it to be regular snack bar food, but were pleasantly surprised. I ordered the fish and chips and my husband ordered the special fish of the day. My fish and chips were great, but when my other half's meal came I was jealous that I had not ordered what he did. I love veggies and his meal came with the best veggies! Outstanding! Not to mention that his fish and risotto were perfectly prepared. This place is great and the value is well worth it.

During a recent visit to the San Diego Zoo, we were getting hungry and wanted to have a more relaxing lunch so we decided on Alberts. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice. We were told it was recently renovated, so the menu was somewhat limited. They have a beautiful outdoor setting with a waterfall. We ordered a Margarita Pizza and a Cesar Salad to share. The salad was delicious. The pizza however, seemed to be undercooked and could have been served hotter.

We were able to meet a relative for lunch at their suggestion since they have passes to the zoo. This was a quiet location with a nice selection for lunch. Wine is available. Good service and good food.

I made reservation a month ahead of time and they asked if it were a special occasion, it was and we noted it. Service was slow, staff seemed over worked and short staffed. The food came out luke warm and our buns on our border dog was burned, so it wasn’t edible. Dessert was good, but at the end of the meal we wondered why they even ask if it’s a special occasion. Really, why do you ask? We were seated on the patio and it was nice to see the waterfall but it was cold and loud. We had heavy jackets on during our meal and cool food didn’t help. No time for employees to thank you for coming, too many people crowding the door and staff was overwhelmed. We’ve been to many zoo and attraction type restaurants and this was was ‘Meh’ especially after a month wait to go there

The food here was amazing! I would definitely go here again if I went to the San Diego zoo again which I probably will someday. The garlic cheesy bread is to die for and so is the fish that I had and my friends pasta. The steak that the guy had next to me looked awesome amazing! They were so nice. They let us sit at the bar and order drinks until we had a table since the wait was about 20 minutes. It actually wasn’t that long though. We got a table, our waitress is great, just like our bartender! I would definitely come here again!

Good place to grab lunch at the zoo. Make a reservation through yelp or open table ahead of time. Food is expensive but you’re in a zoo- expected. You’ll be in and out within a hour or so and it’s a shaded respite from the rigors or walking the zoo.

Albert’s is the only full service restaurant within the zoo. It is expensive (most dishes for lunch in the 20’s) but well worth it. If you have been walking for hours there is nothing like sitting down and relaxing with a cold drink and great service. We both had a Cobb salad…..not traditional, but good. I wish there were more greens and that the salad was larger. Also no bread or crackers served with it. Dressings, horseradish vinaigrette, and paprika vinaigrette were delicious. The passion fruit iced tea was delicious, but ridiculously priced at over $5. Overall a relaxing tasty lunch. Some reasonably priced items, some much too high. Treat yourself. You won’t be sorry!

Mark was an excellent server and didn't rush us, despite our guest eating exceptionally slowly. Beautiful restaurant. Superb meal. Staff seated us quickly even though I made a reservation for the wrong day. Lovely experience

After reading many good reviews we were looking forward to having lunch here. But it was awful. The double stacked chicken sandwich was dry, almost burnt, and lacked flavor. It was hard to eat because it was THAT bad. The fries were like bad store bought frozen fries you make at home. The kids mac and cheese was horrible and our daughter refused to eat much of it. We would definitely not recommend eating here. Not sure what the hype and lines are all about.

It's like a quiet and cool oasis when at the zoo, time to rest and eat good. We had the pork chops and the beef tenderlion, They were excellent! Good choiced for Kids too. Good service and variety of drinks. Recommend if want to escape the hot weather and all the people at the zoo. Better if making reservation before going to avoid waiting.

You could not find a more lovely setting than Alberts. How ever I have eaten there several times and each time I have felt the food was not quite up to the price point.

When getting ready to visit the zoo, I used Open Table to book a table. Figuring most everything would be expensive already, why not enjoy a sit down lunch here? We did that and it proved to be a good call. A cute restaurant, the menu has several choices. We shared a pizza since we were not starving but saw many large portions go by. Flavor was average. The kids menu offers enough choices. Service was quick, friendly and efficient. Glad we took a lunch break here.

This is the second time we have gone to the zoo's signature restaurant and now can say with certainty, it is not worth it. The service is friendly but so slow and always trying to get you to purchase more. The food is very average. It is nice to sit outdoors and enjoy hearing the falling water.

Noisy... very noisy but it is the Zoo, so I guess it is acceptable. Food was good. Fairly priced and the service very attentive.

had lunch at alberts yesterday--good quality food most in 15$ range. Food quality good and nice location in the park ..good respite from sun. Food is better than you would expect and reservation easy thru open table.Would recommend requesting patio by waterfall (we did request this on our reservation but weren't seated there..still nice though). Good experience

We've been members for years but have only recently dined at Albert's. It's a wonderful respite from the touresty areas and food choices at the Zoo. Dinner was very delicious and we're looking forward to returning.

I consider myself to be somewhat harsh when it comes to restaurants because I come from a family of people who cook well so I am used to flavorful, well-cooked food. That being said, you can take what I say with grain of salt because apparently many people have enjoyed Albert's. I ordered the fish sandwich which was made with local red snapper. I could tell that the fish was fresh, but it was BLAND! There was no taste at all!!!!! I don't like over seasoned food anymore than anyone, but a couple of dashes of something would have help the sandwich immensely. The children's chicken nuggets were overly breaded and not very tasty. Service was okay, but I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone. It is a zoo after all so you would probably be better off at one of the outdoor places where you can get a real burger (not veggie which is the only burger offered at Albert's), a taco, a spring roll or something else.

The flat bread was great but the risotto was bland. The kids liked their meals and the view is cool. The place is very pretty and it was a good idea getting reservations.

The food is very good, however it is overpriced for what you get. A pint of craft beer is $8.50 which is $2 more than in most locations in San Diego, and ice tea is $4. While I understand you are a captive audience, and it is a non-profit, they do not have to charge these high prices.

This is a nice restaurant with good food and good service. A perfect rest from all the walking with delicious results. Small menu which we appreciated. Very good cocktails and bar selections. We sat outside which was lovely (but a bit cold on this day).

We spent several hours in the zoo and Donald Montenegro, Westin Hotel Broadway, recommended this restaurant and it was great. I had the chicken and it was superb.

They had a limited menu when my wife and I were there recently so we just had a chopped salad and the small “Marguerite” pizza. My wife loves the iced tea served there; it’s called China Breeze made in Scottsdale, AZ. It was our second time eating at Albert’s and we’ve enjoyed the food both times. The chopped salad was fresh and plenty for two to share and the pizza was tasty. The venue is bright and airy and the service was excellent. Great place to rest your tired legs and refuel.

Went for Happy Hour (Albert's "Happy Happens" is from 3-5 in the summer) because we'd been touring the zoo all day and needed to rest our sore paws. Sat in the bar and ultimately decided to cancel our dinner reservation (which we'd made earlier to dine in the restaurant) because we were having such a great time chatting with Ben, who was filling in for the bartender that evening. We ate in the bar instead, and the friendly servers took care of the cancellation so that we wouldn't get penalized by Open Table. The summer salad with seared ahi was indescribably perfect; seriously, I do not have enough superlatives: burrata, candied walnuts, peaches, salad greens, and ahi were a magical combination. Spouse also enjoyed his bacon chicken grill. The drinks were ideal; if you like Arnold Palmers, try the Firefly lemonade. We had a great time at the zoo, but our experience in Albert's put our visit over the top!

We had some of the best food of our vacation at this lovely restaurant nestled in the middle of the San Diego Zoo - which is lovely in itself. The quality of the food and the outstanding service made this a very pleasant dining experience. While not cheap, the food was homemade, in the best sense of the word. We had wild mushroom and spinach risotto, jambalaya, margeurita pizza, delicious chicken soup, mushroom flat breads, and the grandkids favorites mac and cheese and grilled cheese sandwich with fries. Don't hesitate to try this oasis in the middle of the jungle!

We ate at Albert's on both visits to the zoo. This was a good alternative to hot dogs or chicken fingers. We had our 7 and 10 year old girls the kids menu had good options. It is a little pricey but well worth it. I would suggest making a reservation in advance as we had a hour wait the first day (not an issue we just wondered around the exhibits near the restaurant. The food was very good both days. The servers were attentive. The restaurant was busy.

Unfortunately can’t rate the food because the service at the bar was so bad I couldn’t put an order in. He was too concerned with the other staff than his own customers. No Tip for him!!!

Lunch was included as part of our VIP tour. I had the cripsy chicken sandwich. It was amazing and loaded with peppers, pickles and slaw. Delicious! The chicken curry my husband had was good but not fantastic. An earlier reviewed is correct, they have a veggie burger but not a beef burger but there were other beef options on the menu. Dessert was included. It was a substantial scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have the option to add chocolate or caramel sauce. We did both on each scoop and they were swimming in awesomness! Considering what I am used to paying for zoo food it was quite reasonable for a sit down meal with good food.

Be advised - you need to make reservations. However, I made ours just a few hours before we wanted to eat. I wouldn't wait that long again though. For a nice, sit down, linen tablecloth and napkin place, the prices were very reasonable. Full bar! We had beer float for dessert that was very good.

Great restaurant in San Diego Zoo Make a reservation since this restaurant is very popular Brunch served til noon on Saturday and Sunday so we had eggs potatoes ham bacon and fruit Service and food very good Has great sandwiches and fish and chips for lunch so go and have a good time

It was fun eating at Albert's there in the middle of the zoo. The food wasn't bad and it wasn't nearly as expensive as I expected.

This is probably our fourth visit to this restaurant in the last few years and we’ve always been pleased and this visit was no exception. Our family was seated on the veranda next to a lush forest with a waterfall feature nearby, it was perfect for us and our, sometimes noisy, grandchildren. The food was pricey but fair, considering you were in the zoo. As for the food, the salmon in the salmon salad was a little dry and the five remaining orders were very good, except for the ice cream Sunday which was excellent. Overall everyone was very pleased with the food, venue, and service. I’m sure we’ll be back.

We had very low expectations for a zoo restaurant and they completely failed to live up to our low expectations. We waited half an hour for a table at noon today which was not a problem. However, after getting seated we waited almost 15 minutes before seeing a server. We had two small children with us so we were very anxious to order. When we finally did order we waited almost an additional hour for food. At no time during that hour did anyone come by to apologize or refill drinks or explain the delay. We requested our server several times but she never arrived so we refilled water and lemonade drinks at the bar. When the food finally did arrive it was pretty atrocious. The manager on duty seemed unfazed as if an hour wait for food was okay (somehow blaming the whole thing on a new system). He eventually adjusted a small portion of our check but the situation in general was not handled properly. Below is a photo of inedible salmon on my salad that more resembled shoe leather than fish.

Albert’s is our go to place for eating at the zoo. The restaurant is hidden in the jungle next to a waterfall. It is nicely ecorated. The restaurant offers small plates, sandwiches, farm offerings such as pot roast and salads. We like small plates and particularly enjoyed the Santa Fe Quesadilla $13 and the Ancho BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich $17 along with a Mule $12 and Albert’s classic Margarita $12. We like the fact that when the bar person has mixed the drinks and there is some left over they give it to you to refill your glass. Since the Zoo is open till 8 pm from December 8 to January 1 for the jungle bells experience, we also went to Albert’s for their Happy Hour from 3 to 5pm. Since we were on East Coast time, we used our 4:30 pm reservation on Open Table as our dinner and had the Smoked Artichoke Fondue for $7 and the Goat Cheese Flatbread for $7 along with a mule and Classic Margarita for $6 each. We liked it so much we went back the second night and substituted the red Bell Pepper humus for $7 for the Goat Cheese Flatbread. We found two appetizer plates were quite enough for the two of us. We found service to be routinely excellent and the food and cocktails to be excellent. We only wish you could get excellent food at the San Diego Safari Park to equal Albert’s. The Safari Park opened a new restaurant in a beautiful spot at Kilima Point overlooking the park early this year called the Watering Hole, but the food, service and cocktails are very mediocre. There is no decent food at the Safari Park.

We had a group that included 2 GF diets and 1 vegan. Normally tough to feed everyone but they did! The grilled Brussel sprouts were a huge hit! The meals were on time and freshly cooked. The staff was efficient and respectful. The waterfall and cool air outside on the deck were a welcome benefit. The menu was great considering the other choices inside the zoo

After a full day at the zoo I wanted to sit in a 'real' restaurant and eat a meal - not grab something from a stand. Albert's was the answer. Pros - service was very good, food was good, brownie dessert was massive! Cons - very hard to locate in the zoo, very loud, bit pricey. Maybe better off leaving the zoo area and go to one of the other options in the park.

Who'd have guessed that the tastiest meal in San Diego would be at a zoo restaurant? We shared the French Dip sandwich which came with fries. The French Dip was the best I've had in my 74 years, and the fries were magnificent! Rolf provided 5-star service. And, all of this was in a COVID-19 situation where the entire staff did a great job with safety. Wow!

This was MOST DISAPPOINTING!! I brought my nieces for a special occasion. My salmon was way overcooked. The tacos my one niece ordered looked like slop in a plate and my other niece's selection was definitely over-fried!! felt like I threw away over $100 bucks!!! Surely the Zoo can do much better than this! Love the atmosphere but the food was miserable.

For whatever reason, management has changed the menu, now I like menu changes, but I DO NOT like the choices on the current menu. We have dined at Alberts on many occasions in the past, and there were several items that I enjoyed to eat....my dining at this restaurant in the future is going to depend upon the menu....for now....I will stay away.

We arrived at 11 for an 11:15 reservation. Although it was already busy we were seated quickly. We loved the view of the waterfall and our service from beginning to end was excellent. A menu tip: the brisket tacos A and the salmon dinner A+. (Just about the best salmon I've ever had and it was a huge portion.) Albert's is the now on the top of our list.

Albert's offers an oasis of relaxation and very good food while you are visiting the zoo. We had a wonderful lunch inside with a view of their waterfall. There are plantation shutters on each window and it is set in a green, tropical location. The service was attentive and pleasant.

Albert’s is a great restaurant at the San Diego zoo. Only restaurant to have sit down service with many choices on a menu. The portions are huge, very good for sharing. They do have nice wines and beers available for your relaxing time in between areas of the park. The service was really good also. Definitely make a reservation. It gets busy. The big chicken sandwich is a great choice as is any of their salads or Tacos. Enjoy!

This was our second time dining at Albert's, the last time 9 years ago. Such a lush setting and relaxing setting... a true escape within the San Diego Zoo. Terrific menu options for vegetarians and picky eaters alike! We waited an extra ten minutes for an outdoor patio seat which really added to the experience. The Cobb salad (without bacon) was delish, as well as the mushroom flatbread. Can't imagine a trip to the zoo without eating at Albert's.

A great stop to take a break while at the zoo. Has an inside and outside dining room. The inside is upper end and the outside is wonderful with a tropical feel and even has a waterfall. Can be a wait, but eating outside is great. Food is fairly priced even for the zoo. Has a selection of local craft beers. Varied menu. Service was actually pretty good. Sandwiches and soup were great, A very nice lunch at the zoo. I enjoyed it.

We had a great dinner. Enjoyed the artichoke appetizer, salad & pizza, pulled pork sandwich, jumbalaya. We recommend this restaurant to everyone.

Stopped into Alberts for brunch on a beautiful sunny sunday morning after enjoying the early morning Panda experience. Alberts was a haven of tranquility among the zoo going hordes. Despite the heat (85+) we sat outside beneath tropical foliage which shaded our veranda perfectly. sipped on bottomless mimosa's and had a wonderful meal of edamame fritters(highly recommended) and meat scramble with delicious roasted potatoes. I made reservations, though it probably wasn't necessary.

Took a lunch break there while we were at the zoo. Had to wait 20 minutes, so that wasn't too bad since it was right at noon. We all had delicious sandwiches there!

Alberts is located inside the San Diego Zoo in the "Treehouse" area. A nice sit-down location for a break from the zoo animal watching. Alberts is located in the heart of the zoo, and has some nice outside seating near a water fall. A good number of food choices, and some healthy options as well. A bit more pricey than other "fast food" locations in the zoo, but overall a nice experience and a great break from walking around the zoo!

I decided I wanted a nice sit down meal. I was by myself and treated like a queen with attentive but non-intrusive service. I ordered the Catch of the Day which was AMAZING. Grouper over risotto with corn, beans, chili peppers, shrimp and pancetta. Then I finished with their signature white chocolate chip bread pudding. I ate outside on the covered patio with the sound and sight of a waterfall and cool breezes blowing under the trees. It was heavenly! Even though I was a party of one, no one was rushing me and my requested water refills were supplied with a smile.

For a zoo, theme park, or an attraction, this is a five star restaurant. Like any other place, people will view it differently based on where they’re seated or what they order. For us sitting on the covered open air patio by the waterfall was fantastic. Service was friendly, helpful, and attentive. We ordered the Caesar salad and the spicy chicken sandwich. The sandwich comes with fries (which my wife enjoyed more than half of as she love’s French fries and these are good). The chicken sandwich has two slices of chicken breast which are definitely spicy but tender and juicy. They were very flavorful and I really enjoyed the sandwich. My wife’s Caesar salad was large and she enjoyed it. We also had wine with lunch. They have a good and reasonably priced selection. You can make reservations on OpenTable, but we just walked in and didn’t have a problem. OpenTable had shown no available tables at the time we went, so always give it a try. I will say when we left there were a lot of people waiting.

Ate here on our last visit to the zoo. Excellent atmosphere ; feels like you're in a rain forest. Indoor and outdoor seating available. We had reservations on a Monday morning and were seated right away. Our waitress answered all our questions and took our order promptly. Drinks were delivered without haste. Food followed soon after. Nothing extremely fancy food wise, but it was warm and tasty. Service was excellent!!!! My soda NEVER got below half way and our dishes were cleared as soon as we were done, very efficiently. Desert was nice as well.

Really enjoy this restaurant-good food and service, sat by the glass windows which opens up-great atmosphere, wonderful view. It is on the third floor level, literally you are looking down on tree tops!

Family of 3 went past weekend and sadly didn't enjoy our meals. Jambalaya is not supposed to have crushed red pepper as only heat. No cajun seasoning to be had. Shrimp pasta was over cooked. Pizza Margarite pretty bad too. Server wasn't mean, but just going through the motions and could tell he really didn't want to be there. Will not be returning.

Some hits and some misses. We had lunch at this place while visiting the zoo. If you think about the normal fare you get at a zoo, it was actually really good. Some of the items we had were delicious and some were so-so. For instance, our table shared the nachos to start and those were really, really good. They were packed with lots of yummy things, including pickled onions and some strange veggie I’ve never had before. It was a culinary adventure. We also had a BLT, which turned out to be a miss. The back was so thick that it was more like pork belly. BLT’s are better when bacon is crisp. Caesar salad with grilled chicken was a hit, but did have a lot of dressing. I can see someone not liking that, even though I didn’t mind. The chicken in it was flavorful and the lettuce and grape tomatoes was kind of grilled. Good salad! We also had the chicken sandwich with beer battered fries and that was also pretty decent. The description makes it sound like it will be a lot more flavorful than it was, but it was still a good chicken sandwich. Kind of a surprise at a place like a zoo!

Albert's was pleasant relief from the general lack of gluten free options in the San Diego Zoo (popcorn & cotton candy don't really cut it as an alternate menu for those with allergies). Service was good, variety and quality were solid, GF knowledge was reasonable. We'd strongly considered leaving the Zoo to get lunch and then returning. Happy we didn't end up needing to do that.

If you're visiting the world famous San Diego Zoo and don't want to eat hot dogs, give this gem of a restaurant a try! Albert's will surprise you, excellent food and service, the ambiance is spectacular! Do yourself a favor, when you get in the zoo, find the customer service office near the entrance and ask them to call the restaurant and make a reservation, this place can get busy quick! Honestly this is fine dining @ the zoo!

3:00-5:00 pm daily Drink and appetizer specials Great time to get out of the heat and crowds We had sweet potato fries, pot stickers and roasted artichokes. I would order the artichokes again. The others were just ok. Staff is attentive and friendly.

Simple food but very good. Loved the salad. Tuna melt was good. Great house Chardonnay. We ate at the bar rather than waiting for a table. Bartender was very helpful.

I and every one I know who comes to the zoo several times a year loves Albert's Restaurant. Within the zoo, one can take the aerial tram and walk a short distance-have lunch in a tropical setting high above the zoo and enjoy cocktails if one desires. Food is great and the fish sandwiches I definitely recommend.Tired--take the tram back & just walk a short distance to the Exit.

This is a wonderful place to go with friends. The cocktails are wonderful. The food is always top-notch. It can get pretty busy especially during spring break so plan accordingly. I have never had a bad meal at this place. They do take reservations.

We enjoyed salads, steaks, and sandwiches while seated near a waterfall and could watch it as we ate. Our server was attentive and friendly.

Never had food like this at a zoo or theme park! Menu is small and may be difficult for picky eaters. They do have kids food though and accommodated our food requests. Food was great and fresh, plus the waterfall and patio area were beautiful. Service was slow, but we didn’t mind the break from walking. Definitely make a reservation!!

I don’t understand the rough reviews. This rustic treetop restaurant was a wonderful break in our day. We had reservations for after a private tour and were seated immediately. Yes, it was pricey but everything we ordered was excellent. The service was good and I would choose this again with no hesitation as an interlude. No rush or no waiting. (Disclosure: we were there on a low-attendance day, the last week of August)

We were very suprised how good the restuarant was. The salad was fresh. The pizza was good, but not the thin crust we were promised. I ordered it extra crispy and it was doughy. Not homemade crust. The flavor was good once you eliminted the doughy part.

We each had something different, pasta, fish sandwich, chicken sandwich and quesadilla. All of us raved over our meals, great atmosphere, staff very accommodating with special needs. Wonderful rest during a long day.

Make a reservation. Sit outside by the waterfall. Not an extensive menu, but big enough: pizza, specials, salads, soups.

We frequently enjoy lunch at Albert's. The menu offers several desirable choices. I usually get the meat eaters pizza. There is also a full bar which offers many specialty drinks. Their margarita choices are super. If you are a calorie counter, you may want to walk it off by walking the zoo's many hills and valleys. Enjoy!

Taking as a departing point that Albert’s is a restaurant at the San Diego Zoo, we can say it is not bad at all, yet there are some things that are worth being noted. Firstly, décor is not outstanding, and neither is the view, better get a seat at the terrace or you could end up feeling like having lunch at an IHOP. The view is not great from Albert’s, a shame because I bet it could have been outstanding, but from the terrace you’ll at least have a glimpse of a small waterfall and the nice feeling of the open-air breeze –might get chilly depending on the season. Secondly, service is friendly and polite, probably not as knowledgeable about the menu and its preparation but nothing you cannot live with. Thirdly, food barely scratches the good tier, likely far from the quality of a restaurant you have to book a table for, but doable for a zoo restaurant; pasta and chicken were good, but you definitely want to stay away from the steak, which was fatty and beyond the proper doneness. On the adult side of the story, seems like you can get here some beers and drinks not available at other lunch locations –though not 100% sure about it, maybe they are indeed available somewhere else. Lastly, although reasonably priced, I keep wondering who wants to spend around $80 per person for lunch while visiting the zoo; whilst up to each one’s preferences, I don’t think I’d do it again.

This was my husbands and my first visit to Albert's while visiting San Diego zoo. Located in the middle of the zoo and reached by the top of the trees trail this restaurant offers great food in a great setting surrounded by trees. They take reservations and get busy fairly quickly.

The food and service are very good - not off the charts great, but awesome for a zoo and good for anywhere. They do not have burgers, but they have a small variety of other items - it's just about certain you'll find something to like from the short menu. They have beer and wine - a decent selection. Prices for food and drinks are a bit high, but not outrageously so. The ambiance is very pleasant, especially if you can sit on the patio (kind of outside), where you're in the midst of foliage and near a small man-made waterfall. My wife and I have been members of the zoo since 2004. We always stop for lunch at Albert's (and always have a reservation, which you can make via Opentable). I highly recommend stopping here for lunch during a day at the zoo.

We have been to the zoo a million times but this was the first time going to Albert’s Restaurant. It’s a cute place & the food was pretty good. I think if you go-try to sit on the patio-the ambience definitely makes it more fun. The service was efficient-my husband was not a fan of the waitress but I feel she was just very busy... our food came fairly quickly but we never got any of the bread everyone raves about (maybe why hubby complained). Overall a fun experience but would probably wait for the patio & just do drinks & appetizers next time.

This restaurant was built up more than it should have been, but the quality of food was average for the price. Our server (granted it was only her second week), got our bill wrong by probably about $30-$40 higher. She was incredibly nice and had her manager correct it, but it was a shocker and good thing we looked at it. There are beautiful views for dining, we were sat outside right next to the gorgeous waterfall. The atmosphere in the restaurant was good too, had a lot of art and masks on the wall which was cool to look at. Overall I probably would not return to this restaurant for the food. For the price you can get a better meal at another restaurant. The hostess up front was also incredibly rude and was on here phone almost every time I saw her

I have eaten at Albert's many times due to having a membership to the ZOO. I highly recommend that you MAKE A RESERVATION! Especially for parties larger that 4 people. It is the only sit-down service restaurant in the Zoo and it is VERY popular. My favorite thing on the menu are the fish tacos. I get them every time and need to try some other things that sound amazing! They take reservations on Open Table!!! FYI ~ not strollers allowed in the restaurant due to it being so tight. and NO parties larger than 4 on the patio.

This is the only sit down inside "restaurant" at the San Diego Zoo, the rest of the food places are walk up place your order and sit out side. The food is good to very good, and is slightly overprices compared to similar restaurants in the San Diego area. Strongly recommend reservations or you could be waiting for awhile.

Very busy restaurant. I ate at the bar to skip the wait. Good service from a very friendly bartender. Like the fact that they have a full bar. Ordered pot stickers which were good and a bit crunchy, which was different from how I have had them before. The bread pudding was described wonderfully on the menu. When I got it, it was a huge disappointment! If you call some white chocolate chip then you really should have some in it. I love white chocolate bread pudding but not this one.

Catch of the day was expertly prepared and tasted delicious. Service was prompt, courteous and friendly. Table seating was comfortable with a view of a waterfall surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.

We were a party of six, including my two young children and elderly mother in law. We were seated promptly with our 1pm reservations. At 1:10, we finally got seen by a waitress who took drink and food orders (she was completely uniformed about the menu or ingredients when we asked questions). At 10:20, we still had no drinks (not even a glass of water) and had to go seek out another waiter to assist. After that, service finally picked up. The food were very large portions and pretty tasty. My husbands margarita pizza was actually very delicious- would recommend.

We were spending the day at San Diego Zoo and were expecting to have to choose between overpriced fast food options Then we found Alberts. The location and atmosphere were great. A nice sit restaurant in the middle of the zoo...who knew. Yes the prices were a little higher than normal for similar restaurants not located in a zoo but the food was excellent and the service was even better. We got lucky enough to get a patio table near the waterfall. Highly recommend this pleasant oasis in the zoo.

We spent the day at this wonderful zoo and were hungry for something good. The zoo has several options but the hidden gem is Albert's. We prefer table service and were surprised to see that most diners make reservations which I would highly recommend you doing. They had great draft beer that was cold and refreshing. My wife had a pizza that was exceptional especially in a zoo setting. I had outrageous fish tacos that were better than the local Mexican restaurant we went to the day before. Prices are reasonable. Service was great. I don't know what more you could ask for. Put it on your list.

Our meal at Albert's was a standout experience from our trip! It was an excellent dining experience in terms of food, ambiance, service. I am still thinking about the salmon I had there....

We made a reservation for a party of 6 adults earlier in the day for a 1pm lunch and we're glad we did. We parked the scooter outside and walked in with a cane. If was good to get out of the heat and to sit down to a nice comfortable lunch. We had some craft beers and burgers & Mediterranean wraps - all very tasty. A most enjoyable and comfortable meal at the zoo!

The menu has a good variety of choices. The meatloaf is amazing as are the margaritas...I suggest to reserve a table and ask for outside with a view as you sit in a very nice area with a waterfall and lots of plant life. Quality food.

I needed a break and didn't feel like the normal food stand fare. Was great to sit down, have a cold adult beverage and have someone take care of getting my food. I had the fish and chips and it was a good size portion. Considering the location, I thought the prices were fair. I do recommend getting a reservation and you can use OpenTable to check what time slots are open to make it from your phone. My only problem was finding the restaurant! Hint - use the elevator!

We planned to have lunch at Albert's on a Sunday and made a reservation through Open Table. Since we were on a birthday/girl trip with a "soon to be" 14-year old, we decided on something more special than typical zoo food. We were not disappointed. My friend decided to split the roast beef and vegetables with her daughter, and I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with fries and coleslaw. Both dishes were delicious! The table next to us ordered the fish and chips and I was a little envious of it too! We finished up with creme brulee and bread pudding - amazing desserts! All of the food, desserts included, are large enough portions to share (IMO). Our waitress was very attentive and helpful in making suggestions as well. The only kink was that when we arrived, we had to wait for longer than expected, even though we had a reservation, there were plenty of open tables on the patio and inside, and there was no line. Not sure why. Other than that, everything was perfect.

My niece had heard that this restaurant was good so that is why we chose it. I had the fish and chips and certainly enjoyed it. My niece had a lovely pasta dish and had enough to take home too. If you prefer sit down service dining, this place is for you. It was relaxing.

Yikes. I got so excited to have goat cheese flatbread. The description made it sound so good. Golden raisin mostarda, arugula, goat cheese, balsamic on flat bread. The flat bread was a cracker. There was a microscopic amount of goat cheese and arugula and a MASSIVE amount of mostarda raisins. It was SICKLY sweet. The "flatbread" was like rubber. We should have sent them back, really. Unfortunately, two of us ordered that. One of us got the quesadilla which was the best thing we ordered, and the 4th person ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich which was mediocre. So to recap: inedible, inedible, ok, and mediocre. I'm a zoo member so I go a lot. I'm sorry, but being in the middle of the zoo does not give you a pass on good food, and I would not eat there again. I would have been happier with a hot dog.

It's a bit tucked away down a couple flights of stairs, but is a good choice if you want a quieter sit down dining experience as well as beer and wine choices. The sandwiches (fish and steak) were o.k., but came with a lot fries. Beer and wine selection was good.

We stopped in ayt Albert's Restaurant while visiting the zoo. They were quick and they had a nice variety of food for all ages to find their likings.

Tacos were a plate of grease, soft fries, table in a walkway. Overpriced. Minimal acknowledgment of my concerns despite having already paid and just wanting to give feedback. Beautiful setting.

Let me start by saying this was my first visit! We had reservations for 11 and made our way to the elevator to descend to Albert's. We waited half an hour to get onto the elevator. I was on a scooter as I am handicapped. We were quickly seated and a very rude waiter greeted me with you should not have been seated until your entire party is here. I explained I had reservations and my friend who was also in her 60's was now waiting for the elevator. He continued with this is our policy, and honestly as a handicapped person I have never been treated like this. My friend arrived about a half an hour later. Please keep in mind the restaurant had many tables available. The food was not great, and very expensive. This place needs new management and a way for handicap people to access the restaurant easier.

Very nice food (though not quite as excellent as in visits past) with a good selection of adult beverages. It's so nice after walking all over the zoo to site down to a nice lunch or dinner (and sometimes you can catch brunch which has some yummy selections). They also have special dinners with themes or tastings throughout the year. I've always enjoyed Albert's and make it a point to eat there at least once during a visit.

One of the best meals I’ve ever had on vacation! We made an early reservation on Open Table and I listed my food limitations. It wasn’t busy at all so the chef came out to talk to me. He made me a special version of the vegan pasta dish with chicken and extra vegetables. So delicious! They make huge portions there and will give you an extra plate to share at no extra cost. That is what I would recommend. If you want them to split the order onto two plates they charge $3. My husband ordered the Eton Mess dessert and loved it! Make a reservation and go early so you have time to see everything in the zoo. You might need a sweater if it’s a cloudy day—it was chilly out on the patio by the waterfall and not much warmer inside.

Albert's is by far the best eatery at a zoo I have encountered throughout the world. I enjoyed fish tacos whilst the rest of my family had pork belly and pizza.

Ugh. This was an incredibly disappointing experience. We really wanted to have a nice and relaxing sit down meal since the huge San Diego Zoo is very exhausting to walk around. Albert’s is located in the middle of the park on a huge tower and is a bit difficult to find since it is sandwiched between levels. Once you find it, be prepared for a very long wait for a table with seaters that are border on rude. Once you are seated you might be shocked how bland the restaurant looks - good news - the food tastes the same way! I get that I can’t expect much for a restaurant in the zoo, but they went out of the way to make the food as bland as possible. Service was *really* bad. Don’t expect refills or to even see your server for most of your meal - add that to the 45-60 minute wait for food once you order, a chunk of your visit to the zoo will be taken up by this. We also were looking for a place to cool down on a very hot day - and unfortunately the AC barely works in this restaurant.

There are several snack bars and food stands around the zoo, but after being on our feet for several hours, we wanted to relax and enjoy a real meal. Albert's is comfortable, with friendly service and good food. I had the grilled salmon salad, which actually turned out to be a good-sized piece of grilled salmon serve on a bed of greens. My husband had the jambalaya. He ordered "mild", which still had a kick to it, so watch our for "spicy".

Restaurant closes at 3:30 pm, so plan. The service and restaurant ambiance were a treat. Corn soup was very tasty. Salads were very nice. Shrimp add ons were nice. Flatiron skillet steak salad was tasty. Coffees were nice and service was great.

After ordering, we waited for at least 20 minutes for our food. Not too bad, but one of the dishes was incorrect and it took at another 15 minutes for the replacement to arrive. The food was good, the service was slow, and the dining area was a zoo.

Luckily, I made a reservation for dinner through the Open Table website the night before. There was a line up waiting for a table. Food was good. A little pricey but that is to be expected. Service was good also, I liked our server - she was helpful with choosing what to order. If you are a fan of Cesar salad - excellent Cesar salad here!

Great meal at Alberts when we visited the zoo. If you want a full service restaurant while visiting the zoo, I highly recommend you make reservations. My husband loved the jambalaya and my farro chopped salad was superb. A big shoot out to Amanda at the bar. She was our server. Personable, helped us out with recommendations. Located in Lost Forest part of the zoo, a little challenging for this 1st time visitor to find.