Rustic Root Reviews

Walked in for weeknight early dinner. Was easy to get a table. Food was pretty good (appetizer biscuits are huge) but took a long time to come out when there were only a few tables in the restaurant. Server was good.

Went for a business function, and the open atmosphere made it a very enjoyable time. Beers on tap hit the spot, and sliders and other appetizers were tasty. Would definitely come back when next in town.

Came in a Sunday afternoon and there was a steady stream of customers. Was told the wait would be 15 minutes and it was about that much plus or minus. The atmosphere is festive and decor is cool. I ordered a burger and we also had the lobster roll. The burger was delicious, messy, and cooked well done to perfection. The fries were tasty and not over-seasoned. The lobster roll looked great and did not taste great, it was bland and the texture was rubbery. In fairness we told our server so but didn't ask for any action to be taken. The service was good, pleasant, and efficient.

Went to dinner with friends. We sat upstairs. The restaurant is cool and has a good vibe in the middle of Gaslamp District. We all were happy with our food and drinks. I recommend the Meat Ball and Mac & Cheese. Good times.

Visited Rustic Root with a small group for dinner. The place is very nice. Great Atmosphere and quite busy for dinner. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and drinks the would pair the food with. Food was presented very nice and but the taste of the items did not match the presentation. However, overall it was a great experience.

After work I went with my colleagues to the beautiful roof top, the place was busy and it took forever to get the attention of a waitress to serve us drinks. After Stacey our waitress came to get half of the people's order she disappeared. When she was passing by we had to grab her attention to take the rest of the order. No food was offered or water, so I asked her is anyone else that could help? You are definitely not happy to help when we ask for drinks and can we order food? She looked me and said Well I am busy, but what do you guys want? I replied I know you are busy that's way I asked, she said ok I'm here what do you guys want. I could. It believe the attitude of Stacey, she needs a lot of training or switch jobs. On top of that we were imposed with a 20% tip, so she got $40 dollars for being rude and treat customers as if she is doing them a favor. I am completely disappointed of the service.

We so enjoyed the food and the vibe at Rustic Root for Brunch on Sunday morning. They have mastered the wonderful lane of healthy, tasty and cool. We all ate everything on our plates including our brunch cocktails. We ate on the porch overlooking a street fair. It was the perfect setting.

I went for brunch and loved the environment. I don't think I ordered the right thing for me, but I would still go back to try a different plate.

Went with another couple on a Monday night. We sat inside at a booth and shared everything we ordered. Since the doors open to the street it felt like we were sitting outside but didn't have the people milling around us, a nice touch. Food was nothing fancy but very good. Monday is half priced bottles of wine night. If you're there on vacation (like we were) it's a good deal and not terribly expensive. There was a very good guitar player that night and we all enjoyed our time together thoroughly. It wasn't too noisy to talk, like some of the other restaurants. Tables aren't on top of each other so we got comfortable quickly. Service was good, a great find!

We stopped here for a drink and dinner; I had the fried Cornish game hen (delicious, and every bit fried chicken) and a side of asparagus with lemon. Both were very delicious, and our server was friendly and attentive. He had no problems with splitting the bill for us, which was appreciated. The only disappointment was a rather limited menu selection, which makes it difficult if nothing quite fits what you were hoping for. Some of the items on the menu are slightly eclectic, which could either be a positive or a negative, depending on your point of view (alligator sausage, lamb ribs, etc). The ribeye sounded good (and hearty at 16 oz), but it’s price point of $55 put it outside the budget of a business per diem.

Enjoyed the Bloody Mary so much I had a second. It was a meal in itself. Some great 2 piece band at the back of the room. Some interesting people to watch. Unfortunately the breakfast wasn’t quite right. Cold eggs and soft chips in the carnitas - appeared like it had been stood around.

I was in San Diego for a few days with my daughter and chose this place for breakfast as the #1 rated venue had a long queue and from the outside didn't look that nice. in the event I'm glad we came here. The service was great, the food was delicious and the ambience was welcoming. I didn't try the coffee, assuming it would be weak like all coffee in North America (in my experience). If you get the right seat (one of the big armchairs) it's very comfortable, but choose the bench seating and you might need to sit on a cushion or else you'll feel like a child. Even more so on the high tables outside, which are constructed without a central beam so you have nothing to do with your legs except dangle them like you're the Incredible Shrinking Man. We liked it so much, we came back on the second day and were surprised when the friendly waiter remembered exactly what we'd ordered the previous day. Then I guess we might have ruined her day by ordering something completely different. Except for the English breakfast tea. When In America, unless you're in a specialist coffee shop, always go for the tea.

I came here and loved it! Our server was very nice and he was very helpful. I ordered the veggie scramble and it was to die for! The setting inside is adorable! I will definitely come back!

We have walked by Rustic Root many times, and it was always packed. We thought ahead this time and made a reservation so we didn't have to wait. Our meals were very good and the service was excellent. Our waiter was a little concerned about our initial wine choice (due to feedback from other patrons), so brought us a sample before we bought a bottle...glad he did, as we would have wasted money on wine that wasn't very good.

Pork belly BLT, lobster roll - done well. Great beers. Definitely worth a visit. Breakfast plates are huge .

We went here with a reservation for Mother's Day. Moms could have either a free Mimosa or a Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary it was, and great flavor. I had the Egg White Frittata upon recommendation of Kyle, the attentive server. OMG, was it delicious! I'd go here again.

Nice place that benefits from a terrace (but it takes a minimum of consumption) So we were down there. The menu is varied, the food correct. Good service. Music loud enough

I sat at the bar which surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night. The rooftop appeared far more lively. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. On one of their recommendations, I ordered the wild boar bolognese. It was a bit spicy, had tons of meat and had well balanced flavors. When the recommendation was made, I was told that it was a staff favorite. Given how many other members of the staff concerned on it through the night, it was clearly true. The restaurant also had a very nice wine list.

One of the good things about San Diego is the weather which makes eating on the roof top ideal. Here for a reception thus mostly had appetizers- meatballs, firecracker shrimp, lobster mac and cheese- all yummy! Next time love to try regular menu and enjoy more

I've been here for dinner and brunch. I had the steak and eggs for breakfast and it was quite good, I'm still dreaming about the breakfast potatoes. Service was friendly and efficient.

Good place overall with good food options. Dry aged Steak was exceptionally good. Family enjoyed the street side seating which gave a glimpse of Gaslamp street. Will come back again in case visiting the place in the future.

The four of us each had a different entree and every one met with favorable reviews. Attractive seating areas with an open restaurant front onto the street and a well-stocked bar. There was a small issue with an advertised holiday special and the manager was quick to come to our table and clear up any misunderstanding. Real interesting selection of dinner offerings made me want to come back at a future date and sample something else.

Came in around 8ish and waited for a table. Got drinks at the bar while we waited. We finally got a table and ordered but never received our food .. waitress never came back either. We flagged her down and she said she would check on it. Our food came shortly after, 10ish It was still a fun night but just super long wait.

Blah, blah, blah. I could talk about this place forever but need for you to simply know it was good. The service made it an enjoyable evening. I endorse this place for good food and wine.

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food was great. We sat downstairs and enjoyed the vibe. Highly recommended.

Great appetizers and drinks! Although, we were only able to get 1 Froze Rose because the machine was down-my friend and I shared that drink and it was sooo delicious!!!!

Was fortunate to celebrate my birthday here for brunch. The atmosphere is very cool and the food was wonderful. The drink was one of the best I have ever had -- it was called the Spanish something and had lavender and tequila. Highly recommend the Brioche French toast but there were so many interesting things on the menu, it was actually hard to pick. Highly recommend!

Great food great service.. has a fe beers and the Bolognese.. awesome! Price was ok and the location is easy to find in the gaslight district.

Lots of outdoor dining space with tables socially distanced. The southern fried chicken was outstanding and more than I could finish. Beware of their mai tai: very good and very strong !

So I have a thing for Rooftop bars, lounges and restaurants. It isn't completely open but at night is very beautiful. I had the 2 orders of the shrimp dumplings which are AMAZING! I just came for the wine and appetizers. I'm a pescatarian, alot of the salmon options are raw. Not a sushi or raw fish person. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to Everyone! They have options for everyone.

This is one of those reviews where I wish TripAdvisor had a half system. I liked the vibe and overall feel of Rustic (although I was bummed that the rooftop was closed for a private party) and they had a good selection of beers and decent food menu. Had the Fried Calamari appetizer which was prepared well, but could have used a little more of the dipping sauce. The cup was small and empty before I was even halfway done. I had the Short Rib over Polenta, which was a little disappointing. The short rib was over cooked as wa the polenta. A little effort on the food preparation and this could easily be a 4+ rating.

. Food was better than usual but I had one glaring complaint. I ordered a creamed spinach which did not list mushrooms on the menu as an ingredient. When it was served, there where huge pieces of cremini mushrooms throughout. I have a food intolerance to some mushrooms and wish it was listed as an ingredient. When I asked server what kind of mushrooms they were, it took 20 min to get back to me. By then, I had eaten the rest of my meal and just didn’t eat the spinach dish. Granted I should have said up front my intolerance to mushrooms, but since the menu extensively listed what was in the dish, I assumed there were no mushrooms. Anyway, hubby had venison Osso bucco and it was great. Nice location, outdoor seating with heaters for the chilly night.

First time there. Food and service were excellent. Breakfast eggs bacon and potatoes everything was done to perfection. Husband had a hamburger and really enjoyed it especially the French fries. Ordered a cuppacchino and it was hot like I like it . The noise level was a little high though . Would definitely go back and try something else.

Came here for dinner for a party of two and we were able to snag a table on the terrace without a reservation (it was still early in the evening). The terrace was nice and decked out for Christmas and they provided heat lamps. There were lots of open seats downstairs. We unfortunately just missed happy hour by a couple of minutes. I could see this place being busy during peak times so I’d suggest making a reservation. Parking/Service: It’s in downtown, so expect to look around for parking for a while. Better yet, just uber there. Our server was attentive and our food and drinks came out quickly. There was a private event happening on the outer part of the rooftop but we still received great service. Food/Drinks: For drinks, I liked A Lover’s Flannel ($16) which had the egg white on top and my husband liked the Rustic Route ($15). -Lobster Pappardelle ($36): this was surprisingly very tasty. The pasta was made fresh and had the perfect texture. I say surprising because you usually can’t expect much ordering pasta from a non-Italian place, but this one was very good. -Bacon Mac N Cheese ($14) -Cast Iron Cornbread ($9): really liked the jalapeño butter Overall: It was a fun, festive place for dinner and food was overall good. I’d like to come back during happy hour next time!

We were seated pretty fast for Sunday brunch that was good. Waited 20 mins for the waitress to show up for our drink order then about 10 to bring them and forgot 1 , and had to send 1 back, to get made properly ?! Brought the forgotten 1 when the food came out Finally took the order and the food came out fairly quickly and was pretty good Overall the foods good service was so slow it seemed she didn’t really want to be there Atmosphere is good Probably won’t return

Lively wonderful brunch! The drinks are amazing, we had a very unique spicy bloody Mary with cucumber light and refreshing. We ordered the California eggs Benedict and the Chorizo Scramble eggs both dishes were excellent! Our server was wonderful and very attentive even though it was extremely crowded. Would definitely return!

I'm really obsessed with rustic root every time I'm in San Diego it's a must-stop spot. The cocktails are great the atmosphere to create and the food is always fabulous. We had a party of four, one Lobster pasta, 2 Fried Chicken specials and scallops all cooked to Perfection all tasted amazing. You're looking for food in Gastown this is the place.

Good service and great craft cocktails! The bar upstairs has great atmosphere and a nice view over the street.

Had dinner here last Monday night. There is a downstairs dining room where we ate and a great upstairs outdoor dining room with a limited menu. The atmosphere is great. I was able to watch the Eagles game during dinner. All three of us had great food. I had the lobster pasta, my wife had the steak frites and my doughtier had swordfish. All three were excellent. The waiter was great as well. Very attentive and helpful with the menu items. If you are in the area don't miss this restaurant.

We were looking for a nice outdoor dining while visiting the Gaslamp District. The host told us she wasn’t sure how long the wait was due to a party who had been sitting at a table for two hours since getting their bill. She took our number and said she would text us if a table was available. Only waited 10 minutes. Our server was very friendly and had some good suggestions. TIP: if you check in on Yelp you will get an appetizer for half price. Poke app was a good choice to share. Good choice of specialty cocktails and beers. The double cut Pork Chop was tasty and cooked to be very juicy. This was the first time I was ever offered a choice of knives to use. A wooden box of steak knives all with different handles was presented. The rooftop bar attracts many twenty somethings who line up waiting to go upstairs to this upscale club. I understand this is the place to go at night.

waited at our table 15-20 minutes, not even a glance from a server. it was not very crowded. there was staff. we left. disappointed.

The Gaslamp district is a fun opportunity to try all types of dining. We stopped at the Rustic Root for cocktails as we started out evening. Their out door mail level patio invites you with comfy couches. Servers were very attentive and friendly. Drinks were great so we stayed for 2 rounds!

Found this spot on Yelp and it was a great choice. A 3min walk from our hotel (The Horton Grand) and not crowded when we arrived at 9.30am on Sunday but I would recommend a reservation as we sat the line grew longer and longer. Food - the food was very tasty. I had the hanger steak, eggs and hash browns (ask for the McDonalds style vs. the home fries, trust me) Hubby had the meat lover scramble. Portions are actually large enough to share. Hubby said The bacon bloody Mary was really good, he ordered 2. And the mimosa tray was a different touch, we couldn't finish all of the juices but polished off all of the fruit. Service - It was slow and we had to ask several times where was our food as it took over 20mins and there weren't that many people in there to justify the lag. Also we were charged for something we shouldn't have been, but it was fixed without complaint. On our next trip I will be back.

This was recommended to us by a local while we were visiting San Diego for a week. Lovely place, amazing vibes. Loved the decoration and the food was super nice. Highly recommended: fire cracker prawns, tuna nicoise, and salmon tacos. We enjoyed our visit.

Terrible experience. Raw chicken served and they tried to dismiss it as “safe. The. Asked to make drink spicy and surprise on the bill ….a $3.00 surcharge per drink. Server didn’t share this when he took our order Overall food was mediocre but the service and the manager in particular was horrible. He could have cared less

Great food and even better service. Tried the shrimp on the HH menu. Excellent. Steak for dinner. Very good! Sat at bar and service was impeccable. Lots of people trying to get you in to eat on a Wednesday night. Glad I tried this place.

We stopped in here for an impossible burger. We sat out on the balcony, the food came quickly and was lovely - one of the best burgers of our trip. The staff were really friendly and helpful.

The atmosphere is great. Wonderful service. We had the veggie and meat skillets with side of biscuit and gravy. The food was fast and tasted amazing. It was a gorgeous day in San Diego to eat this inside/out restaurant.

The food was excellent, you have to wait. Asked for Brandy Old Fashioned and received Manhattan. Not the same. It went unfinished by my wife. I would give it another go because the food was excellent, but would hope the service and bartender service would be better.

We came at 1130am. I saw very good looking breakfast being served but I made the mistake of ordering lunch with my son. He ordered the libetse roll. As soon as we touched it the bun fell apart to reveal a measly amount of lobster. I ordered the burger and it was a greasy and soggy mess. Instead of serving it open faced as to not make the lettuce and tomato soggy, the kitchen closed it. This you should never do. Any decent chef knows this. Anyhow. Get the breakfast and avoid the lunch menu. At least what we ate. Service was excellent however.

The chilaquiles was delicious! Pancakes were good, we have just decided San Diego in general doesn’t know what hash browns are, everywhere we went gave us scalloped potatoes lol. We sat outside which was nice and they had live music. However, the table we sat at had no salt or pepper, they brought me my coffee and creamer but never brought sugar. The waiter guy disappeared a lot.

Very cute place to stop for a drink or two. Didn't get to eat here, although the menu looked good. Stopped in on a Sunday evening and hung out at the bar for awhile. It was pretty quite by about 10 or so and it seemed like they were closing up early. As I was leaving, I did notice that the upstairs roof area looked quite crowded so that seems like the place to be in the evenings. Would definitely try again.

The drinks and food were delicious, the staff was attentive, and the rooftop bar was really nice. Highly recommend.

This was far better than any of the pricey seafood restaurants we visited. Great food and live music while you eat!

After walking around Fifth Avenue we decided to stop at Rustic Root for our dinner, after a short wait at the bar with a tasty cocktail we were seated. The menu’s not extensive but that’s not a problem, we had starters and mains and every single bit of food was incredibly tasty!! Highly recommended.

My wife and I met a friend at Rustic Root for a Sunday brunch and was fortunate to sit on the rooftop! Although the service was a bit slow on that day, the food and drinks were delicious. The Pisco Punch cocktail was one of the tastiest drinks I’ve had in a while. My California Eggs Benedict was also scrumptious! If you have time to wait, this is a great place to get eats and treats!

Once again the rustic root lives up to its hype. The service and the food here are simply delightful and amazing. We visit once on a yearly basis and it has not lost one step in its quality or service. Keep up the great work.

Good service, nice place on a Sunday night. Good atmosphere, mature crowd. Nice intro into the gas lamp district.

My wife and I went downtown San Diego Gaslamp district to have dinner with our data do boyfriend for dinner. Selected this restaurant not knowing anything about them other than a yelp review. We had a great time with great service and food. Never felt rushed and enjoyed the ambiance of sitting in an area that was in inside but open to the outside. Service was excellent as was the food. Definitely would go back!

The worst service and bizarre situation I have ever experienced in a bar. We entered the bar around 9pm and spoke with the VIP manager and got a table. We were told of the $500 min consumption which we told him we were fine with. This was a business gathering after a 14 hour day of meetings and we wanted to celebrate a great day. After being seated our waitress came over, we placed our order for a few drinks and provided a credit card and id. She came back with the drinks, left them and came back a few times throughout the night for additional but by no means was this table service. We had to keep shooing others away from our table as patrons kept just sitting down at our tables and nobody was telling them to leave until after we'd done it for about an hour straight and started to become vocal that "No you can't sit with us because there is space". VIP tables really? The throughout the night various "security" personnel continued to interrupt us to remind us of the $500 min consumption. By this point we had finished two rounds of drinks and had all switched to bottles of Pellegrino. We did not mind doing this and did not expect to be continuously bothered by the staff to remind us. Two hours in a female business colleague and I were talking (her HUSBAND was with us) and the security guard (African-American gentlemen with a light goatee) approached us to kindly tell me "You need to tone it down right now sir our guests are complaining". I asked about what and he then insinuated that we were having sex there! Her and I were both horrified at his bizarre statement - when did discussions on 5G tech rollout become sexual and did he really believe we were doing this in front of her husband who was sitting right next to her? I explained we were not and he proceeded to remind us if it didn't stop we'd be thrown out. Again we are approached 15 min later by another staff member reminding us of the minimum consumption. We're now about 4 bottles of WATER down and are obviously not spending what they wanted even though we agreed to the $500 fee with no issues. The husband goes to the bathroom and is leaning against the wall a bit as we were all tired and getting ready to leave when the female attendant decides to cause drama. Next thing she's talking how's she's Mexican and can touch anyone she wants after he asked her not to touch him. Then we're asked to leave. Obviously they wanted the $500 for the table and then to get rid of us because we weren't spending above it. The VIP manager acted pleasant but didn't try to diffuse the situation and just asked us to come back again. Seriously you think we'd come back to be offended again? We were charged the $500, plus the $100 tip (she came to us 5 times, dropped the waters and the empty glasses and left) and then tax on the $500 as well. I would encourage others (unless you are a 20 something and not 40 something like we were) to never go there. It was obvious we were not welcome and were not treated with any respect.

Came here for Sunday afternoon drinks. Decent drinks, but place was not serving food at the time. Had a few birthday parties that were getting sloppy/out of control. We left after one drink. In that time, multiple glasses were broken. Was also very loud. Would be a fun scene if you were looking to rage, otherwise not very approachable.

Didn't do food but grabbed a couple drinks and bartender was very nice and helpful about where to go next. We were in the gaslamp for a couple nights and had a lot to see.

We had Sunday Brunch here on Father's Day, and were quite satisfied when all was said and done. The service was friendly and efficient, the food delicious, and the ambiance top notch. Interesting decor. Full bar, and an upstairs rooftop bar/patio area. There are a lot of dining options own the area, and this is one of the best!

Went to dinner with a friend at Rustic Root. I would highly recommend it. FOOD - The food was delicious. We had glazed pork belly and meatballs as appetizers. The glazed pork belly was the best I have ever eaten. It was juicy and flavorful. The meatballs were good and was served with a tasty sauce. For dinner we had the Table Smoked Tomahawk Steak. It was great. Being from Texas have very high expectations for a steak. In fact, I hesitated ordering the steak because you can't find a better steak than in Texas. However, the steak surprised me with its flavor and tenderness. COCKTAILS - The craft cocktails were great. The waitress was very good at listening to your preferences and recommending cocktails that fits your taste. WINE SELECTION - THe wine list was great. We had a bottle of Caymus which went great with the steak. SERVICE - Our waitress was fantastic. I wish I could remember her name, but I do remember her son was in the Air Force. She was friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and worked hard to make sure we had a great experience. And we did. Of course, San Diego weather was awesome so the doors were open providing a great feel. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others. After dinner head up to the rooftop for some more great drinks, weather and fun.

I loved everything about this place! The food, the service, the ambiance…it was all fabulous. The fried chicken was amazing, firecracker shrimp was delicious, and the yellowtail was cooked to perfection. The cocktail menu was unique and I really enjoyed my “Bold and Beautiful” drink. Our server, Claire, was amazing and I can confidently say that we’ll be back the next time we are in SD.

Good food and service. Very friendly staff. The lobster pasta was very good. The decor of the restaurant was very cool

Stellar reviews on the multiple platforms drew us here for a business meal. Early reservation and the restaurant was nearly empty but service was still slow and a bit scattered. We tried a few appetizers and did not care for two of them. Entrees were just okay and neither of the people sharing the large steak cared for what impact of the fake smoked preparation they bring table side. Perhaps if I went back I would try the roof instead. Although the atmosphere was well done, the rest did not have me wanting to come back for more.

We had our Sunday Brunch upstairs in this unique restaurant. I’m sure many travelers or visitors will only see the main downstairs area and view it as a home town eatery. Yes it has a great bar and super service. What’s not known is the upstairs seating area! We went up a stairway that led us to the open air portion of this establishment. Good seating, and a totally different vibe, we enjoyed the menu and service. I would have to go with the chorizo and egg selection

We wanted to change it up and try a locally renowned place for a fun dinner. It would be hard to beat, as Rustic Root delivered the goods. Our wait staff was phenomenal and patiently guided us through the menu. We spilt several appetizers, which were all delicious. Our wait staff convinced me to try the lobster pappardelle and I was blown away. Just the right mix of flavors and not too heavy. Others had the filet and loved the preparation with the mushrooms. The only very slight disappointment was the selection of wine, a white blend that started smooth but finished a little funky.

As a long time Verizon customer, I was able to score a "Super Ticket" on the Verizon Up section of the Verizon App. I was provided a dinner for two at Rustic Root from a special prixe fix menu. The dinner included a drink, appetizer, main course, and dessert for "each" diner. We arrived a bit ealy for our reservation, but were seated very quickly. We decided to sit upstairs with an open air setting. They did have heaters, so it was very comfortable. The waitress provided us with the special menus and we ordered right away. My wife had a glass of wine, their Southern Corn Fritters for appetizer, their Filet Frites for main course, and a peach cobbler for dessert. I elected to go with a regular soda as I do not drink alcohol, Southern Corn Fritters for appetizer, Mary's Roasted Half Chicken for main course, and the Peach Cobbler for dessert. Service was prompt. The Southern Corn Fritters tasted very good and was actually plentiful if we would want to share. The Filet Frites tasted good as well which is a filet mignon with truffle fries. Mary's Chicken really hit the spot and cooked very well. finally, we ended our evening with the Peach Cobblers. This was very fresh and right out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream. We were very pleased with the dinner and all the food we had. Overall, our evening was great! The waitress was very attentive and really took care to keep checking in on us throughout our meal. Two thumbs up, 5 stars, and many kudos to Rustic Root and its staff for making our experience fantastic! Great job Verizon (Verizon Up) on this Super Ticket experience!

I was there for a private event, but it didn't impress me enough to want to go back for a meal. In particular the "spice poke" was terrible. I didn't hear anyone say they particularly liked their cocktails either. Darn, given the atmosphere, I had hoped for better,

Came for brunch on our first day in San Diego. Great first meal. I had the crab cake Benedict - super fresh crab and absolutely delicious. My wife had the pork belly BLT. Again absolutely great. Would definitely return/recommend.

I ate here a year before and found the place really good. It still is but that first time charme had passed. The chicken was delicious though. And the staff friendly. Good choice if you want to go here

Nice atmosphere very friendly service a very limited lunch menu yet the food is terible. I can't remember ever a case where I was unable to finish a burger but it did happen here, my wife got a chiken salad sandwich which was more mayonnaise then chicken one brite spot, the fresh fries were excellent.

Came here for dinner on the 4th of July. It's a nice rooftop vibe in the Gaslamp District! They booths on the edge have fire pits, as it gets chilly in the evenings. The food here was so good. My wife started by getting the braised pork belly, which she said was the best she's ever had. She also got the wild boar bolognese, which she thoroughly enjoyed, and was a heaping portion. I started with the cheddar & chili roasted cornbread. It was DIVINE! It had a honey drizzle that it was coated with that made it amazing! For my entree, I had the dine-in pork chop. That is a seriously good pork chop. The broccoli and sweet potato were seasoned well, and tasted great also. Katherine gave good, prompt service. Come for the rooftop, but also try as much food as you can off the menu!

This review covers the Rooftop part of this restaurant. If you are younger, like loud places, like a party vibe, and eating bar type food, this is the place for you. If none of these apply then I would try the restaurant on the main level. We went on a Tuesday at 7 and the placed was packed. To me this is not the place to go to to have great food and service, although both were ok (not great), it’s a place to enjoy the vibrant night life of the city.

Me and my girlfriend stopped by for a late lunch and ordered off the brunch menu. The burger was delicious and the cocktail menu was unique and wonderful.

Fancy coffee options - like a cinnamon honey latte - and well executed eggs benedict made this a great spot for brunch! Great selection of outdoor seating as well.

Beautiful restaurant, good service, and delicious food made for a great dining experience. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit

3.5 points for this American Restaurant. Good food and service but nothing particularly outstanding. Extremely noisy and not conducive to conversation. I don’t think I would go back.

Atmosphere super unique and cool. Brunch menu nothing to call home about. Service sucked, had to ask several times for things. Sweet girl, but spacey for sure. Burger looked amazing, nothing special. Spinach and pear salad was good Would try it again because the restaurant it self was really cool and had good music. Absolutely a hang out for a younger crowd. Not kid friendly although they allow kids

Had dinner with a friend on a Monday night. Half price bottles of wine. Food was excellent as was service. Live music playing - was loud towards the back so we asked to sit closer to the front. Eclectic ambiance. Would go again!

I had dinner withva colleague at the Rustic Root. We spontaneously got a table and we had a super friendly, knowledgeable and competent hostess. The food was excellent, and the recommended draft beer fitted nicely with the meatballs and filet. Absolutely recommended.

After a long day in a training session, a dinner had been arranged for us at this restaurant. Being that we had such a large group our menu choices were limited. However, all of the items were reported to be delicious. Personally, I had the wild boar bolognese and it was outstanding. The decor of the restaurant was really eclectic and I loved the light fixtures on the ceiling. Service was excellent as well.

The rooftop was a good environment for happy hour. Staff was attentive. We tried some food while there as well. Mac and cheese was good but rest was pretty average. Not sure we would go back for a sitdown meal in their dining room, but it's definitely a good place to grab a drink during happy hour.

A group of work associates gathered here one evening for dinner. The menu was pre-set, chosen by our hosts. It consisted of five tapas items. Waiters were supposed to pass additional items, but did so only sporadically and overlooked many people. It was difficult to get enough to eat without making several trips to the buffet. The main draw is the bar with its extensive menu. The rooftop location was perfect for a summer evening. We were there on a Saturday night when it was crowded and noisy, but still a great location..

My wife and I really enjoyed our late dinner after arriving in SD. We caught the tail end of restaurant week, so had the prefixed meal. We were surprised by the portions which were large compared to what we expected for prefix. Salmon main dish was really deliscious and the Kale salad was divine. The meal was complete with two amazing desserts. The service was great and the atmosphere and vibe were lots of fun!

Of course, assuming good weather, the roof top is a great spot to hold a large group, 50 or more people easily. Service was great and food was good.

If you like a menu leaning toward game (like Boar and venison) this is your place. Meals are well prepared, the prices are fair, and the service is friendly and attentive. Monday evenings feature wine a 50% of the bottle price.

I’ve been in this restaurant with a friend for a dinner. We started at the bar first, where they serve lots of cocktails. The dinner room is wide with a very warm atmosphere. I had roasted salmon with vegetables, simple but well presented and with a great taste. The waiter was very professional and took care of us for all the dinner. If you are looking for a very nice place when in Gaslamp to have dinner, please stop by here.

Love the second floor patio. Really great ambiance. Five of us went through several different appetizers. Everything was really good. Tuna - awesome, Chicken sliders - really good, meat balls - really good, ... drinks were good too. Looking out over the Gaslamp area from the lounge is really nice.

One of my best experience in a restaurant, to be honest. We got the short rib and the steak frites, and both were top notch, and reasonably priced for the area. A must visit.

This is not a steakhouse but I was pleasantly surprised by their steak. The flavor was great, cooked perfectly to medium but the quality of the meat was A+. I was a bit loud for me but not obnoxiously loud. It would be a great place for most occasions. It is a little pricey but hey you are in Cali.

I travel a decent amount and I love a good benedict. I really like a crab cake benedict. I thought the one I had in New Orleans with Cajun hollandaise would be my number one, no way anything could top it. But then we wander into Rustic Root one Memorial Day morning, I see they have a crab cake benedict and of course, I have to try it. OH my. the base is a fried green tomato (so crunchy), the crab cake is almost all crab. No crumbs that I noticed (SO GOOD), the eggs was cooked perfectly and the Cajun hollandaise was flavorful with just the right amount of kick. My only complaint was that it was a small portion, but it was just the right amount. I just wanted more out of gluttony. We live an hour away and I told hubby right then and there, "you do realize we will be coming down here a lot now, right?" oh and hubby liked his French toast sampler too. --but seriously, get the crab cake benedict--

We had the privilege of being able to attend a Specialty Pappy Van Winkle Dinner hosted by the fabulous team at Rustic Root. Our party thought it was one of the most remarkable meals we'd ever experienced. We attended the dinner so that we could taste the very hard to find Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon line up. The quality of the food was the big surprise, it simply blew us away. Everything was extremely well thought out. Each course matched the very fine Pappy tasting it was paired with. The owner and the chef both came out and talked to each of us and ensured that the service was top notch. The dinner was very special and very well done. Kudos to all of the team at Rustic Root.

I was here for a work function. The appetizers were very tasty. Service was on point. Loved the rooftop. Next time I am pack I will try for dinner

We had a delicious and fun meal during our second visit to Rustic Root. We're from out of town, but remembered this place from our first visit 18 months ago. Our return visit was even better, made outstanding by the friendly, attentive, enthusiastic service we received from the vibrant Francesca. Rustic Root specializes in classic American favorites, served in a warm, open air atmosphere on San Diego's 5th Avenue where many fine restaurants, bars, and shops reside in the Gaslamp District. Our meals were uniformly great.

An easy brunch of eggs benedict with salmon was such a good choice. The roof terrace area adds to the chilled ambiance. Great uncomplicated service from Nathan. A place to certainly return.

Delicious, delicately prepared entrees, but also pub fare-we enjoyed the chicken and fish dishes. The menu looked appetizing for all meals. Helpful, attentive service staff. Well prepared cocktails. Music and drinks up on the roof.

Had shrimp tacos for lunch here and would definitely recommend. Nice atmosphere, friendly service and good value.

One of the few places places that were open in downtown on Christmas day. They were accepting walk-ins only at the rooftop. We did not have lots of expectations and were pleasantly surprised by quality of cocktails and finger food. Shrimp rolls and pork belly were very good. Cosmo and Pear Ginger cocktails were excellent. A good find!

This was the cuties restaurant ever. Brunch was great! Celebrate Mother’s Day here last week and the brunch menu was very good. If you ever come to San Diego you need to stop by here.

Of the numerous restaurants my wife and I dined at over the past 6 days, this was one of the best meals we had. Although we did not have reservations, we were greeted warmly at the entrance and promptly seated. We arrived just after 6 and there were many empty tables however, If you are eating later, a reservation may be needed as the place was pretty full by then. Service was prompt and our waiter did a good job of explaining a few items from the menu. My wife had lobster paparadelle, a pasta dish with lots of lobster. I had the wild boar bolognese. Both were excellent. Prices were reasonable at ~$30 pp. We will definitely be back next time we are in town.

I’ve been dying to check Rustic Root our and finally got the opportunity to last night. Happy hour specials were good. Vibe is cool. They have live music three days a week as well. I’ll definitely come back.

Rustic Root was so good I ate their two nights in a row. The menu during Restuarant Week was excellent. I highly recommend. I was privileged to have Chris as my server both nights and he and the rest of the staff provided impeccable service. Next time I’m in San Diego this will be my first stop.

Went for dinner and drinks after a business meeting and loved the open air rooftop. Food was very good.

We had a table without knowing the Rustic Root. It turned out that we had pleasant seats directly at the Fifth Ave, so exctly where so may people are passing by - very entertainig. The bierselction was great and also food was well prepared. If you like more quiet seating ask for the rooftop.

Really good food, nice drink selection and great service. The lobster was incredible (I think they hand made the noodles), the meatball app was awesome and the mushrooms as a side had a great sauce that made them a must (if you like mushrooms). Worth the stop.

The food is delicious and quick but the music is so loud you can’t even anything from the person sitting next to you. I’d love to go back solo cos I can’t talk if I have company.

Had brunch at the Rustic Root on a Saturday but was disappointed to find it closed when we returned for lunch on the following Tuesday (they open late afternoon for dinner on weekdays). Very popular place with a rooftop patio and a large restaurant on the lower floor. Serves breakfast until 3:00 on a weekend. Looking online at the website there appear to be different menus depending on whether you are eating up top or on the main floor. Main floor menu has a lot of selection. There is also a patio area on the street from the main floor and the decor is quite nice. Prices were reasonable and there was a lot of choice on the menu. We ordered one of the breakfast omelettes and the chicken salad sandwich. Both were very good. They had a nice selection of beer and wine to go with it, and tea is served in a nice big cup - as compared to the thimble sized cups that seem to be popular with other restaurants in that area. The service was pretty good but nothing special. Our waiter was friendly but the food took a while to come to the table. Washrooms on the main floor were clean and easy to access. Overall a nice experience and I would definitely go back. Recommended.

Delicious eats and fun drinks. Very relaxing atmosphere to help unwind after a long day. Not too crowded but still lots of people, especially for a week night.

We read about the Rustic Root, and I had high expectations. The location is amazing--we at on the rooftop terrace which was gorgeous. The service was fine and the food was okay. I don't know that I'd rush back, but it was a good first night in San Diego. The location was perfect though!

My husband and I walked up to the hostess stand outside. There were three employees standing talking with one another. Not one Bothered to greet us nor did they stop talking with each other. We asked to see the menu, they were too busy talking. We picked up our own menus from the stand, they continued to talk to each other. We put them back down and walked away in disgust. They really need to work on their customer service....

Rustic Root has a great location in the heart of the Gaslamp in downtown San Diego. They have a restaurant on the ground floor and a bar/lounge on the second floor. I enjoyed the atmosphere and decor throughout the building. The service was attentive, effortless, a professional. I loved my avocado toast and mimosa. Recommended!

With our table sitting right next to a busy sidewalk on 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp area, and eating great ribeye and salmon, we enjoyed a unique dining experience combined with friendly service. Rustic Root offers fine dining downstairs and, for something more "stimulating", you can go upstairs for music and drinks. Very nice!

Another great dinner in San Diego with large crowd of co-workers. I wasn't sure what I wanted to drink so the bartender made me a beautiful drink (with edible flowers) which was perfect. Had several other people order the same after.. Food was amazing, staff was awesome and super helpful. The open air seating and bar area was great for a night out in the beautiful San Diego weather

The ma’am behind the bar was so kind. We enjoyed all our drinks and the atmosphere was fun! Everyone was happy to be there with including us.

Food was average. Service was ok. Environment was average. Location was great, in the middle of the gaslamp quarter. The open air rooftop terrace was the main draw for us but we were a bit dissappointed as the tables with a view were just for large groups and as we were a couple we didn't get to enjoy the views and the people watching.

The service was spotty and I ordered a flat iron steak with a beer. Our server was OK but took forever to get drinks and our meal. It's a nice spot overlooking the street and I'm sure a great drinking spot when the weather is warm.

Ate here as a walk-in. Was quite noisy but food and service, (Yvette), was excellent. Cocktails perfect. Food…Burrata Salad and fried chicken very good. Reasonably priced. Would recommend for a nice meal. Ambience not great, but food and service makes up for this shortfall.

We had the set menu tonight and were not disappointed. Miranda, our waitress, was very attentive and welcoming. Food was delicious. Very busy as there's a conference on but this didn't cause any problems with delays with food from the kitchen. Would definitely recommend to anyone staying in Gaslight Quarter.

Rustic Root was recommended by a friend. We chose the rooftop dining but wish we had chose the main dining room because it became pretty chilly once the sun went down. Service was attentive but slow due to a couple of birthday parties. Highly recommend the lobster pappardelle. The sauce is excellent. Rich without overpowering the pasta. Huge chunks of lobster. My wife loved her wild boar bolognese. Would definitely return.

Great atmosphere and nice to be able to sit outside on the upper terrace. Plenty of tables and sofas to accommodate couples or small groups. Waitress service to tables too so you don’t have to keep going to the bar. Super views down onto 5th which has a really good vibe. Families out in the area with young children, so I guess as a visitor it’s a pretty safe area. We only had a couple of beers and didn’t dine there, having eaten earlier, but the food looked and smelt really good. Interesting topiary which is lit up at night

Our previous attempts to pop in have been unsuccessful due to private events, but this time the upstairs was open. Self seating in upstairs open air bar with a corner table over looking the street seemed like a win. They were busy and no one stopped by so we went to get menus and see if we would have to go to bar to order. Manager brought water and waitress was nice when she arrived. Drinks arrived quickly with HH prices $2 less than regular for menu cocktails. A few apps were half off. We chose Bison and pork meatballs, mac n cheese with bacon, and spicy veggie flat bread with pesto. All were good with large portions. Will go back and try dinner or brunch for regular menu next time. Open air and fun stop for all those visiting for conventions too.

The food is delicious, pasta Gorgonzola is amazing. A good variety of cocteles. Very fast service. The ambience is fancy and confortable. Highly recommend.

We ate here for a brunch on Saturday because the line at Richard Walker's was too long. Everyone was really friendly. One member of our group had the Cuban sandwich and said it was awesome. The pancakes were thick and heavy and not that good. The side fruit had lots of blueberries that were so sour they were inedible. Prices were high for the food. It also took a relay long time to receive our food and multiple tables were empty so not sure what that was about. The vibe was cool, it would be a fun place to have a drink.

Amazing food. We came here to for dinner with our son who lives in San Diego. We didn’t expect much but heard a lot of good things about this place from our friends. The restaurant has just reopened for dine in and seatings were limited due to social distancing. They restaurant also placed diviner’s between tables to ensure the safety of their patrons. The menu is limited too but they seemed to retain the customers favorite dishes according to the waiter. With the waiter’s recommendation, we ordered the firecracker shrimp appetizer and it turned out to be amazing. The shrimps were wrapped with egg roll skin and fried and topped with Thai sweet chili sauce. The result was a very tasty appetizer. For our main dishes, I ordered their Mahi fish taco, my wife ordered the lobster Pappadellar pasta while our son went for the fried chicken. All our foods were surprising good. My taco was one of the best I have ever had. The fish was fresh and tender and side corn was very well seasoned. I had a taste of my wife’s pasta and it didn’t disappointed. The sauce was very well balanced with creamy texture and flavor. The lobster meat was also very fresh that created a dish that was pleasing to my taste palette. Although, I didn’t try my son’s dish, he told me the food was equally good. We had a great evening as we enjoyed the Friday night outing in the gas lamp district. The whole of 5th street is closed for out door dining. It is time to come out to dine in the safe outdoor environment.

Had reservations for Christmas. Talked to an employee when the reservation was made dates party of two one gluten free for the special menu. Was told no problem there are a lot of GF options. Very disappointed in choices and amount of food. Even the dessert was bad. Runny Creme Brûlée.

We enjoyed cocktails on the rooftop! The crab cake sandwich was terrific! And the Bloody Marys are super! Great San Diego vibe!

Great atmosphere. Superb service. Good food. Combination made for a relaxing Sunday dinner after a day of touring the city.

Upstairs is a total different vibe Not for me But the main floor hanging at the bar was perfect for a fun day of sight seeing We only had the calamari and a few cocktails but everyone was friendly Great atmosphere highly recommend

We had a nice dinner here - we chose 2 delicious pastas. The service was a bit rushed - if we hadn't held off on ordering our main courses we would have been out of there in 45 minutes! Even though I specifically asked for no straws in our water (straws are terrible for the environment!), we got them anyway. But all in all, a good restaurant choice. Their decor is very creative - lots of headgear for Pastafarians!

The food was so good and the atmosphere fun. I recommend the scallops. The service was also very good,

Went to this place with a group of friends from NYC and what a great place to have fun and to eat well. Everyone was so impress with their and their flavors. Really yummy! My gprpgonzola dish was so delicious Great time

My parents and I ate at Rustic Root on Christmas. The 3 course meal was delicous, service was superb, and the atmosphere was really nice. Highly recommend!

We’d had a nice arrival day in SD and wandered around 5th st. This place was highly rated so we stopped for bite. And WOW. Just had appetizers and sides. The best of the best wast the pork belly. Just amazing flavors. Next was the Mac and cheese side. It’s a must. Great cocktails and great food. Can’t go wrong and service was excellent!

We'd just arrived in San Diego and were exploring the eateries in the Gaslight district. Once I spotted the lively crowd at Rustic Root, I guessed this would be a great spot to try and I was right! There was an energetic atmosphere here on a Saturday at noon and a friendly staff to welcome us. Great brunch options including my outstanding banana bread french toast with caramel and whipped cream. My friend's options were all thumbs up too. So glad we discovered Rustic Root!

We had a meeting in SD in June and for an evening networking dinner we took over the rooftop dining area at Rustic Root. The team that helped us create a menu and set the evening up were just incredible as I was working with them from across the country and mostly by phone. Still, when I arrived for our dinner the space was gorgeous and the food itself was spectacular. Guests were in awe, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well, and the whole evening was dreamy and perfect. They did everything from turn on heaters to play a custom Spotify list I built to keep the party moving and it was fantastic. I can’t wait to come back again! If you’re in SD drop in for dinner and be amazed at the food and if you’re looking for a place to have a special event, there is no better option imho for a city dinner.

The location is amazing, the outdoor seating and heat lamps are perfect, and the staff was very engaged. We had the Lobster papardelle and the pork volcano and both were very savory. The strawberry and rhubarb dessert was great and the smores perfectly conveyed a smoky campfire. The wine selection was on point and not overly expensive. I wish we had more time on our vacation to go back!

We shared the meatballs and the shrimp & grits. They were both fine. The shrimp was disappointingly tough, but we liked the unexpectedly sweet tomato sauce and the bits of sausage. We enjoyed sitting on the roof patio with the fire, but the music was too loud to converse.

12 of us met here for post meeting drinks. The staff were undoubtedly the best I’ve met anywhere in a very long time. Super attentive but not pushy, they kept an eye on our drinks and knew when to ask for our next order. The bar food was lovely and a good variety was on offer. The sliders seemed super popular. Late afternoon was more of an “after work” drinks and meals atmosphere, which eventually turned into Friday night party, bucks night, birthdays, whatever goes! The music was great throughout the night and service never missed a beat. A wide range of clientele made people watching very interesting, with everything from T-shirt’s and jeans to cocktail dresses and suits walking through. The security staff were great and even had a word to some guys who decided to try taking over part of our table. (We didn’t need it all so I’d told them it was ok with us, but nice to be looked after.) All in all, this is service that we NEVER get in Australia. Such a pleasure to be writing this review and complimenting all the staff involved.

Went on vacation Oct 2019 to San Diego and noticed this restaurant as we toured the Gaslamp District. Loved the booth seating and the decor of this restaurant. Returned later that evening for drinks and appetizers. Loved it!!! Sat upstairs and was not able to get seating right away so we had drinks at the bar. Basil and Barrel drink was excellent. Not long after we were seated. Service was excellent and food was good too. We had the meatballs, mac and cheese, and Firecracker shrimp. DELICIOUS! The service was excellent and with a smile. Can't wait to return.

This place has incredible drinks and food offerings and a wild environment but the service was not good. They didn’t do a touch during service or try upselling coffee and desert at the end which I probably would have accepted but decided not to ask. Still good food, I’d like to give it another try and see if I just got the one off night for our server.

I’m a sucker for rustic industrial decor so I was immediately drawn to this place while taking a stroll down Gaslamp’s iconic 5th Ave. As of when we went in late July, they were only taking reservations and no walk ups for dinner, so we made reservations for the next night. Had the Lobster Paperdelle and Lover’s Flannel cocktail for myself and the boyfriend got the smoked Tomahawk. I wish Rustic Root was near me so I could get the lobster paperdelle and lover’s flannel whenever I wanted… they was sooooo good. The Tomahawk came out with a beautiful presentation, and was also delicious, but not as unique as the lobster paperdelle. Definitely try this place out when you’re in Gaslamp.

We wondered into this restaurant not having read any reviews and were pleasantly surprised. We ate downstairs and sat outside watching the people go by. There were outdoor heaters, so we didn't get cold. My husband had ordered a steak. Before the meal, the waitress arrived with a wooden box and asked him to choose his steak knife - all very nice knives with different colored handles. When the steak arrived, it was on a wooden platter with a glass dome on top which was filled with steam from the heat of the steak. It was a great presentation when removed the steam all escaped. The steak was one of the best he had ever had. I had the ahi which was also delicious. Would definately eat here again.

Attended a corporate party here. Spent all of my time at the open air rooftop. Great space, plenty of seating with fire pits to keep you warm if chilly. Attentive staff.

We stopped in for brunch and got seated right away. The décor is unique, including colanders hanging from the ceiling. We had Avocado Toast and Eggs with potatoes, bacon, and an English Muffin. The Avocado Toast was excellent! Perfect! But, the Egg breakfast was quite a disappointment. The potatoes weren't great (has browns would have been better) and the bacon was rubbery. I don't know an English Muffin can go wrong, but it did. It was almost like it wasn't even toasted. We would definitely go back to the Rustic Root, but not to purchase the standard egg breakfast.

We made a reservation to eat dinner at Rustic Root for Thanksgiving because they were offering a Thanksgiving meal as well as their regular menu offerings. I’m not a huge traditional turkey kind of guy so I opted to order off the menu while my companion ordered the traditional turkey dinner. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself….. First off, Rustic Root had three hosts up front when we arrived and they were smiling broadly and welcoming to us as we arrived at the restaurant. I let them know we had a reservation and they immediately were able to walk us to a dining room table. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for fall with leaves hanging from the ceiling throughout the premises. Chill EDM (electronic dance music) was playing at a moderate level and it was a festive scene in 80% full dining room. After sitting down we were quickly approached by our smiling waitress who took our drink order. Quick tip: Their Moscow Mule was really good. We also ordered a side of Brussels to share before our meal. For dinner we ordered the traditional Thanksgiving meal and the Bone-in Pork Chop. The roasted Brussels were really the only thing we weren’t crazy about during our visit. It wasn’t that they were horrible but the spicy honey made it a bit too sweet for our liking. The turkey dinner was absolutely humongous and came with corn, beans, cranberries, a biscuit, mashed potatoes and potato salad. My pork chop came with an amazing Demi-glaze. I subbed a jalapeño corn bread for the broccolini side and it also came with roasted sweet potatoes. The pork was beautifully cooked and the picture doesn’t really do it justice. It’s a good size meal. The sweet potatoes went well with the pork and I absolutely LOVED the corn bread. My mouth has started watering just thinking about it again. Looking forward to our next visit for sure!

Stopped in and went upstairs to sit. Service started off great and as they got busier the slower service got. Not sure why because they had plenty of staff. But the food was excellent. Tacos, mac and cheese and very good. I would defiantly go back if in the area.

We four were very disappointed in this restaurant. Ok some people may not have minded the noise, but I don’t think anyone would have been impressed with the side salad. It was regular iceberg lettuce, sprinkled with what claimed to be prosciutto but seemed to be bacon flakes. The duck special pasta was not special. The scallops dish was good enough as was the lobster pasta dish . We had a total of 4 drinks, the alleged salad and four main courses, spent, with tip, $235. Don’t expect any bread with that. We won’t be going back. Many better restaurants in the area and the city. Service was good and friendly.

Located on the busy 5th Street right in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. You can sit outside or inside. Attractive interior design. Nice touch with real flowers on each table. Interesting food offer. Not your standard bar food like burgers or tacos. We had firecracker shrimps, roasted cornish hen and steak with frites. For the steak you can choose your steak knife out of a box. Food was tasty. Prices slightly higher than average. But it was worth the price. Good beer. Nice restaurant which we can recommend.

I was in town for a conference for a few days and we liked the rooftop so much we went here two days in a row. Very cool vibe, laid-back but not pretentious. Cocktail list is great and it wasn’t too crowded during the week, happy hour/pre-dinner. The servers were very attentive as well.

My date and I thoroughly enjoyed our sea scallops and lobster ravioli. The wine list included a good variety of types of grape as well as prices. The wait staff was attentive without being irritating. It was an enjoyable visit and we’d love to try it again sometime soon.

I am vegetarian, but trying to be vegan when I'm in the US because of the lack of animal welfare in comparison to my home country. I thaught it would be easy to be vegan in the US, but I haven't had a decent meal until today when we visited Rustic Root. They didn't have any spesific vegan meals, but everything was easy to adapt. I asked if they had anything vegan, and they told me that I could mix and match whatever I wanted. When our waitress came, the girl who seated us had already informed her that I was vegan so she came ready with suggestions and reccomendations. This made me feel very well taken care of. I ordered toast with avocado and tomato, and a side of fruit. I received two pieces of toast with mashed avlcado topped with some sort of tomato that was baked or something, it was packed with flavor and topped with crushed walnuts. It was on a bed of a variety of lettuce and some kind of tomato sauce/oil that was super rich. I got a generous bowl of fruit and berries (pineapple, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry). The staff were all super friendly and attentive. I had the toast, fruits and berries, a glass of orange juice and water, all that for a price of $21. I am definetly going back.

Brunch here was amazing. Not only was the service really good, the food was fast and super delicious. I recommend the crab cake Benedict (with Cajun hollandais) and the Californian Benedict. The egg white frittata was also really good! Good part of town and great outdoor seating.

We sat on the rooftop and it was a happening place with a great view and atmosphere. The music was a bit too loud for my liking making it hard to talk. The food was more disappointing - mediocre at best. We had meatballs appetizer (not bad) and lobster papperdelle pasta. The lobster was kind of grainy as if it was cooked from frozen and the dish really lacked the lobster flavour. The biscuits were delicious though.

My vegetarian choices were delicious and the pork chop that my husband had was wonderful! The flat bread on the appetizer menu was served warm and was full of flavor. Service was great.

Went here Easter Sunday, busy but great food and good mimosas! Eggs bene were good and the pancakes are huge. Don’t miss the hash brown nuggets!

My mom, sister and I visited Rustic Root for lunch on a Saturday and easily found seating on the sidewalk in a comfortable booth. We found this lunch/brunch menu to be pretty limited. I had the cubano sandwich and it was pretty good, along with parmesan friends. Overall, the food was average to slightly above average, but not a place we would go back to.

We had a walked by and talked to the hostess and she told us about happy hour. The atmosphere was great and food was good and overall had a great time people watching

I had fried chicken that was really very good along with some corn bread that was yummy. Our companions had ribs which were enough to share. Our server, Taylor, was very nice and overall it was a good experience. I would recommend it as somewhere to stop when in the Gas lamp district of San Diego.

My spouse and I dined at Rustic Root for dinner on a Saturday evening in early July 2018. Rustic Root is open daily from 4:00 pm until 2:00 am, with early opening hours on weekends beginning at 9:00 am for brunch. You can make a reservation using the online Open Table system. Rustic Root opened in summer 2015 on bustling Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp District. The RMD Group (FLUXX) operates the restaurant, along with neighbor Volcano Rabbit (modern Mexican food), 207 (a nightclub), Ciro's (a pizzeria), Float (the rooftop pool bar at the Hard Rock Hotel), and Side Bar (another nightclub). (Note that the management of these restaurants automatically adds a 3% service charge to your bill so that you can help to pay their employees a livable wage; this charge is in addition to any gratuity that you would normally add.) Rustic Root offers an expansive main dining room on the street level, with additional lounge space on the rooftop. You can dine outdoors on the sidewalk patio (a few “tables” are trendy stuffed booths), or indoors in one of several sections. Décor is eye-catching and memorable, including rolling pin wall dividers, lamps made from upside down red or white enamel colanders, animal topiaries arranged as sort of a diorama, silver trays on the walls, small framed mirrors at the tops of walls and on ceilings (actually, mirrors hung down low within view of the tables would enhance the dining experience of guests who sit facing the wall by allowing them a reflected view of the entire restaurant), wood-like floors, some exposed brick (part of which features huge white alphabet letters arranged in no obvious words or patterns), circular plates and animal heads mounted on long sticks, and a cheeky water feature near the restrooms (a 1950-ish life-size photograph of a European woman, but the clever designer has her holding a real 3-D metal watering can that spurts water into a galvanized oval bathtub below). Rustic Root serves upscale American cuisine with Asian, French, and Mexican influences. We shared the bison meatballs with whiskey sauce as an appetizer (which reminded us of mom’s Swedish meatballs). As our entrees, we ordered the short rib (which arrived plated in three “piles”, with a moist chunks of meat atop crispy polenta cakes arranged atop a sweet potato puree with chimichurri sauce) and one of the daily special entrees (fish served with baby potatoes and blistered tomatoes, accented by a pea puree swirl and fresh corn kernels). For dessert, we shared a mixed berry cobbler, delivered warm and sprinkled with gluten-free crumbles/crust and served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you sign up for their promo online, you’ll receive 15% off the not unsubstantial menu prices. Our service was excellent up until the time that a large, higher revenue-generating party arrived and our server forgot us. We loved the food and atmosphere at Rustic Root, but the service glitch left us with a bad impression.

Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon. Had a sidewalk seat, roof was full. Hamburger is huge, tasty. Service is great. Typical bar/grill offerings. Great location and environment.

After a long day of traveling, the Rustic Root outdoor rooftop bar was a great way to start a trip. Happy hour prices and food selections made it even better. The classic margarita was excellent as was the wine by the glass selection. Rustic Flatbread, came out hot, fast and tasty. The RR Burger, waith a large portion of fires will quench the appetite of most mortal men. Great vibe. Several women celebrating birthdays and other special events, along with the lighting gave Rustic Root a cool vibe. Great location to watch happenings on 5th Ave in the Gaslamp. Worth a visit.

Five colleagues and I recently visited Rustic Root while on a business trip to San Diego. The restaurant was a convenient 12 minute walk from the Hilton Bayfront. We were seated right away with reservations for 7:00 p.m. Within a short amount of time, the restaurant was full. We ordered firecracker shrimp and hummus/bread as appetizers, and each of us ordered favorite entrees (seafood pasta, pork chops, short ribs, ravioli). Everyone loved the food, as well as the beverages. We also then shared a gigantic sundae that also was delicious. We left very happy. With tip, the bill was $460.