Tom Ham's Lighthouse Reviews

Was unable to get reservation so went for happy hour. Wow times 2. Not give away prices but not 5 stars restaurant prices. Thought it could be just another tourist restaurant with world class view. We had no idea what to expect. Sone of best appetizers I ever had and one best views this place is a find for everyone.

Not a place for a quiet or romantic Sunday brunch. The food was great, wonderful variety, no issues there. Even the price for Sunday Brunch was okay. Staff are very attentive. My issue was the absolute feeding frenzy from an overwhelming number of patrons. Way, way, way too many people, it was almost apocalyptic like from a movie scene with a mob of people getting food. Had I known the atmosphere was going to be such controlled chaos, I would have passed. Obviously a well-known and popular place to do some serious eating but, be prepared for a loud, stadium sized crowd all around you.

First off, the patio views were amazing. It was the first time here. My friend and I met our local friends here who made the 6:00 dinner reservation for a party of 4. We were first upon arrival, we checked in to the 2 most disinterested Hostesses. Not a smile or greeting as they were too busy chatting between themselves. We were seated on the patio, perfect table. Our server Sarah was absolutely wonderful. Catching up with our friends , we took a really long time to even look at the menu. Sarah was so patient with us, checking in and not making us feel rushed. Thank you! Finally deciding what to order, we had the Light House Greens, Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Bisque, Paella and the Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops. We ending our meal with Coffees, an Apple Crumb Cake and Fudge Brownie. All the food was good but it wasn't a WOW! Lobster Bisque didn't have much of a Lobster taste nor chunks of Lobster. Shrimp Cocktail could of had some Horseradished served with it. The scallops were delicious and the Paella could of had more flavor. and the Brownie seem mass produced commercially made. Go for the Patio sitting and the view, plus service and scallops. Atmosphere: A 10 for location/view. Service: excellent. Food: fair

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is such a beautiful dinner spot. It’s got spectacular views, great food, and sophisticated service.

This is a lovely spot for dinner as it is right on the water. I had the beer braised short ribs, with mashed potatoes and asparagus and it was excellent. Leave room for dessert - the cinnamon apple crumb cake with ice cream is outstanding. Service is very good.

Tom Ham’s has been delighting discerning diners for decades! First it is a charming old building located to provide a magnificent view for its guests. The menu is packed full of scrumptious offerings, full service bar and the wine list exceptional. Weekend Brunch is not too be missed. After dinner take a stroll along the promenade, well that’s what I call it and enjoy the fresh sea air and watch the small boats cruising along the shoreline. Prices are a little high perhaps but not bad for fine dinning!

Good stop for a light lunch after whale watching. Very nice outdoor deck overlooking the harbor with a lot of umbrellas. Strong beer list and good food. The portions are large.

I go to San Diego a lot, but never ate at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse. We decided to eat there, and had a wonderful experience. We had the Mahi Mahi, Scallops, and Salmon, as well as the Clam Chowder, Cesar Salad and Beet Salad. The food was great, the view was fantastic, and the service was excellent. Alicia T and her service team were great. Next time we are in San Diego we will definitely return.

The quality of food did not match the prices. The service, location, and view were great. We were three people and all of us thought the food choices and quality could have been better.

DINING OUTSIDE IS ALWAYS A TOSS-UP - sometimes the restaurant has given the unique needs of that experience a lot of thought and created a terrific experience; sometimes they've just chosen to move the "inside" to the "outside" and hope for the best. Tom Ham's Lighthouse obviously gave this a lot of thought - and it shows in the results. Dining at the edge of a glass-enclosed balcony overlooking a spectacular bay view - and a view that becomes truly stunning as the day recedes and night falls on the water - and a menu that captures traditional and avant tastes and seasonings ... along with very good table and side service. If you've an occasion that warrants paying a little more for a fine dining experience - this is a grand choice. We were a party of 4 adults; no allergies; no "I don't eat this or that"'s; no preconceived notions about how the evening should unfold (other than good food, served well, in a terrific venue). The wine selections were very good - the appetizers nicely sized and served as soon as one could expect - the menu was varied, well-described, and offered choices for every palate - and the service was very good. Our server, David, was engaging and friendly without adopting the"I'm your new best buddy" approach that can often be as much of a turn-off as not, and the side team who replenished the water glasses, and swept away used utensils and dishes were all just as they were meant to be. We had a great evening by the water; excellent food; excellent service; and walked away feeling really glad we had chosen Tom Ham's Lighthouse for our special occasion!

Great place to have lunch or dinner. View is spectacular and the food is just superb. Enjoyed the view of the water and food.

We arrived with no reservation and sat at the end of the bar. Our seats had a perfect view of the bay. Drinks were good and well priced. I appreciated having an 8 oz option for draft beer. We ordered the mussels appetizer, and it was delicious and an amazing value for the quality of the ingredients and portion size. We shared the bouillabaisse and a side order of Brussels sprouts. Both dishes were delicious and servings were ample. Our dessert of crème brûlée was a perfect end to a delightful evening!

My wife and I had lunch on a busy day during Restaurant week. The view is excellent with inside and outside veranda seating. The side salads were OK. The fish in the fish in chips was a generous 3 piece serving. As an option to chips our waiter allowed a different side selection if desired for non-French fry taste buds. The chosen option on this day by my wife was very small skin on baby potato halves. I had the lobster bisque which I highly recommend. The bisque was close to the best I have ever tasted (15 other restaurant/cruise ship bisques). For my lunch entree I had the large full sandwich crab BLT. The bacon is an interesting inclusion, I never had it before...I appreciate the creativity but it was too complex for my taste. I will stick with a crab LT if I can get it. The crab mixture was finely shredded, almost a paste like crab peanut butter texture. I did enjoy the sandwich. The toasted bread was excellent in taste and texture. Our waiter James was excellent. No problem getting for me a little extra dressing for my side salad. One item I appreciate about the bar menu choice is the variety of beers offered in the 4, 6, and 16 ounce glasses, so several 4 oz tastes can be experimented with at $2 each before deciding on the large size of an unknown beer. I recommend this restaurant for a relaxing, scenic meal...not 5 star food but the chef is creative and gives very good effort.....especially good for the lobster bisque.

I have a wonderful friend who loves to treat me to lunch every month or so just we can catch up with each other. We usually meet more in North County as he lives in San Clemente but on a Saturday he was willing to drive down especially since this place has a parking lot. The forecast was for a sunny warm day so I made us reservations at this beautiful Bayside restaurant. When we arrived I asked for an outdoor table which meant a little bit of a wait so we bellied up to the bar which also has the water view. Because Tom Ham's is the sister restaurant of Bali Hai on Shelter Island I had to have one of their famous Mai Tai's. It's very potent. Our outside table was on the gorgeous waterfront with a view of the city skyline as well. Our server was right on top of things. I loved the fresh lobster roll. Good food and good company just can't be beat especially when it's at this amazing location. It was my first time here and I like the history of how Tom Ham first rescued the struggling Bali Hai Restaurant and then in 1971 he incorporated the Beacon #9 Lighthouse into his design of the this building that is in the shape of the state of California. Today his family still runs the show so his legacy lives on.

We had a very nice meal with a window seat. We called for a reservation but actually they had loads of empty tables when we arrived. I had excellent scallops. Servers were attentive and price was fair.

I will come back to enjoy food and view of San Diego. Great view on day and night. I think the price is right, right size of dish. I like the taste, quiet place and confort tables. The sangria was tasty.

Beautiful place. Great food. Excellent service. Good place for a special night with outdoor seating looking across the bay!

Went to Tom Ham's with some old Navy friends. It's a great building with good views of the area. The staff was very good. They were all friendly and answered every question we had. The food was what we didn't like. It just wasn't worth the price. More then half of us said we wouldn't good back.

A great place for celebrations, I chose to have my birthday dinner here. As others have said, reserve early for prime seating; we were inside on the glass, enjoying stunning views of the water and downtown San Diego. With ambiance like this, you might wonder if the food is as good. Yes, it is. Not inexpensive, but simply divine. My friends chose scallops and said they were the best they'd ever had. I chose salmon, and it was out of this world, perfectly cooked with excellent accompaniments. To end the meal, we were treated to a yummy piece of chocolate cake adorned with strawberries, sitting on a plate that wished me Happy Birthday in chocolate. Great service added to a simply wonderful evening.

We joined some old friends from San Diego to celebrate the wife's birthday. We had a wonderful time. Service was good and very personal. I had an interesting special: "destuffed baked potato stuffed with lobster and potato. Very filling and tasty as well. The wine list is nice and offers both reasonable and pricey wines.

Great food, incredible view, very reasonable prices. We would return any time! We ordered several items from the raw bar, salads and a great bottle of wine. There was a wedding reception going on below us for entertainment as well.

We were staying at the Sheraton for a conference after leaving our hotel in downtown so didn’t feel like heading back to Gaslamp. Decided to catch happy hour here and so glad we did! There were tons of sailboats out and an incredible view of the city. Had the crudo, clam chowder (soup that day), and tenderloin tips along with some oysters. All was delicious. I LOVED their version of the mai tai but it is not for the faint of heart. I thought their drink prices were reasonable even off of happy hour. Service was great. I’d go back even if not staying nearby!

Had a nice walk there after sunset from the Hilton Harbor Island Hotel where we were staying. This restaurant has been around almost 70 years I believe, but is very well maintained. It was around 7:15 on a Thursday night and we were seated at one of the last tables outside on the perimeter patio. The view was amazing and so were our dinners. I had the shrimp ceviche and by husband had the yellow fin fish filet. He loved the peanut butter stout beer and I enjoyed my Pino Grigio wine. The crème brûlée with berry topping was delicious. Our server was very nice and attentive, but didn’t rush us. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area

They don’t have Bacardi rum. The ceviche is passable but the chips are so thick and hard they resemble pita chips. Ruins the app. The bouillabaisse came with the bread submerged so it was a soggy mess - gross!! The seafood was either over-cooked and chewy (lobster) or “fishy” and not fresh. The New York was cold and chewy. The servers had zero concern that we ate next to nothing while gladly taking $180 for this horrible excuse of a meal. Now I have to go find something else to eat b/c I’m still hungry! Disgraceful.

This place is at the end of a peninsula, not near anything except for a marina and a Hilton hotel. If you're staying at the hotel or have a boat at the marina, maybe eating here makes sense, but there's no other reason to go there. It was most empty at lunch time on a Monday. I had the lobster bisque (the soup du jour) which was fairly non-descript (and for some reason served with a tea spoon). My wife had a "pretty good" kale salad. It is on the water, so at least you enjoy a view.

A nice restaurant and a great view. The food was excellent. I had the scallops and they were perfect! My friends had the duck breast and the market fish (tuna). The tuna was a little overcooked, but tasty nonetheless.

Spent our anniversary there. Cannot beat the views of the bay! Just perfect! Food was excellent as was the service. Get an original Bali Hai Mai tai there! As good as the ones across the bay!

We chose to dine here after seeing such positive reviews. We were sorely disappointed, mainly due to our waiter. The building is very nice with fantastic views of the harbor and city. We were seated and the waiter took our drink orders. He asked if we'd been there before and we said we had not. When he delivered the drinks, he asked for our dinner order, to which we asked about specials. He said the were none. I asked for a recommendation and he pointed to one item on the menu. We ordered what he pointed to and an appetizer. Once the meal arrived, he came by once to check on us. My husband's water glass was empty for 10 minutes before the waiter offered a refill. The table behind us undoubtedly had a better experience. Their waiter explained the menu, offered recommendations and explanations, and checked on them 4 times that I counted. We left feeling shorted of a great meal and dining experience, and $100 less in our pocket. The tip showed our disappointment in the service. I'd love to speak to the manager about this, but we were never even told our waiter's name. We expected more.

My wife and I came here for the champagne brunch with high hopes. First off the view is great, you get a spectacular view of the bay, downtown, and North Island. The staff were extremely friendly as well. Food wise there is a large selection of breakfast and lunch choices with both a omelet and pasta bar. However, with all the choices the food was simply eh. The high price of the buffet is for the fresh sea food, but the fresh sea food is not very good. Overall we were very unhappy that it was over $100 for 2 people and the food was bland. Not worth it.

We stayed in Sheraton hotel nearby. Great location and decent food. Enjoyed sampler of local IPAs. A walk back to hotel after dinner was great.

We had a large group and this place was so accommodating. We had a great table by the window with a spectacular view of the Bay. Service was on point and attentive. I had the Scallops which were a small portion but were cooked to perfection with great flavors. My husband had the whole market fish which was snapper, it was a huge portion and delicious. We had a few different cocktails all of which everyone enjoyed. Its a bit on the price side but it was so delicious with a great ambience, would be great for a romantic dinner

Brilliant place to eat. Saw a review on YouTube and gave it a go. Great price considering the selection and quality of food and drink. Service staff very knowledgeable and friendly. The Veiw of San Diego was fantastic especially from outside tables. Well worth opting for those. Good was perfect and fantastic selection. If you can go then go. Will definitely return.

Local friends took us to Tom Ham's Lighthouse after a catamaran tour. We sat outside on a beautiful night for dinner. The meal and service were excellent. This would be great for groups or for a quaint, quiet dinner. The kids menu was also good.

I would probably not recommend it for lunch or dinner, but it can be a good option for an aperitif or to eat something light during their bar service (during the period when we were from 3pm to 6pm). Being winter we could also enjoy the sunset, which from here is very beautiful, with a nice view (in the distance) of the San Diego skyline. The food isn't anything that's quite expensive, but the place deserves, having been converted from an old lighthouse.

This was a complete let down. I had called two weeks in advance and said we were coming for a 46th wedding anniversary and a 32nd birthday. They called two days before to confirm we were coming and why we were coming. I have been wanting to come here for years. We walked in the hostess was not friendly nor dressed well. We got to the table. The view was amazing. No one had a smile but were mildly friendly. The wine list was mediocre. Hardly had any selection then we had to ask for the bottle list in order to get a longer list with more wines. The service was professional yet not overall nice. Not one congratulated us or even knew why we were there. The food was ok for a “fancy” restaurant. For how long the restaurant has been around and for what prestige it gets in San Diego I was expecting way more. The wine was mediocre, food mediocre, and service was mediocre. Mildly helpful and attentive. Then we were offered nothing for our 46th anniversary or 32nd birthday. Bill was $200+ and service or food was not worth it. If your looking dir a nice outing with Great food, great service, and great drinks this is not the place. More of a tourist trap.

This is a lovely restaurant with great service and marvelous views of the harbor area. Food was outstanding. Large portions.

Our lunch stop here was fantastic. We had a table on the terrace with a terrific view of the harbor. Even the inside tables have a great view as the terrace is stepped down so as to not block the view. The food was very good and the service perfect. We'll be back on our next trip to San Diego.

took guests here for lunch and view. Delightful and delicious . Sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful weather

We went casually dressed after whale watching and fit in perfectly! We made reservations at the lighthouse through OpenTable. We sat outside and it was beautiful! Great views. Food was delicious but I definitely ate too much. When they surprised us with an anniversary dessert, I panicked not knowing if I could eat another bite. No worries, we crammed it in. After all, we wouldn’t want to be rude! I had lobster bisque and the beacon burger. I like my burgers medium rare and they nailed it! My husband ordered various oysters as a starter and ciopanni (seafood soup like meal) and he enjoyed it. My fries were great but he kept stealing them to dip in his broth. Abel was our outstanding server. He was energetic and attentive and not overbearing. He was patient with diners around us. He helped us with suggestions on where else we need to explore. Eating in a lighthouse… not the traditional lighthouse but still very cool especially outside on water.

Sitting on the back deck with a cool breeze on a warm autumn late afternoon with a good meal is a rough way to spend some quiet time.....or not. We started out with some ceviche and mussels. The ceviche was flavorful and fresh. The mussels with the chorizo and the cream sauce were amazing! Probably my favorite mussel dish ever. We couldn't get enough of the delicious sauce. The entrees we chose were the diver scallops and the striped bass - also one of our favorites. Both were well prepared and paired with the sides. The ceaminess of the grits with the scallops was a great choice. As good as the food and company was, it was really relaxing to sit and watch the activity of the naval station across the bay and all the boats coming and going. A relaxing and enjoyable meal around and our server Melayna G was awesome!.

Spectacular view and food. We watched the sun go down over the harbor looking back at the towers of downtown San Diego. We enjoyed our cocktails, paella, scallops, sangria and apple crumb cake. Eddie our waiter was just terrific. We enjoyed everything about our visit. Ranks right up there with our most romantic dinners! This one is worth it.

Tom Ham's Lighthouse is the ideal eatery for happy hour and memorable meals. We've noticed prices have crept up but the service is still stellar and the dishes are delicious. Happy Hour is from 3-6 PM with discounts on drinks and appetizers. We requested seating outdoors facing downtown at 4 PM. We enjoyed happy hour specials then remained seated to order dinner at 5 PM. For happy hour, my husband enjoyed a pilsner, I had a strawberry jalapeno margarita (wonderful), and we shared a order of ceviche. Food and view were postcard perfect. For dinner, I enjoyed another margarita, paella, and a roasted beet salad. The paella had an abundance of seafood and the saffron was subtle which made it perfect. My beet salad had several types of beets and the freshest greens. Servings were so generous I couldn't finish everything. My husband dined on clams and linguine. He enjoyed the dish but the serving was rather small. Our server, James, kept a watchful eye on us so our water glasses stayed filled, empty plates were removed quickly, and our orders were correct. The evening was sunny and clear and we delighted in seeing all the watercraft in the bay. We enjoy the leisurely pace of dining at Tom Ham's. What a perfect evening.

We have been here 3 times each time was great . Seafood is great The service and help are profession and friendly . Location in the water it suburb Parking is plentiful

We had dinner here with a large crows. The food was nice and good service. Its a nice location by the sea.

Our trip to San Diego consisted mostly of eating great food overlooking beautiful views, and Tom Ham’s Lighthouse exceeded our expectations! This restaurant was listed in USA Today’s top 100 restaurants with a view. We went for an early lunch and sat outside on the patio to soak up the nice weather. The staff were friendly and efficient. The meal was delicious. Looks like reservations are helpful but we were there when the doors opened. This restaurant is a must do when in San Diego.

Dined for dinner,was in walking distance from our hotel,rustic theme of old lite house,service and food very good,try their Key lime pie.

I fluctuated between 3 and 4 stars for Tom Ham's. It's good, but could be a notch better. Views -- 5 stars. There aren't many better restaurant spots in San Diego with such a dynamite view. Food -- 3.75 stars. Limited lunch menu -- we all went for the same dish of mahi mahi -- a lot more variety would be nice. Less sandwiches and burgers should be expected for an upscale restaurant such as this. The green beans and fingerling potatoes were hard, not cooked long enough which was disappointing. The complimentary birthday dessert was much appreciated. Service -- 3.75 stars. It's not that the service was poor, but it wasn't polished and professional as we would expect for a fine dining restaurant. Also, be aware that a mandatory 5% fee is added on top of the tip due to "an increase in costs". With the tip and fee, you're now looking at 25% on top of your food prices. The restaurant and bar -- 4 stars . With understated simple decor, the restaurant is spacious, has an event room, a nice bar looking out on the view and an outdoor wedding ceremony site. It's a nice place for a special occasion such as a birthday, date, corporate get-together, etc. Parking -- 5 stars. Complementary parking -- how refreshing. Environs -- 5 stars. Harbor Island is a great place to walk around afterwards with family or a date. Nice views of the San Diego skyline, navy boats, yachts, wildlife. The view is great, but the food, menu options and service were just a little underwhelming and could be improved to push it up into the 5 star range for me. If you found this review useful, please click the 'like' button.

Sunday Brunch was over hyped. Tourist spot with nice views and not much else. Long lines because of a bad buffet layout. Snobby waiters, very nice hostesses . Two points only for location.

What a lovely lunch and bottle of rose’ with the amazing view of the harbor. Great service. So nice to sit and enjoy a great lunch of lobster rolls and a cold seafood platter while watching sailboats and the exciting naval base flight activities. Will definitely return.

Sunday brunch buffet: Jonah Crab, Lobster claws, Scallops, Oysters were incredible. Also very good were the lemon ricotta pancakes. Variety of desserts available. Staff: Very friendly and attentive during the brunch buffet.

Tom Ham's is all around wonderful. The seafood is delicious, the view might be the best in San Diego, and the staff is delightful.

I have already gone to this restaurant in the past for lunch and I have very good memories of it, this time it was for an oyster aperitif with friends, the place is really welcoming with an exceptional view of the San Diego Bay, the service is perfect

The view is SPECTACULAR! We saw a military exercise being performed after the sunset. Our waitress was friendly. The food was less than average very disappointing. The fish crudo was smelly like old fish and cut in thick big pieces. The fish entrees were rubbery and lacked flavor. The vegetables were tasty. Did not stay for dessert.

The wife and I were stopping for a night at a friend's house, while vacationing in San Diego County. We went for dinner at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. We chose to be seated on the deck, which overlooked the water, with a great view of the lights of the city in the background. Ironically, even though this is mainly a seafood restaurant, I chose to have duck, as I had not had any for a time; good choice, as it was succulent! My wife had lobster; I could tell from the look on her face, that she was enjoying the flavor! Our friend had the sirloin steak, and raved over the taste; I did not refuse, when she offered me a taste; made me wish I had ordered that, even though I enjoyed the duck.

Tasty food but even more important was the great service the wait staff provided to the two small children with us. They really cared about the two little ones. Service was not rushed; special attention was provided. The food was tasty and the wine very good.

My wife and I made an unexpected stop here, it was kind of late and we did not have a reservation. Even with a few people waiting for tables we were seated in a very reasonable time. The view out onto Harbor Island was wonderful! That alone would be enough to get us back here in the future! This establishment sits on Harbor Island which is known for its views and fantastic restaurants. It has a large parking lot nearby and there is plenty of room for parking. The entire area is well kept and very clean. Once you walk in the decor and cleanliness welcomes you. The hostess, and the servers were all very helpful and friendly. They are a good representative of this establishment! No matter how clean the dining room is, and how courtesy the staff is a restaurant is not good without good food. This place has it....absolutely wonderful. I am on a restricted diet because of some medicine I am currently on, the server made suggestions and when I made my choice I asked if it could be made without dark green veggies.....it was delivered to us, made perfectly and in a very reasonable time.....all around excellent and highly recommended!

All I can say is yummmmmmmmm. I wish I was there right now. I've been to the brunch 2 times now. It never disappoints! They have a cheap bread with a bunch of seafood which is my favorite part. They also have a pasta and omelette station. There are so many desserts to choose from. But my favorite part about coming here is the customer service! All of the servers I have ever had we're so nice and hospitable. They always keep those bottomless Mamosa's coming lol. I would highly suggest coming here and having an amazing brunch on Sunday!

We saw this restaurant from the water on San Diego Tours and our captain recommended it. We arrived on a Friday evening without a reservation and were still able to get outside seating with a gorgeous view of the San Diego skyline. The wait staff were friendly, offered good suggestions and the service was quick. I had the linguine and clams and my mom had the market fish and both were delicious. We also shared a yummy creme brulee and each enjoyed a pomtini. We love seafood and this was a great restaurant to eat at.

We used open table to get a reservation the same day during a holiday week-end. The service and food were exemplary. We were served with greetings and water as soon as we sat down. There were big parties of customers coming in but we were never rushed. Great view of the city and ocean. You need to try this restaurant. Tables are spread out so you cannot hear the next table.

I lured my husband out for lunch to the beautiful Tom Ham's. The view was spectacular but service was sketchy. I asked several times if the lobster roll was served hot and was told yes. It arrived as a cold lobster salad. My husband's shrimp po'boy wasn't anything special either. They sensed out disappointment and made good with any extra item from the restaurant week menu, we chose dessert which was very yummy.

Such a gorgeous view as the moon rose over the water. We sat outside and loved everything. The roasted beets were so good, ordered the fresh seafood platter and shared it; terrific scallops. Eduardo was our very attentive and friendly server. What a lovely way to spend our last evening in San diego.

What a great hidden gem! We were amazed at the views of the bay from our table out on the deck. We started with an array of appetizers, which were very tasty and then onto the main course. We all left full and satisfied with the presentation of the food and the friendliness of the staff.

After attending IPC show this week, we hit the Lighthouse. What an amazing spot, right on the bay with the skyline to review. Steak was good but the seafood was very good. Service was excellent and we toasted an excellent week.

Have visited this venue multiple times. Always reliable from a good standpoint. The oysters are fresh. And cleaned well Fisher last time was prepared medium, the vegetables were cooked right. Wine was good as well as dessert Cannot complain about the service and the view from outside of downtown and the water. Will be back

Very odd experience. We never ate. We were seated at a very cramped table, then I asked hostess if we could move to a more spacious table feet away from our table. The answer was no, not until 5pm, it was 4:50. She blamed her manager, which I get. So I asked to speak to him. An even more odd discussion followed. He stated the same thing, we could not move until 5pm, feet away and now 8 min away. The experience was seemly confrontational, so odd. He kept saying I have already answered you, while me wife and daughter sat in this cramped table, for no reason. So we left. Then the "manager" argued with me still while leaving. While I'm sure the few hundred dollars we would have spent means nothing to a restaurant in San Diego, it was such an odd and needless experience that's why I share. The "manager" even stated how "special" I was while we walked away, sooo odd. I'm not special at all, I'm just a guy that wanted his family comfortable and have dinner...in an area that apparently we could have sat at in 6 min LMAO 🤣

Easy to find and park, this restaurant is a hidden gem. We were seated outside over-looking Coronado island with downtown San Diego in the distance and the Star of India lit up. Great service from beginning to end. There was a wedding party going on down on the larger balcony below us but it was very reserved and they looked like they were having a great time. I had six raw oysters to start and the waiter made very good recommendations. Then I had the Bouillabaisse with the saffron sauce and it was delicious. My wife had the market fish which was a local catch and it was also very well prepared. Had the creme brulee for dessert. Yum! If in San Diego, you should eat here. Lots of fun and ask for a seat on the balcony. Highly recommended!

Beautiful harbor views of San Diego from the heated outdoor deck!! Our waitress was attentive and helpful. Food was very good.

The seafood platter for 2-4 persons is a true gourmet's delight and accompanied by excellent and caring service.

It is right by the harbour. We got a great view right by the window. The food was so fresh and delicious.

I wanted to let this fine restaurant know that I appreciated the fine service and food that was provided. I sat on the deck which gave an amazing view of San Diego. The creme brûlé was an delicious end.

We love their Sunday Brunch!!! They have all the most delicious food you could ever imagine… Oysters, clams, crab legs, shrimp, omelettes, pastas, eggs, meat, cheese, smoked salmon, fruit, mimosas, many deserts and delicious sweet rolls. We love it!!!!

4 of us for dinner, 1 calamari, 1/2 dozen oysters, 1 sirloin, 1 mani mani, 1 linguine clams all amazing! Bouillabaisse? Not so much. It wasn’t Bouillabaisse, it was tomato soup with some seafood in it. Not a hint of seafood stock, which I was astounded by, considering the volume of fresh seafood they prepare! I guess they used chicken or veg stock. Chocolate mousse cake without any chocolate mousse? New York cheesecake that would not pass go in New York. Such a shame. Our server Eddie was delightful and helpful!

Sitting on their patio you have a great view of downtown San Diego and North Island. We both had the crab BLT sandwich for lunch so can not opine on other menu items. The crab meat was so finely chopped up that it was dry and virtually tasteless. The french fries that came with it were prepared excellently.

We were celebrating an anniversary and wanted it to be at a special seafood restaurant. The setting was wonderful. I doubt we'll return. I had the fish stew, came in thick tomatoe base, should have been clear fish stock. The only shrimp I could recognize was too tough to slice with a knife. My husband had the salmon which he said was fine. Prices are very high.

We were with a Road Scholar group December 2025. There were 30+ of us. We waited 1.5 - 2 hours for our salads to arrive and more for the main course to arrive. Our group was stuffed into a small room where the acoustics were so bad that we could not hear each other. And we were seated at the back of the restaurant away from the amazing views this restaurant offers. My recommendation to Road Scholar is to never take their groups there again. This is probably a good experience if you go on your own. But they do not handle groups well at all.

Went out to eat with family for the last night in San Diego, CA and a family friend recommended this place. Despite having two wedding receptions, we were able to make desired reservation times, get seated and have strong spirits waiting within a few minutes of being seated. Regular menu has limited, but a strong variety of options in addition to a cold seafood platter choices full of fresh raw bar food. Romaine lettuce alert put salads on alert, but a substitute of iceberg lettuce and a few veggies made the appetizers of calamari absorb the second round of adult beverages. I personally tried the paella, while others had sauteed scallops, salmon, and one even had a New York strip. Food was delicious. We had too many desserts left at the vacation home from Thanksgiving to order desserts, but could not resist taking photos with the Bay as a backdrop. Please try this place when in town.

Went to dinner with my girlfriend during Labor Day weekend. We were seated on the balcony with a view of San Diego bay, seeing downtown and Coronado bridge. Food was really good, especially the fresh fish. This is a must go for a dinner date.

It’s hard to fault them for anything except air blowing hard at the window tables so bring a scarf or a sweater. I like the menu selections starting with the oysters on half shelf. I had market fish which requires a little work to take it apart but that’s how I roll. Service was good food was good wine was great and the view is to kill for. All of that comes at a price, but you get what you pay for.

Meh. Went for our Anniversary and we’ve had better. Hubs had the short ribs and I had the salmon. He really enjoyed his and mine was average. Nothing special. I’ve had salmon lots of places and this was very average. I had the beet salad and it was good. Hubs had the grilled peppers and they were not great. The tables are packed in. It’s loud. The front gals are bored and uninterested. Our server was slow. Our first time there and we won’t be back.

As always they impress! The main dining room was noisy but thank goodness we were seated on the patio. The weather was perfect and view stunning as always. The staff was fun and professional. The seafood was fresh and the brunch was amazing. I recommend to locals and visitors alike! A beautiful Sunday brunch on the San Diego bay. Irreplaceable!!!

It was a super hot day for an outdoor wedding but it still was a beautiful day for it. The scenery was stunning with the glistening of the bay. The reception was fun on the patio with shade appetizers and wine. Then dinner was served and more wine. Food and wine were very good. Service was ok. Spwctacular evening.

Fantastic food - loved the salmon, amazing views, ballroom and deck access really add to wedding ambiance!!! Bar service staff courteous and professional!!!

This restaurant is a nice place if you’re looking for a wide variety of food in a buffet, especially brunch. It counts with seafood, as well as typical breakfasts. The fee per person includes a bottle of champagne. Very good service. Kind of expensive, not worth bringing kids. Nice view to the marina.

Came for happy hour first. Bar looks over the harbor with fabulous boats and helicopters, all in one view. Joseph was our bartender and very friendly and efficient. Discount on drinks and appetizers from 3-6. We had early dinner at 5. Fabulous table on the water with a direct unobstructed view. We ate at the bar so not as hungry as we should have been. I had the scallops with grits and artichoke fried hearts. Hubby got 2 appetizers of fried oysters and another of octopus. It was our anniversary and they gave us a beautiful piece of chocolate cake. Excellent service from Melayna who’s was charming, friendly and helpful. Beautiful evening!

Food and service were great! Never felt rushed. Can’t beat the views. We are picky about restaurants and this lived up to our expectations

Went here at the last minute and was happily seated within 10 minutes without a reservation. We sat outside and like the other reviews the view was outstanding. We had a great appetizer, artichoke dip I think. The waiter was great, funny, and with good suggestions. One person had a pasta dish which was large and filling. The other was scallops which were also very good. Much to full for dessert. Would very happily go back again and again.

We were both very disappointed in our lunch. Lobster soup was good, but had to request a soup spoon! Salmon BLT was taste less and soaky. Burger was overcooked, Sangria not good, and salad dressing was also taste less. As a local for 40 years this was always a place to bring guest, now it's only for the view.

A totally hidden restaurant that hardly anyone knows about except locals. It is totally underrated and I was totally surprised. Super tasty food, a great view and the staff were super nice. I will definitely come back here. The Caesar salad was super tasty.

As usual, this was a totally pleasant visit for lunch. Nice selection of drinks, and the food was superb, and the view of the harbor on this perfectly clear day was spectacular. Will definitely return in the future.

Not only was our seafood lunches excellent, Abby,our server, was above and beyond friendly and helpful! The view from the dining room was beautiful!

My wife chose this for her birthday dinner. Good choice. We had a great window table for two, although the lights from the restaurant made it hard to enjoy the view at night. I had the buoillabassie and my wife had the sea bass (as opposed to the land bass - smile). Both were good. Service was great. We will be back.

Found this place by accident. Probably one of the nicest places I have ever been in. Bar none. Food was excellent, staff was good, would have been nice if they had a little more selection for food. The atmosphere was spot on for the location. I would eat here again. Bring your wallet as 2 people cost $160 bucks to eat.

We went for restaurant week and enjoyed the three courses. We both had the lobster bisque, which was good (just not a lot of it). I had the steak for my entree and my wife had the scallops. We both enjoyed the entrees. For dessert my wife had the cheesecake and I had chocolate mouse cake. Everything was good, nothing was amazing though. My wife's Island Rum cocktail tasted too much like rum - that was our only complaint.

Had the Market Fish, which was the Halibut. It was cooked to perfection, and the service was awesome. Highly recommended!

Hubby and I were looking for an upscale restaurant for a special celebratory dinner and a friend recommended Tom Ham's. My first impression was very mixed. Great view, lovely restaurant. But the two women at the hostess station were wearing track suits with zip front sweatshirts and sneakers. I thought, I put on a dress and make up for a place where the hostess is wearing a sweatshirt? However, the hostesses and the servers were excellent, working hard, very friendly and helpful and professional. The food on the other hand was just meh. My husband had the beet salad and stuffed pasilla pepper. Both were good. I ordered the braised short ribs with pearl potatoes instead of the truffle mashed potatoes. When my plate came, the potatoes (which were more like home fries) and the asparagus were room temperature and the beef was just warm. I complained to the waitress and she took it back for replacement. The second time it arrived, everything was much more hot. But the potatoes were just boiled fingerling potatoes. The asparagus and potatoes were bland, they seemed to have no seasoning on them. The beef was definitely not short ribs, it was more like pot roast. As pot roast, it was fine. Not great, but fine. But it was definitely not short ribs. The whole meal was desperately in need of seasoning, or even some salt and pepper. So to summarize, the service was great, the restaurant is attractive, but the food was just meh and not worth the prices.

We used to go to Tom Hamm's is 1980 when they had great entertainment. No longer have music but the food is still good and the view is as good as anywhere in the city.

Food came out very slowly. One member of our party left without eating because his kids were tired of waiting. Food was not great. I would not go back

We came here with out of town family and had first tried to eat at a different restaurant nearby but there was no on-site parking. Honestly, you can’t beat a San Diego icon like Tom Hamm’s that has parking on site for its patrons!We were seated outdoors under the heaters where our views of the harbor were stunning! I loved that these views were open and not through a glass windscreen. The food and service were excellent!!! We were so happy we came here. Totally enjoyed our dining experience! Have been here before but only for special occasions—you can’t miss with a true, tried & terrific place like this.

Been going here for more than 30 years. This time for a happy hour before retiring before an early morning flight. Happy hour was great. We enjoyed the tenderloin tips and the peppers. Some of us had beers.

Wow, we have been staying in Little Italy a month each summer the last ten years and we finally made it to Tom Ham's Lighthouse and what a treat for both the palate and the eyes!! My wife had a delicious Shrimp salad, and I had the Fish and Chips probably the best I have had in a long time, fantastic. They have several draft beer selections from the many craft breweries in San Diego, I tried the Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout what a taste treat!!! Our waiter Jaime was very helpful and considerate and even took pictures for us. What a great Place!!!

I was more than pleasantly pleased because as much as I love buffet style brunch, I expected this to be mediocre. because it is located in a purely tourist focused location.However, I was pleasantly suprised. The harbor view was better than my hotel view and I had a beautiful 12th floor hotel window or glass walls in my room. OK, the food was melt in your mouth delicious. The array of seafood was excellent. The desserts were unique and good. The omelette and pasta stations were also top of the line. The courtesy and professionalism of the staff was top of the line. I truly enjoyed that Sunday brunch on the last day of my week long stay at the harbor.

RE: Romantic Dinner At Tom Ham's Lighthouse Decided to attempt to find a table with no reservations on Friday evening at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Special thanks to hostesses and waitress, Sarah, for the excellent service. Ordered mussels, dinner salad, 8 oz. filet, and 12 oz. New York steak, with potatoes. Great views and Manny the manager asked about our dinners showing us that our impressions mattered. Mentioned this was the first restaurant I dined in San Diego back in 1972 to celebrate my sister's honeymoon and first year at University of San Diego for pre-medicine. Great memories and excellent evening. Respectfully, R. J. Lavelle

I went here a couple of years ago after they had done their renovations. I used to love the Sunday champagne brunch buffet and this time I took my daughter. I'm not a seafood fan, but my daughter is, so she really enjoyed the food. Me? Not so much. They changed the layout inside to where it was cramped and hard to get to the food. The main food items that I always expected to get at the buffet they took off the menu. I was aghast at the tiny plastic cups they put a tiny sliver of cake or pie into instead of real plates and a real slice of dessert. The main foods were poorly done... dried out, burned, cold, mixed up with other food dishes, and even the scrambled eggs were hideous and inedible. Due to the design of the floor plan with the buffet, I really wasn't comfortable at our table. It was loud, noisy and I was HUNGRY with nothing good to eat! I managed to find some sausages, but I left the place vastly upset AND HUNGRY and paid about $100 for this? As I walked out I told them that I'll never return and I will pass along this horrible experience to everyone to avoid going to eat there.

I ordered the fish and chips it was very good I was there for a leisurely lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time it was her birthday. Shortly after we finished our meal somebody walked around and took our plates away it was quite sunny the umbrella was over us as it was that many tables was necessary I guess they were hinting for us to leave after a certain amount of time that same guy that took away our plates took away our umbrellas nobody else’s. After I paid the bill the waiter came by to take the bill off the table that is not proper etiquette in any restaurant unless they were going home and they had to cash out this wasn’t the case you don’t take the paid bill off the table until the guest leave. We didn’t have any alcoholic beverages just two entrées and two iced teas with tip it was $60 for lunch I feel they needed to let us alone take our time and enjoy our visit. They charge a 4% Surcharge on top of the high prices.

We visited San Diego for a SDSU basketball game that was over by 7pm...what to do? First and best thought was to get to the lighthouse for a drink before heading to our hotel. We knew the service would be tops, friendly, and the view unmatched. Tim, our bartender was a delight and makes an outstanding Manhattan. The view did not disappoint.

Outstanding brunch with wonderful food and a beautiful view. The fresh seafood is outstanding with crab lobster claws and shrimp

My new wife and I had our Wedding Reception Dinner at Tom Ham's on 10/14/18... it could not have been better! From making the arrangements with Luz Garcia, who is extremely communicative and quick to respond, to the service team, namely Jaime and all the assistants, everything was top notch. The service was impeccable and all of our guests commented on the high quality of the food, it's preparation and presentation. We were a group of 25 family members in a private room. The experience made our happiest day even more memorable! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Paul & Rosie

Enjoyed ceviche, shrimp po' boy, fish & chips, and drinks on a gorgeous day. Our waiter was well-versed in the menu, easily answering our questions and offering advice. He also was attentive even with a good number of tables. Other staff seemed to work well together, covering & helping seamlessly. Really liked the food and the decor/vibe hit the right blend of special outing but relaxing.

Visited this restaurant twice because of the view from the deck out over the harbour. Great range of local draft beers. Lunch menu is extensive. Happy Hour starts at 3pm (until 5pm) when you can get $2-$3 reduction on a limited selection of drinks and light bites. Friendly servers too.

We treated my husband to Father's Day Brunch. He was thrilled with the selection of seafood. My son he had the best omelet he has ever had in his summation. The champagne was plentiful. Juices readily available to make mimosas or poinsettias. I happily broke my diet !! Facility is also very wheelchair friendly. Raymond is a wonderful server. Warm and attentive.

A nice surprise. Stopped by to try happy hour. $1 oyster happy hour (chef choice). I had the Luna oyster. Wife had the tenderloin tip w/ Polenta & bacon rugala salad. Both were great. Salad w the bacon is salty. I recommend scooping some polenta with it. Has a great view of the bay and North Island Air Base. We got to see Disney cruise ship pulling out to sea. They have other irems on the menu that we will try on other visits. Moderately priced for happy hour, but still worth trying.

We walked from the Sheraton and there is a cool park with a lot of people during the day. The lighthouse offered a view of the bay and we had lots of entertainment with the boats, jet skis, and naval base. The food was great and the drink prices were good. Much better than our hotel bar. The staff was friendly too!

We had a beautiful view looking over the waterfront. Food was beautifully served and the server was very careful about checking on possible allergens since one person in our party had a food allergy. Starters were huge-one of my colleagues made a meal out of the sirloin tips appetizer. Entrees were beautifully served. Two of us had fish and each entree came with roasted vegetables. And the gelato for desert was a delightful ending-rich but not overwhelming.

Just tried this place out. Great views, wonderful service, and great views! The food was also good. Love the beer list. They had the best beers on rhe list and in different sizes.

Tom Ham's is a beautiful venue with great food and beautiful views. We hosted both our ceremony and reception in the California Room. The planning process went smoothly, and the coordinators were easy to work with, which we really appreciated. Unfortunately, the service we experienced on our wedding day in April 2024 left us disappointed and overshadowed what could have been a perfect day. The staff lacked basic hospitality—there were no smiles or signs of customer service, drinks were slid across the bar without care, and some of our international guests were denied alcohol even though they had proper passports and IDs. Additionally, the staff cleared tables far too quickly, often removing plates and drinks before guests were finished (received a lot of feedback from our guests), which resulted in wasted food and money. Many of our guests barely had a chance to enjoy their meals or even our wedding cake before it was discarded. For a wedding, this kind of rushed service felt unnecessary and inconsiderate. While the food itself was good, the poor service left a lasting negative impression. It seemed like the staff forgot they were working a wedding. Given the amount we paid, having attentive and respectful service should have been a given - at a bare minimum. We were also charged a 25% service fee automatically, which seems completely unfair for the level of service received. We reached out to the venue after the wedding to share our concerns but received no response, which was incredibly frustrating and disheartening. While Tom Ham's has so much potential as a wedding venue, our experience with the staff and lack of follow-up makes it hard for us to recommend.

We ate last light at Tom Ham’s. The food was awesome and we sat outside and the view of the city was spectacular. A great place to eat.

If looking for a great place to eat that is priced well for the area, this is it! The Good - The service. With just a few small hiccups, the service was very good. There was never a time that I felt rushed even though we had one of the best tables in the house during the dinner rush which is common in fine dining in San Diego. The food was brought out hot and the wait staff was relatively familiar with the menu. If a higher pricepoint, I would have expected better. Overall the service was good. The Great - The view and the food. Over looking the harbor while eating outdoors, watching the boats sailing in the harbor against the backdrop of the sunset was amazing. Definitely a romantic meal. The food was delicious. The only down side was n the bowl of mussels that was filled with broth, they charged $3.00 for bread to be served with it. Definitely a classless move and that combined with the service knocked this restaurant down a full star. Why You'd Avoid - Not quite defined. There were enough things at this restaurant that made it not quite fine dining like the service and the greeting area. However the food and the prices leaned towards fine dining. With the spectacular view and the fantastic menu it seems like it is poised to be fine dining, but just slightly missed its mark. Definitely a place I will return to, however I was looking for something just a smidge classier based on the menu and prices.

Had reservations for birthday dinner for my husband and son. Our dinners were excellent. We had two appetizers; the grilled asparagus and the octopus. Perfectly prepared and so delicious. Each of us had a different entree and none of us had a morsel remaining. Our server Eddie did a great job. Highly recommend this fine restaurant with an amazing view of the San Diego skyline.

We loved this restaurant! Our waiter was fun and provided us with great service! We had the salmon. Soooo good! Our kids had the Red Snapper and the scallops. Everyone loved their food! Drinks were great! The view was to die for! We would definitely return the next time we visit San Diego!❤️👍

On my final night in town, my friend's parents treated me to a wonderful meal here sitting on the deck overlooking the bay. I got the whole roasted branzino which was to die for. Our waitress was very informal, and the setting and prices would have seemed to call for a bit more formality from her. She was almost mumbling making it hard to hear exactly what she was saying. The bussers also tried taking our plates several times despite not being finished with them. We tried a dozen oysters from the Pacific with arranged sauces and it was very good. As far as the view and quality of the seafood goes, you cannot beat this restaurant!

A return visit as they a great deal of outdoor dining. The fish and chips were excellent, enough for two people!

Casual dining with great San Diego Harbor view inside and out, plenty of parking, and friendly great service.We tried the Shrimp Po' Boy and Lobster Roll sandwiches which were good. We also had delicious looking entree salads(Tuna Nicoise) and some decent drinks (Island slide and beers). All came with average portion sizes and reasonable prices. We had comfortable booth seating with great ocean views on a sunny clear day. A reservation ahead of time is highly recommended. Great ambiance with rustic beach theme. It was a relaxing family dining experience which we enjoyed a lot.

RE: Rest And Recovery Dinner Subject: Romantic Sunday Dinner For Two After long day of purchasing materials to restore our flooded condominium, we decided to stop by Tom Ham's Lighthouse Restaurant for a Sunday evening dinner. Our hostess gave us a perfect table with a spectacular view looking over the entire San Diego Bay! Our waiter, Mat, was very polite, informative, and attentive. Had New England clam chowder with bread (soft with slightly harder crus)t and special butter. For dinner, ordered scallops and Maui Maui perfectly prepared. Too full to order dessert so will return another time. Jacob provided great service by providing additional bread and beverages. Truly a great recovery for the new week. Will be back again soon !! Respectfully, Robert James Lavelle Sunday February 24, 2019

The most beautiful plating I have seen was Platter #1: various shellfish. The Crab Louis salad was delicious and also beautifully presented. Heed the warning about the strength of the MaiTai. The staff and the view were beyond compare. We'll be back whenever we're in town.

It’s Restaurant Week again in San Diego!! Happens twice a year - September and January. This time it happens on the 36th Anniversary of when I met my wife. No better way to celebrate than going to our favorite restaurant on San Diego Bay !! Tom Ham’s has fantastic views of the Downtown and San Diego Harbor along with great food. This time my wife and I shared the Shrimp Ceviche appetizer, one of the best I’ve had in San Diego (and that’s saying a lot with all the competition here). My wife had the lobster rolls - nice chunks of lobster only lightly tossed in the mayo base dressing - and she really enjoyed the flavor of the lobster. I had the fish and chips - three huge pieces of beer battered cod - that I couldn’t finish. We shared the Creme Brûlée for dessert! There is a substantial craft beer and wine list that certainly enhances the experience along with an attentive staff. You may be wondering about the photo of the mahi-mahi? Did I mention this was a favorite restaurant- This was my entree for lunch earlier in the week along with shrimp Ceviche!!!

Came across this restaurant by chance when choosing a hotel nearby. With the California dine outside only order at the moment it was a perfect find. Booking was easy through their website. Cleanliness was superb. Not a worry at all. We were shown to a upper terrace table with incredible views of the harbour and city skyline, and as darkness drew in and the lights went on it was magical. I had Octopus followed by Scallops, all divine, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Hubby had baked cauliflower followed by a sea food platter for 1. Heaven, washed down with wine by the glass and Zingy Margareta's. Despite being very full we managed to squeeze in Cheese cake and Chocolate Cake for desert. Phillip our server was brilliant, attentive, polite, friendly, funny, efficient. thank you We absolutely loved it here, so much that we are returning to San Diego next weekend so we can repeat the whole experience. We were told on great authority that the Sunday Brunch is a winner too. Saving that one for when we can take the Monday off....

What a view! Because of the location of the lighthouse on a little island in the middle of the side bay, you can't beat the views - sailboats and aircraft carriers and motor yachts galore. There's rooms for events at this venue. It makes for a very special meeting place that is a great little secret! Have fun!

Very spacious restaurant on the water. It was a bit cool to sit outside but that would also be lovely. Wait staff was very accommodating to our questions and preferences. Nice selection of oysters. The cauliflower appetizer is great. The bouillabaisse was tasty but not at all traditional and not garlicky enough. It was good and filling. Great selection of draft beers in several categories and a good selection of wwines too o.

Started with a dozen of the chefs house oysters. Entree was fresh blue fin tuna lightly grilled on a bed of new potatoes, green beans on the plate sauteed in a sauce including capers as a special touch. The tuna was fresh, and lightly grilled. The Hess Monterrey Chardonnay was a great choice -- suggested by the barkeep -- and reasonably priced. The lobby contained a tribute to the founder Tom Ham, apparently a UCLA athlete, US army WWII infantry lieutenant, then restaurant entrepreneur and San Diego booster, as eulogized in the episcopal parish in 1972.

I highly recommend sitting outside. This is a unique place with bits of interesting historical context too.

Had an amazing lunch here, the hummus and the asparagus salad were incredible and must haves to get here.

Nice view. Decent food. Good lobster roll. Same owners as Bali Hai. Need to 86 the mai tai. It’s hyped and lousy. Reasonable prices, given location. We were pleased but not amazed.

We had a private room to celebrate a 50th anniversary. Food and drinks were good and you can’t beat the view.

This was a really fun weekend brunch with a great view. It’s pricey but the buffet/brunch is extensive. Definitely expect a return visit.

We hosted an alumni brunch at this location. The food was tremendous, and the views were spectacular. Sunday brunch offered food and champagne - a fitting way to toast to old friends.

This bar and restaurant (and event space) offers beautiful views of the San Diego harbor. Prices are decent and the food is very good. Service is good as well. This is worth a visit for lunch, happy hour or dinner!

The first thing you must do is to make reservations to Tom Ham's Lighthouse for their famous delicious Sunday Brunch. Try to ask to be seated on their patio. They can't guarantee it but I made my reservations on Op..Ta.le and even called them making my humble request. You will never see so much seafood choices as what my close friends and I devoured. Their fresh seafood is why I came and yes, they had plenty of other entrees and desserts. I was in a seafood coma. Their little sausages are really tasty too just like their perfectly made bacon. I ordered their famous Mai Tai's and my friend's wife did too. I finished mine with a grin but she said it was too strong?!? I'm on the side of a good stuff drink not the fruity kind you get at a tourist tiki hut. Wished I drank her glass but she dug her finger in her drink to eat the maraschino cherry before I could reach over. Seafood cracking fingers do not wash well with alcohol so unfortunately her Mai Tai got wasted. Bottom line, this restaurant is on par with the best seafood brunches I had in my life. Still rank tops is the seafood brunch at Park Pace Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. I just wished that my trip to San Diego would've been longer cause I might've wanted to dine another fabulous brunch...yes it's that good. $78 per person but there's free parking and staff was super friendly. Happy Eating!!!

Four of us ate here before two had to catch a flight, & we'd chosen the restaurant based on reviews and its proximity to the airport. What a great choice it turned out to be! We booked a table for 6:30pm, & were delighted when we were led to our table to find that it was on the outside deck, right by the water's edge, and with a view of the San Diego skyline to die for. We knew we had lucked out! Service from all staff was excellent. Food was a little slow to come to the table, but we didn't mind spending time in such a fabulous spot, watching the setting sun reflected on the San Diego skyscapers. It's a memory that will stay with me always. Food was absolutely delicious, & beautifully presented. As a vegetarian there were good choices for me; & my friends all drooled over their chosen dishes. It was my birthday & the surprise birthday cake was a lovely treat! I can thoroughly recommend Tom Ham's Lighthouse. My tip would be to book & go early, to get a great table. It's definitely worth it!

Went here for an anniversary dinner on a weeknight. Te parking was easy and plentiful in their large lot. The restaurant itself is very spacious and most tables have great views. The decor is bit outdated but nice enough. The service was decent and friendly. The raw bar was very good, entrees were mediocre. Overall we had a nice time and a decent meal, nothing amazing or special but a decent night out for the money.

We were visiting San Diego and met a friend here, at his suggestion, for dinner. We had the fish special and the paella, both were very good, as was my margarita on the rocks. Service was fast and friendly but the best part was the spectacular water view (we ate outdoors), which I really believe made the dining experience more delightful. Entrees average between $30-$40.

This restaurant has such an amazing view of the harbor and downtown San Diego. Also very elegant dining and great service. Highly recommend this restaurant!

My husband and I were staying at a hotel near the restaurant. The free shuttle back and forth was really appreciated. We enjoyed our meal at this restaurant. The shrimp cocktail and the calamari were very tasty. The salmon and yellow tail entree were both well prepared. The service was attentive and friendly,

I was visiting from Las Vegasand waited at the bar till they had a table that looks to the bay and kind of noisy navy base, they were pretty helpful... Lobster soup was ok, I was a little disappointed - it had lumps in it. I had better lobster soup in Midwest. Staff did not ask me if I had any questions or was it my first time like they did to other tables. After I finished my poboy sandwich and fries - very greasy- and before I was halfway with my beer - great local draft selection btw - the waiter put the check in front of me without saying anything. I felt a little offended, felt being pushed out. I am a physician and I was walking in my jeans a cheap shirt and my backpack. It is not his fault that is how he is directed to empty tables for the next customer.. But I don’t want to give my money to this establishment that puts profits before customers again...

Went here during restaurant week. They wa wonderful menu and the view is spactacular. The food was super and service great.

We went for Sunday Brunch and OMG It’s the best one ever!!! We loved it!!! It was easy to go in without reservation but suggest to make one if you want to sit outside and see the beautiful view. Located in Shelter Island. They have the most delicious selection of brunch food. We had oysters, clams, crab, scallops, shrimps, omelettes, mimosas, roast beef, a variety of desserts and bread. If you want to have a good meal you have to go!!!

Took family for a lunch and were seated on the outside deck with great views of the bay and San Diego. A wonderful sunny day and the setting was perfect. The food left something to be desired. Overall the food was just average and this is based on five different meal choices. The service was very good.

We went here for Sunday brunch and it was great. We had very nice outdoor seating with a view. Bottomless Champagne and a brunch buffet that had a good variety of food including lobster claws carving and omelette/pasta station.

Fresh hot and plentiful seafood served properly cooked, pleasantly and promptly. But the view was the most striking thing to this old country boy. With plenty of glass all around and it’s location on what appears to be a peninsula there is a good view in almost every direction.

Back again for San Diego Restaurant Week Lunch at one of my favorite daytime restaurants. Delicious food, choice of different sizes of beer from a list of 30+ beers, and a great view of San Diego on the bay, always a recipe for a great lunch experience!!!

This was an impressive restaurant. The servers were very attentive and knowledgeable. We enjoyed a duck breast dish, seafood paella and roasted chicken. All were cooked to perfection. For the portion size the prices were a little high. This restaurant has an actual functioning lighthouse. The view of the harbor is fantastic.

The location and view are amazing. Without that factor I think my lunch was a 3 star event. Ordered the fish and chips and the batter and fish separated making it hard to eat in the traditional pick-up fashion. I liked the fish itself, but with the batter falling off, it was fish, batter and chips. Service was fine and they have a nice bar and outside seating. It's a nice place to go for the view. They also have a surcharge of 5% on the bill. Prices aren't cheap, so that move seems odd to me. Not a very broad menu for lunch. The fish and chips should have been perfect at a place like this and I'm not sure what went wrong, but they were a solid average if I'm being generous.

Here for a group meal in a private room. Buffet food was surprisingly unmemorable. Room was undecorated, pretty bare.

I saw the Lighthouse on an evening drive and knew it was the place to have our mini-reunion of lacrosse players and parents. Reserving late, I figured we wouldn't get a window table but was pleasantly surprised that even the inside tables away from the windows have great harbor views. The menu was varied so that everyone found something to their liking. Our server was attentive and took the best photo of us! Tables are spaced far enough apart that you can have a conversation without shouting, important when you haven't seen someone in a while.

Anniversary dinner for my wife and I after leaving Little Italy in the rain. Waits were long and we were getting wet. We decided to try Tom Ham’s and weren’t disappointed.

My husband and I had Sunday brunch here last weekend and were really "wowed" by the amazing food! For $48 with mimosas included, I thought they quality of the food would be OK, but it was OUTSTANDING! It offers endless crab legs, raw oysters, lobster claws, and STONE CRAB! They bring little "shell bowls" for you to put your shells in and the wait staff is very attentive with re-filling your mimosa and clearing your plates. The other dishes were delicious as well, but we focused on the seafood. My husband said the bread pudding was the best he'd ever had. You have to go for the brunch, really amazing. We did not have a reservation, but only had to wait about 37 minutes and we sipped a mimosa while we waited and they didn't charge us. GREAT place!

Spectacular views and great food. Service was very good. Molly was very attentive and came by our table several times to check if we needed any thing. Some of us asked for warm water top up. She offered some sharing plates too. 6 of us had set lunch followed by NY cheese cake.

What a great place to go for drinks or dinner. Overlooking the bay and the naval base gives you incredible experiences including sailboats, cruisers, yards, Jetskis, helicopters and jets. Oh yeah and the food is pretty darn good too. I had the paella and it was perfect. We had calamari for appetizer and it easily served three people. The beer selection is quite good also. But mostly, it was the incredible view of sitting outside in perfect weather conditions.

Have been to the Sunday Brunch several times. We go for the seafood and champaign because the rest of the buffet is meh. If they step up the food this would be 5 star plus. The meat on the station is extremely dry no matter what they are serving (which is never prime rib). Eggs Benedict is so damn dry! That seems to be the main theme with the food outside the seafood.

Location on furthest end of Harbor Island. Fantastic views inside and out. Happy Hour offers good snacks and cocktails. Roasted beet salad was great and added on chicken which was cooked perfectly and serving was larger than at other locations (as an add on to a salad). Two of ou rparty had the Jidori Half Brick Chicken and said it was fabulous. We took some home with us and ate it the next day.

Nice sunny Sunday Brunch, sat outside and enjoyed the endless crab legs and champagne. You can't beat the location and the quality of the food. When we plan a trip to San Diego, Tom Ham's Sunday Brunch is our number one priority.

Visit with old friends so that took priority. But the staff quickly realized what was happening and took their time serving us. Food was outstanding with a spectacular view. We had a great time that was facilitated by the staff. View was spectacular

Great stop when arriving in San Diego. Really great view from bar for drinks/appetizers. Fabulous outdoor tables right above the bay for meals. Seafood and salads awesome. I often take business colleagues here from the airport for a nice start in San Diego.

My Niece has her wedding here this weekend. It was a beautiful event from the pretty ceremony area overlooking the bay to the California Reception room. The food was good, service excellent, atmosphere terrific. All around great evening.

Tom Ham's on Harbor Island is a long established restaurant with outstanding views of San Diego's harbor and the city skyline. I have been there many times for dinner and to enjoy the view. This time we were there for lunch. It was a rainy day but the view from our table by the window was still very nice. My wife had the crab louie salad and I had the lobster roll. The food was good and it was a pleasant place for lunch.

This is the first time we have been to Tom Ham's but we will definitely be back! Views from their 2nd story patio are fabulous. The service was great and the food was amazing! An added bonus is that prices are very modest for everything they offer.