Topsail Reviews

I really wish that they had more food happy hour specials. The food was rather expensive, but it was good. The cocktails were also good, not excellent, but very good. However… Bottom line: you just can’t beat these views. And… They are not picky about the size of your party sitting in any of the larger spaces. There were only two of us, but the host directed us to a nice comfy area with two couches that could easily have sat four people. And the view was magnificent! Shout out to our server Casey, who was cheerful and very efficient!

Topsail is definitely open and worth a visit! It’s a great spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat. The menu is a bit limited, but there’s likely something for everyone. The atmosphere is relaxed and coastal, perfect for unwinding by the water. Service was excellent—quick, friendly, and efficient.

Topsail is one of the newer additions to San Diego's waterfront eatery & bar scene. Nestled on top of the Brigantine restaurant with the same shared entrance, Topsail starts off with a spiral staircase up, encased in a glass dome. The host stand is right at the top of the stairs; hostesses have always been very welcoming and friendly. There are lounge group seatings with fire pits all along the border of the place, but they go fast so make a reservation if you're going at peak times. There's also a full bar in the center with many seats, along with ample seating throughout. This is an outdoor place, so make sure you dress accordingly and bring a jacket if need. They have heaters and fire pits everywhere but the wind does flow freely through. It was lunchtime on a Saturday, but we were lucky enough to score one of the perimeter couch seating areas. The views are perfect from just about anywhere here, but our spot gave us views of the bay and the Star of India ship. This was my third time here and service was good, as usual. Topsail has a nice selection of beer & some signature cocktails, but the full bar is always ready to make your usual favorites. I always stick with my usual dirty Kettle martini when I go. We brought some visiting fiends this time and they got the Mai Tai & iced tea - the Mai Tai was tasty. For lunch, we ordered: Spanish Grilled Octopus, Pork Belly Banh Mi Bao, Chimichurri Skirt Steak, Alaskan Halibut fish & Chips, Wagyu Burger, and the Grilled Salmon Salad. The grilled octopus was decorous and tender. The banh mi baos were pretty good, but lack the full banh mi flavors and needed more acidity that pickled carrots & daikon provides in an actual Vietnamese banh mi. The skirt steak was okay, but not the medium-rare specified and the chimichurri wasn't bad. Burger and fries were good. The grilled salmon salad was filling, but the fish wasn't seasoned much and the dressing was bland. The fish & chips are my favorite, well battered and fried, chips nice and crispy. The food here is decent, but the drinks and views more than make up for it. Prices are a little on the higher side, but it's the ambiance and views that you're also paying for. All in all, a good waterfront place to lunch or lounge with drinks while catching up with friends. This was my third time here and there will be more to come.