As I'm typing this, we the people have been waiting for all our food to come out and it's been almost one and a half hours. We were seated at 7:45 and it's 9:22. Our dish didn't come out hot either. Not pleased with this dining experience at all. Egg noodle is way too salty and portions are small. I'm never coming back. read more

Kingfisher - Egg noodle - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Wow!! If I could give this place 20 stars I would. We ordered 7 different dishes (liver pate, eggplant, broccoli, skirt steak, scallops, egg noddles and butter rice), and every single one was AMAZING, an absolute flavor explosion. Each dish was carefully curated and the quality of the ingredients was immaculate. The service was fantastic too. This restaurant is a true gem and is one of my top three restaurants in all of San Diego now (besides Ken's Sushi Workshop and Steak 48). Highly, highly recommend!! read more

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This place is so phenomenal!!! Great ambiance , great. Flavors blend together , the staff is amazing !!! Maria was just a pleasure tonight can't wait to be back again in love the food , place and people !!! read more

This is a place where you'll leave happy because not only the food is spectacular, but also because the service is top notch (attentive not overbearing) and the vibe is just so awesomely relaxed and classy at the same time. We loved everything we tried, especially the noodles, the eggplant, the congee and the whole fish. Not a big fan of the radicchio though since it's too salty for us. The freshly baked bread is superb. Highly recommend and will definitely be back. read more

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My wife and I had an amazing dinner here. We've been here twice now and the food has never disappointed. Service was great and the drinks are unique and delicious. Highly recommended coming! Their menu changes, but highly recommend the pig ear salad if it's there. Great way to start your meal. read more

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Exceeded expectations! We stopped by for a date night, had been by years ago and hadn't been back due to the crowds, somehow got 2 seats at the bar on a Friday night. The space is beautiful with that SoCal casual fancy (love it, hate stuffy dressed up fancy atmospheres). The staff were friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, definitely were helpful in making informative recommendations. The efforts put in are Michelin level. They notified us multiple times of the automatic 20% tip that's shared with all staff which I'm honestly fine with. We got the Pig Ears Salad (recommended by the bartender, the best, most surprising dish, 100%, will never find this anywhere else in the world), eggplants (they were still good and plentiful but not our favorite), and the dry aged duck ($$$$, the confit duck made me uncontrollably laughed and gnaw on the bones praying to extend the moment). I will always get the pig ear, and I was initially skeptical of the price of the duck but left feeling it was worth it. We left with leftovers and it's a good amount of food. Overall, excellent meal, great service, so happy it's at a point that we can do walk ins, and will be back! read more

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We had a 5pm reservation here last night, and by 5:30pm on a Tuesday every seat in the house was filled, including those surrounding the bar (no idea if those were on reservation or walk-ins). So, I'd say rezzies are a must. Our server was really friendly, as were all the expediters and bussers. We liked the vibe at this place. Now onto the food and drink: Cocktail: I ordered the Bolero. I like my drinks straight forward (I do not enjoy fruity/sweet drinks). This drink was perfectly balanced -- even though it had a chocolate flavor to it, it was not sweet. I definitely wouldn't hesitate to order it again. Food: Beef Tartare --- this was absolutely outstanding. Without a doubt, the best beef tartare we have ever had, both with respect to taste and texture.... putting toasted quinoa in it was a genius idea, as it just adds so much to the mouth feel. We are not generally tartare fans, but I give this dish 5 stars and would definitely recommend everyone who isn't a vegetarian to give it a try. Chantrelle and Corn Congee -- Very tasty dish once I added the recommended Simbal sauce to my individual bowl: When we got the order we stirred the main bowl as we were instructed, and then I scooped some into my individual bowl and tried it both w/ and w/o the simbal sauce. The first couple of bites without the Simbal was fine, but nothing great. However, once I added the Simbal sauce to my bowl and gave it a stir the dish really came alive. House Made Noodles with diced chinese sausage (Lap Cheong) -- This was the dish we most wanted to order, and came out looking glorious. To my surprise, this was the dish we liked the least. Not to say that we didn't enjoy it, but it just didn't seem to have as unique flavors and textures as the other two dishes. These three dishes were more than enough food for the two of us -- we ended up taking some of it home. Next time we are there we are going to try the Rock Fish ---- the table next to us ordered it, and it was a huge meal (I think one Rock Fish would be enough for two people to split...and maybe leave room for one of their tasty sounding desserts). I find myself wanting to give this place a 4.5. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Of course we have returned. Food is fantastic. You cannot come here without an RSVP but it's worth the weight. It's worth the experience. It's worth everything service is top-notch. It's a catered experience, not only in your mouth, but also with the people that are very diligently provide food ambience is amazing. The decor is fantastic and exquisite and both times we have gone there. We just hope that we can return. read more

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Kingfisher is an upscale modern Viet fusion restaurant and wow... just wow... every dish we tried here was soooo yummy. The dry aged duck came with an XO sauce dip, a nuoc mam dip, noodles, lettuce, and herbs like Shiso and Thai basil for you to make your own wraps. Moist, soft, and not gamey at all. Aside from slices of perfectly medium rare duck with gorgeous herb-crusted skin, they also give you a whole duck leg quarter to pick at! The umami-packed mushrooms and fresh sweet corn in the congee were like little flavor explosions in my mouth. Beef tartare was seasoned to be harmonious with fresh herbs. Heck, even the baguette and butter slapped!! The ambience and aesthetic of this place was literally house goals. Haven't been impressed by an upscale meal like this in a while! Highly recommend this spot for a special occasion. You must try the duck!! read more

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Wow!! What a unique and exquisite dining experience! Kingfisher is beautifully decorated - it's modern, classy, and leverages green and gold tones. Everything that we ordered was fantastic: Squash Blossoms, Egg Noodles, Congee, Sand Bass, and Duck. Honestly, half of the things we ordered, I probably wouldn't have naturally ordered them myself, but I'm glad that someone else in my party decided on what to get. Every bite was delicious and unique. The service is also fantastic here - they make an effort to layer your order into different courses (ex. bringing out smaller bites first, and saving the bigger dishes for the end). They replace your plates after every course. It's pricey here, but the food is very good - it won't disappoint! I would love to return someday to try some of their other menu items. The chef was so kind and made rounds to check in on each table - personable gestures like that are greatly appreciated. Note: - They are limited on the duck and I've heard that they run out fairly quick - I'd recommend ordering it as soon as you sit down! - There is no dedicated parking or valet, so you'll have to find street parking. - An auto 20% tip is added to every check, not just for big parties. read more

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Honestly one of my favorite restaurants in SD for 2025. Great for parties to share plates with. Love the duck and the ambience is equally nice. read more

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We made a reservation here to celebrate our anniversary, but the experience was extremely disappointing. We were seated right next to the door lead to the patio sitting on a very cold day. Because our daughter was sitting directly by the door and it was freezing, my husband closed the door. A staff member immediately came over, reopened it, and told us we were not allowed to keep it closed. About an hour later, we were still freezing and closed the door again. This time, the staff member at the counter came over, reopened the door, told us again not to close it, and walked away without offering any help or concern. We ended up sitting there for nearly two hours in the cold just to finish our meal. The cold air constantly blowing in made us so uncomfortable, especially my daughter that she had to sit on our laps to stay warm. Only when we were about to leave did they finally bring a heater and place it by the door. Why wasn't this done from the beginning? The food itself was overly salty, nothing special, and very overpriced for the quality. Overall, this was a disappointing experience and completely ruined what was supposed to be a special anniversary celebration. I personally would not come back here. I also forgot to mention that after we got home, my child ended up catching a cold. read more

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Kingfisher has been on my list for a while now and I finally had a special event to book a reservation for. Our reservation was for 7pm. Parking was a little busy at that time but managed to find a spot around the block after circling around once. We were seated quickly and tended to quickly. The place is beautiful, not too big but still busy, with indoor or outdoor seating, bar seating as well. We ordered three dishes, the crudo, egg noodles, and dry aged duck. The duck is only available in limited quantities. We ordered ours right away, probably around 7:10 to 7:15. At that point our waitress said there were only a couple left so I was so glad we were able to still order one. Keep in mind this was on a Monday, and they open at 5. I'd recommend coming early to secure one! It was the star of the show. The other dishes were decent. I appreciate the spice of the egg noodles. I do think I would try other small plates next time just to try. We were a little bummed we passed up on the chicken wings since we figured we were already ordering duck. Looked delish and I think I may have enjoyed it more than the smaller plates. I also had the red envelope. Strong, and I enjoyed the banana foam. The only thing is it took a pretty long while for food to come out. Our stay was 2.5 hours for 3 dishes, and a complimentary ice cream at the end that we didn't have to wait much for. Be prepared to stay a bit when you visit. Checking the timestamp of when I took pics of our food, it was about 30 mins for the crudo, 21 mins for the egg noodles afterwards, and the duck 35 mins after that. The first plates were small and quickly devoured between 2 people. We were pretty hungry as well, so we probably could have ordered another shareable plate, and perhaps they plates would come out more in conjunction. Desserts also sounded amazing and wouldn't miss out on it next time, if only we didn't have. A birthday cake waiting at home for us. Appreciated the ice cream they gave us. Delish and made in house. read more

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Delicious food, great vibes and interesting flavorful cocktails. Love the golden hour specials! Kingfisher is a cute restaurant tucked in the neighborhood of Golden Hills. Highly recommend making a reservation if going during peak hours as they can get really busy. Also highly recommend their golden hour (5-7PM on certain days). They have a special salt and pepper fried fish collar that is delicious. Seafood is the core of their dishes with many different options. They also have great veggies dishes and I didn't get to try the bread because they sold out but I heard only good things. They also have great cocktails. A wide variety of options with various flavors and flavor profiles. Their service here is great. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. They provide recommendations, walk you through the menu, are quick to help clean the table. Excellent service here for sure. read more

What a vibe! We received a gift card and were excited to try Kingfisher. I didn't know what to expect but was told the duck is a must! We sat at the bar and was greeted by the bartender who alrhought it was busy was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and then some! By far you have to try duck, it's so good and so hearty..20/10! I ordered a toki high ball but decided to ask the bartender if could make me a drink not on the menu..he asked my alcohol of choice and a few other things and came up with the.l best drink ever! Make it a point to go, you will not be disappointed! read more

Kingfisher - Duck! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I visited Kingfisher on a work trip, and wow, was it delicious! This restaurant is on the smaller side, but so aesthetic and beautiful. We didn't have a reservation, so we were seated at the bar. The bartender was very friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable about the menu. He also gave us some great recommendations on food. My personal favorites were the House Made Egg Noodles and the Crispy Pig Ear Salad! SO much flavor. Overall, 10/10. If you're in the San Diego area, do yourself a favor and go to Kingfisher! read more

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One of the best meals I've had in a really long time. Kingfisher is an upscale Vietnamese-French restaurant featuring familiar flavors with an elevated twist. Gorgeous decor, plating, food, and service. Seriously a 10/10 experience all around. I'd say this was the first time I've experienced a "fancy" Asian fusion restaurant that has truly done it right. Before we get into the food, I just want to give a huge shoutout to their staff- I have never felt more taken care of at a restaurant! Super attentive and so caring. *Little Neck Clams & Saltspring Mussels: Think Ốc Len Xào Dừa, but with clams and mussels. They served this with a French baguette and WOW! Definitely the star dish of the night. *Kurobuta Pork Collar: Super yummy as well! Came with lettuce and vermicelli to make wraps. Flavors were definitely strong and savory, with fish sauce being a central focus. My only note would be that this cut is on the fattier side. *Smoked Dry Aged Duck: This dish has limited availability, so if it's still on the menu during your visit, please snatch one up! This also came with a bunch of herbs and vermicelli to make wraps. Seriously so good. No notes! *Vanilla Flan: Such creamy delicious goodness. Pro-tip: Order crushed ice on the side! read more

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This place was highly recommended by a friend who lives here. Overall the flavors were good. There were no bad dishes. The rendition of the various dishes were interesting. It was less than I expected because it was greatly hyped by my friend so I was expecting super wow. I liked the 1 page menu which made the ordering easier. Some of the dishes were smaller in size and we had to order 2 portions for 7 people. The service was exceptional and very attentive. The space was very loud and noisy like a lot of trendy places and not conducive to a quiet polite evening. We had to scream to be heard. There was also unnecessary loud and unintelligible background music to add to the cacophony. read more

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Kingfisher is an upscale Vietnamese-French eatery located nearby Downtown SD. Be prepared to embark on a culinary experience when you dine here! To get here, street parking will be your best bet and there is a good amount of it around the area. Reservations are highly recommended as spots do fill up fast. Wifey and were lucky enough to snag the last 9pm reservation for the night. Inside, they have a gorgeous art deco interior with green and blue tones. They have a spacious setup with about 8-10 tables inside and an additional 5-6 tables on their patio. For their menu, they have a curated selection of different appetizers, entrees, desserts, and wine pairings. Wifey and I opted for a spread consisting of the Duck Liver Pate, Crispy Tamarind Chicken Wings, Littleneck Clams & Saltspring Mussels, Kurobuta Pork Collar, Smoked Wagyu Beef Rib, and the Warm Bread Pudding and Cucumber Mint Sorbet for our desserts. Overall, everything that we had was beyond delicious with some classic yet very elevated flavor profiles. All of the staff here are very attentive and welcoming. This is definitely a great spot to celebrate a special occasion or for an upscale date night. From their interior design, to their thoughtfully crafted menu, to the visually stunning presentations of their foods, and their amazing staff, Kingfisher checks all the boxes for a special and memorable dining experience! read more

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I made reservations here for Valentine's Day dinner. We made an early reservation because we wanted to try the smoked dry age duck which is limited quantity. The plates are family style so it's meant to be shared but tbh felt like the portion was small. What we order: -espresso martini w/tequila : 10/10 I really enjoyed the foam -beignets : 5/10 came in 2 small pieces. It was okay, the kumquat flavor took over and couldn't really taste the other flavors. -little neck clam & salt spring mussels : 8/10 lots of southeast asian flavors! -smoked dry age duck : 9/10 duck was cooked perfectly but flavor wise kinda bland. Came with veggies/vermicelli and 2 sauces. The sauces really made up the whole dish. -red envelope cocktail: 6/10 banana foam was delicious but kind of got tired of the flavor of the cocktail after a few sips. Overall, it's a cute place! I've had this place bookmarked for some time so I'm glad I got to try it! The service was great, our server was very attentive and Knowledgeable about the dishes! read more

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One of our top 5 spots in all of San Diego. The food is always phenomenal, inventive, and very flavorful. Couldn't recommend more. read more

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My parents brought me to Kingfisher when I was home for the holidays, and I cannot be more grateful that they introduced me to this amazing restaurant! The interior of the building was beautiful and felt like it had very intentional and cohesive vibes. Our server was very knowledgeable, and paid attention to the table and our needs without being overbearing with the time she spent there. The restaurant was on the loud side as it was pretty full, which made it slightly difficult to hear each other at times - if anyone in your party has difficult time hearing in loud environments, sitting outside or trying to come at a less busy time might be helpful. The menu is intended to be eaten as sharing dishes, and for our table of three, each dish had plenty of food to be shared. To me, the stars of the show were the Congee and the Black Cod - both are dishes that could go very wrong, but were absolutely delicious. I had never had Congee before, and this has convinced me that I need more of it in my life. Even though these two dishes were my favorites, all of the dishes we had were so good and well worth our time and money. Kingfisher also has delicious mocktails in addition to their amazing cocktail menu, and my family was all able to find something they could drink and enjoy regardless of whether or not they were drinking alcohol. I would recommend Kingfisher to anyone in San Diego looking for a upscale and delicious culinary experience where you can try new things. read more

Kingfisher - Bar + Vibes - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Had the wonderful opportunity to eat here as an anniversary celebration for me and my partner. This place did not disappoint! The restaurant is in an incredibly accessible area in San Diego with plenty of parking (which is unheard of). The restaurant itself was really beautiful with nice lighting, and a really gorgeous table and bar set up. The waiter who helped us was very knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming as it was our first time and gave us a run down of the menu, and asked our dietary restrictions off the bat to accommodate our needs. We got to try several dishes including the crudo, eggplant, bass belly, and egg noodles. We also had two delicious (and potent) cocktails. Lastly, had some incredible desserts, highly recommend the bread pudding!!! We got to meet chef Memo who was an absolute delight and exhibits the passion in what he does with the care he takes presenting dishes and speaking about them. The food was perfectly seasoned, with a variety of flavors and textures that really appealed to us. This place is on the pricier side, so be prepared for that. But otherwise, absolutely phenomenal stuff! Thanks to the staff at Kingfisher for making our experience special!!! read more

We got bar service with Maria and she provided a delightful experience for me and my boyfriend (it was his bday too) we are definitely coming back again for full service The drinks were delicious and the golden hour (happy hour) were excellent!! read more

Tasting menu with a group of 6. We had a last minute addition who had shellfish allergy, but the staff and chef were able to substitute all of his meals to accommodate..Thank you! There's street parking, but we Uber'ed for convenience The vibes are vibrant and it's packed inside. Although the window wall was fully opened, it's still very loud inside so you lowkey have to talk aggressively. Tasting menu was ALL great, minus the snake river farm's ribeyes..they appear to be cooked to perfection medium rare, but surprisingly chewy. Highly do not recommend. Cocktails are on the weaker side (yes I want to taste the alcohol). Tai Snapper and squid courses are full of deep flavors and I wish I had more. The dessert was phenomenal as well. But to the chefs: I recommend smaller rice balls as the rice flavor is too strong relative to the coconut foam. If you're on the fence and want a solid date night? I'd come here. read more

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Stellar meal in every aspect. The ambiance of the place is nice. Every dish was so flavorful and did a great job of involving Vietnamese flavors with some experimenting. There were sooooo many amazing cocktails that I tried as well. Overall flavorbomb of a meal and it was definitely one of my favorite meals of 2025 thus far. You must try this place! read more

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Absolutely recommend coming here whether a native San Diegan or visiting. The ambiance is beautiful. A mix of trendy and classic. Service was impeccable. They were attentive but also friendly and had lovely recommendations. The food was some of the best I've had in a while. To start I had the tai snapper crudo which was refreshing with hints of spice. I was struggling to choose between the congee and the seabass but opted for the seabass and it did not disappoint. The buttered rice with toasted shrimp of the side was a lovely way to elevated white rice. The sauce was delicious and the fish was cooked perfectly. Part of the reason I was eyeing the congee was because I love mushrooms and so they were able to give me a side order of the hedgehog mushrooms. I made sure to save room for dessert and got the Warm Bread Pudding. I like bananas but I am not a fan of desserts with overly banana flavor but this ice cream was just the right amount of banana and the bread pudding was luscious. Truly a perfect end to the meal. I hope I get to visit San Diego in the not to distance future and come back! read more

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We loved our Valentine dinner at Kingfisher. We have been wanting to visit it for a while now and the anticipation lived up to the hype. This French-Vietnamese restaurant is sophisticated yet not intimidating at the same time. The attention to details and customer service we have received are incomparable to anywhere else in the area. The decor is also beautiful and made our date night unforgettable. Everything that we got was worth the accolades from the drink to the dishes. My favorites were the tamarind glazed chicken wings, wagyu skirt steak, and the Vietnamese coffee flan. We would go back to try the other interesting entrees and possibly the tasting menu as well. One of the best restaurants we have tried in a long time. read more

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Came here for my bf's birthday on a Friday night. Probably need to make reservations sooner than a week before the date you want, we didn't and only had bar seats as options (for reservations). Had small plates to share-- blue fin crudo, the wings and the mussels and clams-- all were delicious. And we shared the banana fritter for dessert. Loved their mocktails, and my bf enjoyed his cocktails. For his bday we receive a scoop of vanilla ice cream that was very flavorful and creamy. All of the staff was friendly! It's spendy, but yummy and perfect for an intimate dinner. read more

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This restaurant has been on my radar for awhile since I'm Vietnamese and it's a fusion Vietnamese & French restaurant that has been on top lists of places to try for quite awhile over the years. I REALLY wanted to like this restaurant and although our server (Tanya) was nice and provided good service, the food was awful. It was too salty (egg noodle dish) and the $86 duck was a rip off and not flavorful at all. The flan, bread, and fried whole fish were good but overpriced and nothing special. Unfortunately, I dined here w/ parents visiting from out of town and was hoping to give them a delicious dining experience and feel ripped off and falsely marketed to. A $300 dinner after tax & tip for 3 people and not enjoying the food was a waste. The ambiance was cute but nothing special. Usually I don't write bad reviews but I do strongly feel most of the people going good reviews for this restaurant have no idea what good Vietnamese food tastes like. Give your business to Thanh Tinh Chay in City Heights if you're looking for a unique Vietnamese dining experience with a restaurant that makes country wide lists of top Vietnamese restaurants. Their food is amazing, unique (vegan!) 1/4 the price, ambiance is not fancy but clean & charming and service is excellent. read more

Came here for a date night. Parking is street level and was very easy to find. I highly recommend reservations as this place gets booked early. The food was delicious and we loved the fusion twist to the place. The vibes within the restaurant were really nice, but it does get a little loud during dinner hours. Overall, would recommend this restaurant for a nice night out. read more

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If you haven't been to Kingfisher yet, let me be the one to tell you--run, don't walk. This Golden Hill gem blends Vietnamese-French influences with a California sensibility, creating a dining experience that is nothing short of spectacular. From the forward-thinking craft cocktail program to the impeccable service, everything about this place is next level. I chose Kingfisher to celebrate my birthday with my mom and husband, and the way we were treated, you would have thought I was the only person in the restaurant. The service was above and beyond, with a special shoutout to Garrett and his incredible team--they made the night absolutely unforgettable. Now, let's talk about the food--because wow. We basically ordered the entire menu, and not a single dish disappointed. We kicked things off with: Beef tartare (perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth good) Crispy chicken wings (ridiculously flavorful) Diver scallops (expertly seared) House-made egg noodles (silky, rich, perfection) For mains, we didn't hold back: Smoked dry-aged duck (rich, smoky, perfection) Wagyu skirt steak (tender, beautifully marbled) Baja striped seabass (delicate, fresh, perfectly executed) Local spiny lobster (yes, we went there, and yes, it was worth it) Every single bite was a masterpiece. My only advice? Go hungry and be ready to share--because you'll want to try it all. I'll definitely be back to explore their craft cocktail program during happy hour--because if the drinks are even half as impressive as the food, I know I'm in for a treat. Kingfisher is a must-visit, a standout in San Diego's dining scene, and truly a special experience from start to finish. Can't wait to return! You said: Use different words Vietnamese-French influences with a California sensibility forward-thinking craft cocktail program to the impeccable service ChatGPT said: 5-Star Yelp Review for Kingfisher If you haven't been to Kingfisher yet, do yourself a favor and make a reservation immediately. Tucked away in the historic Golden Hill neighborhood, this spot delivers an extraordinary dining experience with its modern take on Vietnamese-French cuisine infused with West Coast flavors. I celebrated my birthday here with my mom and husband, and the way we were treated, you would have thought I was royalty. The hospitality was unmatched, with a special shoutout to Garrett and his phenomenal team--they made every moment feel special. Now, let's talk about the food--because every single dish was a knockout. We practically ordered the entire menu, and I have zero regrets. We started with: Beef tartare (expertly seasoned, velvety texture) Crispy chicken wings (bold flavors, perfectly crispy) Diver scallops (buttery, delicate, seared to perfection) House-made egg noodles (silky, rich, and absolutely addictive) For mains, we indulged in: Smoked dry-aged duck (deep, smoky flavors with a beautiful finish) Wagyu skirt steak (insanely tender and packed with umami) Baja striped seabass (light, fresh, and impeccably prepared) Local spiny lobster (an absolute showstopper) Each bite was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing a perfect balance of flavors and textures. My only advice? Come hungry and bring friends who like to share. I can't wait to come back for happy hour and explore their innovative cocktail menu, which, if it's anything like the food, is bound to impress. Kingfisher is a true gem, delivering an experience that is both elevated and unforgettable. Highly recommend! read more

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Kingfisher had been on my radar for a while. The decor and vibe have a modern Asian fusion look to match its Vietnamese-French cuisine. I heard all about the smoked dry aged duck ($86) so that was definitely the first thing we ordered, along with Wagyu skirt steak, Kanpachi crudo, grilled Japanese eggplant, crispy Chicken Wings, Black Cod, and grilled baby broccoli. The eggplant was a surprise. Not being a huge fan of eggplant, it was tender but not mushy and very well seasoned. Definitely a favorite at our table! The duck, skirt steak and chicken wings were all decent but a bit dry. The rest of the food was okay but not memorable. The crudo was literally nonexistent under a mound of greens. Our party didn't even remember eating any crudo so it didn't leave a lasting impression. There was barely any baby broccoli as it arrived with only 1/2 plate, and the rest was a coconut milk sauce. In the end, we weren't blown away by our meal. We really wanted to love it more. Maybe it was an off night (it happens). Also be warned that there is an automatic 20% charge added for front and back of house to share, but optional tipping of server will be in additional to that. Street parking can be challenging, so give yourself plenty of time for that. read more

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Worth it! I been waiting to go here for awhile now and am glad we finally got to go!! Parking - easy! Ambiance - dark, quiet, intimate Food - delicious Staff - super friendly Make sure you get reservations for this place! We ordered various dishes, such as their eggplant, beef rib, read more

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Finally tried Kingfisher after years of intending to go. My partner and I ordered the beef tartare, wild mushroom congee, and Baja striped seabass. Pros: -Attentive waitstaff who make sure that any dietary restrictions are accommodated - Very vibey space--never a dealbreaker for me, but is always a nice addition to the dining experience - Creative, Asian fusion flavors. My favorite dish of the night was the mushroom congee. I grew up eating congee ( with chicken, fish, preserved egg) but had never thought of amping up the umami with mushrooms Cons: - It is very difficult to find parking in the area. We came after 7 PM on a weekday and circled the block at least 3-4 times. There is a lot adjacent to it, but if you park there, expect to be towed. - Overall, what we ordered was decent, but elements of each dish left more to be desired. For example, some of the herbs that came with the beef tartare were a little wilted. The flavor of the beef tartare was overshadowed by the aromatics. The garlic butter rice was a bit too heavy-handed with the grease. These little things didn't exactly ruin the meal, but kind of took us out of the fantasy. read more

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Wow, what a meal. I love the interior design. The bar is truly the spotlight and looks spectacular. We had a reservation for when they opened at 5 PM and got there just before with a line of people waiting. We were seated at a table so I had a view of the bar which was great. It really is a beautiful bar. We started with the Duck Liver Pate and Crispy Pig Ear Salad. The pate was great and the bread it came with was perfect. I was also surprised to love the pig ear salad. I normally don't care much for pig ear or papaya but everything put together was really good and I kept going back for more. My only one small criticism is maybe a little overdressed since parts of the salad were just drenched in the vinaigrette. We then had the Wild Mushroom Congee. I was really looking forward to this because there had maybe been a few too many drinks the night before. The dish didn't disappoint. Lastly we had the Hokkaido Scallops and Baja Striped Seabass. Both great dishes. I really like the rice that accompanied the seabass. For cocktails, I got the Bamboo Forest and thought it was very refreshing. read more

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3.5/5 Atmosphere reminds me of crazy rich asians. Small tables spread throughout a low lit room. It can get really loud. Service was amazing - great wait staff with great recommendations. Food- probably where this place gets the most downgrades imo. The bread was not worth the price. Or getting at all. There wasn't really anything special about it. I would skip. The dishes themselves were okay- relatively good flavor balance. The scallops were really good. The fish was a bit over cooked. The garlic rice was really good. Nothing incredibly memorable though other than the wagyu beef rib - would get this again for sure !! Although if you don't like fatty pieces then I wouldnt recommend. I do think they do a really nice job on cocktails ! It came out to be a pretty expensive bill for 2 people and for what we got I think there are other places worth that love point. Overall glad we came but not sure I would come back. read more

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Finally had a chance to stop by Kingfisher last night for an amazing dining experience!! I have had this place on my list since they first opened but with all the craziness in life, never got a chance to swing by. My bf saw they had a res on a Friday at 5:30 a couple days before so best believe we scooped it up!! We luckily were able to snag parking when we got there as the streets were pretty busy and after entering we were quickly greeted and seated. I love the vibes of the restaurant and the overall ambiance. It really set the tone for our meal. Maria was our server and she gave us some awesome recommendations for our meal. She was super friendly and helpful! We settled on the House-Made Baguette with French Butter (my bf's new found favorite), the Beef Tartare, the Wagyu Skirt Steak, and of course what we came here for - the Dry Aged Duck!!!! We also got two cocktails the Saigon Moped and the Halcyon. Both were refreshing and well balanced. Ok now onto the food - literally every single thing we ordered was amazing. The bread was a great starter, we kept the butter for the rest of our meal and got to enjoy it with the steak as well! The beef tartare was fantastic, unique flavors that hit perfectly. The Wagyu was very well done and one of my favorites. And finally the duck - wow it was seriously such a unique dish and so well made. It was great being able to pair it with the duck XO sauce and fresh veggies. Overall an absolute 5 star experience here and I look forward to my next trip back!!! read more

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I have been wanting to try Kingfisher for a while and I was happy to see it on the San Diego restaurant week list. We made a reservation, which does require a $20 per person deposit that you will get back once you check in. They do require 12 hour cancellation notice With that deposit as well. They also do include a 20% gratuity on all of their checks. You can add more if you would like and I'm guessing would have to speak to a manager with a complaint in order to add less if you felt your service was not up to par. The food here was very impressive! Everything was filled with amazing taste flavors and textures. My Martini that I started out with was the perfect combination of brine, citrusy,and savoriness We got the crispy pig, ear salad, and the Crudo to start. The sauce and dressing that was on both of these items Was amazing. The salad has lots of crunch and a little bit of spice too and combined with the fried bits that really complimented the salad. The Crudo was fresh and melt in your mouth delicious. I was wishing that there was something to soak up this very citrusy leftover sauce Because it was that good. We both got their cod dish that came with a side of buttery rice. The cod also was cooked to perfection. The rice was so so good and the little crunchy shrimp bits on top were tasty as well. The cod sat on mustard greens Which in my opinion could have been cut up a little prior to serving as they were a bit long and tough and hard to chew. The desserts we tried were a bread pudding that was served warm with a banana flavored ice cream. This was excellent and I like that the bread pudding was not overly sweet either. We also tried a truffle ice cream, which was a fun, dessert and mixing of truffle flavor and a sweet vanilla ice cream. The only reason for the four and not the five star review was the service. Our waiter did not come check on us at all while we were eating. He did come by after all of the food was gone and asked if everything was OK, but to me a check back on your entrée is a bare minimum of service. They do have food runners and are able to execute the service fairly efficiently, which kind of made up for the lack of attention from our waiter. We will definitely be going back and trying more items from their menu! read more

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Everything went well, we went here to celebrate my 60th birthday and visit from my oldest daughter, son in law and my grandson, also my youngest drove from UC Irvine to celebrate and my loving wife. I was surprise to see that the menu they gave for us have a happy birthday on top. They are really awesome on their customer service and then the food!! We ordered the baguette with sea salt butter and they were great ( I just wish we ordered 2), then the beef tartar, the roasted Japanese eggplant because I like eggplant, then the crispy pig ear salad ( I can eat the whole bowl), the fried whole fish was excellent, and the dry age duck (so good) and noodles was really good. And for dessert we ordered all the dessert in the menu which was devoured really quick and they gave me a roasted rice pandan ice cream for my birthday dessert which is the best ice cream, wish I can buy this ice by the gallon. The place was really lively and quiet and they have people helping our server keeping the table clean since we really pig out that night. I will be back here to try other food the menu and try the other drink that I did not able to try read more