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    Lala

    4.2 (177 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Lala Photos

    LALA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Lala

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    In Italy, putting a meatball on spaghetti is the equivalent of putting pineapple on pizza...offensive. Very delicious.
    Felipe P.

    What a hidden gem. The wait staff was tops. Great music. Truly great vibes. The food is the best American Italian food I've had in San Diego to date.

    inside
    Sammy B.

    Loved the food and ambiance at Lala! Between stilettos on the wall and heart shaped napkins, this restaurant is perfect for a girls night out. We made a reservation in advance, and we got sat as soon as we arrived which was nice. Our food was delicious and the portions were generous. Our table tried the spicy caesar salad and arancini for appetizers, and I would say definitely to get the arancini - I could have passed on the spicy caesar. For mains we order the gnocchi, pinwheel lasagna, and rigatoni - we loved all three! Unfortunately, the only reason I couldn't give our experience a 5/5 stars was a our service. Our waiter seemed distracted by some folks he knew at the bar. We had to ask for things like water or more napkins multiple times before we received them. We also were never offered a dessert menu and just handed the check. Although we didn't love our waiter, our busser (I am so sorry I don't remember his name, but he had a fun accent!) was amazing. He went out of his way for us and checked in multiple times. We made sure to thank him extra on our way out. I will want to come back and try a dessert!

    Espresso Martini, Pink Ferrari
    Angeline A.

    Came here for my 22nd birthday dinner and loved it! The service was a bit slow; it was a busy night and a small space, so it was understandable. Despite it taking a while, our server was very attentive and sweet! When making my reservation, I asked for a birthday freebie, and I got a cute dessert! Bone marrow Trofie ($23.95)- Super creamy, and I loved the trofie pasta. It was my first time trying it. However, there wasn't much marrow in the bone. Flavors all went very well together,r though. Pink Ferrari ($17)- Such a cute and girly drink to get! A bit of a heavy pour Busa Espresso martini ($17)- Amazing espresso martini, and it uses oatmilk! It was my first time trying one, and I loved it a lot. The alcohol taste wasn't too strong. The space was small, but the decorations were gorgeous and definitely made up for the smaller area.

    Avery M.

    Such a cute girls night place. The bathroom, the table setting, the yummy cocktails/mocktails, the vibe was immaculate! Great place to celebrate a bachelorette (they gave us dessert with a sparkler). Pasta was yummy enough and well presented/ surprisingly big serving size but nothing spectacular

    Gnocchi
    Susan M.

    Incredible service, vibes, and food! This place is tucked away and a hidden gem. San Diego must try! Make sure to try the espresso martini too!

    Heart napkin
    April P.

    I was so excited to try this place but sadly we were all underwhelmed. The ambiance of the restaurant was so cute and funky with lots of pink and fun accents. But the service was mediocre, or server was friendly but he rarely came by to check on us, never asked if we wanted more drinks or dessert. He was just immediately ready to take our order. The food came out incredibly quick, which not complaining about that but it was just warm and very bland. We tried the gnocchi, rigatoni w/ burrata, and pesto pasta. All of it was very bland and underwhelming. And they never even offered Parmesan or chili flakes to top it off. All in all, it was a cool experience but with all the other trendy Italian spots popping everywhere, i will definitely not be returning

    Sign
    Lala J.

    Such a cute bar! Found it by accident and loved that it's my name. So it was a must. Only had one drink here cause we tried several other bars in little Italy . Service was okay .. bartender was busy so nothing extra

    Bone marrow pasta dish
    Jessica R.

    First time at Lala and it was overall a good dining experience. The prosciutto app was amazing and the bone marrow pasta dish was recommended and did not disappoint! I will say the restaurant is on a smaller scale and you are sitting close to other parties but it didn't bother us. Our waiter was kind and always made sure we were okay. I'd say I would go back!

    New York steak, with cavatelli bone marrow in the back
    Joyce L.

    Ambiance: A+. Service: A+. Food: solid B. Our server Jesus was amazing, really made the experience. Friendly, fun, and a great server who legit seemed to enjoy what he does and good at conversing with customers. (Most of the) drinks were good. We ordered multiple rounds of their espresso martini. I particularly liked the Lala martini, which had a nice spicy kick to it. One of their mezcal drinks was dry and tart, that it was hard to drink... we didn't finish it. Food was average. Good, but nothing stunning. Pasta portions felt small -- our group of 4ppl ordered 3 appe's, 2 pastas, and 1 main. Most of their dishes were fatty and cheesy, which adds taste but no depth of flavor. For example, the chargrilled oysters were primarily cheese... I didn't taste the oyster at all. Food was pretty forgettable. Overall, a solid experience and if anyone asks, I'll say Lala is decent. But nothing I'm itching to come back for...

    Audrey L.

    Had come here for my mom's birthday recently and could not have had a better time! She has been driving by Lala for months and decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday there. We had a reservation and were seated right away. Our server was so nice and made great recommendations. We started with the half pound meatball, lobster bisque and the spicy caesar salad. They were both incredible and very shareable. For our main, we decided to share the shrimp entree that came with mashed potatoes in a lemon sauce and asparagus. Everything was delicious, and the martinis were so good. I completely forgot in the reservation I added that we were celebrating a birthday until our server brought out a little birthday dessert. The dessert was a citrus cheesecake and so incredible!

    Short Rib Arancini
    Natalie M.

    We came to Lala for our 2-year anniversary dinner, and the food was honestly incredible. We ordered the short rib arancini, the 1/2 lb meatball with spaghetti, the gnocchi, the lobster bisque, a cab, and the stiletto martini and every single thing was sooo good. You can tell they put real care into their dishes. The flavors were rich, balanced, and comforting without being heavy. The drinks were on point too. Our server had amazing energy -- super warm, attentive, and really added to the experience. You could tell they genuinely enjoyed what they do, and it made the night feel extra special. The reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the space itself. The restaurant is very small and gets packed fast. We went on a rainy night, and toward the end of our meal, water actually started leaking through the ceiling onto us. It wasn't enough to ruin the experience, but it was definitely noticeable. Still, the food and service were fantastic, and I'd absolutely come back -- just maybe on a dry day.

    The Stiletto
    Talk Of S.

    Came here for my wife's birthday and overall the food and ambiance were excellent. We ordered a wide range of dishes (steak, pastas, desserts), and everything came out well executed. The atmosphere is lively and definitely fits the Little Italy scene. The issue was with the birthday experience. I noted it in my OpenTable reservation and also confirmed it with the hostess when we arrived. She mentioned they do a dessert presentation with a candle and sparklers and said she would notify our server. During dinner, we even saw another table receive that exact presentation. When our dessert came out, it was only a candle. We still sang and enjoyed the moment, but it didn't match what had been described or what we saw delivered to another table. When I asked the server afterward, there wasn't a clear explanation. Also worth noting: there is a 20% service charge added, but it's not clearly explained whether this replaces gratuity or is in addition to it, which creates some confusion. Overall, a strong restaurant in terms of food and atmosphere, but consistency and communication, especially for special occasions, need improvement. Also had difficulty reaching the restaurant, as only one of the listed phone numbers was working.

    Meatballs and marinara appetizer
    Kathryn S.

    Love the old 1930s style vibe it feels like you're inside a railroad car but on a much more elevated level. The bartender was super friendly and helpful with menu recommendations. They had a bartender's cocktail on sale for happy hour which the bartender explained that particular day was made from Aperol, bourbon, and a few other ingredients, I wasn't sure because I'm not a fan of bourbon however, this cocktail was delightful not too tart not too sweet with undertones of the Aperol, It was perfect.! We had an appetizer tower with eggplant and olives and peppers and cheese and they were so good.! and we also had the appetizer of meatballs and sauce with crusty bread so amazing we recommended it all. Love the entire list of specialty craft cocktails we will definitely be back to try them. We had a great experience and we would definitely come back.!

    Bone marrow

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Lala

    Is it 21+ to enter?

    No, all ages are welcome

    Is there happy hour?

    Yes until 6:30

    How do I make a reservation?

    Call or go on OpenTable to rsvp

    View All 4 Questions

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    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.3 miLittle Italy
    $$

    I love it here; this is one of my go to spots to bring people when they are in town for…read morework/visiting etc. Be warned, you can have a very long wait here if you just pop in, especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. Make a reservation if you know this is your destination. They have some spot on Tiki decor and the staff here is really friendly, happy to share their favorite drinks, or make suggestions based on your likes. If fruity drinks are not your jam... what are you doing in a Tiki Bar!! No really, they have great options for on the rocks or straight as well as ordering your favorite cocktail or beer. They have a ton of options, all sorts of alcohol bases depending on what your vice is, they also have non-alcoholic drinks for those so inclined. Hard to pass on a Mai Tai or a Zombie to start your evening off. lately I have been enjoying the Eastern Sour which is their take on a whiskey sour. It's always fun when someone orders a bowl and the room shakes and the lights flash with thunder and lightning adding a bit of excitement for first timers. Just to recap: Don't get mad if you have to wait and did not make a reservation. While they have lots of options, most drinks and all specialties are Tiki Drinks. Tiki drinks can be strong, mind yourself. If a place like this is not your vibe, that is fine, head back into Craft & Commerce, make room for others who are waiting to get in, just have fun!

    We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.

    Photos
    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

    Rum barrel

    False Idol - Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection

    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    1.1 miEast Village
    $$

    My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

    This is an easy one and Consortium Holdings does it again...a MUST go. You know the rules...one…read moreshort review, let's go: Drinks: no menu. Love it. True bartender skills. Love it. Drinks. Love them! Whole crew did. Well done Ambiance: top tier. As with anything CH. so fun Service: amazing. Knowledgeable. Attentive. And so nice. Go go go to NE

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Ceiling and chandelier

    Ceiling and chandelier

    Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

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    Bartenders creations.

    Convoy Music Bar - Lychee Martini

    Convoy Music Bar

    4.5(427 reviews)
    7.0 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    I've been coming to Music Bar since they first opened, and somehow never got around to writing a…read morereview. This one is long overdue--not that they need my review, because by now everyone already knows how amazing this place is. What keeps me coming back is the combination of great music, an energetic vibe, outstanding service, and some of the most creative cocktails you'll find anywhere. Tonight was girls' night out, so we decided to order the prettier, and sweeter cocktails. But don't let the sweet flavors fool you--they are definitely generous with the alcohol. These drinks may taste dangerously easy to sip, but they pack a punch! I don't even remember the names of the cocktails we ordered, but honestly, that doesn't matter because the menu changes so often. And that's one of the things I love most about Music Bar. Every visit brings something new, fresh, and exciting to try. Both of my drinks were absolutely delicious, with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. I honestly don't know how the bartenders come up with these combinations, but kudos to the team for constantly pushing their creativity while still making every cocktail incredibly well balanced. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, Music Bar never disappoints. I'll definitely keep coming back to see what new creations they come up with next. Cheers to one of my favorite cocktail spots in San Diego!

    Convoy Music Bar was my first HiFi experience and it did not disappoint! CMB is an intimate…read morelistening bar situated in an alleyway with a dark and moody ambiance. Speakers and vinyls line the walls. Vibes are more elevated here than at your usual bar. I ordered the Nickel Fortune, which came out with a fun tarot card. It was a savory drink with a nice lingering of sesame oil after each sip. Seating is pretty limited inside, so reservations are recommended. CMB's website states that "cocktail attire is celebrated."

    Photos
    Convoy Music Bar - Corner table view:  large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Corner table view: large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

    Prohibition

    4.0(1k reviews)
    1.1 miGaslamp
    $$

    So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

    I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    Prohibition - Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

    Starlite - Starlite Burger

    Starlite

    4.1(2.7k reviews)
    0.9 miMiddletown, Mission Hills
    $$$

    I had a reservation for Thursday and it was packed but took less than 5 minutes to get seated. They…read moredo check your ID at the entrance it's 21+ only. Parking is a nightmare good luck finding parking within a mile of the restaurant. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, service Cons: food wasn't great for the price, restaurant was small and crowded, no parking Service: All of our servers were friendly and very accommodating. Gave us some knowledge on the menu and recommended cocktails based on our preference. I had spilled my drink and they were quick to make me another one. Food: I had intended to get the prime ribeye cap steak but they ran out for the night around 8pm. I shared the steak sampler which came with four different cuts of steak and 4 sauces. I ordered medium and it was cooked medium/medium rare which was fine with me, it also had a good sear, almost burnt though. Out of the four steaks, we only liked two based off flavor and tenderness. The other two were more tough and gamey. None of the sauces really stood out but the bordelaise and horseradish were good. For our sides we got fries, roasted broccoli, and the grilled wedge salad. Fries were average. The roasted broccoli had really good flavor, I expected the broccoli to be al dente but it was cooked to mush and drenched in sauce. The grilled wedge salad was decent, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. I know it says grilled wedge but the experience of biting into the salad and it being both hot and cold was not pleasant. Cocktails: I tried the Honey Ryder and New Wave. These were recommended as the more fruity/sweet cocktails. You can definitely taste the alcohol but it's only 2oz so it's not too strong. Ambience: 10/10 I got seated downstairs by the bar. Only thing about downstairs is that it's too dark to take photos unless you use flash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews saying to go just for drinks and appetizers. I would go again just to sit upstairs and get drinks and take pictures. We left unsatisfied and ended up getting in-n-out after.

    Such a cool and unique restaurant! The design was probably the first thing that impressed me. There…read moreare several different areas, and each one has its own atmosphere and details. The cave-like spaces, beautiful bar, lighting, plants, and stone throughout the restaurant make it feel completely different from a typical San Diego restaurant. The food was also really good. Everything we ordered was delicious and nicely presented, and the service was great throughout the evening. Overall, I really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Definitely a 5-star experience for me.

    Photos
    Starlite - Bar area after entering

    Bar area after entering

    Starlite - Pistachio ice cream sandwich

    Pistachio ice cream sandwich

    Starlite - Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!

    Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

    Polite Provisions

    4.3(2k reviews)
    3.4 miUniversity Heights, North Park
    $$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

    Want. Make. Disco.

    Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

    Real oil lamps!

    Polite Provisions - Art deco

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    Art deco

    Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

    Kiku Room

    3.5(42 reviews)
    0.6 miMiddletown

    One of the coolest new spots in San Diego in my opinion. This is the original location of the…read moreCasbah, it then languished for years as the Kava Lounge, a strange spot for wooks, and finally it became Kiku Room. Kiku Room has a chic minimalist interior, with polish concrete, metal, and glass as the primary backdrop. The DJ booth is large and separates the front sitting area from a lounge in the back that is draped in deep red lighting. The bartenders are cool and welcoming, the DJs who come through are usually really good, and the lounge is quite comfortable as well. Pretty good price on drinks overall, too. You can get a glass of draft Asahi here for $7, for instance, which is pretty good for a place that's in this DTSD-adjacent area.

    I rarely leave negative reviews, but after repeated experiences with the same person working the…read moredoor, I've reached the point where I think management needs to know what guests are experiencing. His behavior isn't simply "strict door policy." In my experiences, he has been consistently condescending, passive-aggressive, dismissive and unnecessarily disrespectful. I've also personally witnessed interactions with other guests that left me with the same impression. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enforcing capacity limits, checking IDs, managing a line or telling someone they can't come in. That's the job. What isn't necessary is making people feel small while doing it. And that's what makes this particularly frustrating: I actually like this bar. I know how much thought has gone into creating the experience, and it's bizarre to watch all of that hospitality disappear at the literal front door. At some point, when multiple interactions with the same employee leave the same impression, it stops feeling like an isolated bad night. Nobody should have to earn the privilege of being treated with basic courtesy by the person standing at the door. Management should seriously consider whether this is how they want their establishment represented, because right now, the person responsible for the first impression is repeatedly creating the worst one. They are aware of this. Do something.

    Photos
    Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

    Pay to get in bar.

    Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

    Entrance to the back room

    Kiku Room

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    Lala - bars - Updated August 2026

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