Cancel

Open app

Search

Tom Ham's Lighthouse

4.0 (3.1k reviews)
Closed • 9:30 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tom Ham's Lighthouse Photos

Business Info

TOM HAM'S LIGHTHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Romantic
Happy hour specials
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Paella
Eliseo R.

My girlfriend and I were excited to celebrate her birthday here at Tom Ham's Lighthouse!!! We were super lucky to walk in and get seated right away. The restaurant is out on the end of the harbor, with a beautiful view of the sea. You have to get up stairs on the top floor for the restaurant, with an elevator also on the side. We were served by Christina, although it took quite a long time to be approached and order. She was sweet though and we picked out what we wanted. I got the calamari for our shared appetizer, then I ordered the paella and my girlfriend got the salmon. The calamari was crunchy and delicious, and was seasoned very well!!! The sauce on the side was like sweet soy sauce. This dish came out very quick!!! Like less than a couple minutes after ordering!!! We however waited for a pretty long time for our entrees. I figured it was because of the busy day. Downstairs there was a private engagement reception room going on!!! Luckily the ambiance and setting of this place kept us relaxed and calm, and the weather was beautiful!!! We were both pleased with the food when it finally came and were so hungry that we ate the plates clean. After we finished eating, Christina was sweet and sang happy birthday to my girlfriend, lighting a candle on the brownie dessert plate we chose. It was very soft and warm, deliciously created with the caramel and chocolate drizzles!!! Overall a fantastic end to our night, so we were very grateful. As we were leaving, many people were coming in and I'm sure it was because they were trying to get the sunset views. Such a nice classy place to go out and eat at!!! Perfect for a seafood craving as well.

Chicken Lollipops
Nadine B.

We came for happy hour and got a table outside. We had 4 people. Later 2 more people joined us, so we got a second table next to it. ( They don't allow more than 4 people per table outside) They have a great happy hour that includes $2 off Small Bites and $3 off Appetizers. The Chicken Lollipops and the Steak Bites were delicious! You can also get oysters on happy hour. Our server was very accommodating and we really appreciated him - I believe his name was Gilbert. I'm going to check with the others that were there to verify his name. And the view can't be beat! It just can't be beat!

Soup of the Day: Lobster Bisque
Alyssa D.

Short on Time, too Long to read Review: Great service, amazing reviews, creamy pasta and flavorful soup. Steak and potatoes okay. Long review: Firstly, the views were amazing. Especially at 530pm. Suns slightly going down and your finishing dinner by the time it's dark outside. Our waitress was great. Constantly checking on us and ensuring we were doing okay. Soup of the day was lobster bisque and it was so creamy, had the hint of lobster taste and just enough to truly be set as an appetizer. The linguine noodles were clumped together, which is my only negative review. Typically I enjoy not having large clumps together. Clams were cooked well and the sauce was great, you could taste the hint of white wine without being over dominating. The portion was great enough to have left overs. The NY Steak was okay. We asked for Medium Rare and it came out more on the medium side. The potatoes were a nice texture. I would say for the price the steak may not be worth it. Overall a great experience while in SD.

Sunday Brunch
John R.

Discovered Tom Ham's Lighthouse while in San Diego! One word...youmustgoforbrunch! I started at the bar with the Mai Tai.. holy cow... This is not for the thing at heart! Enjoyed the brunch featuring seafood lobster claws crab pasta omelet station and everything in between.... Finished off with dessert selections and a nap. Service was excellent....and the view by the bay is as good as it gets in San Diego. Treat yourself and visit Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Thorn Street Hazy IPA 7%ABV - Thorn Brewing , San Diego, CA ($9/16oz)
John D.

Love at First Light Stunning family-owned restaurant situated along the San Diego shores that's been in operation for over fifty years (ca. 1971) and even features a working US Coast Guard maintained beacon. The Good: *Renovated back in 2014, the interior of the restaurant is almost as stunning as the surroundings and views from the dining room. *Heated outdoor dining area (see "The Meh" below) *Local beers on-tap, as well as a full bar. *Reservations via OpenTable *The downstairs are rentable event spaces *Service from "Desiree L" was fantastic. *The Chicken Lollipops weren't quite what we were expecting, but holy-fucking-shit were they delicious! We were all fighting over the last ones. *We love a good Beet Salad and theirs was very good. My only complaint was I wish they'd use a blue or feta cheese instead of the burrata, but I'm probably in the minority on that. *Overall, the paella was good but I didn't get any soccarat (crispy rice from the bottom of the pan) w/ it. The Meh: *Service dogs only on the patio The Ugly: *The fact that they're not within a reasonable driving range from our place. :( Conclusion: Honestly, this place has everything we want in a restaurant: gorgeous interior, spectacular views, stellar service, good beer, and delicious food. Is *ALL* that really too much to ask?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Angelica C.

Honestly, you're coming here for the view -- and that part absolutely delivers. The waterfront setting is beautiful and feels special, especially around sunset. That's 100% the highlight. The food was pretty good, but not mind-blowing. Everything tasted fresh and decent. Service was friendly and attentive though, which I appreciated.

Easter brunch
Melanie M.

My family and I made reservations for the Easter buffet brunch in advance. It was $95 per person plus some surcharges, taxes & other fees. Only coffee, water, juice included. Made to order omelet & pasta station. I thought my omelet needed to be cooked longer. Plenty of different options for all. Some of the food needed more seasoning. I wish the egg for the eggs benedict was runny. Overall it was good but probably not worth the price.

Another beautiful view picture.
Ghina P.

Tom Ham's is a beautiful restaurant with beautiful views. I came for restaurant week and not only that menu was extensive but the regular menu too. The oyster menu is great. I had the RW 3 course menu (lobster brisque, short ribs, and NY cheesecake) and everything was great. My server, Abby was really friendly and attentive. Overall I give this restaurant a 10 out of 10 and I will for sure be back.

Blackened salmon BLT. Very delish and the best French fries in San Diego
Patty C.

I'm so glad Tom Ham's Lighthouse on Harbor Drive is featured in San Diego Restaurant Week because the venue, service, and food were all outstanding. As soon as we sat down, Jamie came over with a big smile and introduced himself. I mentioned we were very hungry and needed to eat right away, and he made sure we didn't wait long at all. Our shrimp ceviche arrived almost immediately, followed by the blackened salmon BLT with a generous portion of perfectly crunchy French fries. The portions were huge. Even dessert impressed us. The New York cheesecake wasn't a thin slice, but a substantial square cube. While the food was excellent, the venue truly steals the show. The restaurant overlooks the harbor with beautiful views all the way to Coronado. Great food, attentive service, and a stunning setting. This is a place we'll definitely be returning to soon.

View from the bar
Joanna B.

What a delightful little place -- metaphorically little not literally. My aunt and I stumbled upon it late afternoon after lunch hours but before dinner. They said there was an appetizer menu. We expected small bites with mid prices. The salads were tasty and huge! Auntie had lobster bisque and I had the tenderloin in addition to our salads. Rather we tried! Tasty and abundant for the price. Fantastic views and free parking. Say yes!!!

Full moon rising over San Diego Harbor, with accent lighting on the deck.
Jerry R.

My wife and I went to a really fun event here at Tom Hamm's Lighthouse last night. It was called Brews, Views & Barbecue. They featured beers on tap from Kairoa Brewing Company, paired with absolute genius food pairings put together by Tom Hams Lighthouses Master Chef. When I say "Master Chef" I mean it! We started out with the grilled oysters, cowboy butter, quail egg, and bacon, grilled to perfection. These oysters were huge, like a big bowl full of oyster goodness! The quail egg was over easy and the oyster combined with the yolk of the egg, bacon, and cowboy butter were just genius! It was paired with Lion Heart Helles Lager, great lager, probably one of the best I have ever had. Then on to the smoked tuna fish dip. Green onions, buttery sourdough, and wasabi caviar. The smoked tuna with all of the added ingredients reminded me of foie gra, and it tasted amazing! Paired with Back Paddock, New Zealand Style Pilsner, it was good, very clean and refreshing, and ice cold. On to the TEXAS TWINKIES! Bacon wrapped jalapeño, stuffed with smoked brisket and cream cheese, with steakhouse aioli, this was my second favorite of the night. It was paired with Low Key, Session Hazy IPA. The Low Key was very hoppy, and I love a really hoppy IPA. Next, was the brisket bahn mi. Smoked brisket, cucumber, radish, and sriracha aioli, textbook bahn mi sandwich, and the smoked brisket really stood out on a proper bread. It was paired with Ripped Pants Revenge, a West Coast IPA. The Ripped Pants stood on its own, a very nice beer. Warm Cajon Lobster Roll was next on the pairing menu, Maine lobster meat, Cajun plugra cream sauce, Andouille sausage, on a PERFECT bun! This one was my favorite of the night. The lobster roll had everything you would expect on it but the mix was done so perfectly that you could taste every ingredient perfectly. My mouth is watering writing that sentence! It was paired with Sparkle Boiz Australian Sparking Ale. This Ale was so cold, clean, and delicious, it paired perfectly with the lobster roll without overpowering the pairing. This combo was absolute chef magic! Last on the menu was Peach Glazed Pork Belly, over Fontina polenta, and topped with an arugula pesto sauce. The three ingredients blended together for a sweet, tangy, savory blend of flavor with a little spice in the background. It was paired with White Peach Crush fruited hazy IPA. The IPA was good, and it complemented the dish perfectly. We ate until we almost couldn't move, all while listening to a really good DJ and his really great mix of tunes. The view of the bay was spectacular but the food, the beers, and the service were so awesome that we really enjoyed it most of all. Tom Ham's Lighthouse is celebrating 55 years of serving San Diegans with a full year of special events, monthly featured dinner dishes, and limited time experiences that honor their history and the community that's been a part of Tom Ham's since 1971. Give this place a visit, go to the events and be amazed at the staff, the food, and the best view in San Diego. I really want to give a shout out to the Master Chef for the pairings he put together. Sometimes you get to eat at a place where the chef just knows what things taste good together and the presentations were some of the best things I have ever eaten. Then he goes around mingling with the guests, answering questions, and representing his kitchen and staff. You can't beat that kind of culinary experience, especially for $77 per person, all you can eat and drink!

Danielle M.

Love coming to this spot! The drinks are always delicious. The view is to die for- sunny, cloudy or rainy it's always going to be stunning! We had some out of town friends come visit and this was a must go to place to show off San Diego! Bar seating service was a little slow but that's okay, we were inside and most guests were outside.

Crab legs lobster claws
Rosemarie M.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I was taken to this restaurant by surprise....and wow! I was surprised! Loved the lobster claws! They were fresh and fantastic! Tried the desserts, the crème brûlée was outstanding! Had to go back for seconds. Had the prime rib which was not bad, I prefer a medium rare. Service was outstanding and the seating outside with the bay view was fantastic. Brunch of a lifetime!

View from the patio seating.

See all

11 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Alex S.
116
541
1484

8 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

14 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

21 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 30
Thanks 11
Love this 30
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bunny G.
1071
1412
4936

14 days ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Pete T.
146
939
1784

6 months ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 1
Love this 9
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 5
Love this 9
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

24 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

25 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Ed B.
302
150
374

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 1
Photo of David P.
1095
882
3298

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 3

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Tracy M.
459
444
10740

1 year ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 2

6 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of D L.
378
448
559

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Noah M.
154
323
3377

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 79

Tom Ham's Lighthouse Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Do they still have brunch on Sunday?

Yes they do, Sundays starting at 9:30a

What are the days that you serve buffet?

I believe it's only during Sunday Brunch being early morning until later in the afternoon.

Is there a vegan plate option? Our group traveling and dining there. Thank you for the response?

Their vegan menu is very limited as my husband only remembers seeing only two options: salad and a stuffed pepper dish. My husband is a vegetarian so he looked for vegetarian dishes when we were visiting and dining here. He ended up ordering the… Read more

Do you need a reservation for the Sunday Brunch?

Yes you do, my apologiers for the late response

Thanksgiving Dinner served?

According to their website, yes: https://www.tomhamslighthouse.com/thanksgiving-day-buffet-2023/

Do yu have an elevator?

Yes, they have an elevator from the bottom level to the top.

Will there be a special Valentine's menu?

That's a good question, you would think they would. I would give them a call to see

Is the brunch buffet style?

Yes, it is a buffet brunch. You grab the food yourself except for drinks.

How is the parking?

Good morning Derrick, We didn't have any problems. There are plenty of parking spaces available.

Is their lobster and crab legs served during sunday brunch?

When I went in June or July 2022, they had snow crab legs, stone crab legs, and lobster claws at their Sunday brunch buffet

Does brunch include bottomless mimosas?

Due to covid and some issues they encountered they no longer offer bottomless mimosas, although you can purchase a bottle of champagne for $20 dollars and the juices are part… Read more

Do you guys take reservations for Sunday brunch?

They do. However, I recommend you call them to confirm abs then double check if they paid attention to any special requests. Tom Hams portrays themselves as a high end business but it is a bit of a bar fly and flip flop establishment that rests on… Read more

For brunch is it serve-yourself or via servers or à la carte in light of COVID safety restrictions?

Serve your self.

Is there a different phone number, I've called several times throughout the day and it's busy?

Is there a dress code and are they strict about it?

No, and no. There isn't a dress code, but most individuals dressed business casual or in jeans and a nice shirt. There was no one enforcing a dress code and there is no sign indicating how to dress

Are they kid friendly? Is it ok to bring my newborn and sit outside?

Yes they are kid friendly.

Is the outdoor seating dog friendly?

No it's not dog friendly.

Do they still have the all you can eat on sundays?

It's back. Starting 6/20/2021.

I'm looking to have an event there, but the coordinator does not respond in a timely manner; about a week to reply. I've emailed and left a voicemail. Anyone have a better experience connecting with her?

I don't know if they are doing events right now

Is the AYCE Sunday brunch available again yet?

Yes it is

View All 45 Questions

Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill - Ocean Beach - Bowl of clam chowder with the view!

Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill - Ocean Beach

4.3(734 reviews)
2.8 mi•Ocean Beach, Point Loma
•$$

Good fresh sashimi. Pleasant service. A bit rustic (read wooden benches) on the patio--where you…read morewant to be, really, as you are at the waterfront. Pricey ($38 for 1pp sashimi plate, side of seaweed, soft drink, and tip), but worth it if you're ok with the wooden benches.

Best place for fresh grilled seafood!!! We came here today for lunch. Line was not as long which…read moreI'm happy as I read that this place always has a long line. Place is packed though. Sitting is both inside and outside. We ordered several tacos, grilled sword fish, halibut, (2) yellow tail and shrimp. We also ordered a halibut sandwich. We sat in the patio outside. Beautiful outdoor sitting. We waited about 10-15min for our food. Wow their tacos were big!!!. The size of the fish were huge and they packed the shrimp on the taco as well. The fish and shrimp were grilled to perfection. It was moist and tender. The cabbage, red onion, tomato and sauce gave it a nice crunch in every bite. Adding a hot sauce elevated the flavors and it was hard to stop eating. The fish sandwich was also huge and grilled perfectly. My hubby could not stop raving how delicious it is. This meal was worth the wait! It is one of the best, freshest seafood I have had in awhile. It was just yummy and my favorite word, "amazingly delicious". As always we were stuffed!!! Will be back!!!

Photos
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill - Ocean Beach - Mimosa flight

Mimosa flight

Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill - Ocean Beach - Calamari

Calamari

Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill - Ocean Beach - Refreshing Mocktail

See all

Refreshing Mocktail

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Liberty Station - Poke plate $22

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Liberty Station

4.1(347 reviews)
0.8 mi•Liberty Station, Point Loma
•$$

So Ono! I recently…read moremoved to mainland from Hawaii. I've tried a handful of poke shops & I can attest that this one is hands down the best poke I've had since! You can taste how fresh the fish is.. definitely found my new favorite spot.

I usually only go to the Mira Mesa location and have always had high quality poke. Since we were in…read morethe area, we decided to grab food from the Liberty Station location this time. Parking is fairly easy as there's a large lot across the street from the restaurant. We arrived right when they opened and were the first in line! The Mira Mesa location always has such a long line so I was a little surprised to put in our orders so fast. Maybe not as many people know about this location. When we walked in, I immediately noticed an unusual smell inside. Nothing like seafood that's been sitting out for too long but more like weird cleaning chemical smells. At least all of the seating is outdoors (some shaded) so you don't have to endure those smells. I ordered the Spicy Salmon and Pearl Harbor. The salmon was solid and I thought the fish quality was good. The sauce is similar to a spicy mayo and I didn't think it had much of a kick. The Pearl Harbor is tuna with a sweet, thick sauce (hoisin maybe?). I've had this flavor before at the other location but for some reason, it tasted off here. Also, the tuna didn't have that bounce of a fresh fish. Overall, salmon was good but maybe they were having an off day for the tuna. Hopefully it's not a recurring issue because I really want them to succeed. They're my favorite poke place in San Diego!

Photos
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Liberty Station
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Liberty Station - Poke nachos

Poke nachos

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Liberty Station - California salmon // pearl harbor ahi tuna // kilauea ahi

See all

California salmon // pearl harbor ahi tuna // kilauea ahi

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...