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! read more

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One of my favorites. Their food is always delicious. The views are amazing and perfect for a sunny day or romantic evening. I've been here with my husband as well as with friends! Highly recommend as their service is always very professional and prompt. read more

On special occasions I come here, for the sunday brunch buffet, great food, and excellent service. Service was amazing too my server Juan was on top of it with the coffee refills, and very attentive. A place that I will return to many times for food, service and views. read more

Came here for their Mother's Day brunch buffet and it was very crowded. Must make reservations beforehand on Open Table or else you risk waiting for 1+ hours on this occasion. Sure, it's pricey ($90/pp) so you better come prepared to eat your money's worth. In the Sunday brunch buffet, they have unlimited Maine lobster claws, raw oysters, raw scallops, crabs legs, shrimp; that's where your money's at. Other items worthwhile to eat are seafood omelet, eggs benedict, braised short ribs, made to order pasta station, etc. The drinks included are apple juice, pineapple, and orange juice. They used to include champagne, but you have to pay an extra fee for it now. Parking was a nightmare because they have a limited lot space and so people were creating makeshift parking spots, thus blocking other cars. read more

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We came here for Sunday brunch on our wedding anniversary and they did not disappoint! For $78 per person and they include crab crab, lobster, oyster, scallops, etc. you cannot go wrong. Yes they add a 5% surcharge to every bill, but come on , seafood buffet for under $80?!! You can't beat it! Also, the views are spectacular and my wife was very happy that we came here. Eddie provided exceptional service and all the staff were very nice and welcoming . What are you waiting for people? Bring your stretchy pants and come and indulge here. read more

Love this place! While having a mini vacay on Harbor Island, we went two days in a row b/c we liked it so much! For one thing, it's a great view of North Island, watching boats and ships. The food and service was excellent. We ordered the avocado/turkey sandwich both times. Perfection! Bread was toasted sourdough, and not too greasy. Loaded w/ yummy avocado, turkey and bacon. We didn't want fries as a side, and asked Angel, our server for other options. He suggested lobster bisque--it was delicious. Angel recognized us right away from the day before; he's a great waiter. All of the staff was friendly and efficient. Next time we visit S.D., we will check it out for the dinner menu! Totally recommend this restaurant. read more

We celebrated our 4th of July here last night. The food we ordered were delicious and freshly made. Our server, Desiree, was very nice, friendly, and attentive. The price was reasonable and most of all the ambiance was very pleasant and welcoming. We have the best sitting table for 10 people to experience the view to watch the Big Bay Boom Independence Day fireworks displays all over San Diego Bay. It was awesome to see different angles along the bay from north,south,east, west you can see the glaring, shining, and beautiful fireworks synchronized by music that gave me goosebumps. While watching the fireworks, i was thinking of " I wished and hoped America will stand strong,free, peaceful, and prosperous, despite of all what is going on around us." What an amazing night to remember. I recommend this restaurant 100% read more

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We always go to Tom hams on the weekends. The place is great. You can see a view of the California coastline. They have wonderful food. It's a great place to eat and watch the beautiful sailboats go by read more

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Friend and I had a lovely time catching up for her birthday. We had an amazing view and were treated so well by all the staff. We loved every last bite of our salads and birthday dessert was delicious. We even saw a school of dolphins playing. Wonderful! read more

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Amazing atmosphere, scenic views, easy parking, and great service, but unfortunately the food really left something to be desired. Was in the area with my future in-laws visiting from Europe, so I brought them here for lunch on a recommendation from my dad who has been here many times and has said that the prices were decent for the quality of food and location. I ordered the 6 oz top sirloin, my partner ordered the lobster roll, and my future in-laws ordered a seafood platter that they expected would be served hot. They were disappointed that it was served on ice. The menu didn't specify that it was a cold dish. They also got a ceasar salad that they said was nothing really special. They didn't really enjoy their meals to justify the prices. My steak was cooked unevenly, still very rare in the middle but very well on the outside (I ordered rare), and had a lot of moisture release, indicating it may have previously been frozen. I did enjoy the side salad with fresh tomatoes,. The poached egg was an unusual but welcome side, but It was cooked all the way through with a solid yolk, though rather than runny like I would expect a poached egg. The lobster roll had a strange aftertaste and didn't really have much flavor mostly just like mayo. Very bland and disappointing for the steep price. The staff did a great job serving and accommodating our party, but for the price, I'd probably choose somewhere else next time. read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Our son and his wife gave us a Christmas gift of Sunday brunch at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. It was slightly intimidating because of the distance (we live in Carlsbad) but we went for it. We had an 11:30am seating. Everything was wonderful. It was easy to get to, easy to park, and a very pleasant location. The brunch was on the second floor, the stairway was intimidating, and the elevator was small, slow, and crowded. But we got there. We were seated at a table that, while not at a window, had pretty views out the windows. Every item that we tried from the buffet was excellent. There was a good variety of prepared food, lots of fresh produce, wonderful seafood, fried chicken, prime rib, desserts, etc etc etc. I think there might have been 100 different choices for what to put on our plates; I'm certainly not going to enumerate them here. Portions of sweets and pastries were very small, so we could try many varieties without overeating or wasting food. We'll be back. It's not something to do frequently, but when there is a special occasion, Tom Ham's Lighthouse will be on our list of possibilities. read more

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! read more

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Some of the best food I've had here in San Diego, the views are unmatched and the food even better. While I would recommend this spot more for a regular visit if you can afford it. I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for a nice dinner, date or celebration. Everything that I've had and all of the foods my friends have had are delicious. I've heard no bad comments from anyone. Definitely a spot worth checking out! read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service and food has gone down tremendously. I've ordered the scallops for years and they recently changed it. Now it's in puke pink sauce with like 2 nickels worth of sausage chopped into the smallest bits. I was so put off by it that u couldn't finish it. We ordered the fried oysters and they gave our order to the table behind us. Our server noticed after us not having food for 30 minutes so she put in another order, and again they almost brought it to the table behind us for a second time. I would've expected this to be comped, but nope! They have 2 cocktails that are available as mocktails. I tried to order one and the server goes "that's not available as a mocktail". I pointed to it on the menu saying "it says here, available as a mocktail". She continued to repeat without looking at me, "it's not available as a mocktail". Rude. Seating is more tight than ever. There is 0 chance of someone on a wheelchair navigating this place. On the patio, your back is like 2" away from another persons back. This place has been my go to for years for celebrations due to food, staff, and easy parking. This recent visit was so off putting, I don't think I'd return read more

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*3.5* Came on a Saturday evening for a celebratory dinner with a large party. Parking is readily available in the lot outside and the restaurant has a one-of-a-kind view of the bay. There is ample seating both indoors and out on their balcony patio, but we were seated inside. High ceilings and sprawling windows make it feel like a massive banquet hall. It was a busy night, and because I was closer to the wall away from the walkway it was hard to get our server's attention. However, she was more than approachable when she was present - can't quite fault her for that. Bread: Some of the other members of our group raved about their complimentary toasted bread with scallion butter for days before we even made the reservation only to find out that now it is charged for. Regardless, we ordered more than a few plates as both appetizers and dessert after we were done. It's hard to stay away from bread and butter, and introducing savoriness into the mix only makes the breakup that much harder. Fried Oysters: warm, crunchy, not overly salty. Sauce gave them a nice zing and the table enjoyed them. Would recommend. Beer Braised Beef Short Rib: a little disappointed considering how much I looked forward to trying this. The short rib was tough and dry yet somehow did not manage to absorb the jus that it was topped with at all. Flavorwise, it was also lacking. The mashed potato was honestly the best part of the dish, and that's saying something for a dish touching $40. Verdict: Social media destination restaurant. read more

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The Baseline: For a restaurant event venue, the space must be good for the group, the presentation must be upscale, the service from staff must be good/efficient, and the ambiance must be festive. Food: The food and presentation was very good for the wedding reception I attended here. I had a beef short rib and mash which was substantial. The pre-meal appetizers were a nice charcuterie with the stand outs of pickled yellow squash and zucchini (need to incorporate a squash quick pickle in my own charcuterie boards). The chicken over risotto was delicious (got to taste it). Great food for a wedding. Service: The service felt five star. The staff were accommodating and friendly. Loved the staff's commitment to service. Ambiance: Tom Ham's Lighthouse is a great venue with a nice reception area, dance floor, and the outside deck overlooks the San Diego bay and captures the San Diego skyline. Great place to celebrate. read more

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They've won awards for their food and location. Their name frequently popped up when I googled best places for brunch in San Diego. With that in mind, I made reservations to celebrate my wife's birthday one Sunday morning in April. We were seated immediately outside upon arriving. We had a great view of of the harbor. They were one of the best brunch buffets that I have been to in a while. They had all kinds of seafood including snow crab and Jonah crab claws, shrimp, raw oysters and scallops. I only took photos of the seafood, but, the had much more. They had omelet stations and pasta stations. They served hot foods, breads, and even ice cream. They had everything! Everything was good. Service was good from the hostess seating us, to the our waitress who served us. Our plates were frequently cleared and our waitress kept our cups filled. We had a fantastic brunch at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. We definitely would come here again if we had the opportunity. read more

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Came here with a party of 16 for Father's Day brunch. We were seated promptly at a table with a great view. The tables are spaced out nicely, so although the restaurant was full, it didn't feel crowded. There was a wait for the omelettes and fresh pasta, but if you time it right, you could just walk right up. The beef roast was too well done for the likes of most of us, but good. The sea food was plentiful, but wish that Dungeness crab was in season (can't blame the restaurant for that!). The server(s) were all attentive and great about clearing away plates as we ate. I asked the server if they had any bread or crackers to go with the cheeses and he said yes, they were right by there. I was going to look but he insisted on bringing them to me. He brought over 2 bagels. Not what I was hoping for. It wasn't until I was having dessert that I saw some nice plain croissants on the dessert table that would've satisfied my bread craving. Odd. I think I read that their champagne was part of the brunch offering? If it was, it wasn't offered. For the same price as the buffet at Bachanal in Vegas, I'd say the food was better at Bachanal, but you couldn't beat the view here! read more

Easter Sunday Brunch = Huge disappointment! First time ever to Tom Ham's with the whole family. Saw a YouTube review of the Sunday brunch so we expected high end amazing Easter seafood brunch @ $100 per person... Well, the view and location is amazing! The food, sorry to say, was not good. Nothing was fresh except probably the salad. If you go, insist on upstairs. Atmosphere is 3X better than in the large dining room on the first floor but food is the same. One of the most disappointing dining experiences we have had considering the high price. read more

Wonderfully delicious!! Four of us had dinner here last Saturday. What a wonderful place! First off the service is top notch! Always attentive and never an empty water glass. Very personable too! We had appetizers, fried calamari and chicken lollipops. Both were super delicious! Tender pieces of crunchy calamari were delicious! The lollipop wings were awesome! Easy to hold while you eat the tender flavorful chicken! I had the paella and it was wonderful! Fresh seafood covering yummy rice! The Caesar Salad was fresh, crisp and tasty!! Super yummy! My daughter had the short ribs and she loved it!!! Fork tender short rib was so yummy!! She thought it was the best she has ever had! My son had a beet salad and loved the tasty beets and fresh greens. Very tasty!! Salmon grilled was super yummy too, read more

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I sat at the bar. It was happy hour and the menu was limited. I had the clam chowder and a salad. Both were delicious. The service was fast and friendly. read more

Desiree our waitress she was awesome. They do have a have an outdoor patio. Came here for restaurant week so they had a special menu. Loved their food and drinks and will go back. The views of the sunset were awesome. Kinda casual place but okay if you're in jeans. read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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If youre looking for a good happy hour spot put this on your list! At the time we went, the tables weren't full but the bar was full, thats where the party was! We were greeted as soon as we walked in and there bartenders were super nice and attentive! Although it seem calmed and it was not as busy, im sure when the place is full it will be a good time. The deals are good and the food is even better! We wanted to eat oysters and they had really good ones! Out of the three dishes the star was the cauliflower! Im not sure what or how it was cooked but the flavors work well together! I wish it wasn't as overcooked but the flavor makes up for that. The ceviche was good and of course the oysters were great! Try it if youre in the area you won't regret it. read more

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A very cool restaurant that was a lighthouse. Great for groups and has beautiful views overlooking then city. Food is pretty good and the history is pretty cool. There is plenty of parking too so shouldn't be an issue. I got the Bouillabaisse and it was very flavorful with a good assortment of seafood. The Cauliflower was also pretty good and was nice to share as well. Service was friendly and attentive too. read more

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Hands down the most beautiful view of the harbor of any restaurant. The water looked like it was literally sparking. On the other side of the island/peninsula, there are some nice restaurants but the view is no where near as beautiful. The server was sweet and took good care of us. The food was absolutely delicious. The lobster rolls were a great deal and had good chunks of lobster meat. I'm so surprised at the reasonable prices during lunch. I wanted to try the Sunday brunch which has the higher price tag, but we were just in the area before going to the airport. We will definitely be coming back again. Especially for this view. read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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If you haven't checked out their Sunday seafood brunch, then add it to your list. For $72, you have access to an all you can eat buffet that includes the following, to name a few: crab legs, lobster claws, raw oysters, raw scallops, shrimp, ceviche, prime rib, build your own omelette and pasta, breakfast pastries, charcuterie, smoked salmon, eggs benedict, pancakes, mac n cheese, fried chicken, salads, fruits, and a wide assortment of irresistible desserts! We sat at the bar and had a beautiful few of the harbor. It was a perfect day and we enjoyed a perfect brunch! The food was excellent, as was the service and ambiance! read more

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This is one of my favorite happy hour spots in San Diego! They have a delicious happy hour food menu, the tenderloin tips are the BEST and the martinis are tasty! It's a must to sit at bar so come early because it fills up. The view of the bay is gorgeous and watching the lights of the city come on after sunset is lovely. The staff are welcoming and efficient. Parking is plentiful and always free so come and enjoy this fabulous place. read more

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Always a fantastic experience we've been here a fee times back when we lived in San Diego and it never disappoints. I recommended this place for a friend birthday brunch last Sunday, and it was excellent. At $80 per person it's well worth it. The food was delicious, service top notch and the views absolutely stunning! make sure to book in advance! read more

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I really like the location of this restaurant! It's huge and right by the water, which was perfect for brunch. Service was friendly but really slow. The seafood platter was fresh and delicious but the shrimp poboy was just okay. read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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I loved everything about this restaurant. The building, the location, the service and the food-all great. Our server, Chris, was one of the best servers we've ever had. Kind, thoughtful, efficient and not intrusive. The views were gorgeous and the food was so good. My friend and I both had the grilled shrimp Louis salad and my husband had the fish and chips, another friend had the yellowtail. We were all happy with our meals and planning our next visit. read more

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Had the opportunity to come here twice for the Sunday brunch buffet and super impressed by the quality! The food is always consistent and fresh, service is friendly and attentive! Very much appreciate the layout of the buffet which makes it easy. Nothing beats the ambiance of this place! Make sure to make reservations in advance for outdoor seating...they fill up fast! read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Best margarita ever for happy hour made with Hornitos. Charcuterie board too was great. Dinner was not as great in the restaurant so I deducted one star for that. The side if shrimp for my salad was overly salted, I couldn't finish it. The bread they serve is an extra $6 and not worth it. It's cold and brittle. The wine was good, service too. We always stop here when in the area and will continue to do so. read more

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If ur staying at the Hilton,,, and u want reasonable prices on food and drinks,,, walk yo ass .02 miles up the beautiful marina and I promise u it'll b worth it,,, great appetizers, drinks,, beer,, whatever ur into,,, service is up to par(shot out Michelle at the bar) and the views and vibes are amazing!!! read more

Happy Hour Review Only On a Friday night my friends and I popped in for a quick happy hour within the bar area- Happy hour is from 3:00-6:00pm. The happy hour features reduced prices on appetizers and drinks! And a great special for fresh raw oysters. Oysters are only a $1.50 at this time and appetizers are $3.00 off. Select beer are 3 dollars for 8 ounces and 5 dollars for 16 ounces. Craft cocktails are two dollars off, whereas wines are one dollar off. We had to get their world famous bali hai mai tai- where no juice is added. You can actually taste the alcohol rather that just juice. They claim its quite possible the strongest drink you'll ever consume thus limit customers to two of these drinks per a person. Two is definitely enough. Without the happy hour price they are still a good deal, and even better at happy hour price! A solid drink! The other great thing about this restaurant/bar is the view- the restaurant is within a "lighthouse." So the views from the restaurant are wonderful- try to snag a spot at the bar for the best view or a spot outside to enjoy the waterfront. Lastly there is plenty of free parking within their lot- always nice in San Diego to snag a spot with free parking! Cheers! read more

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These bozos add a 5% suitcharge to the check. Just pay the fair wages, and charge the fair and full menu amount in the first place, and don't hide fees like this. Tom would roll over in his grave! Maybe I'll.go to his grave and tell him what his asshat family members are up to. You are like the idiots at the hotels and airlines with all the hidden fees. Games suck, and so does the ownership at Tom Hams. read more

Ceviche was delicious, the oysters too. Didn't care for the tuna, it was really salty. Came here for Restaurant Week, really enjoyed the view! Service was great. read more

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Dinning here is a unique experience thanks to its panoramic views of the city skyline. the seafood buffet is very diverse and everything feels very fresh. read more

If you like a solid Sunday brunch you'll enjoy Tom Ham's for a slew of reasons but for me there are a few that stand out a little bit more than others. That being said, trust me when I tell you that bringing some out of town guests here on a Sunday morning is absolutely worth it and a great way to show off beautiful San Diego. The view is the first thing that strikes you when you walk in the dining room and it's the one part of brunch will never get old for me. Sure, the lobster claws, crab legs, oysters, tri-tip, fried chicken, pasta station, egg station, dessert bar, and all the other self-serve items are great, but the view, that's the star of the show. While it's not for everyone the bar is the only place to sit for me and it's exactly the reason I never like to go here with more than four people. We stare out the window at the city in front of us, sip some bubbles, casually grab some grub, and talk to our favorite dude, Joe. He's been here for years and is an absolute highlight... after the view. read more

Our first time here and it's was Sunday brunch. Crabs were very good. Food was great. No complaints. Our server was very attentive and never skipped a beat. We are definitely coming back! read more

Tom Ham's Lighthouse - AYCE crab legs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Good food, good views, good staff, excellent happy hours. Owners care about the total business.will be back again.