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    ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

    4.1 (33 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar Photos

    ZENTRL KITCHEN + BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

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    Miso Salmon
    Eliko S.

    The Lot & Zentrl Kitchen & Bar I came here today with colleagues to watch Hamnet. We were in theater 2 - row F. The seats are super comfortable and they, of course, recline. The theater looks very nice even though it hasn't been updated much in over 10 years, but for the most part, it looks modern and better than most other theaters. The service was helpful & efficient although she did speak at regular volume when she was taking & checking on orders during the film which was a little surprising. I had the Daou Rose & pretzel bites to share. Both were good. The screen and sound quality are excellent. However, we were shown over 25 minutes of previews & commercials though which was a bit much. Hamnet was excellent. Our whole row was crying because the film was so moving. I'm very glad that I was able to see it at The Lot. We also had a reservation at Zentrl for dinner. Since we'd had snacks in the theater, we mostly had light bites like the tortilla soup, Caesar salad, & poke bowls. I was the outlier and ordered Miso Salmon. I asked for it to be well done, and it was. It was also the last dish to arrive. The fish was well-done but nothing else about the dish made sense. I could not see what the vision was behind it. The salmon tasted plain, I could discern no miso flavor whatsoever. Guacamole, carrots, forbidden rice with an odd coconut profile, and a boatload of shishito peppers piled up in a lukewarm mess. Supposedly Zentrl is California Asian-fusion with Mexican flavor, but honestly & sadly, this dish did not work for me at all. Everyone else enjoyed their food & the company & the service were very pleasant. However, I will not return here to dine in unless it is for a work event. Side note: there were two ladies dining at the table next to us. They seemed to be upset about something, and they took one look at us, and moved to an open table next to theirs and away from us. It is possible that they wanted to be closer to the heater, but it was odd nonetheless. Oh well. There is street parking and a decent sized garage under the building. Four hours of parking are free in the lot with validation from the front ticket desk.

    Flight of Mimosas
    Ann V.

    Who loves an elevated dining experience? I certainly do!! I didn't realize ZENTRL had a California-Asian fusion with a Mexican flair to it until I went there for brunch. ZENTRL is easy to get to. It brought a smile across my face when I saw free available parking for 4 hours on the property besides street parking. I was in for a special treat when I heard house music from a distance. How AWESOME is that...starting my Saturday the right way! The staff were fantastic from the start...warm greetings and ensuring needs met. The colorful paintings on the walls created an uplifting ZENFUL at the same time ZESTY atmosphere. The bright summer menu had lots of tantalizing options and I definitely wanted to try the luscious-appearing mimosas. Once everything came out, I was in food heaven. Amazzzing Food + Zzzappy Beats = HAPPY Customer. I'll definitely come back for more heavenly experiences. *Things to Remember: inside The Lot; validate your parking ticket.

    Stuffed French toast
    Kaloni S.

    My friend and I met up for brunch in La Jolla but the wait was ridiculous at both sugar and scribe and the cottage so we decided to give this place a try!! There was no wait, no one inside aside from us and another table. Plenty of seating available both indoor and outdoor. The restaurant itself is cute and clean! The food was pretty good and service was great! Nice spot for a quick bite to eat. We also ordered breakfast plates with eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and toast.

    Sign near the front patio
    Emmett T.

    ZENTRL is the relaunch of the onsite bar and restaurant at THE LOT La Jolla which is an upscale movie theater. There was a Yelp event held here earlier this year in which the kitchen rolled out several of their dishes for a group of Elites to sample. The setting is fantastic with an outdoor patio that can hold at least 100 diners with an even more spacious indoor dining room and bar area. It's a perfect venue for large scale functions like for some of the events of the La Jolla Concours D'Elegance. I sat at a long hightop table across from the bar which had multiple flat screens hanging from above that were tuned into various athletic competitions. The food menu was made up of fare that you would find at a mid-level to higher end eatery. Shareables, soups, salads, flatbreads, entrees, and desserts were the categories. My selections were the Buttermilk Fried Calamari and the California Cabernet Braised Beef Short Rib. The pieces of deep fried squid were mixed with Piquillo peppers, lemon, and parmesan. A cup of spicy mayo was provided for dipping. The crunch of the batter was alright. The dip added a good amount of heat to the squid. The entree was an item that I had tasted during the Yelp event. A hunk of soft rib meat was placed on a bed of mashed Yukon gold potatoes with baby carrots, The braised jus kept the dish succulent. The beef was a tad saltier than I preferred though. The service from the bartender was fantastic. He only had two customers to tend to at the bar so it allowed him to check up on me frequently. The prices were on par for this caliber of restaurant in the village of La Jolla. ZENTRL is open from breakfast to dinner. With numerous brunch options within blocks of THE LOT, this might be a hidden gem that won't have a long wait for a table.

    Pizza and buddha bowl
    Saadia P.

    Its a nice bright airy place. Food was okay. Ordered a flat bread pizza and salad buddha bowl. Pizza was great but the salad was pretty average. Bland and chunks of veggies. Had the same bowls at another restaurant and it was way different. The eggplant in the salad made it worse. The server was very pleasant and took our review very nicely. Will try the sandwiches next time when and if I go there again. I noticed that theres a patio area where you can have parties. It was set up for a baby shower that day.

    Bao buns
    Mikala C.

    Came here with a big party for dinner. It wasn't very busy, but I'm not sure why. The food was really good! I loved the brusselsprouts, sushi, and popcorn shrimp. Everything had a little spice which is a must for me. Make sure to leave room for dessert too because the bread pudding is delicious. Thanks for the great meal!

    Shanah C.

    Beautiful airy venue attached to movie theater, but don't be fooled... vibrant social bar / restaurant scene!! Brunch comes with free mimosa. Breakfast quesadilla was DELICIOUS! Anthony was the best server!! Private parking lot with validated parking for restaurant.

    Crème brûlée French toast and Eggs Benedict
    Corinna S.

    Truly a hidden gem! This place was very big and had very delicious food! I was supposed to go to Sugar And Scribe where the wait was an hour and 45 minutes but I ended up stumbling upon this new restaurant a few blocks down that had an awesome ambience! The service was awesome some waiters and managers kept checking in and I felt like a VIP!

    Avocado toast

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    3 months ago

    Stopped by this spot for brunch/lunch. Food was fine and service was a bit slow which was surprising because we were one of the only tables.

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    5 months ago

    A great place to enjoy the view of Liberty Station and watch the planes take off. Enjoyed the happy hour menu before a play at the Cygnet.

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    Ask the Community - ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

    Is there a kids menu at all?

    Good Morning, Thank you for your inquiry. All items on our kids' menu are priced at $15 and include… 

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    We stopped in for a quick bite between events and this was an easy in and out for us, even though…read morethey were a bit busy. There is plenty of space, and a fairly open air location, so we didn't over heat, and had plenty of shade. Our server was super kind and gave us all the best recommendations! They even showed us where the SDCC menu corresponded to the normal menu. We ended up splitting the Big Boss burger, French fries, Mac and cheese, tots, Caesar salad, ribs with sauce on the side. It was recommended to mix the ribs with the Mac and cheese, and I have never been happier with a recommendation in my life. This is precisely why I like to ask for the servers favorites!

    Overview: loud atmosphere, pretty good bar food, a decent range of activities available to keep…read morebusy ---- Like most bars it was pretty loud inside and lively. I loved the stained glass lights at the booths we sat at, they were super cute! We played foosball for a dollar which was fun while it lasted but it didn't give us enough balls to play an entire game. It's been pretty hot in sd and this place has a lot of large open windows that were all open, I usually love that feature but it was an abnormally humid night so we were all pretty hot and sweaty inside. Food was good with affordable prices too, we came here quite late at night, so we were limited to only their late-night menu, but everything was quite tasty, typical bar food. Our standout favorite was the maple sriracha wings for $10.61, their flavor is exactly like described and was a good balance of sweet and spicy! The Butter Burger $10.57 was good too but I think too rich and heavy for me. The prices were great tho! Parking is pretty terrible as is typical for downtown, but we walked from Punch Bowl Social and had Ubered to there at the beginning of the night. ---- Overall: a cool place to hangout, drink, and grab a bite late at night, I'm sad about not being able to play a whole game of foosball, but a generally great time

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    Tavern+Bowl East Village

    Tavern+Bowl East Village

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    Was down in San Diego for the weekend, but it ended up being too chilly for a pool day, so we came…read morehere instead. Totally loved it. Staff was very nice. Only 6 lanes, so it's nice and cozy, doesn't get too loud. The strawberries and cream cocktail is a MUST try, so good. But honestly the star of the night was the $5 pound of fries. Oh my god, best fries I have ever had. It's been days and I'm still thinking about them. I would be willing to take the train down 2 hours from Orange County just to eat these fries. Please get them. Will be back!

    For my husband's birthday he wanted to go bowling with our friends, I had no clue where to look, I…read moregoogle searched bowling alleys and came across Tavern + Bowl in East Village. You have to be within 7 days of your requested reservation date so as soon as I was closer I set up a reservation through Open Table. They do require a deposit which was fine because it made sure that we had the lanes needed for our party. I actually ended up calling the Tavern and Bowl to see if they had any earlier reservations and they told me if the person who requested an earlier time didn't pay the deposit I'd get the time slot. I am so lucky because these people didn't pay their deposit and we got the time and the lane. Cute thing, you can actually have kids come too, my niece who is 5 got to come along and they had a little device for her so she can push the ball, she ended up beating me. Everyone was so kind and service was so smooth and efficient, we got to bring donuts for our party and my husband and I ordered the carnitas nachos, they were delicious. Seriously such a great time, obviously this is before the Padres season so we lucked out on parking but this is a great place to host birthday parties. Thank you again for letting us have such a great time!

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    Bub's at the Ballpark - 5 Bub's Grilled Chicken Wings (~$10): Garlic Buffalo

    Bub's at the Ballpark

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    My friend and I came in before a concert to have a couple drinks and get something to eat. It's a…read morepretty big place with a lot of seating both indoor and outdoor. We were able to find seats at one of the bars right away and were greeted immediately. The guy serving us was super friendly and got us drinks right away. It was really busy but he was on it. We ended up sharing a chicken Caesar sandwich and it was pretty dang good with kind of a horseradish spice type kick and I was shocked at how insanely fast our food came out. Like I said this was a really busy place, but we couldn't have waited longer than five minutes once we placed our order. We got drink refills very quickly as well. My friend wanted to go back after the concert where we sat at the main bar. This time it was a female bartender who again was right on top of her stuff. She got our drinks right away. This time we ended up ordering some animal tots, which also came out super quick. I can see why it gets so busy here, there's a fun ambience and the service is great. Come check it out for yourself.

    Stopped in for a quick bite and a beverage before a Padres game, and this place definitely has the…read moregame-day vibe! It's a great open-air setup with both indoor and outdoor seating, a relaxed sports-bar atmosphere, and TVs everywhere playing just about every game you could ask for. There are plenty of finger foods to choose from, and the prices are very reasonable, especially considering how close you are to the ballpark. The chicken wings are MASSIVE--juicy, packed with flavor, and definitely worth ordering. The tots were light and crispy and cooked perfectly. What really impressed me was the service. The place was busy, but the staff was still surprisingly attentive and made sure we were taken care of. Best part? You're literally steps from the ballpark. It's a perfect spot to grab some food and drinks while waiting for the gates to open. Great atmosphere, good food, solid prices, and an ideal location for Padres game day. Definitely adding this one to the pregame rotation! Go Padres!

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    Bub's at the Ballpark - Inside

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    Bub's at the Ballpark - 5 Bub's Grilled Chicken Wings (~$10): Carolina Gold

    5 Bub's Grilled Chicken Wings (~$10): Carolina Gold

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    Nicky Rottens

    Nicky Rottens

    3.4(907 reviews)
    11.5 mi
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    Captain's Log, Stardate 21483…read more This past Sunday, I charted a course to Nicky Rottens in Coronado, a delightful establishment located at the end of Orange Avenue. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by an uplifting open-air environment, truly a breath of fresh air that felt like stepping onto the observation deck of the USS Enterprise. The amazing views of the bay were nothing short of spectacular, bringing a serene beauty that rivals the finest star systems. Over the years, my wife, her girlfriend, and I have become frequent travelers to this culinary haven, beaming back for nearly 15 years--a testament to its enduring allure. The selection of IPAs and mixed drinks is impressive, catering to even the most discerning palates in the galaxy. The choices are vast enough to satisfy anyone embarking on this flavor exploration, whether you prefer a refreshing drink to toast a successful mission or something bolder, like a phaser on stun! The menu features a delightful array of options, including fresh salads, tantalizing finger foods, and, of course, their famed burgers. My wife's enthusiasm for the offerings has always been infectious, and during this visit, she and her girlfriend were on a culinary adventure of their own, indulging in the flavors that have made Nicky Rottens a local favorite. The burgers are truly out of this world--juicy, flavorful, and expertly crafted to ensure a warp-speed experience with every bite. You'll find that each dish is prepared with precision, as if overseen by a skilled chef with the abilities of a Vulcan and the passion of a true culinary Starfleet officer. In conclusion, Nicky Rottens is a prime destination for anyone seeking a vibrant atmosphere, stunning views, and a solid meal. I can confidently say that if you ever find yourself in Coronado, this establishment is a must-visit. After all, it's just one small step for man, and one giant leap into deliciousness! Live long and prosper. End log. Captain 619

    Got a paloma and the flavor was more intense than I expected, but it was pretty good…read more Tater tots are nice and crispy, great texture. Aside from that, they're generic normal tasting tater tots. For the burger, I liked the bun and other ingredients, but thought the savoriness of the meat was just okay. Also, can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiny lettuce whenever I see it. Overall, this joint is not bad, but I can think of very little about it that stands out. I don't feel that it fully leans into being a sports bar or dive bar or even as a burger joint. It's just.....a bar. Apparently, it prides itself as being an original coronado spot, but I didn't get that kinda vibe here. I don't know.

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    Check out that big screen!! Awesome!

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    ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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