Diners' Choice: Good for groups restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are great for groups in East County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

4.8 (4175)

$30 and under

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history: "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today - just to name a few.

Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats.

With an updated nautical decor, the busy Oyster bar is hands-down the local favorite. Lush flowering foliage outdoors creates an elegant dining experience on one of two charming patios.

The La Mesa Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch every Sunday.

Join us for our signature Happy Hour.

Top review

Quentin

Dined 6 days ago

As always our dining experience is excellent - food, service - customer service - all are top notch.

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Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.8

4.8 (1459)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Jamul

About the restaurant

Prime Cut is a classic American steakhouse located inside the lights and flash of an upscale Vegas-style casino just twenty minutes outside the city center. With Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle leading our kitchen, an award-winning wine list designed by Manager Christina Ambriz, and a full bar featuring some of the most unique hand-crafted specialty cocktails, Prime cut is the perfect place for conversation or an intimate dinner.

Specials
Experience the best brunch in San Diego! Join us from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm every Sunday for Prime Cut’s Lobster Brunch. Enjoy a picturesque mountain view, sample from our award-winning wine list, or sip on your favorite craft cocktail while you indulge in delectable creations by Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle.
Lobster Brunch • Sunday • $59.95

Only guests over 21 years old may attend.

Top review

Victoria

Dined 2 days ago

Dinning in Prime Cut I feel the food and atmosphere is the best quality, relaxing music playing while you’re dinning great taste of food awesome aroma of delicious plates passing threw until yours comes as well once I get my own The presentation is excellent. I just wanted to dig in every bite It’s just right no other ingredients added so that I would enjoy my burger was just perfect and let’s just say the fries were awesome dessert with my chocolate macaroons cake yummy and at the end, I get a chocolate dessert. It’s so textured so milky and soft happy customer

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Baron Long Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (532)

$31 to $50

Californian

Alpine

About the restaurant

Baron Long Bar & Grill features a familiar food menu, along with craft beer & cocktails for friends and family to enjoy while dining in a comfortable, energetic, sociable sports bar environment. We’ve put our spin on American bar food classics using the best local ingredients and freshly prepared food that is sure to please sports fans and foodies alike.

Guests can watch the action of their favorite game on our 16 TVs located throughout the restaurant, including (10) 85” screens. Share some appetizers over drinks with your friends or order your favorite burger from our extensive food menu. The beverage menu boasts a seasonal craft cocktail menu, 16 draft beers from our showcase keg room, focusing on notable San Diego breweries, as well as two rotating taps that will pique your interest frequently.

Top review

TyroneVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This restaurant is a great value for your money. Food is great and service is great.

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.7

4.7 (1075)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.

Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.

Top review

SarahVIP

Dined today

I came here in a large group, the food was amazing! Our server Shannon was careful to let the kitchen know, I had the best pizza with the most amazing gf crust, tons of veggies, it was the BEST pizza I’ve ever had! I had an amazing espresso martini for dessert, 10/10, will definitely come back with my dog! Their patio is dog friendly.

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4.7

4.7 (753)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.

The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

Top review

Sheila

Dined 2 days ago

Food was outstanding. Our second time visiting. I highly recommend!

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

Retreat Pool & Cabanas

4.6

4.6 (322)

$50 and over

Californian

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

Everyone needs to treat themselves from time to time. If you’re looking for a getaway from the everyday, look no further than Retreat Pool and Cabanas. Our El Cajon venue offers guests the opportunity to relax, soak up some Vitamin D, and escape in a picturesque aquatic oasis. We offer an array of entertainment and performers throughout the summer months. Our unique and thoughtful layout features two beautiful pool areas and a cleverly designed lazy river. You’ll feel layers of stress melt away as you float down the slow-moving lazy river, taking in your surroundings at a leisurely pace.

Top review

MaryAnn

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

Awesome Lazy river is my fave Cabana was perfect So much fun

The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

4.6

4.6 (29)

$31 to $50

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room features a unique experience of service where you can choose to grill your steaks yourself at the communal grill and offers numerous cuts of meat. Not interested in doing the grilling? We will grill for you and we also have a great selection of entrees and appetizers that are prepared for you. Extensive craft cocktail list, great beer selection and live music most nights in the turquoise room.

Top review

CatherineVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great spot for a retro vibe and good food and live music on some nights. Everything was tasty and perfect, including the cocktails. Highly recommend!

El Torito - La Mesa

4.5

4.5 (447)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for over 70 years! Visit us for weekly celebrations where we infuse tradition with authentic Mexican cuisine, including $4 happy hour, $3 Taco Tuesday, Saturday Breakfast and All-You-Can-Eat + Drink Sunday Brunch. Experience a celebration of Family, Food & Community!

Top review

Lashon

Dined 5 days ago

My family had so much fun. They food was delicious and fresh. Endless mimosas. Waiter was amazing. Best Christmas 2024🥰

Black Angus Steakhouse - El Cajon

4.3

4.3 (2147)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on your own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget.

Top review

SilviaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Our steaks were cooked just as we ordered them. The waiter Brian was attentive to our needs, filling cups as needed. Suggested items for us to try and we did. All was very flavorful. Good service and food.

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Experience

Whiskey Experience

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - La Mesa

3.6

3.6 (79)

$30 and under

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Ronita

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

I am so glad we had reservations. That pizookie deal sure brings out all the highschool kids. Our server was a plus. She was excellent and made our night!

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