After a day at the San Diego Zoo, visitors need a restaurant to rest their feet and refuel.
After a day wandering the vast San Diego Zoo and filling your brain with new animal facts, you'll want to unwind at a nearby restaurant. Fortunately for your tired feet, plenty of restaurants are within a mile of the zoo in Balboa Park. Beware of places too close to the zoo, as they cater to tourists and charge more than places slightly farther away---though tired travelers may not mind paying extra for comfortable seating and a refreshing meal.
Village Grill
Village Grill is located 1/4 of a mile down the road from the zoo. It's a comfortable family restaurant with food everyone will enjoy, including finicky kids. Choose from pizza, hamburgers and similar filling foods. Village Grill's close proximity to the zoo makes it perfect for a lunch break midday, if you don't mind leaving the zoo and re-entering with your previous ticket and a re-entry hand stamp. Outdoor seating is available to enjoy on warm days, with umbrellas to keep the sun off your skin. Just be careful if you leave the zoo in the evening: the restaurant closes at 4:00 p.m. in the winter and 5:00 p.m. in the summer.
Balboa Park Village Grill
1770 Village Place
San Diego, CA 92101
619-702-2428
Galileo Cafe
If you prefer healthy dining options, Galileo Cafe has a menu full of soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries and wood-fired pizzas. The City of San Diego website recommends it for people who want "a healthful alternative to traditional fast food." It is located in Balboa Park, in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Diners can sit in fountain-side tables on warm days. Though opening hours vary, it is typically open all day and, on Wednesday through Saturday, well into the evening.
Galileo Cafe
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park
1875 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619-238-1233
Mandarin House
Just over half a mile from the zoo, the Mandarin House on Fifth Avenue offers satisfying Chinese food for hungry visitors. Sit down for your meal if you want to rest, or order take-out and enjoy it at home or your hotel. The menu includes soup, noodles, duck, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Don't worry if you leave the zoo or Balboa Park late; Mandarin House stays open until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mandarin House
2604 Fifth Avenue
At Maple Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-232-1101
mandarinhousesandiego.com
Extraordinary Desserts
After a long day on your feet, you deserve a little indulgence at Extraordinary Desserts, where desserts can be as filling as any meal. Located on Fifth Avenue near Balboa Park, it offers a host of elaborate dessert options, including large cherry chocolate chip cookies, hot fudge sundaes, fruit tarts and blackberry New York cheesecake. Consult servers if you are on a special diet; for instance, the restaurant offers vegan peanut butter carob cookies and varied pastries.
Extraordinary Desserts
2929 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
619-294-2132
extraordinarydesserts.com
Tags: Balboa Park, Fifth Avenue, Mandarin House, Village Grill, Extraordinary Desserts, Galileo Cafe, Diego 92101