At Kaluu, we celebrate the vibrant soul of Mexico through an unparalleled dining and nightlife experience. Guided by the artistry of Michelin-starred Chef Esteban Lluis, we craft an upscale, authentic Mexican culinary journey that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Our menu, featuring live wood-fire cooked meats, fresh seafood, and thoughtfully curated small plates, showcases the rich, bold flavors of Mexico with a modern twist.
As the night unfolds, Kaluu transforms into a dynamic lounge where the energy of Mexico comes alive. After 10:00 PM, our space becomes a destination for music, dance, and connection—a place to see and be seen. From the first bite to the last dance, Kaluu is where exceptional cuisine, vibrant culture, and unforgettable moments converge.
Welcome to Kaluu, where the spirit of Mexico thrives.
Additional information
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mexican, Steakhouse, Seafood
Hours of operation
Lunch
Mon–Sat 3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Dinner
Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Bar
Thu 10:00 pm–1:00 am
Fri, Sat 10:00 pm–2:00 am
Host Your Private Event at Kaluu! ✨🍾Looking for the perfect venue in the heart of the Gaslamp? 🔥Whether it’s a birthday, corporate event, or special celebration, we’ll curate a custom menu and provide exceptional service to make your night unforgettable. 🍽️🍹Book your table now at opentable.com or call (619) 255-1777!
Kaluú Restaurant & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
4.2Food
4.1Service
4.2Ambience
3.9Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
San Diego
Healthy
San Diego
Healthy
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kaluú Restaurant & Bar in downtown San Diego offers an upscale Mexican dining experience crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Guests rave about the "amazing food," "beautiful guacamole," and "professional cocktails." The lively ambiance and "excellent menu" make it ideal for special occasions, though reservations are highly recommended due to popularity.
14 Reviews
R
Roxanna VIP
San Diego5 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
My husband had an absolute great experience at Kaluú. From the beginning the service was great! The drinks were amazing, the food was excellent!!! Congrats to Chef Esteban Lluis. We will definitely be back
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k
kimb
San Diego21 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 21, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
The most fantastic Michelin chef and Mexican cuisine in downtown San Diego. Upscale Mexican and the food is to die for. We had the grilled ribeye and the tortilla soup to start with and we were very impressed. The guacamole it was so beautiful and well presented. The cocktails are on point as well.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago1 review
5.0
Dined on March 18, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
I love this place. We had the dinner and drink and everything was so good. The cocktails are done very good and professional the not too sweet and the bitter is not too bitter lol. Food is top notch made by a Michelin star chef.
I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a place to hangout in class and enjoy an amazing experience...
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M
Mary VIP
Dallas42 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Best New Mexican restaurant in downtown San Diego! The food is authentic and made my a Michelin star chef. Great for large groups or dinner at the bar
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D
Diana
San Diego1 review
1.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
Overall 1
Food 1
Service 1
Ambience 1
Had a reservation at 8:30pm. Waited for an hour and a half and just decided to leave since their kitchen closed at 10:30 and it didn’t seem like we were going to get a table. There were still people in line in front of us but they also decided to leave since no one was being seated.
Kaluú Restaurant & BarResponded on April 11, 2025
We are truly sorry for the experience you had on Valentine's Day. We are quite new and accidentally overbooked. To add to that chaos, we then experienced unexpected technical issues that night, and we know that affected your evening. We would appreciate the opportunity to make it right- please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you again for your feedback and we hope to see you soon.
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A
Alex
San Diego1 review
1.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
Overall 1
Food 5
Service 1
Ambience 4
Food was really good. Service was the worse. Took too long for everything, forgot to bring drinks, forgot to bring spoons for desert, and charged us before we were done. And then asked us for the table while still finishing our desert.
Worse experience ever
Kaluú Restaurant & BarResponded on April 11, 2025
We are truly sorry for the experience you had on Valentine's Day. We are quite new and accidentally overbooked. To add to that chaos, we then experienced unexpected technical issues that night, and we know that affected your evening. We would appreciate the opportunity to make it right- please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you again for your feedback and we hope to see you soon.
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L
Leora VIP
Los Angeles9 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 4
My husband and I had an amazing time here! We arrived around 8pm, and while most tables were taken, the space is a bit cozy, so I highly recommend making a reservation. The menu is curated by a Michelin-starred chef and the flavors and presentation are top-notch. We kicked things off by sharing the guacamole and bone marrow and beef tartare. Then, we each had tortilla soup and shared a plate of “Tacos de Nada,” which was super filling with six rolled tacos. We had already ordered the Sinaloan-style chicken and a Wagyu burger with truffle fries. The chicken was massive and perfect for sharing, and the fries were delicious. The burger didn’t disappoint either!
For dessert, we followed the waiter’s suggestion and tried the pineapple dessert, which I absolutely loved! It’s like the creamy part of a crème brûlée surrounded by candied pineapple—sweet, tangy, and the perfect way to wrap up the meal.
As for drinks, my husband raved about the Mango #5. I was unsure about what I wanted, so the bartender made me a special Baileys drink that tasted just like a chocolate-covered strawberry—so good!
Later in the evening, the place transitions into a nightclub, which sounds like a blast, but we were too full to even move, so we decided to save that for another time. The manager checked in on us to make sure everything was perfect, and I learned they offer chilaquiles at brunch. Definitely on our list for next time!
Since this place is still fairly new, it's a good idea to let them know if you need anything. We had no issues, but based on other reviews, they’re working through a few growing pains.
1 person found this helpful
M
Mary VIP
Dallas42 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 13, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
The most fantastic restaurant boasts a Michelin-starred chef with an exquisite palate. The upscale Mexican menu features craft cocktails that complement the dishes perfectly.
We celebrated a birthday there, and it was undoubtedly an excellent choice for a special occasion. The ambiance was lively, with good music playing in the background.
1 person found this helpful
S
Salvador VIP
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on February 6, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Everything was great, from the front entrance to the beautiful decorations, to the service to the Amazing Food
Fun drinks also
1 person found this helpful
M
Mary VIP
Dallas42 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 5, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Best New Mexican restaurant in the gaslamp! Baja Michelin star chef. The rockfish ceviche was fantastic. We did a restaurant buy out and it was perfect
1 person found this helpful
FAQs
Kaluú Restaurant & Bar is rated 4.2 stars by 14 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
Host Your Private Event at Kaluu! ✨🍾Looking for the perfect venue in the heart of the Gaslamp? 🔥Whether it’s a birthday, corporate event, or special celebration, we’ll curate a custom menu and provide exceptional service to make your night unforgettable. 🍽️🍹Book your table now at opentable.com or call (619) 255-1777!
