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The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

4.6
4.6
1349 Reviews
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027-7017

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Kid-friendly
Located in the San Diego Safari Park
OpenTable Diners Choice 2025 Award for Best Ambiance

Enjoy an incredible view of the African Plains at the Safari Park's newest gathering spot: The Watering Hole restaurant and bar. Watch rhinos and giraffes as you dine on menu items including tasty sandwiches and fresh salads or relax with a refreshing beverage from the full-service bar with a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and mixed drinks.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Escondido
  • Cross street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,349 people are saying

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park 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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Best Ambiance

  • North San Diego

    Kid-friendly

  • North San Diego

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Watering Hole offers an unforgettable dining experience at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Guests rave about the "amazing view" of the African savanna and wildlife, and "delicious food" that exceeds expectations. The "friendly and attentive" staff enhance the experience, though service can be slow. Reservations are recommended.

1,349 Reviews
  1. emery

    Los Angeles13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    its the view that’s basically it food was mediocre at best and the price is off course high for the basics, host was wonderful customer service was great staff extremely friendly but the food was terrible and pricey

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  2. Nick

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely amazing experience! We enjoyed the chicken club sandwich and the shrimp nachos. All while watching the animals roam and safari tours.

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  3. Leslie

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience. Excellent ambiance with the safari Savannah so close!! Our waitress Kaylee, went above and beyond to ensure that we had a great time!! Thank you, Watering Hole!! We’ll be back.

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  4. Wally

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Eating lunch while looking out at a valley containing water buffalo, White Rhino and giraffe is just simply idyllic. A lot of places with such a view rest on that and the food suffers. Not here. Make reservations and make it the center of your visit.

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  5. Jane

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful day at the Safari Park, and excellent lunch at the Watering Hole. Prices are high, but willing to pay since the money helps the mission of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

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  6. Martha

    San Diego5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great view. Nachos are great for sharing and I love the drink flights, wonderful idea.

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  7. Debbie

    San Diego9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Was our anniversary, requested a table with a view! Got a view to die for. Great service and food. Now, we don’t mind kids. And you are at the Wild Animal Park. The restaurant eating tables overlook a grass area in front of the Savannah. The families there were letting their kids run in the grass area and back to their tables, the whole time we were eating. So you do have to be tolerant of children!!

    1 person found this helpful

  8. tom

    Los Angeles9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to have lunch. Views are incredible. We saw rhjnos having hay delivered by pickup truck. Service was nice and my favorite is the burrata dish.

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  9. Kartick

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic experience dining at this lovely restaurant with family. The food is delicious and the drinks outstanding. Needless to mention the beautiful views from the restaurant. Do make your reservations before your visit.

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  10. yazmin

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The nachos were so good. Loved the ambience Service was good as well. A must try if you’re at the park Awesome views

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FAQs

The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park is rated 4.6 stars by 1349 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. North San Diego
  5. Escondido

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
Google Map for The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027-7017

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    San Pasqual Valley Rd
  • Neighborhood
    Escondido
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, African, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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