From impressive company soirees to intimate family gatherings, sometimes you need some professional flair to make your special event truly sing. Private dining pushes the envelope with exceptional service, and we have your go-to guide for all things dining outside the home. Leave the dishes in the cupboard and spoil yourself with these hospitality pros who will take the reins of your hyped occasion and take it to the level it deserves. Read on for all the styles and spaces that aim to give you the top-drawer treatment, just in time for the holidays.
La Puerta
Mission Hills
4021 Goldfinch Street San Diego, California 92103
Dine under our beautiful plant walls and disco balls at La Puerta in Mission Hills. For larger events, our private event space can hold up to 200 people. Our back room accommodates up to 50 people, making it a great space for birthdays, bachelorettes, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, meetings, or just a fun night out. A back room buy out can include either a seated meal or a serve-yourself taco and quesadilla bar and tray-passed appetizers. We also offer event coordination and customizable set food and beverage menus to help you plan the perfect event.
See the menu: LaPuertaSD.com
Features
- Open daily for lunch and dinner, and serving weekend brunch
- Space for seated- or cocktail-style events
- Space for private and semiprivate fiestas
- Excellent menu offerings and award-winning margaritas
- Centrally located, with close proximity to downtown, Old Town, and Mission Valley lodging
Piper
105 Mission Avenue Oceanside, California 92054
Located at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside is Piper’s garden-to-table dining room, steps away from the beach. Helmed by Chef Chris Carriker, Piper’s menu is a garden-to-table selection boasting seasonal ingredients and fresh takes on classic dishes from morning to night. With a bright and open dining room complete with flexible seating options, Piper offers unique private and -semiprivate dining spaces perfect for birthdays, team meals, reunions, bridal showers, corporate team retreats, or large family gatherings! Private parties can take advantage of Piper’s alfresco outdoor patio experience or indoor banquet table for a unique dining experience with their group, as well.
Menu & Reservations: PiperOceanside.com | 760-512-3816
Features
- Outdoor patio table that can host up to 20 guests
- Indoor banquet table that can host up to 12 guests
- Full dining room that can host up to 130 guests
- Close access to resort amenities, including a spa
- Ability to customize culinary and beverage offerings
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
5921 Valencia Circle Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067
Far from ordinary, simply perfect. Rancho Valencia is a renowned and favored destination in north San Diego County, with a variety of stunning indoor and outdoor dining and event venues—from our sumptuous Terrace Room and Wine Cave to our airy and lush outdoor garden locations, our individually designed private spaces provide the perfect backdrop for parties and events of all sizes.
Book your next private party or retreat at Rancho Valencia, and enjoy the exceptional 5-star service and luxury your event deserves. Rancho Valencia’s inspiring, romantic, and unique event and dining space opens through windowed doors to spacious outdoor patios and terraces surrounded by verdant foliage. Let Rancho Valencia curate your perfect private event.
Reservations: [email protected] | 858-759-6259 | RanchoValencia.com
Features
- Forbes 5-Star rated resort and spa providing exceptional service across our 45-acre Spanish Colonial hacienda-inspired enclave
- Local and sustainably sourced Coastal Ranch cuisine with customized private dining menus
- Multiple private and semi-private spaces for groups of 10 to 500
- Dedicated private dining director to help plan your perfect event
- Provides privacy and exclusivity for parties of any size
Roy’s Restaurant
333 West Harbor Drive San Diego, California 92101
Situated on the grounds of the Marriott Marquis, Roy’s San Diego offers sweeping views of the marina and San Diego Bay. From our intimate wine room to our breezy outdoor lanai to full restaurant buyouts, we have the perfect space for your next event.
Our seasonally inspired menu is an artful fusion of bold Asian flavors and classic French preparations, brought together to create Roy Yamaguchi’s signature Hawaiian Fusion cuisine. Enjoy one of our signature tropical cocktails or allow us to craft a custom cocktail just for your guests. Complete your dining experience with a selection from our expansive wine list.
For an event they’ll rave about, we invite you to experience Roy’s San Diego.
Menu & Reservations: RoysRestaurant.com | 619-239-7697
Features
- Open daily for lunch and dinner
- Multiple private and semiprivate spaces for groups of 10 to 500
- Dedicated private dining director to help plan your perfect event
- Custom menus and cocktails available
- State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment
STK Steakhouse
600 F Street San Diego, California 92101
STK Steakhouse San Diego artfully blends the modern steakhouse and chic lounge into one, offering a dynamic fine dining experience with the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse. Located in the Andaz Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, the restaurant offers brunch, dinner, and happy hour with an unparalleled selection of steak, salads, and other entrees. The social dining experience is enhanced by an in-house DJ on Fridays and Saturdays creating an infectious, high-energy vibe. The menu features reimagined classic American cuisine with signature dishes and innovative cocktails, like the Cucumber Stiletto featuring Grey Goose citron vodka, St-Germain, muddled cucumber, and mint. As anticipated, steak is the main attraction. STK’s one of a kind, curated experience offers a variety of cuts like filet, New York strip, Tomahawk, Wagyu, and cowgirl rib-eye. Outstanding poultry and fish entrées are also available plus signature items including Parmesan truffle fries, Lil’ BRGs, tuna tartare, and sweet corn pudding.
Menu & Reservations: STKsteakhouse.com/private-events | 619-354-5988
Features
- Tempest Storm & Candy Bar: Intimate private dining spaces for up to 36 guests
- Blaze Starr: Private, open-air atrium for up to 60 guests
- Mezzanine: Lively, semiprivate second floor space
- Outdoor Patio: Outdoor experience that is perfect for a cocktail reception
- Main Dining: Ideal for large parties and seated dinners
Cardellino Italian Chophouse
4033 Goldfinch Street, San Diego, California 92103
Cardellino’s warm and welcoming private dining room boasts one long, communal table that seats up to 16 of your friends and family, alongside a suite of audio and visual equipment. In the kitchen, Chef Brad Wise blends cuisines and traditions—a Midwest chophouse with an Italian trattoria—to serve wood-grilled steaks, handmade pastas, and seasonal antipasti and sides meant to please a crowd.
Menu & Reservations: CardellinoSD.com/private-events | 858-769-3539
Features
- Fully private dining room seats up to 16 guests
- Customized food and beverage menus
- Personalized event planner
Rare Society
330 S Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, California 92075
Invoking the lore of Rat Pack gatherings and raucous Sinatra dinner parties, Rare Society’s private dining room holds 24 friends across two tables. Opulent yet approachable, the tucked-away space boasts a gold-paneled ceiling, a black marble bar, oversized velvet chairs and state-of-the-art presentation technology. Feast on a custom menu of steakhouse classics grilled over the flame, while a full-service bar and wine cellar keeps the party going well into the night.
Menu & Reservations: RareSociety.com/private-dining | 858-769-3539
Features
- Fully private dining room that seats up to 24 guests
- Customized food and beverage menus
- Personalized event planner
The Marine Room
2000 Spindrift Drive La Jolla, CA 92037
San Diego’s iconic Marine Room pairs dramatic views with carefully crafted plates. From intimate group gatherings to large receptions, The Marine Room accents events with a masterful Coastal California menu, combining the region’s freshest ingredients with innovative culinary flair. Plan inspired gatherings at a landmark destination where an oceanfront setting and seafood-centric offerings set the tone for an unforgettable event.
Menu & Reservations: MarineRoom.com | 858-459-7222
Features
- Private and semiprivate spaces that accommodate 12 to 200 people
- Curated and customized menus by the award-winning culinary team
- Polished service for lunch or dinner from seasoned staff
The Shores Restaurant
8110 Camino Del Oro La Jolla, CA 92037
Step into a SoCal paradise at La Jolla Shores Hotel and Restaurant where jaw-dropping ocean views are paired with fresh and sustainable Baja-inspired cuisine. Sip curated cocktails and craft beers just steps from the sand at a variety of unique event spaces. Groups of any size can be accommodated on the new beachfront lawn, open-air patios or the private, ocean view Acapulco deck. Bring the whole gang and make memories at this seaside escape.
Menu & Reservations: TheShoresRestaurant.com | 858-456-0600
Features
- Private indoor and outdoor venues from 40-300 guests
- Event coordination from our friendly and experienced catering team
- Customized and creative menus to accommodate all event types
Bali Hai Restaurant
2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California 92106
The Bali Hai Restaurant has been a favorite event venue in San Diego for 70 years. The spectacular view of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline make it the perfect location for all private events. The versatile spaces provide accommodations for festivities of any type or size. Whether you’re planning a wedding, class reunion, birthday, anniversary, rehearsal dinner, celebration of life, fundraiser, business meeting, or corporate event, the Bali Hai provides an incredible canvas for moments that will last a lifetime. Offering extensive food and drink packages, from a luau buffet menu, plated meal service, or a private brunch buffet, we have many options available with friendly, efficient, and experienced staff on-site to assist in making your private dining experience one to remember.
Menu & Reservations: BaliHaiRestaurant.com | 619-222-1181
Features
- Three private spaces to accommodate parties from 30 to 300 guests
- Free parking for all restaurant and event guests and access to our private dock for boat arrivals and departures
- A variety of plated and buffet menus available
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, California 92101
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, a San Diego landmark on Harbor Island, has been a destination for memorable events for decades. Featuring breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge, and downtown skyline, Tom Ham’s has the perfect backdrop for any type of private dining experience. Offering guests three different private event spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for groups of 15 to 200 guests. This venue has been the go-to location for corporate luncheons, holiday parties, birthdays, weddings, private Champagne brunches, and so much more.
Menu & Reservations: TomHamsLighthouse.com | 619-291-9110
Book a venue tour: [email protected]
Features
- Three private indoor and outdoor spaces accommodating parties from 15 to 240 guests with free parking available
- Corporate event amenities including black-out shades, podium, mic and speaker, and more
- A variety of plated or buffet menus available
Understory Bar
12841 El Camino Real, Suite 209-210 San Diego, California 92130
Understory is a high-end central cocktail bar that exudes elegance and sophistication. Nestled within a bustling food court, it offers a unique and luxurious experience for the discerning palate. Patrons can enjoy a wide range of handcrafted cocktails expertly prepared by talented mixologists, while indulging in delectable dishes from nine top-class restaurants within the same food court. With its stylish decor, ambient lighting, and an extensive menu spanning various cuisines, Understory is the perfect destination to unwind, socialize, and savor the finest flavors in town.
Menu & Reservations: UnderstoryBar.com | 858-205-9604
Features
- Complete or partial buyouts for parties of 20 to 150 people
- Private tastings and mixology classes with a cocktail-paired tasting menu
- Customizable events with one-on-one event planning
- Available for off-site parties—We’ll bring Understory to YOU with curated cocktail experiences delivered
Bronze Bird
910 Broadway Circle, San Diego, California 92101
BRONZE BIRD FOOD WINE & SPIRITS channels a contemporary San Diego vibe with urban-coastal décor, seasonal So-Cal cuisine, and craft drinks. The spacious private dining room offers versatile seating options and an adjoining patio.
Menu & Reservations: BronzeBirdSD.com
Features
- Private dining room capacity for 36 people seated or 80 reception style
- On-site valet parking available
Barrel and Board Social
1027 University Avenue, San Diego, California 92103
Slip into Hillcrest’s candlelit hot spot for chef-inspired sharable boards, craft cocktails, and sparkling chandeliers. We specialize in offering woman-forward and POC wine and spirits for something intimate or something eventful.
Reservations & Menu: BarrelAndBoardSD.com
Features
- Parisian Speakeasy with dripping candles, chandeliers, and gorgeous grazing charcuterie boards
- Restaurant has outdoor patios with fireplace, private bars with speakeasy access
