Brisa Restaurant & Bar

Jenny! We loved her energy, attentiveness, passion for her work and service. Three of us went for the Ugly Sweater dining event on 11/16. We enjoyed yummy food, attentive service, fun vibe, and nice customers. Felt homey welcoming. We will return. Chicken mole, passion fruit shrimp ceviche were 2 of our top faves but all items we had were very tasty, cocktails too!

Brisa is definitely a looker—gorgeous interior, and the kind of spot that makes you want to take photos before you even sit down. If you’re choosing a place for the ambiance alone, it delivers. Service was attentive, though they’re still finding their groove. That tracks with them being new, and to be fair, everyone was friendly and upbeat. The food? It’s fine. Not bad by any means, but not particularly memorable either. There’s ambition on the menu, but the execution didn’t quite hit. The sushi dishes felt overthought. Nothing was outright bad, just… trying too hard to impress. Overall, Brisa feels like a restaurant in the middle of growing pains—high on vibes, still dialing in the substance. Worth a visit for the setting and maybe a cocktail or two, but don’t expect a game-changing meal just yet.

The food, service, and overall experience were top notch. Our server Victor was incredibly friendly, attentive and always checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. He truly went above and beyond to make our celebration special. I highly recommend. Again huge shoutout to Victor for making the birthday celebration unforgettable!

Beautifully decorated space and outstanding food. We ordered the Guava Lava cocktail, empanadas, and the Brisa smashburger. So much flavor! The drink was a little spicy, a little sweet, and a little salty from the rim. Our waiter also recommended the Matcha Martini which we will have to try next time. The empanadas came topped with three sauces and some pico, so they were a little messy to eat, but delicious. Loved seeing the Latin-Asian fusion options on the menu. We arrived around 6pm on a Monday and the restaurant began filling up while we were seated. They offer a fantastic happy hour menu and the people on staff were friendly and fun. The atmosphere is laid-back and aesthetically pleasing with gorgeous glassware and warm furniture pieces. 10/10 recommend Brisa for your next date night, girls night out, or solo dining experience! They have seating for all sorts of group sizes.

I had just finished a half marathon and all I could think about was French toast—so when we passed by Brisa and spotted it on the menu, it felt meant to be. I’m so glad we stopped! The service was warm and attentive, and the vibes? Immaculate. The covered patio is filled with lush, tropical greenery that gives the whole space this breezy, boho-chic feel. It’s the kind of spot you could easily turn into a Sunday Funday with the girls or gather a group for brunch. I ordered the tres leches French toast and it was phenomenal—super indulgent, but so worth it. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in San Diego. This place just gets it.

Such a great new addition to the neighborhood!! We tried brunch and it was delicious! Some very unique flavors on the menu. Give the corn pancakes a try! Breakfast burrito was delicious! A nice wine list as well. Can’t wait to return for dinner!!

Food was incredible, took suggestions from our glorious server Miguel and he did not disappoint!! Drinks were delicious & served quickly. Such a beautiful atmosphere as well. Will be back to try more!

Brisa San Diego exceeded all of my expectations! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was outstanding. Every dish we tried was absolutely wonderful—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can tell there is real care and attention put into the food. What truly stood out, though, was the level of service. Jennifer, the managing partner, personally came by our table, and her knowledge of the menu and ingredients was impressive. She took the time to explain dishes, offer thoughtful recommendations, and made sure our experience was seamless from start to finish. Her passion for hospitality and food really shines through, and it elevated the entire dining experience. Overall, Brisa San Diego is a place I will definitely be returning to. Excellent food, top-notch service, and genuine hospitality make it a standout in the area. Highly recommended!

Amazing Service from Kristin at Brisa! I had an incredible experience at Brisa Restaurant & Bar in Little Italy thanks to Kristin. She truly went above and beyond from the moment I sat down. Her attention to detail, warm personality, and genuine care made my entire visit feel special. She checked in at all the right times, made great recommendations, and made sure everything was perfect. Kristin gave me excellent service -- the kind you don't forget -- and she absolutely deserves a raise! Brisa is lucky to have her. I'll definitely be coming back because of her amazing energy and professionalism. Highly recommend asking for Kristin!

Kristen was incredible. We had the best dinner and vibes here. It was also decorated for Christmas. Best GNO!!!!

Kass and Chris were amazing! They truly made our night so special - service was spectacular and the food & drinks were so great! Will definitely come back

Stopped in for a quick bite tonight. I started with a Kettle martini (a little dirty) with a twist on blue cheese stuffed olives. They stuff their olives with cranberry goat cheese. These were different but pretty yummy. After perusing of the apps and salads, I decided on the Pulpo à la Plancha and a traditional Caesar salad. The Pulpo was incredibly flavorful with the perfect amount of spice in the chimichurri sauce with guacamole and fried garbanzo beans. The Caesar had a nice amount of dressing with yummy anchovies and Parmesan. Definitely worth the stop in. It was very busy and the manager was tending bar and keeping a tight ship.

Came in and because we heard there was a holiday theme and I'm so glad we did! We made a reservation and the hostess seated us right away. The inside was so cute as well as the outside and made for a very inviting time. We ordered the Calamari and truffle fries as well as the Frostys Hot Mess. The Calamari was cooked perfectly ans so nice with the lime. The avocado cilantro aoli it came with was such a nice pairing. The truffle fries were also delicious, well done ans not to much truffle but a generous amount ot Parmesan. The Frostys Hot Mess was really cute, I enjoyed the marshmallow on top and it was a well balanced drink. Overall, I'd recommend this restaurant and I cant wait to come back!

Came here from Temecula for a date night! Sat night after Thanksgiving, we were seated right away. Our server was Kristin, she was super attentive, friendly and even gave us a few samples to try! It was part of their holiday cocktails. I ordered "Santa's Nightcap" and it was a recommendation from Kristin. I'm so glad I did, it was delish! Great vibes, atmosphere and decorated in the holiday spirit. We will come back again! Cheers!

Had a great experience here! The food was delicious from start to finish. Our server Victor stood out! he was very friendly, attentive, and fast without ever making us feel rushed. Basia, the host, made us feel welcome right away and was just as helpful throughout the visit. We tried the pot stickers, which were flavorful and cooked perfectly, and of course the calamari, which is consistently good every time. Ordered tequila salmon and sushi! Sushi was okay but the lobster mashed potatoes were good. The drinks were new, but they ended up being surprisingly tasty. Definitely a solid spot for a good meal and great service.

Came here for dinner and to see their cute Christmas decor! The food and drinks were phenomenal! We ordered the sushi tower and some apps and everything was delicious. Even if you just came for drinks and apps it would be a great night!

BRISA RESTAURANT & BAR in Little Italy, San Diego, had me at Matchatini!! And it was delicious! Even better when enjoyed in good company!! On Halloween Day, it was my sister-in-law's birthday. Our party of six secured a reservation the night before through Open Table. We parked at the Ace parking lot just around the corner for $25. Yikes! But this was the most convenient location and I don't think there's free anything in SD. We ordered starters and entrees to share. Honestly, I enjoyed everything that I nibbled on, which included fried calamari, sushi, salmon, french fries and chicken. But, I'll tell ya, that Matchatini was a winnah!! Service was great! We were seated at a long table against the wall, which was in the bar area. Our server was friendly and efficient! Surprisingly, for as nice as the interior was, the restaurant was pretty empty. But, that's probably because people were hosting Halloween parties at home. Felt like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves! :-)

RUDE The restaurant looked open. The door was wide open with everything set up. The restaurant was set up and ready to serve. Walked in and the bartender rudely starred with a silent (what do you want look) and I asked "are you open" and got a "NO". Okay rude guy... How about shutting the door so it's not inviting to the public to enter.

My friends and I decided to come check out Brisa for brunch over the weekend. We made a reservation and showed up a little early but luckily it wasn't busy at all and we were seated right away. Diego was our waiter and he was great. Very attentive and made some great recommendations off the menu. Even went out of the way to ask to chef if they could do a minor adjustment to one of the entrees. Literally all the food we tried was amazing. They had a holiday drink menu where we tried a few of the drinks as well. Everything was great and service was great! It was nice to visit when they were all decorated for Christmas but would love to come back and check out the regular Tulum vibe of the restaurant. Definitely will be back to try more off the menu.

Came here for Sunday brunch around 12 and it wasn't busy at all. The decor was cute, interesting vibe. My friends and I noticed that the music was a bit loud just needed it down a couple notches to hold a conversation and to actually hear the server. Felt like I was at the club. Was bummed they were out of the horchata for the martini, so I settled for the S'mores which was good, much better than the machatini, the latter was too bitter and not fun to drink. I ordered the steak skewer with eggs and tator tots. Asked for eggs soft scrambled but they came out hard scrambled and over cooked. Tater tots were so overcooked they were like chips and hollow inside. The steak was pretty good, kind of tough meat but had a yummy sauce on top and veggies. Server was nice and attentive and did bring out a new Tobasco bottle for me. Would I come back? Probably not, my friend wanted to try this place so we did.

I've had lunch at Brisa and it was a decent sushi option around Kettner Blvd. I came solely for the sushi, but they had various brunch items that were fitting for a brunch time meal when I came. There were lots of groups celebrating certain occasions, so I can suggest Brisa can accommodate for that! Looks wise, the restaurant is gorgeous, neutral, and gives off Tulum vibes to it! My friend and I ordered three rolls to share: Tizón, Brisa, and Mar Rolls. Tizón (5/5): Crabmeat and salmon were the proteins, the flavor of the truffle in this roll was perfectly balanced and is always delicious on salmon. Truly recommend this one! Brisa (3/5): Yellowtail, spicy imitation krab, and tuna were the proteins in this roll. The tuna on top could have more of a seared flavor! Mar (4/5): Standard protein roll, but there was a lot of variety of proteins in this one! It was dressed with wasabi tobiko and chive oil which made it tasty. I'd live to swing by for another visit to try more of their fusion dishes as I only had the sushi. I do recommend it for sushi for downtown as the quality is decent, as well as the presentation. You can tell they put a lot of detail in their menu and I'd be willing to try other options!

The food was delicious definitely should go in for their happy hour. We ordered a few things and our favorites were the happy hour sushi rolls, yuca fries and octopus. The drinks were pricey but given the location I understand. We ordered the Peruvian ceviche and it didn't hit, too much of a mango taste not enough citrus flavor and not enough seafood in it, i would skip it. The service was amazing! Our waiter, Victor was on top of everything and I believe he was the only waiter on the floor at that time. Will be returning for sure enjoyed the food overall and had great service. Ambiance was great!

Brisa Restaurant & Bar (BR&B), in vibrant Little Italy, has a unique blend of Latin and Japanese flavors. What a greaaat combo! BR&B opened a couple of months ago making it fairly new to this area. I saw it on the San Diego Restaurant Week website but never heard of it (seemed like it was a recently new addition) until my friend brought it up as one of her top 3 restaurants to go to. I thought Brisa was a really good recommendation and couldn't wait to try it. It was easy to get to. Plus, I was lucky with parking. When I arrived, I immediately loved the ancient look of the decor. I felt like I was at a vacation spot somewhere in Mexico. Brisa evoked a sense of calmness and tranquility just like its name. The night was pretty busy and my friend let me know we only had one server. When I met her, she was super friendly. It looks like she was handling it like a breeze. Our dinner experience ended up to be a positive one - The food and cocktail were very delicious. The customer service was still on point despite being understaffed. Thank you, I will be back BR&B!!

Where do I even begin?! It's Resturant Week I've been coming to SD so many times over the last 20+ years, I might as well be a local. Disappointed to say I never partook in any of the great Restaurant Week deals until this day. Brisa was one of the Resturant's that stood out when I was creating my weekend foodie itinerary. I made reservations 3 days before the day of on the OpenTable app. Party of 4 (3 adults, 1 toddler). We were about 15mins early to our reservation upon arrival the host greeted us outside and was an able to seat us right away. They have a bar, indoor and out door seating. We sat indoor since it was a bit warm outside. They provided us their regular menu, happy hour menu and their Restaurant Week Menu. The Restaurant Week is a 3 course meal priced at $42/person. The apps were amazing!!! Passionfruit Ceviche, Street corn n' guac and Empanadas. So much flavors in all three dishes! The ceviche tasted fresh, loved the empanadas; crunchy and cheesy. The tortillas chips however were not as fresh as we had hoped. Mains: Tequila salmon, costa sushi roll and prime NY steak. The mains were chef kiss!!! My order was the tequila salmon with the lobster and it was delicious, creamy lobster mash and salmon perfectly seasoned and cooked. The NY style was juicy and tender. Desserts: The churro was nice warm churchy churros. The tres leches were delicious very rich, creamy, spongy. I was blown away with how good the food was here and portions are generous. You definitely cannot beat Restaurant Week deal!!! And the service was outstanding!!!! Our server/host checked on us frequently. There was a time when we waited sometime for our mains but our server came to our table and apologized for the long wait and assured us they were working on it. He was so nice and he didn't make us feel rushed. After paying he said we could stay as long as we liked lol after already staying there for almost 2hours. The interior is clean and beautiful! I highly recommend and would love to return when I'm back in town! 100/10.

Had such an amazing time here on a slow Monday! Came to celebrate my birthday and Kassandra was the sweetest, most amazing server from beginning to end. So attentive, social, and friendly! We also had the pleasure of meeting another fun server, Yasir -- super friendly and helpful as well! Happy hour food did not disappoint: * Sol & Brisa Roll: 9/10 * Oysters: 10/10 * Calamari: 7/10 * Edamame: 7/10 Overall, Kassandra and Yasir truly made our experience so fun! Thank you both for putting up with our crazy laughs -- and for not kicking us out! We'll definitely be back again!!

So I saw this restaurant on IG and I bookmarked it because the Tulum vibes intrigued me. The draw for me was the happy hour. It was empty when I came on a Thursday. Happy Hour only available at the bar but there was plenty of seating when I went. Their HH food menu was robust and they had mainly spritz drinks on the HH drink menu. What I had - Horchata Martini $8- This was so good! Loved this drink and I would order this again and again! Peach & Arugula Salad - So fresh and flavorful! I loved the peaches! Tuna Tartar - Small bites of tuna on a crispy rice cracker. Good as an app. Brisa roll was pretty good. Liked the fresh ingredients on top. Yuca Fries were fire! Perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Our bartender was attentive and super friendly. I saw that they have a gold leaf burger which I may try when I return.

Went there for restaurant week. I had the lava guava drink which was really good. We started with the empanada and passion fruit ceviche. The empanadas were good. The ceviche was delicious. Great combination of flavors. For main course we picked the Costa sushi roll. Very good and fresh. My friend had the Prime NY steak. Unfortunately it arrived to the table cold and we kindly asked them to take it back and warm it up. Dessert was the tres leches cake which to my surprise was not good at all... I took only a bite and this is one of my to go desserts so I was disappointed. The churros were ok. Service was friendly. The place is loud which is a downer for me.

Brisa is a cool trendy spot in little italy with indoor outdoor and bar seating. The server was nice but there was only one waitress for the entire place. She was busting her butt as best she could but the entire dinner took way too long. Forever to even get water. After 40 min only had the appetizer. Waited on the check forever after letting her know. Get her some help please Food was good not amazing except for the tres leches which was bomb

Came in for the Tuesday night deal (half off sushi). We were seated right away and greeted. I thought the restaurant would be a little more crowded due to the deal but there was plenty of seating inside and on the patio. I ordered the coco loco drink. It came in a coconut shell which is a cute touch. For food I ordered the Mar which had multiple types of fish on it. This roll was very tasty and fresh. My husband got the surf and turf also very delicious. The downfall of the visit was ordering edamame as an appetizer and it was given to the wrong table so it came after we were done with our main course. The restaurant did comp it. Other issue was someone in our party ordered a vegetarian roll and that was the last roll to come out after we were all done eating as well. Other than the slow service of food/drink delivery I will come back since the sushi was tasty.

Love the ambiance , food and everything was perfect for my sisters and I night out . Our server XENA was very attentive and sooo nice . She made our experience nice . Will definitely come back and highly recommend.

Let's talk about the good. The food was very tasty and the drinks were delicious. The place is cute and sits right in the heart of it all in little Italy. We made a reservation and were able to sit right down. For a Friday night, they were not as busy as other places, which I never usually take that as an indicator of an issue. Sometimes some places are unfound gems, and those can be the best places/experiences. Now let's talk about some of the issues. As mentioned, it was not a packed Friday night, there were definitely tables available for seating, so the challenges with service were hard to accept. Service started out great, but then quickly became inattentive. We had to ask many times for basic things like share plates, napkins, and our check. I noticed our server chatting up with some patrons who she was appearing very familiar with, instead of touching her tables. It took so long to get the check in the end, we ended up asking just anyone who passed by who worked here, and finally got a check. We also asked for real wasabi, and what was brought was more of the same American version of wasabi. That was kind of disappointing, especially with a restaurant that has sushi as a featured dish. Would I give this place a try again? Possibly. But the service and attention to detail needs to be reviewed by management.

Cassandra was a gem! The best server ever, brisa is so cute around this time of the year with all the holiday decorations up and everything was decorated so nicely- the sushi here is so underrated, seriously SO GOOD! Especially the surf and turf roll. If youre looking for the next GNO spot this place is so ig worthy, and they have great food and service.

My friend and I wanted to try something new before her flight and we saw Brisa. Super cute restaurant and we really enjoyed the overall vibe. Our server was super friendly and helped us immediately! We got the sushi tower which was our choice of 2 rolls and some sashimi. We were a bit disappointed with the rolls as they kept falling apart every single time we picked up a piece. They had some special fall drinks which were yummy, I think I'd want to come back to try their brunch instead.

Tried this restaurant during their SpongeBob comic con theme. The restaurant itself decors is really cute and trendy. We had a reservation and ordered some cocktails. The matcha tini was pretty good and my friends enjoyed theirs as well. Service was a bit slow after we put our order in but our server was extremely kind and helpful. We ordered a few things to share, their burger, skewers and a sushi roll. I would say the food is just okay. The sushi roll was the only food item that I would try again. We had churros for desert and I would say those were 5/5! I feel it's more a place for a fun cocktail than anything.

Christmas pop up! Came here for their Christmas bar pop-up, Santa's Cabana and did not disappoint! What to know: free entry, full festive cocktail list, cute photo opps, and stunning light decor throughout the restaurant. Highly recommend making a reservation, but we're told the bar is open seating!

Had such an amazing time grabbing lunch at Brisa! Our waitress Cassandra was so sweet and made sure to check on us consistently throughout our meal. She also had great recommendations for the menu!! I loved the Christmas decorations and the overall vibes were 10/10.

Came here for HH. They were already decorated for Christmas and it was so cute! Great for small group fun. Jenny (waiter) and Chris (bartender) were absolutely amazing. Jenny was so attentive and gave great recommendations for food and drinks. Chris made the best drinks! Food was ok but drinks were amazing! For HH, you can get a pitcher of sangria + 4 appetizers for $35. Drinks 1) Rosé Sangria - delish. A pitcher had about 5 glasses worth. 2) Frosty's hot mess - great warm drink post meal. Had it as my dessert. Perfect sweetness. 3) Santa's nightcap - the gingerbread cookie was so good! Drink was amazing. Not too sweet. Cream on top balanced the alcohol perfectly 4) Lychee Martini - best lychee martini 5) Santa's (Something) Juice - super fun drink to share with friends. Was basically a punch. Straws extended pretty far. There was a lot in the Santa hat! Food 1) shrimp - probably the best one! The rice was so flavorful! 2) guac + elote dip - so good. Wish there were more. 3) popcorn chicken - a little too sweet but had great crunch. 4) calamari - fried well. Came with good dip. 5) wagyu dumplings - so good. Only came with 3 though and there were 4 of us. 6) two sushi rolls - I can't remember which we got but they were ok. Both came with a ponzu sauce. 7) truffle fries - you can't go wrong with truffle fries.

Place had been on my bucket list for some time and was glad I was finally able to check it off. We ordered a couple of dishes for apps which were the yucca fries and the Pina pollo fritto. Tye yucca fries had a nice crisp, but that cilantro avocado aioli really added the flavor. The Pina pollo fritto was good and served a decent portion. Although it was good I feel you can get something similar at Chinese restaurants. As for the main dishes we ordered the Miso Seabass and the Smoked Pork chops. The miso was savory and the seabass was so buttery, but no actual dairy in the dish. The porkchop was huge. That is definitely something you can share. It tasted delish and the chimichurri sauce enchanted the flavor. For drinks I ordered the coco loco and loved it. I'm not a coconut fan, but this was refreshing. Service was great, but was thrown off a bit with the photographer. Maybe this is something that happens for dinner, but there is a photographer that goes around taking pictures of you, but doesn't tell for what. Later came around showing us the printed pictured to sell the pictures. Wish he had mentioned that was the service being offered to save the expense of printing the pictures. BUT one of those pictures was used for the bday dessert that was brought out later. THAT was a endearing touch that I have not seen other restaurants do. Food, drinks, service and ambiance were all good. Definitely plan to come back and hopefully second time around I get to enjoy their happy hour.

I recently visited Brisa for the first time during happy hour, and wow -- 10/10! It was hands down one of the best happy hour experiences (and food) I've had in a long time. First off, the restaurant is super cute -- not just aesthetically pleasing, but the food and drink setup match the vibe. It's the kind of place where everything feels thoughtfully done, from the ambiance to the presentation. Everything was on point: the food, the service, and the happy hour menu. I'm honestly torn between telling everyone I know about this place and gatekeeping it so I can still get a table! Lorenzo and Jenny were amazing -- Lorenzo kept checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed, and the food came out quickly and perfectly prepared. Special shoutout to the oysters -- seriously some of the best I've had in a while. Fresh, flavorful, and served just right. If you go (and you absolutely should), don't miss the tapas and sangria special during happy hour. The rosé sangria was light, refreshing, and the perfect complement to the entire meal. I could go on and on, but I'll leave it at this: Brisa is a gem, and I already can't wait to go back for happy hour or dinner!

I never come to little Italy because honestly, parking sucks. But if I had to choose a restaurant to go to, I 100% would recommend Brisa. The vibes were amazing with the Tulum inspired theme and the food a 1000/10. Lewis was our server and he took such good care of us all night. He was always checking on us and making sure we were satisfied with our meals. My only complaint was that the chips for the ceviche tasted a bit stale. However, the lamb chops were amazing. I can't wait to come back to try more items from the menu.

I went here to celebrate a friend's birthday over brunch. Decor is fabulous, seating was comfortable. It's a very aesthetic looking place perfect for photo ops Our server was pleasant and attentive. He offered customers favorites when I asked. Cocktails were yummy. I had the guava mimosa and needed Americano to wake me up. Food came out very timely, and beautifully presented. Food itself was okay. The skewers were a highlight. I'd come back for the sushi to give it a try.

SO GOOOD!!! New go to happy hour spot!! Hack is to go to happy hour ON TUESDAY! Enjoy the happy hour menu until 6 and then 50% off rolls start after 6 pm :)) we loved the sangria + 4 tapas of your choice for $35! Highly recommend the steak skewers, calamari, and passion fruit ceviche. We also got the Brisa roll and it was good - nothing crazy. Our server, Sinem was amazing! Super attentive and so sweet :'))) the vibes and aesthetic so cute too for a date night or girls night. Tropical vibes :)

Came here for happy hour and was immediately impressed by the ambiance, it felt like I was in Tulum! My boyfriend made a reservation, and we were seated right away. The restaurant didn't look too busy for a Monday at 5:30 p.m. Our waitress was super nice and patient with our questions about the menu. I appreciated her honesty in letting us know it was her first happy hour shift and that she asked management for clarification on some of our questions. According to the website, the HH menu included a pitcher deal featuring the chef's selection of 4 tapas along with one pitcher of either sangria, La Laura, Guava Lava, or Coco Loco. We were hoping to choose one of the cocktails for the pitcher, but we were informed that the deal now only applies to sangria. Since we weren't in the mood for wine, we ordered other cocktails from the HH menu instead. My boyfriend got the espresso martini, and I ordered the horchata martini. A little while later, they let us know they were out of the horchata martinis, but they kindly offered to let us choose a cocktail for the pitcher instead. We ended up with the Coco Loco pitcher, which was served in cute coconut bowls, so picture worthy & delicious! For our tapas platter, we chose the calamari, pulpo (octopus), piña pollo frito (fried pineapple chicken), and empanadas. Everything was good, except the empanadas, which were a bit too dry for my taste. We also ordered the Little Luxe - a tiny lobster roll with caviar crème and the Brisa Bento from the HH menu. Lobster roll was super tiny but good. Unfortunately, the Wagyu skewer in the bento was tough and dry. Our favorite item was the Costa Roll from the regular menu. We were initially skeptical about ordering sushi since this isn't a Japanese restaurant, but we were pleasantly surprised--the fish was super fresh with a great rice ratio. We ended the night with the pineapple sorbet. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the spot. The portion was small, and although it was supposed to be topped with fresh fruits, it came with frozen ones instead. Overall, I thought the restaurant was solid and offered great value for happy hour. I'd recommend that the restaurant update their website to reflect the most current menu and deals more accurately. I'll definitely be back to try more items from the dinner and cocktail menus!

OK came here for the first time for restaurant week. It took at least 45 minute per different entrées to come so a two hour dinner turned out to be at 3 1/2 hour dinner. Food was mediocre, server lacked all kinds of everything we had asked for water I asked for everythingall took just to ask for anything. It took 15 to 20 minutes. The food was really mediocre. I will never come here again wow I was suprised .wait the salad was outstanding!! Everything else F !! Restaurant is pretty so hire staff and get a better menu ur by Ketter exchange come on due your homework

Mom's Night out on Thursday! We made reservations weeks in advance, but we were running a few minutes late due to mom things. We were warmly greeted by Jenny. She sat at a sunny high top table. The space itself is great vibes, almost island meets zen energy. We made it just in time for Happy Hour. So many stellar options but we decided to go with: Fish Tacos, Passionfruit Ceviche, Costa Roll Poke Bowl and Calamari Fritti. For libations my friend ordered the Guava Lava and she thoroughly enjoyed it! Fish tacos were lightly battered salmon. The flavors and textures complimented each other well. The salsa was just amount of heat! The freshness and flavors came together well in the Passionfruit Ceviche. It came with multi-color corn chips. I would have liked plantain or taro chips. Costa Roll was larger than we expected but very tasty. Poke Bowl was not what we had expected, but the miso was a pleasant surprise. The Calamari Fritti was my least favorite, we waited to long to eat it so maybe it would have been better hot. It didn't come with the tentacles which is my favorite but the pickles were good.' Cocktail came out immediately and food steadily followed. There was a minimal wait for food. Our server Fernando was super attentive and friendly. Jenny truly made the night enjoyable. She made sure to check on us just enough. The space is lovely, food yummy and service exceptional. Can't wait to come back to try the Pina Pollo Fritti!

Flavorful Fusion & Cute Vibes at Brisa We visited Brisa in Little Italy after a Pilates class at Helios Pilates (just a short walk away!) for a 7pm reservation--and it was such a cute little evening. First off, the interior is absolutely adorable--chic, cozy, and thoughtfully decorated. It has that trendy, modern feel but still feels relaxed and welcoming. We sat inside, and the ambiance made it perfect for a casual date night or catch-up dinner with friends. The food? So flavorful and creative--a bold and fun fusion of Asian and Mexican influences that really works. Every dish had layers of flavor and unexpected combos that kept us reaching for more. Definitely not your typical fusion fare--Brisa makes it feel fresh and elevated. The service was friendly overall--our hostess greeted us with a big smile, and we were seated right away. You could tell they're still getting into their groove as a new restaurant, though. Our server forgot our side of mole at first and later also forgot the coffee, but to their credit, they were kind and attentive once reminded, and they comped the coffee to make up for it, which we really appreciated. All in all, Brisa is a lovely new addition to the neighborhood with a flavorful menu, beautiful interior, and kind staff. I'll definitely be back once they've had a little more time to settle in--and to try more of that amazing fusion menu!

Pleasantly surprised. I didn't know what to think of this place when my buddy chose it for dinner. The food was really good. We went for an early dinner during restaurant week and it was pretty empty so I was skeptical. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the Caesar salad as a starter, the pollo mole for my entree, and the churros for my desert. The Caesar salad and pollo mole were amazing. The churros were good but nothing special. Their happy hour is pretty good too. Lots of apps, cocktails, shareable foods, and entrees to choose from. I got the horchata martini (too sweet for me) and espresso martini (very good). We got street corn guacamole, edamame, and a chicken dish to share for the table all of which were good. I will be back for sure.

Firstly the decor of this place is very cute and island themed. They've only been open 2 months! The staff is very attentive and kind and our server, Louis, was amazing! He let us know about the specials and what was most commonly ordered so here's what we got and what we thought! Drinks were delicious. I got the Guava Lava and my friends boyfriend got something with banana infused whiskey which he really liked. Appetizers: Calamari (very tender), Octopus (tough, not tender at all, would skip this order if you're thinking of getting it), Corn and Guac (delicious although the chips they provided were not ideal for dipping as they break apart very easily). My friend and I both got the steak. It was good but i dont know if it was worth $50 something. My friends boyfriend got one of the specials for the night, the Lobster Fettuccine, which came with the lobster on the shell. As far as taste, he just said it was "ok" so make of that what you will. I'm open to going back, but would just try other items on the menu.

the pictures looked so nice when I was searching for somewhere to eat in little italy...!!!!? I really should've known better ordering sushi from a fusion spot... ordered brisa roll which tasted like a dressed up california roll. friends got the tizon and mar rolls. I think I could've gotten the same satisfaction at sushi kuchi without all the frills. Definitely would not come back for the rolls, but the lamp chop appetizer was our favorite of the night and the customer service was nice. This spot felt like many other SD restaurants- all flash barely any substance. overhyped af.

Victor was the best waiter I've ever had! He was such a kind soul and helped us whenever we needed something and was always extremely speedy. he met us with a kind smile and a wonderful attitude that made our night! I would recommend this restaurant and make sure you ask for Victor. He's the best!

Luca & Chris took great care of us at the bar! Excellent service, premium drinks, even made my favorite cocktail that's not on the menu. I used to go to a popular restaurant in the area for calamari, but this place has stolen their business -the calamari was made to perfection! The slight chew is reminiscent of the Michelin star restaurant on the island of Burano (Italy). A couple of people have recommended their sushi, can't wait to return to try it! Love the pink feather chandeliers and mood lighting. Definitely adds to the ambiance. When closing out, our bartenders sent us complimentary bubbles. What a nice touch, CLASSY!!

It's very unfortunate that this place has slow service. After visiting this restaurant four times now, I have the same complaint each time-they are understaffed and the service is terribly slow. The food and drinks have been consistently good so I really hope Brisa can get it together with their wait staff. Don't want to see another restaurant fail on this corner of Little Italy. ALSO--a 20% gratuity was charged because we had a group of 7. The first issue with this is that the service was not up to par for 20%. AT ALL. Then, come to find out we were charged an additional 20% after checking our bank statement. This is not right and needs to be fixed.

I had just finished a half marathon and all I could think about was French toast--so when we passed by Brisa and spotted it on the menu, it felt meant to be. I'm so glad we stopped! The service was warm and attentive, and the vibes? Immaculate. The covered patio is filled with lush, tropical greenery that gives the whole space this breezy, boho-chic feel. It's the kind of spot you could easily turn into a Sunday Funday with the girls or gather a group for brunch. I ordered the tres leches French toast and it was phenomenal--super indulgent, but so worth it. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in San Diego. This place just gets it.

HANDS DOWN BEST ESPRESSO MARTINI!!! Chris will do you right. Best bartender around. His espresso martini will change your entire day! Stop by during happy hour and have the best time. The people are great, and the restaurant is even more spectacular!

The ambiance is really cool, very loud in there though. We were seated next to a speaker, but it was overall comfy and enjoyable. The service was great, everyone was very nice and accommodating. We were checked on several times by different staff. The food was very good with a nice presentation. The steak was perfect, the sushi rolls were tasty, the Brisa oysters were yummy, and the drinks were delicious. Parking is a hassle in this part of town, there is a valet service just down the block, so that makes it easy.

'Brisa' is Spanish for breeze or light wind ... Brisa Restaurant and Bar on Kettner Bl and is about 4.5 blocks from the harbor/marina. The space was formerly occupied by Zinqué, a French Café restaurant. No valet, no parking lot, just limited metered street parking :/ Earlier this week, friends and I stopped in before a Padres game. Ordered multiple selections of food and drinks from the menu and we were offered off menu foods which will eventually be offered in a upcoming happy hour menu; I especially liked the various sushi(Brisa, Mar roll) the potato chips topped with caviar, the champagne mimosa flight and the jalapeño spicy guava lava drink. I can't comment on any entree dishes, didn't try this time. I read some issues about some hot entrees not being served hot, food temp issues is concerning... Most of the foods we got were cold appetizers, smaller portions and no entrees. The food and drinks menu was a fusion of Mexican and Japanese inspired foods and I liked that we were able to share everything tapas style as we would also have drinks and snacks during the Padres game at Petco Park Stadium, within walking distance. Service by multiple servers was great. The interior space was nicely decorated, incorporating a lot of Tulum Mexico inspired decor to a vaca like vibe was nice...I'm so glad the interior layout had an abundance of outdoor lighting filtering inside. As for decor, there wasn't an overkill on faux flowers as many new places seem to do. While you may or may not feel the sea breeze here, Brisa is a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, maybe a worthwhile try.

Visited Brisa Restaurant the evening of October 27th with my family. The establishment was lovely. We went with a stroller and staff kindly made space for stroller. On a regular day, there is probably no room for a stroller. It was my family and another patron, otherwise it was empty. I can assume it was a weekday and the Dodgers were playing. We ordered a few sushi rolls, mocktails, and salmon dish. The selections were tasty. I can definitely eat here again.