counterpoint

Food was always great here, but did they hire a new chef or something? Cus the food now is on a whole other level of excellent. Huge fan of their kale salad. I haven't even mentioned the drinks: absolutely tasty. Do yourself a favor, skip the beer and wine and go straight for their original cocktails, ask for the one with matcha. This is Rick again, signing out 🙏🏻

Such a great spot in Golden Hill! We sat right at the bar and was greeted immediately and with smiles. Ate brunch before heading out for Sunday Football. Everything was so good and the portions were pretty large. Left full and happy. Definitely a must when hanging out in San Diego’s Golden Hill neighborhood!

Really good experience from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by the friendly proprietor, and a very sweet dog, and a room full of happy people. The food was really solid, the Nashville chicken sandwich and the birria tacos both quite tasty. They make their own tonic, which is a special touch. They have a cool space here with spaces upstairs, downstairs and outside, healthy green plants hanging down the walls, cool lamps, good dim lighting, really nicely decorated all around. Definitely recommended.

Visited for lunch and it was nice and not too busy. They recently got a new cocktail menu so we tried a couple that the staff recommended (matcha cocktail, a mezcal drink, and a mango gin drink) all refreshing and delicious! We also got their cheeseburger and the quinoa salad with chicken, both great, especially the burger which was juicy and perfectly cooked. Definitely recommend this place!

I adore this restaurant. Golden Hill is filled with many many quality eateries, and Counterpoint anchors the neighborhood with it's fun atmosphere and dedication to quality. They recently renovated and the new space is open, airy and provides a variety of seating options: bar seating, restaurant seating, and upper balcony (I use this as a quiet place to WFH during the week), and an outdoor patio. I'm partial to the biscuit and gravy for breakfast, but the brined chicken and waffles or breakfast hash always makes me smile and sends me unto the world with a better outlook on life and a doggie bag. When it's hot, delicious crunchy salads are on the lunch menu and the craft beers and unique slushy flavors change. Counterpoint takes the quality of food and libations seriously. The craft cocktails rotate as the bartenders are encouraged to explore and grow. The owner and team are always warm, welcoming and make sure you have a good experience. Did I mention they are DOG friendly? Definitely worth the trip up the hill from downtown if you're looking to wind down after an event or precharge and eat before a baseball game. I love to bring my friends for a snack (try the olive selection) and chat on a twilight night. Space heaters outside if you get cold. Fans inside if you get warm. Honestly if you live in or are visiting the 92102 area code you should go to Counterpoint: good food, really good cocktails, and great company. It is clear that this establishment cares about quality, cares about your comfort and loves if you have a good time.

Counterpoint is 5 stars all around! Amazing food, great atmosphere and the people are just the best. They make you feel like family while you're there. Go enjoy yourself, you won't regret it!

Great staff, great drinks. Nice place to be a regular. Nice cross mix of patrons. Easy vibe

Extremely attentive and friendly service. Great beer selection. Delicious food. Cool ambiance. Not sure why I've only been here a couple times. It's seriously a great bar in a convenient location.

So glad you're back open! Cako has missed you! After a time for remodeling, Counterpoint is back open! Same great vibe! I'm not sure if the whole staff is back, but everyone was great! I had the shrimp scampi over angel hair. Soooooo good! I also had a beet salad cause I'm trying to be healthy! I'm glad their wine list hasn't changed because there's a great Malbec from France. Cako loves coming here because she starts pulling as soon as we turn the corner. Great place for everyone...even our four legged family!

First at Counterpoint and I was very impressed! I went in knowing they went through a recent remodeling and it looks fantastic. Great service from Chloe and the rest of the staff! Had the chicken and waffles benny and it really blew me away. Also met the owner who was very welcoming!

I've given this place a couple of tries, before and after they "remodeled." (I couldn't tell what changed before and after this remodel) The food is good, and the service is fine. But the prices just are not worth going out to eat for. $15 for a standard Manhattan, $22 for a salad ($16 without chicken), $18 for a penne pasta dish (which was admittedly tasty). I want to like this place and go back, but the cost unfortunately doesn't justify it.

Stopped in for dinner yesterday evening. My first time being here. I was with an elderly couple and my cousins. Nice ambience. There is only one booth with seating closer to the ground so my elderly friends had to manage with the high stools provided. There were tables and chairs outside but it was chilly. The drinks all sounded yummy and I chose the Tequla Maid. It was delish but the food runner took my drink before I was finished without me noticing and he didn't ask. He tried to do it again when I ordered another one but I caught him this time! The food was fab! Charcuterie board had some nice things on it and it all meshed well together and the ratios were perfect - cheese, meat, pickles, nuts and dried fruits. Yum! I also ordered the Beria soup which wasn't really soup but I wasn't mad - it was delish! Everything tasted fabulous! Will be going back again :)

I've lived in golden hills mg entire life always passed by this location, finally gave it a try. GLAD I DID. servers were so sweet and welcoming, once I mentioned it was my first time here they gave their fav menu item recommendations. We had the shishito with crispy shrimp, man that is a good appetizer, something to share. Loved how the every bite of the shrimp hd a nice crunch to it. Must try. I was in between the birria tacos or the pasta but I went with the pasta! Chipotle chicken penne pasta, it includes mushrooms but I'm not a fan and they were able to make it without them and I am glad they did, pasta was well cooked. The chicken was nice and tender, bell peppers and tomato were a great add on, lots of flavor. Did have a spicy kick to it and I loved it. 10/10 Decor was nice, huge indoor I was surprised how big it actually was. Have an upstairs area too but it was closed? Parking is tight, kid friendly. A good drink selection. I'm definitely coming back.

First day back open and better then ever. So great to see a spot with so much love and passion in what they do. Drinks and food are eclectic and just about anyone can eat here. Server always bussing around and even the owner stops by the table to see how everything's going. Can't wait to come back thanks for the dope vibes and welcome back.

Super friendly service from Everyone! Came here just for drinks, but will definitely have to come back for the food! Cocktails were very different and very good! And great pricing compared to cocktails nowadays at most restaurants. Cozy atmosphere

This is a locals spot, super cozy, good people, excellent food. One of my local favorites.

We had a great time here for dinner, very delicious food! We had chicken chipotle pasta and the Mac and cheese w/ Nashville fried chicken 10/10 recommend Loved the atmosphere and service we definitely would be back

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. Stop reading and just go. The owner is involved at every level - all the way to the table. Touch points are important. Food options, drink options (full bar) are on amazing. Plenty of seating is available. A great golden hill spot....

Amazing amazing veggie burger with sub of Brussels sprouts!!!! I sat outside with a friend and the service was great and trees surrounding us made the ambiance so beautiful! Love this place.

In the discussion for top burgers in San Diego. Their cocktails are great too! Staff is always super friendly.

dare I say best bar food I've had in San Diego? This place does gastro pub food classics but elevates it to the next level. I'm on a mission to find the best burger in san diego and counterpoint was brought up and it was amazing. the burger was big mac dupe but elevated it was insane - the fries are amazing but most importantly the kimchi Brussel sprouts. to top it off the dessert was probably the best dessert ive ever had.

Counterpoint is great for a casual meal! I've had both their brunch and dinner a it was so tasty. The farro kale salad is hearty and delicious and the salmon sandwich was perfectly cooked. The cocktails are also so well crafted and it slushee was refreshing. Service was warm and welcoming, such a wonderful neighborhood spot!

Omg this place was fantastic. Definitely a hole in the wall, The staff was great! The food was great! We were from outta town but 10/10 would come back. :)

I'd go out on a limb saying that Counterpoint should be the standard for all eateries/bars. But, that would be to high of a standard for most any place to attempt to achieve. It's hard to decide if this is a place to grab a drink or a place to grab something to eat.. when really it's both and more. The menu changes from time to time, which is loveable, but a little worrysome.. why? The Chipotle Chicken Penne Pasta should be declared a NATIONAL TREASURE AND PROTECTED AT ALL COST. Ok, that might be a bit extreme, but once you try it, it'll be evident what I'm talking about. Forgive me, but I can't remember the exact name of the soup of the day when we stopped by, but it was "Abitta Ramen". It's something like taking a beef consume, adding beef barbacoa, and magically putting in ramen.. and adding ramen ingredients. It's overwhelming. It's consuming. It crosses traditional food barriers to create something very.. San Diego... but unique, new and beautiful. Yes, it's a soup. But, it's a really, really @#$#ing good soup. Like, really good. Then.. the team that works there. They're what I'd say you'd call perfect. They're into their food, they know what's going on and magically show up at all the right moments. Counterpoint makes a person want to move to Golden Hill just to become a regular.

I'll start off this review by saying anybody that wants to take me out, like anybody at all, invite me to Counterpoint and I'll be there. Will I be there for you? Honestly no, but you can watch me eat fried cheese curds and try to not fall in love with me too much. Counterpoint is one of those places that feels like it's been here forever but is also new. It's comfortable when going solo or hanging with a few friends. It's the neighborhood dinner spot. I mean we have other options but none cover all the bases like Counterpoint. Meeting someone for a drink? Counterpoint. Going on a dinner date? Counterpoint. Just want to grab a snack or a sandwich? Counterpoint. Wanna enjoy a weekend brunch meal? Counterpoint. The cocktails that I have already tried have been delicious. My favorite so far is probably Unprotected Science. But since they're all good I think I'll be able to order something else next time. Gotta try a few more of these before the cocktail menu changes! But really that drink with the bourbon and the apple cider syrup was just too good. Maybe one more for old times' sake. Can't be all about the drinks- the food is delicious too. Cheese curds, always, fried and cheesy with the mustard aioli? Oh, you just know that's going to be good. Also great- the tacos. Beef or pork, can't go wrong. Plus the amount of radish on here can be quite generous. It's pretty and it's probably good for you. They're like "have a veggie before you inhale this birria taco." Thanks for looking out for us, CP. The pretzel is a great sharable snack. The bbq pork sandwich was delicious and very filling. I'm not a fan of the grilled romaine for the Caesar but hey, it's a nice meatless option for some folks. I'm not sure how often the dessert selection changes, but if they ever tell you that have a churro donut ice cream sandwich- yeah, you want that. If you're dining with someone who says they don't have room for dessert? Well, sucks to be you, but you should just go on ahead without them and order it. This wagon train has no room for the weak and those who lack a secondary dessert stomach. In closing- go to Counterpoint, order something that will most likely be quite tasty, and have a great evening.

We used to live so close to Counterpoint and would always see how it fills up both for dinner and brunch hours. We finally got to try it and it didn't disappoint. Ambience is amazing for either a date or a friends' night out. I'm not the biggest fan of American bar food but the cajun penne pasta and the bbq pulled pork burger we ordered turned out amazing. They also serve amazing cocktails as well! Now we totally get the hype of this place.

Food and the staff are always so good! The Nashville hot chicken, mac and cheese the kale salad, veggie burger, shrimp pasta are all really good! And don't forget to order a cocktail!! I only wish they had a bigger selection of desserts. We always leave wanting something sweet But a great little neighborhood bar restaurant that serves the best food. I love walking here

Great food. Excellent service. The ambiance very chilled and relaxed. Their beer selection is awesome.

Great food, great service. This is a hidden gem that I'm sure neighborhood folk are familiar with. I had their cheeseburger and fries and pretty much the best pretzel I've had in a long time.

So delicious! I love this place. Been there twice and I can't wait to go back. I love the Kim Chi Brussel sprouts, shrimp scampi, and cocktails. Hubby ordered the burger once and chicken sandwich another time and loved both. They give you great portions and the staff is friendly and attentive. It's a nice chill place with great food and drinks. We invited our friends the second time and they loved it as well. I definitely recommend this place.

I love finding a gem that's been there all along. We enjoyed delicious cocktails and beers first, then dug into really good bites. I had the poke tacos - yum! Husband had the burger which wasn't cooked enough for his taste but honestly, just stop ordering well-done! I say. Nice groovy aughts disco kept us happy, paired with friendly service to make this a solid neighborhood pub. We'll be back for the patio when its warmer!

Well made drinks, friendly and attentive service. This is a cute neighborhood spot a bit tucked away but worth a night out at.

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. Re-visited Counterpoint after various years of not dining there. We had a delicious meal along with yummy cocktails and good beer. We ordered their pretzel, mac n cheese and their Caesar salad. The pretzel was yummy and fresh- served with a yummy Dijon and their house made three cheese sauce. The mac and cheese was delicious with the perfect amount of cheese, topped with breadcrumbs for the added crunch. Lastly the Caesar salad was AMAZING- something about grilled lettuce just does it for me. It made the lettuce taste like a protein rather than well leafy lettuce. I ordered their sangria which was not on the menu but they gladly made it. Keep doing what you're doing Counterpoint. Great food options!

Chill bar in Golden Hill! I was waiting for my table at Kingfisher nearby & decided to get a couple of drinks here beforehand. Dog friendly at their outside patio, which is heated at night. & inside is cozy & intimate, & they have a loft upstairs. Friendly bartenders!

Went here last night after an incredible yoga class, our server was hella dope & the bartender was also super helpful. We decided to kind of start making our way through the menu (we will absolutely be back for more). The service was spectacular to say the least. We started off with the Paloma Sulshee which was SOOOOO good. The mustard for the pretzel was soooooo good, had such a good kick! The pasta...good lord, that was insane! Sooo much flavor, the perfect amount of everything. The kimchi brussell sprouts were good, but slightly too salty for me. Really can't wait to continue making my way through the menu! Great service, chill vibes, local neighborhood vibes, & delicious food and drinks!

This place rocks. The food is great, especially the Cuban. The drinks great especially the vespers. The service, is attentive and top notch. A real neighborhood gem. Great value too.

Exquisite concoctions. Unmatched assortments of beer and wine. Personable barkeeps and attendants. Sublime melodies. What more to add? The atmosphere is unequivocally ideal for all events. Should one bemoan this establishment, I pity them. San Diego boasts no finer local haunt. Visit without delay, gratitude shall ensue.

Got the chipotle chicken pasta and it did not disappoint! The menu overall has lot going on, so there's an option for everyone. A good safe option if you're looking to appease a large group, but otherwise nothing super special food-wise. Parking is on street as the restaurant is not located in a lot.

We are from out of town and we were visiting & looking for a good restaurant to eat at. I am so happy we stumbled upon Counterpoint! I love the modern yet chill atmosphere that you are greeted with when walking in, yet it has a classy and upscale feel to it. We started off with the bacon Mac and cheese balls, which were sooo good. The spicy ranch had a kick to it but it had such good flavor! I got the Justified Irreverence, which was soooo good! Similar to an aviation! It was crisp and refreshing. For mains, we got the crispy chicken sandwich & the cheeseburger with fries. The mustard aioli was so fresh and well made! I'm obsessed with it The portions were well worth the price point, and i even was able to take home half my meal for later. Apart from the food and atmosphere, the service was phenomenal. Our server was a sweet and bubbly girl, unfortunately we didn't get her name, but her and the bartender were incredible, and kept making sure everything was good and they were super friendly. They even kept making sure the door wasn't staying open and letting cold air on us. Thank you so much for an amazing experience! Definitely visit this cute little place! We will be back for sure!

The drinks here are great! They have a good assortment of beer and cocktails. The cocktail menu even included items you don't see on cocktail menus in the area usually, like mezcal and absinthe. The ambiance of the place is chill, loud music but it fits the vibe. The food- We got the birria tacos, brussel sprouts, burger and fries and the Cesar salad. The presentation is nice but the birria tacos were stuffed with fat. It was hard to want more food after biting into one of them. The salads were drowned in dressing. The brussel sprouts are on the spicier side but we liked them. The best thing any of us ordered was the burger and the fries are good also. I'd say come here for drinks and to visit. Get food elsewhere.

Visiting from out of town and needed to grab a quick meal, the service and food were top of the line.

Located right off the freeway in golden hills easy access. The Brussel sprouts are great and so are the drinks. Lots of parking on the streets. Variety of food and drinks. Atmosphere is Amazing and staff are great.

This review is almost 15 years overdue. When I first encountered Counterpoint years ago, everything was amazing and not much has changed. I've always loved the cozy and local vibe, the unique drinks, the impressive tap list and the delicious and well thought out food menu. The service is awesome. CP never disappoints and will always be near and dear to my heart.

I had such a good experience here so I'll definitely be back! They have a nice little patio area outside, so I went ahead and sat out there. Nice, calm ambience. I ordered the Brussels sprouts with kimchi sauce and completely fell in love! It was my first time ever trying kimchi of any variety and it was so tasty! It was AMAZING paired with the Brussels sprouts! I was taken aback at the generous portion they served me. It was a nice surprise because they gave me a heap of sprouts! The Bloody Mary i ordered was really refreshing. I had the option of having the rim salted but I decided not to. The drink had a little kick to it so if you don't like any kind of spicy (in my opinion, it was a very mild spice), you may want to ask for a non-spicy Bloody Mary. I also ordered just a shot of vodka, and saw on my tab that it costed $8. A little pricey in my opinion but no biggie! Everything else was great. The waiter was also super pleasant! Very polite, helpful and attentive without being overbearing. If you've been thinking of checking this place out, I highly recommend it!

Comfort food at its finest. Pretty simple menu but filled with good stuff. We sampled the soft pretzel, fried cheese curds, and fries as appetizers. For our main meal we each ordered the fried chicken sandwich. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture but it was SO good and very filling. We definitely left feeling the onset of a sweet food coma. Also, I wish I took a picture of the food/drink menus because the ones on here are so outdated!

We drew Counterpoint from our restaurant jar and so glad we did. Amazing burger, brew and staff! Would highly recommend.

So fucking good!!! Warm/friendly servers and gorgeous inside. Dog friendly Iced tea is on point !

Wow. Simply wow. Can't say enough goodness about the counterpoint restaurant establishment of which we partake. For one, the staff. Don't get me started on Johnny, Jude, Mimi or Tyler. Quick to make you smile and We simply feel we could live here forever. The owner really knew what they were doing hiring these four incredible people. Make you feel right at home

Great neighborhood bar, small & personal, in Golden Hill. We just stopped by for an after dinner drink, we haven't tried the food, but the the burger on the table next to us looks good.

Slow service tonight. They also incorrectly charged us for three burgers. We only had two burgers. They did, however, gives a large bowl of freshly cooked fries for free.

The bartender was amazing. She made a great drink and was very engaging and attentive. I had the chipotle chicken pasta. It was good. Some of the chicken was tough and other parts were very tough. The fried chicken sandwich was just ok. Overall nice experience. Highly recommend the drinks!

Amazing drinks, burger, service, vibe, atmosphere, crowd, location, etc. Highly recommended this hidden gem.

The parking was a little challenging....but it was definitely worth it ! I had one of the best salads I've had .....ever ! It was Sunday morning and so decided to have a Bloody Mary ..... why not ?! It was also delicious. Customer service was on point, they were kind, and friendly. They have a green selection of beers and cocktails....and absolutely loved the creative names for their signature cocktails. I keep craving that beet salad.... I live about 45min away but will make it a point to go very soon. Loved the vibe and energy of this fine eatery. Highly recommend.

Service and food was to die for, cute environment. Cocktails were delicious and the presentation was great. Staff was so friendly, very attentive. I will definitely be back!

Love this spot - it's my new Golden Hill go-to. Brunch is great and the team is super friendly. You can tell the owner really cares and has a great staff to support him. All good vibes here.

This is a great place to visit any time of day, and any day of the week, regardless of the occasion. The drinks and food are top notch, and the staff is responsive and always a good conversation. The place is dog and kid friendly. The fried chicken sandwich and burger are not only one of the best in SD, but also very reasonably priced.

Far exceeded my expectations. It's a small spot, easy to drive by without even noticing. But the beer selection, cocktails and bar menu are very diverse. All of us found something delicious to eat and drink. I was feeling especially childish and went for the Mac and Cheese and was not disappointed. More mature guests when for the burger (thumbs up) and the beet salad. Both looked great. The indoor space is cozy and neighborly (and I did meet a new neighbor) and the patio is shady and breezy on a quieter street. Apparently the menu changes all the time, so I've got to get back again soon.

Great cheeseburger and drinks. Don't forget to try the churro donut! Desserts rotate so get it while it's still on the menu. Sooooo good!