Kairoa Brewing Company

A tough decision for where to eat in my last evening in San Diego with so many great choices. This restaurant has to be near the top as the food was excellent with its roof-top views and superb service. There were so many good choices on the menu that it was honestly difficult to choose what to order. We tried both the Chicken sandwich and the Salmon dish and both were excellent. I look forward to returning in my next visit to town.

Great little brewery with beautiful roof top. We stopped here when we first got to San Diego and it did not disappoint. The drinks are awesome, the food is also great! Nothing beats a food deck on a beautiful day/night. Highly recommend stopping here.

We went there on a Sunday afternoon. It was in the mid 70s and perfect for some drinks and eats. We had the truffle blanco burger and Cesar salad. Both were amazing flavors. The service was on point. The drinks were delivered quick and the food showed up in appropriate time too. The hostess was super friendly too. I would highly recommend the truffle blanco burger! It is very filling.

Nice spot in the evening and likely day time or sunset. Good beer selection and did not eat so no comments on food. Friendly staff and good location to start a night at. They close early ish but plenty of other bars in the vicinity. Check it out.

Went here for a quick drink and bite to eat. Pleasantly surprised how great the food was and enjoyed the view we had! Also they did have an elevator to help my mother get to the rooftop as she has problems with stairs.

Parking in this area is not easy to find during peak time. Best to show up early or ride share. We got here at 6pm on a Saturday and sat upstairs at the bar. It was empty in the patio with a few people at the bar watching sports. Their menu is not only beer. I got wine cocktails. My first was Garden Party. It’s green and tastes just like a cucumber cold pressed drink. I loved it. Made me feel like I was healthy. Also tried the Hasselhef. I’m not a beer drinker but I can drink wheat German Beer. This drink won many awards. At about 6:30 we moved to the patio to meet a group of friends. My second drink was Coco Rosie. Tasted like punch. We had a group and didn’t have to reserve the patio seating. It was more like first come first serve. Great atmosphere on the roof top. Service could be more friendly.

This place is way cute! Fantastic space indoors. Wonderful outdoor space with different sections. The staff is friendly and helpful. Really great beer list. The food is wonderful. Very diverse menu. Nice spot on the corner next to the University Heights sign. Will definitely be back to this gem!

Came here specifically for the Barbacoa Lamb fries, and was not disappointed. Lamb was tender and flavorful, and the fries were absolutely bangin. Crisp and well seasoned on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The beer is also very, very good. The rooftop is stunning. Do yourself a favor and make it a point to stop here when you're in San Diego.

I'm a fan of Kairoa. First off, there's a lot of sitting area downstairs and upstairs on their open air roof. The service has always been great as well. I enjoy coming in on Wednesday nights for trivia and the bartenders are always quick and friendly. The beers are also really tasty, I think my favorite is the strawberry blonde. For food, try the lamb fries! Parking is street only so that can be a little tough but the side streets usually have spots available.

Kairoa is such a great spot in University Heights. Every time I come, I always sit on the second floor. The deck area has a nice view of the area and the open air seating makes for such a perfect San Diego evening. They have some lounge seaters as well as regular tables and you can order food and/or drinks. I think this place is really about the ambiance more than the actual meal. It's always what's most memorable. Parking in the area can be a pain, but it's a great spot to stop into whether you want to make a thing out of it or go bar hoping.

Stopped in to waste some time before a burlesque performance across the street. I was met by some very smiley people on a Thursday evening. I sat by the bar and mostly mind my own business but really appreciated the bartender, bar backs and even servers who was passing by, flashing me a smile. There wasn't a ton of people in the place which had musical bingo happening at this time (in lieu of trivia night I believe). Maybe around 15 people. Which made for nice background noise as I sipped my beer and watched Thursday night football on the 6 tv screens they have by the bar. Only thing I wished they had was closed captions on the tv. Otherwise it was a chill spot and I would actually come back. Beer was 6 dollars for a 8oz pour and 10 for a pint. They also have crowlers and 32ozs to go. They also have wine and cocktails, ciders, and booch. Didn't try the food but they have small plates, brunch menu, salads and bowls, short ribs, tuna bowls, spring rolls and other appetizers.

Came here to celebrate someone's birthday. It's a great place to watch a game! The padres were playing that day and a lot of people were watching at the bar. You have to order up at the bar and they bring the food to you. The drink options are great. A fan of their cider. The food was good but it was rather meaty. We had their burger and their sausage roll bites. The party loved the sausage rolls and we got plenty of them. It was kinda heavy and oily which didn't sit well with our bellies after so may pass on them in the future. The rest of their menu is super vegan and green so that may be the move next time. There are two levels. The bottom part is more of a brewery. The top area is more rooftop bar/outdoor area. There is a small parking lot behind it. Otherwise there is street parking. We went at around 4:30 on a Saturday and parking wasn't a problem.

Great service! If you want a dog friendly space with super friendly staff, this is your place! Food and beer are fantastic as well!

Parking in this area is not easy to find during peak time. Best to show up early or ride share. We got here at 6pm on a Saturday and sat upstairs at the bar. It was empty in the patio with a few people at the bar watching sports. Their menu is not only beer. I got wine cocktails. My first was Garden Party. It's green and tastes just like a cucumber cold pressed drink. I loved it. Made me feel like I was healthy. Also tried the Hasselhef. I'm not a beer drinker but I can drink wheat German Beer. This drink won many awards. At about 6:30 we moved to the patio to meet a group of friends. My second drink was Coco Rosie. Tasted like punch. We had a group and didn't have to reserve the patio seating. It was more like first come first serve. Great atmosphere on the roof top. Service could be more friendly.

We loved it. We met there for dinner with another couple. There was a private party downstairs so we had to go upstairs to the patio. We were dubious but the staff were super helpful to accommodate us and move heat lamps so we weren't freezing. And it worked out. We were surprisingly just fine after some effort. Someone at told me to get the dish and chips so I did and it really was delicious. It had lots of seasonings unlike most fish and chips. The mushroom fries were yummy. We thought they'd be cut up mushrooms and fried but it was instead really good fries smothered mushrooms. I had a lager I enjoyed. It was all great. Definitely would go back.

This NZ inspired brewery (& wine bar) restaurant located in University Heights is a must visit! The upstairs open layout is my favorite. An airy, modern, plus dog friendly atmosphere with nice views of the neighborhood. What more could one want. Comfy seats, check. Well maybe some delicious food to go with the great drink selection as well, check check. Perfect place to spend an afternoon. Oh, there's a happy hour too!

I've been here quite a few times, but this last visit was my most favorable. I'm not sure if they got a new Brewer or not, but boy have the beers improved. I ordered the Double IPA, which was delicious. For an appetizer I had a shareable, which was crab dip with toast. I loved it, and it was a large portion that could have easily been shared amongst three or four people. I was able to bring the dogs that I am caring for, and the server brought them out a bowl of water. I believe they also have a dog menu, which is super cool. The rooftop has a great ambience. It overlooks the University Heights sign and is a beautiful view.

Quite impressed with their beers, all tasty and quite a variety of styles. I tried the Garston Gold IPA, Bring the Ruckus IPA, and Cheeky Buggah Belgian. Garston Gold is touted as a NZ style IPA. It was bright and a bit herby, nice and dry with a clean finish. In contrast the Bring the Ruckus is a west coast IPA, crispy and fruity with a lingering bitter finish. Both delicious in their own right, Garston Gold should be on taps everywhere! Cheeky Buggah was the wildcard. A bit sweet with warm spice notes but not overpowering. More of a sipping beer but glad I tried it. My wife tried the Swag Chain Blond, Bentleys Brown, and Red Raspberry Rover. Her review is that they were all good but she could drink the Raspberry Rover all day. Tastes like a wheat beer with a hint of raspberry instead of the raspberry being used to cover the beer flavor. We sat inside but next time will check out the patio upstairs. Street parking only.

Vibe was great. High ceilings and clean interior. Good music and high energy all around. Food was not amazing ~ I could tell the potatoes were parboiled but they were almost too soft and wide that it didn't feel like I was eating French fries. My chicken sandwich was spicy in a painful and not entirely delicious way. I would have enjoyed my food a lot more if it was actually hot. Service was great and my friends enjoyed their food and drinks.

TLDR; Great place to stop by and have a drink. They are also super dog friendly. My wife and I go here whenever we want to sit out in a beautiful patio. Their upstairs patio is large and open and gets a great sunset. The beers have always been solid at worst and delicious at best (so far). We also enjoy snacking on their wings and fries. Fries were both crispy and potatoey. Servers were always friendly and helpful and great with the dogs!

Absolutely loved this place great food, drinks, and vibes. Love the rooftop great for kids. They have an elevator so stroller access is easy. You go up to the bar and make an place your order. Food was delicious for a fish and chips and it was huge crispy and piping hot. Their cider is also great. Parking is a bit challenging and snug but they have decent amount behind the building. Def recommend and will be returning!

I would come here again and again! Kairoa is a large space with both an inside area and an expansive rooftop patio with both tables and cozy couch seats. There is a bar area on both levels. Our server was beyond friendly and always checked in on us. They offer an extensive draft list with a wide variety and I ordered both a pint and a couple of small flight-sized pours and loved everything. I would plan on eating here as well because the food is not to be missed. They offer Sunday Brunch but we came on a Friday evening for the regular menu. The Elote Crab Dip was phenomenal and so unique, made with charred corn, jumbo lump crab, cheddar and Franks Red Hot served with Old Bay Buttered Bread. I mean, how decadent and delicious does that sound?! I had to go a little lighter for my main with the Green Goddess Salad and add chicken which was very refreshing and a good compliment to my Hazy IPA.

Such a great place to hang out and just have some drinks. I enjoyed the rooftop patio that has a view of the University Heights sign and most importantly, the line of Park & Rec across the street where we hit up after. We knew it was time to leave when we see a long line forming from up there haha But seriously, the drinks are great but food was average and needed more flavor. I really like how they serve Kove Dragon Fruit Marg, super refreshing. We ordered the Elote Crab dip which came with some slices of toasted bread. Dip was bland. The fish and chips were just okay as well. The size of the fish was huge but it was underwhelming, you definitely need lemon and sauces for it. Service was super nice tho. She handled our large group very well.

I recently visited Kairoa Brewing Company and had an exceptional experience. The food was fantastic, with each dish prepared to perfection. A standout was their homemade hot dipping sauce, which truly packs a punch and adds a delightful kick to any meal. Additionally, their selection of IPAs is outstanding, bringing the vibrant flavors of the West Coast right to your glass. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, and it was evident that they genuinely enjoy where they work. The rooftop is a fantastic spot to host friends or even go on a date, offering a great atmosphere and beautiful views. Whether you're a food enthusiast or a craft beer lover, Kairoa Brewing Company is a must-visit destination. Highly recommended!

I have to say that I really enjoyed my experience here on both occasions. The first one experience was for trivia and was not the typical dining experience as the food took a while to arrive however it was a great time. Parking is street parking so get in where you fit in! However, I did not have any issues finding a spot on both occasions. It was a nice space with the brewing equipment exposed and they have a huge rooftop area for dining or hanging. So my first time there, I only had the smoked wings. I did the 16 count so that I could mix flavors which I got the 8 garlic/herbs and 8 buffalo in the regular buffalo sauce. The buffalo were the best! It was really spicy but had good flavor and mixed with the smokiness of the wings! I was disappointed that I didn't get all of them buffalo, smh. But the garlic/herbs just was the opposite in flavor. The needed more garlic and herbs or at least more garlic. They weren't bad with the smokiness if you're looking for lightly seasoned chicken. Our waiter was a little stretched so I give grace on the sparse checkins. So, on my second visit my friend and I opted to sit on the rooftop patio which is very nice. They have walk-in seating area where you order at the bar and sit in the open seating areas. All the staff were nice and bartender was a rockstar! I went with fish and chips and my friend went with the veggie meatball sub. The fish was a healthy piece of fish and was very filling. It was cooked well and tasted as expected since fish and chips is typically a safe choice for me. My friend said he really loved the veggie meatball sub. He couldn't tell the difference according to them. Lol All and all it was a good experience and will definitely go back often a cool hangout spot.

Went for trivia night, which was packed and lively. Didn't try any food, but their beers were yummy. Cute NZ brewery with plenty of seating and open windows.

My friend and I, accompanied by our dogs, enjoyed a leisurely afternoon at Kairoa. We opted for the rooftop deck patio, and although the service was slightly slow for a not very busy time, with only a handful of tables filled, the experience was delightful. I ordered the French onion fries, which were delicious, and a stout, which was also very good. I was thrilled to see stouts back on their menu, as I had stopped going for a while because they hadn't had any stouts. I highly recommend Kairoa, especially if you can get upstairs on a beautiful day.

This brewery restaurant has a Maori theme, as the owner is from New Zealand. Despite being a casual pub, the decor is formal and immaculate. The main floor is a beautiful taproom. The rooftop level is equally impressive, and a great place to watch the sunset. The only drawback is that the umbrellas aren't always sufficient to keep the sun out of your face. If necessary, ask for a different table. The menu is quite vegan-friendly. During my most recent visit, I enjoyed the Chilled Orzo Bowl (which is vegan as is) with Vegan Meatball (made in-house). For my next visit, I would like to try their Sunday brunch menu. For drinks, I enjoyed half-pints of their flavored blonde ales--Rosey Buggah (strawberry) was good, but Chocolate Buggah was even better. Morning Haze really stole the show. This is a hazy IPA (India pale ale) with notes of pineapple, mango, stone fruit, and tangerine.

We stopped by Kairoa since they are doing their Summer Dog Adoption events! They partner with one of the local dog rescue programs and allow patrons to meet and play with the dogs in hopes of finding them a home. We sat at the Rooftop Bar area which was super pretty and had a great chill atmosphere. This is definitely a brewery I would take people who are visiting SD to. As for the beers, I got a flight of 3 (Back Paddock, Rosey Buggah, Undie 500). All 3 were alright but I'd be interested in trying some of the other ones. We didn't grab any food so next time we're back we'll probably get something.

Excellent Food, Cold Patio Best: Flavorful dishes with variety. Enjoyed the Holy Ghost sandwich. **Order Aioli on the side if you are cautious of the spice** "Crispy Fried Chicken, Tangy Mustard Slaw, Pickled Red Onion, Pickles, Holy Ghost Pepper Aioli, Brioche Bun With Fries or Side Salad" Tip: Top tier fries!! Crispy, a little seasoning, more substantial than shoestring but not as heavy as a steak fry. The ranch is quality here too Next Time: Will bring another jacket. It was 58 degrees outside & even with the heaters a little too chilly Service: Great, they even moved a heater closer to help warm us up Location: Clean, open, upscale. Appreciate the dog of the month posters inside Visit: 4.24.24

This brewery is perfect for bigger gatherings. They have cool top deck with many seating areas (some with fireplaces). First floor is very specious too, however, I would recommend the top deck for more relaxed atmosphere and better views. They beer selection is very good. They also offer wine cocktails which were good and refreshing. We have not tried food here but you can definitely find some foods to pair with your beers. Service was friendly and fast.

They sat my group outside by two fire pits but didn't turn on the fire pits. There was nowhere to put our food so we ate out of our laps.

Recommended by a friend of mine, both for the beautiful patio and the extensive array of vegan options on the food menu. Their Berliner Weisse beers are excellent, and we split roasted lamb and the chicken sandwich (our vegan friend wasn't there, so, hey, why not?). Very friendly service, everything about the experience was great.

Modern brewery with a ton of space and seating! Outdoor second deck very spacious and plenty of warm Sun. Great beer and service, can't wait to go back!

Great combination of beer and food.. the place also has various vegetarian options which we enjoyed eating! Kid and dog friendly.. if you're looking for a night out with casual vibe, you must definitely visit this spot! Extra points for parking lot and quick service.

Kairoa is one of my favorite spots to go to. The rooftop is wonderful and it is dog friendly! We have been here many times for group gatherings or birthdays. The staff is so friendly and gave my dog water and came over to pet him. The food was a pleasant surprise. We got the burrito and it was a big portion with lots of protein. Highly recommend if you have a big appetite. They also have tvs up so you can watch your fav teams (go padres!). Will be back many times this summer!

Visited late afternoon for a little early dinner. The gray sky was finally clearing up for the day and the weather was perfect. As always we received great service.

Very strong food, nice beers. I'm not a salad guy, I'm a meat man, but for whatever reason I was feeling a salad. Their Cesar salad was spectacular, maybe one of the best I've had in sd at this price point? Amazing. Their mushroom fries could have been better. Lacking in mushrooms but the aioli was strong. Beers here are solid too. Standard rustic western San Diego IPAs. Prices aren't too high either which is nice.

We hosted a party here and had an amazing time! My husband and I eloped last year and wanted to throw a party with family to celebrate. Kairoa offers the perfect middle ground of casual/upscale. We had about 60 guests and the private dining space and rooftop were the perfect vibe. We were allowed to bring in some games and decorations and got to choose what music station was playing. The food was delicious and all of our guests were impressed and said that it was the best food they've ever had at a brewery. The events manager, Candy, made the planning process simple and easy. I used to work as an event planner myself so I feel like I can really speak this praise from a place of knowing how much the job entails. I trusted her fully and on the event day everything went smoothly! I would highly recommend hosting your next event here!

I don't usually give bad reviews but here is. Been coming here since it opened. Food is mediocre. For years I ate the salmon. Guess what...not as good as it used to be. Great tables and scene but turnover is prevalent with the service. You're paying for the ambiance not the quality of food or beer.

The rooftop continues to impress. Perfect spot to relax and grab a refreshing drink or a light meal on a nice day! I stopped in with a small group and we got some drinks and food - we were seated right away and the service was great! Everyone enjoyed their meals but the salmon green goddess salad was definitely a favorite!

Great spot for rooftop beers. Honestly, I think the beer itself is a bit mid, but the food is pretty great for brewery food. Great spicy chicken sandwich. The rooftop makes the whole experience in my opinion. Night or day.

Found this place online and happy we tried it. Nice ambience, yummy burgers, good beer options. Only surprising thing was having to pay $1.50 for a tiny ramekin of mid garlic aioli and an extra $1.50 for basic ketchup and mustard :/. In this economy, small things add up and instead of that money going towards a tip, it instead went to paying for a lick of condiment.

Dog Friendly. Big TVs on, but not to loud. Service that gets it just right. Good variety of unique beers and a little bit of wine from New Zealand. And pretty good food in pretty good quantity. We've been twice in a month because it just fits like a glove. It's a nice change from some of the SD breweries that are very over the top about passion for beer. Kairoa just exist for you to have a good time, drink a decent beer, have some good food and relax.

My husband and I visit here often. Food is SO good and the servers are always friendly. I love the rooftop!!

Tried this place out with a friend of mine and I loved it. The beer was delicious and so was the food. I highly recommend the yellowtail, cheese board and carnitas tacos. Everything was amazing. The staff was also very attentive and friendly. The rooftop is very spacious and they have a few fire pits. Come on out and catch a great golden hour, you will not be disappointed!

Food was great, service was great and the ambiance was great . Great views . The lamb fries were great !

Always a great time at Kairoa. Food is solid, service is decent, but the rooftop atmosphere lets one soak up the sun while noshing on some brunch, appetizers and a pint of your choosing.

If you get nothing else here, get the lamb fries. We come here for Wednesday trivia quite often, and every time we get the fries! Trivia here is very fun, but you have to get there fairly early to get a seat. If you're not here for trivia, the upstairs area is absolutely lovely. Great friendly staff, reasonably priced drinks, and dogs allowed. Definitely worth a visit! TLDR; get the lamb fries and sit out on the upper deck on a sunny day!

This spot is a great spot, spacious spot and two level spot. (Rhymes like an Irish song;) Two levels with table reservation and open bar seating. Few spots of parking in the back however plenty on streets. Great food to go with drinks. Cool views from the top level and comfortable seating options. I'd like my birthday here!

This place is always an amazing vibe! Whether you are downstairs or upstairs the ambiance is awesome. I got the mushroom risotto which is vegan and was AMAZING. 11/10

Cool spot with good drinks and good food. They have a lot of options to choose from with Vegan substitutes as well. There is a small parking lot, but can easily fill up so you'll need to find some street parking. Unlike the other restaurants in the area, there are a good amount of seats. So even on a busy night you can find somewhere whether the bar area or upstairs.

Came here to meet some friends. We decided to grab a beer and food upstairs. My husband ordered the burger and I got the chicken sandwich with salad. We had a mishap happen our food was taking some time to come out so we asked the bartender what is going on. He took about 10-15 min to get back to us and told us our order somehow got taken by another table. They resolved this by comping our dinner and giving us half off our drinks. The chicken sandwich was delicious and so was the salad it was huge. They were very accommodating. The atmosphere of the bar is really nice I love the upstairs outside area. Great for big groups and date night. Will be back to try out the drinks they have.

Delicious food and beautiful roof top views Recommend their Vegan Mushroom Bulgogi Fries

A favorite of mine! I'm quick to bring up Kairoa when brainstorming options for a lunch or dinner spot with friends. The food is DELICIOUS and the vibe is great! It's the perfect spot to catch up with a friend. I'm not much of a beer fan, but there's a few fun fruity flavors on their menu that I keep reordering. I can't say that for very many places! * TIP: I recommend coming on trivia night. It's a blast!

The food and beer are amazing, the vegan Mac and cheese is so tasty, creamy, and filling. There's great views of University Heights from the patio, it's good for big groups, and 2 bars for optimal seating

Always a great experience and service, the food is delicious, the poké, wings, burgers are amazing! Beer is great tasting and great atmosphere.