Roma Norte
Restaurant · San Diego ·
James Beard-nominated bar crafting innovative Mexican cocktails
James Beard-nominated bar crafting innovative Mexican cocktails
"Recommended as a final nightcap destination in a quick San Diego snapshot, included among places to round out an evening with drinks after dining." - Kelly Bone
"This San Diego bar was named among the James Beard Foundation's semifinalists (revealed in January) in the Best New Bar category for the 2025 awards. The Foundation trimmed semifinalists to a smaller finalist list with an April 2 announcement; winners will be revealed on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The 2025 awards expanded to include new categories—Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service—and come after a recent period of scrutiny (a pause in 2020–21 following misconduct allegations and questions about inclusivity), an internal audit, and changes intended to make voting more equitable." - Nicole Adlman
"Roma Norte, San Diego’s new CDMX-inspired cocktail lounge, brings serious technique to its non-alcoholic drinks, treating them with the same precision as its boozy counterparts. The standout Taco Truck is a bold, smoky creation with house-made non-alcoholic mezcal, Giffard aperitif, and pineapple-cinnamon-infused Roots Divino. It’s layered, complex, and drinks like a proper cocktail — just without the booze. The Melón Highball is just as refined, blending Martini & Rossi Floreale with clarified cantaloupe, cucumber, and elderflower tonic for something bright and refreshing. Every NA option here gets the same careful attention, using methods like nitro muddling and lacto-fermentation to create drinks that feel just as thoughtful as anything on the menu." - Kelly Bone
"Inspired by Mexico City’s vibrant Roma Norte neighborhood, this downtown San Diego bar—led by Beau du Bois (of Marisi and Meadowood) and bar logistics director Derek Cram (Puesto, PDT)—offers a refreshing alternative to the usual Gaslamp fare. Nominated for Best New Bar in 2025 by the James Beard Awards, Roma Norte’s menu features over 70 cocktails that blend creativity with precision. Take the habanero margarita, for example: it’s vapor-infused with habaneros to capture the pepper’s floral notes without the heat, thanks to a delicate 30-minute distillation process. A dropper of capsaicin shrub is served on the side, allowing guests to customize the spice to their liking." - Kelly Bone
"Mexico City meets San Diego at Roma Norte, a sleek new cocktail lounge with drinks by Beau du Bois and Derek Cram — the same team behind the cocktail program at Puesto and Marisi. An ideal late-night spot for cheeky sips, this outpost offers discounted drinks from 10 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday. Margaritas and daiquiris are $9, and boilermakers, espresso martinis, and old fashioneds are $10. After hour snacks include $5 mini burritos with short rib, potatoes, and tomatillo salsa." - Roxana Becerril
