Rustic Root

American restaurant · Gaslamp

Rustic Root

American restaurant · Gaslamp

2

535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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Highlights

Rooftop oasis serving seasonal cuisine, craft cocktails  

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535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

rusticrootsd.com
@rusticrootsd

$$ · Menu

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535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

+1 619 232 1747
rusticrootsd.com
@rusticrootsd

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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The Best Restaurants and Bars in San Diego’s Gaslamp Neighborhood | Eater San Diego

"Find comfort food like rustic fried chicken, St. Louis barbecue ribs, and something sweet from the signature dessert cart in the rooftop dining space with views overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter. Their weekend brunch features a Bubbles and Berries menu with a bottle of champagne, berries, fruit purees and fruit juices." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-gaslamp-restaurants-downtown-san-diego
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Gaslamp Quarter Gets Green Light for Curbside Dining on Fifth Avenue - Eater San Diego

"Rustic Root is participating in the curbside dining program in the Gaslamp Quarter." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2020/6/17/21293628/gaslamp-quarter-curbside-street-side-dining-fifth-avenue-restaurants-bars
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Katie Simmons

Google
Amazing service and even better food. I come here whenever I am in San Diego it’s my favorite restaurant and I always clear my plate (rare occurrence)!!! Drinks are lovely and the non-alcoholic options taste great. Very attentive and friendly staff even on a busy night. I was there for a special occasion and our server kindly treated the table to a free dessert. I have never had a bad dish here.

Alison Foote

Google
Went here for a friend date night and cool vibes. Found the restaurant on a IG page and just had to try it. The restaurant decor is amazing, the vibes are good, food is great, and the location is centrally located in downtown San Diego. The drinks was a 8/10. The food was great I got the lobster pasta 8/10. My friend ordered the crab cakes 3x 10/10. Jambalaya was a 6/10 and I say that because the person that ordered it is from New Orleans and it was his rating. Overall great place and a must go.

Shane Sowl

Google
We reserved tables for the rooftop. We had a lot of issues with the atmosphere. The rooftop is EXTREMELY loud so don't eat up there if you want a family dinner. Additionally, the table next to us was vaping and blowing their smoke towards our table. Normally, it's not a huge bother but we had a one year old with us. We informed management and they did ask them to stop, but they continued to smoke. The restaurant the offered to move us to the fire pit for no additional fee. We were pleased with how the staff handled the issue. The food we ordered was delicious albeit a bit on pricier side. Overall, I would recommend this place as the food was great and the staff very courteous. Just be prepared to spend a little and pick the bottom if you're having a family dinner.

ileana giles

Google
My friend & I wanted to drive to SD after a morning function I attended as a speaker, so after doing some quick research, we called and made reservations the day of 4/12. We arrived earlier at SD, so we called if we could go earlier, and they said yes. Once we parked, we walked to the restaurant. I really liked the entrance to the rooftop and the vibe. We sat at the bar to have a drink, and the bartenders were very nice. Then we sat at our table and ordered burgers and our own individual Truffle Fries. Since the weather was pleasant, we decided to stay a little longer for the dinner menu and then ordered the Firecracker Mango Shrimp. This was my first time having this, and I did enjoy three. The Mango Sauce had the right kick to complement the shrimp wrapped in that crispyness. We shared laughs, and the server was not overbearing and checked in enough times that made our experience great. I also enjoyed a Lavender Lemonade.💜. Thank you to those who were working that shift, the service was good.🙏🏽.

Janet MDC

Google
I’ve been here before years ago. The service was still great. Our waiter gave great recommendations for our night out. However the food left something to be desired. The fried chicken was too oily and the breading was coming off like it wasn’t stuck to the chicken. The creamed corn was delicious, sweet and tangy. The biscuits are always a good choice. Otherwise if you have dietary restrictions they will help you to find something you can eat. Not sure if I’ll come back as the food was so different than I remember. Nothing wrong with that but it did need some work

Tess Seda

Google
The food and drinks were amazing and the place had a really great atmosphere. We were a party of 8, and it was a busy night, but one of us did not get dinner and had another event in the night to attend. Everyone else's plate came out, and we all ate unaware someone had only been served an appetizer that by the time the missing salmon dinner came out that member of our party opted to cancel and just had drinks and the appetizer. It may have just been an off night for service and timing. Otherwise the food was delicious and I would return just for that. We were also seated quickly when we arrived for our reservation.

James Young

Google
Overall it was a great experience, but I’ll say upfront that their menu is more limited than you see online here. They only had a few main entree’s and not much stood out for me so I grabbed the Boar pasta, and it was good. My buddy for the lobster pappardelle and he liked it a lot. Overall a good vibe.

Joo Yong Shin

Google
This restaurant is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of happy hour oysters! I thoroughly enjoyed them – a real treat. For my main course, I opted for the jambalaya, and it was absolutely perfect. The level of spice was just right for my taste, offering a pleasant warmth without being overwhelming. It was clear that the dish was well-prepared and flavorful.

Ricky B.

Yelp
Yoooo this place is lit! Food is great and the drinks are fire! Hostesses are friendly and service is amazing too! GO!

Cameron M.

Yelp
Abbey and Anastasia were great hostesses! Greeted us outside and no wait, we got right to the table! lovely ladies! and the food and drinks were great and in large portions, so bring your appetite! great place!
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Karen A.

Yelp
We had a large group dinner here on Monday evening. Our servers were good, but the service was a bit off. Drinks were delayed, although I'm not sure if this was the fault of the crew or runners or?? We got our meals a little randomly, as if they brought them when they came out of the kitchen, rather than as a group. I ordered a pork chop, and the flavor was good, but the temperature was barely warm. Since it was cooked all the way through, I ate it at that temperature rather than risk sending it back. My whole plate was cold, potatoes and all. Nice flavors and presentation. Just cold. The I didn't ask anyone else about their food except my husband. He said his steak frites was cooked well and was warm. So good. I really liked the atmosphere of the rooftop dining. Our table had a fire element, and it was a hit with our international dinner companions. This is rare in Europe, so they loved it! I would definitely give this place another chance. I feel like a smaller group would make it easier to have attentive service and an overall better experience.
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Nikki B.

Yelp
Service: our server was great. We came with a party of 8 and he was very inviting, attentive and personable. He came to check on us enough to meet our needs but not so much that he was annoying. The food took way too long to come out considering how empty the restaurant was and what we ordered. I would have rated it 4 stars based on that, but our server made up for it! Thanks Rodrigo! Food: the food was really good. Brunch food can be pretty basic, especially if you order eggs and potatoes, however, they were really made well, so everything came out great. The pancakes were super airy and light, which made it easier to eat a lot of! The pork belly is cooked really well.. and try their pickled chilies!! So good with everything! The portion sizes are more than enough and the prices are reasonable! I would definitely come back! Ambience: the place is exactly what you would think- rustic meets trendy elevated chic. The location is also very convenient if you are already at gaslamp! You should def try this place!
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised! My friend and I are visiting from New York City and staying close by. We walked around the neighborhood, passed by Rustic Root, and really loved the ambiance. We were seated at the rooftop overlooking the strip - it is such a nice vibe. The food was great and the service was impeccable. Every dish was flavored well without overpowering each other. We also got the Strawberry Fields cocktail which was super refreshing - they didn't skimp on the alcohol at all! ;) Our server Emily took such good care of us. My friends drink tipped over and the glass broke. Emily brought a drink to replace it even though we told her it was okay. I also asked to turn on the heater near us because it started getting chilly later at night. The lamp wasn't working properly and Emily offered to seat us somewhere warmer. We told her we were fine for now and will let her know if we change our minds. Next thing you know, the staff came to inspect the lamp again after 3-4 previous attempts. They discovered the gas tank was empty, replaced it immediately, and turned on the heater for us. Coming from NYC, I'm spoiled by many great restaurants with great food. However, it is restaurants with unrivaled service like that of Rustic Root's that sets them apart from the masses and leave it's customers with a truly memorable experience. If this was a restaurant in my local neighborhood, I would be a regular here. Highly recommend and will definitely come back if I visit San Diego again!
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Tri D.

Yelp
Service was impeccable and food was delicious! This is my second visit and both times have been a treat. Ambiance is very relaxing and the view on the second floor is second to none. Highly recommend for sit down!
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Gabriel M.

Yelp
The moment you step into Rustic Root, it's clear this isn't just another Gaslamp restaurant. The provocative and thoughtful artwork sets the tone, but it's the creative flavor combinations and unique dishes that truly make this place stand out. In a neighborhood filled with typical bar food, Rustic Root offers a refreshing and unforgettable culinary experience. No matter what you order, you'll be pleasantly surprised--the chefs know exactly what they're doing, so don't shy away from the more unconventional ingredients. Exceptional service from Alex and Emily, combined with a lively atmosphere and great music, made the experience even more memorable.
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Aurianna B.

Yelp
Stopped in for dinner after a show at the Balboa theater on a Saturday night around 9 pm. Rooftop was full so we sat downstairs. We were seated pretty quickly and were able to order drinks and food not long after. Our server was very sweet. She answered our questions about the drinks and even made recommendations. I can't recall what mine was called but it was like a fall cider drink, so good! We ordered the pork belly to share which was so tender and delicious. I ordered my steak medium rare and it was perfect. The fries were crispy and paired well with the aioli. My husband ordered the wild boar bolognese which he devoured. All in all, 10/10 for ambiance, service and food. It's not my first time visiting Rustic Root and certainly won't be my last!
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Xavier V.

Yelp
We were sat so quickly on a busy Halloween weekend, and we were greeted by a handsome young server named Matt. He gave great recommendations on food, and also did it with a kind smile. Cheers to that dude!!

Richelle D.

Yelp
Great place for lounging on the rooftop with firepits, music, tvs, And unique green lamppost decor! They have a variety of cocktails sure to fit your palate - lover's flannel is my wife's favorite. Chicken and waffles was absolutely delicious. The waffles batter is well seasoned and plays as a perfect counterpart to the spicy, crunchy, juicy chicken. Our rice for the pork belly dish was undercooked but the server was super courtecourteous and took care of it. One of our favor spots in downtown, try it out!
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Erika P.

Yelp
Food 7/10 Service 10/10 Ambiance 10/10 Came here for my cousins birthday and food was ok. Prices a little on the pricey side and portions on the smaller side. I don't think I'd come here to eat again. Maybe just for some drinks. Our waiter was nice and so was the ambiance. Loved the rooftop vibe.
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Marissa G.

Yelp
This place has two floors. The second floor is an outside lounge vibe with a nice view of downtown and a bar and the first is all indoor. I've been to both sections and I think the second has the best ambiance. Their drinks are pretty creative and sweet. They have a good variety for brunch items. I had the smoked pork belly Benedict and it was both crispy and savory. Our server was very attentive to our needs and helped us find a good fit for our birthday we were celebrating! The one downside was that they were out of a few things on the menu.
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Samantha P.

Yelp
Good spot, we sat in the rooftop main bar and got a few drinks and food. The drinks were pretty but ever so slightly underwhelming. The food was solid, we tried the Mac n cheese and the lobster pappardelle and while both were good the lobster pappardelle was next level. The waitress was nice but for it being slow we went really long stretches without seeing her so it made it difficult to order additional items
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Ashley M.

Yelp
After missing our original reservation at prime time on a Friday night, we were pleased to wait only 30 minutes for a table here. We got a drink while waiting up on the rooftop, however, it was February and pretty chilly so if you aren't a seat by the heaters then I wouldn't recommend sitting upstairs in the winter. We finally got seated downstairs which was lovely and ordered a bunch of different plates to split. I was surprised by how good it all was! The meatballs and Mac and cheese were definitely our favorites!
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Eva G.

Yelp
4.5 Came here for Mother's Day. My hubby made reservations. It was nice because they tried to make it special by giving Mothers a small and cute bouquet, then taking a photo and putting it into a wooden frame. The restaurant is cute. I would have loved to sit on the outside booths but they said they were reserved for bigger parties. Totally understand. We were on the high tables by the outside anyway. We ordered the following... RUSTIC EGG PLATE - two local farm eggs any style, rustic breakfast potatoes, english muffin, arugula salad, choice of bacon. BREAKFAST SANDWICH -brioche bun, arugula, house made sausage patty, mustard aioli, sunny-side up local farm egg, jarlsberg, swiss, rustic breakfast potatoes Eggs Benedict -english muffin, mustard hollandaise, arugula, rustic breakfast potatoes SMOKED PORK BELLY cilantro, smoked paprika BLUEBERRY PANCAKES -fresh blueberries, bourbon blueberry vanilla compote My overall experience was great. The ambiance was nice and welcoming. The service was fantastic, the food presentation was awesome and all delicious.
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Marissa M.

Yelp
Went here to celebrate mine and my boyfriend's anniversary and made a reservation for 11 AM on a Sunday. It was quite empty and we were able to easily get a table on the rooftop. Would've loved to have gotten drinks here as they looked incredible but we were heading out on the road so we just stuck with water. For breakfast I got the eggs Benedict with braised pork, and I absolutely loved it. The hollandaise Dijon sauce worked perfectly with the pork, and the pork had an insane amount of flavor. The only thing I didn't love is that the English Muffin that appeared made from scratch but was way too thick for me. The muffin was kind of dry and also was so thick that it ended up being what you were chewing over the eggs and the pork. It was a great meal, but I definitely would've loved the muffin to be half the size as I ended up cutting most of it off. My boyfriend wanted to get the chicken and waffles and unfortunately, they weren't able to make the waffles that day. They suggested he do pancakes with the chicken and he absolutely loved it. The pancakes were insanely thick, thicker than I've ever seen before. The quality of the chicken was absolutely incredible and he ended up eating the entire meal and it was huge. The food took awhile but our waiter even went to check on it with for us without us, even asking. She was super friendly and made sure to fill our waters up whenever they got low. It's a beautiful brunch and I would highly recommend other people to check it out
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Te-see B.

Yelp
After walking around Main Street in DTSD, Rosie and I ended up here. We liked the upstairs patio and the menu looked good. We asked to sit on a sofa next to the balcony for the view. Our server was very nice and answered all of our questions after we looked through the menu. We weren't that hungry so we ordered appies to share. *Roasted Brussels Sprouts - 5/5 *Creamed Corn - 5/5 *Wedge Salad - 5/5 *Crab Cake - 5/5 Drinks - after mulling over the menu and tasting the sangria I went with the Lavender Haze - $16. Not impressed. Very small and frankly boring Rosie got the Dirty Cola $15 which tasted more like a slurpee at 7-11. Other than that, we were very happy with our choice. *Younger crowd *Lounge vibe *Good Service *Moderately priced
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Ann V.

Yelp
I came across Rustic Root walking around Gaslamp looking for somewhere to eat for dinner. I was immediately drawn to the 5th street outdoor seating rather than the rooftop to enjoy the sunshine setting and people watching... bingo that's the ambiance I was looking for. My server was very helpful when I told him I'm a newbie to Rustic Root. I appreciated his insight and his frequent checks on me...right on that's the customer service I was looking for. A major plus for me was the Comic-Con menu. I ordered the Lavender Haze, Roasted Atlantic Salmon, and Firecracker Shrimp...OMG that's the food and cocktail I was looking for. I really really enjoyed eating my Rustic Root dinner while being surrounded by the care-free Comic-Con vibe.
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Kenneth H.

Yelp
They have an upstairs area that has a different vibe from the downstairs area. Good lighting & some areas even had a small fire pit in the center of the tables. The manager introduced herself & got our drink order started. We had the Lavender Haze & the Rustic Old Fashion. The presentation of the Lavender Haze was pretty cool. It came in a glass cover, encasing smoke. Ordered the Filet Frites & subbed the fries for mashed potatoes. The meat was very soft & juicy. The mashed potatoes complimented the meat nicely as well. Our waitress nice, taking her time to elaborate on our meals as well; very tentative.
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Rose F.

Yelp
You can't beat So Cal with its sunny weather days. A restaurant's ambiance is enhanced with a rooftop bar. We walked around and chose this location for the menu and cocktails. It was a bonus that we got to sit by the firepit, located on the upper level. We ordered some appetizers to share and some drinks. The Wedge Salad was very good, with Brussel Sprouts, Crab Cakes and Creamed Corn. I don't know what happened to all the photos, I think we were too busy chatting to save them!! Our service was very good and the food and drinks did not disappoint. except, I had a Dirty Cola, which has Bourbon, coke, and vanilla liquor. My friend had a Martini (it looked pretty, tasted good, but was not chilled). The Gaslamp District has something for everyone. Do shop and Dine when you're in the area and don't forget to tell 'em that Rosemary sent ya!!
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John E.

Yelp
The outdoor seating was great. We really expected more out of this food, especially with some of the reviews we read. Service was a little slow, even though that weren't very many gas. The drinks are premade mixes so you can't request something not be in the drink. The crabcakes were obviously premade and reheated. They came cold and not very tasteful. The meatballs were also premade and warmed up. Again food was cold and tasteless. We won't be back.
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Jessica L.

Yelp
Our server was very sweet it was daniel i believe.. The food was amazing and the ambiance was nice for a brunch spot with my girls.
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Leonardo E.

Yelp
Ambiance was really nice. We went here around right when they opened in the morning to try and get some cocktails and brunch but I guess the kitchen wasn't open yet and even after we waited a bit, the kitchen was still delayed a bit longer. They couldn't make all the drinks they had in their menu either but we did get some good alternatives. If you're trying to find a nice place to hangout during the day then this place fits that criteria well with the ambience. Gives me the type of vibe that a girls brunch would go out to and get some cocktails while they gossip haha. Even my wife agreed to that. We would come back just for the ambiance. Definitely check it out. We didn't get to try the food so hopefully it's good!
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Mia R.

Yelp
Rustic root was a hit! Made a reservation for sat brunch, originally for rooftop seating...however the rain had other plans. Even though we didn't get to experience the rooftop this time around, it was still such a great visit! Sat inside the beautifully decorated and interesting dining room. Service was friendly, excellent and attentive. Is a GREAT place for a birthday brunch, and has along presentations! I love thw group cocktails they offer...perfect for a party and sharing. A tray of mimosas comes with a bottle and 3 juices and fruit purees & our favorite was the rose & Chamomile infused vodka cocktail that was served in an adorable tea set. $50 and is great for 2-4 people. Food was so good and had a good ruwtic selectoon. I had the brisket hash and it was so good! Such a great brunch experience, would highly recommend and we will be back!
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Kiana W.

Yelp
Visited San Diego on a weekend trip and this place we recommended to me by a local and I'm so glad they did! I wasn't able to make a reservation for the rooftop so we decided to just walk in and see what happened. When we got there they told us downstairs we could be seated right away but the rooftop had about a 15 minute wait. We wanted upstairs so we went up there and grabbed a drink while waiting. The host was very polite and came over and found us to ask if we were waiting for upstairs and that they were getting a table ready now. Only waited about 5-10 minutes on a Saturday for brunch so yay to that. The food: I got the steak and eggs. As you can see a little of the blood or whatever that is kind of spread over to the eggs which was kind of gross looking and probably the only thing I think they could've improved in. Maybe cleaned it up or had something in between to prevent this. However, the steak was cooked perfectly and flavored well. The sauce that it comes with is delicious!! & the eggs were cooked well and I liked the cheese they used (I did have to ask for cheese on the eggs). The Caesar salad was fresh and tasty as well and a good size. Drinks: the espresso martini type drink was actually really good. I don't love coffee but could use a little pick me up and it did the job without a super overwhelming coffee flavor and I enjoyed it. The champagne presentation was so cute!! I loved all of the different options to mix and how they made it more fun instead of the basic orange juice like many places. Service & ambiance: the vibes were good. The DJ was amazing!!! Played some older hip hop and rnb which I love. Lot of people were singing along and having a good time. Our server was also really polite and made sure to check on us regularly and make sure we didn't need anything. Great experience, will definitely go back if I'm in San Diego again.

Katlyn V.

Yelp
We had the best brunch at Rustic Root! Our server Matt was so attentive and made sure our group had the best time! Will definitely be back! 10/10
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Pace M.

Yelp
Pappaardellle 9/10 (small shell in dish) FireCracker Shrimp (10/10) Caesar Salad (10/10)
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Jaslean A.

Yelp
Okay WOW this breakfast was incredible!!! My sandwhich was amazing and the strawberry matchas were DELICIOUS!!! The staff was super attentive. Great service and ambiance. Next time I'm in San Diego I'd absolutely come here!!! Rod, Yvette, and Justin you were wonderful!!
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Lea V.

Yelp
Ambiance: fun and flashy ambiance. Perfect for groups, birthday parties, bachelorette brunches, etc. there is a ton of space but we chose to sit upstairs. The upstairs has plenty of shade, seating, and a lil view. Service: the place is popular so be expected to wait at least 20 mins for your order to be completed. The service is otherwise great! Tasha was our server: she was very personable and gave us solid food recommendations. The manager also stopped by our table to ask how our experience was. Food: we went for the brunch menu. Breakfast Sandwich: the flavors of this sandwich are great and the side potatoes were good although I preferred my husband Parmesan fries. The homemade sausage and arugula add great flavor but be advised that the sausage patty is as thick as a burger patty. Being that this sandwich has an over easy egg on top, you can expect it to be quite messy so not recommended for a first date. Breakfast burger: similar to the sandwich but with a beef patty instead of sausage and also very messy. My husband was a bit, eh about it. The fries were bomb tho. Cocktails: loved the espresso martinis! Bloody Mary's were alright. We didn't get the mimosa flight but we saw it and the presentation and options looked amazing. If I return: i would order Benedict, looked delicious. I would try the mimosa flight and would definitely have the espresso martinis again. All in all a great experience
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Emilio M.

Yelp
Based on what I've read about RR (as well as pictures I've seen of the food, drinks and decor) and the fact that this place came highly recommended by my good friend in San Diego, this should have easily been a five star + review. I should have been sharing with you that this is the 1st spot I looked at to celebrate my milestone birthday and rave about how awesome everything was! Sadly no. This is not that review. What happened? After scrubbing through pictures and reading comments of RR on Yelp I called them up, exactly one week prior to my trip. I wanted to be sure of my party of 12 to 14 people could be accommodated. I spoke to a young lady (won't name names cause a girls gotta eat) who politely took down my name, phone number and email address. All this info was repeated and in that two minute conversation that we had (she said she would run my request by a host coordinator)...I was sure I'd get a call back to confirm for a party of 12-14 people. First day went by...nothing. Long story short...I never got a call back/messages nor an email (yeah I checked my junk mail etc). Well that sucked. Some bruised feelings aside, it's all good. I'm glad RR pulls in enough business to blow off a dozen + people. I mean if you couldn't handle the group size just tell me! I can take it! Overall: If you happen to have had a wonderful time here I'm truly happy for you. It could have been nice to have shared the same experience but it's never gonna happen. I want nothing to do with this place. I do hope they treat the next person calling with a similar request with a sense of decency and respect. Do better.
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Cynthia S.

Yelp
I can see why this place received so much recommendations. The drinks are delicious and so is the food. We got there just in time for happy hour! Make sure to check out their happy hour because the drinks are half off. I really enjoyed the Lavendar Haze. I got the rustic fried chicken and it was cooked perfectly! It was juicy and tender. The cream corn was good too but a little too sweet. I got a side of the corn bread and it was amazing. Best cornbread I've had at a restaurants. The only complaint I have is that the chicken was heavily battered. Service was friendly, but did take a little longer to get our check after we were done eating. Our server checked on us twice after but took a while with the check. Cute ambiance for rooftop vibes!
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Sandy V.

Yelp
Nice ambiance! Perfect for date nights! My hudband and I love to sit upstairs where we have a good view of Gas Lamp. We always get the charcuterie board for appetizers...
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Miguel M.

Yelp
I decided to stop in for some cocktails. And cocktails were decent. Meaning there was enough alcohol and not watered down. Flavorful as well. Our waiter was pretty fast since we were on the lookout area. Ambience had loud music. Not too hi tempo but enough that it's not dead. Lol I would come back.
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Kaili A.

Yelp
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp District. Service, food and ambience was superb! The decor is super cute and their craft cocktails were fun and delicious! The table next to us was celebrating a birthday and they came out with these fun sparklers! The restaurant definitely had a fun, upbeat vibe to it. We wanted to sit on the rooftop which, is first come first serve , but we still made a reservation for the main part of the restaurant. When we showed up, we asked if we could be seated upstairs on the rooftop and they had availability! Yay us! When we showed up, they had their sunroof closed but as the sunset, they opened the sunroof and opened up directly to the sky above! Absolutely suburbs so that you could enjoy the nice San Diego evening!
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Elizabeth A. H.

Yelp
Amazing atmosphere and really nice bar staff. The food was tasty but at the event we were at did not order enough. The drinks were 10/10.
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My N.

Yelp
I came out on a Wednesday night and made it just in time for happy hour. Drinks are half off until 6:30 PM. It was a great deal. I ordered the pork belly and the fries off of happy hour. The pork belly was to die for. I'm coming back to get another one. Another thing that was on the happy hour menu was a flatbread which unfortunately they were not serving that day. I think this restaurant changes their menu from time to time . I got the Bolognese pasta, I would give it a seven out of 10. It was not bad, but I felt like the portion was kind of small. And there wasn't really anything special to it. My experience at the restaurant was really good. The service was great and the ambience upstairs was fantastic. Nice and warm with all the heaters. I'll be coming back !
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Diana N.

Yelp
My first time to rustic root and the brunch was phenomenal!! I'm not a big breakfast person but this restaurant really took breakfast dishes and flavors to a higher level. The drinks were definitely crafted with love and finesse. The lavender hazy was dangerously refreshing. The chicken in the sandwich and the chicken and waffles dish came out super juicy with a good crunch. Sasha, Justin, and the rest of the staff were very consistently friendly and attentive from the moment we walked in, throughout, and to the moment we left. This is such a cute staple restaurant in downtown!!
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Lilian T.

Yelp
Vibes are kid and family friendly, but also great place to celebrate events and birthdays! A MUST GET is the pork belly. That crisp on the outside with the flavorful grits yummmm I'm still dreaming about it. Lobster pasta was actually not as flavorful as I had hoped. But staff was super nice it made this place a fun time with wine

Anna R.

Yelp
10/10 food, service, ambiance and service. The coolest place with the best experience! The drinks were fun and creative. The food tasted delicious and the service was amazing. Jacob did an amazing job making it special for a birthday and just overall a great time. Will definitely be coming back!
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Steph L.

Yelp
I've now been for brunch and dinner (comic con!) Parking is very difficult, street only. The roof top does not open until 11am (their brunch starts at 10am). I highly recommend the roof top as there is a smoke shop next door, if you sit on the first floor the cigar smell is very strong. They have a 5% surcharge fee. Brunch: Brisket hash - this was VERY good. I would def recommend this one. The flavor was excellent and the brisket was very good. Side pork belly - I thought this would be like the one offered at dinner but it was not the same. It wasn't good. I would have preferred regular bacon. Biscuits and gravy - subbed scrambled eggs. The flavor was very good. Biscuits were tasty as well. It was a lot for one person and was very heavy. Would recommend to share this. Tried the strawberry matcha, lavender coffee and iced honey coffee. Lavender was too strong for me. Matcha was good, I like that it's not a syrup on the bottom. Iced honey was the safe choice and I like it the best. These are pricey at at $8 each. Dinner: Tomahawk - wow the presentation on this! It caught the eye of many people. It was also amazing tasting. Brussel sprouts were very good. Pork belly was amazing. You must get the lavender drink. So pretty with butterfly and it was tasty too. Will def add this as a must visit during comic con.
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Jessica G.

Yelp
It is also commendable to see Business Manager Alyssa K. respond to each inquiry with a positive approach. However, it appears she consistently refrains from addressing those who have reported negative experiences.
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Tahishia P.

Yelp
When I booked our dinner reservations I was also really curious about their brunch so I booked that too lol. The bubbles and berries was a cute little touch, but more conceptually than practical. Making my own "belini" was not bar quality lol. But cute nonetheless, would probably do it again. Hubby was in the mood for something mexican inspired so he ordered the chillaquilles. He said it was pretty good despite the chicen being "a bit dry" and he would have loved more green sauce. I ordered a buttermilk pancake and boy was I glad I only ordered one lol. It was so thick, I was a little concerned that it was going to be mushy inside. I was pleasantly surprised. It was fluffy, not super heavy and very flavorful. While not listed as an add-on, I also added rustic potatoes to my order that was also very good. Got some bacon and couldn't resist trying their house made sausage. That was, uhhh, not what we expected. I understand what they are trying to do with that sausage, but throwing together an amalgamation of meats and an over powering herb (rosemary?) was not to our liking. But that was really our only complaint. The ambiance is hip and the food mostly good. We will definitely be back for those pancakes!
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Derek P.

Yelp
fantastic food and atmosphere. Fire cracker shrimp is a must. Both meals we got were delicious and the service was great.
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Luiza M.

Yelp
The vibes on this rooftop at happy hour with half off drinks just can't be beat. All the drinks at this place are so unique and fun and have the coolest presentation. The food here is really good too but happy hour is where it's at! M-F 5-6:30
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Luna M.

Yelp
Horrible service. Had to ask waitress for everything. Left us with no utensils amongst other discrepancies. DO NOT order the fried chicken dish unless you only want eat fried batter. No meat! Only plus, sitting roof top.
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Marci K.

Yelp
We enjoyed this place so much, we visited twice in one weekend. Saturday night rooftop cocktails with a "dirty cola" and a classic lemon drop, a perfect start to our evening. Sunday morning brunch in the main dining area with mimosas and one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. Our waiter (Ben?) was very professional- friendly, efficient, knew the menu. I really enjoyed this spot and will definitely return if I visit the Gaslamp Quarter again.
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Thelma M.

Yelp
The good stuff - the vibe was cool. It's a beautiful restaurant. Just a chill place to come eat and hang out. The bad stuff - the food. I ordered the lobster pappardelle. First the food took forever to get to us even tho it wasn't really busy. And when it got there, the pasta was awful. The past immediately would break into pieces when I would stick my fork into. It tasted like the pasta had already been premade and then warmed up to go under sauce. And for the price of the food, I definitely expect better. I really wanted to love this place and had been dying to try it but I was so disappointed and won't be returning.
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Crystal N.

Yelp
this place blew me away, the atmosphere and views was so nice and the food was even better. We came for brunch and there was no one in the first floor. I do wish there was a sign telling us to go upstairs but we eventually figured that out. The rooftop environment was so nice and it wasnt cold at all. We got started with a couple of cocktails and our server was so patient in answering our questions and figuring out which drink suits some dietary restrictions. The brisket hash was very flavorful and the eggs on top were poached perfectly. Chicken and waffles were crispy and the spicy sauce that came with it really complemented the chicken. Blueberry pancake sauce on top were a bit tart, wish they gave us a syrup for it but it was still very yummy. Definitely recommend coming to this place!

Taylor G.

Yelp
Our server, Matt, was so professional and very accommodating! He kept refilling our glasses and was attentive the whole time we were at Rustic Root. Will definitely come again especially with this service! 10/10