Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Note that Sunday brunch is mandatory at over $80 a person, otherwise you can only sit at the bar (not outside) and have a drink. I wanted a light lunch so a full brunch ticket was not in the cards. But I did return with a group for dinner and we had stunning views seated indoors next to the giant windows and everyone loved their food. Service was fantastic, definitely a fun experience and perfect for views! Note that it does feel dated inside with a bit of an “empty” dining room missing decor, or just too much floor space. Kind of felt like tables setup in a wedding venue place. Interior was lacking but the expansive views were wonderful.

We came for the Sunday seafood brunch and I highly recommend. We reserved an outside table so we had an amazing view of the water. There was plenty of everything and they kept it pretty fresh and stocked throughout our meal. Of course the seafood was great but there was a good mix of other items. Perfect brunch items. The food was great but the star of the show was the service! Eddie was our server and we was fantastic. He made the whole experience THAT much better. They definitely have a gem and I hope they know that! Thanks for taking such great care of us, Eddie!

No words other than absolute wonderful place for brunch. What more could you ask for? Seafood brunch buffet in San Diego. Oyster, lobster, crab legs, scallops all you can eat! Omelette station, pasta station to boot! Food and service are excellent. Highly recommend reservation and be seated outside under the umbrella by the ocean and soak in the view of San Diego. I believe you can walk in and get a table of you are early Managed to secure a 930 reservation. At 920am Sunday, there was a huge line people already waiting. Some with reservation, some without. All in all, I highly recommend. Mention Eddy, our server who was attentive and patient with my hungry/hangry mom who needed her coffee ASAP lol

Great location and views. To be honest, food could have sucked and would have still enjoyed the views. Thankfully, food and service were both top notch. Lobster bisque really stood out for me. The chefs choice oysters and whole fish of the day, which happened to be salmon on this occasion, were definitely good choices as well. Only wish we had room to try some other dishes. I guess we will have to go back for more. Check in could use a little improvement and the outside heaters were a bit overwhelming for me, but I’m sure that’s a me issue. Such great history here and plenty of free parking too!

The Baseline: For a restaurant event venue, the space must be good for the group, the presentation must be upscale, the service from staff must be good/efficient, and the ambiance must be festive. Food: The food and presentation was very good for the wedding reception I attended here. I had a beef short rib and mash which was substantial. The pre-meal appetizers were a nice charcuterie with the stand outs of pickled yellow squash and zucchini (need to incorporate a squash quick pickle in my own charcuterie boards). The chicken over risotto was delicious (got to taste it). Great food for a wedding. Service: The service felt five star. The staff were accommodating and friendly. Loved the staff’s commitment to service. Ambiance: Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is a great venue with a nice reception area, dance floor, and the outside deck overlooks the San Diego bay and captures the San Diego skyline. Great place to celebrate.

Went there to try the Sunday Brunch. Had an outside table, with a great view of the harbor. I studied the menu for a week so I could make a plan of attack. They give you a two hour time limit, but I saw tables staying longer and the staff didn't have a problem with it. Great Buffet, plenty of choices for everyone to enjoy. Large venue, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The waiter was excellent and helpful. Very clean and organized. I recommend going for a special occasion, or just to treat yourself. Take your time and relax. Definitely make reservations and go and enjoy yourself. Plenty of parking. No need to arrive early.

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is one of those places that feels special the moment you walk in. Sitting on the edge of Harbor Island, it offers unbeatable views of the San Diego skyline, the bay, and Coronado—the kind of setting that makes you want to linger a little longer. But what makes it even more unique is its history. Opened in 1971 by Tom Ham, a businessman and historian with a love for San Diego’s maritime culture, this isn’t just another waterfront restaurant—it’s the only restaurant in the U.S. with a fully functioning Coast Guard lighthouse! Beacon #9, which is still in use today, was incorporated into the design of the building, making it a true landmark in both culinary and nautical history. I went with the fish and chips, and it did not disappoint! The fish was crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, exactly how it should be. The fries were golden and just the right level of crunchy. Simple, classic, and absolutely delicious. The whole experience was relaxed and enjoyable—friendly service, a great atmosphere, and that gorgeous view of the water. Whether you’re here for the food, the history, or just to soak in the San Diego skyline, this place is worth every visit. I’ll definitely be back!

Had a great experience here. Cost wasn't outrageous (plenty of drinks, appetizers and full meal was roughly $100 per person after tax and 5% service fee, but before tip). Food was all excellent with the bouillabaisse stealing the show with it's abundance of seafood in the broth. The only thing I would skip is the brussel sprouts as they had a sweet syrup as the base and it was too sweet/overly cloying to the palette compared to the rest of the food. The signature cocktails are all very approachable and I'd recommend giving them a try.

San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies visited this brunch 2 times in 2 months, with different people at each event. I must say that everyone was in agreement: the food, the service, the ambiance (overlooking the boats and the water) is simply spectacular. When we have reviewed other Brunch's, they are always really heavy, with dishes you wished had a better flavor profiles. More of a 'wanna be' brunch. Not true for this, our #1 favorite Brunch in the city. This Executive Chef, Tom Goldie really knows what eaters want to eat. Not only that, but he's smart on portion control, allowing people to be gluttons if they want, eat all they want, but presenting the Eggs Benedict in a smaller portion, that by the way are perfectly done, to get the satisfaction (and leave room for other items). His choices of food to service is perfect: oysters on the half shell, shrimp, crab legs, stone crab.... and that's just one table. Everything is on ice. So good. The inner room has such terrific choices. You can go back and back and still find slightly hidden items you didn't see before. (I discovered a covered basket with small bagels (great idea) sitting next to cream cheese, lox, capers and more. You can get waffles, and then step out to the main area for freshly made omelets and pasta. You don't feel rushed. You are welcomed into their 'home'. The waiters/waitresses are funny and interesting. And you've just got to know when the main hostess has many under her, with everyone so well trained to greet you, excited to see you .... well that just sets the tone for the experience. Tom Ham's Lighthouse for lunch is not a lunch, not a brunch. It's an experience and well worth the money. Best, Chef Marian San Diego Foodies Carlsbad Foodies on meetup/fb

Amazing view- you can watch the sailboats on the bay in front of the San Diego skyline. But you do have the put up with a little attitude from host staff and servers. They are very strict and will not accommodate their guests. They have a happy hour, but seem to wish they didn't. They relegate just a few tables outside to people that come there during happy hour. They say it's 1/2 of the outside tables, but it's not even that. They kept putting reserved signs on tables as people left "in case someone came in for dinner", even though we had friends showing up who needed those tables. How did they know we weren't ordering dinner? I was planning on it, but after all their antics I decided just to get some happy hour oysters and a drink or two, and go somewhere else for dinner. I ordered an Irish Coffee from our server Eddie, who said it was Jameson, coffee and whip cream. I asked if they could put a splash of Baileys in it too, as I liked Jameson and Baileys in my Irish Coffees. He said he'd have to charge me for an additional shot of Baileys. How odd; I haven't heard of that one before. So I told him to bring me the shot on the side, if he was going to charge me for a whole shot anyway (there wouldn't be room for a whole shot in the Irish Coffee) . Odd attitude- it didn't seem like they liked locals (that could come there on a regular basis), or anyone who wanted happy hour- anyone who even came in during happy hour. We had 3 tables of people in our group on the balcony. We had more coming. There were plenty of empty tables on the balcony. But they kept telling us we couldn't use them. It will take a lot of consideration before going back. I'd rather pay more and be treated with respect.

My husband and I have been coming here for many years for happy hour and the food has been delicious and the views here are to die for! We had family in town so we decided to finally try dinner. The service was polite and efficient. However, the scallop dish was probably the worst tasting dish I have ever had in a restaurant. The scallops were cooked well but the sauce was disgusting! My sister-in-law had the same dish and she agreed. We told the waiter we didn't like it but nothing was done. I cannot believe this dish is on the menu. My husband liked his linguine and my brother-in-law enjoyed the salmon. We'll be back for happy hour and oysters but I cannot recommend Tom Hams for dinner.

Date of Visit: July 2024 (7 pm) I saw this place mentioned in a YT video. We were in town so we decided to check it out. We walked in on a Saturday evening and thankfully there was a table available for us. 5% SURCHARGE - They add an additional 5% to your bill. :( Food - 4/5 My wife's a big seafood fan so she enjoyed the Linguini and Clams. I went for the Paella which was very good as well. Note that there is a slight kick to it. Service - 3/5 Service was good but our drinks never got refilled. Ambiance - 5/5 You go here for the ambiance, period! Make a reservation to get the better tables with amazing ocean views. Don't mistake this for an intimate and quiet date spot though. In fact, it was quite noisy during our time there. Restrooms - 1/5 I always rate the restrooms. Theirs was unacceptable. The 2nd floor restroom was nasty and had no TP and no paper towels. The 1st floor wasn't any better but it did have TP and paper towels though.... Management, please maintain your restrooms.

Made reservation for dinner with work colleagues here after a conference. The weather was great and the views of the San Diego Marina are awesome. We were seated inside facing the water. With a wide open floor design, it was a packed house but didn't feel crowded. After finally deciding, Our waiter took care of us. I ordered the Beer Braised Short Rib. The meat was so tender and juicy, literally falling apart part as I sliced with my fork. Soooo Gooood! Paired well with the Nut Brown Ale. Afterwards, added the Chocolate Fudge Brown for desert. WoW, it was huge, I ate half of it, with a party of at in out party. Considering this is a seafood spot, everyone else ordered as such but I was very pleased with my choice.

Came here on Father's Day. The restaurant is right on the harbor and the views are stunning. We came on a Sunday where they offer a buffet option. Also after talking to some locals, this is one of the few restaurants that offer an all you can eat on seafood such as: oysters, crab legs, lobster claws, and much more. Our server was very tentative and friendly. They had 4 hosts in the front who were kind but more on the quiet side. For some reason, we were waiting for about 10 minutes which isn't bad, but we had a reservation set up months ago. Overall still great for any family gatherings and if you are looking for a buffet style that offers a variety of foods.

Decided to do my birthday dinner here what a beautiful place we got a table with a view of the San Diego skyline everything we got was really delicious Braised short ribs, salmon, yellow tail, lobster bisque, fried oysters brussel sprouts and of course drinks were amazing this is a must visit location

Very lovely and fancy vibes here. The service was super attentive. The food was also good. Understandably, there wasn't a lot on the menu that was vegetarian, but they were very good about being clear what did and did not.

I had lunch here with my husband and we enjoyed our time dining here. On the first floor, theres a couple of nice displays and articles to read about their place. On the second floor is their dining area. We were asked where we wanted to be seated, and since there was such nice weather, we chose to be seated outside. In the beginning, it took a while for our server to come, but once he introduced himself to us the service was fast. The food that we ordered: *CALAMARI * CIOPPINO * LOBSTER ROLL * STRABERRY JALAPENO MARGARITA * CREME BRULEE My STRAWBERRY JALAPENO MARGARITA was delicious and the CALAMARI was crispy and well seasoned. My Husband said that he wasn't able to taste much of the LOBSTER in the LOBSTER ROLL , he felt that it was missing something in the seasoning. I am so happy with my CIOPPINO , at first it looked soupy with not much Seafood, but I was wrong, when I started digging in my Ciopino there were plenty of Seafood in it!!! And it tasted very good !!! The Creme Brulee was good too. The Service was great, the food was good, and the ambiance was very nice.

Beautiful setting on the water overlooking the city. We sat inside because it was a little cool on the evening we visited. They have a great happy hour. They have a formidable craft beer menu. We got the cheese plate and calamari for appetizers, both were good. Emphasis on fresh seafood here. I had the scallops and they were delicious. Service was efficient.

I was staying at the nearby Sheraton last week and took the hotel shuttle to this restaurant for last minute dinner plans. They were able to seat us outside with a gorgeous view. The service was great, martini was perfect, and the scallops were delicious!

Good service, the food is okay. I enjoyed the creme brulee and the calimari. I only ordered appetizers as I was there for happy hour and they offer quite a deal! I didn't love the crudo or the oysters. I thought the oysters were pretty tiny but maybe that's just west coast oysters. The restaurant is beautiful and right on the water! Its a great spot of you're staying close to shelter island.

ambiance: can't beat that Water front view. Anywhere you're seated , pretty much, you will see water across the restaurant. Very spacious. Sets the mood for just about anything for celebration. Or just because. Outdoor patio seating area is available, still the BEST seat in place . Celebrated 2 bday celebrants. There were 7 of us. Our server was Jacob , he was great, very attentive, patient and helpful. He actually knows the menu by heart. Lots of great photo opp so we were always standing up to get our pic taken. Staff were friendly, even offering to take pics . We had jumbo shrimp, HOUSE SHRIMP CEVICHE, CALAMARI, LOADED HUMMUS, PAN SEARED MAINE DIVER SCALLOPS, PAN SEARED NEW YORK STEAK, MARKET FISH - halibut ( sooo yummy with risotto ) , BEER BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS, food were excellent, fresh seafoods ! Drinks : SKREWBALL PAINKILLER, TOM HAM'S RUMHATTAN . Parking : PLENTY . ( even the parking has the water view ) Visit with a reservation , but they do welcome walk-in.

Great place for date night. We made it in time for happy hour which is 3-6 pm so we were able to order drinks and appetizers at the happy hour price. The tenderloin tips, fried oysters and the lobster bisque were excellent and I would order them again. The calamari was also good but the others were just better. The world famous Bali Hai Mai Tai which has a warning on how strong it was didn't live up to its name. It was definitely strong and I understand if they want to put a 2 drink limit per person. But I have had stronger drinks and I definitely have had better Mai Tais. I live in Hawaii after all. But the real star of this place was the view. It's on Harbor Island with views of downtown and Coronado. There's plenty of free parking when we went. I will definitely come back, maybe for Sunday brunch. By the way, there's a 5% surcharge for rising costs.

We love coming to Tom Ham's! Whether it's on Sunday for the AYCE brunch or for their regular menu, we always have a good time. The servers and bartenders are always super nice and accommodating. I love that the bar seats are larger than normal because they're super comfy. The views are always beautiful, whether it's sunny or cloudy! No matter where you are seated, you are going to have a view so don't worry. There is a ton of parking outside in their lot and it's easy to find. *Pro tip - the Sunday brunch gets packed but the bar area is first come first serve so don't count this place out if you can't get a Sunday reservation! We've gotten good seating multiple times in the bar area from the actual bar to the tables and booths. Just make sure to ask whoever is at the host stand nicely and they'll show you the way*

The view from this restaurant is simply breathtaking. A view of the bay facing directly at North Island and Downtown San Diego and tables not too crowded together. It is a very loud restaurant however. The server was hard to hear over the ambient noise in the place, but Juan our server made for expeditious service. For dinner I had the scallops, and they were beautifully cooked - and the natural sweetness was brought out by andouille sausage and the melted leeks. My friend had the deep fried sea bass, which was plated on top of a bed of cannellini beans, roasted tomato, spinach, chorizo aioli, lemon gremolata. Very yummy, and well cooked. All at a price point that wasn't obscene. I thought this would be a place that had a great view and mediocre food but I was pleasantly mistaken. I would happily return.

Listen, it's just paradise- the food, the wait staff, the cocktails, go for the Painkiller. Watch what the MaiTai's do to the uninitiated.... It's just uncle Tommy's #1.

Talk about a restaurant/venue with a view!! Stunning!! Went to Tom Hams recently for a business meeting and there were about 14 of us in total. We had a pre set menu made for us with our business name on it! Loved that little touch. Our options were: * The Little Gem Cesar Salad * Fish & Chips * Lobster Rolls * Blackened Salmon BLT * Beacon #9 Burger Now, I had a hard time deciding because they all looked good but, it's hard to pass up lobster rolls whenever I see it on any menu so, I went with that and, I am so glad that I did!! Most of the guests ordered the fish & chips and that also looked amazing....the fish pieces were HuGe - the size of my head!! My plate had two Lobster Rolls that had watercress, tomato, chives, and a tarragon dressing. It also came with a side of fries. The lobster rolls were delicious but, did lack some tang or tartness so, I added lemon. They were devoured! The fries are so freaking yummy!!!! The service was amazing! They took such good care of our guests and everyone left happy! The ambiance was really nice, clean and the view is stunning! I wish that we would have had a private room and, know to do that the next time around because it was a bit noisy and hard to hear people speaking. It's okay though because the view and food made up for it!! Tom Hams would make a beautiful venue for anything really. A date night, brunch with the girls, wedding, baby shower, bridal shower, birthdays...it goes on and on!! Loved it so much that I made reservations for their Sunday Brunch for my mom and I!! Can't wait!

Tom Ham's Lighthouse came very highly recommended by multiple friends and family so we were excited when grandpa watched (most) of the kids so I could treat Mom to Mother's Day brunch that was supposed to be a cut above the rest (at over $80 a person you'd think it would be right?) I will start this review by explaining I am by no means rich, so this was a huge treat for us to go out as we only eat "fancy" maybe three times a year at best and this definitely counted as one of those times.  I'll start with the good, which unfortunately isn't going to be a very long portion of this review. The service: David, our server, was extremely attentive to our needs but you could tell he was stretched very thing as his "drive bys" by our table were always a blur and he hit 4 or 5 other tables after ours. How he kept track of all the requests is nothing short of exemplary and he should be commended for his ability to multi-task and his attention to detail. My water and juice was never empty for long and he even brought me a pair of seafood crackers for my crab without me even requesting them. Now on to the not so good: Management, you can tell they failed to provide adequate staffing and coverage for the Mother's Day rush today. The omelet station cooks had to constantly abandon their stations or work on directing traffic for the back of house food runners who were bringing out refreshes for the buffet and they were -always- behind. I wouldn't mind if there was one or two things that needed a refresh when I went up to get food but there was quite literally four or five empty or basically empty buffet offerings each of the three time I attempted to go to the buffet.  The eggs Benedict was empty two of the three times I went to the buffet, I don't necessarily blame Tom Ham's for this next part but there was no one enforcing the rules at the raw seafood bar of don't leave your shells, so patrons were constantly coming up and using the tongs to grab 5,6,7,8 plus scallops out of the half shell and leave the shells in the tray which then led to the scallops not getting refilled as often because it still by a glance looked full (even though no actual scallops remained). The Mac and cheese was out all three times I went through the buffet line, as was smaller things like the melted butter, containers for butter and cocktail sauce etc. A small gripe was that the menu listed the French toast as having honey butter which it most definitely did not, it had regular butter and there was no honey in the buffet area that I could see. Now on to the most egregious of offenses in my opinion for a place with the reputation of Tom Ham's, the food quality: Firstly the big hitters: Prime Rib, was nowhere near medium rare, had almost the same temperature and color all the way through, which for a prime rib should be criminal. There was little to no flavoring on the rub and it was tough from being cooked too long.  Maine Lobster Claws: again steamed/cooked way too long or left under a heat lamp way too long before being brought out under plastic so continuing to cook. The Lobster meat was tough, chewie, gamey, and just....gross. The melted butter also had the lightest taste of real butter I've ever experienced, it tasted like it was butter made by La Croix.  Eggs Benedict: Hollandaise sauce was very weak in flavor and the buttermilk biscuit to egg/pork ratio was way off, leaving my mouth dry and sapped of moisture after taking a bite, all I could taste was dry biscuit even with the egg yolk and Hollandaise sauce.  Mac and cheese: Again very light in cheese flavor, tasted like Mac and cheese flavored by La Croix (my new favorite sayings with Tom Ham's) My wife was able to get some for the baby during one of her buffet trips although I never saw it in stock myself.  The potatoes in all the potato dishes were outstanding, very well seasoned and cooked, the problem with that is either there was very little of the beer braised short ribs or smoked BBQ pork shoulder in either of the dishes, or it was all on top and everyone just picked out all the meat and left the potatoes (wouldn't surprise me honestly given the raw bar situation listed above) and the braised short ribs were way overcooked in the pieces I did find in my hash and had almost no flavor which greatly dissapointed me as short ribs are one of my favorite dishes outside eggs benedict so I was 0 for 2 on reasons why I chose to go to Tom Ham's. Then at the end of our meal it took over twenty minutes to get the check after asking for it which we had to wait for while dealing with a fussy toddler who very much wanted to be anywhere but in her high chair.  I've uploaded the pictures I did take but I didn't want to be the creeper walking around taking photos of the buffet line so I kept my exposure brief enough to prove my points with evidence.

Came here for a work happy hour and it was great! Staff was super nice and the food was delicious--seafood was so fresh. Will definitely come back again soon!

We started a Thanksgiving tradition last year and continued it this year. Tom Ham's Lighthouse for Thanksgiving. Our reservation was for 2:30. Our Lyft dropped us off at 12:45. We thought we'd wander around or sit in the bar until it was time, but they were able to seat us right away. A nice table for two upstairs on the patio. Beautiful views of downtown. We were lucky. Around 2:30 as we were waiting for our Lyft home, the weather turned cloudy and cold. At 1:00 while enjoying our meal it was sunny and beautiful, if a little breezy at times. Desiree L. was our server and she was stellar. She was really pretty and friendly and kind. She was super funny too. Desiree provided excellent service. We'd ask to sit in her section upon a return visit. The buffet is fantastic. So many stations so full of variety. It was the same menu as last year - if it ain't broken... I copied and pasted the menu below. Traditional Thanksgiving fare, a carving station with turkey and tri tip. Ham, salmon. All the fixin's, all the sides (oddly no bread of any kind). Salads, desserts - even ice cream. I don't know why anyone would waste any tummy room on any of that when there is a Grand Seafood Buffet. That's where my time was spent. Lobster claws, crab legs, oysters, scallops, ceviche and shrimp. I did sample the salmon and it was very good, but the rest was nothing but seafood buffet. I did have the mac 'n cheese but not before I loaded it with lobster claw meat! For dessert I had a bowl of clam chowder. Delicious chowder. Becky, too, opted for mostly seafood, but did sample the mashed potatoes and gravy and a slice of turkey. She loved the potatoes and she said the rosemary gravy was to die for. The turkey she said, "Well...it's turkey..." Becky loved, loved, loved the Strawberry Jalapeño Shrub Margarita. Thanksgiving Day Buffet Menu 2023 Grand Seafood Bar: Maine Lobster Claws Snow Crab Legs Oysters On The Half Shell Scallops On The Half Shell Shrimp Ceviche Peel and Eat Shrimp Carving: Free Range Turkey, Rosemary Gravy Roasted Tri Tip Starters & Sides: Lighthouse Greens, Red Wine Vinaigrette Caesar Salad, Pecorino, Croutons Roasted Squash And Kale Salad* Clam Chowder Lobster Bisque Pork and Orange Stuffing Buttermilk Whipped Potato, Rosemary Gravy Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows Creamy Green Bean and Mushrooms Butter Glazed Carrots And Parsnips Citrus Cranberry Sauce Entrees: Salmon over harissa citrus rice Honey, Pineapple Glazed Ham Herbed Panko Mac N Cheese Desserts: Pecan Pie Apple Pie Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Bread Pudding Assorted Mini Cookie French Vanilla Ice Cream

I love dining at Tom Ham's Lighthouse whenever I'm in San Diego. This is my second time here, and they have an all you can eat Sunday brunch buffet. It's $72 for adults, and you can feast on their lobster claws, stone crab claws, crab legs, shrimps, scallops, and oysters. They have a pasta station, as well as hot food and dessert station. The view of the water and overall ambiance of this restaurant is phenomenal. We got lucky as we didn't have a reservation and just walked in. We had the pleasure to experience the outdoor dining by the water again. Our server was personable and attentive, and made the end of our trip a pleasant experience. I will be back for sure!

Perhaps it was because of Memorial Day and understaffing, but my experience here was mediocre at best. Service was slow and it took 25 minutes for our food to come out and around the same time for the waiter to get our bill. The restaurant interior was fancy and we were seated next to a view of the harbor. The food was not worth the long wait time. Lobster bisque was creamy, but had no reminisce of lobster whatsoever. Lobster roll also didn't taste that much like lobster and the taste of Mayo and lemon overpowered the lobster. Fries accompanying the roll were crispy and weirdly the second best dish of the day, aside from the oysters. Oysters tasted fresh and the accompanying sauces paired well with the oysters. Calamari was mediocre as well and the breading kept falling off right when touched. Overall, my experience here was not as expected and I have second thoughts about coming back here.

Grateful we got to celebrate an occasion here. First timer and I loved the fact we were seated in a window area with a beautiful view of the city. Our waitress was very attentive and efficient. We started off the evening with a couple glasses of wine and the Island Mai Tai. We started off the meal with calamari and this was so good with the honey Thai chili sauce. I ended up getting the scallops which was perfectly paired with grits and artichokes. My husband got the short rib and it was so perfectly good. My in laws got the paella and I got to sneak some and I really liked how everything was combined. We topped the night off with some of the chocolate brownie, a scoop of the vanilla gelato and the crème brûlée. Delicious and a wonderful finale! Great experience and look forward to returning

Phenomenal, couldn't have had a better experience. okssana was our server and she's great. So kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient. All of their staff are genuinely nice and friendly. I felt like we were treated like family. I LOOOOOVE the fried oysters. I usually hate oysters no matter what, even fried, but theirs was so good - I got it twice. Cocktails were delicious. I got the short ribs and added shrimp, but adding it wasn't necessary as it was plenty yummy on its own! Bouillabaisse was good as well. I personally was a huge fan of our dessert- the chocolate brownie. We sat outside but the heaters were very efficient. I loved how this restaurant is ADA compliant to the T. I appreciated the easy elevator access and ramps. Overall a wonderful experience for couples, friends, and families!

This is our go to for Sunday brunch whenever we are in the SD area. Fresh hot food! The selection is not as good as it use to be pre Covid but it is still good. Oysters yesss!!!!

DON'T ORDER RAW SEAFOOD HERE: I made a reservation to visit the restaurant with my boyfriend during their weekend seafood buffet for my birthday. They have a pretty large parking lot dedicated to their establishment, but I do recommend getting there 10-15min. early if your reservation is in the evening, as it could possibly fill on a busy night and you don't want to rush right before dinner. Walking in and up the stairs, it was a beautiful sight! Great location right out on the waters edge with a GORGEOUS outdoor patio view. We were seated outside (so thankful) and our server was wonderful. I LOVED seafood, and took advantage of the oysters. My boyfriend and I both had the same items except for the oysters...and that was my downfall. PLEASE beware of the raw food at this restaurant. We ended up stopping in Old Town on the way home from brunch, and I got TERRIBLE food poisoning which left me stuck in a parking structure sick and embarrassed because people just walked by seeing me regurgitating my food from earlier. This is not a cheap restaurant, and it prides itself on freshness. They basically ruined me, as I cannot even think about eating my once favorite food...its so depressing. No more poke bowls, sushi, oysters... Nothing...and I'm half Asian, seafood is in my DNA. All because they didn't handle their raw items correctly. If you do visit this restaurant, PLEASE be careful if you eat anything raw there. Best practice is don't eat anything that hasn't been cooked while your there... It's hard to say what practices they are using in food handling and temperatures, but whatever it is... it will give you the worst case of food born illness. I can't believe how it could happen to me, and on my birthday... Shame on you Tom Ham's Lighthouse, I wonder how many others got sick that day. There are many other seaside restaurants to try in San Diego! Message me and I can share my favorite with you.

Went for the first time for Father's Day lunch. I was a huge fan of the assortment and variety. I was able to get my cravings for breakfast and lunch. Our server was very funny and made sure our party was taken care of (forgot his name) The views were obviously very nice since we were right on the water. This is a great place to take your family or date but make sure you book your reservation far in advance 10/10 would recommend

Came here with a 5:45 reservation for happy hour & restaurant week. We were seated outdoors and it was super romantic with water views. They were accommodating and seated us at our table instead of usual seating for hh at the bar, so we transitioned straight to dinner at our table. What we ordered from the HH menu: - $1.50 HH oysters (you don't get to choose what kind but we got the phantom creeks and honestly soooo fresh and sweet). Def recommend these if you're somewhat new to oysters. These would've been my choice if we got to pick for hh - Fried oysters (cooked perfectly with the just right amount of breading) - Ahi Tuna Crudo (I would pass on this, felt like this dish was missing a sauce) Restaurant week menu: - Ceviche - Lobster bisque (well balanced and paired perfectly for the fall season) - Braised short ribs 10/10!! Def get this. Super soft and breaks apart easily. The sauce was soo good. You can taste truffle in it and it complimented the dish soo well! - Scallops 7/10. The scallops were cooked well. But this dish wasn't as flavorful at all. There were charred artichokes on the bottom with polenta and sausage. The artichokes were a bit sour and that kinda threw me off, felt like there was something missing for sure. We loved that there was an option the substitute the 3rd dessert course for drinks instead! Definitely a plus if you're not into sweets.

Beautiful view of San Diego!! Everything was delicious. Definitely would recommend trying the Bali Hai Mai Tai, the lobster roll, and the clam chowder!!

Amazing atmosphere food, service and view. Also nice that it was walking distance from our hotel.

I was so looking forward to this place, but it is definitely overrated. A few meals were really good, but the majority lacked seasoning and flavor. The weird boiled shrimp were my least favorite. I did enjoy the beet salad, New York, and short rib. The drinks were fine, nothing to rave about, and surprisingly the service was so-so. I wouldn't go back. You can get a similar meal at Red Lobster for much less.

The ambiance was very nice. A little older, could use some updating. Our food server was outstanding, she was so nice and helpful and honestly I feel she did most of the work because it was not the busboys. Our food was also nice. We started off with some raw oysters which were kinda gritty and the horseradish was kinda bland. Our son had chicken fingers and fry's which he enjoyed. My husband had the Paella which he thought was ok. I had the Pan seared main diver scallops which was also ok. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but I didn't enjoy the other flavors of the crispy artichokes as much as I would have like to because there was too many. We had the Grigch Hills Cabernet which was outstanding. We really liked the wine a lot. I think this restaurant is a diamond but could definitely use some polishing.

Came here for my dad's birthday for dinner and it definitely did not disappoint! Love that this place is on Harbor Island, which perfect views of downtown San Diego in the distance. We sat inside since it was a little cold outside, but the outside looked awesome as well! Plus they had heaters going as well. Ambiance is very cool, since it is labeled as a light house with perfect placement as well. Food was delicious, from the calamari to the paella, scallops and braised short ribs that we tried. Waitress was very attentive and many other assistants came by to help clear the table throughout the evening. For dessert we had the brownie and crème Brûlée which were both good. Overall, will continue to come back whenever I am in town. Reservations are a must!

Came here for restaurant week lunch, and for $22 for 2 courses it was super worth it! I came with a party of 2 so one of us ordered an appetizer and the other ordered dessert then we shared so it's kind of a 3 course still haha. House Ceviche: it was really good! And they were generous on the amount of shrimp. The chips were also good Fish and chips: OMG one of the best fish and chips I've had so far. It was perfectly crispy on the outside and the inside was actually a good amount of flakey fish, not just air lol Cinnamon apple crumb cake: 100/10! It was so good and it was not too sweet The iced tea was also really good to me We were sat on the outside patio under the shade and it was a nice day out. The view was amazing! Our waiter was also very attentive and nice. Would come back again!

I started going to Tom Ham's lighthouse a few years ago, but really started going there during Covid 2020 2021, 2022... I love sitting up at the bar and enjoying a nice meal a refreshing adult beverage and enjoying the view! The team there is unbelievable Tim and Rafa in particular. They're very nice. Very knowledgeable. Make you feel very comfortable and welcome. I feel like it's a secret in San Diego , someplace you can drive Downtown and park your car - go up and have the most amazing meal while enjoying the spectacular San Diego Harbor, and all the activity that occurs there not only in the water but in the sky.

Came here for 7/4! Amazing food and view! Will come back! They have their own parking lot, which is very convenient!

First off, the patio views were amazing. It was the first time here. My friend and I met our local friends here who made the 6:00 dinner reservation for a party of 4. We were first upon arrival, we checked in to the 2 most disinterested Hostesses. Not a smile or greeting as they were too busy chatting between themselves. We were seated on the patio, perfect table. Our server Sarah was absolutely wonderful. Catching up with our friends , we took a really long time to even look at the menu. Sarah was so patient with us, checking in and not making us feel rushed. Thank you! Finally deciding what to order, we had the Light House Greens, Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Bisque, Paella and the Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops. We ending our meal with Coffees, an Apple Crumb Cake and Fudge Brownie. All the food was good but it wasn't a WOW! Lobster Bisque didn't have much of a Lobster taste nor chunks of Lobster. Shrimp Cocktail could of had some Horseradished served with it. The scallops were delicious and the Paella could of had more flavor. and the Brownie seem mass produced commercially made. Go for the Patio sitting and the view, plus service and scallops. Atmosphere: A 10 for location/view. Service: excellent. Food: fair

Incredible views of the bay. Food and service were top notch! Great place to celebrate our anniversary

We went to Tom Ham's Lighthouse for dinner a few weekends ago, Desiree was our server and she was absolutely fabulous - checked in on us, gave us wonderful recommendations, and was super friendly for first timers to Tom Ham's. Combo platter plus another dozen oysters: - Raw Oysters - we asked for recommendations and they did not disappoint, perfectly sweet, and whomever shucked these, deserves 5* because they were shucked properly and no remnants of shells in the oyster meat. - PEI Mussels - hard pass, I don't know where they came from, but it tasted like bad sewage. - Clams - these were okay, but I don't like them as much served cold. - Shrimp - huge, plump, and delicious! - Scallops - these were so good, my first time having them fresh off the shell and raw Roasted beets: absolutely delicious, the vinaigrette with the beets, burrata and arugula were perfect paired together. We ordered without pistachios due to a nut allergy at the table, but I bet they would give a perfect crunch to this dish. Bouillabaisse: wonderful tomato broth cooked in an array of seafood. Bf finished his plate and enjoyed every bit of it. Paella: my sister got this and completely demolished the plate. Pan seared Maine diver scallops: there were so many scallops with my pasta, absolutely scrumptious and perfectly cooked. I ate everything (and was so very full afterwards). Everything was so good that we went to Sunday Brunch two days later (go figure)--lol. I highly recommend Brunch to any seafood lover - I devoured tons of crab legs, shrimp, raw oysters and fresh diver scallops. My 3 year old ate a giant pile of their lemon ricotta pancakes, and the bf ate a bit of everything. Already planning to make the two hour drive to come back once a month (haha).

Let me start by saying great prices for being by the bay. Sitting outside on the patio is wonderful because it's an exceptional view. The food is overall very good. Can't beat the fresh oysters. It was very difficult to enjoy everything this place has to offer because everything was soooo dirty. The glass windows outside has print stains and all type of stains. They could have easily wiped that down. The floor on the patio was dirty, the umbrella stand next to us was dirty. This place was just dirty. Truly sad because it's a great restaurant and pretty popular. I just couldn't stay focus on the good stuff that makes this place great. We ordered a lot (seafood tray), cheese plate, scallops, salmon, and the recommended whole fried fish (which, was the only dish that had no flavor. Do not get it. Super bland and it's just a fried fish- not too good, I instantly regretted it at the first bite). Everything else was good - food wise.

Year after year I keep returning for Sunday brunch and my feelings have not changed - what a spot! Here are just a few reasons why... - The view, you can't beat it and it's a surefire way to impress friends that may be visiting San Diego and want to get a little tipsy while taking in all of SD's beauty. - Speaking of friends, do you have any? Oh, poor thing, I hope you find some because for a birthday brunch, this is a great place to impress those (hopefully soon to be) friends of yours. - The staff. Man, Joe has been our dude for years and he's an absolute rockstar. He's always on the ball, he'll talk football with you, and he's just a really nice dude. Ask for Joe, he's at the bar. - Lobster claws on the buffet line? You don't see that often, but you do here. - A pasta and an egg station? I go more for the pasta but those fully loaded omelettes are something that I can't do at home. They have trusty hands, I tell ya. - And since I used the term "fully loaded" while describing the omelettes I might as well also apply it to the mai tai that they serve here. It's named after their sister restaurant, The Bali Hai, and these drinks will get you, well, they'll get you fully loaded. Come for the view, stay for the experience.

I had the lobster roll, which came with two brioche buns and was a decent size. The lobster had celery and tarragon/dill but actually came more in chunks than flakes, which I appreciated. Fries were crispy, almost as if they were fried twice, and really good. My only complaint is that it took a really long time for our food to be ready after we ordered. Even though we had a large party. Spectacular views, both inside and outside the restaurant, and ample free parking, make this place a good choice for dining out.

Went on a double date here for Sunday brunch. Their brunch goes until 3:45 pm, which is great! Their brunch buffet variety was top tier! They have a section for pastas and omelets, and second section for traditional breakfast items; including lemon ricotta pancakes, mroccan fried chicken, French toast, bacon, sausage, salmon&lox..and much much more! The third section of this buffet was crab legs, lobster, oysters, scallops, shrimp, a seafood lovers dream! Oh and they also have a juice bar, where you can enjoy orange juice, cranberry, or pineapple. Besides the amazing food quality their views are to die for. We sat outside, it was a super sunny and summer like day when we went, but they had it nicely shaded with umbrellas. You feel like you're sitting on the water, with an unreal view of downtown San diego and Coronado Bridge. Highly recommend this place for food and views.

When you're looking for a place to have really good food and a great harbor view, look no farther than Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Situated at the north end of Harbor Island, Tom Ham's is not only a great restaurant but the lighthouse that guided ships into the harbor for years. Sunday brunch is the main reason I've come here. Started when I was a kid. My dad would take the family here for special events, mostly Sunday Brunch. In honor of my dad, we hosted his celebration of life after his passing. The event team was good and communicated details well. The servers were all top notch and took great care of us. Also visited on a recent Father's Day for brunch, just as dad did years ago. While prices have gone up along with everything else, the quality seafood and service has remained. During brunch, they offer a raw seafood bar with lobster claws, crab legs, scallops and oysters on the half shell, peel and eat shrimp. Hot foods include spare rib hash, fried chicken, eggs benedict, some variation of fish and an omelette bar and pasta bar. Don't even get me started on the prime rib and tri tip! Both were amazing! Additionally they offer a few salads, pasta salads cheeses and grilled veggies. The main dining area is upstairs. Special events are downstairs. Views are everywhere. If you're celebrating or simply looking to splurge on a meal with a view, don't pass up the opportunity to visit Tom Ham's Lighthouse. You'll thank me later. Keep on Yelp'n!

Super delicious, melt in your mouth short ribs, truffle mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus. Gorgeous views (sat outside, they had nice and warm heaters). Server was spectacular (Christine). It was so nice to enjoy really great food in a relaxing, recharging environment. Loved all the historical and super cool decor!

ALL YOU CAN SEAFOOD?? YES PLEASE! Hands down still my favorite spot for Sunday brunch buffets. The price is worth it if you eat the right things! The star of the show was undoubtedly the seafood spread. From succulent shrimp to delicate crab legs, the selection was extensive and impeccably fresh. The variety of choices ensured there was something for every seafood enthusiast, and each dish showcased the restaurant's commitment to quality. The highlight for me was the pasta and egg station. The chefs crafted personalized pasta dishes with a variety of fresh ingredients, allowing me to savor a custom culinary creation. The egg station, offering made-to-order omelets too! What sets Tom Ham's Lighthouse apart, aside from the delectable fare, is their exceptional customer service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to make the dining experience memorable. From recommending standout dishes to ensuring our glasses were never empty, the service was top-notch. The ambiance of the restaurant, complemented by panoramic views of the waterfront, added to the overall charm. Can't wait for our next visit!

I really enjoyed this place. The view is beautiful and you get a large variety of food. Make sure you make a reservation and show up early if you are trying to catch a seat outside on a beautiful day. I would have to say my favorite part was the unlimited oysters !!!! It is a bit pricey but I think you definitely get your moneys worth.

Excellent location for enjoying the ocean and views of the harbor. The restaurant is located in a relatively calm area so it lends itself to a laid back environment. The service was good, although we did have quite a bit of trouble finding out who our server was at the beginning. We flagged down at least three staff asking if they might know or be able to help us find out. Once our server was identified, everything was great. She was friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. There are places where you can't get both good food and good views - this is one place where you can experience excellence in both. You can't go wrong with any of their dishes. The fish entrees, the paella and cioppino are all fresh and great quality. One very pleasant surprise was the loaded hummus appetizer. It didn't seem like this would be a standout on the menu when there are so many other great dishes, but it was very delicious, especially the pita! Parking: There's plenty of free parking here in their lot.

Made my reservation for Sunday brunch two months ago for last Sunday. The anticipation and experience was amazing. Ricardo took care of us from beginning to the end. Food is high quality from the full raw bar, carved tri-tip, eggs Benedict, and the build your own omelette and pasta bar. A little tip. If you tip the pasta chef, he will let you grab scallops from the raw bar for him to cook you up an amazing pasta pesto or marinara with scallops. Just this is worth the price of admission! Not a place most people can go every weekend but most definitely worth the splurge to celebrate life's achievements and milestones. Great food. All you can eat! Great service and a great view of SD Bay. Cannot complain with that! Highly recommend and cannot wait for another occasion to book a return visit!