Zest Wine Bistro

What a gem this place is! I stopped in for a Thursday happy hour and it was wonderful! Had a couple glasses of the $5 sommelier's choice happy hour wines and the $8 HH cheese plate. The wine was great and the cheese plate was really substantial for a happy hour plate! I was able to plug in my laptop and work at the bar, though there was no wifi. The two folks working were very friendly and happy to answer my questions. I'm really looking forward to returning!

I was very surprised at this stop. My girlfriend mentioned it, so we decided to get a bite to eat and sample some wine. It was great! Very pleasant area to get a drink of wine. The ambiance was excellent. And our waitress Heather was an expert! She showed me proper technique on wine tasting and sampling. And the food menu was great. We had pizza. Highly recommend. You would think that this was a small little spot, but pleasantly enjoyed the experience. Kudos to Heather (our waitress). Thanks!

This place is a hidden treasure for fine wine & food aficionados, and ask for Roberto he is wonderful, he put us through a course of 5 wines to taste with our food. We ate the delicious sesame crusted ahi tuna along with the prosciutto wrapped dates. Then we had the truffle burratta cheese with fresh tomato slices and basi. Finally we topped it off with a delcious shrimp and pancetta pizza from the sister restaurant next door Giardino. The experience here was fabulous it’s a must go to place give yourself two hours go early around 5pm sit outside they have fans. The young premed lady was preparing our food came out to check on us & we told her how wonderful everything turned out. She & Roberto were wonderful in their presentation of each plate it was 10 stars! We finished with the most amazing slice of dark chocolate cake at the end. Must come here often!

Amazing menu, food, wine and ambiance!! The chef (the-cooking-penguin on Instagram) is incredible. He shared his story of being very sick from diabetes and hence his inspiration to cook healthier, lower glycemic foods. The wine selection is also amazing. We had two wine flights of 4 wines each for $20 each, as well as the jumbo shrimp cocktail, salmon carpaccio, a charcuterie board, and limoncello cake for dessert. Everything was devine! A great date night place or girls night out. Owned by the same owners as the cantina next door. If you want a bit more of a formal dinner seeing, go to the cantina. If you want more tapas and slightly more casual atmosphere, go to Zest. Both have similar menu offerings and both are incredible!

A true gem in Southeast San Diego This place is easily one of my favorite spots in SD. Tucked away in Lemon Grove, it’s a refreshing change from the overpriced places in La Mesa. This place has the charm of a hidden gem with the warmth of a true neighborhood favorite. The wine selection is amazing. Heather, who’s always there when I visit, is incredibly friendly and knows her stuff. She’s recommended some of the best wines and really helped me discover my palette. She really takes the time to get to know what you like, and every time I leave, I’m already looking forward to coming back. The food comes from Giardino next door- delish, add wine, even more delish! The cherry in top is the dog friendly patio and just overall great vibes - hard to beat out here in east SD (and tbh non-east sd). If you’re looking for a cozy, welcoming place with great wine, great food, and great people this is your spot!

Zesty hour is great (4-5pm)! $5 glasses of select wines and bites. I really liked the prosciutto wrapped dates and mini cheese plate.

I've been here several times already since I was introduced to it during restaurant week. The food is consistently great, they've just lost their chef though and are instead temporarily offering select items from the sister restaurant next door. The wine selection is broad and interesting and the service is impeccable! Temporary happy hour menu attached. Side note: I often stop by with a friend who has dietary restrictions and they are always very gracious and accommodating.

My wife and I just left after our Valentine's dinner date. Reservations at 6:30. Sat outside in the patio area. The ambience was nice and the place is cute. The service was seriously lacking. The server didn't come by at all after taking our order. We spent over an hour waiting for our food, with no communication whatsoever. Had to go get my own water for the table. Empty plates were left on the table for over 30 minutes. The calamari and crab cakes were good. Don't know how the entrees were because we left before we got them. Was charged $40 for the appetizers. Nothing offered but a "sorry".

What a gem this place is! I stopped in for a Thursday happy hour and it was wonderful! Had a couple glasses of the $5 sommelier's choice happy hour wines and the $8 HH cheese plate. The wine was great and the cheese plate was really substantial for a happy hour plate! I was able to plug in my laptop and work at the bar, though there was no wifi. The two folks working were very friendly and happy to answer my questions. I'm really looking forward to returning!

Zest is Lemon Grove's hidden gem-- they've been my local go-to wine bar for the past 3 years and let me tell you the reasons why: First off, the vibes here are everything . The outside just feels so homey and inviting . There is a shared parking lot in the back that also makes it very convenient to stop by . The interior is pretty cozy, has a very nice bar, and is decorated so cute . I also really enjoy the outdoor patio area if you have a larger group of people with you . The owners are super sweet and are easy to talk to . The customers/locals there are also very friendly ! Second off, the WINE-- I yet have ordered a wine I disliked . They have a variety of different wines that they do a very good job of rotating . They also offer a wine cub that I might just join the next time since I love it here so much lol . Did I mention they have happy hour like everyday ?! See you 4pm (: Thirdly, the bites are tasty sooo fun to share ! They have a sister Italian restaurant next door (Giardino-- SOO GOOD) that they share a kitchen with ! I personally love ordering the charcuterie board to pick on while I sip on wine . A few other honorable mentions would be the calamari, bruschetta, and stuffed mushrooms ! Overall, Zest is one of my favorite places to chill out and grab a sip of wine . If you're in the area, I would highly suggest checking it out !

A very cute and spacious wine bar! I don't mind exploring downtown and more hype areas but I really love that this is a less than 10 min drive from home spot. They have a very good happy hour with wines and bites. I got the two whites in the HH menu and I didn't love them... then, my friend and I decided to get a bottle of Prosecco and that was a very good Prosecco. They have a huge variety of wine in their regular menu. If you are hungry or want to pair your wine, you can get food from the restaurant next door. The pricing of the HH was very good ($5 a glass of wine, how can you beat that?) but after HH I would say it's on the pricey side. We met the owner who was really friendly and approachable. She told us they have events some times during the month so I will be for sure joining one (or more) in the future. Our server was a sommelier so that was impressive. Overall I really liked it and will be back!

Came for the happy hour which was great! $5 glasses of wine which I feel like is unheard of now. They had choices between white, rose and red. My friend and I got there right around 4 and it wasn't busy at all. They have a small amount of indoor seating but a very large patio in the back that is really cute. I got a glass of the Pinot noir and rose off the happy hour. Honestly... They were both just ok. Not sure if they rotate their happy hour wines but hopefully they do! We did also get a bottle of prosecco that wasn't part of happy hour that was really good. Service was really friendly and quick when we were there. Worth checking out.

Came here on a whim a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. Intimate space, great wine selection, and the owner is a joy to interact with. The kitchen is shared with Giardino's next door and the food was very good. I did not expect the steak to be as great tasting and masterfully prepared as it was. Definitely a repeat dine!

Everything from when we showed up to when we left was top-notch! Shannon, our server was the absolute sweetest and one of the regulars was even kind enough to help us with some stuff. It was awesome and we will be back.

We recently had my husbands birthday dinner on the patio here, it was perfect for a group event! They were so nice and let me come in the morning to decorate the tables and put up balloons. We had about 20 people and I chose charcuterie boards, flatbreads and had lots of wine. Parking in the back made it easy for everyone. If you're celebrating something and want a private patio outdoor area, I highly recommend checking out this place!

I want to say don't go here. This is a friendly, warm, comfortable spot that we locals like to duck into for a snack and a glass (or bottle) before heading next door for dinner. Roberto always has good wine available, and he is happy to pour, to guide, and to just have a good time with wine. There are monthly tastings from different regions, private events, and even day trips to the Valle. It's a very special and unique spot, but if everyone starts going and filling up the place, there won't be room for the rest of us. Consider yourself warned, but I know you'll go anyway, and you should.

Attention East County. If you're like me sometimes I prefer to stay local. I love SD's local food scene and until recently this was the only choice for great Italian. Zest is the chill version of Giardino's. I'll review Giardino's separately but if you're looking to chill, look no further. Karina ( Owner of both ) now offers the best of both worlds. Casual/fine dining or a relaxing wine bar. Which one to choose? This is the beauty of having both right next to each other. If you're feeling like an excellent Italian in an urban setting Giardino is the choice. but if you're looking for something a bit more quiet, then Zest is the ticket. One word for Zest, cozy, and my favorite, dog friendly. Karina has a bistro menu for Zest but if you're looking for something a bit more substantial, you can also order from the restaurant. Ok, the wine! We're just back from Napa and I appreciate the variety. They have something for everybody and the price point is spot on. Roberto is a gentleman and I think we tasted four wins before going with a lovely Syrah. This was the perfect compliment for our charcuterie and pear pizza from next door and OMG. So how do you feel, you know have a choice?

My local wine spot, and I love it. So happy other yelpers seem to love it too! I live in Lemon Grove and there is very little going on in this town. Along with Giardino's (the restaurant next door, same owner), Zest is such a blessing! And not just for locals - I have friends that drive from around San Diego to meet my here for the evening because they love it as much as I do. Zest has a great selection of wine, delicious small bites, including a killer cheese board. The weekly food specials (usually tacos or flatbreads) are excellent. The bar inside is cute, but the patio is darling - very cozy! The background music is always on point. The patio is enclosed and they have a fire-table and heaters for colder days. Karina, the owner, is extremely friendly and attentive, always making the rounds and visiting with customers. Roberto, the wine bar manager, is a sweetheart. He's extremely helpful with wine recommendations and accommodating about letting us taste wines before we order them. He remembers what we likes and is enthusiastic about sharing new wines with us. And, scoring brownie points with me, they are super dog friendly (on the patio). My dog, Tango, is always remembered, greeted, and given water right away - a really nice touch! Other things to note: Zest offers a wine club and has tasting events at least once a month. Their prices are about average for San Diego. Parking is reasonably easy: there is usually a parking spot available in back lot, but street parking isn't too bad when the lot is full.

Went here last Friday after visiting the sister restaurant.. Giardino. This place is EVERYTHING! They have a super cute and cozy patio. The service was Phenomenal!! Our server Roberto explained all of the wines to us and was just a super nice guy. All of the wines we had were good too! And the chef Roberto!! Omg!! His food is like a party in your mouth! And he is so nice!! This place is my new favorite wine bar!!

Food was delicious. Wine was perfect. The environment was very peaceful and relaxing and service was outstanding.

My wife and I just left after our Valentine's dinner date. Reservations at 6:30. Sat outside in the patio area. The ambience was nice and the place is cute. The service was seriously lacking. The server didn't come by at all after taking our order. We spent over an hour waiting for our food, with no communication whatsoever. Had to go get my own water for the table. Empty plates were left on the table for over 30 minutes. The calamari and crab cakes were good. Don't know how the entrees were because we left before we got them. Was charged $40 for the appetizers. Nothing offered but a "sorry".

This place is so cute! I couldn't believe it was in Lemon Grove. We don't have a lot of trendy mid to fine dining places in LG. They had a really nice wine selection, and if you are really hungry you don't just have to order apps of their menu, you can order from their sister restaurant Giordinos. The food was really good. Our server had really good knowledge of the wines and was very friendly and kind. I will definitely return! They also do wine tasting prefix menus each last Sunday of the month. Marking my calendar to try that now!!! Parking is tricky especially on the weekend, so be sure to give a little extra time if you have people to meet/reservations. We parked a block down across the street and crossed at the light. There is parking out front and a lot out back, so you might be a lucky person and get a spot.

Looking for a date night spot or even just somewhere to go with friends and family, we'll I definitely recommend stopping by at zest. Great customer service , great wine and food !! The Mezze platter was delicious , especially the sauces and my husband loved the pickled onions! We will continue to return for our date nights. Roberto and chef Nick , Thank you for the Great customer service!!!

Location - Super easy to find and good signage (look for the yellow sign), right next to the Giardino's Restaurant. Parking - Limited. BUT If I'm being honest, you should just rideshare/lyft/uber bc you WILL drink a lot of great wines. There's a bit of street and back of the building parking - but I just don't advocate for drinking and driving. Ambiance - Lovely little inside area to sit, or of course some bar seating. More tables and seating in the back patio (heaters outside too!). Nice little trendy art-deco feel to the place. Great use of the space honestly in terms of how much wine they have on site as well as places to sit/eat. Restroom is cute and kept clean. Back patio area (I believe) is dog friendly and allows for a nice breeze. Service - 10 out of 10. Chef Marco is not only a great chef, but so inspiring, hilarious and kind. Friendly is an understatement. Sommelier Roberto is charming, full of jokes and SO knowledgeable. He can pick you a winning glass and guide you through the history and process of the wines too. It's a small spot with few people - but they give each customer such attentive service that it is worth the wait, if there even is one, because they are constantly working to give great food and drink. Drinks - They have an extensive selection of wines and truly some great, affordable bottles. The flight is THE way to go if you're not sure, or you just want to be adventurous. I had my "notions" changed many times over now and found myself enjoying some wines I would never have considered buying in a store without trying. Food - Gorgeous, delicious, fresh, and made with love. I love a good meat & cheese board, and boy do they do that well. I haven't yet made it to an afternoon tea party there, but the pictures look great, and I'm sure the tea cookies/sandwiches are awesome. Overall, this is a place that I cannot say enough good about. I am so pleased that Lemon Grove was chosen to be home to this hidden gem, which I'm sure won't stay hidden for long!

Had a beautiful Saturday evening here last week. We love their spot next door (Giardino) so we knew a bit of what we were getting into. While I'll likely leave the kiddo at home next time as it's a bit more grown up, they were very accommodating to the fact that mommy needed rosé! The octopus was delicious (even the toddler thought so) and the seared ahi was to die for. Will be back for a "mommy escapes the toddler with a friend" outing very soon.

This is a casual neighborhood wine bistro whenever you will love the food and wine choices. There is a menu that has small plates of food that is perfect to enjoy with a glass of wine. The food is really good. Roberto is a sommelier and having him select your wines is well advised.

I really want to give this place 5 stars but dang that strong disinfectant smell turned me off the minute I walked in. I even sat outside and still smelled the strong odor of Fabuloso,

Amazing service Delicious food Top notch wine Relaxed ambiance Super glad to have found this spot in our new neighborhood Will be back many times

Personal service and quaint ambiance are what makes this place so unique. We went to celebrate and felt the special attention and care for our group to be above and beyond. We sat inside as it was a chilly night but I look forward to an evening on the patio. Our board was beautiful and delicious- I think a little honey or fruit spread would be my only request to add on. The accompanying toast was perfection. Wine recommendations are fabulous too. The dessert sampler was an amazing end to a superb evening.

Came here after dinner at the restaurant next door and the selection of wine is pretty impressive. Service is stellar and owner was a joy to speak with. As all selection of bar bites, but I like there paninis here. Doesn't get too crowded so it's a great spot to stop if your trying to get out of the bar scene.

First time coming here and absolutely LOVE it!!! Shannon provided AMAZING customer service and Michelle (the chef) made a Lobster Roll that was absolutely DELICIOUSNESS!!! And the decor is soo CUUUTE!!

Great little hideaway for happy hour wine. Sit outside on patio. Food available to order from adjacent restaurant. Service is prompt and pleasant. Keeper.

Amazing wine list. Wonderful staff. The chef brought out the charcuterie that was the most beautiful and delicious I've ever seen. He does all his own pickling, and the results were amazing. They sliced up an apple an added it for me since I'm gluten intolerant. One of our friends only likes sweet wines; the server recommended one that wasn't on the menu, and our friend loved it.

Fun for a large group and excellent selection of food and drink. Lots of parking and great service.

Sweet delicious gods this was awesome. Came for San Diego Restaurant week on a whim to try something new and was quite impressed. Walked in the front door and was a bit underwhelmed but felt like I had walked through the Wardrobe to a new secret magical land when we got to the patio. Totally unassuming and such a fantastic surprise. The wine flight (white, rose, red) was sensational and was so lovingly paired with the foods offered. We were able to ask questions and the knowledge was evident as was the care for our experience. And the food. was. stellar. Portions were right on target and perfect to share (there were two of us very hungry and eager wine drinking food loving ladies) and we were not disappointed. I took not a single picture save for their bathroom (you have to visit to see why lol) because I was having such a delectable, enjoyable evening. I do not live close but I will be back. Lemon Grove you have a damned sweet spot and I sort of hope it doesn't get too popular so I can save it for myself!

Brand new wine bar in Lemon Grove! The owner is just absolutely lovely and accommodating. The sommelier was very informative and friendly. The burrata and ahi tuna was fresh and tasty, highly recommended. 100% would frequent this place.

Tried this wonderful little place last week. It was wine club pick up day for a friendly group on the patio with tastings and appetizers. Roberto, the proprietor, kindly invited my friend and I to join but we chose to sit inside where we met chef Nick taking a photo of the nights special Tomato bisque and grilled gourmet cheese. We tried it and it was delicious! Plus we enjoyed a lovely Chardonnay and charcuterie plate. Everyone was so nice, ambience and food great. Plus they offer cooking classes, listed on their website.

This wine bar has an excellent selection! There were so many I wanted to try! The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. There is a sister restaurant next door that can bring food over. It's great. There is limited indoor seating but there is a large outdoor patio with fire pits and ample heaters. The ambiance / vibe is not the greatest but it's worth a quick pop in.

I spent my birthday in here and was hesitant at first but mannnn, this is added to my favorite spot here in San Diego! This is the perfect place if you want to have a sit down with someone and not get overwhelmed by big plates of food! Their tapas are delicious and wine are great quality! (I lived in Italy for years) Good music and it is just the perfect ambiance!

Tried this place out this weekend and loved it. Really cute and the chef was amazing ! Wines were good, will definitely be back again it's so close to my house !

We are so excited and lucky to have Zest in our neighborhood! Beautiful designed and decorated. The wine selection is thoughtfully chosen and the menu is fresh and delicious! We are working our way down the menu and have loved everything we've ordered; beet salad, seafood tostada, shrimp cocktail, ahi tuna, cold cuts panino, and the wrapped dates!

Roberto was the best waiter! The small Cheese & Charcuterie Board was more than enough for two (see picture) and the Prosciutto Wrapped Dates were so delicious that I forgot to take a photo.

We visited Zest Bistro last night for the first time after an Amazing dinner next door at Giardino's! Such a fun inviting space the decor is so well done and their patio space will be amazing when completed. They have a great selection of wines and small plates. The staff was very welcoming and very knowledgeable. We will be back!

Afternoon tea and goodies from Zest and Knead Bakehouse!!! Amazing!!! Zest Winery and Bistro runs a fabulous afternoon tea the 3rd Saturday every month. Unique and special teas with goodies from the most amazing dessert chefs in SoCal from Knead Bakehouse. We spent our anniversary celebration with them and it was probably the best celebration EVER!! The fantastic shortbread cookies and scones and lemon curd ( with the freshest lemons hand picked from an organic orchard in Fallbrook) we're just a start. Fancy and casual all at the same time. The mini sandwiches of cucumbers and salmon and prosciutto, and of egg salad were the right amount of savory... but it was the sweets ... including the apricot tarts, raspberry streusel that made this utterly awesome and memorable forever! Thank you Zest Winery and Knead Bakehouse for your vision and support in the community to buy local and share with the world!!!! Awesomeness!!!!

Wanted to post a 2nd update since I came back during their restaurant week special! Again, super blown away by the service, wine, and tapas here! It was super busy but it definitely didn't feel that way! Sat outside this time and their patio was super cute and surprisingly well warmed up by their patio heater. This is definitely the new favorite wine bar!

This place is such a hidden gem. I can't believe that it is not getting more press. The wine selection is easily one the best (at a wine bar) in San Diego county. Service is top-notch and personable. My husband and I love to pull up to the bar, have some great wine&tapas, and have fun conversations with the staff. My new favorite wine bar in San Diego.

We had a wonderful experience here. Roberto and Michelle were wonderful hosts, very knowledgeable about the wine they were serving, and made great recommendations on wines to try. The food was very good as well. We tried the lobster roll, which was delicious. We will definitely return.

Perfect for 2 dates Super cute, good finger foods and the wine so many good choices.

New neighborhood wine bar that you must check out! Great wine list and amazing staff. Could be a fun spot for a date or small special events.

This new spot was so cute and we loved the atmosphere, tapas and drinks. The service was the best and you are very well attended. It's a great place to get together with friends or a date night. Literally loved all the foos choices for the Poke Tacos to the Braised Pork and Polenta.

I've been coming here since they opened and I'm a wine club member. I stopped by last night to pick up my monthly order. The wine selection is always amazing. Roberto and Karina really know their wines. They great everyone with a friendly welcome when they come in the door. You feel like you're drinking wine with friends. The wine bar is small but the outdoor patio is warm and inviting even with the cold weather. Lots of patio heaters. They offer delicious small plates or you can order food from their Italian restaurant next door.

The owner is delightful and the food and wine were all great! Love this hidden gem and their restaurant next door.

I found this place because of San Diego Restaurant Week and it was the perfect spot for my partner and I after a long day. The waiter and chef were so kind and wonderful. Food was unique and delicious, and my partner was astonished! Cute place in the back with a comfortable zen. Definitely coming back!

I love going to Zest because they always give me more knowledge on wine I didn't know or didn't think about. They don't make you feel like you are out of place because you don't know wines or overwhelm you with adjectives that you don't know what to do with that info. If you like wine, you should go and talk to them about what you like about wine and they will recommend you with something new...!

Charming, very nice wine list, friendly & helpful wait staff. Owned by the delicious Giardini restaurant next door, it's a perfect place to start or end your dinner next door. Outdoor on the patio, the benches could use work - not comfortable at all, so folks won't linger.

I love coming here! It feels like home and the wine list is every changing and incredible! Add some amazing tapas like burrata and it is the perfect night! Thank you for bringing this kind of quality to our neighborhood!!

We had a beautiful experience on our first visit. Friendly informative and engaging staff. Flights of wine to enjoy. Amazing appetizers and chartreuse board. Cap it off with homemade gelato like nowhere else. A must try!