We were at the San Diego Zoo walking around for hours of fun and we were on starvation mode! We wanted a nice meal, but wanted to stay at the zoo. We found Albert's Restaurant on the zoo map! The website states that reservations were encouraged. The hostess will ask if you have one. We were able to get the outdoor dining area without a reservation. As you enter, there's a nice bar area and indoor dining. The outdoor dining is where the waterfall feature is. It's a nice serene feeling out there. We enjoyed our meal and conversation. The Cheesy Garlic Bread was delicious!! Who does enjoy cheesy garlic bread!!! The salmon dish and steak frites were delicious as well. Overall, we had a very enjoyable meal. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. read more

See all

Came to celebrate Valentine's Day at the zoo! Parking was so hard ended up being an hour late my reservation but they still honored us and we got seated very fast! Staff was all so friendly The inside was very nice and safari themed! We got the lovey dovey drink tbh wasn't my favorite The food was really good I loved the ratio of salsa and chips The risotto was flavored with curry which was a nice touch Steak with the sauce was chefs kiss It was a romantic way to start the zoo date! Highly recommend! read more

See all

Was looking for something to eat while at the zoo and found Albert's. We came right when they opened so we were seated almost immediately. Service was pretty quick and servers were nice and accommodating. They gave us the option to sit indoor or outdoor and we decided outdoor since it was a nice day. The patio had a little waterfall which was quite nice to enjoy while eating our lunch. We ordered the steak frites and shrimp piccata. Both had great flavor and although we got well done for the steak because we shared with our toddler, it was surprisingly still juicy and flavorful. Loved the sautéed mushrooms, I didn't even need the steak sauce they provided. The shrimp piccata was nice and creamy. Shrimps were big and the pasta was cooked perfectly, didn't really need the artichokes as they were a bit hard. Came in with low expectations as the ratings weren't that great but to our surprise the food was great. Would definitely come back and try their other options. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Steak Frites - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Came here for lunch without a reservation and got seated immediately! The restaurant was a bit hard to find but I followed the signs and had to take the elevator or stairs. I ordered the tuna poke starter as a meal since I wasn't super hungry and my brother ordered the chicken burger which was absolutely humongous and also $27. It was pretty expensive but it is inside a zoo so no surprise. The food came fast and was delicious! Not like other zoo foods you expect. I also liked that it was sit down service and air conditioned which was a nice break from walking in the sun all day. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken burger - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

On a partly sunny Friday afternoon, this treetop restaurant in the Zoo was the perfect destination for lunch! I had brought my colleagues here for their first time. We were seated (no reservation necessary) within 10 minutes of checking in. I ordered the chicken piccata pasta, and I would 10000% order it again. The dish was not too lemony nor was it suffocated by the capers. The creamy sauce paired well with the al dente pasta and chicken. I still dream of it. I'd also like to mention that we were seated right next to the window with a view of a waterfall feature. So much to love! read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken piccata I love you a lotta - American Near Me - San Diego, California

What a lovely lunch we had! After seeing the pandas we walked over to Albert's and had lunch at the bar. Very comfortable and the bartender Madison was fantastic! I had the salmon salad which I loved! Would order it again. Hubby had the caprese salad with added shrimp. He said it was really good. Mom got the tuna poke with light dressing and the butternut squash soup. Note it had cream in it and it was very thick. Tasty though. We enjoyed ourselves here read more

See all

Albert's is located inside the Zoo, and it is a sit down restaurant. My favorite time to come is during weekend brunch but it is only served on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm. I have tried most entrees on their menu and I can definitely say that their food here always hits the spot. Some of my favorites include: -Steak Frites: the garlic truffle wedge potatoes with the dipping sauce are so good! -Chicken Piccata: the creamy pasta with the veggies are amazing I love how they give you the option to dine inside or outside in their patio area, which also has a waterfall as well. This is a great spot to get food when you need a break from a long zoo day. Or if you're looking for a sit down bar! read more

See all

Came here for lunch while visiting the zoo. This place is a hidden gem. If you're looking for a more sit down lunch spot or event early dinner this is the place. They have inside and outdoor seating. I saw a couple seats at the bar as well if you just want to grab a drink and enjoy the view We were seated right away, very nice spot inside looking at the waterfall. Our waitress was very friendly and had great knowledge on the menu. I ordered an expresso martini and my husband got a beer. The drink was well balanced with expresso and the right amount of sweetness. For food I got the steak frits and my husband got the double chicken sandwich. They both were so delicious. The flavors on the steak were great. Fries was good tastes like it has a bit of truffle oil on there. Would recommend coming here. Plus if you have a zoo pass you get a discount. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Steak frits - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

This was my family's first time visiting Albert's and we were not disappointed. It was definitely nice to be able to sit inside and enjoy your meal with the AC running on a hot day. I ordered the birria tacos, and my daughter got a quesadilla kids meal. The portion was perfect and I was very impressed by how the veggies were cooked for my daughter's kids meals. I mean the veggies were super tasty and sautéed and seasoned perfectly. If you're visiting the zoo and want a sit down experience be sure to visit Albert's. Reservations are suggested. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Birria tacos - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

We decided to eat here to sit down and relax instead of dealing with the seating at the quick service restaurants. I made a reservation a few days in advance for the outdoor patio, which is the main draw of the restaurant for me. The patio has a nice, relaxing vibe, like you're tucked away in a jungle. The waterfall is pretty and adds to the atmosphere. Our server was kind and offered to bring us cups of ice for the sodas we brought in, which we appreciated but declined. We weren't super hungry so we just shared two appetizers: the brussel sprouts and the cheesy garlic bread. The brussel sprouts were fine, nothing standout but decent. The cheesy garlic bread was the good. The garlic chips on top added a strong punch of flavor and the sun dried tomato sauce on the side complimented it really well. Overall, a good option if you're looking for something more relaxed while spending the day at the San Diego Zoo. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Brussel Sprouts, Cheesy Garlic Bread - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent food! Great Service! Cool space. Mark was our server and very helpful and attentive. Nice waterfall on the outdoor patio. Nice size servings. Reasonable priced for the quality. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken sandwich - American Near Me - San Diego, California

They're open on Thanksgiving! (2025) Great experience as always. Friendly service and good eats. I love that the kids meal has the option for delicious veggies. The adults were envious. Great patio area with a waterfall. read more

See all

Decided to do a sit-down meal here instead of standing in line and having to hunt for a seat after. It wasn't super crowded but we were given the option to sit at the bar or wait about 10 minutes. We chose the bar! That turned out to be pretty fun, as the bartender was a blast - friendly, informative & fast at his job! The restaurant had a "tropical" feel to it, and quite spacious. The staff here were also friendly overall. The menu isn't super large, but sufficiently varied. Looks like they also had weekend brunch that sounded delicious, but alas, it was a weekday when I was there. I ended up choosing the Cauliflower rice and added grilled chicken, and my husband ordered the Quesa Birria Tacos. Everything tasted quite good surprisingly, though maybe a tad salty for the cauliflower rice...I think they should lessen the sauce they used on it....it was maybe a bit too "wet". I say surprisingly, because I generally don't like food at parks, often not tasty and expensive. Now, the prices aren't great, but again, you are in the zoo, not a local restaurant in the neighborhood. To be able to sit down for a full-service meal, in a nicely airconditioned place on a hot day, with friendly staff & interesting menu items, the price isn't extreme, especially compared to some place like Disneyland! Plus revenue from the restaurant supports the zoo and their conservation efforts, so I didn't mind the extra cost. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Queso birria tacos - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Excellent place to eat and rest while at the zoo. This place is awesome! The 4 of us had lunch here and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Appetizer's we had chicken wings and Brussel sprouts. Both were super delicious! My daughter had the salmon entree and loved the fresh salmon and the mixed vegetables that accompanied it. Very tasty! My son had the Birria Tacos and just loved them. Juicy tasty tender beef inside of a corn tortilla were perfectly done. My wife had the tuna sandwich and thoroughly enjoyed it! Lots of tasty goodies inside of the tuna made it even tastier! I had the double stack fried chicken sandwich. This was SUPER DELICIOUS!! Crispy chicken breasts covered in a crunchy breaded mixture with a wonderful slaw on top. Yummy!! The service was spot on! Never an empty water glass and very attentive! The ambiance is very comfortable to stay there for longer than you should. I can see resting there all day on, but there are animals to see! Great place to go!! read more

See all

The food here was amazing! I would definitely go here again if I went to the San Diego zoo again which I probably will someday. The garlic cheesy bread is to die for and so is the fish that I had and my friends pasta. The steak that the guy had next to me looked awesome amazing! They were so nice. They let us sit at the bar and order drinks until we had a table since the wait was about 20 minutes. It actually wasn't that long though. We got a table, our waitress is great, just like our bartender! I would definitely come here again! read more

See all

Make a reservation if at all possible so you don't have to wait. We were so tired that we were happy to sit for 20-25 minutes waiting for a table. Savannah was our server and she was very good. We ordered queso birria tacos and tuna melt plus butternut squash soup. All of it was very good. Service was decent. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Tuna melt - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Take a break from all the walking and sightseeing and check out Albert's Restaurant, the only full-service restaurant and bar in the San Diego Zoo. It's been years since my last visit to the zoo, so I had to try this place out. I highly recommend making reservations early, especially during busy seasons. We made reservations for lunch the day we visited with ease. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with a waterfall just outside the patio area. The dining area is inviting and fits the zoo's theme and decor. We ordered various items from the menu, and everything was delicious. I ordered the House Smoked Albacore Tuna Melt, which was flavorful and filling. The Seasonal Salmon entrée and Cheesy Garlic Bread were also hits. The Double Stacked Chicken Sandwich was hefty; I don't think my family finished that one, but they enjoyed it. Overall, it was a pleasant and tasty experience. Our server, Madison S., was friendly and attentive, and our food came out promptly. For parties of seven or more, an 18% gratuity is added. The prices for being in a theme park weren't surprising, but I would dine here again. read more

See all

This is the only sit down table service restaurant in the Zoo. It has a small outside seating area that is covered and tropical with the nearby foliage along with indoor dining too. I would recommend making a reservation like I did to be safe about getting a table when you want it. The menu is limited with beer, wines and cocktails offered along with entrees and starters and a brunch in the weekends. I ordered the House Smoked Albacore Tuna Melt sandwich with fries for $25 and it arrived about 10 minutes later. The house made albacore spread was on 2 toasted multi grain bread slices cut in half with mayo, chipotle, cilantro and celery added. The meal also came with French fries. I must say it was a very good tasting sandwich. Yes I could taste a slight hint of smoke in the tuna mix and it was very satisfying to eat. Also the fries were hot and flavorful too. Table service was also good and this meal was easily a 4 score. So why do I give a 3? With an iced tea, tax and tip it was a $40 lunch of a sandwich, fries and tea. Yes a very good tasting meal but $40? If you come to eat here just remember that you are going to pay about a 50% food premium than the other counter service eateries around the Zoo and then have to add a tip for the table service. read more

See all

I was starving at the SD Zoo and this is the only restaurant close enough to consider with gluten free healthy options. They have caulk soup without too much cream. Grace is sweet and put our name on the list. 25 minute wait. I really like the menu! My cauliflower rice with shrimp was okay but nothing to get excited about. The water chestnuts and edamame blended in well. I like the patio seating next to the water fall. read more

See all

Unfortunately this place was a miss for me. I ordered the only vegan option on the menu which was the cauliflower fried rice. It was very bland. The dish needs extra veggies, some tofu, or even a sauce would have been nice. Our server George was friendly, just seemed rushed and a little bothered with requests (condiments etc). My husband's food did not come out with the rest of the food. We waited quite a while for it to come out. :( Overall the experience was so so. Some positives... Sarah at the check in area was very nice, we were seated right at the time of our reservation, we were sat outside as requested, and the waterfall was beautiful. read more

For a restaurant in the middle of a zoo, this is actually pretty good. Prices are slightly high but not by much. The place was clean and nicely decorated. These service was fast and friendly. The food arrived quickly and was decent. We got the tacos and the tuna melt. Both were better than expected. The fries were good but probably prepackaged and frozen. No complaints given the location. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Quesabirra tacos - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Great view, nice serene waterfall in background, cool & breezy on hot day. They squeezed us in without a reservation which was awesome. To be honest I was expecting poor to average overpriced food but I was pleasantly surprised. Started with garlic bread, when I want garlic I want a tasty loaf and this bad boy delivered, roasted and black garlic and herbs and cheese & pesto spread, absolutely delicious. We both had the steak frites which again were incredible. Steaks were cooked to perfection , onions & mushrooms were delicious, truffle wedges were yummy too. Great addition to the zoo, our server Madison was great, knowledgeable with the menu & attentive. read more

Albert's Restaurant - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Upscale restaurant within the San Diego Zoo if you're looking to escape the crowds for a sit down meal. It was cold for Christmas week, so we were happy to be seated inside with a view of a waterfall. The staff were really friendly and overall service was great. The food was pretty good too, especially the cheesy garlic bread! One tip is to go for an early lunch. We arrived at 11:15am and were seated in about 10 minutes without a reservation. When we left at about 12:15pm, there were about 15 groups/families waiting to be seated. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Quesa birria tacos with truffle fries. Truffle fries were really good! - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Fine dining at the zoo. Who knew? The barkeep was amazing. Get a reservation or sit at the bar. The food is quality and pricy. You can sit inside where it's nice or sit on a balcony in the middle of the zoo. A surprising find in a zoo. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Cocktail. - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

First of all, everyone giving this place mid reviews needs to remember that they're in a theme park. The food is decent, pretty good actually-- and it's fairly priced. Maybe I'm biased, as I came from a Disney pass to a San Diego Zoo membership, but this restaurant has reasonable prices and delivers surprising quality. Have any of you even BEEN to Six Flags? I'll take three star quality restaurant food any day. They also have a good wine selection for a not-too-aggressive markup, and I deeply appreciate that. That said, I hope management looks at these reviews, because I have something very positive to say about a staff member. Teresa was a FANTASTIC server; attentive without being overbearing, responsive and friendly and informative about the menu. She even checked our membership status before bringing the check to make sure we had our discount applied, which I had forgotten about. She was awesome, and I really hope she is recognized for her commitment to being a great server and giving us a wonderful lunch experience during our day at the zoo. I also highly recommend the garlic cheesy bread. Look at this photo. If you don't order it, you're missing out. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Garlic Cheesy Bread - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: chicken sandwiches were stellar, 2 crispy breasts (these were slightly overcooked but still good) and perfectly cooked sweet potato fries, the reindeer drink was very yummy with a gingerbread man in the center and kids grilled chicken perfectly cooked. The watermelon in the fruit was not the best but nailed was fresh. Service: friendly and accommodating, they did double charge for a coke but fixed it and made an adjustment to only a specific fruit for the kids meal which was nice. We came in earlier than our reservation and were seated immediately. It was busy but not crowded. Ambience: sit down casual, indoor or outdoor. Located in its own floor in the San Diego zoo. Great after a long day. read more

See all

Albert's was a great, memorable experience during our long zoo day. We sat outside on the deck, which has an amazing atmosphere. Everyone's seat had a great view and it gave you a feeling of being in nature and also in a comfortable setting, no bugs bothering us. Definitely ask to sit outside. Our server was Mark, and he was absolutely wonderful, anticipating needs and being personable with our young daughter. He knows the menu and gave a really accurate drink recommendation. Even the kids menu has well made food - the macaroni and cheese was more like an elevated version. This is not just any zoo/theme park restaurant, it's a well curated experience. read more

had a great experience at albert's! the ambiance is everything. you truly feel like you have escaped the hectic zoo and entered a tropical jungle at the entrance. there is stroller parking near the elevator. definitely make a reservation! it can get busy here quickly and we saw a wait outside on a monday. we had a reservation and requested to be on the patio near the waterfall. they were able to accommodate and were very nice + timely. they have a full service bar with drinks which is nice, we had a glass of prosecco in a real glass. it's sit down check style. the food items are pricey as to be expected, but they do have a kids menu as well which was $14 per entree/side/drink. for kids you can get macaroni and cheese, quesadilla, chicken tenders, pizza etc. the sides are fruit or fries. the fruit was excellent and fresh, the macaroni and cheese was an interesting cheese - a very mild white cheese i couldn't place. my daughter thought it was okay, but nothing special and she didn't eat much of it as it was very cheesy. i also thought it was good but just mediocre. we also ordered the chicken sandwich, which was decent and the BIRRIA TACOS. if you get nothing else, get those. they are incredible. i had never heard of or had birria before, but it's essentially shredded beef tacos with cilantro onions and a dipping sauce - incredible 10/10. everyone tried and agreed they should have gotten those! the fries were great. staff was super friendly and nice, quick with service and happy to help. i would not recommend sitting inside, it's giving discount jungle vibes. overall definitely would come back! perfect break from the park read more

See all

I love Albert's. The reason I'm taking away a star is this: If you ask for special considerations and then don't honor them...Well, then I don't think you really mean that. Online, I requested the best available table and got the least desirable one. I didn't want to make an issue of it, so we just enjoyed our lunch. read more

Albert's is a full service restaurant located in the San Diego zoo. The ambiance and service is 5 stars, but unfortunately the food is 3 stars. Their outdoor patio overlooks a waterfall, and offers a nice break from zoo activities. It was beautiful sitting outside, relaxing, and enjoying a leisurely lunch. Our server was sweet and checked on us often. Their menu is pretty small, but has a good variety of items. The problem is the food is really heavy. We didn't try their salads, so maybe those would have been a better option. What we ordered: + Double stacked chicken sandwich - 2 pieces of fried chicken breast in a sandwich. The chicken was over-fried (very dark) and the meat was dry. It was seasoned nicely though. + Quesa Birria Tacos - these were dripping with oil. These are like short rib stew in corn tortillas that are fried in the drippings. It comes with a cup of the juices from the stew to dip your tacos in. It's served with french fries, and the meal was just too heavy with no fresh relief. + Truffle french fries - you can upgrade the fries that come with your meal with truffle french fries for $4, so we tried it. Must say this was the best part of our meal. Enjoyed the truffle seasoning on the fries. Although I enjoyed the experience of a nice restaurant in the zoo, and having lunch overlooking a waterfall, I probably would not come back. There's lots of nice food options throughout the zoo. read more

See all

We somehow had one of the best meals on our San Diego trip at the Zoo. Honestly, we didn't expect much from a restaurant at the zoo, but somehow this is one of the few places that was able to cook the steak perfectly to how we asked and everything tasted delicious. We ordered the Steak Frites, Chicken Piccata, and Brussel Sprouts. The Brussel Sprouts were really good. They were crispy, and had a strong parmesan and balsamic flavor. The Chicken Piccata had the most tender chicken I've had in a pasta and the sauce was delicious. The Steak Frites really blew us away. The steak was cooked to perfection, and the truffle fries were delicious. The service was great. Our waitress was very attentive, but our food did take quite a long time to come out. The restaurant itself gets VERY loud with all the families and kids, but the interior is so cute. read more

See all

This was a nice restaurant overall! My wife and I came here in November and we had a lovely time; our waitress was attentive and kind and we weren't rushed through our meal. We enjoyed 2 tropical cocktails and they were flavorful and refreshing. We both got the salmon with a side of Brussels sprouts, both of which were cooked well and were delicious. It was really nice to find a good restaurant in the zoo and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a sit down meal during a long day at the zoo. read more

See all

My sister and I like this spot to grab food at the zoo it's honestly the same price and food at any of the stands and better quality plus the drinks are good and gives you a nice cool place to sit down with a waterfall we always order the steak frites and the pear martinis. But what really makes this place is the lovely server mark. He is the best he has served us multiple times and always makes it a great experience even with kids at the table and everything. If you go for sure ask for mark and make a reservation the day before or morning of your zoo visit so you don't have to wait long. read more

Came here for our breakfast before walking around the zoo, gotta say I was impressed by the food quality! I was expecting standard "theme park food" but I was pleasantly surprised! The food here is amazing! The service was also very nice, they were very kind to us. The ambiance is also beautiful we sat near the waterfall outside and we loved it. Definitely will come back here whenever we do return to the zoo :) read more

Albert's Restaurant - Steak, truffle fries, French toast - American Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Food was ok not great.....did not love my Tuna Melt. Thought the ambiance and decor would be different but just what I was thinking. Server super busy with other tables. read more

Albert's Restaurant - American Near Me - San Diego, California

The cheese bread appetizer was the BEST. We shared the Chicken Piccata and Caesar Salad with Salmon. The ambiance is very nice. Our server was not very friendly. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants at the zoo. The service is always great! I recommend making a reservation. I've been for lunch and brunch and their menu is amazing. The steak frites are amazing. The Albert's breakfast for brunch is delicious. I love their mimosas and other cocktails but they have soda and non alcoholic options. I like sitting outside, there's a waterfall. The inside is also nice, it's never too loud. It is a bit expensive but it's worth it to me. read more

What a huge let down! Made a reservation for my birthday requesting a table by the waterfall. We arrived and were told that no tables were available and the wait for a waterfall table could be more than 30 mins. They said they could sit us adjacent to the waterfall in 15 minutes. I agreed to this because I thought we would be at least on the patio. Well, we weren't. We were inside by the door leading outside. A party that came after us was sat on the patio. If I make a reservation with a request on a table, the restaurant should reserve a table. Our table was placed in the worse area of the restaurant and too much traffic passed by. The food was pricey for the quality. We didn't order much after appetizers because everything was mediocre. The restaurant itself and its decor is lack luster and it seems they missed an opportunity to do something cool, being in a zoo and all. The service was probably the best part of the experience as our waitress was very friendly and helpful. I definitely wouldn't go back. read more

See all

Good vegetarian option, large portion size and a fantastic waitress Madison who advised us to order less as we had no idea about portion sizes. Got a fantastic waterfall view indoor table. Food was way beyond our expectations. One advice - reserve your table as wait times tend to get long. 5 stars read more

Albert's Restaurant - Cauliflower fried rice - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Stopped by Albert's while visiting the San Diego Zoo. The food and drinks were solid. Pricing was to be expected. I was shocked the portion sizes were pretty large. Our server, Ash, was wonderful. Ash was attentive, kind, and made great menu recommendations. We sat outside nearby the waterfall, which was really nice. My only complaint is I wish the menu pushed more sustainable selections (given that it's a zoo). There was a very small selection of vegetarian options and only one vegan option. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Mandrill and Porcupine Pomegranate Skinny Margarita - American Near Me - San Diego, California