I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance while walking by , they were playing some great music that immediately caught my attention. I asked the guy outside what kind of place it was, and he told me it was a rooftop bar. Intrigued, I decided to check it out. When I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the hostess, who was absolutely amazing. I chose to sit at the bar, but unfortunately, that's where my experience took a turn. I sat for about 10 minutes without being acknowledged, and eventually had to wave down one of the bartenders for assistance. When she finally came over, she simply asked, "Are you ready to order?" I ordered the Mango Guava Spritz ($16.99) and the Avocado Tacos ($18.99). When the bartender, Casey, brought my drink, she asked if I had a credit card she could hold. I told her I planned to use Apple Pay, and she responded, "You're not going to run off on the check, are you?" I was honestly offended by that comment. I even asked the guests sitting next to me if they were asked the same question, and both said no. When my tacos arrived, the presentation was nice. The avocado itself could've used more seasoning ,maybe the batter or the avocado itself , but overall the tacos were good, especially when paired with the salsa. Would I return when I'm back in town? I'm not sure. I definitely wanted to share my experience so others know what kind of service they might encounter here. Hopefully, the management addresses this kind of behavior so no one else feels singled out or uncomfortable. Breakdown: Front door greeter: 5 stars Hostess: 5 stars Bartender: 1star ( just all bad) Food: 4 stars (minus one for unseasoned avocado) Overall: 3 stars -- Great vibe and good food, but the service at the bar needs serious improvement. read more

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The food here is absolutely delicious! · "Hands down, some of the best food I've had recently! I love me some Mexican food. Started with some great cocktails. I wanted to try their Caribbean Nachos. Short rib, poblano cheese sauce, crema, black beans, mango relish , cilantro. There were some great brunch items to try. My wife had the poached eggs with Lobster Caviar Benedict. My son tried the breakfast sandwich. We are so fortunate to have this place. Nestled in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego, California. You are right across the street and overlooking the Piazza della Famiglia, Coco Maya offers a contemporary twist on classic American dishes. Friendly service, flavorful food, stunning plating. read more

Coco Maya - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Very fun ambiance! Lots of people here, great crowd! Bartenders and staff are very nice! Drinks were very good! Love my time here in SD! read more

Coco Maya - Margs - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Another 5/5 experience at Coco Maya. Noelle was our server for the second time, she has been amazing both times and made our experience so lovely! We tried out their house bread with jam and butter and it was so well made. A bit like a denser but still fluffy donut, little less sweet and paired with the incredible jam! The jerk wings were great, not as much jerk flavor but charred and cooked perfectly, with two good sauces to come with. The drinks never miss, either. We always try something new because every drink they make is so well-balanced & fun :) It was lively on Saturday night, pretty loud but a great energy. Loveeeeee! read more

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We walked right up to the restaurant, they have a podium out front with no sign to walk upstairs to get seated. Our first interaction with the hostess was not warm or welcoming, she looked overwhelmed and annoyed. We originally sat outside but the seats we were given were extremely uncomfortable stuffed behind a door in a corner and in the sun which made the seats really hot to sit on. We asked if there was any availability inside and got two different answers from the hostess, thankfully one of hosts was kind enough to help us move tables. Service was lackluster, it took 10 min to get glasses of water and an additional 15 to get our cocktails. Our food took even longer, once our food arrived the food runner dropped a piece of our friend's food on the table and completely disregarded it. He only offered a napkin so that she could clean it up, I get accidents happen but the way it was disregarded was not ok. She had to ask for a new plate of food since it didn't seem much of a problem to the runner. It took 20 min for a new plate of French toast to come out, there was zero sense of urgency and care from our server. She was very nice but didn't seem to care. Would not recommend, lots of negative energy. read more

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Great spot to catch a drink or some food and relax. We came Halloween weekend and the had a special drink menu as well. I decided on The Boogie man" which is spirit forward but delicious. The tiki drinks are also good. The location is amazing and service was very quick at the bar. There are numerous seating areas for large or smaller groups. read more

Coco Maya - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Coco Maya is one of my friend's mist visit recommendations. It is located in Little Italy, San Diego, make sure to get a reservation because the place is absolutely gorgeous! The vibes feel like you are in Bahamas or Honolulu! The food was so delicious. We tried the Spicy Mango Ceviche, Maine Lobster Tacos, the nachos (dressing was a bit wet but still tasty). For drinks, we had the Mango Guava Spritz and Frozen Coconut, both no alcoholic hehehe. The server was nice and the vibe was amazing. So happy we tried it. read more

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This place is just beautiful! I came here on my birthday with friends and they treated us so well. We started off with some delicious drinks and some Maya Tacos which are pork belly and pineapple. They were amazing. We were interested in their happy hour but it's only offered at the bar area which had no seating left. Kind of a bummer but I will try it next time I'm in the area. The restroom area was just as beautiful and Instagram worthy! Just please try to be respectful of others. Overall,l I love this place. If you're looking for a place to host your next birthday brunch I would definitely give this place a try! We also came in another time on a week day and the vibes and ambiance were very romantic and relaxing. I would def give this place a try for your next date night as well! read more

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Made a reservation for a Saturday (highly recommend) and walked upstairs to the cutest mini rooftop. The host was super sweet and kept updating me when the table would be ready. The space is very open and decorated. Perfect for girl dinner and chat :) The menu is a bit confusing; there's definitely more options online but the physical menu was quite limited. I ordered the ceviche which was very yummy and lots of avocado!!! We also got the espresso martini tower for pretty good deal! You can choose other drinks as well. The martini is VERYYY STRONG pros and cons if you want a lot of liqueur for your $ and have a good time or might be hard for your palette. Either way... I CANT WAIT TO COME BACK :) read more

Coco Maya - Espresso martini tower - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Went to a company event here and the food was amazing! I would love to try for dinner and drinks with friends. Catering was the best I have experienced at any company event. read more

3/9/2025 - Where the Chicken Slaps, the DJ Sizzles, and the People-Watching is Peak Entertainment If you're not at Coco Maya, what are you even doing with your life? I came for the chicken and waffles and left in a full-blown situationship--with the menu, the music and overall vibe. Let's talk food: that chicken? Crispy, juicy, and clearly fried by someone who has survived heartbreak and channeled it into culinary excellence. The waffle? So fluffy it could file for cloud status. Pair it with a cocktail that slaps harder than your ex's excuses, and you're in business. Now the DJ... whew. They weren't playing music--they were summoning spirits. One minute you're sipping tequila, next minute you're dancing like you just got cast in a music video you didn't audition for. Zero shame. Full send. And the people-watching? Immaculate. Sit at the bar long enough and you'll see at least three birthday photo shoots, girl trip with face subtitles, two soft-launches of situationships, and one guy ordering mezcal like he's in a telenovela. The vibes are immaculate, the drinks are dangerous, and the bartenders could charm the foam off a margarita. 12/10, will return with a thirst for brunch and light drama. read more

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We ordered the steak sandwich. It was perfectly seasoned and the sauces helped keep the sandwich from feeling too dry. There was quite a bit of oil coming out of the sandwich though so maybe ask for light on the vinegarette. The fries were really crispy. I also tried the French toast that was really good too. read more

Coco Maya - Steak sandwich - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Went to Coco Maya for brunch. Our waiter was great! Very friendly and provided great recommendations. Very attentive when we asked for more water and sides of sauces. The venue is colorful and great for groups. The music is on the louder side but provided a fun atmosphere. Only gave it 4 stars because the food prices were a bit high for what you get. read more

Coco Maya has all the ingredients for a five-star experience. We were the first guests on a random Tuesday morning but immediately felt the vacation-esque vibes as soon as we walked in. The restaurant design is so fun and playful, I felt like I was dining in Barbie's dream house. Staff was on point and was able to manage our large group with toddlers easily. The children oohed and aahed over their freshly cut coconut drinks and gobbled up their french toast and breakfast sammies. They loved the playlist and the decor which meant that us parents could really feel like we could relax during our meal. Husband and I split the tacos and the pork belly benedict and was not disappointed. Their cocktail list was super fun and we loved being able to have a margarita to kick off our jovial beach day. Five stars, I would definitely come back again. read more

Beautiful ambiance. Exceptionally warm and friendly crew. Lovely lobster. Great chicken and waffles. Malik and D'Angelo were absolute delights- the consummate professionals. read more

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Super cute restaurant. Great customer service, amazing atmosphere, and delicious food. My husband had the Maya tacos. It's pork belly, smoked poblano, smoked pineapple, red onion, avocado poblano crema, queso, cilantro. I took a bite and the flavor was great. I had the Cubano sandwich with fries; which is pork belly, black forest ham, pickles, panela cheese, house made spicy mustard. Very good flavor as well. As for cocktails, we had the Pistolero Paloma its tequila blanco, cantaloupe, fresh lime, grapefruit radler. And a Frozen Coconut Margarita which is tequila blanco, cocount, fresh lime. Both drinks were really good and definitely not water down. You could still taste the liquor, yet very subtle which I enjoy. It was not just the juice mixes overpowering the liquor. Overall, If you're in the San Diego area, I highly recommend adding this restaurant to your itinerary. Such great vibe! The music could be a little loud, but if you're OK with it, this is the spot to go to. read more

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Came here for brunch with a big group while we were in San Diego for a show at the nearby waterfront venue. I recommend booking a reservation early cause this place gets packed! Fun environment for brunch since they have a DJ, plenty of drink options, and it's definitely insta-worthy vibe. I was a little disappointed with the lack of gluten free and vegan options for brunch, but was able to satiate myself with an appetizer. Food was good, but not amazing - service on the other hand, was great! Polite and helpful staff, even with the crowd. If you're looking for a fun brunch outing, but aren't too picky about the quality of the food, this place is a great option for downtown San Diego. Just FYI, driving in can be an issue on Saturdays with the farmers market right outside. read more

Came here for HH (3-6). Easy to make reservations and wasn't particularly busy at 3pm friday evening. Lots of items on their HH menu, drinks and otherwise. We all tried the spritzer (very light), pork belly, people loved the smash burger, I personally enjoyed the Caribbean wings + the cornbread (lots of butter and a little sweet), truffle fries, coconut shrimp and the short rib nachos. We tried it all! I'd say kinda small for sharing for 7 people, but easily order a couple of plates to share. Our server was attentive and helpful. read more

Coco Maya - HH wings + spritzer - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here on a Saturday for brunch. We had reservations for 5 and were sat immediately. The service was fabulous. The server (Noelle) went above and beyond to get to know us and to make the meal special. She brought us special sauces and talked to us to get a better idea of what we like. The atmosphere is fun. It feels like you are transported back into 1980's Miami. The food is also delicious. All 5 of use loved our food. The proteins look a little small in the pictures but once there, the food arrives and it's a lot. We got the coconut shrimp, Benedict, Power Bowl, and Breakfast Sandwich were all mouthwatering. As we're all of the drinks. Everything was affordable. A perfect brunch! read more

Very cute place! Our server was very friendly and we appreciated his food recommendations. The chilaquiles with steak and green sauce were on point! Steak was soft and tasty. We also ordered the poke which was so refreshing with mango, avocado, and cucumbers. Their rooftop patio is beautiful. The service did get a little less attentive towards the end of our meal- they did get pretty busy so we were glad that we arrived soon after they opened. The bathroom area was also very cute and clean. read more

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I don't normally write negative reviews, but unfortunately this was one of the worst dining experiences we've had. My wife and I took a day off to spend time with our daughters and planned a nice brunch here, making reservations ahead of time. We were seated outside, which had great skyline views and started things off on a positive note. We ordered the steak sandwich, pork Benedict, French toast, and a kids pasta. That's when things started to go downhill. Shortly after ordering, we were told they were out of steak--only about an hour after opening--which was surprising. I decided to just skip eating rather than switch to something else. From there, it took nearly an hour for the rest of the food to arrive. When it finally did, the quality was extremely disappointing. The Benedict eggs were fully overcooked--more like hard-boiled than poached. The kids pasta was so unappetizing that even my 6-year-old wouldn't touch it. The French toast was tough and overly dry. What made it worse was the lack of urgency or concern from management. While they did remove the untouched dishes, they still charged for the rest despite the poor execution and long wait. We came in hoping for a memorable family brunch and left pretty disappointed. I truly wish them the best, but experiences like this--both in service and food quality--are tough to overlook. read more

Fun, aesthetically pleasing spot for drinks and pretty good food too! We really enjoyed the cocktails. Poke - this has a creamy dressing, and lots of filler (cucumbers, fruit, etc) it was tasty but I prefer more fish Steak sandwich - could have easily used double the amount of meat Chicken waffles - they use chicken tenders so it's all white meat Great friendly service, this is a good spot for groups read more

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Went here this morning for breakfast after the farmers market, and enjoyed it. It's very convenient on a Saturday she you are visiting the farmers market and they usually have tables available. You can do reservations or walk in if they have space, today we did a walk in. We sat by the edge of the roof, which was nice because we could people watch and enjoy the nice weather. The restaurant wasn't too crowded and the server came over fairly quickly and was pleasant.. We ordered the coconut shrimp and the poke to share, both of which I really enjoyed. The poke was fresh and had chopped avocade, little cucumbers and jalapeños that gave it just a bit of kick. The coconut shrimp were decent sized and it seems to be good quality. I like the taste was just a tad sweet. They were sweet like coconut but not overly. There are only 5 on the plate so it is a petty small appetizer, so just something to keep in mind. Overall I think the place is a bit pricey but the food was good and I'd go back. They do have a 5% surcharge, but it does say you can ask them to remove it if you want, which I think is a good business practice. We did not ask them to remove it but understand some people might want too. Parking is the biggest challenge in my opinion as it is either street parking or lot parking which can be pricey. read more

Coco Maya is a rooftop bar and restaurant with cute tropical aesthetics in Little Italy. Parking can be tricky to find so give yourself some time to find some street or paid parking. I went on a Thursday evening and it was packed with people. The servers were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and more. There is a lot of different types of food and my favorite thing there was their bread. It was very fluffy and flavorful with a nice pairing of salty and sweetness with the jam and airy butter. I also tried the short rib parpadelle which was a little bit too salty for my taste. The entree portions were pretty big and would be good to share. It was a little bit on the pricier side for what you get but I would recommend checking them out at least once! read more

Coco Maya - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food has hit every time! A great cute spot for grabbing brunch, drink, or dinner with friends or date night. Staff and service have been great every time I'm here. Would definitely be a spot to bring people who are visiting. Definitely try the plantain and beef. A nice appetizer to share with others! read more

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Very nice place for a brunch or any occasion. Super cute decor, music was a vibe. Everyone was super nice. The food was great. Roof top area inside and out. They had a lot of options on the menu. I will definitely be back to try some other items. Restrooms were clean with a very nice large, long hand washing station outside both facilities. If you're in the area make sure to swing by. Cocktails or mimosas, under umbrellas, nice breeze, and great food. read more

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Absolutely amazing spot chill vibes excellent customer service even better food a must go! read more

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This is a hidden gem, mostly because the street entrance but it's a wonderful ambiance when getting up the stairs. There's natural jungle/tropical vibes. The music is perfect for relaxing with a friend or having a fun night out. The drink menu is fantastic! There's something for all tastes with well crafted cocktails. The frose was perfect on a hot sunny San Diego day. The brunch is eye popping with lobster caviar Benedict, Mayan breakfast and chicken and waffles with a caribe twist. The staff is friendly and full of recommendations that make the experience top notch. read more

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What an excellent place for brunch! It is very cutely decorated and has a really fun atmosphere. There is outdoor seating and the seating is located on the second floor. There are stairs at the entry and they have an elevator as well. The service was superb & the servers and staff were very attentive, nice, and helpful. The food was AMAZING. They have very creative & unique options. I had the Brioche French Toast and it was truly delicious. It was made differently from how I've seen it made before, in all the best ways. It was fried on the outside but still had a perfect texture on the inside. The chef is truly phenomenal. Parking can be really tough in Little Italy where this restaurant is located. Also, it's a bit of a tight space with the large bases of the umbrellas and other furniture on the floor. I unfortunately tripped over one of the large umbrella bases on the floor and hurt my toe. Be sure to watch where you are walking. I could see this being difficult when it's crowded and after a few beverages. Note that the music is on the louder side. All in all, this is a fun & very pretty place for brunch and the food & service are phenomenal. read more

Coco Maya - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Went to coco maya for the first time for my sister's bachelorette party. Reservations were easy to make by phone for a group of 14 ladies. When we walked in, the place looked amazing! Everyone enjoyed their alcoholic beverages and food was delicious and beautifully plated. I will would recommend coco maya. Thank you for giving us a great experience! read more

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Came here for my friends bday dinner and it was really cute / aesthetic inside. We honestly got a good table that was kind of tucked away in the corner and had privacy. The espresso martini was the first thing I ordered, it was honestly really strong. I was having a hard time drinking it lol. My fiancé and I ordered the skirt steak and macaroni to share. Honestly the steak was DELICIOUS. I just wish it actually came with a proper side like maybe mashed potatoes and asparagus or something. For the price it's kind of silly to have steak with what felt like just a lot of leaves on a plate. I just felt like the steak deserves a better side to be paired with. The macaroni was nice and cheesy. We originally wanted fries but they ran out so we ordered the macaroni again. Overall it was a pretty decent experience! Our server was really nice as well. read more

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One of the cutest bars I've been to! Walking up the steps to enter feels like walking onto the set of Love Island. The cocktails we ordered were delicious, and the bartenders are very fun to chat with. The venue is spacious but intimate, I made a few friends at the bar but there are plenty of secluded tables if that's not your thing. read more

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Pretty, yummy, and very friendly service! The place is stunning and calming. There is upstairs seating with a nice little view of some of Little Italy, with vibrant colors all around for the theme's restaurant. The food is delicious I had a salad with chicken and I cleared my plate out. The servers and hostess are so nice, the guests nearby seem to agree as one table loved their waitress by saying "awww" as she told them she would be going on break. My friend and I were also approached possibly by the manger or a shift lead asking if we had left a phone in the bathroom. I don't think I've ever seen someone so active and kind to do that! Overall great place a must visit when in San Diego or a nice brunch for the gals read more

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Came for brunch on New Year's day. It was busy and they were short staffed. The limited waiting area (doesnt really exist) ends up being a line on the staircase. Once the hostess was freed up we were all seated and things moved pretty efficiently, thankfully. So this was the old Prep Kitchen Little Italy! I guess I've been away a lot time. I selected it specifically looking for a brunch spot close to a visiting friend's hotel in the area and it checked all the boxes: Great vibe with outdoor patio, daily brunch till 2pm, and lots of delicious sounding brunch items. I'm typically a sucker for chilaquiles so I went with that (with red sauce). It was very tasty and large portion. Others got the Benedict that has an interesting twist here as its served with sorta texas toast / thick bread, instead of an english muffin etc. And then the very intriguing dulce de leche french toast. I'll always pick savory over sweet but I definitely wanted to try it. Its super rich but light and fluffy on the inside instead of dense. So good but really sweet. Then its paired with a bunch of chocolate pieces heh. This is a kid's dream menu item. We also got some brunch drinks - classic bloody mary (ok) and prickly pear mimosa. Food came out quickly, service was attentive. Parking is a b*tch, expected. Good spot! read more

Coco Maya - Dulce de leches French toast - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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2nd time at this restaurant. Horrible service. Kitchen and bar took forever, took 20 minutes to get one drink. And another 15 to receive water. Food was not that good. We ordered one french toast and a breakfast sandwich. The sandwich was in a burger form which was weird and not that great. The french toast was hard and not good at all. Unfortunately I will not be returning. read more

Came here for my friends bday. The staff was super friendly! I loved the atmosphere here and they had a live DJ! The Paloma was so delicious and refreshing. The short rib was a bit tough but overall the food was tasty! It's a small restaurant but overall would recommend! read more

Coco Maya - Paloma - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Overall descent service but the seating is rather cramped. A lil skimpy on the Lobster Benedict for the price $37. 25% gratuity was rather high but we did have a party of 10. read more

Food was plated well and the ambiance was fun and up beat! Kind of gave hungover brunch vibes but in a good way. read more

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Such a cute ambiance that gives the vibe of down town Palm Springs or Hollywood. The only complaint I have is it says it's ada accessible but when we got there their elevator wasn't working. read more

Coco Maya - Yummy drinks - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Oxtail tacos, that's all you need to know! Great location in little Italy, next to the farmers market. read more

Coco Maya - Oxtail tacos - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California