Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lemon Grove Bistro

    4.7 (394 reviews)
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Waitlist - Lemon Grove Bistro

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Lemon Grove Bistro Reservations

    Order Lemon Grove Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    Lemon Grove Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    LEMON GROVE BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Moderate noise

    You might also consider

    More like Lemon Grove Bistro

    Recommended Reviews - Lemon Grove Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Ana F.

    We always love trying new places in different neighborhoods of San Diego. About a month ago we tried this place. We came early for our reservations but there was plenty of seating inside and outside. We were seated maybe 5 min after arriving. It was a nice clean restaurant. We sat inside that day. The waiter was very kind and always had a nice smile on his face. He was very attentive. I ordered the paella. It wasn't my favorite paella I've ever had. I usually like the rice more cooked at the bottom of the pan and this rice was a bit overcooked and mushy for my taste. All the flavors were there though. All the seafood tasted fresh. The plate was full of color. It had mussels and clams, shrimp and fish. My daughter had the braised short rib and mashed potatoes. She said the meat was tender and the mash potatoes were creamy. The star was the dessert. The Brown Butter Cake was so warm, crispy edges and buttery. They topped it with vanilla ice cream that slowly melted on top of the warm cake. The time we had was enjoyable and I would go back again if in the neighborhood.

    Chicken penne pasta with pesto
    Bailey M.

    Service was amazing We got seated immediately and there was soft jazz which I loved, very calm and welcoming. My friend got the meatloaf I of course had to steal some and it was flavorful and just the right amount of dense without feeling heavy and the other sides paired so well and the seasoning was even through out the dish I got the pasta and I would say we came around 4 pm so this was perfect for after my workout. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the chicken was juicy and well integrated with the pasta sauce didn't feel like the sauce was just sitting on top. The pesto sauce was amazing, definitely tastes homemade and cooked with love. Also the brown butter cake ????? worth every calorie is all I'll say. Will be back !

    Salmon with cous cous and vegetables
    Kim R.

    Came in while family was in town. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. For a Friday night it wasn't really busy. If you are looking for a good cocktail with dinner this isn't the place. They only serve beer and wine. FYI I didn't realize that until I looked at the menu I ordered the braised short rib and mashed. The food was good. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meal. Service was good. The host and waiter both were very attentive. The food also came out very fast. Overall good addition to the area.

    Khamphone K.

    Located on 3308 Main Street, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 List of what we had: Appetizers: Mussels and Clams $24 Entrees: Grilled rack of lamb $36 - house made chimichurri, served with garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes, sautéed asparagus and baby carrots Bistro signature lasagna $27 - house made angus beef bolognese, ricotta, mozzarella and fresh pasta sheets. Dessert: Chocolate molten cake with pistachio gelato $12 Drinks: Passion fruit guava margarita 10% alcohol Arnold Palmer Service - excellent service from Frederick Atmosphere - friendly and welcoming Food- delicious! 9 out of 10 rating for everything Location - very accessible, plenty of parking, spacious restaurant with outside patio

    Butter cake delicious
    Jillian N.

    If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would! From the moment we arrived we felt welcomed by our server and the head chef. The ambience was incredible. We were sat in a nice table with beautiful little flowers. Now for the food. Wow! So delicious. Every bite from the appetizers to the dessert was delicate and seasoned excellently. We will definitely be back again for a date night. Thank you for making our evening special and memorable.

    Lemon Grove Bistro
    Charles H.

    My sister-in-law recommended Lemon Grove Bistro, saying the food is always on point and that we wouldn't be disappointed. There were four of us dining on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was fairly empty when we arrived, but more customers began coming in shortly afterward. They have a spacious, garden-style patio that can accommodate larger groups, but we chose to dine indoors in their nicely decorated, modern dining area. For our meals, we ordered the Grilled Shrimp, Beef Bourguignon, Meat Loaf Sandwich, and Classic Burger. Every dish was a solid choice, and I would definitely order any of them again the next time we visit. Normally, we skip dessert when dining out, but our waiter did an excellent job describing the dessert options and convinced us to give them a try. We ordered the Chocolate Molten Cake, which is similar to a chocolate lava cake, as well as the Brown Butter Cake. The Brown Butter Cake was incredibly moist with a rich, buttery flavor and a lightly crisp exterior. Both desserts were excellent, and I'd highly recommend them. Before we left, our waiter mentioned that, as part of the restaurant's anniversary celebration, they're offering 20% off every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday through the end of August. That gives us even more incentive to come back and dine with them again. Overall, Lemon Grove Bistro was an excellent choice, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a great place to eat in the Lemon Grove area.

    Classic Burger
    Jeannie B.

    Great place to enjoy some good food and amazing service!! We can for Sunday brunch. Lots of seating to accommodate large crowds. We came during a slow time so plenty of seating for us to choose. Place is clean. It seems like it's a family run business. They even have the high school cousin working there cleaning tables. Which I 100% support Service was excellent!! We felt well taken care of and comfortable almost liking visiting their home. I ordered the Mediterranean omelette & Americano. Both were excellent. Eggs cooked perfectly with a good balance of ingredients. Their house potatoes were crispy in the outside and tender inside. We also ordered the hamburger which my husband thoroughly enjoyed. We will definitely be back for their dinner menu.

    Grilled rack of lamb.
    Nate C.

    Came here for lunch on a Friday to try it out with my mom for a birthday outing. The restaurant wasn't too busy upon our arrival which was great because we were restricted on time. (Only 2-3 tables dining at the time). Our server came a few minutes after seating and took our order. My mom had the clam and mussels appetizer and I ordered the grilled rank of lamb. The order took around 20 minutes to arrive to our table, which was understandable because I know lamb takes a while to cook. We both shared our plates - the clams and mussels were cooked well and seasoned nicely with the broth. The lamb was cooked medium rare with sides of grilled veggies and mashed potatoes. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Our eating area was clean and organized. I really don't have any complaints from our first visit. The only feedback I have is the server could check up a little more frequently (especially since it was a bit slow). But other than that I would definitely recommend giving this spot a try. It really is a hidden gem in La Mesa.

    Fisherman's Stew
    Michael L.

    Came here for a NYE dinner and was thoroughly impressed. From service, ambience to food. All were exactly what we were looking for in our group meal. Everyone ordered something different and not a single complaint about what was ordered. All very good from all I could sample. I personally had the stuffed Scottish salmon and it was on point. Loved the veggies and quinoa to complement. Wish we had room for dessert but I left here completely satisfied

    Dara T.

    We went there on a Sunday night and there was ample space. No reservation was needed. The portions are pretty generous here so I recommend to order wisely. We ordered the deviled eggs for appetizer, which included about 6 half eggs and more than enough for the 3 of us. We also ordered the crab cakes for appetizer and that was filling as well as it came with 3 large pieces. For my own, I ordered the beef lasagna and while it was good, I didn't really have much of an appetite that day so I had to take the rest home. The rest of my party ordered the beef hash and the paella and that one was by far the best. Food was all good and we would go here again. Would recommend if you're looking for a nice, quiet, clean, place to sit down for family or date night. Service was amazing and plenty of street parking right out front.

    Delicious crab cakes!
    Mikey H.

    It has been a while, but I was in the mood for crab cakes! They have changed a little. The front, dog-friendly patio, has smaller tables with benches. The menu has some of the staples plus some seasonal items. This time I had the penne with vodka sauce and chicken...soooo good! As always, that grilled levain bread goes so well! Jonesy met up with us and really liked the grilled chicken breast, though he thought it was a little small. Other than that, another great meal! Cake still approves because at one point she laid down. Our server was great! I think she was new, well at least to me because I didn't recognize her. Wish I had room for dessert!

    Cut flowers and cloth napkins
    Patti P.

    Happy Hour, Friends?!? Really it's late lunch or early dinner since it is a substantial meal. M-F 2-4:30. We tried the Classic Burger and Margarita Flatbread. Nice Chardonnay and Societe IPA pairing. Splurging on browned butter cake for dessert. This place is so cute and always spotless. Staff is so kind and food is consistently yummy.

    Mediterranean Chicken Breast (GF)
    Gerda A.

    I have been spotting this place a long time and very interested to try, now I got the time dined in with family, it didn't disappoint me, very delicious food pricey but worth it. Our server is approachable and smiling gave us good service. Place is very nice and clean, cozy ambiance. Will definitely come back and recommend to try.

    Butter cake warm and cold so good.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Awesome food and service! A gem in Lemon Grove. Met the owner. Very nice! Food was sooo yummy!!!! Felt like we were eating in La Jolla.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 7
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gerda A.
    1
    95
    303

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Audrey N.
    249
    23
    13

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Judy M.
    9
    28
    118

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I enjoyed my meal. They served great food with great service. I will definitely be returning.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Lemon Grove Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lemon Grove Bistro

    My first visit was nice except it was very loud. Just patrons talking, the acoustics are tough. Is it still very loud?

    It is loud. Has been and it is one thing I do not like about it.

    Do they have any gluten free options?

    Yes, we have many options. The options are all marked on the menu with a "gf". salads can be gluten-free as well. Just ask for it and we won't serve the bread with it.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Dukes Old Fashioned Onion Burgers - Double burger 1

    Dukes Old Fashioned Onion Burgers

    4.2(796 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    •$$

    This was our second time at Duke's, and once again, they did NOT disappoint! Everything was…read moreabsolutely amazing--from the Keila fries to my chicken sandwich and my boyfriend's burger. Every bite was delicious! Of course, we had to get milkshakes to go, and our absolute favorite is the strawberry shake! the death by chocolate one is a close second!!! It's seriously SO good! The food, quality, and overall experience make this place a 10/10 for us. We'll definitely be back again, and I would highly recommend Duke's to anyone looking for a great meal!

    Duke's Old Fashioned Onion Burgers has become a pretty popular spot in La Mesa. Every time I've…read moredriven by, there's always a steady stream of people coming in and out, so I figured it was finally time to see what the hype was about. They also rotate fun milkshake specials, and when I visited they had an Apple Pie Milkshake that sounded really good. I just wasn't in the mood for something sweet that day. I kept it simple and ordered the Single Onion Burger ($13.95) with mayo, ketchup, and lettuce, plus an order of the Original Fries ($5.75). The onion burger is made with fresh ground beef that's smashed with onions on the grill, and you can customize it with toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, jalapeños, cheese, mustard, and ketchup at no extra charge. Bacon is available for an additional charge. The restaurant itself was really clean, and I appreciated the self-serve condiment station stocked with ketchup, spicy ketchup, ranch, plenty of hot sauces, and to-go containers. The fries ended up being my favorite part of the meal. They're fresh cut and double fried, coming out piping hot with a crispy exterior and fluffy center. The portion was also super generous. They packed so many fries that they were spilling outside of the container into the bag. Paired with the ranch and spicy ketchup, they were honestly worth ordering on their own. The burger was a little more disappointing. The patty was overcooked, which made it pretty dry. You could even tell by the color that it had spent a little too much time on the grill. Since I usually keep my burgers pretty simple, there wasn't much to balance out the dryness, so I found myself dipping almost every bite into extra ketchup and ranch just to add some moisture. I can definitely see why Duke's is a neighborhood favorite, and I still like the concept behind their onion burgers. It just didn't completely satisfy the burger craving I walked in with. I'd come back for the fries without hesitation, and I'd be willing to give the burger another shot hoping I caught them on an off day.

    Photos
    Dukes Old Fashioned Onion Burgers - It's at the entrance

    It's at the entrance

    Dukes Old Fashioned Onion Burgers - Garlic Parmesan Fries

    Garlic Parmesan Fries

    Dukes Old Fashioned Onion Burgers - Single Onion Burger 10/10

    See all

    Single Onion Burger 10/10

    Mastiff Kitchen - La Mesa - Double smash burger

    Mastiff Kitchen - La Mesa

    4.5(321 reviews)
    1.4 mi•Cajon Heights
    •$$

    Private parking lot, 2 gender-neutral restrooms and space available for large groups…read more We drove down to La Mesa just to check out this place and it was worth it. We ordered the 'That's My Boy' and 'Meet Meat' pizza plus their fries. Their deep dishes were light and crispy. I loved the sweet sauce, jalapeño and ricotta cheese combo on That's My Boy pizza. The Mastiff Fries had a wonderful crispy texture. They are like thinly sliced potato wedges. (Our order is without cilantro which normally comes with it) The staff was super friendly and the restaurant was clean. They did have two tv screens playing the sports channel and had a variety of draft beer options.

    Found my way here for a burger. I had heard of it but never had been. So my expectations were…read moresomewhat up. Since I am gluten free I got my burger lettuce wrapped. I had never had a smash burger before so again my expectations were a little more than the average person. They did not disappoint the flavors were so delicious. I especially enjoyed the garlic aioli more than I thought I would (it is more like a mayo for this burger). The burger came with a a handful of pickled peppers and mini pickles on side. They were good but felt a little out of place for my taste. This place is definitely more of a bar feel than I expected and smaller than I thought it would be, and the seating was tight with most all the tables being bar height. The last thing to keep in mind the parking lot is small but there is street parking, but is leads to residential area so it can be limited to. Overall the burger had good flavor and I will be back to try more on the menu. If you are looking for a beer with your burger there was a lot of choices. Also, if you are into sports, there are several televisions on with a few different events playing.

    Photos
    Mastiff Kitchen - La Mesa - Double Smash Burger

    Double Smash Burger

    Mastiff Kitchen - La Mesa - Left is 'That's My Boy' and right is 'Meet Meat'

    Left is 'That's My Boy' and right is 'Meet Meat'

    Mastiff Kitchen - La Mesa - Mastiff Fries

    See all

    Mastiff Fries

    Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering

    Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering

    4.5(2.5k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$

    Coops BBQ was amazing! The brisket and ribs were absolutely delicious, and the sauce was so good…read more The sides were also super good, the mac and cheese, potato salad, rice and beans, and especially the candied yams, that was my favorite! On top of the great food, the customer service was excellent. Estela was so friendly, welcoming, and helpful, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to.

    Small chill spot, friendly faces (especially Mr. Coop!), and the food is delicious! Took the day…read moreoff for a lil family day. Heard about this place from Gareth Eats and Marvelous Muncher, they did not lead me astray! My wife and kid can be pretty picky. For the amount of food we ordered, we would usually have leftover, but we finished the whole thing! * 2 lbs of chicken - so juicy, great taste, especially with that BBQ sauce. My wife usually complains that BBQ is so salty, or too vinegary, not this time. She loved it! * Mac and cheese - Creamy! Cheesy! Good! * Coleslaw - fresh, I think there's a light vinaigrette. I usually like mayo on mine, but I can see how this pairs better with the rest of the food. * Potato Salad - solid, not too salty as well. Just right! * Beans and Rice - I think I should've gone large on this one. So good! * Peach Cobbler - legit. Warm. Peachy. Cobblery. * Sweet Potato Pie - I was surprised, because I usually am not a fan of sweet potato. Tasty, not too sweet! Mr. Coop checked in with us once in a while to make sure we're all good, stopped by and gave me a sample of the bacon. Sweet, real tasty! I'm excited to come back and try the ribs and brisket! Smelled so good coming in!

    Photos
    Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Sacred temple of fire and meat!

    Sacred temple of fire and meat!

    Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Coop making Pig candy

    Coop making Pig candy

    Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering

    See all

    BFF Burgers Fish and Fries  - Better angle of the double cheeseburger and fries

    BFF Burgers Fish and Fries

    4.2(241 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    •$

    I went on an adventure trying to find a new lunch spot.  I found this place on Yelp as Janna's…read moreBurgers, Fish, and Fries and the map took me to the Aztec Food Hub.  Using the street address I was taken to Grossmont Center.  The signage indicates this place is called BFF Burgers, Fish and Fries. I was feeling lucky today.  So I ordered my fried fish with onion rings and paid $1 upcharge.  The problem with onion rings is they range from not good to great.  With fries they are usually fine. White fish was fried in a tempura batter infused with herbs.  White fish had a mild flavor and was nice and moist.  Batter was crunchy. Onion rings were mostly crunchy except the batter was too thick so some parts of the batter were not transformed by the frying process into crunchy goodness.   I didn't like the flavor of the herbs in the batter which distracted from the fried onion flavor. Service from the guy in charge was friendly and efficient.  My combo was $12.99 which is a great deal.  I'd order the fish again but not the onion rings.  Doing further research I found they are also listed on Yelp as BFF Burgers, Fish and Fries.  So that's the story on my lunch adventure.

    I went here after work for a double cheeseburger. I had read the reviews, and they were very…read morepositive, so I took a chance--and I must say, I was very satisfied. Everything was fresh, and the service was fast and friendly. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood for a hamburger.

    Photos
    BFF Burgers Fish and Fries
    BFF Burgers Fish and Fries  - Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Fried Zucchini

    Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Fried Zucchini

    BFF Burgers Fish and Fries

    See all

    Lemon Grove Bistro - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...