Cancel

Open app

Search

Lola 55

4.3 (898 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Lola 55 Takeout or Delivery

Lola 55 Photos

Business Info

LOLA 55 ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Lola 55

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

Samantha S.

We came here on Saturday before a comedy show and were really looking forward to it based on the photos and strong reviews. Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the hype. The biggest issue was the service. It took over 30 minutes just to get our drinks from the bar, and they didn't arrive until after our food had already been served. That's a pretty big miss. The food itself looked great, but it lacked flavor across the board. Everything was just... underwhelming. Not terrible, but definitely not what we expected given how it's presented online. To their credit, they did offer to make it right with a complimentary dessert, which we appreciated. However, the overall service felt disorganized, and the interactions with our server were awkward and didn't help the experience. Not rude at all - just very odd. He would walk away from the table as we were in the middle of speaking to him (multiple times). It seemed like he was either new to the job or new to serving because all of our interactions were very awkward. Overall, I really wanted to like this place, but between the slow service and bland food, it just didn't deliver.

Mariness D.

I have passed this place many times saying I'd try them out for years, and I finally did. The place is part of Idea One building and is bright, with an open concept. The greenery all throughout gives it an airy yet urban vibe, so 9/10 on ambiance. Tried their fish tacos, which was filling and fresh - a 10/10. Their chips and guacamole however, missed the mark 5/10, only because the chips were a bit stale. But it wasn't a deal breaker. They have happy hour during the weekdays, so you'll see me come back for that to try out their drinks and other tacos.

Ruzanna M.

This place had so many michelin signs displayed, and highly reviewed, we decided to give it a shot. The tacos were just okay. The pork belly adobada was the best one, the other ones we tried were not special at all. Living in San Diego, we have way better taco places to enjoy. The interior was nicely decorated, it was not crowded, and i appreciated that the prices were not exorbitant for this type of establishment.

Katherine L.

Lola 55 is a gem! This restaurant is large and spacious with big windows, open seating, a full bar and artisan tacos. Drinks start at around $13 and there are also fresh Agua frescas. Service is quick and friendly. I would love to see a HH menu here.. We ordered pork belly adobada, smoked carnita, Baja style fish taco and squashroom tacos. Pork belly adobada(7.5/10) thick slices of pork belly with lots of greens. I thought the sauce overpowered the pork belly and wasn't a huge fan of this one. Smoked carnitas(8/10): the pork shoulder is confit for 72 hours and topped with tomatillo. You can definitely taste the love they poured into making this one. It's incredibly tender. Baja style fish(9/10): one of my favorites. Fish was crispy and topped with greens and the sauce complemented this dish perfectly! Don't skip this one Squashroom(10/10): where else can you find a taco with squash blossom, battered locally grown lions mane mushroom with beet soyrizo? The beet soyrizo is smokey along with a bit of spice. I loved the textural components of this dish. I could order just 3 of these and be happy

Afshin D.

The food is the main reason this place has a reputation and Michelin awards, and the tacos truly are very good. It is not the most authentic experience but it is definitely a delicious one. The tacos are great and the desserts, especially the churros, are a must try. They are by far the best I have had and simply perfect. The service is also good. Everyone is attentive and the drinks are fine. If I were to list things I do not like about the place, the first would be their lounge style seating. It is not comfortable for eating and they do not have tables that seat more than four people inside. The second would be that it is not ideal if you are in a rush. I ate my tacos in ten minutes and ordered no drinks, yet the entire visit took around one hour and fifteen minutes, even with no wait to be seated.

Christy C.

How have I not posted this??? Bottom line...eat here!! Their tacos are all amazing, and their sides are mouthwatering. Tortillas are made fresh in the open kitchen. Lovely bar as well although beer menu is a bit limited. Staff is incredibly friendly, service is quick. Ample indoor and outdoor seating with a Mexican street cafe vibe.

Happy hour menu as of 12/12/25
Jennifer C.

It's been a while since I've been back and this place is still great. Got to come in for happy hour this time which runs till 6, even on Fri! The space was busy but we were able to get seated right away with our group of 4 at 5:30. We got a round of margaritas ($7) and ordered a few chicken and pork tacos (each $4) off their happy hour menu. Such a great deal, especially for the quality. Both tacos were delicious but I had a slight preference for the pork since it had a nice textural contrast and I loved the avocado in it. Service was very friendly although we did have to call our waiter over after waiting a bit to get our food order in but the restaurant was busy.

Elizabeth N.

lola 55 is something we crave every other week, but somehow I like to delay leaving a review for many of my favorite go-to restaurants. we always come here for dinner, and the ambiance is just so relaxing and laid back every time we come. the food is so tasty and balanced, you feel satiated but still energized after eating, without feeling gross like you would feel after eating at most restaurants. during one of the dinners we were lucky enough to meet and chat with the owner, who was casually on the floor, checking in on the tables and all the customers. this just reassured the fact that there is a lot of thought and care that comes with every dish out of the kitchen. even the drinks on the menu are curated to have different flavor profiles, and every single ingredient is sourced out from local vendors for both food and drinks. we always get the tacos (especially the carnitas that takes 2 days to prepare), and sometimes I'll get a main dish to change it up. you can't really go wrong with anything though.

Marc M.

Lola 55: 8.5 I can see why this place is on the Michelin guide, from fresh tortillas to pork being cooked for 72 hours, this place was worth the trip. Service: 11/10 you have to go here just to dine with Hailey - she was awesome from start to finish and even when they were sold out of the carnitas she was able to get me a portion. Aesthetic & Ambiance: 8.5/10 super chill, nice upscale bar vibes with open airy aesthetic. Ambiance was chill during the lunch time with no wait. They do smoke the meat there so you probably will leave smelling a little smokey. Masa fritas: 8/10 interesting fried little chip with a punch of seasoning and flavor TACOS: Smoked carnitas: 7.5/10 for being smoked for so long, it was good but not the star. Mesquite chicken: 3.5/10 honestly not that great and wayyyy to spicy Steak:9/10 it's one slab of steak and it's delicious! Perfectly cooked and delicious bark.

Steak Taco
Daisy S.

Parking was a bit of a headache since it was the night of a Padres game--nearby lots were charging $10 an hour, which felt inconvenient. Once inside though, I loved the modern vibe of the dining area. You order at the register and they bring your food to the table, which keeps things simple and efficient. The menu is small but curated to the essentials. One of the coolest parts was watching them make the tortillas fresh right in front of you--those tortillas ended up being my favorite part of the meal! We ordered the Caesar salad, which I'd rate a 2/5. The dressing was just okay, but the croutons were surprisingly delicious. I also tried a steak taco and a fish taco. The steak taco was the star--perfectly cooked and flavorful. The fish taco was nice and crispy, but it didn't taste like a traditional fish taco, so I'm a little on the fence about it. Overall, the quality of food for the price makes this spot worth coming back to. They also have a great bar with a solid selection of mixed drinks. I had the Michelada, which uses a vegan mix--slightly tangy but a nice touch, especially for anyone vegan. Would definitely return for the tacos (and those tortillas!).

Lola Marg w/ Mezcal
Tameka J.

Look, I get it, they got a star. I've gone multiple times now and the service improves with every visit, so that's good (shrug). Tortillas are amazing, that's for sure. Got the steak taco cooked they way chef recommends (rare/med-rare), I'd recommend just skipping it entirely. It's under-whelming and you've had better elsewhere, promise! The carnitas was amazing! Nice crisp on the outside of the meat, smoked for 72 hours, insane! That I would order again for sure. Want something with a more fat on it, try the pork belly. Go here to try new things, especially at $7 a taco! I think it's a bit overrated but fun to try new things. The interior, pass. Lastly, I've NEVER seen this place packed. They've been open since 2018 so they're doing something right because that's a lot of real estate to pay for.

Beans and rice
Christopher G.

I came to Lola 55 for the first time last night. For a Michelin-rated spot, there were some ups and few too many downs, but let's start with the good. The restaurant is very nicely designed and the staff are really helpful. It's comfy and modern, with super high ceilings, a fully stocked bar, and even some couch seating. Staff do their best to keep up with the rush and are always responsive. The highlights of my meal were the masa frita, rice and beans, and chicken taco. The masa frita were incredibly flavorful and memorable. The rice and beans were pretty good as well. The pickled onion in the beans was a nice touch that helped balance flavors. The chicken taco was by far the best taco, and it was spicy (but I love it hot). On the other hand, the steak, pork belly, and fish tacos were all kind of 'meh'. The pork belly had a slightly off flavor...and just wasn't all that flavorful to begin with. The steak taco was really, really chewy--like way too chewy. I felt like a dog playing tug of war. The fish taco, though, was dreadful. When you first bit in it tasted OK, but the aftertaste was extremely fishy and off-putting. Overall, I think a couple menu items are worth it here--masa frita, chicken taco, and the ice cream (which I forgot to mention)--but otherwise it's way too pricey for what you're getting. $30 for a few tacos and beans? And what are these Michelin inspectors smoking? I've had better tacos for 50 pesos at a random street vendor after a 5-minute walk into Tijuana.

Christine R.

This place is wowowow. We ordered a variety of tacos - pork belly al pastor, steak, Mesquite chicken, smoked carnitas, and baja style fish as well as elite which was part of the daily specials. Also tried a house marg with special house salt/seasoning rim. Everything was delicious. You can tell this place really takes the time to make sure all the flavors align. It's not pretentious but impressive. I would definitely be back if I lived in San Diego. Don't sleep on this place.

Pork Belly Al Pastor Taco

See all

17 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

19 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Nessie B.
82
28
33

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

25 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Nate V.

Nate V.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Tameka J.
218
89
497

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Jose B.
1
38
56

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jonnell T.
132
308
322

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 28
Thanks 9
Love this 28
Oh no 0
Photo of Han L.
1075
1610
2951

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Dayo E.
192
266
1041

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 23

Lola 55 Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Lola 55

Are the tortillas made with corn? Gluten free? Want to take a friend who cant have gluten

Yes the tortillas are gluten free. Just ensure to let them know gluten allergy upon ordering, and when receiving the food.

Do you have outdoor seating? How many tables?

They do. I counted at least 8 tables

Do they accept reservations for dinner?

No, they don't. It's first come, first serve

Is this offering dine in now?

They offer dine-in, but only "outdoors". Unknown as to when the state & county will allow indoor dine-in.

Does Lola 55 serve vegan tacos?

Does Lola 55 have vegetarian options?

Vegan tacos are available and everything is modifiable.

Anyone know whats in the Manteca croutons?

I believe it's lard.

Does this place offer Happy Hour? Cause it should, at least for drinks

Of course! Not too long but it does

What are the happy hour specials?

Happy hour? Every hour is happy there.

Table service or order at counter?

All orders are at the counter. The bar is a separate counter, so you have to wait for both.

Any deals on Taco Tuesdays?

There is a plate special on Tuesday, but there isn't a discount on tacos.

Do they serve cocktails and beer?

Yes full bar

View All 13 Questions

You might also consider

Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

Noble Experiment

4.5(1.9k reviews)
0.3 mi•East Village
•$$

My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

Photos
Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

Bartenders creations.

Noble Experiment - Skull wall

See all

Skull wall

False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

False Idol

4.4(1.4k reviews)
1.0 mi•Little Italy
•$$

My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

False idol is a tucked away Hawaiian themed speakeasy behind a restaurant. Reservations are…read morerequired so be mindful of that before going. Once inside seating is first come first served so the place is insanely crowded with people trying to get drinks. Service is a little confusing as the waiters will come up to you with a menu asking for your order instead of an order at the bar type of thing. Once we actually got a seat things were okay. The menu is mostly rum drinks since this is a rum bar however since I'm not the biggest fan I ordered the only thing with tequila on the menu. My drink was actually really good, it was refreshing, not too sweet or strong at all. I just wish there would be more variety.

Photos
False Idol - Tiki themed decor

Tiki themed decor

False Idol - Rum barrel

Rum barrel

False Idol - Back bar rum selection

See all

Back bar rum selection

Books & Records - Table setting

Books & Records

4.4(398 reviews)
1.1 mi•Banker's Hill
•$$

beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice…read more the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

My wife and I took a day trip down to San Diego to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and somehow we…read morestumbled onto one of the highlights of the whole trip. We had spent most of the day around Bankers Hill and decided to grab an early dinner at Books & Records. Getting reservations was easy, but from the moment we walked in, the ambiance alone already had us sold. The place was still pretty quiet when we arrived, and to our surprise it was happy hour, so naturally we ordered a bunch of items off the menu along with drinks. Everything was ridiculously good. Not one miss. What really stood out though was the attention to detail. The host brought us a complimentary glass of champagne after hearing we were celebrating our anniversary. Small gesture, big impact. Stuff like that matters. As the night went on, the restaurant filled up, live music started playing, and the whole atmosphere just came alive. Our waiter never rushed us once, which made the experience feel even more intentional and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the moment instead of feeling pushed through dinner service. Good food is one thing. Great hospitality is another. This place gave us both. Next time we're in San Diego, we're absolutely making it a point to come back. Lovely spot. Lovely experience.

Photos
Books & Records - Interior

Interior

Books & Records - Bao buns

Bao buns

Books & Records - Blueberry Beret ($14)

See all

Blueberry Beret ($14)

Charade - In house artist during the jazz performance

Charade

4.5(78 reviews)
0.9 mi•Banker's Hill

First time here. Definitely out of our comfort zone but enjoyed the show. Cas, Mj and Josie were…read moreamazing host and had great hospitality. Come visit!!!!!

As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. After having dinner in…read morethe area, we stopped by Charade for some drinks on a Monday night. I parked on the street close to the dinner spot I went to and then walked over to Charade. Ambiance (5/5): Charade is a speakeasy so here's your clue. It's located inside Balboa. Look for the room with the arcade games and you're on the right track. Once you enter the speakeasy, you'll immediately be impressed with the old school charm. It seats roughly 20-30 people and there's a bar on one end and a stage on the other end. Old school red curtains add to the vibe. And here's the best part. On Mondays, it's jazz night. Local musicians will play which makes for a great time. Service (3/5): There was one bartender working when we were there. Overall, she provided pretty good service. There was one comment she made which rubbed me the wrong way but no biggie. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so were on a liquid diet. I did notice that they have a few snacks available like popcorn. Drinks (4.5/5): When you think of speakeasies, you think of elevated cocktails. I look for creativity and an interesting blend of flavors and ingredients. The menu here, while not huge, has some interesting options. Outside of the menu itself, the prices are reasonable (especially for California). And they make you stiff drinks which is always appreciated. Taking into account the cocktails and the ambiance, Charade is an awesome laid-back speakeasy. Make sure to stop by on a Monday for jazz night. That takes things up a notch.

Photos
Charade - Burlesque fridays

Burlesque fridays

Charade - The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl

The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl

Charade - Back room at the Charade

See all

Back room at the Charade

Lola 55 - mexican - Updated May 2026

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