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Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay Reviews List

Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay

With a contemporary atmosphere and innovative cuisine unique to the California region, Firefly is the perfect destination for a relaxing meal or an end-of-the-day cocktail. Beautiful views of Mission Bay and Sea World's summer fireworks are available from all outdoor and most indoor tables. An excellent choice for a group or a romantic evening for two. Chef Eric Manuel, a San Diego native, creatively presents the area's best seasonal, local ingredients in a modern style that is sure to please a variety of tastes. Many items are designed to be shared. We offer many wines by the glass, wine and local micro brew tasting flights, and happy hour everyday from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. Visiting us reminds you why it’s so good to be in San Diego. We look forward to seeing you soon!
See more Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay details
23 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
(23 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Breakdown 23 reviews
5 stars
(5)
4 stars
(10)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Service 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Ambiance 
3.7 / 5
(Very Good) 3.7 / 5
Noise Level
2 / 3
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
  • great for outdoor dining(12)
  • scenic view(9)
  • fit for foodies(8)
  • special occasion(6)
  • kid-friendly(5)
  • great for lunch(4)
Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay Reviews List
Review 1 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Girls Weekend a Success

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/11/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Great service, amazing food, and fabulous ambience!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 2 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Amazing Food

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/04/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"My wife, daughter and I went to the Firefly on May 4, 2013 for our anniversary and had an amazing time! The food was incredible. Our server(sorry can't recall her name) was friendly , attentive and menu knowledgeable. I had the 8 oz. filet mignon and my wife had the sea bass and we both had the wild mushroom risotto. The food was expertly prepared and delivered in a timely manner. We had the creme brulee and the panna cotta for dessert and were both amazing. The prices were reasonable for the quality of the food. Our total bill including 3 drinks was $129! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone staying in the Mission Bay/ Sea World area!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Service was good after the

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Service was good after the waiterss remembered we we thier. My wife had Salmon which she said was good, The Osa Bocco I had was set on top of razzuto, I think, that was so pasty and sweet I could not eat it. The Calamari was tuff but tasty. My Tin Cup wine was exccelent and the Crem Brule was tasty if you like lavender."
Dined on 03/31/2013
 2011
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, scenic view
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Review 4 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

This place has excellent food!!!

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"This place has excellent food!!! Its tucked away on the Dana Hotel property, so it feels more secluded and luxurious."
Dined on 03/23/2013
 2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 5 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Good food. Too noisy though.

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Good food. Too noisy though. Came for a romantic dinner but sports was on TV which made for a very noisy atmosphere. Small restaurant overlooking hotel pool."
Dined on 03/20/2013
 2012
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Review 6 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Pleasantly surprised

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"I had dinner at the Firefly on 3 consecutive evenings, as I was staying at The Dana hotel and didn't feel like going out. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of this restaurant, unlike many hotel restaurants. Highlights included the yellowtail crudo, scallops on cauliflower puree, and sea bass with mushroom and sundried tomato risotto. Everything was very well prepared and the service was excellent."
Dined on 03/01/2013
 2006
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Review 7 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Pleasant surprise

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Before booking my reservation, I went to Yelp. Although I found a few negative comments about the service, I booked it because I had a coupon. To our surprise, It was delightful. Lisa, our server, was very attentive, and the suss chef Gil Manipon did a fantastic job in presentation and taste. The food was excellent! I'll definitely go back.
Marcia"
Dined on 03/04/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 8 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Very small dining room. Many

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Very small dining room. Many of the tables are outside. The door was constantly open blowing in cold air. My wife ate with her coat on. Service was terrible. It was ten minutes before anybody came to our table. We ordered 5 course Valentine's meal. It took 20-30 min for first course and each additional course took forever. Food was pretty good but I will not return."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2013
0points
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Review 9 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

The waitress brought my entree

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"The waitress brought my entree when I was slightly more than half finished with my salad, which was actually OK since the salad was very ordinary. I didn't see her again until she brought the glass of wine I had ordered at the same time I ordered my entree; by then I was almost finished with my dinner. The short ribs (with asparagus and polenta) were very good. I decided to skip dessert rather than be frustrated by the possibility of more poor service. Overall the food was OK considering a mediocre salad and a very good entree. Inattentive service will keep me from ever returing."
Dined on 01/30/2013
 2012
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Review 10 for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Nice spot for a weekend brunch

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Nice spot for a weekend brunch along Mission Bay. View of the pool area and adjacent marina is nice, not spectacular, but outdoor ambiance was quiet and relaxing, and it is a short walk (100 yd) to the waterfront pedestrian/bike path. Great affordable spot to dine with friends or family. The staff cheerfully accommodated our party of 4 adults and 2 young kids. Brunch fare was fine."
Dined on 01/21/2013
 2010
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Firefly at the Dana Mission Bay
Based on the average of (13) ratings-only reviews
Overall 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food 
3.7 / 5
(Very Good) 3.7 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Noise Level
1.9 / 3
Moderate