A New American gastro-lounge located in the heart of San Diego’s downtown and doorstep to the Gaslamp Quarter.
The kitchen draws inspiration from local San Diego purveyors and farmers for an ingredient-driven New American social plates menu, the bar team presents San Diego’s most forward-thinking cocktail programs alongside a carefully tailored wine list hand-selected by in house Sommeliers. A sleek and sexy space with seating for 175 guests, including bar, lounge, dining room and patio options.

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48 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

(48 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 48 reviews

5 stars

(19)

4 stars

(14)

3 stars

(8)

2 stars

(6)

1 star

(1)

Food

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(26)
good for groups(14)
romantic(14)

special occasion(13)
vibrant bar scene(13)
hot spot(11)

Saltbox Reviews List

Review 1 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great food and decent prices

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/11/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The food here was very good. The staff was friendly and informative. Competitively priced for this style of dining in San Diego. Fresh flavors in an atmosphere conducive to an enjoyable evening."

Dined on 5/11/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 2 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Just O.K.

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/03/2013

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Great Presentation.....But Sadly....Everything we tried was a bit Underwhelming."

Dined on 5/03/2013

Special Features: hot spot

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Review 3 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A Keeper

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4/30/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Excellent food..generous portion sizes and great service"

Dined on 4/30/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion

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Review 4 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We ate at Saltbox on a Thursday

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/11/2013

2007

Dined on 04/11/2013

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We ate at Saltbox on a Thursday night in April. The restaurant was quiet which provided a relaxed atmosphere. Outstanding food and good service in the Gaslamp District. Perfect combination."

Dined on 04/11/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 5 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

What happened to the small plates?

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/16/2013

2007

Dined on 04/16/2013

2007

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"New menu quite ordinary and not nearly as good as previous tapas or small plates menu"

Dined on 04/16/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 6 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

This was the second time for

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2013

2009

Dined on 04/13/2013

2009

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This was the second time for us going to Saltbox. The first time was good and that's why we were open to try for the second time but unfortunately the food was not at all according to the expectation (the meat was cold... twice!)."

Dined on 04/13/2013

2009

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Review 7 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

HAVE SALAD AND DESSERT-SKIP ENTREE

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/09/2013

2007

Dined on 04/09/2013

2007

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"WE HAVE BEEN TO SALTBOX TWO TIMES NOW AND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE SALADS AND DESSERTS ARE WONDERFUL, BRUSSEL SPROUT SALAD INNOVATIVE AND DELICIOUS, ARTICHOKE CEASER DIFFERENT AND WELL DRESSED. THE CHOCOLATE POT O CREME WITH MOCA WHIPPED CREAM IS A $5.00 LUXURY AND THE TRES LECHES DESSERT VERY GOOD.

THE ENTREES HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTING. MY MUSSELS WERE SO SALTY THAT I COULDN'T POSSIBLY DIP BREAD IN THE BROTH. MY STEAK WAS TOO TOUGH TO CHEW.

WINE BY THE GLASS WELL CHOSEN."

Dined on 04/09/2013

2007

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 8 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Dinner before the show

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2013

2012

Dined on 03/30/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Saltbox may become one of my favorite places to go downtown. Living in North County, we don't get to eat much downtown, unless we are going to the symphony or opera or something. Saltbox gives an automatic 10% discount if you mention you are attending a show downtown that evening.

And the food is very nice. Sourced from local growers, and changing every quarter, the chef does a very nice job getting local, seasonal ingredients into the food.

I started with the chopped Lobster Cobb Salad, with the Hamberguesa Grande as a main, and could not finish due to the generous portion size. My wife had the ribeye steak, cooked "blue", and she loved it.

Our server Katie was very knowledgeable about the menu, and was very helpful."

Dined on 03/30/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 9 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Cocktails were very nice,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2013

2002

Dined on 03/23/2013

2002

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Cocktails were very nice, but I think I was expecting more from the food. They're doing the whole "upscale comfort food" thing, but I thought they would be more creative. The Kale Salad, however, was very good, and the lobster cobb was a generous size. I think if I were to return, I'd stay in the bar downstairs, which looked like more fun. Also, the happy hour menu looked like a great deal."

Dined on 03/23/2013

2002

Special Features: vibrant bar scene

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Review 10 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

The chef is trying too hard

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The chef is trying too hard to be different. The menu is a bit strange, and one of the entrees was a blend of flavors that simply was bad. Service was very good, though."

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

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Review 11 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

The Brussels sprouts salad

Top 1000 contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/20/2013

2011

Dined on 03/20/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The Brussels sprouts salad was the best thing I ate during my week in San Diego. I highly recommend it. For my entree, I had a flatbread with tomatoes, clams, and chorizo. Flavor was excellent. I think the volume of cheese made it a little too heavy for the crust, but not a big deal. I also had the chocolate churros. These are not just regular churros with some chocolate on top. More like churro-shaped fudge. Really good and surprisingly not heavy. The decor is sleek. The waitstaff is very pleasant. I would definitely go back again."

Dined on 03/20/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 12 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food is creative and made

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2008

Dined on 03/15/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food is creative and made with excellent sustainable meats and vegetables. Unusual but interesting menu with lot's of excellent "small plates/ apps that easily feed two people. Short but good and reasonable wine list - by bottle or glass. Friendly and informative servers."

Dined on 03/15/2013

2008

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies

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Review 13 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Had a wonderful dining experience

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/12/2013

2013

Dined on 03/12/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Had a wonderful dining experience with coworkers at Saltbox. Outstanding food and top notch service."

Dined on 03/12/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Review 14 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Saltbox is one of the most

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/26/2013

2009

Dined on 02/26/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Saltbox is one of the most strikingly beautiful restaurants in the San Diego area. Sleek, contemporary, dark, yet inviting--the decor reinforces that you're in a special place indeed. The food matches the interior in its eclecticism. The only criticism I have is that the menu is a bit small if one wants a "large" plate (although one could easily make a meal of several "small" plates). I'll be back again for sure."

Dined on 02/26/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic

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Review 15 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

I had heard great things about

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/02/2013

2011

Dined on 03/02/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I had heard great things about the food at Saltbox so my friend and I decided to try it out on a Friday night. We were a bit skeptical when we walked in and it was silent and there were only 3 other tables, but didn't write it off just yet. We sat there for about 20 minutes before someone came over and said their was a miscommunication as to who was to help us. Not sure how, because there was only one server on. The service was just awful, but the food did make up for it as all of our dishes were great. By the end of the meal we just wanted to get out of there. Sad because it could be great."

Dined on 03/02/2013

2011

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Review 16 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We really like this place.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/23/2013

2010

Dined on 02/23/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We really like this place. Our only regret was that we didn't allow enough time to enjoy the wonderfull unhurried atmosphere of the Saltbox. This is a great place to dine per concert at Copley Hall as it is just a short walk away. We will be back!"

Dined on 02/23/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 17 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

A fun place, great environment,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/20/2013

2008

Dined on 02/20/2013

2008

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"A fun place, great environment, the all you can eat mussels on Wednesday's are a great deal, however, the batches weren't consistent. Some were overcooked and some were undercooked, but the ones that were cooked appropriately were tasty."

Dined on 02/20/2013

2008

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, hot spot

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Review 18 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We came in for an early evening

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/19/2013

2011

Dined on 02/19/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We came in for an early evening dinner before the opera and our group of 9 was the only party in the restaurant, although there was a rollicking happy hour in the lobby bar. We enjoyed a very nice meal and made it out to the theater on time."

Dined on 02/19/2013

2011

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups

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Review 19 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Group of five of us out while

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/13/2013

2010

Dined on 02/13/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Group of five of us out while attending a conference. There was a mix of tastes in the group...vegans, fish-only (was Ash Wednesday), and serious carnivores. There was something there for all of us...all absolutely delicious! Probably our best meal in town, hands down. If I lived in San Diego this would be a go-to spot for sure."

Dined on 02/13/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion

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Review 20 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

The service was not so great.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/09/2013

2012

Dined on 02/09/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The service was not so great. We received our appetizers and part of our entrees before being served our cocktails. Overall slow service from ordering anything to delivery of what was ordered. The food was good, however."

Dined on 02/09/2013

2012

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Review 21 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

So fun! Perfect place for

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

"So fun! Perfect place for our group of ten. Loved the big round private table!"

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups

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Review 22 for Saltbox

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Nice atmosphere but slow service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/26/2013

2008

Dined on 01/26/2013

2008

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Very interesting menu. All the good was good but you have to be a little adventerous. The decor, lighting, location were all great. We were with a party of 6 and had a nice comfortable table with a view. Our waitress was not very attentive or interested in helping us with pleasantries. It took more than 20 minutes to get our cheese platter and we asked her to space out out second app which didn't happen. She seemed in a rush the whole time and did not listen or talk much to us. If there were specials we wouldn't know. Something else is amiss here hit can't place my finger on it. I think it has a lot to do with the staff. Feels like you are on your own in this place despite the good food and decor. Would maybe go back."

Dined on 01/26/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Ratings-Only Reviews for Saltbox

Based on the average of (26) ratings-only reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

1 out of 2 recommend this product

Food