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Pier Cafe Reviews List
Pier Cafe
Welcome!
The San Diego Pier Cafe established in Seaport Village in 1980, is a quaint New England style full service restaurant, serving beer, wine & liquor. We offer the best in broiled fish, as well as the nicest view & atmosphere in the San Diego Bay area. Whether you are a guest of our beautiful city of San Diego or a resident, all of us at the San Diego Pier Cafe are looking forward to serving you. Thank You.
See more Pier Cafe details
The San Diego Pier Cafe established in Seaport Village in 1980, is a quaint New England style full service restaurant, serving beer, wine & liquor. We offer the best in broiled fish, as well as the nicest view & atmosphere in the San Diego Bay area. Whether you are a guest of our beautiful city of San Diego or a resident, all of us at the San Diego Pier Cafe are looking forward to serving you. Thank You.
37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(9)
4 stars
(13)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(6)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- scenic view(28)
- great for outdoor dining(18)
- great for lunch(11)
- special occasion(9)
- kid-friendly(8)
- neighborhood gem(8)
Pier Cafe Reviews List
Review 1 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Mediocre at best
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I am from New England and chose this restaurant based on what I perceived to be an East Coast seafood theme. The food was less than stellar, not much better than Red Lobster but twice the price. The service was very good, but I would not go back or recommend Pier Cafe over some much better choices in the San Diego area."
Dined on 5/09/2013
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Review 2 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Beautiful Spot, Excellent Selection
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I loved my experience at Pier Cafe. I saw pictures on Opentable (having never been to San Diego) and thought that it looked like a nice place. In person, the view is stunning as is the restaurant itself. The seafood was very good and very reasonably priced. My date and I loved everything about this place!"
Dined on 3/17/2013
Special Features: kid-friendly, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 3 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
More than a view!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I give you that those rating labels above mean something to you but here is what: came hungary, left full and satisfied........food was tasty and service was spot on."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: scenic view, special occasion
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Review 4 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great night
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A friend and I went here on my last night of a business trip I was on. I needed to relax and get ready for the long travel home (I live in MD) I got the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer-fresh and good value for your money. I got the Seafood Brochetta for the entree--fish and shrimp skewered with veggies and grilled the served on a bed of rice with more grilled veggies--very delicious!! My friend had the clam chowder in a bread bowl and the fish and chips--he really liked his meal too. We both enjoyed their signature drink so we could take home the glasses. The drink is fruity with just enough alchol to make you slightly tipsey--highly recommend!"
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Breathtaking view
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food is good, decently priced. But the view, the view is amazing!!! We went 30 minutes before sun down and got to watch the sunset as we ate! Perfect!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My husband true to form ordered
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My husband true to form ordered the fish and chips. He enjoyed them immensely. I ordered the seafood fettucini pasta. The scallops had zero flavor, the shrimp was just a tad away from being over cooked and tough. I didn't touch my plate accept to eat the shrimp. We ordered the crab cake appetizer and it was very disappointing. Even leaving my entire plate, the waiter never bothered to ask if I had liked the food. We were enjoying a weekend away from the kids and the restaurant was so loud I couldn't think. Everyone seemed to be yelling over one another. I enjoy an energetic place but wow...way too much."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
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Review 7 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was good. Service was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was good. Service was great until we got our food but then disappeared. Never got beverage refills and waited 15+ minutes for our bill."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2010
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 8 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Only come here for the view
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was not good. One dish was sent back and not replaced because everyones food was sub-par. My fish was old and wetand served with a lot of oil. Not flaky. The guacamole was average but the chips were warmed and crispy. Sad the best part of the meal was the chips.
Drinks were pricey and average in taste and pour.
It says a lot when locs won't eat here more than once. The only people here are first timers."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 9 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It was my birthday and wanted
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was my birthday and wanted to find someplace new. I looked online and decided to choose Pier Cafe. Great Place. The food was great, as was the service. Beautiful view. I would definitely go back. Would love to try the brunch next time."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 10 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place. You can't
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love this place. You can't beat the view and the food is good. I had the Baja Shrimp Tacos. Yummy!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 11 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The setting for the restaurant
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The setting for the restaurant is great with a fantastic view of the harbour. Our dinner was disappointing, very small shrimp and scallops. Even though the restaurant was not full, the service was very fast and we felt rushed. We were hoping for a nice relaxing meal with a chance to enjoy the view, but that didn't happen."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 12 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Something different. Good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Something different. Good spot for sunset view. Fun for those visiting San Diego"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Special Features: special occasion, scenic view
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Review 13 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was fine. Food was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was fine. Food was good, not great. I ordered flowers to arrive at/before dinner time and they arrived as expected so I was happy about that. Server was ok...seemed slightly like he wanted us to move/order quickly...but it wasn't horribly bad. When it came time to pay, it took a little longer than expected for him to come around to present us with the bill. Overall experience about about a B. Just like in Real Estate...location, location, location. You have a great location, so that is a huge plus. I'd come back."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 14 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were on vacation and this
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We were on vacation and this was the perfect spot to stop for dinner. The Seaport Village area is beautiful, and the views are amazing. Great casual vibe and great service!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, romantic, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 15 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ho Hum...
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The view was great. I had fish and chips...the fish was not as fresh as it could have been. Very loud and noisy environment. Not very impressed."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 16 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
View was wonderful. Food
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"View was wonderful. Food was mediocre. Would not go back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2006
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Review 17 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great location, underwhelming menu.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Perfect location on the water in Seaport Village. The food was below average, but you are really not going there for the food. It is the ocean view and location that is the main draw."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2008
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The location is great with
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The location is great with a beautiful view, but the food was poor. I had their salmon dish and it was overcooked making it dry. The rice seemed to be from a box. My daughter had mac and cheese and that was defeniyely from a box. The prices are high and don't reflect the quality of the food. This place has great potential, but menu or cook needs to replaced."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
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Review 19 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
It took over 55 minutes to
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It took over 55 minutes to get our food. And my panini was served on a pita."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2006
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 20 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Perfect overall "experience"
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Perfect overall "experience" to treat one's out-of-town guests to!! Special, tasty, iconic, fun!!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2013
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 21 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Squeezing into our table,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Squeezing into our table, we waited 15 minutes for our server to take our drink order. Once we finally ordered, the food arrived quickly and was fresh tasting. We had to flag down another person for a soda refill. There is a nice view of the bay, and you pay for it. So while the food was good, a little expensive, and the service slow - overall I would try them again...just not if I had other plans to get too."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2009
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 22 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
convention business lunch.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"convention business lunch. Easy access."
Dined on 02/04/2013
2004
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 23 for Pier Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Nice inexpensive restaurant
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Nice inexpensive restaurant with a variety of food and a beautiful view."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Pier Cafe
Based on the average of (14) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic