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Kaluú Restaurant & Bar, San Diego, CA

Kaluú Restaurant & Bar

3.9
3.9
11 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
  • Good for business meals
  • Fancy
  • Good for groups
At Kaluu, we celebrate the vibrant soul of Mexico through an unparalleled dining and nightlife experience. Guided by the artistry of Michelin-starred Chef Esteban Lluis, we craft an upscale, authentic Mexican culinary journey that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Our menu, featuring live wood-fire cooked meats, fresh seafood, and thoughtfully curated small plates, showcases the rich, bold flavors of Mexico with a modern twist.

As the night unfolds, Kaluu transforms into a dynamic lounge where the energy of Mexico comes alive. After 10:00 PM, our space becomes a destination for music, dance, and connection—a place to see and be seen. From the first bite to the last dance, Kaluu is where exceptional cuisine, vibrant culture, and unforgettable moments converge.

Welcome to Kaluu, where the spirit of Mexico thrives.

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Steakhouse, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Estaban Lluis

What 11 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.9
3.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4Food
  • 4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Healthy

  • San Diego

    Good for groups

  • San Diego

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kaluú Restaurant & Bar delights with a "Michelin-starred chef," offering an upscale Mexican menu with exquisite flavors and presentation. Guests praise the vibrant ambiance and craft cocktails. Highlights include "fantastic rockfish ceviche" and a dessert experience that's "sweet, tangy, and the perfect way to wrap up the meal."

11 Reviews
  1. Mary

    Dallas39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best New Mexican restaurant in downtown San Diego! The food is authentic and made my a Michelin star chef. Great for large groups or dinner at the bar

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  2. Diana

    San Diego1 review

    1.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Had a reservation at 8:30pm. Waited for an hour and a half and just decided to leave since their kitchen closed at 10:30 and it didn’t seem like we were going to get a table. There were still people in line in front of us but they also decided to leave since no one was being seated.

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  3. Alex

    San Diego1 review

    1.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was really good. Service was the worse. Took too long for everything, forgot to bring drinks, forgot to bring spoons for desert, and charged us before we were done. And then asked us for the table while still finishing our desert. Worse experience ever

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  4. Leora VIP

    Los Angeles9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My husband and I had an amazing time here! We arrived around 8pm, and while most tables were taken, the space is a bit cozy, so I highly recommend making a reservation. The menu is curated by a Michelin-starred chef and the flavors and presentation are top-notch. We kicked things off by sharing the guacamole and bone marrow and beef tartare. Then, we each had tortilla soup and shared a plate of “Tacos de Nada,” which was super filling with six rolled tacos. We had already ordered the Sinaloan-style chicken and a Wagyu burger with truffle fries. The chicken was massive and perfect for sharing, and the fries were delicious. The burger didn’t disappoint either! For dessert, we followed the waiter’s suggestion and tried the pineapple dessert, which I absolutely loved! It’s like the creamy part of a crème brûlée surrounded by candied pineapple—sweet, tangy, and the perfect way to wrap up the meal. As for drinks, my husband raved about the Mango #5. I was unsure about what I wanted, so the bartender made me a special Baileys drink that tasted just like a chocolate-covered strawberry—so good! Later in the evening, the place transitions into a nightclub, which sounds like a blast, but we were too full to even move, so we decided to save that for another time. The manager checked in on us to make sure everything was perfect, and I learned they offer chilaquiles at brunch. Definitely on our list for next time! Since this place is still fairly new, it's a good idea to let them know if you need anything. We had no issues, but based on other reviews, they’re working through a few growing pains.

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  5. Mary

    Dallas39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The most fantastic restaurant boasts a Michelin-starred chef with an exquisite palate. The upscale Mexican menu features craft cocktails that complement the dishes perfectly. We celebrated a birthday there, and it was undoubtedly an excellent choice for a special occasion. The ambiance was lively, with good music playing in the background.

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  6. Salvador

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great, from the front entrance to the beautiful decorations, to the service to the Amazing Food Fun drinks also

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  7. Mary

    Dallas39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best New Mexican restaurant in the gaslamp! Baja Michelin star chef. The rockfish ceviche was fantastic. We did a restaurant buy out and it was perfect

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  8. Mary

    Dallas39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best New Mexican restaurant in San Diego. The food is phenomenal

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  9. Kalei

    San Diego4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Food wasn’t good, over priced for what it’s actually worth. Ambiance was really eye catching. Service was quick and reliable.

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  10. Alexis VIP

    Seattle1 review

    1.0

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Despite being able to make a reservation, the restaurant was closed when we arrived so we found ourselves having driven 45 min to go to a restaurant that wasn’t even open and had to scramble to find something else that was available before a concert.

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FAQs

Kaluú Restaurant & Bar is rated 3.9 stars by 11 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Google Map for Kaluú Restaurant & Bar

534 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-6914

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Steakhouse, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Estaban Lluis
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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