Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Banker's Hill
Delicious food inspired by daring nostalgia - Books + Records, San Diego, CA

Books + Records

4.7
4.7
435 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighborhood gem
Global inspired American cuisine, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch in an upbeat atmosphere, with live music.

Chef Ryan Stickel is serving up San Diego's freshest food takes in an art deco meets mid-century mod warehouse space. With a tenured run on both Eater's Heat Map and list of San Diego's Hottest Cocktail Bars, the food and drinks are both guaranteed to delight your senses.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 795-1000
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Sam Deckman
  • Catering
    For information regarding PRIVATE EVENTS & CATERING visit BooksAndRecordsBar.com and select the "Private Dining" Tab.
  • Private party facilities
    For information regarding PRIVATE EVENTS & CATERING visit BooksAndRecordsBar.com and select the "Private Dining" Tab.
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Cross street
    Ivy St & Fourth Ave in Bankers Hill
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 435 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Books + Records is a vibrant hub in San Diego featuring "amazing food, creative cocktails, and live music." Guests rave about the "fun vibe" and "wonderful service" with standout dishes like duck benedict and wagyu tartare. The atmosphere is lively, making it perfect for brunch or a special evening out.

435 Reviews
  1. stasia VIP

    San Diego2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We are return customers of this restaurant and will continue to be so, there was an unexpected situation that ended up having the manager take care of our table after waiting for quite a while, but they later exceeded our expectations in the food and the drinks. It will not keep us from going back as we always have good experiences, but my four out of five stars is just for this experience alone. I would definitely check out this restaurant for a night of food cocktails and live music

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were celebrating my brother in law’s birthday and not only was the food great, the service was 10/10! So glad we chose this place ❤️ will be going back, no doubt!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Kona

    San Diego2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Disappointed in the food here. Calamari was some of the worst I’ve had. We also got the very underwhelming burger. The uber drinks were very amazing though. Won’t recommend to friends and family. Sorry!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Maricela

    Washington DC6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the margarita which was perfectly balanced. Not too sweet. Smash burger was ridiculous, so were the bao buns. Everything was interesting and delicious. Great place.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Brooke VIP

    Sacramento10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great drinks and great food, cute location! We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jon VIP

    San Diego7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brunch is as delicious as dinner. One of our go to spots in SD and it literally never disappoints. Smoked salmon and potato latkes are amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Eva VIP

    Greater Boston8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderfully creative but delicious, satisfying food and drinks. The live music was the cherry on top.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful restaurant with tasty and aesthetically pleasing food and drinks. I love their tableware and glassware; very cute + classy. Service wasn’t very fast but they were busy and plus they gave me a birthday treat which was a nice surprise. Lively atmosphere with a live band playing by the bar. Overall my friend and I had a wonderful experience; I will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time and we loved it. Live music made for a great atmosphere. Food and drinks were all really, really good. Our server Dalton was very nice and made sure we were well taken care of. We’ll definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Detroit2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was awesome we loved! The birthday card was above and beyond

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Books + Records is rated 4.7 stars by 435 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
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Books + Records

2202 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Ivy St & Fourth Ave in Bankers Hill
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Sam Deckman
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (619) 795-1000
  • Catering
    For information regarding PRIVATE EVENTS & CATERING visit BooksAndRecordsBar.com and select the "Private Dining" Tab.
  • Private party facilities
    For information regarding PRIVATE EVENTS & CATERING visit BooksAndRecordsBar.com and select the "Private Dining" Tab.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo