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Restaurant style dining
Albert's Restaurant
If you're looking for a full-service dining experience, Albert's Restaurant is the place to be. It's located at the Treetops Plaza of the Lost Forest exhibit. This San Diego Zoo food spot offers a cocktail bar and chef-inspired dishes for a truly luxurious experience.
Timings:
Monday-Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am - 7pm
Price range: $31 - $50
Location: Treetops
Busy Bee Cafe
This cafe in the Wildlife Explorer area is a great place for families and big groups. It is beloved for its family-size portions of pizzas and hot dogs. It is a new San Diego Zoo food spot and has vegan and gluten-free options to accommodate everyone's tastes and preferences.
Timings:
Monday-Sunday: 10:30am - 8pm
Price range: $6 - $73
Location: Wildlife Explorer's Basecamp
San Diego Zoo Sandwich Co.
Known for its amazing breakfast and kid-friendly fare, the San Diego Zoo Sandwich Co. is a great hub to fill yourself up before your San Diego Zoo adventure. It is conveniently located near the park entrance, so you can have a quick 'To-Do' meeting while enjoying one of their specialty sandwiches.
Timings:
Monday-Sunday:
Breakfast: 8:30am - 11am
Lunch: 11am and beyond
Price range: $5 - $19
Location: Front Street
Front Street Sweet Shack
Get your fill of fun snacks like sundaes, shakes, and fries at the Front Street Sweet Shack situated across the Reptile House at the San Diego Zoo. There are also gluten-free and kid-friendly options. If you have a sweet tooth, you need to make a pitstop here for sure.
Price range: $6 - $30
Location: Front Street
Safari Kitchen
Widely known for its mouth-watering specials, the Safari Kitchen is another good San Diego Zoo food spot near the entrance. This joint also caters to the vegan and gluten-free crowd and is close to attractions like the Reptile Walk, Monkey Trail, and Tiger Trail.
Timings:
Monday-Sunday: 11am - 8pm
Price range: $2 - $19
Location: Front Street
Sydney's Grill
For some beer and barbeque, head over to the Australian Outback section and grab a seat at Sydney's Grill. You can also get kids' meals and pack your food to go. The establishment also offers vegan and gluten-free options, so everyone can enjoy their time here.
Timings:
Monday-Friday: 10:30am - 6pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am - 6pm
Price range: $5 - $20
Location: Outback
Front Street Sweet Shack
Get your fill of fun snacks like sundaes, shakes, and fries at the Front Street Sweet Shack situated across the Reptile House at the San Diego Zoo. There are also gluten-free and kid-friendly options. If you have a sweet tooth, you need to make a pitstop here for sure.
Price range: $6 - $30
Location: Front Street
Hua Mei Cafe
This Asian-style cafe will satisfy all your taste buds when you visit the San Diego Zoo. It's a great place for family meals, Asian specialties, and snacks. The portion size is generous, and the views below the Treetops will take your breath away. Vegan items can also be ordered!
Timings:
Monday-Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am - 7pm
Price range: $2 - $73
Location: Asian Passage
Sabertooth Mexican Grill
Looking to spice up your San Diego Zoo restaurant adventure? Head over to the Sabertooth Mexican Grill at the Elephant Odyssey and fill yourself up with Mexican-style hits like tacos, burritos, nachos, and house-made margaritas. Make sure to keep space for their soft serves!
Timings:
Monday-Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Price range: $6 - $73
Location: Elephant Odyssey
Lagoon Terrace
For classic fare like pizza, meatball subs, craft beer and hot dogs, you can visit the Lagoon Terrace at Front Street. Their pizzas are the crowd-pullers and you can even get them by the slice! Picky kiddos will love the options and the adults can fill up for the journey ahead.
Price range: $6 - $73
Location: Front Street
Treetops Bistro
Featuring multi-level decks and a stunning overview of the zoo, this San Diego Zoo food spot is a crowd favourite. It has a great range in the menu, going from fancy fare like boeuf bourguignon to snack packs. It is a quick-service spot so you don't even need to battle great crowds.
Timings:
Monday-Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am - 8pm
Price range: $5 - $19
Location: Lost Forest
Quick nibbles
Jungle Java
Considering the size of the San Diego Zoo, you will need a quick coffee break at some point. When that happens, get to the Jungle Java stand in the Lost Forest for specialty coffee drinks, munchies, and sweet treats.
Location: Lost Forest
Zoo Brew
Get cookies, beer and coffee, all at the same spot — Zoo Brew! Look out for the mini donuts and the lattes. Located in the middle of Treetops Way, you can also get a bit of shopping done here after snack time.
Location: Lost Forest
Rocks Box
This San Diego Zoo food spot promises hot dogs, nachos, locally brewed draft beer, and fun. It is one of the only snack stands at the Africa Rocks section, so if you're looking for a break, this is the ideal place!
Location: Africa Rocks
Hua Mei Cones
This little sweet treat window is beloved for its soft serves, sundaes, floats, and other desserts. Located at the Asian Passage, it is an ideal way to end a meal after you've had your fill at the Hua Mei Cafe.
Location: Asian Passage
Bamboo Bar
This little joint serves a variety of munchies and beverages, such as hot dogs, soft pretzels, local beer, micheladas, Cadillac margaritas, and others. It also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for a wide variety of guests.
Location: Asian Passage
The Pagoda
The Pagoda has two locations at the Asian Passage and serves chips, snacks, and a mean margarita. This affordable stall is a great place to have a quick snack and drink if you're not looking for a full meal.
Location: Asian Passage
The Bridge Snacks and Refreshments
Quench your thirst with local draft beer, micheladas, cadillac margaritas and more at The Bridge, located at the edge of the Bashor Bridge. You can also get some light snacks like pretzels and chips.
Location: Elephant Odyssey
Sweets and Treats
As the name suggests, this is a must-visit San Diego Zoo food spot if you have a sweet tooth. Beware, though, because it is inside the Zoo's Kids Store, so you'll probably have the kids wolfing down cookies, fudge, and more!
Location: Front Street
San Diego Craft Beer & Margaritas
This little watering hole is on Front Street and is the perfect place to wind down after a day of touring the extensive zoo. You can get local beer, Margaritas, Jack and Coke, and other beverages here. The little ones will be happy with chips and cotton candy!
Location: Front Street
Boardwalk Beer Garden
Cool yourself down at the Boardwalk Beer Garden near the Koalafornia Boardwalk in the Outback. There, you can get beer and wine on tap, frozen margaritas, and much more! Satisfy your tummy with pretzels and charcuterie selections.
Location: Outback
Oasis Lounge Cocktails and Snacks
This is a great spot to get a drink from at the end of your San Diego Zoo adventure. A tiny cart right outside the Zoofari Party Area, it serves beer, signature cocktails, pizza, salad and more. Vegan options are also available.
Location: Zoofari Party Area
Ituri Hut
You can find Ituri Hut along the Hippo Trail in the Lost Forest area. This is a quick stop spot where you can grab some hot dogs, churros, cadillac margaritas, and other nibbles.
Location: Lost Forest
Kettle Corn
If popcorn and snow cones are your day trip jam, then head straight over to Kettle Corn, a little stand just across Front Street Sweet Shack. They also have souvenir buckets that you can take home for a fun prop!
Location: Front Street
Tundra Treats
Located near the Polar Bear Plunge, this shack is one of the only two food spots in the Northern Frontier, which is in the farthest corner of the zoo. Warm yourself up with some warm pretzels and hot chocolate, or even get a cold treat!
Location: Northern Frontier
Jungle Snacks
This food spot is situated near Skyfari West and has some great snacks and drinks. However, this area does not have a full-meal spot, so you'll only get food like hot dogs, churros, popcorn, and other small bites.
Location: Northern Frontier
Treetops Canteen
This affordable food joint is situated right across from Treetops Bistro and is a great place to grab some snacks and sweets. You can also refill your souvenir fountain beverage here.
Location: Lost Forest
Baboon Outpost
This little shack sells a limited selection of ice cream, chips, cotton candy, water, and soft drinks. It is located in Africa Rocks, near attractions like Africa Rocks Garden and Africa Rocks Aviary.
Location: Africa Rocks
Koala Cart
This unassuming spot in the Outback packs a punch with its frozen lemonade, cotton candy, and specialty cocktail. Grab a quick bite or refill your sipper here.
Location: Outback
Plaza Cart
If you're not looking for a full meal at the start of your San Diego zoo trip, refuel at the Plaza Cart before you begin. The cart is very close to the entrance and serves crowd favourites like cotton candy, chips, and popcorn.
Location: Front Street
Odyssey Oasis
Savor Odyssey Oasis's fresh popcorn and cold beer out at the Elephant Odyssey section when you take a break from all the walking. It is affordable and offers a nice pick-me-up.
Location: Elephant Odyssey [1696]
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Frequently asked questions about the San Diego Zoo food spots
What are some unique dining experiences at San Diego Zoo?
San Diego Zoo's food offerings are as varied as its inhabitants. However, some unique dining experiences are Sydney's Grill for its barbeque, Treetops Bistro for its stunning views, Hua Mei Cafe for its Asian-style food, and Tundra Treats for its pretzels.
Are there vegan or vegetarian food options available?
Yes, there are several vegan and vegetarian options available in almost all the San Diego Zoo food stalls and restaurants.
Does the San Diego Zoo have gluten-free food options?
Yes, a number of food shacks and joints have gluten-free food available on the menu, which are prominently mentioned.
Are there healthy food options at the San Diego Zoo?
Although there are a lot of fast food and snack options at the zoo, it also has a number of healthy food items at various food spots. Salads, wraps, and sandwiches are widely available.
Can I bring food and drinks from outside?
Yes, guests can bring their own food in small, single-person containers. However, there is a list of restricted items that visitors cannot bring inside: party decor, large coolers, glass items, outside alcohol, etc.
What is the pricing like for food at the San Diego Zoo?
San Diego Zoo has a number of affordable as well as mid-range dining options. Family meals might cost anywhere from $50 to $70, however, you can get a good meal and a drink for under $30.
Does the San Diego Zoo have any themed restaurants?
The food stall or shack usually takes up the theme of the enclosure it is situated in. In that way, most of the stalls are themed. But the only formal dining restaurant here is Albert's Restaurant, named after a beloved Gorilla who was a former resident of the zoo.
Are there refill stations for water bottles?
Yes, there are water refill stations scattered all over the zoo. You can also ask for free water at the food stalls.
Are there picnic areas inside the San Diego Zoo?
There is a designated picnic area at the San Diego Zoo and you can bring your own food in small containers for a fun day out. Picnic tables can also be found throughout the zoo.
Can I feed the animals at the San Diego Zoo?
While you cannot feed the animals at the San Diego Zoo, you can feed the giraffes and the rhinos at the San Diego Safari Park as part of a particular tour.