Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Second Nature – San Diego
Second Nature - San Diego
Photo from Second Nature
Second Nature at a glance
San Diego Pacific Beach
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 84 of the guests
#311 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#11 American Restaurant out of 24 in San Diego
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
504
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food variety
- Great ambiance
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Fly problem
- Seating discomfort
The restaurant Second Nature, an American Restaurant nestled in San Diego’s vibrant Pacific Beach neighborhood, invites you to discover a truly unique dining experience. You’ll appreciate the cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quiet meal or a trendy gathering.
Known for its great coffee, this spot offers a welcoming environment where you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal. Whether you’re starting your day or winding down, you’ll find something to love.
Overview: Introducting Second Nature
Second Nature offers a pleasant dining experience, often praised for its diverse menu, including many plant-based options, and a generally inviting atmosphere. Guests frequently appreciate the variety of dishes available, ensuring there’s something for many preferences.
However, some visitors have noted occasional inconsistencies, particularly with service, which can sometimes be perceived as standoffish or slow. There have also been mentions of minor environmental concerns like a persistent fly issue, which can detract from the overall comfort.
Good
7.6
out of 10
504
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
89
negative
19
neutral
396
positive
Second Nature holds a solid overall Restaurant Score of 7.6 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive reception. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 78.6%, indicating that most diners leave content.
These figures are drawn from 504 customer observations, with 396 positive remarks against 89 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its standing. Delving into specifics, the Ambience (8) and Food (7.8) are clear strengths, often highlighted for their quality and variety.
Service (7) is generally good, though some experiences vary. Value (5.5) is considered average, suggesting that while prices are reasonable, some feel the overall experience could offer more for the cost.
What people like
- Diverse food options
- Inviting atmosphere
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Persistent fly issue
- Uncomfortable seating
With a Recommendation Score of 7.9, Second Nature is certainly worth considering, especially if you appreciate a diverse menu with good plant-based choices and a pleasant setting. It’s a place that generally delivers a satisfying meal in a comfortable environment.
If you’re seeking a spot with reliable food and a nice atmosphere, it’s a solid choice. Just be prepared for potential service variations and perhaps opt for outdoor seating when the weather is cooperative, keeping in mind the occasional fly issue.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Second Nature
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a healthy 81%, it's clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 289 opinions, a whopping 234 were positive, praising delicious options like the Orange Cauliflower, braised short ribs, and the Artichoke Benedict, often highlighting healthy and diverse choices.
However, not every dish is a home run, with 43 negative comments pointing to some inconsistencies. Some found the salmon and quinoa dry, while others noted cauliflower dishes could be too sweet or tofu under seasoned. There were also mentions of bland main dishes and soggy French toast, suggesting some areas for improvement.
Food
289
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
43
negative
12
neutral
234
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Diverse menu options
- Delicious vegan choices
- Quality ingredients
What people don't like
- Inconsistent seasoning
- Dry dishes
- Texture issues
Often praised
- foodWhile service is taking longer due to staffing, the staff are hardworking and do their absolute best. Prices are fair, the food is fresh, and there are tons of plant-based options, making it a great go-to for groups with mixed dietary preferences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's a locals dream and a great find for visiting tourists!
- drinksThe breakfast salad was huge, as others have noted, and I also really enjoyed their Bloody Mary. The food and drinks were excellent, and the atmosphere and service were both top-notch, receiving a 5/5 rating. The price per person was between $20–30.
- FoodFood:5
- artichoke cakesI was pleasantly surprised by the artichoke cakes
- brunchBrunch, coffee, study spot, drinks, they got it.
- coffeeThis is possibly our favorite brunch spot in San Diego. We've been multiple times and consistently enjoy the good food and good coffee. They offer a great variety, with both vegan options and meat options available, ensuring there's something for everyone.
- truffle friesWe had the Hummus plate and truffle fries for appetizers. It was just so yummy.
- vegan optionsWe've been multiple times and consistently enjoy the good food and good coffee. They offer a great variety, with both vegan options and meat options available, ensuring there's something for everyone.
- Artichoke Benedictthe Artichoke Benedict and the Lime Cauliflower tacos, and they were both great
- Bloody MaryThe Bloody Mary, potatoes and side of fruit were all good.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was not worth the pricing, salmon and quinoa were both dry
- pancakesserved crispy burnt pancakes
- Acai bowlAcai bowl is made with sorbet, tasted like pure sugar
- Brisket BenedictThe Brisket Benedict had English muffins that were somewhat hard
- French toastFrench toast was soggy and poured with a lot of whipped strawberry ricotta sauce
- Mediterranean saladMediterranean salad had no flavor, it was very bland
- Vegan Nachosbring back the Vegan Nachos
- Vegan WangsThe Vegan Wangs were incredibly salty
- arugula saladthe arugula salad that came with it was completely naked
- bowlThere was little dressing or flavor in the bowl.
Overall, the food here offers a good experience with plenty of delicious and diverse options, especially if youre looking for healthy or plant-based choices. While some dishes might miss the mark on seasoning or texture, its definitely worth trying for its many culinary highlights.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
Service here generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7 and boasting a 70.7% customer satisfaction rate. Many guests rave about the friendly staff and attentive servers, often highlighting quick service and how accommodating the team is. With 70 positive remarks out of 99, it seems most experiences are quite pleasant.
However, not every interaction is perfect. There are 28 negative comments, with some mentioning slow staff and frustrating waiting times. A few guests felt unacknowledged or encountered rude behavior, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in the service experience.
Service
99
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
28
negative
1
neutral
70
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Accommodating servers
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Unacknowledged presence
- Rude interactions
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I loved the food and the fast service. We ordered the artichoke cakes, ancient grain, and the burger, all of which were tasty, especially the vegan options.
- staffthe staff didn't even complain about it.
- ServiceService is attentive but not over the top
- serverOnce seated at a better table, everything was fantastic! Our server was a sweetheart, and the food was great, especially for our 5 vegetarians. We ended up enjoying the experience overall, though the initial "reservations" experience was less than ideal.
- serversThe Acai bowl is Brazilian approved 😂. For Celiacs or GF folks, you do need to be a little careful, but the servers tend to know what's what.
- waitressBeware, the way to the bathroom is stinky due to proximity to dumpsters. Our waitress was awesome; we truthfully camped for a long time, and she assured us it was okay. We had a lot to catch up on and celebrate, and I appreciate her understanding and support in letting us hang.
- Mackenzieget Mackenzie you’re in luck
- ServerServer was perfect
- accommodatingwonderfully accommodating with making one of their toasts
- attentive and kind servershad attentive and kind servers
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe waitress was very standoffish and we had to keep trying hard
- staffOther barking dogs and their owners remained at the restaurant when we left. The motto should be: 'dog friendly if you're buddies with the staff'.
- waitressOur waitress was also quite standoffish
- waiting timeIt took 20 mins for the server to attend us.
- annoyed lookgirl at the greeter desk was giving me this annoyed look
- apologiesno discount, no apologies
- bad moodwaitress was in a similar bad mood
- bartender attentionnot one person acknowledged our presence
- dog friendly policyOther barking dogs and their owners remained at the restaurant when we left. The motto should be: 'dog friendly if you're buddies with the staff'.
- exclusionexperienced this type of exclusion
Overall, you can generally expect good service here, with many praising the friendly and efficient staff. While there might be occasional hiccups like longer waits, it's usually a pleasant experience worth trying.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
The ambience here truly sets a delightful scene, earning a good score of 8 and a strong 84.3% customer satisfaction. Guests frequently rave about the open to the air feel, ample outdoor seating, and the overall chill vibe, often highlighting its dog friendly nature. With 86 positive sentiments out of 102 total, it's clear the atmosphere is a major draw.
However, a few concerns do surface among the 12 negative opinions. Some patrons have noted issues with flies and uncomfortable seating arrangements, particularly when seated outside on cold nights or at bar-style tables. Barking dogs and parking difficulties were also mentioned, suggesting minor areas for improvement.
Ambience
102
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
12
negative
4
neutral
86
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Open-air patio
- Dog-friendly space
- Great chill vibe
What people don't like
- Flies issue
- Uncomfortable seating
- Parking difficulty
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant has been a pleasure every time I visit. The food is excellent, the service is top-notch, and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's also dog friendly!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- dog friendlyI stopped in for a drink and appetizers with my pooch. It's a lovely little place with a nice open porch and is dog friendly. The service was excellent.
- seatingThe food was great, offering options for everyone, whether you're vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or just have no dietary restrictions. The service was speedy, and the atmosphere was very nice, with the choice of indoor or outdoor seating.
- ambienceThe ambience is excellent for sitting outside
- locationreally like the location
- outdoor seatingoutdoor seating and bar area is very welcoming
- parkingalways parking in space
- patioThe patio is always full of dogs
- placeOn the positive side, the orange juice tasted fresh, and the potatoes were amazing. The sitting and view have always been great, and the place is very clean.
Frequently criticized
- bar-style seatingUpon arrival at 8 PM, we found no tables large enough for our group on the patio. We were offered uncomfortable bar-style seating with the option to tie our dogs to the railing, which was not suitable for my elderly parents or the dogs. Fortunately, after speaking with another host and explaining the situation, she found us another table on the patio.
- barking dogsmy puppy barked as well as other dogs
- fliesthere are always flies
- fly issueTheir fly issue is so massive that we left
- outsideMy experience at the restaurant was a bit disappointing due to the seating arrangement. Although I had a reservation, I was seated outside on a cold night. The heater provided some warmth, but it wasn't very effective.
- outside tablesoutside tables stained some of my nice shorts
- parkingParking sucks
- placeYou have to arrive early because the place gets crowded, but the menu, the service, and the atmosphere were excellent.
- restaurant atmosphereclean the bar area where he was standing
- roachesThe food was mediocre at best. To make matters worse, there were huge roaches crawling around, and one waitress was super rude about it. This was a dine-in lunch with a price range of $30–50 per person.
If you're looking for a spot with a fantastic outdoor, dog-friendly atmosphere and a relaxed vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential fly issues or seating preferences, and plan your parking ahead.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 11% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers found the price and Prices to be quite reasonable, with some even calling them beyond reasonable and very good. The availability of affordable wines also added to the positive perception. Based on 6 positive remarks, it seems like you can often find a good deal here, especially with the price per person often being in the $10-20 range.
However, 6 negative remarks paint a different picture, contributing to an average 5.5 score and 42.9% customer satisfaction. Concerns about the overall price and pricing were common, with some finding it a bit pricey or not worth the pricing. Specific issues like bacon price discrepancies and a starting tip being 22% suggest value can be inconsistent.
Value
14
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Affordable wines
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- Check your bill
- High default tip
Often praised
- PricesPrices are beyond reasonable
- affordable winesand affordable wines
- priceSecond Nature is definitely a new favorite spot of mine! Our meals were incredible considering the very reasonable price and great service.
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- pricesWhile service is taking longer due to staffing, the staff are hardworking and do their absolute best. Prices are fair, the food is fresh, and there are tons of plant-based options, making it a great go-to for groups with mixed dietary preferences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's a locals dream and a great find for visiting tourists!
Frequently criticized
- priceFor the price I expected better but it wasn't worth it
- bacon priceLied about bacon price menu says one thing they charge another!
- billwatch your bill
- pricingThe food was not worth the pricing
- tipthe starting tip being 22% is crazy
Value here is a bit of a gamble. While many find the prices reasonable and appreciate the affordable wines, others feel its overpriced or not worth it. If youre looking for a good deal, you might find one, but be sure to check your bill carefully.
How are the prices at Second Nature?
You’re looking at roughly $27 per person – reported by 84 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an American Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits at $27, a good chunk of diners spend a bit less, in the $11–$20 range. Most, however, are right in that $21–$30 sweet spot, showing a pretty consistent mid-range experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 84 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
For an American Restaurant in San Diego, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank, making it a good choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Second Nature
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Cute Spot with GF/Vegan Options!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful! It's just the cutest place in San Diego. They impressed me with their several GF + vegan options.
It's also incredibly pet friendly; we saw at least 10 dogs during our visit.
- GF + vegan options9
- pet friendly10
- cutest place9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Beautiful Setting, Good Food, Service Issues
My experience at the restaurant was a mix of positives and negatives. The seating was beautiful, and the service was great, fast, and friendly. Sadly, they were out of my favorite dish, the salmon benedict.
I ordered the original benedict, and the poached eggs needed more cooking as the white was still runny. On the positive side, the orange juice tasted fresh, and the potatoes were amazing. The sitting and view have always been great, and the place is very clean.
- seating10
- service9
- orange juice9
- salmon benedict3
- poached eggs4
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing First Visit
I visited this restaurant for the first time based on recommendations from other reviews, but sadly, I was disappointed. The chicken sandwich was overwhelmed with pesto, making it the only flavor I could taste. The Mediterranean salad lacked any flavor and was very bland.
Considering the price, I expected a much better experience, but it wasn't worth it. As a side note, the default tip of 22% is quite high.
- chicken sandwich2
- Mediterranean salad2
- price3
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Flies are a persistent issue
My experience at this restaurant was unfortunately marred by the persistent presence of flies. While I understand the proximity to fish markets and their associated trash can be a challenge, it's a recurring problem. Even with the table-top contraptions featuring spinning blades to deter them, the flies are still present.
This is not a developing country, and I believe more should be done to address the fly issue.
- table-top contraptions5
- flies2
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great GF Options and Friendly Service!
My experience at this restaurant was great, with great food. As someone who is Celiac, I was impressed by the abundance of options for GF, Vegan, Vegetarian, and regular diets. The staff seemed knowledgeable about allergies and were helpful in guiding my ordering.
The patio is dog friendly, and they even offer menu items for our canine companions. I will definitely return when I'm in the area.
- great food10
- abundance of options9
- knowledgeable about allergies9
What Second Nature offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Second Nature accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, you’ll find that Second Nature is fully accessible. The restaurant provides a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What dining options and special offerings can you expect at Second Nature?
At Second Nature, you can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with table service, plus delicious desserts. They offer healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, along with organic dishes. Don’t miss their happy hour drinks and food, or a quick bite.
How does Second Nature rate overall?
Second Nature has an overall Restaurant Score of 7.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 78.6%. Its Ambience (8) and Food (7.8) are highly rated, while Service (7) is good, and Value (5.5) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Second Nature?
Customers frequently praise Second Nature for its diverse food options, including many plant-based choices, and its inviting atmosphere, which often includes dog-friendly outdoor seating. Many also highlight the attentive and kind service.
Are there any common concerns at Second Nature?
Some customers have noted occasional inconsistencies with service, describing it as standoffish or slow. There have also been mentions of a persistent fly issue, particularly in outdoor areas, and some find the seating arrangements uncomfortable.