Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Sports
oChef » Fernside – San Diego
Fernside - San Diego
Photo from Fernside
Fernside at a glance
San Diego Golden Hill
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 39 of the guests
#308 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#12 Bar & Pub out of 22 in San Diego
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
362
Reviews
78.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Parking issues
- Value concerns
The bar & pub Fernside in San Diego’s vibrant Golden Hill neighborhood offers you a truly authentic experience. Step inside and discover a cozy, casual, and trendy spot where you can unwind.
You’ll find a great beer selection waiting for you, perfect for catching a game or simply enjoying a relaxed evening. With delicious food at the bar, a wide array of hard liquor, wine, and cocktails, plus enticing happy hour drinks and food, there’s something for every taste.
Overview: Introducting Fernside
Fernside offers a generally pleasant experience, often praised for its inviting vibe and delicious food, particularly the burger and creative drinks. Many appreciate the friendly staff who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
However, some visits reveal inconsistencies, with occasional concerns about parking availability and certain service interactions. While the overall offering is appealing, a few aspects could be more consistently executed for every guest.
Good
7.6
out of 10
362
Reviews
78.7%
Satisfaction
66
negative
11
neutral
285
positive
Fernside earns a solid overall score of 7.6, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a commendable 78.7%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This positive sentiment is built on 285 favorable comments, significantly outweighing the 66 critical observations across 362 total remarks. Digging deeper, the Ambience (8) truly shines, creating a pleasant setting, closely followed by the well-regarded Food (7.7).
Service (7.1) also performs well, with many appreciating the attentive team. The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (5.7), which, while not poor, suggests some guests feel the pricing or offerings could be more competitive.
What people like
- Delicious food and drinks
- Inviting, lively atmosphere
- Friendly, efficient service
What people don't like
- Occasional parking challenges
- Value perception issues
- Inconsistent dish quality
Fernside presents itself as a strong contender for a casual outing, especially if you prioritize a good atmosphere and satisfying food. With a recommendation score of 7.9, it’s clear many find it a worthwhile spot.
It’s particularly suited for those looking for a relaxed setting with reliable menu options. If you’re seeking a place with a lively feel and solid food, Fernside is certainly worth considering.
Just be mindful that while the overall experience is positive, there might be minor inconsistencies, particularly regarding value perception. It’s a place that generally delivers on its promise for a pleasant time.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Fernside
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a score of 7.7 and 80.8% customer satisfaction, it seems most diners are leaving happy. Out of 193 opinions, 156 rave about delicious food, especially the burgers, waffle fries, and those famous alcoholic slushies.
Many find the portions generous and the ingredients fresh. However, its not all perfect. There are 31 less-than-stellar comments, with some folks reporting issues like cold or raw burgers, and even a few concerning mentions of food poisoning.
Others found the veggie burger dry or drinks like the Moscow mule watered down, suggesting some inconsistencies in quality.
Food
193
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
31
negative
6
neutral
156
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food
- Strong slushies
- Great burgers
What people don't like
- Cold/raw food
- Food poisoning
- Dry veggie burger
Often praised
- foodThis is a cool little bar to watch the game and grab a bite to eat. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area.
- drinksAs a resident living down the street, I've been a frequent visitor to this place and can attest to its status as a great neighborhood bar and restaurant. The food is absolutely fantastic and delicious, complemented by great drinks. The atmosphere is casual, making you feel right at home, and the staff is truly endearing.
- waffle friesBe prepared, though, as finding parking can be a challenge, so it's best to park a few blocks away. My go-to order is the Fernside Burger with waffle fries. I honestly wish I could give more than five stars.
- burgerThe burger is a great price and is probably my favorite
- slushiesthe slushies are always strong and delicious
- FoodFood:5
- Fernside Burgerit’s THE BEST burger I’ve had in a long time
- Mexican Firing SquadI highly recommend going for the burger and/or salads. My girlfriend particularly loves the slushies, especially the Mexican Firing Squad.
- boozy slushiesloved the boozy slushies
- buffalo cauliflowerloved the buffalo cauliflower
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food left a lot to be desired
- food poisoninggot food poisoning from the fried chicken sando
- friesfries were a bit limp and soggy
- BBQ SAUCEpulled pork sando had NO BBQ SAUCE
- Cuban sandwichit was on my cuban sandwich
- Fernside burgersFernside burgers arrived, they were cold
- Moscow mulemost watered down moscow mule
- Nacho friesNacho fries - no
- Uber Eats menuthings on the Uber Eats menu that isn't in the main menu
- burgerveggie burger patty was crunchy like sand all the way through
Overall, if you're craving a tasty burger, some great waffle fries, and especially those strong alcoholic slushies, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that some experiences have been inconsistent, so you might want to stick to their well-loved staples to avoid disappointment.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
Overall, the service here is quite good, scoring a solid 7.1 with a 70.1% customer satisfaction rate. Many guests rave about the friendly staff and efficient bartenders, often highlighting fast and friendly service. Out of 77 comments, 54 were positive, praising quick online ordering and pick-up experiences, and mentioning terms like customer service and efficiently run.
However, not everyone had a perfect experience. There were 21 negative remarks, with some mentioning an occasional rude bartender or staff attitude. A few found the self bus expectation a bit off-putting, and some noted wait too long for table service, indicating areas for improvement.
Service
77
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
21
negative
2
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, efficient staff
- Fast, welcoming service
- Quick online ordering
What people don't like
- Occasional rude staff
- Self-bussing expected
- Long wait times
Often praised
- staffMy experience at this adorable corner bar and restaurant was fantastic! It's a DOG FRIENDLY spot with nice staff. I enjoyed their super tasty munchies with an upscale twist.
- serviceChandler is actually the best, I would rate this place 5 stars just for her phenomenal service
- ServiceService:5
- bartendersridiculously fabulous bartenders
- customer servicehe had great customer service and was real friendly!
- SkySky was so nice and helpful
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- amazing localsmeet amazing locals
- counter servicemixed counter service / sit down tables seems successful
- efficiently runThe restaurant is as efficiently run as any I have ever been to.
Frequently criticized
- bartenderThe bartender however was condescending and rude
- apologeticshould have been very apologetic
- apologynever received anything as much as an apology
- attitudeeveryone here seems to have an attitude
- auto voicemailauto voicemail even during the main business hours. BOOO..
- bar staffThe young lady at the bar was very rude
- calling the restauranttried to call the restaurant several times and get voicemail
- customer servicecustomer service is so important
- managereven the manager
- new blonde girlone of the rudest, most off putting people I’ve ever dealt with
If youre looking for generally good service with a friendly vibe, this spot is a solid choice. While most experiences are positive, be prepared for the possibility of self-bussing or an occasional less-than-stellar interaction, but its usually worth it.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
The ambiance here truly shines, earning a good score of 8 and boasting a fantastic 86.3% customer satisfaction! Based on 69 positive remarks out of 80 total, guests consistently praise the lively vibe, music, and atmosphere. It's often highlighted as a kid-friendly and dog-friendly spot, with outdoor seating and a welcoming neighborhood spot feel, making it a truly inviting place.
However, not everything is perfect. While generally positive, 9 negative remarks point to some challenges. Issues like finding seating and clean tables can be a hassle, and the music can sometimes get a little loud.
A few experiences also mentioned unruly patrons and tough parking, which can detract from the overall experience.
Ambience
80
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
69
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively, welcoming vibe
- Dog and kid-friendly
- Great outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Limited clean seating
- Parking can be tough
- Unruly patrons sometimes
Often praised
- atmosphereThe buffalo cauliflower was also good, and the cupcakes are a must-have – don't leave without trying them! The service was friendly, the atmosphere was fun, and parking was easy on a Sunday afternoon. It's also a great place for furry friends.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe ambiance in there is insane!!
- layouttheir layout works well with what it has both indoors and outdoors
- musicother music from the 50s to 90s Hiphop playing over the sound system
- outdoor seatingMy experience at this neighborhood bar was fantastic. I enjoyed their great boozy slushies, and the atmosphere was really cute inside and outdoor seating. The neighborhood also offers plenty of street parking, which is convenient any time of day or night.
- parkingLocated in South Park so parking is pretty easy.
- vibeThe vibe is always perfect
- barcool little bar to watch the game
- beautiful placeone of the most beautiful and great place
Frequently criticized
- parkingDon’t expect to find a parking spot
- arcade cabinetI was shocked to NOT see it considering everything else
- atmosphereThe atmosphere were rated a 1
- meleewitness to a melee caused by one of their patrons.
- musicmusic gets a little loud at times
- seatingit was hard to find seating for all of us at one table.
- tablesmost table's were empty and none were clean
- unruly patronsNot how you handle unruly patrons.
If you're looking for a lively, welcoming spot with a great vibe, especially if you have kids or dogs, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that seating can be tricky during busy times, and parking might require a bit of patience.
Value (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, many guests found things to cheer about! Folks loved the prices in general, with several raving about great prices and a fantastic mezcal/bottle of beer deal. With 6 positive remarks out of 12 total opinions, it seems there are some real gems to be found, especially during happy hour.
However, its not all sunshine and savings. The value aspect received an average score of 5.7, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%. Some diners felt let down by "combos" not offering discounts, and a few werent thrilled about paying extra for certain items or the upfront tip requirement, accounting for 5 negative opinions.
Value
12
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices
- Mezcal/beer deal
- Happy hour deals
What people don't like
- Combos lack discount
- Upfront tip
- Paying extra
Often praised
- pricesI had a great time at this restaurant with my partner. The food is great and fairly priced. Additionally, the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
- burger priceThe burger is a great price
- great pricesfriendly bar with great prices
- mezcal/bottle of beer dealenjoyed the mezcal/bottle of beer for $10 deal
Frequently criticized
- refundI would like a refund
- comboscombos don't give a discount at all
- paying extradon’t mind paying extra for a full cup
- tiphaving to pay a tip first upon payment at entry
So, is it a good deal? If youre looking for specific happy hour specials or reasonably priced individual items, youll likely find some good value here. Just be aware that some combo deals might not offer the savings you expect, and be prepared for the upfront tipping.
How are the prices at Fernside?
You’re looking at roughly $25 per person – reported by 39 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners find themselves in the $11–$30 sweet spot, with the average sitting right in the middle of that range. There are a few folks who spend less, and a couple who splurge, but generally, prices cluster nicely around that $25 mark.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 39 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Bar & Pub experience. It offers a good balance, so you can enjoy your time without worrying too much about the bill.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Fernside
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Amazing Food and Happy Hour!
This is such a great spot! I loved being able to order at the counter. The energy is lively, and the food is always amazing.
They also have the best happy hour!
- order at counter9
- lively energy8
- food10
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Spot with Good Food & Drinks
My experience at this restaurant, located at the busiest intersection in South Park, was positive. You first order your food and drinks outside, and then find your own seating until your order is ready. Drinks are available for pickup at the bar.
While the space isn't large, the layout is well-designed for both indoor and outdoor seating. The food is great, and the drinks are also excellent, with a good variety of craft and domestic options. The bartenders were fast and receptive.
I highly recommend this place for any group outing.
- food9
- drinks9
- bartenders9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great burgers and casual vibes!
My experience at this restaurant was great! It's a casual place perfect for chatting with friends and enjoying a good burger and some drinks. The food was excellent, and the service was good.
The atmosphere was also enjoyable.
- casual place8
- good burger9
- drinks7
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Food and Amazing Service!
My experience at Fernside was excellent. The food, particularly the waffle fries, was delicious, as expected. What truly stood out was the exceptional service.
The staff went above and beyond by finding and holding onto a souvenir cup I accidentally left behind. I'm very grateful to the friendly Fernside staff for their honesty and helpfulness.
- waffle fries9
- food8
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Excellent Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the delicious food, and the service was fast and friendly. The Cubano was excellent, served with a generous portion of criss-cut fries.
I also found the Spicy Paloma very nice. It's great that they have a dog-friendly patio.
- delicious food9
- fast and friendly service10
- Cubano9
What Fernside offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Fernside in Golden Hill?
At Fernside, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for relaxing. You can enjoy a wide range of offerings including food at the bar, hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails. Don’t miss out on their happy hour drinks and food for great deals.
Does Fernside offer outdoor seating, and what are the parking and accessibility options?
Yes, Fernside provides outdoor seating for you to enjoy. They are also pet-friendly, allowing dogs. You’ll find free street parking, though it can sometimes be difficult to locate a space. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and restroom.
How does Fernside generally perform?
Fernside holds a good overall score of 7.6, with customer satisfaction at 78.7%. Its Ambience (8) and Food (7.7) are particularly well-regarded, while Service (7.1) is also good. Value (5.7) is an area with room for improvement.
What do patrons enjoy most about Fernside?
Many patrons frequently praise Fernside for its inviting atmosphere, often highlighting the vibe and outdoor seating. The burger and slushies are also popular choices, complemented by generally friendly staff.
Are there any common concerns at Fernside?
Some guests have noted challenges with parking and occasional inconsistencies in service, including reports of rude staff. There are also some mentions of value concerns regarding pricing or specific deals, and some specific food items have received criticism.