oChef » Harvey’s – San Diego

Harvey's - San Diego

Restaurant Harvey's in San Diego
Photo from Harvey’s
How do the guests rate it?
Harvey's at a glance
San Diego Civita
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 63 of the guests
#17 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#4 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Excellent
9.1 out of 10
9.2
Food
9.3
Service
8.9
Ambience
6.6
Value
462

Reviews

96.5%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Great service
  • Tasty dishes
  • Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
  • Payment issues
  • Few restrooms
  • Average value

The restaurant Harvey’s invites you to discover a welcoming dining experience in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Civita neighborhood. As a full-service restaurant, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere perfect for any meal.

Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, a delightful dinner, or even a morning bite, this spot caters to your schedule. You can expect a comfortable setting where good food and good times come together.

Overview: Introducting Harvey's

Harvey’s offers a generally positive dining experience, with many guests highlighting the exceptional service and delicious food options. The staff are often praised for their attentiveness, making for a welcoming visit.

While the overall atmosphere is quite appealing, some minor points like a tricky ordering/payment process have been noted. Patrons frequently commend the quality of dishes like the smash burger and the inviting ambiance .

However, a few concerns regarding value and specific dessert preferences, such as the pudding bread dessert being too sweet, occasionally surface. Despite these small issues, Harvey’s maintains a strong reputation for a pleasant outing.

Excellent
9.1 out of 10
462

Reviews

96.5%

Satisfaction

11

negative

5

neutral

446

positive

Harvey’s achieves an excellent overall Restaurant Score of 9.1, complemented by an outstanding Customer Satisfaction rate of 96.5%. These high marks are based on 462 customer observations, with a significant majority of 446 positive remarks against only 11 negative ones.

The establishment truly shines in its Service (9.3) and Food (9.2), both earning excellent ratings and frequently mentioned by patrons. The Ambience (8.9) also receives an excellent score, contributing to the pleasant dining environment.

While Value (6.6) falls into the good range, it’s the lowest-scoring aspect, indicating it’s generally acceptable but not a standout feature. Overall, the consistent high scores across key areas reflect a well-regarded and satisfying experience for most visitors.

What people like
  • Exceptional service
  • Delicious food options
  • Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
  • Tricky payment process
  • Limited restroom access
  • Value concerns

If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely attentive service and well-prepared dishes in a comfortable setting, Harvey’s is certainly worth considering. The strong emphasis on customer care and quality cuisine makes it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.

With a robust Recommendation Score of 9.2, Harvey’s comes highly recommended for those prioritizing excellent food and service. While a few minor operational aspects and value perceptions could see improvement, they don’t detract significantly from what is largely a very positive and enjoyable experience.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Harvey's

Food (9.2 out of 10)

mentioned by 92% of the guests

Get ready for a culinary adventure because the food here is truly something special! With an excellent score of 9.2 and an outstanding customer satisfaction of 97.5%, its clear guests are raving. Out of 238 comments, a whopping 232 were positive, highlighting everything from the delicious food and Smashburger to inventive craft cocktails and incredible flavor.

While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, there were a couple of minor hiccups among the 2 negative comments. A few folks mentioned the mac & cheese being unavailable at times, and one found the pudding bread dessert' a bit too sweet. But these are small notes in an otherwise stellar performance.

9.2 Food

238

Reviews

97%

Satisfaction

2

negative

4

neutral

232

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Smashburger is delicious
  • Dishes full of flavor
  • Inventive craft cocktails
What people don't like
  • Dessert too sweet
  • Mac & cheese unavailable

Often praised

  • food
  • smash burger
  • drinks
  • breakfast sandwich
  • cocktails
  • food and drinks
  • fries
  • Mac and Cheese
  • breakfast burrito
  • carajillo

Frequently criticized

  • mac & cheese
  • pudding bread dessert

If youre looking for a place with consistently delicious and flavorful food, this spot is definitely worth trying. From their standout Smashburger to inventive drinks, youre in for a treat, though you might want to double-check mac & cheese availability.

Service (9.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 85% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.3 and a fantastic 96.5% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 142 opinions, a whopping 137 rave about the attentive and friendly service, welcoming staff, and warm hospitality, often highlighting their menu knowledge.

However, a handful of the 5 negative comments did touch on minor hiccups like the ordering/payment process. While isolated, there were also a couple of very strong, albeit vague, accusations of a dishonest establishment and corrupt bartenders' that stand out amidst the overwhelmingly positive feedback.

9.3 Service

142

Reviews

96%

Satisfaction

5

negative

0

neutral

137

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Attentive, friendly staff
  • Knowledgeable service
  • Warm hospitality
What people don't like
  • Tricky ordering process
  • Dishonest establishment

Often praised

  • service
  • staff
  • AJ
  • bartender
  • server
  • Elliott
  • chef
  • Ajay
  • Elliot
  • Mariana

Frequently criticized

  • establishment
  • bartenders
  • closed
  • ordering/payment process

If top-notch service is a priority for you, this place is definitely worth a visit. You can expect a friendly, attentive staff ready to make your experience enjoyable, despite a few rare and strong negative claims.

Ambience (8.9 out of 10)

mentioned by 58% of the guests

The ambience here is truly a standout, earning an excellent score of 8.9 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 97.3%. With 72 positive remarks, guests consistently praise the warm, welcoming vibe, cozy spot, and stylish atmosphere. Many also appreciate the space for events like trivia nights, fostering a great sense of community.

While overwhelmingly positive, a couple of observations were noted among the 74 total comments. The main points for improvement include one bathroom often leading to a wait, and a suggestion for clearer signage to help new customers find this hidden gem more easily.

8.9 Ambience

74

Reviews

97%

Satisfaction

2

negative

0

neutral

72

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Warm, welcoming vibe
  • Great for events
  • Clean, stylish design
What people don't like
  • Limited bathroom access
  • Poor exterior signage

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • ambiance
  • place
  • Atmosphere
  • cleanliness
  • restaurant
  • spot
  • vibe
  • FUN vibes
  • aesthetic

Frequently criticized

  • one bathroom
  • signage

If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, a strong sense of community, and a cozy, clean environment, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a potential wait for the single restroom, and keep an eye out for the entrance as the exterior signage could be better.

Value (6.6 out of 10)

mentioned by 7% of the guests

When it comes to value, many folks are pretty happy, with 5 positive remarks out of 8 total. Guests frequently rave about the great prices and how prices are super reasonable for both food and drinks. They especially love that portion sizes to prices are incredibly cheap for what you get.

The overall score for value sits at a decent 6.6, and customer satisfaction is a 62.5%, indicating a mixed but generally positive reception. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, with 2 negative comments surfacing. Some concerns revolve around the bill and how the business might be taking advantage of other patrons.

' While these are isolated incidents, they do suggest some potential issues with billing practices that could affect the overall perception of value for some.

6.6 Value

8

Reviews

62%

Satisfaction

2

negative

1

neutral

5

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Reasonable prices
  • Generous portions
What people don't like
  • Billing disputes
  • Unfair patron practices

Often praised

  • prices
  • great prices
  • portion sizes to prices

Frequently criticized

  • bill
  • patron

If youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this spot generally delivers with reasonable prices and generous portions. Just keep an eye on your bill and ensure everything is clear, as there have been a couple of isolated concerns regarding billing practices. Overall, its worth checking out for its value, but a little vigilance might be wise.

How are the prices at Harvey's?

You’re looking at roughly 26 per person – reported by 63 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

While the average sits at 26, it’s interesting to see that a good chunk of diners (23 of them!) actually spend a bit less, in the $11–$20 range. However, the largest group, 26 customers, falls right into the $21–$30 sweet spot. There are also a few folks who splurge, but the heart of the pricing is definitely in that mid-range.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 63 reviews.

A comparison of value for money for this restaurant against similar spots in San Diego.

Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a restaurant in San Diego. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank, and there’s flexibility for those looking to spend a little less or a little more.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Harvey's

Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Meal Type
  • Breakfast
Jennifer Castillo
Review date: 05/03/2025
9
Loved the food, sad it's closed!
I absolutely loved the food here! The breakfast sandwich, breakfast burrito, catfish plate, catfish poboy, and smashed burger were all fantastic. It's sad that I went there today and it is closed.
  • breakfast sandwich10
  • breakfast burrito10
  • catfish plate10
  • closed2
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Audrey Mattoon
Review date: 04/22/2025
10
Delicious Food, Great Service & Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was very nice. I was particularly impressed with the service; our waiter was very nice and well versed in the menu.
  • food10
  • atmosphere10
  • service10
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Curt Lewis
Review date: 04/18/2025
9
Excellent Po'boy and Hush Puppies!
My experience at the restaurant was great! The chef and staff were amazing. I had the catfish Po’boy with truffle fries and hush puppies. The hush puppies were the best I’ve had in forever, and the catfish was very good. I highly recommend this place.
  • catfish Po’boy8
  • hush puppies10
  • chef and staff9
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Meeka Smith
Review date: 04/13/2025
9
Delightful Dining Experience at Harvey
My experience at Harvey was an absolute delight from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a stylish, welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the evening. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between upscale and cozy, making it ideal for both intimate dinners or a chill place to enjoy yourself.
  • warm hospitality10
  • stylish, welcoming atmosphere10
  • ambiance9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Chris E.
Review date: 04/01/2025
9
Amazing Smash Burger and Attentive Service!
I visited the area and decided to stop by before heading to my hotel for the night, and I'm so glad I did. The Smash burger was amazing, and the fries were excellent too! My server was pleasant and attentive. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area again! (ps, I made the mess with the soda haha, the table was clean when I sat down!)
  • Smash burger10
  • fries9
  • server9

What Harvey's offers

Amenities

  • Bar onsite

Offerings

  • Happy hour drinks
  • Cocktails
  • Alcohol

Dining options

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert

Service Options

  • No-contact delivery
  • Takeout
  • Delivery
  • Dine-in

Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside
  • Dogs allowed

Parking

  • Free street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Usually plenty of parking

FAQs

What service options are available at Harvey's?
At Harvey’s, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, or takeout if you prefer to dine elsewhere. For those who wish to experience the ambiance, dine-in service is also available for you.
Harvey’s offers a selection of refreshing beverages, including happy hour drinks, cocktails, and a variety of alcohol options to complement your meal. You’ll also find a convenient bar onsite, making it easy for you to enjoy your favorite drinks.
Harvey’s boasts an excellent overall Restaurant Score of 9.1 and a Customer Satisfaction rate of 96.5%. Its strongest areas are Service (9.3), Food (9.2), and Ambience (8.9), all rated as excellent. Value (6.6) is considered good.
Customers frequently praise the exceptional service, often highlighting specific staff members like AJ, Elliott, and Mariana. The food, especially the smash burger, breakfast sandwich, and cocktails, receives high marks for being delicious and flavorful. The inviting atmosphere is also a consistent positive.
Some customers have noted a tricky ordering/payment process. There are also occasional concerns regarding value, including bill disputes, and the limited availability of restrooms, with only one bathroom often leading to queues.
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Location
8685 Rio San Diego Dr Ste A, 92018 San Diego
Opening hours