Highlights
- Sports
- Rooftop seating
oChef » URBANA – San Diego
URBANA - San Diego
Photo from URBANA
URBANA at a glance
San Diego Del Mar Heights
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 56 of the guests
#513 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#64 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
424
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Vibrant ambiance
- Delicious tacos
- Value deals
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- High costs
- Food variability
The restaurant URBANA is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant located in the bustling city of San Diego, specifically in the lively Del Mar Heights neighborhood. You’ll find a standout feature here with its inviting rooftop seating, perfect for enjoying the Southern California ambiance.
This spot offers a casual yet trendy atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for a memorable dining experience.
Overview: Introducting URBANA
URBANA offers a vibrant setting, often praised for its distinctive decor and lively atmosphere, including appealing outdoor seating. Many guests commend the friendly staff for their attentive service, contributing to an enjoyable visit.
The culinary offerings, particularly certain tacos and ceviche, frequently receive positive remarks for their taste and quality. However, some diners have noted concerns regarding the overall value at URBANA, citing perceptions of high prices for specific menu items.
While service is generally positive, there are occasional reports of slow or inattentive moments. Food quality can also be inconsistent, with some dishes not quite hitting the mark.
Good
6.7
out of 10
424
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
129
negative
24
neutral
271
positive
URBANA garners an overall restaurant score of 6.7, placing it in the good category, though it leans towards average. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at 63.9%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This slight divergence suggests that while many find aspects to enjoy, a notable portion of guests have reservations. These insights are drawn from a substantial 424 customer observations.
Diving deeper, the Food (7.1) and Ambience (7.7) are clear strengths, with many positive remarks highlighting these areas. However, Service (6.3) falls into the average range, suggesting room for improvement in consistency.
The most significant area for concern is Value (4), which is perceived as average, bordering on poor, and contributes to the mixed satisfaction despite other strong points.
What people like
- Lively atmosphere & decor
- Tasty tacos & ceviche
- Happy hour deals
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- High prices, hidden fees
- Inconsistent food quality
URBANA holds a recommendation score of 6.8, suggesting it’s a place with notable strengths but also some areas for improvement. If you’re seeking a vibrant atmosphere and enjoy well-regarded tacos or ceviche, especially during happy hour, it could be a good fit for a casual outing.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service and pricing, as some dishes might not always meet expectations. It’s worth trying if the highlights align with your priorities, but manage expectations regarding overall value and consistent food quality.
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Verdict: Our expert take on URBANA
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the food! Overall, the culinary experience here lands a solid 7.1, which is quite good, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 69.6%. With 172 positive remarks out of 247 total, many rave about the freshly made tortillas, flavor-full dishes, and quality ingredients, often describing the food as yummy and excellent.
However, 60 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some found a lack of real flavor, noting dishes could be dry or greasy. Others mentioned skimpy portions' and a general disappointment with the food quality, suggesting it sometimes misses the mark.
Food
247
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
60
negative
15
neutral
172
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Freshly made tortillas
- Flavorful dishes
- Quality ingredients
What people don't like
- Lack of flavor
- Dry food
- Skimpy portions
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was phenomenal. I was thoroughly impressed with the great food, excellent service, and the overall experience. I will definitely be coming back and telling people about it, no doubt.
- drinksThere did not seem to be any delay with service. Food was very tasty, and my friend enjoyed her drinks. The food we tried were the carnitas tacos, fish tacos, and quesadilla.
- tacossome tacos and it was all very tasty
- Mexican foodgood spot in Sky Deck for Mexican food
- carnitas tacoscarnitas tacos, fish tacos, and quesadilla. All of these things were very delicious
- tortillasThe tortillas are handmade and very delicious
- Cauliflower tacosCauliflower tacos are an absolute must try
- Foodfood and staff. Had their awesome Golden Margarita and what a treat. Best ceviche and tacos
- carnitas tacoWe ordered the Red Snapper Ceviche appetizer, fish taco, carnitas taco, and filet mignon taco. The Red Snapper Ceviche, fish taco, and carnitas taco were the most liked, and the filet mignon taco was also really good. However, the bill for 5 people (3 adults, 1 teen, 1 tween) without drinks came to $162.
- eloteNachos and elote hit the spot
Frequently criticized
- foodThe restaurant definitely had its own flair to their food and presentations, but it lacked authentic tradition. The potions were decent, but the prices were too high, matching the area and ambience, but not the food itself.
- burritoThey showed no interest in ensuring my visit was good. If you want a photo-worthy meal, this might be the place, but if you want a burrito that actually tastes good, run somewhere else.
- tacostacos were sitting in a puddle of grease
- carne asadaUnfortunately, my optimism was dashed as this burrito was absolutely the worst burrito I have ever had. It mostly consisted of purple cabbage, with some potatoes and a few tiny morsels of carne asada. I rarely write bad reviews, but I felt compelled to warn the public about this atrocity.
- carne asada friescarne asada fries with barely any meat
- chips and guacthe chips and guac didn’t taste good
- margaritaI had a margarita out of their machine that didn't taste right
- AL Pastor NachosAL Pastor Nachos and didn't have flavor
- Al pastorburnt ends of crispy bad Al pastor
- Al pastor nachosabsolutely garbage. The pictures are outdated so don’t expect what you see there.
If youre seeking fresh, flavorful Mexican fare with great tortillas, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention inconsistent flavor or portion sizes, so manage your expectations.
Service (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots, with 54 positive remarks out of 94 total. Guests frequently praised the attentive staff, great service, and how professional and personable many team members were. While the overall customer satisfaction is a 57.4% mixed bag, the score of 6.3 suggests an average, yet often pleasant, experience.
However, its not always smooth sailing, as evidenced by 36 negative comments. Some diners encountered long wait times, order mistake issues, or felt the service was rude and showed poor customer service. This mixed feedback indicates theres definitely room for improvement in consistency, despite the positive interactions.
Service
94
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
36
negative
4
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Professional service
- Personable servers
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order mistakes
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was phenomenal. I was thoroughly impressed with the great food, excellent service, and the overall experience. I will definitely be coming back and telling people about it, no doubt.
- staffthe staff were friendly
- managerthe manager kept it for us after hours so we could come back and retrieve it
- serverI had the Baja tacos and Elote, and the food was truly impressive. The service was also really good; the server was very friendly and funny 😊. I highly recommend this place!
- waiterThe waiter was nice, friendly and knowledgeable
- FrancesFrances took great care of us.
- MariaOur server Maria was friendly and attentive
- MichaelMichael was a phenomenal bar tender
- ServiceService:5
- Stafffood and staff
Frequently criticized
- serviceWhile a dessert vendor in the Sky Deck provided a cake and macarons accommodating allergies, Urbana charged a $2 per person cutting fee, which we found odd and tacky since we cut the cake ourselves and not everyone had it. The bill included the tip, which we would have increased, but the service felt stingy. It might not be the best place for a big group, despite the good ambience and drinks.
- serverour server.. Francis? Was dry and rude
- waiterWe waited awhile at the host stand for someone to appear and seat us. Once at the table, we then waited about 15 minutes before a waiter came up to say hello and take our order. It's possible they were understaffed.
- Experience overallExperience overall is horrible
- New Year's Eve plansTotally ruined New Year's Eve plans
- accused me of lyingboth accused me of lying
- bartenders/waitersIt seems like they're trying to be "fancy" or reinvent the wheel, but when multiple pieces of meat in a $20 burrito are inedible due to being hard or just plain fat, it's clear they need to focus on the basics before expanding. Additionally, despite being one of only two people at the outside bar, the bartenders/waiters seemed more interested in talking to their buddies and doing other non-customer-related tasks. They showed no interest in ensuring my visit was good.
- casual about itThey were very casual about it
- checkthey even got the check wrong
- confirmed reservationcan not be trusted to honor a confirmed reservation
If youre looking for a place with potentially great service from attentive staff, its worth a shot. However, be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or occasional hiccups, as the experience can be a bit inconsistent.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and a customer satisfaction of 80.9%, its clear most folks enjoy the atmosphere. Many of the 38 positive remarks praise the vibe, vibrant decor, swanky atmosphere, and outdoor seating, making it a great place to hang out.
However, not everyone is completely thrilled. Out of 47 total comments, 6 point out areas for improvement. Some found it not very kid friendly, while others noted minor issues like chipped plates or wall touch-up paint, and a few mentioned the music too loud.
'
Ambience
47
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Vibrant decor
- Swanky atmosphere
- Great outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Not kid friendly
- Loud music
- Minor upkeep issues
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was quite positive. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was lively with lots of people. I enjoyed the fish tacos, although I found them a little bland for my personal taste.
- locationGreat atmosphere and location, very modern and hip decor, yet still very warm and cozy.
- AtmosphereExcellent Atmosphere
- decorThe decor, especially the large calavaras mural, was great
- outdoor seatingthey have outdoor seating
- vibethis place a whole vibe
- bar swingsthe bar swings were fun too!
- decor and ambiencebest part is the decor and ambience
- dog-friendly patioWe had high hopes for this restaurant due to its location, dog-friendly patio, and swanky atmosphere. Unfortunately, our experience was a disaster.
- great placeGreat place
Frequently criticized
- restaurantalmost never see anyone inside this restaurant
- chipped platessome plates are chipped
- kid friendlynot very kid friendly
- musicThe music was too loud
- wall touch-up paintsome areas of the wall need touch-up paint
If youre looking for a place with a cool vibe, vibrant decor, and good outdoor seating, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware it might not be the best fit if youre bringing young kids or are sensitive to loud music.
Value (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, theres a glimmer of hope with a score of 4, placing it in the average range. Many guests appreciate the various happy hour options, including the popular daily happy hour, happy hour on weekends, and even a late night happy hour. The Taco Tuesday deals also get a shout-out for making the prices more appealing, as noted in 7 positive observations out of 36 total.
However, the overall customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather poor 19.4%, largely due to concerns about prices and additional charges. Many found items over priced, mentioning service fee and service charge as unwelcome additions to the bill. The Ala Carte menu also contributed to the feeling that it wasnt good value for money, with 27 negative comments highlighting these issues.
Value
36
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
27
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour deals
- Enjoy Taco Tuesday
What people don't like
- High menu prices
- Unexpected service fees
- Poor overall value
Often praised
- Taco TuesdayTaco Tuesday deals
- Tacos on TuesdayMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, largely due to its great atmosphere, which includes a lovely outdoor space. I visited on a Tuesday and was delighted to find they offer $5 Tacos on Tuesday. I tried both the carnitas and fish tacos, and the carnitas taco was particularly really good.
- daily happy hourThey have daily happy hour
- happy hourbest happy hour
- happy hour on weekendshappy hour on weekends 2-4pm
- late night happy hourlate night happy hour (8pm to close)
- pricesthe prices
Frequently criticized
- pricesthe prices are a little higher than they should be
- priceNone of the appetizers looked appealing to my group, and the Fresca Agua drink was sour and unpleasant. The tacos were decent, but you can walk across the street to one Paseo and get something much better for a third of the price.
- billEven though the place was only 50% full because they had just opened, it seemed like the main goal was to get us out as soon as possible. Right after we finished eating, they put the bill on our table. When we arrived, they asked for our order, and when we requested a little more time, they were back within a couple of minutes.
- $10 service feepaid a $10 service fee for them to bring my order to the table
- $15 Caesar salad15$ Ceasar salad, dressing on the side. Wasn't bad. I just expected more
- $20embarrassed that I spent this much on this
- Ala Carte menuShockingly expensive Ala Carte menu
- chips and guacIT WAS 18 DOLLARS!!!!
- compensationZero compensation for the experience!
- cutting feeUrbana charged a $2 per person cutting fee
If youre hunting for a bargain, this spot might disappoint outside of specific promotions. While happy hour and Taco Tuesday offer some relief, be prepared for potentially high prices and extra service fees on the regular menu. Its worth trying if you stick to the deals, but otherwise, your wallet might feel the pinch.
How are the prices at URBANA?
You’re looking at roughly 33 per person – reported by 56 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the full picture, while 33 is the average, many guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $21–$30 range. But don’t be surprised to see some folks splurging on higher-end options too, with a few prices even hitting above 80 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 56 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Mexican spot. It offers good value, whether you’re looking for a casual meal or something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about URBANA
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Tacos and Attentive Service
Our group of four was seated quickly and found a great drink menu and plenty of dinner choices. Two of us tried cocktail recommendations that proved bang on. The staff was very attentive, as was who we suspected may have been the owner.
The Mole was deep, dark, and had a kick. The Cauliflower tacos are an absolute must-try – all other tacos were delicious and well-balanced. Even the rice and beans were good.
We didn't get to try plenty of things, but we will be back to do so soon.
- drink menu8
- dinner choices8
- cocktail recommendations9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Delicious Food and Quick, Kind Service!
My experience at this restaurant was super delicious! The food was excellent, and the service was incredibly kind and quick. I also enjoyed their delicious nonalcoholic drinks, made with house-made syrups, as well as their alcoholic options.
- food10
- service10
- nonalcoholic drinks9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Delicious Upscale Mexican with Great Service
I’ve been to this place a few times and it’s consistently delicious! It's a more upscale Mexican spot, and the prices reflect that, but the food has quality ingredients and the service is good! My experience was positive, with no wait time for our dinner for two.
- food9
- service9
- prices6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Amazing Birria Tacos at Jimbos!
As an employee at Jimbos, I can confirm it's a perfect spot for both takeout and dining in. The birria tacos are amazing – fresh and yummy 😋. My favorite so far!
- birria tacos10
- spot9
- fresh9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Ridiculous Portions for the Price
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the flavors were okay, the portions of meat for the pricing were ridiculous. I ordered carne asada fries for $25 and received barely any meat and no guacamole.
The $18 shrimp ceviche was tiny with only a few pieces of shrimp. Our total bill was $56 with the service charge, which felt wild. I was not impressed and will not be back when nearby, as you can get much better quality and portions elsewhere.
- quality and portions8
- portions of meat2
- carne asada fries2
- shrimp ceviche3
What URBANA offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Does URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology provide outdoor seating and a rooftop experience?
Yes, at URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology, you can absolutely enjoy outdoor seating, including a fantastic rooftop area. This San Diego gem in Del Mar Heights offers a wonderful setting to dine under the sky, perfect for a casual and trendy outing.
Are there options for families and diverse dietary needs at URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology?
Absolutely! URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs. You’ll also find healthy options, vegetarian choices, and small plates, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone in your party.
What is the overall customer sentiment for URBANA?
URBANA has an overall restaurant score of **6.7** and a customer satisfaction of **63.9%**, indicating a mixed but generally positive reception. Its **Food** (7.1) and **Ambience** (7.7) are well-regarded, while **Service** (6.3) is average, and **Value** (4) is a notable concern.
Does URBANA offer good deals or happy hour options?
Yes, URBANA is noted for its **Taco Tuesday** deals and offers a daily **happy hour**, including options on weekends and late at night, which many customers appreciate for better value.
What are some common food items mentioned at URBANA?
Popular food items include various **tacos**, especially carnitas and fish, as well as ceviche and elote. However, some diners have found specific dishes like burritos or al pastor nachos to be inconsistent in quality.