Dinner and a Show

Centuries ago, our European ancestors began a rich tradition. Decked in their best fineries—stockings and cravats, bustled dresses and powdered strands—they’d stroll the cobblestoned streets and enter the local theatre. To the sounds of Puccini and Shakespeare, Mozart and Wagner, they’d flutter their fans and smoke their cigars as the best shows of the time unfolded before them. And after the show, top hat and cane in hand, they’d again take to the streets, this time in search of the perfect dinner destination. Over glasses of red wine and feasts of flavorful dishes they’d reflect on the theatre they’d left and the show they’d seen, debating the predominance of opera or symphony.

Today, the streetlamps under which we stroll between shows are electric and the trees that sway overhead are palm, but the tradition carries on. All these years and generations later, on the other side of the globe, there’s still no better way to spend an evening than with dinner and a show. And San Diego offers a plethora of playhouses and proximate restaurants to make yours a night to remember. Across San Diego county, from La Jolla to the Gaslamp, we’ve tallied the best theatre and dining destinations to make a romantic evening out on the town a reality. 

Spreckels Theatre and Searsucker

Located in the heart of the Gaslamp, Spreckels has been an iconic theatre destination for over a century. Since 1912 San Diegans have been taking in shows at the beautiful Spreckels, first as a vaudeville house, then as a movie theater during the golden age of cinema and once again as a live performance venue in recent years. The beautifully restored theatre, which beckons to passersby with its glittering ‘30s era marquee, plays host to a variety of shows every year, from internationally-renowned artists to classic composers. City Ballet also calls the Spreckels home, and during their season you can watch dexterous dancers pirouette and plié across the timeless stage.

One of our favorite restaurants in the Gaslamp is located just a stone’s throw from Spreckels. Searsucker, with its corner location, bright windows, airy design, and open kitchen, combines the best of downtown’s dining options. Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey designed an incredible dinner menu featuring local fare that mixes classic and

contemporary, like the braised lamb neck with celery root puree and pickled onions or the duck pot pie. If you’re hungry after the show, Searsucker offers the best late-night dining in the Gaslamp. Baked brie with strawberry jam, duck fat fries warm cookies, and milk are just a few of the comfort foods on the late-night menu that are sure to be more delicious than a soggy burrito from down the street. 

Horton Grand Theatre and the Horton Grand Ida Bailey's Restaurant

With a history as grand and varied as the building itself, Horton Grand Theatre is one of San Diego’s oldest landmarks. The Horton Grand Hotel, comprised of San Diego’s two oldest hotels, stands adjacent to the theatre, and their histories are inherently intertwined. The hotel has hosted historical celebrities, from famed gunman Wyatt Earp to President Benjamin Harrison, but today you’ll find a more humble sort in the halls of the Horton. The theatre, an intimate off-Broadway-style stage that seats just 250 guests, will soon be home to two new companies: Intrepid Theatre Company and San Diego Musical Theatre. This exciting combination of anchor tenants will perform a variety of shows to draw in San Diegans from all walks of life. As you eagerly await these new residencies—which arrive October 1st—settle your craving for a fun night out by catching the Star Girls Burlesque on September 10th!

Something else to look forward to? Horton Grand’s upcoming dinner packages with fellow Horton Grand Hotel inhabitant Ida Bailey’s Restaurant. Ida Bailey’s is aptly named after one of the most infamous ladies to ever reside

in the once-salacious "Stingaree" neighborhood. Though she made her living as a madam, Bailey was also renowned as one of the best cooks in San Diego. Today you can still savor an incredible meal where her own Canary Cottage once stood. With a relaxing atmosphere, shimmering skylights and deliciously fresh California cuisine (with a touch of a "south of the border" influence), this is the perfect spot to hit refresh before a night of entertainment. 

La Jolla Playhouse and James' Place

Back in 1947, famous founders Gregory Peck, Mel Ferrer and Dorothy McGuire established La Jolla Playhouse as a result of their nostalgia for the old-time stage. Originally called "The Actors Company" with performances in the La Jolla High School auditorium, the popular productions drew crowds through the ‘60s. La Jolla Playhouse found life again in 1983 with the Mandell Weiss Theatre on the corner of the UCSD campus. The Playhouse has since grown to include two more theatres, including the Mandell Weiss Forum and the Potiker Theatre, which is part of the modern Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center. Many of the shows that pass across the La Jolla Playhouse’s stages go on to

Broadway and have garnered an incredible 35 Tony Awards. Upcoming shows like Tiger Style! and Miss You Like Hell have us excited for the promising season ahead.

Located on campus alongside the theatre is James’ Place—aptly named because that’s exactly what it is, the restaurant and brainchild of Sushi Master James Holder. After a lifetime of sushi-making and tenure at San Diego’s best high-end restaurants, Holder made James’ Place a reality. Here he combines his signature sushi with Prime and Angus cuts of beef, California wines and local craft beer. From Flat Iron Teppanyaki to Chilean Sea Bass Misoyaki, the melding of flavors and cultures at James’ Place is astounding. Part fine dining, part La Jolla-laid-back, James’ Place is the perfect, accessible accompaniment to a night at the LJP. 

North Coast Repertory Theatre and Pacifica Del Mar

Home to award-winning and world-class theatre productions, North Coast Repertory Theatre is a hidden gem in the picturesque landscape of Solana Beach. Unlike other theatre companies around town, North Coast Rep had humble beginnings, building itself slowly into the quintessential destination it is today over the past thirty years. North Coast Rep is also special because of their devotion to local talent. They pull their talent from a pool of native actors, directors and designers to cultivate truly San Diegan productions. You can catch seven mainstage shows annually that will leave you entertained, educated and wowed. The theatre also showcases the work of students studying at the Theatre School with four annual productions. With a summertime season, North Coast Rep is always a great way to beat the heat on date night.

If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant to start the evening off right, we’d suggest Pacifica Del Mar, which is just a scenic drive away. With sweeping ocean views and a menu stocked with mouthwatering mainstays, Pacifica Del Mar has long been one of our favorites. If you’re a James Bond-esque vodka drinker, we’d suggest starting at the Ocean Bar, where you’ll find over 100 of the world’s finest vodkas. Then move on to dinner, where seafood takes center stage. Dishes like macadamia-crusted mahi-mahi and porcini dusted sea scallops will satiate the seafood cravings brought on by those stunning ocean views. 

The Old Globe and The Prado

With its dozens of attractions and acres upon acres of manicured views, Balboa Park is like a neighborhood unto itself. Make a night of it by taking in a show at The Old Globe and savoring an elegant meal at The Prado. Since 1935, when the theatre was built to showcase Shakespeare’s plays during the California Pacific International Exposition, The Old Globe has been entertaining San Diegans almost daily. With its three stages, annual programming like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and summertime Shakespeare, the Globe is a theatre like no other. This season combines classics with modern productions, including Steve Martin’s newest play, Meteor Shower, which will run through September 11th. The Old Globe presents almost 600 shows every year, which means it’s almost always a great theatre destination.

Stroll the bricked pathways of the park before or after your show and you’ll be led to The Prado. Housed in the park’s picturesque center, The Prado offers a charming and historic environment alongside a thoroughly modern menu. Try the watermelon, kale & point reyes blue salad if you’re in the mood for something light, or the lobster bucatini if you’re craving something hearty. Lounge in the restaurant’s sweet and sparkling patio, and enjoy a cocktail or dessert to finish the night with piquant punctuation. No matter which of San Diego’s luxurious theatres you choose, there’s always a nearby restaurant just waiting for you to catch dinner and a show.