Dining

Albert’s Thanksgiving Dinner

November 26: Albert’s Restaurant is a great place to dine and relax during your autumn visits to the Zoo and to kick-off the holidays with a special Thanksgiving Dinner! This three-course gourmet meal will delight you and your family and friends, and you won’t have to do the cooking or the dishes!

$37.95 per person for adults, $12.95 for children under 12. 18% gratuity added to parties of 8 or more. Call 619-557-3964 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily and ask for Albert’s Restaurant Thanksgiving reservations. Secure your reservations with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Albert’s Thanksgiving Dinner Menu (pdf)

Treetops Thanksgiving Day Buffet

November 26, Noon–4 p.m., continuous seating: Our bountiful buffet at Treetops Banquet Room will offer Diestel free-range turkey, roasted prime rib, delightful side dishes, and sweet treats including seasonal pies.

$39.95 per person for adults, $14.95 for children under 12. 18% gratuity added to parties of 8 or more. Call 619-557-3964 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily and ask for Treetops Thanksgiving Buffet reservations. Your reservation can be secured with a Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express credit card.

Thanksgiving Buffet Menu (pdf)

Albert’s Mildly Wild New Year’s Eve Dinner

Thursday, December 31. Seating available 5–9 p.m.: Albert’s Executive Chef Chris Mirguet and Sous Chef Vernie Calsada have created a fabulous dinner to wrap up another fantastic year at the Zoo.

$65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 619-557-3964 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily and ask for New Year’s Eve Dinner reservations. Call now, as seating is limited. Maximum party size is 8 people. Your reservation can be secured with a Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express credit card.

Albert’s Mildly Wild New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu (pdf)

Dining facilities at the Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is committed to providing our guests with top-quality food and attentive service. Our menus offer a variety of choices, from fun snacks and healthy offerings to all-American favorites and tasty treats from around the world as well as Kid’s Meals, a value-added package for children filled with popular foods served in a Souvenir Beach Bucket with a 16-ounce sipper to enjoy long after their visit to the Zoo. And we’ve “gone green”! The San Diego Zoo uses compostable and biodegradable tableware and cutlery in selected locations. These products are made from sugar cane fiber, natural plant and potato starches, paper and corn resins. Please ask us about them!

Along with numerous carts and stands throughout the Zoo, guests may dine at the following featured facilities:

Sabertooth Grill at Elephant Odyssey: With its fresh California Cuisine and cutting-edge service concept, the Sabertooth Grill at Elephant Odyssey is leading Zoo dining into a new era. Featuring fresh ingredients from local farms, its menu offers not only delicious food but also an environmentally sensitive way to support our community. The resulting dishes—ranging from a Cali Chop Salad, wraps, and Sourdough Burgers to a Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich, Chicken Rice Plate, and gourmet desserts—make for a meal as noteworthy as the breathtaking exhibit the restaurant sits next to.

Albert’s: Located in the Treehouse complex next to the gorilla exhibit, Albert’s offers full-service dining where you can enjoy open-air deck seating overlooking a private waterfall. The menu features a variety of unique dishes: appetizers, gourmet salads, healthful pastas, fresh fish, delicious beef entrees, and a children’s menu. Our full-service bar offers an extensive selection of craft beers, fine wines, and exotic cocktails. Albert’s is open for lunch and summer evening dining. Listed in USA Today’s 2004 “Places to dine amid outdoor beauty.”

Call 619-685-3200 for reservations.
Download coupon to save 10% on lunch at Albert’s, now through November 22, 2009.

Albert’s Fall Menu pdf…
Albert’s Fall Winelist pdf…
Albert’s Dessert Menu pdf…

Treehouse Café: Also in the Treehouse complex, the Treehouse Café, with its spectacular views from multilevel decks, offers BBQ Pork, Tri-tip Sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

Canyon Café: Located between Asian Passage and Panda Canyon, this restaurant offers Mexican specialties including Carne Aasada or Carnitas Bburritos, Fish Tacos, Lobster Quesadillas, and Fiesta Salads.  Also available are Southwest Hamburgers and Chicken Sandwiches, Bacon Cheeseburgers, and Garden Veggie Burgers.

Sydney’s Grill: Nestled between the koala and rhino exhibits, Sydney’s Grill offers a variety of hot entrées such as BBQ Rib Tips and Mandarin Orange Chicken as well as delicious sandwiches including a Black Bean Veggie Burger, Charbroiled Chicken, and Bacon Cheeseburgers. The menu also includes entrée-sized salads, wraps, and fresh fruit as well as ice cream, specialty desserts, and beverages including juice, soft drinks, beer and wine. Come enjoy our shaded dining area while watching the rhinos.

Flamingo Café: Located just inside the Zoo’s entrance, the Flamingo Café provides air-conditioned indoor dining with a great view of the Flamingo Lagoon and main plaza. We serve all your breakfast favorites until 11 a.m. daily. For lunch, try our delicious deli-style sandwiches such as an Italian Torpedo, Traditional Club, Tuna, Roast Beef and Swiss, or a Tri-tip Steak served on a European roll. Also available are entrée–sized salads, rice bowls with chicken and vegetable toppings, and superb wraps.

Raintree Grill: Across from the Reptile House, Raintree Grill serves individual Pizzas, Fried Chicken, Chicken Taquitos, BBQ Pork Riblet Sandwichs, Burgers, and Broiled Chicken Sandwiches. Try the Beer-battered Fish and Chips.

Children’s Zoo Cupboard: Adjacent to the Children’s Zoo, the Cupboard serves Hebrew National All-beef Hot Dogs, Bburgers, and Chicken Tenders. Treat your youngsters to a Soft-serve Ice Cream or refreshing ICEE for dessert. Enjoy the adjacent Children’s Zoo Picnic Area.

Lagoon Terrace: Next to Flamingo Café, the Lagoon Terrace offers Fresh-baked Individual Pizzas, All-beef Hot Dogs, Chili-in-a-bread Boats, and Super Nachos. This outdoor dining patio overlooks a lovely garden and lagoon.

Safari Kitchen: The kitchen is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the view of our Lost Forest zone. The menu includes Hearty Hamburgers, Chicken Sandwiches, and Chicken Taquitos.