Tahona Bar

Reviews

• Donte T.

  star star star star star 14 June 2026

  Sit at the bar at all cost. Our bar tenders were the best. Have a special request, they'll meet it. Have a question they'll answer it. Our bartender gave us a college professor level of education on Agave and Mezcou. Needless, to say, the service was quick and fun. The drinks are good and strong. The atmosphere is very lively and everything is nice and clean.
  
  Bonus, the playlist was AWESOME

• Erin K.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  Worthy for sure. While situated in San Diego's Old Town, it's not "that type" of Old Town spot.  Tahona is chef driven and local in its style. There's a lively, small bar area in the back, along with a casual and nicely outfitted dining area up front. Service is willing and attentive. We've been 2x. Our only major complaint is a heavy hand with salt. One dish was inedible...may have just been a "one off".
  
  The menu is well balanced, but lacks a veggie heavy salad. However, our vegetable needs were happily met with a BIG side order of broccoli. Nice. And while the menu isn't huge, we like the diversity.
  
  FOOD:
  We LOVE the shishito peppers.  The 2nd time we skipped the  crunchy Mex cheese on top (image below). The peppers are tender and just delicious.
  
  We love their salsas and sauces - especially the spicier one. A trio is given with chips. We dipped the shishitos in the sauces. So good.
  
  Empanadas.  If you like empanadas, they do them right. Beautifully presented and bold flavors (image below).
  
  Ceviche/Aguachile. We've tried the scallop and the shrimp. The portion is fairly small, but it's very well done and worth it. There's more sauce and accoutrements versus the fish. If you are not familiar, it is sort of a blend of what you typically think of as ceviche and a Crudo. Delicate and well thought out. (Image below.)
  
  As mentioned above, Chef happily served up a big bowl of "naked broccoli". No attitude. No complaints. Got it done.
  
  Ahi Tostada. Super small. 3 round chips with some ahi, garnish and sauce on top. We were split on this one.  Try it via the happy hour menu (lower cost risk).
  
  Tacos. We've tried 2 -- shrimp and the squash blossom. Both got BIG thumbs up.

• Charles C.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  The name "Tahona Bar" appeals to me. It sounds like the kind of place I want to visit; the kind of place I want to get to know; the kind of place I would like to say I have been there:  "Hey. Guess what? I was at the Tahona Bar last night!". That has a nice ring to it, no?
  
  I remember this low-slung building used to house the Pacifica Bar and Grill, a middling fish restaurant at which I would very occasionally dine years ago. It is located just enough out of the tourist mish-mash of Old Town to be palatable to locals.
  
  The perfectly square main dining room enchants my sense of symmetry and order. The service was friendly and informative. The menu was too taco-taco-taco intensive for my tastes, but I was able to find a "main course-y" type of dish among the menu offerings that pleased me on the evening of my visit.

• Saleen D.

  star star star star star_border 25 May 2026

  Awesome bar & eatery in Old Town!
  
  We had visited their speakeasy, Oculto 477, & wanted to try more of their drinks.  This bar is known for their Mezcal, but if you are not a fan of the smokiness taste of it like me, they do have plenty of other drinks without it.  The drinks are crafted so beautifully & taste even better, & are strong!
  
  They also serve a variety of Mexican dishes like empanadas, tacos, & more.

• Jocy C.

  star star star star star 24 May 2026

  Life is good with friends... especially foodie friends who know the good spots in town!!  Lucky me - we had a double date at Tahona!!  
  
  Tahona Bar is located in Old Town San Diego specializing in cocktails, Oaxacan inspired Mexican food, and mezcals.  The cocktails and food are more of a "modern twist" on Mexican food.
  
  For cocktails, I tried their Paloma de la Casa (Milagro Silver Tequila, grapefruit, Giffard Pamplemousse, raw agave, lime, soda).  My significant other ordered Old Town Margarita (Milagro Silver Tequila, house triple sec, lime).  My friends ordered their Penicilinia (El Silencio Mezcal, ginger, honey, Laphroaig, lemon).  All 3 cocktails were delicious!!
  
  As for food, I tried the following:
  
  LOS ANTOJITOS / THE SNACKS
  - Signature Guacamole - Chicharron, valentina, tomato, red onion
  and Chapulines
  - Sopesitos - Four sopes with two different fillings; smoked mushrooms and barbacoa each topped with chopped romaine and crema
  
  TACOS
  - MARKET FISH TACO - masa tempura, baja slaw, red radish, pico,
  meyer lemon crema
  - CAMARONES A LA DIABLA - shrimp, queso oaxaca, diabla sauce, red
  onions and cilantro
  - SQUASH BLOSSOM TACO - masa tempura of squash blossom, spiced
  lentils, huitlacoche and goat cheese crema
  
  DEL MAR / FROM SEA
  - PULPO CEVICHE - octopus, clamato and citrus juice, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, red onion, cilantro
  - CAMARÓN AGUACHILE - shrimp, chipotle and citrus sauce, avocado,
  cucumber, red onion, cilantro
  - SCALLOP AGUACHILE - scallops, lime juice, serrano, jicama,
  cucumber, avocado red onion, cilantro
  
  I think I smiled all the way through dinner between the cocktails, tacos, and the ceviche / aguachiles.  *SO DELICIOUS*  
  
  POSTRE / DESSERT
  - CAPIROTADA - Mexican Bread Pudding.  My first time having this, so I have nothing else to compare it to... but it was delicious!!  NOM NOM NOM!!
  
  LOVE THIS PLACE!!