Hello dear
Welcome to El Sueño
At El Sueño, we celebrate the vibrant flavors of Mexico in a setting that blends casual charm with trendy vibes. Nestled in San Diego’s Old Town, our Latinx-owned restaurant takes pride in offering mouthwatering dishes, such as our renowned lobster and shrimp tacos, amidst an inviting atmosphere. We cater to all, providing accessible facilities, outdoor seating, and a special speakeasy for adventurous diners. Our attentive staff, like the talented Lindsey, ensures a memorable experience with each visit. Whether you’re sharing a meal with friends or enjoying a cozy dinner, El Sueño delivers unforgettable culinary delights that stay true to authenticity.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
La Pinata
Vegan Tempeh Tacos
Caramel Fudge Cheesecake
Strawberry Cuatro Leches Cake
About
El Sueño
Welcome to El Sueño, a vibrant Mexican eatery that elegantly blends traditional flavors with modern flair. Nestled in the heart of San Diego at 2836 Juan St, this Latinx-owned establishment stands out not just for its delightful dishes but also for its warm and inviting atmosphere. With offerings that cater to everyone—from happy hour enthusiasts to families gathering for dinner—El Sueño truly hopes to make every visit special.
El Sueño is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring an ADA-compliant entrance and accessible seating options. Whether you're dining out on the covered patio or sitting comfortably inside, the inviting ambiance is perfect for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings with friends and family.
- Unique Dishes: Start your experience with the flavorful Guacamole, made with ripe avocados and zesty lime salt—a must-have here. The Fundido El Sueño, featuring a melty blend of lobster, shrimp, chorizo, and queso Oaxaca, is a showstopper that captures the essence of Mexican culinary artistry.
- Signature Cocktails: Pair your meal with expertly crafted cocktails. Guests rave about the michelada, recommended by their friendly bartender Lindsay, who is known for making delicious drink recommendations.
- Vibrant Atmosphere: The aesthetic at El Sueño resonates with both casual and trendy vibes, making it a great spot for all occasions. Among the feedback, patrons have enjoyed the unpretentious setting and the lovely service delivered by attentive staff.
What truly sets El Sueño apart is its commitment to sustainability. They provide reusable tableware, compostable containers, and even allow customers to bring their own containers. This conscious approach ensures that your culinary journey is not only delightful but also eco-friendly.
Crowds love to gather here for their extensive happy hour specials, with options for everyone—whether your palate leans towards a classic Cadillac margarita or adventurous variants like the Dirty Mechelada.
Customer reviews echo the sentiments of joy and satisfaction, with one guest sharing their enthusiasm over the rolled tacos and the overall welcoming vibe. Others appreciated the speed of service and the quality of both food and drinks, making it a perfect spot for a celebratory dinner or post-work relaxation.
Overall, El Sueño isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience for the senses. Whether you're catching up with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in exquisite Mexican cuisine, you’ll find yourself entranced by the sights and flavors of this delightful establishment.
Give El Sueño a visit—you won’t just be eating; you’ll be creating memories!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Got some rolled tacos and they were insanely good. Lindsay was very friendly at the bar and makes a killer michelada. Love coming here with all the friendly faces and casual vibes during the day. I would take more pictures of what I got but I ate/drank it too fast. I promise there's more than 1 taquito normally. Phone does not eat first. ”
“ Amazing ambience, food and drinks!! Our server was the best. In town for a few days, glad we found El Sueno!! ”
“ The drinks, the food, the vibe, the atmosphere, the service... 10/10... truly a great experience. My wife had the lobster tacos and I had the shrimp tacos and they were incredible. Complimentary chips and salsa was a nice treat to start the meal off and the staff was super friendly and the food and drinks were at the table before we could blink. A huge shout out to Lindsey for being an incredible waitress as well!!!! Thanks again for the great birthday meal! ”
“ Lindsay has the best drink recommendations!! Had so many different types of shots. Not to sour, not too sweet! ”
“ Great place for dinners with a group of friends or family. It's in a great area that's walkable around Old Town while you're waiting for your table or just want to spend the day and get a bite to eat. I've had a couple dinners here with a group of friends and the service has always been lovely. They also have a speakeasy, so I would recommend checking that out as well! ”
“ Toto, I have a feeling we're not at Cafe Coyote anymore! No offense to that venerable Old Town restaurant (aka place for tourists), but El Sueno - which is off the beaten path in Old Town on Juan Street - is too good to waste on tourists! It's got a modern vibe and music and super interesting cocktails. Cute little place not far from the Old Town Trolley Station, in the northeast corner of Old Town. We sat on the patio, which is really cute (though it could use a few more heaters). Mason was our server and was extremely nice. They don't have a gazillion veg options, but the ones they have are nice. We started with their comp chips and salsa. Very nice warm chips. The green salsa did nothing for me, but the rojo was exceptionally good. We finished it quickly & didn't ask for more or we would have filled up on chips. YUM. Appetizer: we split the Pan de Elote. Terrific. Yummy little corncake squares with chili-honey butter. Yum. We might have ordered a second order but we wanted to save room. Cocktail: I got very excited about the Oh. Behave., which is listed on the current cocktail menu and which I hadn't seen on line. Homemade horchata + coconut rum + spiced rum + Licor 43 (which I looked up on my phone and which sounded yummy). Only problem... they were out of it tonight! (I suppose they didn't make horchata?). So I got the passion Old Fashioned. Very solid drink if you like old fashioneds. Mostly it had the whiskey taste, with some subtle passion fruit and tiki (clove/cinnamon) bitters flavoring. I liked it very much but if someone wants something more tropical, there are other choices. Entrees: I got the huarache as my entree (though it's listed as an app) since Yelpers had not seemed to like the one vegan option, the tempeh tacos. It was pretty darn tasty, with the masa being really yummy, and the beans, lettuce and tomatoes working really well with it. I also ordered more vegetarian beans (they said the refried ones and not the black ones were the veg ones, which was unusual) and rice on the side. The rice was nothing special but the beans were tasty and helped fill me up a bit more. My sweetie got the carne asada street tacos and thought they were good. I don't think they have dessert - it wasn't listed on the menu and there wasn't a separate one brought. And it would be nice to have a few more choices of veg food, so I could be like: I can't wait to come back and try ___. But I really liked my cocktail and the two dishes I got. Mason was very nice. And the patio was nice, though it will be more comfy when it gets less cold. Enjoyed it & hope other San Diegans check it out so they stay in business. Thanks, Mason and the kitchen! ”
“ A little jewel in the old town San Diego area. The restaurant was absolutely beautiful, cozy, and welcoming. The employees were super nice, friendly, and helpful. The food was GREAAAAAT, and reasonably priced. A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, without breaking the bank account. I would go back there in a heartbeat, and highly recommend it to everyone, you will not be disappointed, guaranteed!! ”
