Queenstown Public House

1557 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
+1 619-546-0444
$$$ New Zealand restaurant
(2723 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to Queenstown Public House, a hidden gem nestled at 1557 Columbia St in the vibrant heart of San Diego, CA. This delightful restaurant captures the essence of New Zealand cuisine while embracing a warm, eclectic atmosphere that makes every visit feel like a special occasion.

Queenstown Public House is renowned for its creative and flavorful dishes, featuring locally-sourced ingredients that will tantalize your taste buds. Begin your culinary journey with the Beet Salad, an exquisite combination of red and yellow beets, peppery arugula, creamy blue cheese crumbles, and crunchy pumpkin seeds, all tossed in a refreshing basil and pickled onion dressing for $18. For something a little heartier, try their Ahi Nicoise — a dish that'll transport you to the Mediterranean with each savory bite.

Seafood aficionados will revel in the Big Bowl, featuring grilled shrimp perfectly paired with pineapple, melon, and avocado, drizzled in a citrusy orange mint dressing for just $24. Or take a dive into the warm comfort of their Guilty Pleasures — where dessert is an absolute must. Indulge in the Lemon Custard with Berries, a tart and creamy delight topped with whipped cream, or the decadent ELegal, a half-baked chocolate chip cookie served with velvety vanilla ice cream for $16.

The dining atmosphere is notably charming, with both indoor and outdoor seating options that enhance its inviting vibe. Imagine lounging on their patio, soaking in the lively surroundings and excellent people-watching — a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. As echoed in the reviews, patrons have described the ambience as “super cute,” with great service that makes every meal memorable. Diners like Cassandra Lingle commend the Monday “No Tariff” special, highlighting the delicious lamb skewers and sausage rolls that keep guests coming back for more.

With a dynamic menu that effortlessly blends innovative dishes and accessible prices, Queenstown Public House is perfect for casual dining, special celebrations, or a simple night out with friends. The friendly staff is always ready to ensure every guest feels welcomed, providing attentive service that matches the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere.

If you're in San Diego and searching for an unforgettable dining experience that leaves you satisfied and eager to return, make your way to Queenstown Public House. Here, each plate is not just a meal—it's a joyful culinary journey waiting to be indulged.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves organic dishes
Has private dining room
Has salad bar
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

2723 Reviews
Russell J.

30 Jul 2025

This restaurant was a lucky find. Super cute indoor and outdoor. Fun vibe. Full bar with craft cocktails. We ordered the Ahi tuna sandwich, the Meso chicken sandwich and the special steak and cheese sandwich. Everything was very good. Prices were on point for the size and quality of the dishes. Great people watching from the outdoor corner table. Staff was great.

Tommy On

25 Jul 2025

Got the wagyu meat pies. Meat filling was soft and mixed with cheese. Nice mellow flavor. The puff pastry was more soggy than flaky, which was a small downer considering the price. I suggest coming for the happy hour menu. Could've gotten the veggie pie with a drink and it still would've cost less than the meat pie. The thick fries were great and the sauce was a variant of BBQ that's more watery and tangy.

Michael M

23 Jul 2025

Four of us stopped in for lunch after the big rally and got a seat after a few minutes out on the patio. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and counter seating too. Everyone that worked there was friendly and took care of us. The food was fresh and tasty. Our server was great and she kept checking on us all the time. The prices were reasonable and we had a good time. I recommend this restaurant.

Gregory Harris

13 Jul 2025

Fun, unexpected restaurant in an old house between downtown and Little Italy. Service was great. Food was pretty good, portions were a bit small. The multiple small spaces feel cozy and fun. The outdoor dining space was great, except for the homeless people digging in the trash and stopping traffic right in front.

Cassandra Lingle

05 Jul 2025

Legit. The food was oh so good. And they had a Monday “No Tariff” special which was nice. The beet salad was great. The lamb skewers were tasty and the sausage rolls were so yummy. The dipping sauce for the rolls was really good. Our waiter, Rayan was accommodating and fun. Thank you for an all around great experience.

Rebekah Cathey

25 Jun 2025

What a neat atmosphere! We absolutely loved this place from a block away, just too cute and kitschy. We came for a date night and started by sharing the calamari that was delicious, special remarks on the accompaniment that really highlighted everything. I ordered the lamb skewers which were cooked perfectly but the best thing about that dish was the hummus chimichurri!

R DM

30 May 2025

Food is amazing, atmosphere very nice. Good service. We had happy hour dishes between fish and chips, lamb burger, beats salad, and New Zealand pie All very delicious highly recommended

Nathalie Lawrence

30 May 2025

Beautiful place with really good food. The meat pie was juicy and NOT DRY. The burger hogs and Jeffers was delicious.

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