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Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego - Lobby Lounge  at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, CA

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.4 (58)
$30 and under
Californian
5300 Grand Del Mar Ct, San Diego, CA 92130-4901

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A photo of Lobby Lounge  at Fairmont Grand Del Mar restaurant

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.4
$30 and under
Californian
Carmel Valley

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today

About this restaurant

  • Fancy
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
The Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar has been magnificently reimagined to combine the lavish splendor of Italian palazzos with the natural grandeur of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Indulge in afternoon tea as the San Diego sun casts its golden light through large arched windows, or linger into the evening over inspired tapas, cocktails, and elevated programming under the warm glow of Venetian glass chandeliers.

Take in the beauty of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve —or while sipping a craft cocktail in the bar. In a specially commissioned mural that spans all four walls, artist Jim Wodark pays homage to the canyon’s most iconic elements: its ancient rocks, cascading waterfall, and distant mountains.

Live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm - 12:00 am.

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Afternoon Tea Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Bar Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Bryn McArthur
  • Private party facilities
    Please email all inquiries to Dezirae.Chung@Fairmont.com.
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All Experiences

  • Nightmare Before Christmas Tea

    US$79.56 - US$153.00 per person

    Prepaid

    1 - 10 people

    7 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2026
    Where holiday wonder meets delightfully unexpected charm. Step into a world where festive enchantment meets whimsical wonder at The Nightmare Before Christmas Afternoon Tea. Inspired by the beloved tale of two extraordinary holidays, this immersive experience transforms afternoon tea into a celebration of imagination, blending the magic of the season with playful storytelling and refined elegance. Thoughtfully themed with dramatic seasonal details and enchanting touches set the stage for an immersive afternoon that delights guests of all ages. Chef-crafted savory selections and artfully composed pastries reflect the spirit of the story, while premium loose-leaf teas offer expressive flavor profiles designed to complement each course. Throughout the experience, beloved characters bring the tale to life, while inspired melodies create a nostalgic and captivating atmosphere. Every detail is carefully curated to balance storytelling, culinary artistry, and the timeless ritual of afternoon tea. Equal parts whimsical and refined, Nightmare Before Christmas Afternoon Tea invites guests to celebrate the beauty of two cherished seasons in one unforgettable experience.
    Nightmare Before Christmas Tea photo
  • Holiday Afternoon Tea

    US$79.56 - US$153.00 per person

    Prepaid

    1 - 10 people

    28 Nov 2026 - 27 Dec 2026
    Experience the joy of the holiday season with our Holiday Afternoon Tea, brimming with festive cheers. Indulge in a delectable menu that includes your cherished holiday scones, sandwiches, and sweet treats. There's no finer setting to savor the essence of the season, from the delightful sights to the delectable flavors. For every guest, portions of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish, helping grant life-changing wishes for children in need.
    Holiday Afternoon Tea photo
  • New Year's Eve

    US$116.28 per person

    Prepaid

    1 - 10 people

    31 Dec 2026 only
    Enjoy the harmonious melodies of live music, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere as you savor each moment.   Countdown in Elegance: As the clock approaches midnight, gather with fellow guests to count down to the new year, surrounded by the warm glow of the Lobby Lounge.
    New Year's Eve photo

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Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar.

4.4

4.4
(58)
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

58 Reviews
  1. Barbara

    San Diego11 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 4 October 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Parking is now $12.50 if you do the afternoon tea. Halloween Afternoon Tea was ok but would not do it again.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 26 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our afternoon tea experience at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar was absolutely exceptional from beginning to end. Everything about the afternoon felt special, elegant, and beautifully done. The food was AMAZING — every bite was delicious, beautifully presented, and clearly prepared with so much care. The ambiance was equally incredible. The setting is gorgeous, refined, and luxurious while still feeling warm and inviting. It truly made the entire experience feel like such a treat. What really took the experience to another level, though, was the service. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the loveliest young woman at the entrance with the most gorgeous, welcoming smile. She immediately set the tone for what turned out to be a perfect afternoon. And then there was Andrea — WOW. She is an absolutely impeccable server. Gracious, attentive, warm, professional, and somehow always there exactly when we needed her without ever being intrusive. She made us feel so genuinely cared for and added so much to our experience. Service like Andrea’s is what turns a beautiful afternoon into a truly memorable one. Even our departure was wonderful! The valet team could not have been friendlier. Every person we encountered was warm, welcoming, efficient, and genuinely great at what they do. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar absolutely knocked it out of the park. From the incredible food and stunning atmosphere to the outstanding people who took care of us, every detail was perfection. This was far more than afternoon tea — it was an experience, and one we will absolutely be looking forward to enjoying again. Five stars simply aren’t enough!

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  3. Jade Gold

    San Diego23 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 28 June 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My daughter is 5 and the day we had tea at the Fairmont was one of the best days. High tea was beautiful, the selections were grand and Mary Poppins and the piano man were on top of their game! A truly magical experience.

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  4. Jenna

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 14 June 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Mary Poppins experience was amazing for my seven year-old daughter. She absolutely loved it. The tea, dessert and scones were delicious. The tea sandwiches were very disappointing.

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  5. Austen

    Hawaii1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 13 June 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful setting. Mediocre food and Service quality.

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  6. Gail

    Montana1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 3 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    A special place to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. The dessert tray was amazing and the piano in the lobby was perfect to add to the ambience!

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  7. Karla

    San Diego2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 28 March 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The setting is exquisitely beautiful, offering a truly charming atmosphere, though the food unfortunately did not live up to it. Despite being called a “high tea,” it was in fact an afternoon tea, and the distinction mattered. The savory tier lacked freshness, the bread was overly chewy, and the petit fours were stale. The order of the tiers was also incorrect, and the teapot was so generously filled with chamomile flowers that it overflowed into my friend’s cup. While the ambiance was delightful, I cannot recommend it for the food experience.

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  8. Lili Gold

    Greater Boston3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 15 February 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    They were not prepared for valentine’s dinner. Hubby never got his and it took over 2 hours for mine.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles1 review

    1.0

    Dined on 15 February 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Valentine s Day was a disaster. The kitchen operation was in shambles we waited 2.45 hours for food and just left. The poor serving staff were bereft. No explainatin was given for the breakdown. I will never go there again. Music was nice.

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  10. Melanie Gold

    San Diego16 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 14 February 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is an expensive venue but worth it if you are looking for a special location for a visit with someone you want to impress. The ambiance has a positive energy with a live pianist and attentive service. A treat for yourself and someone special.

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Afternoon Tea Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Bar Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Bryn McArthur
  • Private party facilities
    Please email all inquiries to Dezirae.Chung@Fairmont.com.
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FAQs

Weekends are the highlight, Saturday and Sunday are set aside for Afternoon Tea (Sat–Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm), and Friday–Saturday evenings feature live entertainment (8:00 pm–12:00 am); guests specifically praise the Saturday Afternoon Tea experience.

For Afternoon Tea the servings come as a full tower of treats, guests have described the tea tower as excellent and said they 'walked out... stuffed and happy.'

The Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar feels like a reimagined Italian palazzo, arched windows, a canyon‑inspired mural and Venetian glass chandeliers, with live piano most visits and weekend live entertainment (Fridays–Saturdays, 8–12).

Resort casual is the guide, light, comfortable attire is appropriate, and many guests do tend to dress up a touch for special occasions like holiday tea or anniversaries.

For a classic visit, head to the Lobby Lounge for Afternoon Tea on weekends (Saturday or Sunday, 12:00–3:30 pm); for a livelier evening, enjoy the bar during the Friday–Saturday live entertainment (8:00–12:00 am).

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Afternoon Tea: Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm. Bar: Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm; Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am.

The Lobby Lounge tends to be busiest for holiday and themed afternoon‑tea events, while the library seating is noted as a quieter spot for conversation and a more peaceful experience.

Yes, the Lobby Lounge is a lovely choice for a special evening: guests point to the live pianist, fireplaces, and elegant ambiance as ideal for impressing someone or celebrating an anniversary, and the venue highlights evening programming under Venetian glass chandeliers.

The Lobby Lounge features the main lobby bar/lounge with a grand piano and fireplaces, plus a separate library seating area that guests can request for a quieter experience.

Yes, the Lobby Lounge’s Afternoon Tea is frequently enjoyed by families, with guests describing magical Mary Poppins events and memorable birthday visits for young children.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. North San Diego
  5. Carmel Valley

Make a booking

A photo of Lobby Lounge  at Fairmont Grand Del Mar restaurant

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.4
$30 and under
Californian
Carmel Valley

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today
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