Enjoy an incredible view of the African Plains at the Safari Park’s newest gathering spot: the Watering Hole restaurant and bar. Watch rhinos and giraffes as you dine on menu items including tasty sandwiches and fresh salads, or relax with a refreshing beverage from the full-service bar with a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and mixed drinks
Based on 155 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.4 stars. Price
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No delivery
Address:
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
Menu
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Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Reviews
Angelina Outlaw
Make reservations well is advance if you can. The place books up before the zoo even opens that day. If you can’t get reservations ahead of time I’d recommend putting your name in and then walking around the zoo. They can call or text when the table is ready. If you are hungry this is the place to eat. They have a full menu that is more expensive than other options in the zoo. Plus it is hard to beat the gorgeous view. The servers are awesome here and go above and beyond to make the experience great. They rinsed out a souvenir cup so I could take it home already clean. The Serengeti sunrise was delicious!
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Elle Eg.
Located in the Overlook area. Who doesn’t want to have lunch and watch a baby rhino run around?
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Vikram S
Great place to take a break and dine. Gorgeous views and good food. Not too many vegetarian options but pretty good ones. Definitely try their Margarita flight (3 specialty margaritas with 1 house margarita). Remember to reserve the table in advance or else you may have to wait. Preferable to reach by 11(exactly when restaurant opens) if walking in. Sharing current week’s menu in the pictures.
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Daniel S
This is the best spot to eat and drink in the Safari Park due to it’s views. The restaurant overlooks the plains with the African Plains exhibit with the rhinos and cape buffalo. The restaurant is table service and they have a good selection of menu options for food and drink. We ordered the wedge salad and the giant rhino pretzel. The salad was great and I liked the addition of roasted tomatoes instead of raw. The pretzel was huge(sorry no picture) and included delicious beer cheese and a spicy mustard. They had a 4 beers in tap to chose from including a couple of local craft beers. Their Charging Rhino cocktail was also delicious with a kiwi puree and citrus vodka. While dining they had a crown stork fly in for exhibit that added additional entertainment.
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Tricia Bounds
Favorite place to eat in the park! In a beautiful location overlooking the savanna where you can dine and leisurely look at the animals down below. Open air restaurant in the shade, but with wide open grass area in front for busy toddlers to run around after eating. Kids can see their favorite large animals from a high vantage point. Food is also quite good and they have a full bar in a giant baobab tree. Staff is friendly with kids and always willing to take our photo! Would be a great date (no kids) lunch spot as well. I would love to have a glass of wine overlooking the animal park.
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Kelly Heffern
This is one of my favourite places to eat at here at the safari park. I love that it is an open air restaurant with breathtaking views. I may never get to an African savanah, but I can pretend at the watering hole. And besides the food is such healthy fare, I never feel guilty.
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Jay Marie Knight
Fabulous staff, good margarita flight and great snacks like a to die for olive platter with cheese and toast, and hummus platter. Love the view and the vibe!
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Joelene Townzen
View of the white rhinos and giraffe was fantastic. Good food and service was the cherry on top.
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Eric Pearson
Great views, occasional animal interactions and pretty good food! If you want a good place to sit down, relax, enjoy some food and imagine you are on safari in Africa….without actually traveling to Africa, this is the place!
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Nader Naghavian
I am just very surprised that a restaurant with this amazing view and friendly staff has this really bad menu and most of the foods that we have is really bad quality. I mean why dont you bring a chief that can help with the menu and all the food. Such a great potential
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