San Diego’s Best Restaurants for Great Appetizer-Beer Combos

Appetizers keep our hunger at bay while we await our meals and they prepare our palates for what’s coming next.  But sometimes, appetizers are tasty enough to make us consider skipping the main course. Their bite-sized nature makes it difficult to have just one and their shareable qualities make them easy to consume with friends.

When a bar or restaurant has an extensive appetizer menu and a killer beer list, it’s easy to gravitate towards skipping the meal and ordering multiple smaller bites instead. Beer and appetizers pair well, and both are better when devoured in good company. These bars offer a friendly atmosphere, excellent craft beer, and impressive appetizers:

High Dive

This tiki themed bar in Bay Park has 21 craft beers on tap, and plenty to choose from in the way of appetizers and shareables. Their menu boasts unique items such as chorizo balls (chorizo and potato fried in crispy panko bread crumbs with roasted jalepeño aioli and green onions) and gorgonzola fries (topped with smoked bacon).  If you want to give the appetizer menu a try, visit on a Thursday when High Dive offers $2 off all apps from 5-10pm.

Address: 1801 Morena Blvd. San Diego, CA 92110

The Regal Beagle

The Regal Beagle is a friendly neighborhood bar in Mission Hills that serves quality craft beer and top-grade food. When you walk through the door, you are always given a warm welcome and the service is second to none. With 24 craft beers on tap, the Beagle has something for everyone. The “snackatizer” menu offers sausage, mini corn dogs, and wings, to name a few. We suggest stopping by on a Monday when mini corn dogs are a quarter a piece, or on Thursday when wings are 2 for $1.

Address: 3659 India St. Suite 101 San Diego, CA 92103

Common Theory Public House

Two words: brussels sprouts. These veggies have made a comeback and are no longer the food that we dreaded to eat when we were younger. At Common Theory, the brussels sprouts are fried, covered with a balsamic glaze and topped with bacon and cheese. Can I have more veggies, please?  Another favorite from the appetizer menu is the mussels.  The mussels are served on your choice of fries or a baguette and with your choice of sauce (we recommend the hellfire, if you think you can handle it).  Aside from the apps, their rotating list of 31 craft beers is always packed with tasty brews that everyone will enjoy.

Address: 4805 Convoy St. San Diego, CA 92111

Next time you’re in the mood for some finger food and tasty brews, we hope you flip through the menus and beer lists of these fine establishments.