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Coq Au Vin - Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar, San Diego, CA

Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar

4.6 (73)
$31 to $50
Bistro
1055 2nd Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

A photo of Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar restaurant

Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar

4.6
$31 to $50
Bistro
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
In the heart of downtown San Diego, experience Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar. The newest dining concept from The Westgate Hotel's culinary team and Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel. The ambiance is welcoming, the service is personal, and the food is a cherished taste of a modern French-American Brasserie.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Contemporary French / American, Afternoon Tea
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 6:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Afternoon Tea Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Fabrice Hardel
  • Private party facilities
    The Westgate Hotel offers a variety of private dining options. From social lunches and teas to large-scale receptions, the Catering Services team at The Westgate Hotel will help you host an event to remember.
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    2nd Avenue between Broadway and C Street.
  • Parking details
    Valet parking only. $10 for three hours with Bonne Vie or Afternoon Tea dining validation. $12 per hour thereafter. The parking garage entrance is located on 2nd Avenue right before the trolley tracks on C Street.
  • Public transit
    MTS Trolley Blue Line, Orange Line: Civic Center Stop
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Wine

Experiences

  • Pool Daybed

    $350.00 per party

    May 13, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
    Escape to an elevated oasis above downtown San Diego at AquaVie, the rooftop retreat atop The Westgate Hotel. Our private poolside cabanas offer a luxurious and serene setting, perfect for relaxing under the California sun or enjoying a stylish day with friends. Each cabana features plush lounge seating, shade curtains for privacy, and attentive service, creating an exclusive resort-style experience in the heart of the city. Guests can enjoy access to the sparkling rooftop pool, refreshing beverages, and light fare, all while taking in sweeping skyline views. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a day of leisure, our rooftop cabanas at AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club provide the perfect blend of comfort, sophistication, and relaxation. Enjoy our two person day bed for a $250 food and beverage minimum
  • Pool Cabana

    $700.00 per party

    May 13, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
    Escape to an elevated oasis above downtown San Diego at AquaVie, the rooftop retreat atop The Westgate Hotel. Our private poolside cabanas offer a luxurious and serene setting, perfect for relaxing under the California sun or enjoying a stylish day with friends. Each cabana features plush lounge seating, shade curtains for privacy, and attentive service, creating an exclusive resort-style experience in the heart of the city. Guests can enjoy access to the sparkling rooftop pool, refreshing beverages, and light fare, all while taking in sweeping skyline views. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a day of leisure, our rooftop cabanas at AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club provide the perfect blend of comfort, sophistication, and relaxation. Our cabana that fits up to six guests for $500 food and beverage minimum.
  • Afternoon Tea 2026

    $0.00 - $66.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Indulge in a Timeless Tradition at The Westgate Hotel. Hosted in our Grand Lobby, an invitation to tea is an invitation to an afternoon steeped in elegance. Surrounded by the beauty of our Versailles-inspired French interiors and the shimmer of our antique crystal chandeliers, enjoy delicate tea sandwiches from the kitchen of Bonne Vie Brasserie and a sweet selection of fresh handmade savories, pastries, French macarons, and cakes accompanied by elegant music from a harpist.
    Afternoon Tea 2026 Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 73 people are saying

Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar captures the charm of France with "excellent food" and a "beautiful venue," making diners feel transported. Guests rave about the "impeccable service" and "majestic ambiance," especially during tea service accompanied by enchanting harp music. Despite occasional slow service, many highlight the "wonderful experience" and "delicious cuisine."
73 Reviews
  1. Matt Gold

    San Diego82 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our second time there. The first time we both ordered the steak frites and it was overcooked. This time I ordered it again and it was perfect. My wife, however, ordered the bouillibase and said it was mediocre with the fish being quite dry and overcooked. The wine list is also a bit limited, and they were out of the wine that I first chose. There are very few French wines, especially among the whites, although the pricing is not bad. Honestly, there are better French bistro’s in town.

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  2. Leslie

    San Diego38 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    The service was TERRIBLE but the food was great. Hard to decide whether to ever return. We allotted PLENTY of time for dinner (90 minutes !) but had to run to the theatre. So unnecessary!

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  3. Karen

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food & Wine were excellent, as was John, our server. We will be back!

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  4. Michael

    Washington DC38 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful restaurant that makes you feel like you are in France. The food and service were great. Hidden gem for sure. Will be back.
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on May 2, 2026
    Thank you for your gracious words. We’re truly delighted to know you felt transported to France—that sense of escape is at the heart of what we strive to create. It’s a pleasure to hear that both the cuisine and service made an impression, and being considered a “hidden gem” is especially meaningful to us. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable evening.

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  5. Robin Gold

    Orange County10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a fabulous high tea experience at the beautiful Westgate Hotel. I cannot say enough about how lovely this was. Absolutely gorgeous. The service was impeccable and the food was absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend what a special treat. 
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on April 27, 2026
    Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re truly delighted to hear that your high tea experience at the Westgate Hotel was so memorable. It’s especially gratifying to know you enjoyed the service, ambiance, and culinary offerings. Your kind recommendation means a great deal to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another special occasion soon.

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  6. Barry

    San Diego10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 23, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service outstanding as was the ambiance. The onion soup was very good and the escargot was good not great. My steak was good not great as for the chicken dish was good not great. The desert Bananas Foster was sensational. My pinot noir was very good and a generous pour. We would go back again
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on April 27, 2026
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re delighted you enjoyed the ambiance, attentive service, and especially the Bananas Foster—it’s wonderful to hear it was a highlight. We also appreciate your feedback on the other dishes and will be sure to share your comments with our culinary team as we continue to refine our offerings. It means a great deal to us that you would choose to return, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.

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  7. Anita

    San Diego11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved this place. However, while the service by Perry was attentive and excellent, the restaurant should have had more waitstaff for what was clearly the dinner rush.
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on April 27, 2026
    Thank you for your kind words—we’re so pleased you enjoyed your experience with us. It’s especially wonderful to hear that Perry provided such attentive and excellent service; we’ll be sure to share your compliments with him. We also appreciate your feedback regarding staffing during the dinner rush and will take it into consideration as we continue to refine our service. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

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  8. Steven Gold

    San Diego126 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 18, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Wonderful restaurant with great food and excellent service, We ate here prior to a show at the Civic theater so it was super convenient too.
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on April 19, 2026
    Thank you for your kind words—we’re so pleased you enjoyed both the food and the attentive service. It’s wonderful to hear we were a convenient stop before your evening at the Civic Theatre. We hope your show was just as enjoyable and look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

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  9. Andrew

    San Diego1 review

    2.0

    Dined on April 16, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    Very disappointed. This is not a French brasserie. The food bears no resemblance to French food.
    Bonne Vie Brasserie & BarResponded on April 19, 2026
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We sincerely apologize for the extended wait and the level of service you received—this is certainly not reflective of the experience we aim to provide. We understand how disappointing that must have been, especially for a simple order, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Your feedback will be shared with our team as we work to improve. We hope you might consider giving us another opportunity in the future.

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  10. Anne Gold

    San Diego11 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 15, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    We had hamburgers that took almost an hour to get. Extremely slow service. Food was ok. Skip.

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Contemporary French / American, Afternoon Tea
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 6:30 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Afternoon Tea Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Fabrice Hardel
  • Private party facilities
    The Westgate Hotel offers a variety of private dining options. From social lunches and teas to large-scale receptions, the Catering Services team at The Westgate Hotel will help you host an event to remember.
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    2nd Avenue between Broadway and C Street.
  • Parking details
    Valet parking only. $10 for three hours with Bonne Vie or Afternoon Tea dining validation. $12 per hour thereafter. The parking garage entrance is located on 2nd Avenue right before the trolley tracks on C Street.
  • Public transit
    MTS Trolley Blue Line, Orange Line: Civic Center Stop
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Wine

FAQs

Yes, Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar is a very good pick for date night. The dining room is elegant with French-provincial decor and live harp music for afternoon tea, creating a romantic, old‑world atmosphere. Many guests praise the refined food (scallops, steak frites, coq au vin) and attentive service, though service can be slower on busy pre‑theater nights. For a smooth evening, consider a dinner reservation and mention if you need a timely seating before a show.

Portions at Bonne Vie tend to be satisfying and plated in a refined, brasserie style. Guests report generous afternoon‑tea servings that feel filling and several entrées (Steak Frites, burgers, seafood) that are hearty enough for a main course. Some guests called the lunch specials and steak/frites filling and good value. If you have a big appetite, sides like Truffle Mashed Potato or Yukon Gold Gratin are available to round out a meal.

Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar has set service windows: Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–10:30 am; Brunch Sat–Sun 6:30 am–2:00 pm; Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm; Afternoon Tea Wed–Fri 1:00 pm–5:00 pm and Sat–Sun 1:00 pm–3:30 pm; Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm. For holiday hours or special events, call ahead.

Yes, Bonne Vie welcomes families and multi‑generation groups, and afternoon tea is popular with children and family celebrations. Guests often bring teens or celebrate birthdays here. The restaurant is in the Westgate Hotel and offers private‑party options, which can help with family gatherings. Accessibility specifics (ramps, wheelchair seating) aren’t listed here, so call the restaurant ahead to confirm accommodations.

The best time depends on your goal: for a relaxed, quieter visit choose weekday lunch or an afternoon tea on a non‑holiday weekday; many guests found Thursday or an off‑peak weekday pleasant. If you want the full experience with harp music or holiday decor, book a scheduled afternoon tea or arrive before a theater performance (but expect busier service on pre‑show nights). For prompt service before a show, request an early reservation and mention your timing.

Bonne Vie operates within the Westgate Hotel and offers a formal dining room and afternoon tea service in an elegant tearoom/lobby setting; the owner notes private‑party availability. Guests reference a beautiful lobby and tearoom with live harp music. For private rooms, group layouts or specific seating (quiet corner, table for a party), contact the restaurant directly, they accept private party bookings and can advise on room options.

The ambience is elegant, old‑world French provincial, guests frequently describe ornate decor, crystal chandeliers and a majestic room. Afternoon teas feature live harp music that many find enchanting. Note that the dining room’s high ceilings can make it noisy when full, and some guests found the lighting bright or the room echoing. Overall the space is refined and works especially well for theater nights and special occasions.

The dress code is Business Casual. Guests often dress nicely for pre‑theater dinners and special occasions; the venue’s elegant decor and hotel location make business‑casual attire appropriate. If you have a private event or special celebration, ask the restaurant about any specific dress expectations when you reserve.

Yes, the restaurant accepts special requests. Guests have arranged birthday celebrations and private parties, and staff have accommodated off‑menu requests (example: an altered Caesar). For timely seating before theater performances, dietary needs, or celebration details, call ahead and mention your request so the team can plan and confirm availability.

Yes, many families dine here and guests frequently bring children for afternoon tea and special celebrations. The tearoom events (like Teddy Bear and holiday teas) are especially kid‑friendly, and guests described three‑generation visits. There isn’t a dedicated kids’ menu listed, so for young children consider an early seating or ask about menu flexibility when you reserve.

Busiest: evenings before nearby Civic Center theater performances, weekend holiday teas and major events. Many guests note the restaurant is slammed and service can slow during those times. Quietest: weekday lunches and off‑peak afternoon tea times on non‑holiday days tend to be more relaxed and are frequently recommended for a calmer experience.

For a quieter, more relaxed experience, visit on a weekday (Monday–Friday) for lunch or afternoon tea. Guests report midweek tea was peaceful and servers attentive. If you want the theater vibe or live harp/holiday decorations, plan for a weekend or a scheduled holiday tea, just expect busier service around showtimes and special events.

Yes, the restaurant allows private parties and has hosted celebrations and multi‑generation events. Guests have used the space for birthdays and holiday teas. For private‑dining availability, capacities, menus and pricing, contact the restaurant’s events team to discuss options and reserve a room.

The restaurant runs special holiday tea events (many guest reports of Christmas/Holiday Tea) and has hosted holiday celebrations, so it operates at least for some public holidays or seasonal events. However, standard daily hours do not list individual holiday closures, call ahead to confirm holiday hours and special menus before planning your visit.

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Make a reservation

A photo of Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar restaurant

Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar

4.6
$31 to $50
Bistro
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.
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