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Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Hillcrest

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115 restaurants available nearby

A photo of insideOUT restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2322)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Hillcrest
Booked 10 times today
insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.We are excited to announce our highly anticipated Holiday Oasis Experience beginning Thursday, November 7th! Visit our website for additional information under "Happenings."Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.
A photo of Coasterra restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7567)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 60 times today
Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.
A photo of Mister A's restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(8671)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 43 times today
Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(8041)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 62 times today
Juniper & Ivy is a go-to place for special occasions. With its unique, creative, and delicious menu, it's a perfect spot for birthdays, anniversaries, and any other celebrations. The reviews are glowing with praises for the outstanding service, wonderful ambiance, and unforgettable dining experience. One reviewer even mentioned a special menu for their anniversary and a champagne toast. With its top-notch service, locally sourced food, and award-winning wine list, Juniper & Ivy makes any celebration truly memorable.
A photo of Cesarina restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(5512)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Ocean Beach
Booked 86 times today
Cesarina is a grandmother, a mother, a daughter—our personification of a nurturer who feeds and cares for her community. From meticulous attention to detail and fresh ingredients to the warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is a celebration of the power of food and family.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6471)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 48 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of CUCINA urbana restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7103)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Banker's Hill
Booked 37 times today
CUCINA urbana is an acclaimed Italian restaurant in San Diego. It's celebrated for its quality food, excellent service, and unique ambiance. Reviewers rave about the 'fantastic wine selection', 'creative chef', and 'fantastic service'. It's the go-to spot for many for special occasions, as one reviewer mentioned, 'Cucina Urbana continues to be our goto restaurant for special occasions'. The restaurant's warm and welcoming environment, coupled with its exquisite food and drinks, make it perfect for any special celebration.
A photo of Madison restaurant
4.5
Awesome(3023)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • University Heights
Booked 11 times today
With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4307)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 38 times today
Barbusa is a lively, modern Sicilian restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego. Known for its authentic Italian dishes, craft cocktails, and stone-fired pizza, it's a favorite for celebrating special occasions. Reviews highlight the 'authentic, delicious' food, 'fast service', and 'great atmosphere'. Whether it's for business, family, or a romantic evening, Barbusa delivers an 'exquisite dining experience' with 'outstanding service' and a 'fun atmosphere'.
A photo of Callie Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(233)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 28 times today
Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Betsy
    New York City •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined today
    This was our first time at Cesarina, and it won’t be our last! The pastas were absolutely outstanding—I especially loved my Arrabiatissima with malfalde and guanciale—and the table-side-made tiramisu was the best we’ve ever had. We loved the ambiance of the outside patio. Everything was splendid and the staff worked tirelessly and successfully to create a festive environment. Can’t wait to return!
    More info
    CesarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Ocean Beach
    4.9
  • Yolanda
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything was perfect. From the ease of OpenTable reservations , communication via messages to walking in to see the hostess. The seating was absolutely beautiful and atmosphere gorgeous. Just as expected then more. The food and drinks were amazingly delicious!
    More info
    insideOUTPrice: Expensive• Californian• Hillcrest
    4.8
  • Mikayla
    San Diego •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    My husband and I dined here to celebrate his birthday and it was a wonderful experience. Amazing food, views and ambiance! Will be back!
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    4.6
  • Olivia
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The view is unbeaten! We were less excited about the menu but we were proven impressed. Great meals and fantastic service
    More info
    Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
    4.8
  • Davi
    Coastal North Carolina •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    I had a phenomenal experience at Juniper and Ivy. I made a reservation for my wife’s birthday and once I got there they had valet service for 15$ which for Downtown SD isn’t bad at all. Upon arriving we waited at a very nice, comfortable lounge area by the bar while our table got ready. Once we were seated the server Andrew gave us greeted us phenomenally, remembered the request I made upon making the reservation and fulfilled it expertly. I had initially checked the restaurant’s menu online to have what I wanted to order planned and my only critique is that there was a good amount of menu items in the website that either weren’t available or had different prices however I still rated them 5 stars because all the issues I had related to the website were smoothly resolved by both the manager and the server which easily removed all potential problems both regarding price and the availability of menu items. The food was just as good as the service and I would highly recommend anyone visiting San Diego or looking for a quality dining experience. The price is on the high side but I refuse to call it expensive because the amount you pay is on par with the experience you receive and I will absolutely be dining there again in the future. In conclusion 10/10 to Juniper and Ivy and a special shoutout to the server Andrew and to Whatever manager was on the floor the night of 20Dec2024.
    More info
    Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy
    4.6
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