Best Fun Restaurants in Hillcrest

281 restaurants available nearby

1. Cocina de Barrio

4.7

Exceptional(421)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Hillcrest

Booked 9 times today

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only. Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. FloresBienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe. Don't forget to join us during our weekend brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

2. NOLA on 5th

4.2

Awesome(80)

Price: Moderate

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • Hillcrest

Booked 2 times today

NOLA on 5th brings the flavors and spirit of New Orleans dining to San Diego. You will find a casual bar and outdoor patio downstairs, with a more upscale experience in our upstairs room overlooking bustling 5th Avenue in San Diego's famous Hillcrest neighborhood. We've been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, as well as on A&E and The Travel Channel.Chef Andrew Boyer, a long-time New Orleans resident, has left no detail untouched in our food, from ingredients to presentation. You will find all of the traditional NOLA favorites here like jambalaya, gumbo, po'boys, red beans and rice, and more. We fly our bread in from Leidenheimer's bakery in Louisiana, and we'd love to serve you a delicious Abita beer with your meal. And while they are in season, be sure to stop by for one of our Louisiana crawfish boils, which are some of our busiest and most fun days of the year.

A photo of Ortega's A Mexican Bistro restaurant

3. Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4.5

Awesome(1014)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Hillcrest

Booked 2 times today

Ortega’s Mexican Bistro features the authentic flavors of Puerto Nuevo. Experience Baja style lobster and table side guacamole while sipping one of our classic fresh squeezed margaritas. Enjoy dining in our restaurant or for a more energized evening, dine in our bar - La Cantina. Additional flavors include Banana Crusted Huachinango, Flat Iron Steak Burrito, Chicken Mole. The design captures the festive traditions and tasteful flavors of Puerto Nuevo and Baja California.

4. insideOUT

4.7

Exceptional(2259)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Hillcrest

Booked 64 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.

5. Seneca

4.7

Exceptional(4120)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 112 times today

Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

6. Juniper & Ivy

4.6

Exceptional(8005)

Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Little Italy

Booked 78 times today

Juniper & Ivy is a blast, with a menu that's as creative as it is delicious. Reviews rave about the 'inventive food', 'interesting decor', and 'thoughtfully curated ambiance'. It's a spot where you can try new things, like a 'reworking of old culinary favorites'. Plus, the service is top-notch, making it an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's commitment to using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients is another feather in its cap. It's a must-visit for foodies and anyone who loves a cool vibe.

7. MOTHERSHIP

4.8

Exceptional(308)

Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 65 times today

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine. Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy! WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

8. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4278)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 77 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

A photo of Ironside Fish & Oyster restaurant

9. Ironside Fish & Oyster

4.4

Awesome(4533)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Little Italy

Booked 76 times today

Little Italy was built by the fishing industry. Ironside attempts to continue that narrative. It's our contemporary interpretation of the classic fish house and oyster bar. Located in a historic auction house on India St we did a full comprehensive restoration of the building, with three open-air culinary hubs featuring an expansive raw bar, chefs table, and bakery. We tried to be mindful of the past while looking towards the future. A 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks.Ironside is now taking reservations for patio and dining room seating. We are now offering Happy Hour MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00PM - 5:00PM.

10. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8622)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 49 times today

Mister A's is the perfect spot for a special occasion or a night out. With its stunning views of San Diego's skyline and bay, it's a treat to dine in. Reviewers rave about the 'spectacular views, elegant atmosphere, and professional, friendly service'. The food and drinks are consistently praised as 'exceptional' and 'delicious'. The restaurant also boasts one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country, so you know you're in for a treat!

‘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

M
Mike
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The service was top notch and the food was great. The view was fabulous. We went for my 34 year anniversary and it was fantastic. I highly recommend it.
More info
SenecaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.7
K
Kimberly
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Christmas Magic Our dining experience was golden. The atmosphere was over the top, literally with giant snowflakes, golden ornaments sparkling everywhere. We had a smile on our face the whole evening. Our food was delicious. I had the filet again because it's that good. My friends had the salmon. I tried the 1/2 Caesar salad, the best I’ve had in years. We got a side of crispy red potatoes and garlic bread with dipping au jus. Everything was cooked to perfection and tasted great. They give you umbrellas to use because every hour on the hour Christmas music starts to play and it snows!!!! So much fun. To top it all off we had the Baked Alaska flambé. Our waiter poured a flaming blue caramel sauce over our dessert. What a show! My only regret was we shared it and I didn’t get my own. LOL!! Excellent place for a date night, but a must see for everyone to get in the Christmas spirit. PS We loved our waiter Michael he gave us exceptional service .
More info
insideOUTPrice: Expensive• Californian• Hillcrest
•
4.7
H
Hans
San Diego •1 review
4.0
Dined on Nov 18, 2024
Always enjoyable! I'm a big fan of the Queso Fundito. Parking can be a challenge, but it is well worth it.
More info
Ortega's A Mexican BistroPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Hillcrest
•
4.5
S
Sierra
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Our waitress was really sweet and my husband and I enjoyed our brunch and bottomless mimosas. I think her name was Anna !
More info
NOLA on 5thPrice: Moderate• Creole / Cajun / Southern• Hillcrest
•
4.2
J
Jayti
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Great vegan food and drinks! We loved the cocktails there. The service is impressive.
More info
Cocina de BarrioPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Hillcrest
•
4.7

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Best Fun Restaurants in Hillcrest

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281 restaurants available nearby

1. Cocina de Barrio

2. NOLA on 5th

3. Ortega's A Mexican Bistro

4. insideOUT

5. Seneca

6. Juniper & Ivy

7. MOTHERSHIP

8. Barbusa

9. Ironside Fish & Oyster

10. Mister A's

See what locals rave about

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