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Best Restaurants in Hillcrest

38 restaurants analyzed · San Diego

Hillcrest has American, Asian, and Mediterranean cooking alongside Mexican, Japanese, and Italian restaurants along University Avenue. Quality is solid B-range, prices are moderate, and the neighbourhood's LGBTQ+ community gives it a distinct independent-restaurant character.

Grade Distribution

Restaurants

• HiroNori Craft Ramen A- · Ramen restaurant, Japanese — Rich, crowd-pleasing ramen in a tiny Hillcrest shop with long waits, automatic service charge, and occasional service...
• Arrivederci Ristorante A- · Italian restaurant, Pizza — Classic, lively Hillcrest Italian spot with generous portions, friendly service, and great value, though service can...
• Snooze, an A.M. Eatery A- · Breakfast & Brunch, Cafe — A lively Hillcrest brunch staple with creative pancakes, flexible Benedicts, and upbeat service; expect a wait at peak...
• Tavola Nostra Pizzeria e Cucina A- · Italian restaurant, Pizzeria — Excellent Southern Italian comfort dishes and standout pinsa/pizza in Hillcrest with lively energy; value is fair to...
• Sisters Pizza A- · Pizza restaurant, Slice shop — Neighborhood slice shop with standout thin-crust pies, quick counter service, and a sunny patio; minor service hiccups...
• Massachusetts Mike's Pizzeria A- · Pizzeria, Slice shop — Lively Hillcrest slice shop serving thin, crunchy New York-style pies with standout artichoke and PB&J combos,...
• Trust B+ · New American restaurant, Brunch restaurant — Inventive New American small plates with standout execution and craft drinks; expect bold flavors, some salt-forward...
• Bronx Pizza B+ · Pizza restaurant, Italian — Classic NY-style slice shop with fast-moving lines, cash-only policy, and consistently tasty pies; great value, but...
• Bahn Thai B+ · Thai restaurant, Casual dining — Reliable, spicy-forward Thai favorites with generous portions and patios, but expect disposable containers and a...
• Alexi's Greek Cafe B+ · Greek restaurant, Cafe — Low-key Greek staple delivering hearty classics at throwback prices with speedy, no-frills service; great value, but a...
• The Huddle B+ · Breakfast diner, American — Beloved old-school Mission Hills diner serving hearty, affordable breakfasts and simple lunches with warm, personable...
• The Red Door B+ · Italian restaurant, European restaurant — Charming Mission Hills Italian spot with personable chef presence, standout pastas and Beef Wellington, solid but...
• Cocina De Barrio B+ · Mexican restaurant, Brunch — Vibrant Oaxacan-inspired brunch and dinner with strong cocktails and bottomless mimosas; food impresses most, but...
• Veganic Thai Cafe B+ · Vegan Thai restaurant, Thai — Beloved vegan Thai spot with flavorful curries and noodles, quick friendly service, and fair prices, but expect...
• Parma Cucina Italiana B+ · Italian restaurant, Northern Italian — Cozy Northern Italian spot with standout lasagna, friendly owner-led service, and fair mid-range pricing, though...
• Wonderful Sushi Hillcrest B+ · Sushi restaurant, Japanese — Crowd-pleasing sushi spot with creative specialty rolls, fast-friendly vibes, and some service consistency gaps; good...
• Oscars Mexican Seafood B+ · Mexican seafood taqueria, Seafood — A lively Mexican seafood spot for standout fish and shrimp tacos, counter service, fair prices, and occasional waits;...
• Baja Betty's B+ · Mexican restaurant, Bar — Lively Hillcrest Mexican spot with strong margaritas, fun service, and crowd-pleasing tacos; great for groups and happy...
• La Vecindad Neighborhood TACOS B+ · Taco restaurant, Mexican — Creative, house-made tortilla tacos with lively vibes and strong happy hour; prices feel high outside specials and...
• Jo's Diner B+ · Diner, Breakfast & Brunch — Classic neighborhood diner with standout breakfasts, famous meatloaf and short rib dip, friendly service, and some...
• Crest Cafe B+ · Diner, Breakfast restaurant — Beloved Hillcrest diner for generous, all‑day breakfast and big burgers; service is usually warm but can be...
• Farmer's Bottega B+ · American restaurant, Brunch — Charming Mission Hills brunch-and-dinner spot with cozy patios, friendly service, and crowd-pleasing plates; pricing is...
• Gossip Grill B+ · Bar & grill, American — A lively queer-friendly bar and grill known for safe-space vibes, fun events, and solid comfort food, with some...
• RK Sushi B · Sushi restaurant, Japanese — Reliable neighborhood sushi with tablet ordering, generous menu variety, and good value; a few reports of off nights...
• Khyber Pass Zarparan Restaurant | Afghan B · Afghan & Persian restaurant, Halal-friendly — Generous, flavorful Afghan–Persian plates with standout rice and stews; service can be uneven and policies ruffle some...
• CURRY NATION - INDIAN RESTAURANT & CATERING B · Indian restaurant, North Indian — Lively new North Indian spot with flavorful curries and standout naan; great portions and friendly servers, but service...
• Uptown Tavern B · American restaurant, Bar — Lively Hillcrest tavern for drinks and American bar bites with strong happy hour; service is friendly at best times but...
• TASTE OF THAI - HILLCREST B · Thai restaurant, Casual dining — Reliable neighborhood Thai with broad vegan options and customizable spice; some inconsistency and occasional service...
• Ortega's A Mexican Bistro B · Mexican restaurant, Bistro — Lively Hillcrest spot for Baja-style Mexican with tableside guac, seafood, and margaritas; good ambiance and service,...
• Urban MO's Bar & Grill B · Bar & grill, Gay bar — High-energy LGBTQ+ bar and grill with lively drag brunches, friendly bartenders, and hearty American comfort food;...
• Hash House A Go Go B · Brunch restaurant, American restaurant — Big-portion American brunch with signature sage fried chicken and waffles; lively scene, short waits if early, value...
• Sushi Deli 1 B · Sushi restaurant, Japanese restaurant — Lively, budget-friendly sushi spot with big portions, creative rolls, and fast service; great value with some...
• insideOUT B- · Restaurant and lounge, Mediterranean-influenced — Spectacle-forward garden lounge with seasonal decor and solid cocktails; food ranges from decent to divisive and prices...
• RAKITORI Japanese Pub&Grill B- · Japanese pub and grill, Ramen — Cozy izakaya-style spot with broad Japanese comfort menu and happy hour; flavorful ramen and skewers win many fans, but...
• Goi Cuon B- · Vietnamese restaurant, Noodle shop — Casual Vietnamese spot best for fresh spring rolls and value combos, with mixed experiences on pho, service, and...
• Ichiban B- · Sushi and ramen shop, Japanese — Long-running Hillcrest sushi and ramen spot with friendly counter service, solid happy hour value, and mixed quality on...
• Luna Grill Hillcrest B- · Mediterranean fast-casual, Caterer — Reliable fast-casual Mediterranean with standout hospitality, broad veggie options, and kid-friendly plates; occasional...
• Palomino's Mexican & Seafood C+ · Mexican restaurant, Seafood — Reliable, budget-friendly Mexican plates with big portions and counter service, but quality has become inconsistent...

Top Cuisines

• American — 10 restaurants
• Japanese — 6 restaurants
• Mexican — 4 restaurants
• Mediterranean — 3 restaurants
• Pizza — 3 restaurants
• Southeast Asian — 3 restaurants
• Italian — 2 restaurants
• Latin American — 2 restaurants
• Thai — 1 restaurants
• Persian — 1 restaurants

Find Your Next Meal in Hillcrest

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