Looking for great late-night food in San Diego? Whether you just finished a show, a night out in Gaslamp, or are working late, there are plenty of options. From tacos to ramen, this guide shows where to eat when most kitchens are closed.
Scroll down to see late-night food locations in:
- Downtown / Gaslamp / Little Italy
- Hillcrest
- Convoy / Kearny Mesa
- North Park / South Park/ University
- Pacific Beach / Ocean Beach / Point Loma
- La Jolla
- Del Mar/Carmel Valley
- Mission Valley / Linda Vista
- Mission Hills
- La Mesa
- Encinitas
- Carlsbad
I am updating this list as new ones are added and times are updated. Add your email below to be updated on new San Diego late-night restaurants.
Downtown / Gaslamp / Little Italy
Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter have some of the city’s best late-night food.
Werewolf in Gaslamp serves unique dishes until 12 a.m. It’s perfect for a post-drinks snack.
The Lion’s Share is open until 2 a.m. daily and is worth a visit for its exotic meats. They have a full menu available until midnight.
Tacos El Gordo in the Gaslamp Quarter is open to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and to 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday
Waterfront Bar & Grill in Little Italy remains open until 1 a.m. It’s a great spot for comfort food after a night out.
Landini’s Pizzeria also stays open late, especially on weekends, offering pizza by the slice.
ZZan Sushi & Soju’s (Korean food and sushi) downtown location stays open Sunday/Thursday to 11 p.m. And on Friday/Saturday to midnight.
The Melt is open until 3 a.m. every day. Ideal if you want grilled cheese, burgers, mac & cheese & fries.
Kingfisher serves their French-influenced Vietnamese fare until 11 p.m. daily.
Starlite serves its elevated American eats until 2 a.m. daily.
Turf Supper Club is open until 2 a.m. daily. The kitchen closes at 1 a.m.
Hillcrest
Hillcrest is a hotspot for late-night cravings.
Hong Kong Restaurant serves Chinese dishes until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
La Fuente is open until 3 a.m. as well, perfect for tacos and Mexican favorites.
Hob Nob Hill closes earlier, around 10:00 p.m.. But it is still a solid option if you’re out earlier in the evening.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria in Hillcrest is open daily until 2:00 a.m., serving pizza.
The Asian Bistro is open until 12:30 a.m. with the exception of Sundays when it closes at 11 p.m.
Convoy / Kearny Mesa
If you love Asian cuisine, Convoy and Kearny Mesa are must-visit places for late-night food.
Min Sok Chon keeps its kitchen open until 2 a.m. on weekends. This makes it a solid pick for San Diego late-night food.
Pelicana Chicken serves their signature fried chicken and Korean food until midnight all week.
Dalbam Moon Night closes at 1 a.m. but is perfect for Korean comfort dishes.
Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen serves food until 11:30 p.m.
Tajima Ramen is open until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
RAKIRAKI Ramen & Tsukemen is open until 1 a.m. every day of the week. It is one of the most reliable San Diego late-night food options.
Yokohama Yakitori Koubou closes at midnight and offers yakitori skewers and small plates.
Hinotez is open until midnight. Open for drinks until 2 a.m. (last call at 1:30 a.m.).
Thang Thang stays open until 1:30 a.m. every day, which makes it a steady pick for San Diego late-night food. week. A Korean eatery known for chicken wings, beers, and flavored soju cocktails.
HiveBar and Karaoke is open until midnight and 2 a.m. on weekends, and is ideal for San Diego late-night food.
North Park / SOUTH PARK / UNIVERSITY
Colima’s Mexican Food is the go-to spot for late-night food in North Park. It is also one of the most steady San Diego late-night food choices since it is open 24 hours.
The classic American diner Rudfords is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Order the Patty Melt Burger and fries for under $20.
You can find dishes from Thailand and Laos at So Saap. It is open to 11:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday, and to 12:00 AM on Friday and Saturday
Val’s Vegan Kitchen in North Park is open until 2 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday, so it fits well with San Diego’s late-night food.
Beginners Diner is open 24 hours. Located in the Lafayette Hotel, and serves milkshakes and burgers.
Underbelly in North Park is open until 11:30 p.m. daily, for those ramen & Japanese comfort food cravings.
Kin Lin Thai in North Park is open until 1 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday.
The Friendly in North Park stays open until Midnight on Friday and Saturday. But closes at 10 p.m. the rest of the week.
Gelati & Peccati serves its pizza until 1 a.m. at its North Park location on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pacific Beach / Ocean Beach / Point Loma
Beach neighborhoods have some of the city’s most famous late-night food spots.
Roberto’s Taco Shop No. 11 in Ocean Beach is open until 11:30 p.m.
Santana’s Mexican Grill in Pacific Beach is open until 11 p.m. 7 days a week, for your taco cravings.
Landini’s Pizzeria in Point Loma is open until 2 a.m. on weekends, making it a steady pick for San Diego late-night food.
Mike’s Red Tacos is open daily to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Arizona Cafe is a simple hangout that serves bar food until 1 a.m., so it works well for San Diego late-night food.
Vallarta Express has locations in Pacific Beach, but also in Mira Mesa, La Mesa, and is open 24/7.
Pizzeria Luigi is open until 11:00 p.m. at their Ocean Beach, Mission Valley, and Downtown locations.
Harbor Town Pub, a Point Loma pub, is open until 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
La Jolla
La Jolla may be quieter late at night, but it has options.
The Spot closes at 2 a.m. and is a neighborhood gem.
Le Coq is open until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They have a late-night happy hour from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The Melt in La Jolla is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Hennessy’s Tavern on Herschel Ave (La Jolla) is open until 2 a.m. daily.
DEL MAR/Carmel valley
The selection of late-night restaurants in Del Mar is very limited:
Monarch Ocean Pub is open until 11 p.m. but midnight the rest of the week.
El Pueblo Mexican Food & Bar in Del Mar and Pacific Highlands Ranch is open until midnight daily. And the fish taco is just $1.29. It is one of the few San Diego late-night food spots in Del Mar.
The Melt in Del Mar Highlands is open until midnight daily for San Diego late-night food.
Mission valley / Linda vista
Xinjiang BBQ serves its barbecue meats until 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is open until midnight every day. Perfect for casual dining. It fits well for San Diego late-night food.
Mission Hills
La Puerta is open until 11 p.m. every day of the week. Perfect for late-night Mexican food and margaritas.
La Mesa
The Hills Local Pub is open to midnight daily, and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Encinitas
Gelati & Pescati serves its pizza until 1 a.m. at its Encinitas location on Fridays and Saturdays.
Carlsbad
Same Same is open until midnight daily, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
San Diego’s Late-Night Food scene is bigger than you think. Whether you’re downtown, in Hillcrest, or by the beach, there’s something open for every craving. From ramen to tacos, pizza to comfort food, you don’t need to settle for fast food. Next time you’re out after 10 p.m., follow this guide. And enjoy the city’s best late-night eats.
