Best Late-Night Food in San Diego

 

San Diego is home to a great nightlife scene that includes live music, beachside bars, downtown San Diego clubs, and even late baseball games. (Go Padres!) With that, though, comes the need for some late-night dining to keep you going after your evening activities.

 

Luckily, San Diego has plenty of late-night dining. From Mexican food like carne asada fries and the surf and turf burrito to Asian dishes like pad Thai and cheesy wontons, or even just a slice of pizza for a quick bite, San Diego’s got any open late-night restaurant you could want. You just have to search for one.

 

Let’s talk about the best spots that are open late in San Diego, CA. Whether you're looking for a late dinner, midnight snack, or early breakfast menu. After all, you’ll want that late-night meal to keep you going for your next upcoming day of activities because there is oh-so-much to do in America’s Finest City.

 

The 6 Best Late-Night Eats in San Diego

 

San Diego has so much amazing food, and a lot of it is open until around 11 pm or midnight. We wanted to dive deep, though, and give you some extra late-night spots, that are best after a night out when it feels like everything but the odd fast-food restaurant has already closed.

Whether you are coming from the beach bars near Pacific Beach, the clubs in Gaslamp, a baseball game at Petco Park, a late-night happy hour, or you're just having some midnight cravings, there is something on the menu for you.

Head to neighborhoods like University Heights, Hillcrest's Washington St., Mission Hills, East Village, Cardiff, North Park, Golden Hill, or any of the other San Diego popular restaurants to grab a bite after hours.

 

1. Rudford’s Restaurant

We have to kick off this list with a 24/7 retro diner option that will have you texting all your friends about your latest find. Located in North Park, just a 13-minute Uber ride from downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter, Rudford’s Restaurant offers the perfect, no-frills, comfort food at any time of day, or week, you might need.

 

Many San Diegans keep this retro diner in their back pocket for late nights on the town, no matter if it's a crazy Saturday or the odd Sunday.

Stop into the retro diner after a happy hour that turned into an evening out, or maybe even a really late night out that has now turned into breakfast time. No judgment because you can stop by at any time!

Their eclectic menu spans from mozzarella sticks to pancakes, steak to omelets, and chilaquiles to patty melts and Rudford’s has everything you could need to get to feeling full. It's the perfect comfort food when you need it most.

Grab a mimosa or michelada along with food from the dessert menu to really round out your midnight munchies with one last nightcap, if you wish.

 

2. El Pueblo Mexican Food

 

Another restaurant that used to be open 24/7, El Pueblo Mexican Food’s hours have shifted, but their 3 locations in Del Mar, Cardiff, and Carlsbad have still earned their spot on the list. Another no-frills eatery, this restaurant has a patio and is open until midnight. However, the reason it makes the list is that it opens back up at 6 am. So, technically breakfast time, it can be a great addition to your list of ‘super late-night options.’

With some of the cheapest and best tacos in town, you can head up after a night out in Pacific Beach or just pop in after a long evening at work to eat some yummy food that will make you forget all your woes. Grab a machaca burrito, their famous fish tacos, a carnitas tostada, or even build your own torta, among the many other delicious menu items that are pre-designed for you.

 

3. The Asian Bistro

San Diego Asian Bistro

Hillcrest is another quite popular restaurant for late-night activities in San Diego, so you won’t want to miss the chance to head over to Jimmy Wong’s Asian Bistro until 2:30 am on Friday and Saturday for appetizers like cheesy wontons and entrees like pad Thai and roasted duck noodles. You can leave a nearby bar a little before they close to make sure you have some time to order food, or just pop into The Asian Bistro for a late dinner if you tend to have midnight cravings.

In fact, if you grab some drinks at their full bar, this is a great way to have a low-key night out with friends in one of San Diego’s trendiest areas.

 

4. Landini’s Pizzeria

What would a late-night eatery list look like if it didn’t include pizza? Head to Landini’s in Little Italy or Point Loma for slices until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. They close at 11 pm on weeknights but stay open until 1 pm on Thursdays for those who like to start the weekend early. Their later hours are especially good if you’re already near their India Street location (in Little Italy) after a night out in the nearby East Village/Gaslamp Quarter.

Grab a dine-in special of a slice or two of pizza and some alcohol, offered all week long if you aren’t quite ready to end the night yet. They don't have a full bar, but they do have plenty of choices of drinks on the menu like craft beers and wine. You could also grab a panini, pasta, or specialty pizza if you’re looking for something more filling, and plan to stick around a while.

 

5. Hong Kong Restaurant

Hong Kong Restaurant in Hillcrest is a great spot for when you just need some good Chinese food. They are open until 2 am Monday to Wednesday and on Sunday, until 2:30 am on Thursday, and until 3 am on Friday and Saturday. Grab all the egg rolls, crispy chicken, and walnut shrimp you can ask for, among other items on their expansive menu. There might not be drunken noodles, but you can bring the 'drunk' and they'll prepare some good noodles for you.

Especially if you've been at the bar and need an expansive menu to choose from, the late hours and signature dishes make this Asian bistro a great one.

6. Turf Supper Club

 

To finish off our list, we cannot forget about the experience that is Turf Supper Club in Golden Hill, San Diego. They are open until 2 am daily, but they stop serving food at 1 am, and they allow you to grill your own steak.

Enjoy some craft cocktails off the drink menu and listen to music on the jukebox while preparing food in the lounge area on a Friday or Saturday night. You can even stay out late for a Sunday night on the town if you want because they are open all week long! Turf Supper Club is not a bar exactly, but it is meant for those 21+ and offers craft beers along with its specialty cocktails and a cool, eclectic sort of feel to the place. Since you cook your own steak and turf, prices are lower. They even have vegetarian options on the menu. It’s a super fun restaurant to be in, and you’ll have your pick of late-night eats.

 

Wrapping Up

There are plenty of other locations with late-night hours around San Diego, so if you are planning on grabbing late-night food in an area we didn’t mention you’ll still have plenty to choose from. We also want to note that you might have seen or heard of Brian’s 24 as a great late-night staple in Gaslamp, near Petco Park. Unfortunately, after years in business, the famous 24-hour bar and grill has recently closed.

Not to worry, though, there are always new spots popping up, and we know that there are plenty of late-night San Diego spots beyond our top picks on this list.

Did we miss your favorite late-night San Diego eatery of all time? Let us know below!