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Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Hillcrest

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115 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Coasterra restaurant
4.5
Awesome(7531)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 64 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
4.9
Exceptional(8621)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 70 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(8002)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 58 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(5449)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Ocean Beach
Booked 156 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(6428)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 78 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(7084)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Banker's Hill
Booked 41 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 Barbusa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4278)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 70 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(178)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 86 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.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4725)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 62 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Madison restaurant
4.5
Awesome(2997)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • University Heights
Booked 28 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
‘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
  • Sandy
    Oxford/Oxfordshire •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Food and service were both exceptional. Highly recommended and worth five stars. Only issue was noise since we were seated outside (planes fly very close overhead). Also a bit chilly sitting next to the screen, which doesn’t go down all the way so cold air comes in underneath. Better to sit inside at the high tops if tables aren’t available.
    More info
    Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• undefined• Little Italy
    4.6
  • Stephanie
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Food and service was amazing as always! Chelsea was amazing at keeping us happy and making sure we were satisfied with the recent menu changes. Never had a meal I didn’t enjoy here.
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    4.5
  • Pamvip
    San Diego •50 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We had out-of-state company, and where better to go for a memorable dinner than Cesarina. We were seated on the side outside patio- it's lovely with lots of plants. Although it was a cold evening, the patio was very comfortable with the patio heaters and they even had blankets available if people got a chill. Classy and perfect. My husband and I wanted to leave room for the fabulous desserts so shared a Caprese salad to start. OMG! Such creamy and fresh burrata on heirloom tomatoes and very high quality balsamic. Delicious! We all had pastas, a hard decision on which one to get always. While one of my favorites is always the gnocchi with funghi sauce, I opted for the seasonal butternut ravioli with butter and sage for the sauce. It was perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, and the Barbera that the server suggested was perfect for it too. Yum. We finished the meal by sharing the tiramisu made tableside. I can't imagine how they are able to make Lady Fingers that melt in your mouth - the fresh ones at the base of the tiramisu topped by the expresso, mound of delicious puffy pastry cream and lots of chocolate make a dessert to remember. Such a delicious dinner, and reliably so. I have never had a bad, or even average, meal here. A favorite from the time they opened, and they just keep getting better.
    More info
    CesarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Ocean Beach
    4.9
  • Andy
    San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • John
    San Diego •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Mr. A's treats you like you are the only one they are there to serve. Food and drink are exceptional, not to mention the sunset view and continuous airshow. Excellent for a special occasion. Israel our server is tops.
    More info
    Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
    4.9
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