Best Casual Restaurants in Hillcrest

152 restaurants available nearby

1. NOLA on 5th

4.1

Excellent(80)

Price: Moderate

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • Hillcrest

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.

2. La Bonne Table

4.9

Exceptional(1404)

Price: Moderate

• French • Hillcrest

LA BONNE TABLE is a cozy and intimate restaurant in the heart of the bustling neighborhood of Hillcrest. We serve country french food in a bistro fashion. Our menu consists of classic french dishes, a modest but excellent selection that will change with the seasons. We offer a romantic atmosphere and elegant setting, full bar and french beer on tap. Reservations are recommended as seating is very limited in this exclusive restaurant. Bon Appetit!

3. Au Revoir

4.6

Exceptional(905)

Price: Moderate

• French • Hillcrest

Located in the heart of Hillcrest, Au Revoir Bistro saw it's first day in November 2010, a new born of the Mastellone family (Arrivederci, Il Postino, Buon Appetito, etc etc). Typical Parisian French Bistro, Au Revoir, has a casual ambiance and an atmosphere that transports you directly to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Our French Homemade Cuisine is a perfectly inexpensive recipe, a little bit of tradition, an ounce of modern French cooking inspired by different regions, and a big cup of love from our Chef Dédé and his team. Some of the house specialties are "escargots", "soupe à l'oignon", "boeuf bourguignon", "coq au vin", "frogs' legs", ...Et Voila !

4. C-Level

4.7

Exceptional(4865)

Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 52 times today

Resting on stilts atop San Diego By C Level Lounge, is an upscale-casual lounge on the waterfront overlooking the city skyline and Coronado.

5. Callie Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(185)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 35 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.

6. Cesarina

4.9

Exceptional(5456)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Ocean Beach

Booked 96 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.

7. Cellar Hand

4.7

Exceptional(107)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 3 times today

Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare by Executive Chef Logan Kendall. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!

8. Lala

4.5

Awesome(121)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 8 times today

From the Owners of Barbusa .we bring you "Lala" a captivating blend of modern and classic Italian cuisine, paired with handcrafted cocktails in a cozy, sexy-chic ambiance. Our menu showcases timeless Italian flavors with a contemporary twist, from traditional Stuffed Shells to inventive loaded potato gnocchi. The intimate atmosphere, with dimmed lights and plush furnishings, sets the stage for romantic dinners or vibrant gatherings.Our bar is a haven of mixology artistry, featuring classic Negronis and signature creations like the "Lala Martini." Sustainability is a core value—we source responsibly and implement eco-friendly practices in both the kitchen and the bar. "Lala" isn't just a restaurant; it's a community that appreciates culinary excellence, inviting you to savor the extraordinary in every bite, sip, and moment. Join us for a celebration of Italian cuisine, crafted with contemporary flair, and served in an ambiance that exudes romance.

9. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1334)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 25 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant

10. Great Maple San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(4370)

Price: Moderate

• American • Hillcrest

Booked 60 times today

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

E
ELIZA LEARY
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Enjoyed our Thanksgiving early dinner here, they had a fixed menu for $89.95. We had a choice of first course, second course and dessert. I had the yummy pan seared sea bass. We were seated at the patio. It was pretty warm even though it was partially open air.. they had ample heaters and a fireplace. Magnificent views of the San Diego skyline. Service was top notch, our waiter was very nice and attentive. Cocktails were extra, and they were delicious. The place was packed, but didn't take away from the cozy ambiance. Would love to be back.
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C-LevelPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.7
L
Lisa
Seattle / Eastern Washington •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic food, incredible service and attention to detail! The merguez dolmas, kanpachi, pita, duck, harissa lamb chops and chicken were all scrumptious. Our most memorable dinner in San Diego. Thank you for a great evening!
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Callie RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.8
K
Kingvip
New York City •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great service. Duck confit was so good. Escargot was done very nicely. Such a great experience overall. We will be back
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La Bonne TablePrice: Moderate• French• Hillcrest
•
4.9
J
Janevip
San Diego •26 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 20, 2024
The food was delicious and reasonably priced. I had the poulet baguette and loved it. I substituted salad for the fries, but my friends had the fries and said that they were exceptional.
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Au RevoirPrice: Moderate• French• Hillcrest
•
4.6
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
•
4.1

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Hillcrest

Best Casual Restaurants in Hillcrest

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152 restaurants available nearby

1. NOLA on 5th

2. La Bonne Table

3. Au Revoir

4. C-Level

5. Callie Restaurant

6. Cesarina

7. Cellar Hand

8. Lala

9. Kettner Exchange

10. Great Maple San Diego

See what locals rave about

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