Best Diners in Hillcrest

"There’s a reason Harry’s Coffee Shop is on so many "best diner" lists, including our own. It's been doing San Diego's finest take on a proper NYC greasy spoon in La Jolla since before bell-bottoms were a thing. Harry’s opens at 6am so early birds can get their eggs and bacon at the crack of dawn, but breakfast is served all day for those who can't function before noon -- which is a whole bunch of you."

"Harry's Coffee Shop is popular with locals and tourists alike for an old-school, casual ambiance as well as enormous portions. Coffee is refilled quickly while the menu is varied featuring delicious omelettes and items with a Mexican flair. There's counter and booth seating as well as dog-friendly, al fresco dining in front."

"Hob Nob Hill is located in the Bankers Hill Neighborhood of San Diego. The restaurant sits adjacent to popular Balboa Park and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and has been a staple of America’s Finest City since the 1940s, garnering the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It has regularly received accolades from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association."

"Hob Nob Hill, known for their breakfast, has been serving up American eats since 1944. Don't forget to check out their selection of fresh bakery items while you're there."

"This Bankers Hill eatery has been feeding San Diegans since 1944. Their popular prime rib dinners mean homemade roast beef hass at breakfast-time."

"This iconic ’50s-style diner has been one of the main go-to family restaurants in San Diego for more than a quarter-century. Disc Jockeys, balloon artists, magicians and live entertainment frequent the diner on a weekly basis but the main entertainment draw for kids and grown-ups alike is the 5,000 square-foot Gamers Garage. Not your typical arcade, the Gamers Garage has over 50 games including everything from the latest high-tech simulators to interactive pinball throwbacks."

"Corvette Diner is a San Diego institution now located in the Point Loma area of Liberty Station. It's a 50s diner the serves up shakes, burgers, fries and other comfort food by sassy wait staff dressed in poodle skirts. Kids love it not only for the retro decor, casual vibe and food, but there's a killer arcade called Gamer's Garage in the back with 50 games and opportunities to win prizes."

"If dancing servers doling out thick milkshakes and tempting diner fare sounds like your family’s jam, you’ll love Corvette Diner at Liberty Station near downtown. This restaurant features themed dining areas representing the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Burgers are the specialty here."

"Serving hungry locals for over 90 years, this café has been operating out of its current location since 1954!. Known for huge plates sure to fill any appetite, they serve breakfast all day and on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer months, they are open 24/7 for you to enjoy lunch and dinner too. The café still boasts its original diner décor, a 100-year old flat top grill and an iron hood that was salvaged from an old ship over 125 years ago!"

"In-N-Out Burger is just a classic fast food chain out West, it originated in California in 1948. It’s famous because the chain has barely changed since then. Stepping into an In-N-Out Burger will take you back to the 40’s with its interior design, same small menu, similar prices, and high quality!"

"Next to Burger Lounge, near the heart of the downtown La Jolla, sits Coffee Cup, an assuming storefront with an incredible menu. Many of their dishes are a magical fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine, utilizing unique ingredients for both their breakfast and lunch entrees. Top breakfast recommendations include: the Pesto Scramble, Soy Chorizo Scramble, Breakfast Enchiladas, and Coffee Cup French Toast."

"The Mexican Mocha is amazing as were all other entrees we tried. Highly recommend this place for breakfast in La Jolla."

"Studio Diner is open late-night (round-the-clock from Thursday through Sunday and until midnight during the rest of the week) and set on a working studio lot in the Kearny Mesa business district. The menu features a wide array of great selections, made from only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Try the turkey Reuben sandwich, T-bone steak and eggs, patty melt or other hearty fare but be sure to save room for Yo Mama's apple pie or decadent carrot cake."

"You'll feel like you've gone back in time in this classic movie-themed diner-style restaurant when you walk into Studio Diner. Their menu consists of American classics and even an "East Coast Specials Menu.". So if you find yourself vacationing in SD (or if you already live here) and can't decide what to eat, take some advice from Guy Fieri himself and try out one of these San Diego restaurants."

"Barrio LoganWe’ve come a long way from when White Claw was the new big thing in hard beverages — now there’s more than 100 brands of hard seltzer alone, with hard lemonade, hard coffee, hard kombucha, and now, hard yerba mate entering the market as well. Barrio Logan’s brand new taproom, Kové Hard Yerba Mate, serves up the world’s first hard version of this popular South American tea-like brew in four different flavors; mojito, lemonade iced tea, mango colada, and passion berry. At a moderate 5% ABV, Kové’s version is organic, vegan, and gluten-free, making it practically a health food."

"This outpost location of Escondido’s Stone Brewing Company is one of the best breweries in Downtown San Diego, and it has many of the same signature brews, special releases, and small-batch beers on its lineup of 16 taps as its parent brewery. There are also farm-fresh snacks in the bistro, and if you fall in love with a specific brew, bottles are available for takeaway. (Tip: There’s another downtown location in Little Italy on Kettner Blvd.)"

"Craft beer lovers will recognize Stone Brewing since their brews are distributed not only around the country, but around the world. Hailing from San Diego, Stone Brewing has been making beer for over 10 years and is the largest brewery in Southern California. Their Arrogant Bastard Ale became so popular, they created a separate brewing company for it."

"Try the “impossible” sandwiches and salads with a cold beer at Stone Brewing. The kitchen serves up traditional pub fare, like bangers and mash or Bavarian pretzels. Customers love the Ruination and Amber Wave Oatmeal IPA, just to name a couple of the preferred brews available."

"Head even further north from Mission Beach and you’ll arrive at Pacific Beach. Known among the locals as P.B., if you’re looking for the stereotype of Californian beach life, you’re going to find it here. If you’re looking for a place to have a go at surfing, many newbies start out in the white water around P.B."

"Catch a morning surf lessons from Surfari Surf School at north Mission Beach, and enjoy some prime people-watching on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk while you catch your breath. You’ll have worked up quite an appetite, so sate it the way a local surfer would—with fish tacos from Oscars Mexican Seafood."