Late Night Meals in San Diego

Hunger pangs at 10:00pm can be inconvenient, especially if you’re sick of carne asada fries. Most restaurants are closed, which can drive late night diners to their local hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurants. But before you resort to your usual late night hotspot, check out some of our favorite places for late night dining.

Crest Café of Hillcrest is open until midnight every night, and as if that weren’t appealing enough, they offer “Night Owl Specials” every day from 10:00 pm to close. Diners can enjoy some of the café’s most popular dishes for only $7.25, including Mac & Cheese or Little Luiggi’s Ravioli with a side of salad and bread. In addition to this deal, Crest Café offers weekday specials, which are available Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to midnight. If you’re not in the mood for lunch or dinner options, Crest Café also boasts a very diverse breakfast menu that is served all day. Some favorites include the Breakfast Burrito or the Crème Brûlée French Toast, which comes topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and Crest Café’s special Crème Brûlée sauce to sweeten the deal.

If you’re hankering for a traditional Mexican dining experience, then La Fiesta has what you’re looking for! Although you won’t find carne asada fries on their menu, diners can expect traditional Mexican dishes such as tamales or chiles rellenos. La Fiesta is located in the Gaslamp quarter of San Diego, and is open until midnight daily. They offer a happy hour Monday through Thursday from 10:00 pm to close, which boasts specials on drinks, including draft beers and margaritas. As suggested by its name, this restaurant and lounge offers a fun dining experience for all of its diners.

Taste and Thirst, also located in the Gaslamp, is open until 2:00am nightly, and offers late night specials Monday through Friday. Although this restaurant has more of a bar atmosphere, late night diners can still find food specials throughout the week, including T-Bone Tuesdays and Wing Wednesdays. On Tuesday, you can enjoy a steak dinner, which comes with a t-bone steak, domestic draft beer, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and garlic toast—all for under $10! On Wednesdays, with a minimum purchase of two drinks, diners can enjoy wings for only $0.25 each. Whether you’re trying to please your taste buds or quench your thirst, Taste and Thirst will leave you satisfied.

If your stomach growls for good food later than midnight, there’s always the Studio Diner in Kearny Mesa. This restaurant is open 24 hours, and serves the complete menu all day and all night. Studio Diner is known for its East Coast specials, including the New England clam chowder which is loaded with clams that are delivered fresh daily. What diner would be complete without that sweet slice of apple pie for dessert? Studio Diner does not disappoint, serving “Yo Mama’s Apple Pie” topped with vanilla ice cream. Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Studio Diner has you covered 24/7.