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Where to Find Late Night Eats in San Diego

Top picks for dining after-hours

by Keri Bridgwater Updated Nov 21, 2019, 12:17pm PST

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by Keri Bridgwater Updated Nov 21, 2019, 12:17pm PST

Courtesy of Rudford’s Restaurant

Whether it’s a case of the midnight munchies or hunting for a bite to eat after a night out on the town, San Diego has plenty of post-12 a.m. restaurants, walk-up windows – even a 24-hour gas station famed for its Mexican food – to satiate appetites in the wee small hours. From pizza by the slice and yakitori to gastropub fare, here are 20 dependable after-hours spots.

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The Taco Stand

Encinitas residents can dig into rotisserie-marinated pork al pastor tacos, loaded mar y tierra fries and more until 1 a.m. every Friday and Saturday, before rounding things off with a paleta or some housemade hot churros.

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642 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

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Cardiff Valero

You can get authentic tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas and burritos 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the El Pueblo taco shop inside the gas station just off exit 40.

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820 Birmingham Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007

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Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant

This cash-only spot inside 99 Ranch Market serves Cantonese-style barbecue, noodles dishes and soups (the roast duck is a must-try) until midnight seven days a week.

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7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #A103, San Diego, CA 92111

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Yakitori Taisho

Open until 11:30 p.m. every night except Wednesday and Sunday this 15-seat spot is a favorite among chefs for its wide range of tasty grilled meats, Sapporo on draft and a hand-picked sake list by chef-owner Taisho,

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5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117

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yakitori taisho

Hinotez

Open until 2 a.m. daily, Hinotez is a top spot for ramen, curries, sushi and izakaya staples, like yakitori, with last orders for food called at 1:30 a.m. Their late-night happy hour runs from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.

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7947 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111

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Insider of restaurant with people seated at the bar.

Also featured in:

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Small Bar

A University Heights institution, Small Bar’s weekday hours run 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. with bites from the menu, including wings, nachos, tacos, Kennebec fries, and tater tots, all served until around 11 p.m.

4628 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116

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Also featured in:

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Rudford's Restaurant

Serving no-frills comfort food since 1949, Rudford’s (open twenty-four seven, 365 days a year) has a little bit of everything on the menu from breakfast dishes and entree specials to soups, salads, and beyond.

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2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

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The 3rd Corner

Enjoy bistro food and a bottle of wine until 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday at this OB favorite or until 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The kitchen closes a little earlier on Sundays at 11:30 p.m.

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2265 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107

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Also featured in:

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Izakaya Masa

Swing by Mission Hills’ jewel box-sized Japanese gastropub for small plate appetizers like agedashi tofu and gyoza, plus ramen, soba noodles, and sake (of course), until 1 a.m. every night except Monday.

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928 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

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The Asian Bistro

Tuck into appetizers like cheesy wontons and egg drop soup to entrées like pad Thai and roasted duck noodles, plus chef’s specials, curries, and wok dishes in Hillcrest until 3 a.m. daily at The Asian Bistro.

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414 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

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Saigon on Fifth

Serving food until 3 a.m. every day, the pho, roasted fish, spring rolls, stir-fried noodles, and curries are particular favorites at this go-to for Vietnamese in the Gaslamp.

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3900 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

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Tacos Libertad

Open until midnight on Tuesday and Sunday and 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday, the housemade tortillas here come stuffed with everything from duck and octopus to pork belly — perfect for a post-bar pick-me-up.

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1023 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

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Starlite

While Starlite’s regular dinner menu is available until midnight on Friday and Saturday, the India Street stunner also offers a special late-night menu from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, too.

3175 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

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Cloak & Petal

Bites from the Cloak After Dark late-night menu at this swish Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar are available until 12:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. They include sushi tacos, fried gyoza, and a spicy futomaki burrito.

1953 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

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Landini's Pizzeria

Closing at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights (and 11 p.m. the rest of the week), grab a slice or two from Landini’s wide selection of thin-crust pies to enjoy on the walk home along India Street or take a seat on the back patio while waiting for that Lyft or Uber ride.

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1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

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Also featured in:

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Turf Supper Club

Grill-your-own steaks (vegetarian options also available) until 1 a.m. every night of the week at this storied spot in Golden Hill, while stiff cocktails and jukebox playlists can be savored and curated until 2 a.m.

1116 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

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Sneaky Tikis & Seared Meat: A Night at the Turf Supper Club

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Brian's 24

As the name implies, expect generously sized portions of comfort food served twenty-four seven at this restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter whose dining room also happens to feature a rather fabulous chandelier.

828 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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Also featured in:

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The Lion's Share

Night owls can treat themselves to elevated eats like bison carpaccio, French onion soup, escargot, truffle fries, and wild boar bolognese –– even camel tacos –– until 1 a.m. at the fabulous cocktail bar meets gastropub that is The Lion’s Share.

629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

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The Lion’s Share

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Basic Bar & Pizza

East Village go-to for New Haven, Connecticut style thin-crust brick oven pizzas, craft beers, and cocktails until 2 a.m. seven nights a week.

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410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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Also featured in:

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Tavern At The Vogue

Chula Vista’s Tavern at the Vogue serves a late-night bites menu until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, highlights of which include beer mac and cheese, sausage sliders, and salted pretzels with mustard and cheese.

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230 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

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The Taco Stand

642 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Encinitas residents can dig into rotisserie-marinated pork al pastor tacos, loaded mar y tierra fries and more until 1 a.m. every Friday and Saturday, before rounding things off with a paleta or some housemade hot churros.

Open in Google Maps

642 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Visit Website

Cardiff Valero

820 Birmingham Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007

You can get authentic tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas and burritos 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the El Pueblo taco shop inside the gas station just off exit 40.

Open in Google Maps

820 Birmingham Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007

Visit Website

Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant

7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #A103, San Diego, CA 92111

This cash-only spot inside 99 Ranch Market serves Cantonese-style barbecue, noodles dishes and soups (the roast duck is a must-try) until midnight seven days a week.

Open in Google Maps

7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #A103, San Diego, CA 92111

Visit Website

Yakitori Taisho

5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117

Open until 11:30 p.m. every night except Wednesday and Sunday this 15-seat spot is a favorite among chefs for its wide range of tasty grilled meats, Sapporo on draft and a hand-picked sake list by chef-owner Taisho,

Open in Google Maps

5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117

Visit Website

yakitori taisho

Hinotez

7947 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111

Open until 2 a.m. daily, Hinotez is a top spot for ramen, curries, sushi and izakaya staples, like yakitori, with last orders for food called at 1:30 a.m. Their late-night happy hour runs from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Open in Google Maps

7947 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111

Visit Website

Insider of restaurant with people seated at the bar.

Small Bar

4628 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116

A University Heights institution, Small Bar’s weekday hours run 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. with bites from the menu, including wings, nachos, tacos, Kennebec fries, and tater tots, all served until around 11 p.m.

4628 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116

Visit Website

Rudford's Restaurant

2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

Serving no-frills comfort food since 1949, Rudford’s (open twenty-four seven, 365 days a year) has a little bit of everything on the menu from breakfast dishes and entree specials to soups, salads, and beyond.

Open in Google Maps

2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

Visit Website

The 3rd Corner

2265 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107

Enjoy bistro food and a bottle of wine until 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday at this OB favorite or until 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The kitchen closes a little earlier on Sundays at 11:30 p.m.

Open in Google Maps

2265 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107

Visit Website

Izakaya Masa

928 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

Swing by Mission Hills’ jewel box-sized Japanese gastropub for small plate appetizers like agedashi tofu and gyoza, plus ramen, soba noodles, and sake (of course), until 1 a.m. every night except Monday.

Open in Google Maps

928 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

Visit Website

The Asian Bistro

414 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Tuck into appetizers like cheesy wontons and egg drop soup to entrées like pad Thai and roasted duck noodles, plus chef’s specials, curries, and wok dishes in Hillcrest until 3 a.m. daily at The Asian Bistro.

Open in Google Maps

414 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Visit Website

Saigon on Fifth

3900 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Serving food until 3 a.m. every day, the pho, roasted fish, spring rolls, stir-fried noodles, and curries are particular favorites at this go-to for Vietnamese in the Gaslamp.

Open in Google Maps

3900 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Visit Website

Tacos Libertad

1023 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Open until midnight on Tuesday and Sunday and 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday, the housemade tortillas here come stuffed with everything from duck and octopus to pork belly — perfect for a post-bar pick-me-up.

Open in Google Maps

1023 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Visit Website

Starlite

3175 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

While Starlite’s regular dinner menu is available until midnight on Friday and Saturday, the India Street stunner also offers a special late-night menu from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, too.

3175 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

Visit Website

Cloak & Petal

1953 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Bites from the Cloak After Dark late-night menu at this swish Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar are available until 12:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. They include sushi tacos, fried gyoza, and a spicy futomaki burrito.

1953 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Landini's Pizzeria

1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Closing at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights (and 11 p.m. the rest of the week), grab a slice or two from Landini’s wide selection of thin-crust pies to enjoy on the walk home along India Street or take a seat on the back patio while waiting for that Lyft or Uber ride.

Open in Google Maps

1827 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Related Maps

Turf Supper Club

1116 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Grill-your-own steaks (vegetarian options also available) until 1 a.m. every night of the week at this storied spot in Golden Hill, while stiff cocktails and jukebox playlists can be savored and curated until 2 a.m.

1116 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Visit Website

Sneaky Tikis & Seared Meat: A Night at the Turf Supper Club

Brian's 24

828 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

As the name implies, expect generously sized portions of comfort food served twenty-four seven at this restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter whose dining room also happens to feature a rather fabulous chandelier.

828 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Lion's Share

629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Night owls can treat themselves to elevated eats like bison carpaccio, French onion soup, escargot, truffle fries, and wild boar bolognese –– even camel tacos –– until 1 a.m. at the fabulous cocktail bar meets gastropub that is The Lion’s Share.

629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Lion’s Share

Basic Bar & Pizza

410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

East Village go-to for New Haven, Connecticut style thin-crust brick oven pizzas, craft beers, and cocktails until 2 a.m. seven nights a week.

Open in Google Maps

410 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Tavern At The Vogue

230 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Chula Vista’s Tavern at the Vogue serves a late-night bites menu until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, highlights of which include beer mac and cheese, sausage sliders, and salted pretzels with mustard and cheese.

Open in Google Maps

230 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Visit Website