A Comic-Con sign hangs at the San Diego convention center. — The convention center.

Where to Eat and Drink at This Year’s Comic-Con

The pop culture phenomenon returns to downtown San Diego

by Candice Woo Updated Jul 10, 2023, 9:01am PDT

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The convention center.

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by Candice Woo Updated Jul 10, 2023, 9:01am PDT

Comic-Con International is returning to the San Diego Convention Center, running Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23, and bringing with it crowds of cosplayers, celebrity sightings, and sneak peeks at upcoming movies and TV shows.

And although heavy hitters like Marvel, DC Studios, and Warner Bros won’t be in attendance this year, there will still be plenty of things to do and see for fans.

While there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the Convention Center and its hallowed Hall H, (check out our handy maps of where to eat in the Gaslamp and the East Village), here’s a curated list of venues offering Comic-Con-themed dishes and drinks inspired by everything from “The Barbie Movie” to anime and retro arcade games, along with some other standout spots for when you need to escape from the fandom.

Outside of the convention center, check out everything from a Comic-Con bar crawl to a Nick at Nite-themed after party.

Note: map points are not ranked.

The Westgate Hotel

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For a more mellow respite from the festivities, this elegant hotel is putting a Comic-Con spin on its afternoon tea. Offered in its grand lobby from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23, the Superhero Tea will feature a selection of premium teas, housemade pastries, tea sandwiches, and desserts along with a superhero-themed cocktail menu that includes the Hulk Smash, tinted green with Midori, and the Black Window, a mix of vodka, lime juice, muddled blackberries, and pomegranate juice. Comic-Con attendees will receive 15 percent off their tea experience when they show their event badge.

1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 238-1818

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Animae

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While this opulent restaurant isn’t offering any specific deals, its design includes playful elements like a display of '70s-era robots at hostess stand and a huge 11-by-7-foot LED-backlit artwork of The Iron Giant behind the bar, making it the perfect Comic-Con-inspired backdrop for executive chef Tara Monsod’s menu that highlights her Filipino heritage with modern takes on kinilaw, lechon kawali, and kare kare. Reservations are recommended.

969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 432-1225

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Tacos El Gordo

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The Tijuana-style tacos specialists finally opened its downtown San Diego location, meaning that Comic-Con attendees can fuel up between panels with its famous street tacos made on handmade corn tortillas.

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 955-8220

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Techo Beso

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Downtown’s latest rooftop bar, serving up small plates and live DJ entertainment by the pool, is featuring a purple Hawkeye cocktail made with butterfly pea tea-infused Fords gin, rose syrup, and lemon juice. Meanwhile, downstairs at the hotel’s AC Lounge, the Blue Beetle Margarita, will be mixed up in honor of DC Studios’ upcoming Blue Beetle movie.

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743 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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A purple cocktail. — The Hawkeye cocktail.

barleymash

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The staff of this Gaslamp bar will be getting into the fun of Comic-Con, with bartenders dressed as anime-style villains while its servers don hero costumes. Enjoy the sights while digging into a Barley bento box holding crispy chicken katsu or spicy tuna paired with steamed rice, cucumber salad, and bulgogi green beans/

600 Fifth Ave #6916, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 255-7373

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The Smoking Gun SD

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This downtown bar and restaurant is offering a featured cocktail throughout the month of July: Space Invaders is made with Volcan Blanco Tequila, Lillet, Giffards Passionfruit, Liquid Alchemist Strawberry, Cold Press Lime Juice, and Jameson Caskmates float. Head in during the Comic-Con long weekend to available yourself of its game-filled arcade as well as other food and drink specials.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 233-3836

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Puesto at the Headquarters

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An easy walk from the Convention Center, this soaring restaurant and bar specializes in Mexico City-style tacos that come on corn tortillas cloaked in crispy cheese. Don’t skip its excellent cocktails, which include a spicy margarita spiked with habanero and a refreshing watermelon version made with fresh fruit.

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7079, 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 233-8880

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Callie

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When you’re done with panels for the day, unwind at this East Village destination restaurant that offers commendable cocktails and a breezy, shareable Cali-Mediterranean menu from chef Travis Swikard that includes housemade pita and hummus, local seafood, and can’t-miss pastas.

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1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 255-9696

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A plate of pasta with bread and a glass of wine.

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Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

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In need of a quick lunch or casual group dinner? Look no further than this friendly Thai spot serving the cuisine’s popular curries and noodles as well as Thai fried chicken, whole fried local fish, spicy stir-fried mussels, and excellent Thai sausages as well as cocktails like a Thai basil gimlet or coconut martini.

1460 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 310-5837

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The Blind Burro

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Dress in your finest Barbie cosplay on Thursday, July 20 and receive 10 percent off your tab at this downtown bar and restaurant where the Barbie movie is being celebrated throughout the ‘Con with Barbie’s Dream Marg, a pink sugar-rimmed strawberry-watermelon margarita that’ll come with a pair of pink heart sunglasses ($22). Add on a “... and Ken” shot for $9.

639 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 795-7880

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A Barbie doll next to colorful cocktails. — Barbie’s Dream Marg and Ken shot.

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The Deck at Moonshine Flats

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Among the special Comic-Con cocktails that’ll be available are the retro arcade-themed Sub Zero, named for the Mortal Kombat warrior, featuring a blue-hued punch with coconut rum, the Zelda-themed Master Sword made with blueberry vodka and edible glitter, and “Cowabunga, dude!”, a drinkable homage to Raphael from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that includes whiskey, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and Sprite.

335 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 255-7625

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Spill The Beans Coffee and Bagels

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Both of the cafe’s locations in Seaport Village and the Gaslamp will be celebrating Comic-Con with Super Mario-themed cream cheeses. Pair a specialty coffee drink with Mario Party pizza cream cheese or Donkey Kong’s banana cream cheese on a house bagel available in flavors ranging from French toast and garlic and herb to a classic everything seasoning.

813 W Harbor Dr Unit C-7, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 230-5130

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A bagel with cream cheese. — Mario Party pizza cream cheese on a bagel.

THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

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A new Barbie menu makes a special appearance at the Grant Grill Lounge until July 23rd. Available from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., choose from sliders, stuffed with fried shrimp and pinkglow pineapple slaw, or Skipper’s Pool Party, a Barbie pool filled with tiny desserts. Pair with a Malibu Barbie milkshake or a Live Your Dream cocktail, made with Patron Silver and pear puree.

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326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 232-3121

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Hi Barbie, Hi Ken Sliders with fried shrimp and pinkglow pineapple slaw.

Chick'nCone

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A Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe has taken over the J-Street location of Chick’n Cone until August 20th. The folks at Secret Sauce Society are serving up Sega-themed Knuckles fried chicken sandwiches, chili dogs, and Flying Fox (Tails) mango slushies in the pop-up restaurant.

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910 J St Space 2, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 876-4040

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Sonic the Hedgehog Knuckles Sandwich with fried chicken.

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The Westgate Hotel

Animae

Tacos El Gordo

Techo Beso

barleymash

The Smoking Gun SD

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Puesto at the Headquarters

Callie

Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

The Blind Burro

The Deck at Moonshine Flats

Spill The Beans Coffee and Bagels

THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Chick'nCone

More in Maps

The Westgate Hotel

Animae

Tacos El Gordo

Techo Beso

barleymash

The Smoking Gun SD

Puesto at the Headquarters

Callie

Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

The Blind Burro

The Deck at Moonshine Flats

Spill The Beans Coffee and Bagels

THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Chick'nCone

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All sharing options for: Where to Eat and Drink at This Year’s Comic-Con

All sharing options for: Where to Eat and Drink at This Year’s Comic-Con