San Diego’s ultimate annual geek-fest is nearly upon us! This year’s Comic-Con (which runs Thursday, July 21 to Saturday, July 24) once again promises to bring fanboys and fangirls from far and wide to our fair city for a four-day celebration of all things pop-culture. But with less than stellar food choices on offer at the 'Con, escape the costumed craziness and refuel at one of these eleven awesome eateries and watering holes within walking distance of the Convention Center instead.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70084776/_Comic-Con.0.0.0.0.jpg)
11 Spots to Eat & Drink If You're Headed to Comic-Con
Holy smokes, it's that time again

1. Basic Urban Kitchen & Bar
San Diego, CA 92101
In honor of Comic-Con, BASIC will be rocking the block with two back-to-back parties. Join comic book artist/designer Gabe Eltaeb on Wednesday, July 20, and LA-based toy store Munky King on Thursday, July 21 for their 9th annual Comic-Con celebration. Be prepared for dual nights of cold beers, hot pies, and DJ tunes.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536852/BASIC.0.0.0.jpg)
2. Puesto
San Diego, CA 92101
Puesto’s culinary team has created a Comic-Con themed selection of dishes, including a dynamic duo of special tacos— the Maine lobster and filet mignon-filled El Heroé Taco ($10) complete with melted cheese, avocado, crispy onions, chipotle heroé sauce, and the duck carnitas El Villain Taco ($8) with black bean purée, whipped avocado, and habanero pickled onion. A combination of Vida mescal, Guanabana, tamarindo, lime leaf and charred orange, we hear the El Mezcalito cocktail ($12) makes the perfect sidekick.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536844/Puesto.0.0.0.jpg)
3. Tajima Ramen East Village
San Diego, CA 92101
Ramen gets a touch of 'Con magic by way of the Naruto Ramen bowl ($10). Based on a popular Japanese anime character, the dish includes all the classic miso ramen components (pork chashu, Japanese seaweed, sesame seeds, green onion, half a ramen egg), with the addition of ninja Naruto’s favorite extras: bamboo shoots and Naruto fish cakes. This Comic-Con special will be offered at all locations (Convoy, Mercury, Hillcrest, East Village) from Monday, July 18 - Sunday, July 24.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536846/Tajima_East_Village.0.0.0.jpg)
4. Saltbox Dining and Drinking
San Diego, CA 92101
Executive Chef Brad Kraten will be offering a variety of creations fit for every fan from its Comic-Con menu between July 21 - 24. Feast on The Wolverine Burger, which comes complete with onions, jalapenos, chili pickles and cheese, and the Deadpool Chicken Chimichanga, which features avocado salsa and crème fraiche. Breakfast-goers can start off their day by ordering a stack of Aunt May’s Buckwheat Pancakes with pecan butter and maple syrup.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536849/SaltboxInteriorSmall.0.0.0.jpg)
5. The Blind Burro
San Diego, CA 92101
The ‘Burro has crafted five suitably Comic-Con themed cocktails, strong enough to refuel any superhero: the Don Julio based Mega Margarita ($16), which can be made into a caddy with Grand Marnier float ($18); the Pop Bam Slam Mule ($14), and Marvel-ous Paloma ($14). Superfan themed dishes include a hearty bowl of guacamole, dubbed Kryptonite ($9), while Thronies can enjoy Wun Wun’s Giant Dog ($12) a half pound all beef frank with candied chipotle bacon, pinto purée, charred green onions and more.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536845/The_Blind_Burro_2.0.0.0.jpg)
Also Featured in:
6. Jsix Restaurant
San Diego, CA 92101
Jsix will offer lead bartender Andy Luyme’s Comic-Con cocktail creations from July 21-24. Pull up in the bar and enjoy libations inspired by comic book favorites, including The Battlecat (made with Espolon Blanco tequila, Gifford Pampelmousse, grapefruit, lime and rose water); and the Vulcan Mind Meld with Bacardi orange, vanilla syrup, orange, lemon and pineapple juice. While Luyme’s Scarlett Witch mixes Maison Rouge cognac, St Germain, strawberry, cayenne and lemon.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536850/JSix-9.0.0.0.jpg)
7. Quad Ale House
San Diego, CA 92101
During Comic-Con Quad AleHouse will be serving up a gang of five signature cocktails based on the Suicide Squad movie. Two picks include The Joker (Ketel One Citroen, Blue Curacao, cranberry, pineapple and fresh lime juice), and Harley Quinn (Tanqueray Gin, maraschino cherry liqueur, crème de violette and fresh lemon juice). Gaslamp Tavern will be beaming up the specialty brew, Star Trek Golden Anniversary Ale by Schmaltz Brewery.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536851/Quad_AleHouse_Interior_press_cropped.0.0.0.jpg)
8. Bake Sale Bakery
San Diego, CA 92101
Located less than one mile from the convention center, Bake Sale will offer sweet and savory Star Wars themed items Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24. Inspired by Han Solo’s famous sidekick, chewy coconut macaroons (dubbed Wookiee Cookies) will be available for $1.95 per cookie or $10 for a box of six. And, inspired by Yoda’s swamp-covered home planet, a white bean and summer vegetable 'Dagobah soup' (celery, organic baby carrots and spring onion) is priced at $4.95 and will be available for lunch orders.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536853/Bake_Sale_Bakery_Interior.0.0.0.jpg)
Also Featured in:
9. Le Parfait Paris
San Diego, CA 92101
The Gaslamp Quarter’s Parisian style gathering spot is getting into the revelry with specialty ‘Con-worthy cakes gracing its menu, including one inspired by Game of Thrones and another dedicated to World of Warcraft fans. They’ll also be offering a thirst-quenching Marvel-ous Sangria, made with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, chardonnay and lemon lime.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536854/Le_Paris_Parfait.0.0.0.jpg)
10. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
San Diego, CA 92101
The Hyatt will showcase a variety of character-themed cocktails inspired by iconic movie, TV show and comic book favorites. Sip on The Assassin (Effin Black Cherry Vodka, raspberry liqueur and sierra mist) at the Grand Lobby Bar, or sink a couple of Captain America’s (Stoli blueberri, grenadine, sierra mist and blue curacao) at the Top of the Hyatt. Don’t miss the Star Wars-inspired sushi menu at Sally’s Seafood, complete with light saber chopsticks.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536857/LZEaterHyatt-6.0.0.0.jpeg)
11. Barleymash
San Diego, CA 92101
Barleymash is getting into the Comic-Con spirit with a special Ghostbuster menu of bites and sips, including the Holtzmann (housemade Kenenbeck potato chips smothered in sauce and topped with basil blue cheese dressing, bacon among other toppings), the tequila-based Poltergeist Effect cocktail, watermelon syrup, triple sec, lime juice and soda. Stay Puft for dessert with graham cracker pate a choux and marshmallow cream filling drizzled in chocolate sauce.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62536858/barleymash.0.0.0.jpg)
Also Featured in: