San Diego Restaurants : Hillcrest & Uptown

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Hillcrest & Uptown: 25 Restaurants Found

Sort Results: By Popularity | By Name | By Price | By Cuisine

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 25 Page: 1 2 3 Next

Florencias Ristorante and Pizzeria

Address: 3017 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 (Map)

Florencias delivers a satisfying taste of home-cooked Italian goodness to every diner no matter where he or she may be. A popular dine-in, take-out, and delivery restaurant, Florencias is happy to say it is family owned and operated—a fact that translates well into flavor and quality. Pizzas and subs come piping hot to the table and encourage a hands-on eating style, while classic pasta and baked dishes are a natural fit with a fine glass of wine. Since one’s need for true Italian fare knows no bounds, Florencias keeps its doors—and arms—open late into the night to ensure none of us has to go to bed hungry.

Babycakes

Address: 3766 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 (Map)

Whimsically whisking guests off to a sweet oasis of tasty times is Babycakes, in Hillcrest. This chic uptown eatery is located in a handsome craftsman-style home characteristic of the neighborhood’s charming architecture, and boasts a large front and back patio. Inside, visitors enjoy a home-away-from-home vibe complemented by antiques, cozy couches, the brick fireplace, and open-beamed ceilings. Sweet dreams meet saccharine-scented fantasies with Babycakes’ luscious dessert cocktails, cupcakes, pastries, and savory delights. Celebrate the weekend with a Babycakes brunch (the Red Velvet Hot Cakes are a hit) or meet up with friends for a proper Monday night nightcap: pair the Richy Rich cocktail with the Chocolate Tuxedo cupcake for a sweet ending that is truly Money.

Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine

Address: 3332 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 (Map)

Tucked away in the heart of Adams Avenue- the famous strip in the neighborhood of Normal Heights- you will find Tao. Offering healthy Vietnamese/Japanese cuisine with an extensive vegetarian selection, Chef Hung “Eric” Tao also features his homemade tofu and soy milk, which he makes fresh daily. His specialty is his Mango “Chicken” Rice: soy based mock “chicken” pieces sautéed with sweet, juicy mango, and the Tofu Rice Pot, tofu, and stir fry vegetables atop rice served in an iron rice pot. With such popular selections, this casual hotspot will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

Bombay

Address: 3960 5th Aven., San Diego, CA 92103 (Map)

A fanciful curtain of monsoon rain, visible through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, is a friendly greeting as guests enter the spacious and elegant dining room at Bombay restaurant. Aromas of exotic spices promise a feast of flavors. Having won awards for the “Best Vegetarian Restaurant” and “Best Indian Restaurant in San Diego”, from AOL City Guide and San Diego Magazine respectively, one can remain assured they will enjoy an authentic culinary adventure. The kitchen serves to satisfy expectations and the attentive wait staff ensures a delectable dining experience that you’ll want to repeat over and over again. Flavorful, mysterious fruit drinks and cocktails along with a variety of wines complement the spices of magical India.

Crest Cafe

Address: 425 Robinson Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 (Map)

Nestled just one block south of University Avenue in Hillcrest is Crest Café, a haven of fresh and organic American cuisine with a southwestern twist. While it may seem like a surfside diner plucked from the past, the food here is far superior to most cafes or diners you’re liable to find. Along with the food, the bright and fun décor and extremely friendly servers have given the restaurant an extremely loyal and diverse group of regulars that just can’t get enough. Crest Café is open until midnight every day and serves an all-day breakfast menu, so diners can enjoy whatever their stomachs are rumbling for at any time of the day.

Street Side Thai Kitchen

Address: 3025 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 (Map)

North Park’s already noteworthy dining scene got a little tastier since Street Side Thai Kitchen opened its doors. This eatery is a destination for both locals that know their way around the neighborhood’s top stops and for Thai food enthusiasts that know their way around a proper menu. Street Side satisfies midday diners with a lunch menu that caters to the appetite as well as the wallet: lunch selections are served with a salad, soup, egg roll, and steamed rice. Later in the day, dinner guests indulge in a menu that features meat and seafood delicacies, along with authentic curry dishes and rice and noodle favorites. Street Side brings the best of casual Thai dining right to the table.

Aladdin

Address: 1220 Cleveland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 (Map)

Just north of University Avenue, Aladdin restaurant is one of Hillcrest’s most flavorful dining destinations. The Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant serves an array of fresh, vibrant dishes such as Lamb Schwerma, Vegetarian Bryani, and the chef’s favorite, Halibut Arrabiata. Lighter fare includes an array of traditional Meza such as hommos, tabouleh, and dolmas, as well as salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired middle-eastern pizzas. The casual setting and elegant décor is welcoming and comfortable; combined with the food it just may convince you that you’re not in Hillcrest anymore.

Bleu Boheme

Address: 4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 (Map)

Visit the heart of Kensington for a taste of France with Owner and Chef Ken Irvine’s Bleu Boheme. Designed to reflect the traditional French eatery of a bygone era, the Bleu Boheme dining room is rustic and inviting. Exposed beam ceilings and pale stone walls are complemented by simple furnishings and understated accent pieces. The ever-evolving daily menu serves as an art installation of sorts, as it is scribed on a wall-sized chalk board. Guests cozy up in the intimate dining room and peruse the classic menu that includes such specialties as Coq au Vin, Escargot a la Portugaise, and Moules Frites. In addition to its well orchestrated dinner menu, Bleu Boheme also serves brunch on the weekends and features lunch daily. Chef Irvine is continually improving upon his already inspired menu, ensuring guests always enjoy fresh flavors and intriguing combinations.

Olympic Cafe

Address: 2340 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 (Map)

With a seemingly endless abundance of ethnic foods fairly represented throughout the county, Greek cuisine does not seem to draw a huge number of restaurateurs to San Diego. It just takes a little looking, though. Unassuming inside and out, the food at Olympic Café speaks for itself, as shown by the “Best Greek Restaurant in San Diego” award City Beat gave the café in 2004, and the number of repeat customers that regularly dine here. With the laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of an old diner and friendly staff, customers are made to feel right at home. The family-owned café was established in 1985, and diners looking at the menu prices might feel like they’re stuck in a time warp – in a good way . Spanakopita, huge gyros, and a falafel platter are traditional Greek picks on the menu, but for those craving American fare, Olympic Cafe also offers a half-pound Angus burger for only $5.55 during lunch hours. Serving breakfast daily starting at 7am, the something-for-everyone menu has omelets and lighter dishes. If you decide to go Greek all the way, try the breakfast gyro – two eggs scrambled with sliced gyros and grilled onion, topped with fresh tomato, wrapped in a piping hot pita and served with their creamy tzatziki sauce. Playful desserts like a kourabiede, a traditional toasted almond butter cookie, or the white-chocolate dipped sprinkle-covered pretzel are sure to satisfy a sweet tooth. Olympic Café is one of those places you might pass on the sidewalk every day, but take our advice and give it a try next time you’re craving traditional Greek eats.

Claire De Lune

Address: 2906 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 (Map)

Located on University Avenue, in North Park, this quaint coffee shop remains a favorite among locals for coffee, pastries, and just a place to curl up with a good book. Claire De Lune opens early and closes late daily. They also serve up some of the most creative and tasty coffee drinks in San Diego. Established in 1997, Claire De Lune caters to the college age crowd and hosts live musical acts quite often. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing night in a comfy chair, a casual coffee date, or your morning cup of joe, Claire De Lune is the coffee lounge for you.

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