Best Restaurants for Afternoon Coffee in University Heights

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Bay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDowntownGrantvilleHillcrest

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

49 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Baci Coffee

4.1

Excellent(30)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Normal Heights

Booked 6 times today

Baci Coffee SpeakeasyWelcome to Baci Coffee Speakeasy, an intimate and exclusive dining experience where love meets flavor. • Personalized Service: Your experience will be guided by a dedicated waiter, ensuring exceptional service and attention to detail. • Elegant Presentation: Each dish is served on authentic Italian dinnerware, adding to the charm and sophistication of your meal. • Ambiance: A warm, inviting atmosphere designed to transport you to a timeless Italian retreat. • Exclusive Menu: A selection of artisanal coffee, and gourmet bites, carefully curated to delight your senses. • Reservations Required: Due to the intimate nature of our speakeasy, reservations are highly recommended.The room is open Thursday - Sunday. We look forward to welcoming you to Baci Coffee Speakeasy, where every moment is infused with warmth, intention, and authentic Italian charm.

2. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8882)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 50 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

3. ARLO San Diego

4.4

Awesome(812)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mission Valley

Booked 16 times today

ARLO is an award-winning restaurant known for its scratch-made dishes, crafted from fresh local ingredients. Serving breakfast, weekend DJ brunch, and dinner, ARLO offers a fun and quirky environment. Highlights include a sweeping outdoor patio, swaying palm trees, and a giant outdoor fireplace. The experience is rounded out by an inventive cocktail program, an extensive wine list, and local craft beers on tap. Recently, ARLO won Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Restaurant for Big Groups in the San Diego Magazine Best of 2024 awards. Free parking is available.

A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

4. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(8044)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 41 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

5. RustiCucina

4.6

Exceptional(1221)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Hillcrest

Booked 15 times today

Welcome to Rusticucina, where locally sourced ingredients, seasonal dishes and a warm ambiance reign supreme. We are named to reflect the merging of two cultures; American and Sicilian, since our owners are straight out of a small town in Sicily. We invite neighborhood dwellers and visitors to experience our farm-to-neighborhood restaurant unlike any other. Aperitivo, a traditional Italian-style happy hour, leads the way—think sensational small bites, Aperol Spritzes, Negronis and Limoncello. We also offer a full bar and carefully curated craft cocktails, along with an impressive beer and wine list. Our food menu, boasts hearty, rustic cuisine, with pasta made in-house, from scratch, as well palate-pleasing entrees and a slate of pizzas and flat breads. Our tableside service offers a one-of-a-kind, dedicated experience, and their outdoor space is the perfect landing spot for dog lovers and sun worshipers. We even offer a pet menu for furry guests.

6. Cowboy Star

4.8

Exceptional(4905)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 52 times today

Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.

A photo of Bali Hai Restaurant restaurant

7. Bali Hai Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(6084)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Polynesian • Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

Booked 49 times today

Exotic Pacific dining on an enchanted tiki island.The Bali Hai Restaurant has been a favorite in San Diego for over 70 years. Our spectacular views of the San Diego bay and the downtown skyline make us the perfect location for any special event. Along with our dining room upstairs, our premise possesses three different and versatile private rooms. The flexibility of multiple private facilities allows us to accommodate any type of party. We host weddings, class reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, memorials, festivals, fundraisers, business meetings, seminars, and corporate events.Cancellation Policy:The Bali Hai Restaurant requires a credit card to secure all Sunday Brunch and Holiday reservations and large groups. All credit card information will be processed securely. Changes to reservations can be made online through OpenTable up until 24 hours before the reservation. No-shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance may be subject to a charge of $25 per person.

8. Wormwood

4.6

Exceptional(871)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 25 times today

Wormwood invites you to step into a bygone era, where poets, artists, and dreamers found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Tucked between North Park and University Heights, our whimsical corner of San Diego offers a French dining experience like no other—where each dish is crafted with passion, paired with curated wines and signature cocktails, and brought to life by exceptional service. Whether in our cozy dining room, enchanting patio, or hidden Secret Garden speakeasy, every evening is a journey of flavor and hospitality.Now, we welcome you to experience Wormwood’s weekend brunch, every Saturday and Sunday. Indulge in a refined menu, sip handcrafted cocktails and artisanal coffee, and embrace a slower, more romantic pace to start your day. On Sundays, live jazz fills the air—transporting you to Belle Époque Paris with every note.Brunch at Wormwood is a celebration of indulgence, connection, and the art of hospitality. A morning affair you won’t want to miss.

A photo of Puesto Mission Valley restaurant

9. Puesto Mission Valley

4.7

Exceptional(2069)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Mission Valley

Booked 56 times today

Puesto is family-owned and operated by first generation Mexican American brothers Eric, Alan and Alex Adler, alongside their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo and founding chef and partner Luisteen Gonzalez. With eight locations in California, Puesto provides an innovative and contemporary approach to authentic Mexican cuisine. Sourcing its ingredients locally and regionally, the restaurant has earned national acclaim for its Mexico City-inspired tacos made with non-GMO organic, heirloom Masienda blue corn stone-ground tortillas, crispy melted cheese and scratch salsas.

10. Cellar Hand

4.7

Exceptional(150)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 15 times today

Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and weekend brunch!

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