Best Restaurants with a Happy Hour in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCollege AreaCoronado

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

183 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Rustic Root - Gaslamp restaurant

1. Rustic Root - Gaslamp

4.3

Awesome(1458)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 50 times today

Rustic Root showcases our take on New American Comfort food with a California twist. Classic dishes are rooted in tradition, including regional dishes from around the country. All reimagined with fresh and local ingredients and our Chef’s modern flair. Our Signature drink menus offer our take on timeless classic cocktails as well as Rustic Root originals using creative spirits and the freshest ingredients. Join us in our street-level dining room for dinner nightly or our award-winning weekend brunch. Our rooftop lounge is an excellent place to grab drinks & a bite with friends, enjoying the San Diego weather and our unique location in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Close to the San Diego Convention Center, we're a favorite for locals and out of town tourists alike.

2. Cowboy Star

4.8

Exceptional(5037)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 62 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.

3. Huntress

4.5

Awesome(933)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

Bold, flavorful, and built to impress - without the fuss. At Huntress, we serve crave-worthy steak and seafood alongside unexpected bites, house-made pastas, and shareable starters that make any night feel like the right night to indulge. From signature burgers and dry-aged tomahawks to glazed prawns, shrimp & mussel spaghetti, and our Magic Mushroom for two, our menu is playful, polished, and always worth a return visit. Known for unforgettable dishes, signature cocktails, and a lively vibe, Huntress brings just the right amount of indulgence to every night out. From spontaneous bar bites to full-on celebrations, guests come for the energy, stay for the flavor, and always leave planning their next visit.

A photo of Saint James French Diner restaurant

4. Saint James French Diner

4.4

Awesome(336)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French American • Downtown

Booked 15 times today

This American diner meets elegant French bistro is open Monday through Friday for Breakfast, Lunch, and Happy Hour, every day for Dinner, and on the weekends for Brunch. With a full bar and an approachable menu, locals and travelers can indulge in a variety of French-inspired classics, from shared mussels to ratatouille and burgers.

5. STK- San Diego

4.4

Awesome(3559)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 48 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

A photo of Fogo de Chao - San Diego restaurant

6. Fogo de Chao - San Diego

4.1

Excellent(4020)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Downtown

Booked 91 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter restaurant

7. The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4.6

Exceptional(2613)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown

Booked 19 times today

Welcome to The Melting Pot San Diego Gaslamp. Located on 5th Ave & E St in the historic Gaslamp Plaza Suites, the San Diego - Gaslamp Melting Pot Restaurant brings a truly unique, romantic and interactive four-course fondue dining experience to San Diego's vibrant downtown dining scene!

A photo of Lionfish Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant

8. Lionfish Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

4.6

Exceptional(1824)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 33 times today

Lionfish, located in the Pendry San Diego, is a modern, cutting edge sushi and seafood restaurant located on 5th Avenue that features fresh-catch cuisine and seasonal ingredients, all prepared with innovative twists by homegrown San Diego chef JoJo Ruiz.

9. The Nolen

4.3

Awesome(21)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Downtown

Booked 12 times today

The Nolen is a destination rooftop bar and lounge that honors modern, timeless cocktails and a renewed spirit of community. Named for John Nolen, a city-planning pioneer who mapped out much of San Diego's early landscape, The Nolen is perched on the 14th floor rooftop of the newly constructed Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center. Local and visiting imbibers can take a quick elevator ride up to discover a spirited escape from downtown that offers sweeping city views and a contemporary interpretation of the classic speakeasy.

10. AKA San Diego

4.3

Awesome(140)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Located in the bustling heart of Gaslamp, San Diego, AKA is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination where exceptional food, craft cocktails, and an energetic nightlife converge. With a menu curated by renowned Chef Takuya Kudo, AKA offers a captivating fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai culinary traditions, all crafted with fresh ingredients and innovative techniques. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere complemented by artisanal craft cocktails from mixologist Gerardo Bedolla and striking design by Cassandra Builer. AKA welcomes guests to indulge in its exquisite dishes while enjoying electrifying entertainment. Committed to transforming the dining and nightlife scene in San Diego, AKA offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone looking to savor gourmet cuisine, sip on craft cocktails, and dance the night away.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Ledya
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing service amazing food and amazing atmosphere. We came here for my fiancés birthday and he had a blast.
More info
STK- San DiegoPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.4
M
Matthew
Los Angeles •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful meal. The steak was wonderfully cooked and the frites were nice and crispy. We had the steak tartare appetizer and the preparation was a definite winner. The stuffed peppers were surprisingly served cold but they were great. Top it off with a nice glass of red wine and you have a meal to remember. We will definitely be back.
More info
Saint James French DinerPrice: Expensive• French American• Downtown
•
4.4
J
Jeff
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great views and wonderful service. The vibe is always fun.
More info
Rustic Root - GaslampPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.3
M
MatthewVIP
Las Vegas •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Amazing service, really great food, dessert was awesome; nice collection of whiskeys
More info
HuntressPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.5
S
SabaVIP
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
went above and beyond for my friends birthday - thank you!
More info
Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.8

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