Comic-Con Food Guide - 2025

This Comic-Con Food guide for Downtown San Diego features quick bites, local favorites, and fine dining meal options. I have worked with local spots to also include locations offering specials for Comic-Con 2025. I've broken it down by the different neighborhoods in downtown San Diego.

Gaslamp Quarter

This area is located directly outside of the San Deigo convention center. It is marked by the well-known Gaslamp sign.

Greystone

Greystone Steakhouse is a great option for a steak in the Gaslamp area. They have a beautiful space and a fantastic bar! If you can get a reservation here, you will want to try their tomahawk steak. It is done very nicely. Their mashed potatoes are divine! The space is an upscale location, and it will be great to unwind and relax here after Comic-Con. They also have a full bar and knowledge bartenders.

Comic-Con Special:

$50 meal deal: choice of Entree + Side + drink.

July 24th-July 27th

The Melt

Yes, I’m adding the Melt here because it is a reliable and dependable location! This is a spot that you can stop in and grab a bite to eat, and it will be consistent! No reservations needed, go ahead and dive in and get yourself a bite to eat. There is additional seating on the second floor of this restaurant as well.

Lumi

Lumi Rooftop sushi bar is not to be missed! If you can get a reservation here, and even if you can’t it’s worth the wait. I highly recommend checking out their brunch! There’s live music and a great mix of Japanese fusion. I recommend ube pancakes. Every time I’ve been here, I’ve heard rumors of many Comic-Con industry parties going on, so it is a great place too possibly run into a celebrity!

Mary Janes

Mary Janes is a great breakfast spot! I recommend checking out this location because it is connected to the Hard Rock. The Hard Rock is notorious for being a celebrity studded space during Comic-Con. I recommend getting a reservation if you want to secure time at a table. You can also order food to go here. I’ve done this several times while I have been waiting in line for a Comic-Con activation. It’s also right next-door to the closest Gaslamp Starbucks so it makes a nice pairing.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream

I must mention Ghirardelli because I am an absolute sucker for ice cream! I highly recommend checking out their sundaes. You can also pick up some great souvenirs to take home to those who cannot attend Comic-Con! Everyone loves their chocolates!

DEAL ALERT - National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

Mini World Famous Sundae - $7.25 on Thursday, July 25th

Gaslamp Pizza

This is a local's favorite and one of the few places open late night for a quick bite. You can stop in here to buy pizza by the slice. They typically have a meal deal during Comic-Con and you'll see the flyers all around town. They also offer delivery within one mile, and they have a variety of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian pizzas! Check out Gaslamp Pizza until 3 AM!

Freddy's Chophouse

This location has been my go-to recommendation for a reliable steakhouse in downtown San Diego that won’t break the bank. Freddy's Chophouse has a nice variety of steaks and the burgers are great! The real show stoppers are the mac and cheese and the cocktails. The ambiance is nice and moody with a touch of sports bar. Lot of televisions but also intimate spaces. I recommend checking out Freddy's Chophouse on Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. You can read my full review here.

Little Italy

Little Italy is small, yet flourishing part of Downtown San Diego filled with a vibrant and eclectic food scene.

Born and Raised

One of my favorite restaurants in downtown San Diego is Born and Raised. This restaurant done by the Consortium Holding Group will not disappoint. If you cannot snag a reservation, I highly recommend getting to this location when it opens at 4:30 to grab a seat at the bar. They offer some happy hour bites Monday-Friday which are incredible! I suggest trying the Dirty Hashbrowns and you cannot go wrong with their table-side Caesar Salad.

Roman Wolves

Roman Wolves is a newer restaurant in Little Italy. This Italian restaurant serves up Roman cuisine. I can honestly say this was the best cheese pasta I’ve ever had. Cheese Wheel pasta is extremely popular in Little Italy, but I highly recommend going to this location if you want to give it a try. They also offer happy hour options as well. I recommend the Limoncello Spritz if you are looking for a refreshing drink, I find it less bitter than an Aperol Spritz. As always, I recommend making reservations during Comic-Con, but this location does have a large bar so you might be able to sneak in without.

Filippis Pizza Grotto

For pizza, I highly recommend Filippis in Little Italy! It has a very classic feel and a lot of seating! There are some parking spaces here because they have their own lot, which is extremely rare for this area. You can order a giant salad and lots of pizza and just hang out and spend a lovely evening here.

Civico 1845

Civico 1845 is currently celebrating their 10th anniversary in Little Italy. Their celebration includes a chef collaboration featuring 5 specialty dishes in the Calabrifornia style. A style that is blending the fresh and bright cooking style of Southern Italy with the local ingredients of California. Be sure to visit this this summer to try a collection of dishes from chefs all over San Diego. It's a great way to experience San Diego cuisine while at Comic-Con.

Kettner Exchange

Kettner Exchange is a great option in Little Italy. They have an American cuisine menu and a rooftop bar. That is a great and lively place to hang out. I recommend making a reservation if you want to grab a table otherwise check in at the bar and see if there is space. I absolutely love throwing some complex drink orders at their bartenders and they 100% nail it each time!

Morning Glory

Morning Glory is also a Consortium Holding restaurant. This delight for the senses is also home to some of the most fabulous fluffy pancakes! They do not take reservations and you will need to have a commitment to wait for a table, but it is worth it if you don’t already have plans or a badge for the day. Their morning cocktails are very delicious, and you can also find the dirty hashbrowns here which are perfect to start off your morning!

East Village

The East Village is a quickly growing neighborhood with many foodie options!

Hinar

Hinar is a beautiful pastry shop in the East Village. This is a bit off the beaten path, but it is so worth the trip! They have delicious cakes and fantastic coffees! You can even get a well-made tea here. The space is gorgeous, and you will not be disappointed! You can check out my video on it here.

Callie

Callie is in the East Village and has received several Michelin nods. They typically have space at the bar, but I do really recommend reservations here as well. If you are looking for something light, I highly recommend the hummus or Labneh. Always make certain you have enough pita bread for each person. Their cocktails are also exceptional, and their specials are very noteworthy!

The Neighborhood

If you can get into the Neighborhood, I absolutely recommend it! The burgers here are exceptional, and the atmosphere is very fun. Youngblood is located inside of this location, it is a speakeasy that offers a curated cocktail experience. It has a preset menu that includes an apple cocktail and three subsequent cocktail courses. Everything is designed to your taste and specifications, and it is a beautiful and exceptional experience. You can see my video on it here.

Food Specials During Comic-Con 2025

Press release information of Comic-Con food specials throughout San Diego

Margaritaville Comic-Con Take Over!

Margaritaville states: "From Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27, guests can expect a daily lineup of themed drinks, with costumed attendees entered into daily raffles for a chance to win prizes during Comic-Con.

Daily Themes:

• Thursday, July 24: Anime Takeover — Sip on the Sailor Moon Margarita and Dragon Ball Daiquiri in your best anime cosplay

• Friday, July 25: A Galaxy Far, Far Away — The Force Margarita & Dark Side Daiquiri (served with lightsaber drink stirrers) join a special “Cantina Vibes” menu

• Saturday, July 26: Gaming Icons — Mario, Pokémon, Zelda, and Sonic take center stage with Gold Coin Margaritas and Pika Punch

• Sunday, July 27: Superhero Showdown — Marvel meets DC in this final face-off, complete with Hulk Smash and Wonder Woman-tini cocktails

It’s Comic-Con, Margaritaville-style, because even superheroes need a little break in paradise!

Up on the rooftop, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar will serve as a relaxing escape from the Comic-Con hustle – offering an island-inspired getaway for superheroes, villains, and aliens alike."

Contact me to have your location added to the Comic-Con Restaurant Guide. Some reviews are based upon hosted experiences - all opinions are my own.

Kaluu - Alice in Wonderland Experience

Kaluu is offering an immersive experience for Comic-Con. Details from their press release below:

"Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole, a walk-through fantasy filled with bold visuals, secret rooms, live characters, and a super Instagrammable themed bar. It runs July 23–27, just steps from the Convention Center.

Experience Highlights:

● Immersive Wonderland Entry: Begin your journey by stepping through a giant hedge

keyhole into a surreal, storybook world filled with bold visuals and strange logic.

● Themed Walkthrough Adventure: Navigate an interactive maze of whimsical scenes,

where perspective shifts and every corner holds a curious discovery.

● Bar/Lounge Experience: Conclude your journey in an immersive bar and lounge, where

Wonderland-themed food and drinks are available for purchase — though you may have

to solve a riddle to get your menu.

● Live Performers & Spontaneous Scenes: In the lounge, characters roam through the

space, sparking interactive scenes and mini-performances throughout the day. Every

visit offers a slightly different chapter in this living fairytale.

Wonderland After Dark (21+)

When night falls, Wonderland gets wild. From 8:00 PM to midnight on July 24–26,

Wonderland After Dark invites guests 21 and over into a playful nightlife experience featuring

live performers, bumping music, and surreal surprises, all within the world of Kaluu.

Participant Information:

● Dates: July 23rd to July 27th, 2025

● Experience Hours:

○ 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily (limited hours Wednesday)

○ Wonderland After Dark (21+): 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Thursday to Saturday)"

Kaluu is located 534 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

barleymash blockbuster weekend

barleymash is preparing for “barley’s blockbuster weekend” with a full transformation into your favorite retired video store. Giveaways will include themed tote bags, membership cards, and custom popcorn buckets! Food specials crafted in honor of fan-favorite movies and characters from SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Minecraft, and Matilda will fuel your weekend in downtown San Diego. Indulge in Krabby Patty Deluxe Sliders ($22) with 1/4lb burger patty, crab cake, American cheese, shredded lettuce, red onions, tomato, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on slider buns with fries, Shell Shocked ($22) pepperoni, pineapple, pickles jalapeños, three cheese, roasted tomato sauce on a flatbread, La La La Lava, Ch Ch Ch Chicken ($20) crispy corn chip nachos topped with jalapeno braised chicken, ghost pepper cheese sauce, refried black beans, sliced Fresno and jalapeño peppers, and chili lime cream, and Botrogger’s Defiance ($8) multi-layered chocolate cake smothered in rich dark chocolate frosting. Keep an eye out on their social media page for drink specials. barleymash has also created four new cocktails available exclusively for Comic-Con weekend: 

• Make it a Blockbuster Night ($20): Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Crème de Peche, fresh lemonade, Red Vine straw

• Served with a custom membership card 

• Give Me Sugar Water ($16): clarified mojito featuring Bacardi Silver, lime, and mint

• In reference to Men in Black

• His Dudeness, the Duder, El Duderino ($18): Grey Goose vodka, salted caramel, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream

• In reference to Big Lebowski 

• Midnight Margaritas ($16): Cazadores Blanco, coconut, pineapple, line, and black salt rim 

• In reference to Practical Magic 

Downstairs within barleymash, ginger’s is hosting Comic-Con Kickoff Karaoke from 9:00 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 24th! In conjunction with National Tequila, snag $8 Teremana Shots, $10 Teremana Classic Margaritas, and the So Basic with Teremana Blanco, jalapeno, agave, and lime ($12). 

Hasta Manana Cantina

Hasta Mañana Cantina, located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and K Street, is also prepping for the madness of Comic-Con this July! Following a lucha libre theme this year; all are invited to enjoy the culture of this professional wrestling style originating in Mexico! The space and the staff will be dressed to perfection from July 24^th through July 27^th welcoming in locals and tourists alike, located only two blocks from the convention center and iconic Gaslamp Quarter sign. Sip on craft cocktails named after icons like El Santo, Rey “O.G” Mysterio, Mistico, Vampiro, and Sin Carra. Plus, breakfast burritos are available grab-n-go from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily. Stay tuned on Instagram! Hasta Mañana Cantina is located at 310 Fifth Avenue.

Karl Strauss

San Diego is known as The Capital of Craft™ with more than 150 brewery locations, and the city’s first post-Prohibition brewing company Karl Strauss has its original location less than a mile from the convention center. The historic brewpub serves on draft old classics like Red Trolley Ale and newer releases like Tower X West Coast IPA and Follow the Sun Lager. The food menu, meanwhile, includes favorites Duck Fat Pretzel Bites, Asada Fries, “Nachos for Grown-Ups” Ahi Poke Nachos, and the award-winning Mac on Tap – the brewery’s take on mac ‘n cheese with three different styles. Happy hour is daily from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. with $6 Karl Strauss beers and $10 appetizers.

1157 Columbia Street

The Whiskey House

The Whiskey House holds the Guinness World Record for Most Variety of Whiskeys Available, and it’s a five-minute walk from the convention center. Choose from more than 4,000 varieties of whiskey from all over the world, along with more than 200 gins and 60 tequilas to boot. The daily happy hour (4:00 – 7:00 p.m.) is well known among locals, and brunch service is offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Some say The Whiskey House is a little slice of New York City in America’s Finest City.

420 3rd Avenue 

City Tacos

City Tacos’ OB Playground in Ocean Beach, a 15-minute drive around the Bay from the convention center, is kicking off Comic-Con with its ‘Twas the Night Before Comic-Con Trivia on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:00 p.m. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor taqueria will host the Comic-Con themed trivia game from the pros at Sunset Trivia. Tickets are $8.00, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance via eventbrite here. City Tacos has 20 tacos on the menu, and almost all are less than $5.00. There are 10 beer taps as well serving local and Mexican craft beer.

Oreta's

Ortega's - A Mexican Bistro is only three miles due north of the convention center in the LGBTQ+-friendly community of Hillcrest. The 21-year staple of the area brings a traditional Puerto Nuevo dining experience to the heart of San Diego. Enjoy Baja-style lobster, fresh guacamole prepared tableside, and other regional specialties. The restaurant’s recipes date 60 years to the tiny fishing village of Puerto Nuevo. Happy hour is daily from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., featuring $5 Corona, $5 Modelo Especial, $5 Pacifico, $7 Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, table-side guac ($10.95), Baja shrimp ceviche ($11.95), queso fondido ($13.95), and several more drink and food specials.

141 University Avenue

Cloak & Petal Pokémon Specials

Cloak & Petal, located in Little Italy and Michelin Guide recognized, was designed to reflect the lively city hubs of Japan’s Tokyo and Harajuku! The space’s talented culinary and mixology teams have partnered to introduce two specialty menus inspired by Pokemon available from Thursday, July 24th through Sunday, July 27th. From the kitchen, indulge in the Big Zard Roll with seared salmon, panko shrimp, spicy tuna, grilled serrano, garlic chipotle miso, roasted poblano creme, fried shallots, and petite arugula or the Fire Blast Sashimi with pan seared togarashi albacore, sambal butter ponzu, pickled fresno, cucumber, shaved red onion, sriracha garlic salt, and petite cilantro. The first ten guests to visit with a valid Comic-Con badge and order any kitchen special will receive a collectible Pokemon card. From the bar, sip on Bulbasaur’s Vine Whip with botanical gin, genepy, lime juice, aloe vera, and agave syrup, Squirtle’s Pool Party with white rum, licor 43, coconut, blue curacao, lime, and pineapple, or Pikachu Bolt with haku vodka, yuzu, passion fruit, mango cordial, honey, and strawberry dust. The first ten guests to visit with a valid Comic-Con badge and order any drink special will receive a collectible Pokemon card. 

From July 25^th - July 27^th, March and Ash will be having their Chronic Con Sale which includes 30% off select brands. Popular brands like Camino, KIVA, Kushy Punch, Lost Farm, Papa & Barkley, and many more, will be 30% off in-store and online. March and Ash has eight locations in the San Diego area, the closest to downtown being their City Heights location - 2281 Fairmount Avenue (open daily from 7:00am - 8:55pm), and their Mission Valley location - 2835 Camino del Rio South, Suite #100 (open daily from 7:00am - 8:55pm).