Comic-Con 2025: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore Near the Convention Center
Written by Madison Beveridge
Whether you’re an out-of-town visitor or proudly call this city home, one thing is for certain: San Diego Comic-Con draws in some of the best annual sights, experiences, and entertainment. But once you step out of the Convention Center, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and bordering neighborhoods can feel like a jungle of their own.
From your pre–Comic-Con caffeine fix to a crisp cocktail post–Convention Center, and plenty of snacks and bites in between, consider this your guide to all the best sights, sips, bites, and treats the area has to offer.
Getting Around
With streets shut down for pedestrians and heavy traffic, your best bet for enjoying Comic-Con is to skip driving.
Rideshare- Uber & Lyft your way to and from the Convention Center.
Walking-Once you’re in the area, stroll the streets!
MTS-With several stops in and around Gaslamp, the trolley offers a great way to quickly hop between Comic-Con and all your other adventures while in the area. Check out a full map here: https://www.sdmts.com/transit-services/trolley
Where to Stay
With spots right next to the Comic-Con action or across the city for a little peace and quiet, here are our top picks for where to stay.
Gaylord Pacific Swimming Pool
Gaylord Pacific
1000 H St, Chula Vista
San Diego’s latest big thing, the Gaylord Pacific Hotel is a 15-minute drive from the Convention Center and the perfect space to unwind. With elevated dining options, walks along the Chula Vista waterfront, and a 4.25-acre water park, options are endless.
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sange-gaylord-pacific-resort-and-convention-center/overview/
InterContinental Hotel
InterContinental
901 Bayfront Ct, San Diego
A quick walk from the Convention Center, The InterContinental offers guest an elevated stay with waterfront views and access to all the best downtown San Diego has to offer.
Marriott Marquis Harbor View
Marriott Marquis
333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego
Right next to the Convention Center, there is no closer stay than the Marriott Marquis. Jump back and forth between your room and Comic-Con, and soak in Bayfront views all weekend long.
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sandt-marriott-marquis-san-diego-marina/overview/
Where to Eat
Pit stops on your way, a feast post–Comic-Con, or an afternoon break from the entertainment.
Lucca Italian Sandwiches
600 B Street, San Diego
Lucca Firenze Sanwchich
Italian meats, cheeses, and sauces atop house-made focaccia bread, Lucca has a bite for any hungry visitor. The tiny Italian shop tucked away between towering office buildings is serving up everything from pistachio, spicy salami, artichoke, and mortadella sandwiches to classic Italian lattes and non-alcoholic spritz.
Website: https://www.eatluccaca.com/
Hours: Open Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lumi Rooftop Dining
Lumi
366 Fifth Ave, San Diego
A rooftop sushi spot serving up rolls and plates from Michelin-starred Chef Akira Back, Lumi is your answer if you’re looking for an elevated way to dine and decompress post–Comic-Con. With rolls like their signature lobster and New York strip or their lengthy list of sashimi, consider this your one-stop shop for some of the city's best sushi and views.
Website: https://lumirooftop.com
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday: 5:30 pm-11 pm
Thursday: 5:30 pm-12 am
Friday-Saturday: 5:30 pm-1:30 am
Taco Centro
539 Island Ave, San Diego
Taco Centro Al Pastor Taco
Get your fix of one of San Diego’s most notorious dishes: tacos. Taco Centro has all the classics, like al pastor and carne asada, along with their take on birria ramen, birria pizza, and quesabirria. Swing by early morning for breakfast tacos and burritos or use this as your post–Comic-Con cool-down and sip while you eat with signature drinks like micheladas and palomas.
Website: https://www.tacocentro.com
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday: 9 am-12 am
Thursday: 9am -1 am
Friday: 9 am- 3 am
Saturday: 8 am- 3 am
Asa Bakery
Asa Bakery Pastries
634 14th St #110, San Diego
Sitting in the East Village neighborhood, Asa Bakery is a short walk from the Convention Center and boasts a selection of Japanese treats, dishes, and pastries. Under the leadership of Yuto Hikosaka, Asa has everything from full breakfast spreads and katsu sandwiches to banana custard danishes, honey toast, and matcha croissants. Don’t miss their hojicha latte or sakura green tea espresso for a kick-start to a day at Comic-Con.
Website: https://asabakerycafe.com
Hours: Daily from 9 am-9pm, closed Tuesdays.
Naruto Ramen
BeShock Ramen
1288 Market St, San Diego
A ramen lovers heaven, BeShock is serving up classic dishes and just in time for Comic-Con their special Naruto themed ramen is hitting the menu. The Ichiraku-style ramen will be available from July 23 through 27. But don’t worry, if that’s not your thing, BeShock has a range of equally desirous dishes, like crab buns, veggie rolls, salmon crudo, and a hearty cocktail menu.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11:30 am - 9 pm
Friday-Saturday: 11:20 am – 10 pm
Website: https://beshockramen.com
Doggos Gus Hotdog
Doggos Gus
1313 J St, San Diego
Whether you call it a TJ hot dog, a Sonoran dog, or just refer to it as that special street bite you get post–Padres games, Doggos Gus is serving up some of the most unique hot dogs in the city. Bacon-wrapped and topped with everything from avocado crema to shrimp, Doggos Gus has mastered what they call the “gourmet hot dog.”
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 2 pm - 9 pm
Friday: 2pm-10 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 11am -8 pm
Website: https://doggosgus.com
Rustic Root Pancakes
Rustic Root
535 Fifth Ave, San Diego
With all the American classics and then some, Rustic Root is the perfect spot for a post–Comic-Con wind-down and debrief. Check out their pork belly fried rice, homestyle butter biscuits, and lobster pappardelle for an elevated take on classic dishes.
Website: https://www.rusticrootsd.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Friday: 5 pm –1:30 am
Saturday: 10 am – 1:30 am
Sunday: 10 am-11 pm
Where to Sip
Start your day with coffee and end it with a cocktail. Here are some can’t miss stops to keep you sipping well all Comic-Con weekend.
Huntress, Lumi, Rustic Root, and Swing Social.
Check out Huntress, Lumi, Ristic Root and Swing Social bar menus for their limited time Fantastic Four-inspired Comic-Con cocktails. Huntress will be serving up an “Invisi-Tini.” Lumi will have a “Flame On.” Swing Social will have a “Fantastic.” And Rustic Root will have a “Clobbering Time.”
Check them out here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMGnlEWTEER/
Bar Kamon May Your Bacon Burn
Bar Kamon
634 14th St #110, San Diego
Sleek, swanky, and hidden within Asa Bakery, Bar Kamon is a chic nightcap oasis. The 1920s-inspired Taisho Roman lounge sits in the heart of East Village, tucked away from the crowds and is serving up a slew of hand crafted cocktails using Japanese alcohol. This year, Bar Kamon has three limited time Comic-Con cocktails hitting the menu, “May Your Bacon Burn,” “Spirit of the Forest",” and “Ponyo Loves Sosuke.” Each features a unique blend, from brown butter and lemon to pork fat and walnut bitters.
Bar Kamon Spirit of the Forest
Website: https://barkamon.com
Hours: Friday-Saturday: 5:30 pm-11pm
Sunday-Monday: 5:30 pm-10 pm
Wednesday- Thursday: 5:30 pm-10 pm
Tuesdays: Closed
Rikka Fika Strawberry Matcha
Rikka Fika
810 13th St, San Diego
If matcha is your thing, then Rikka Fika is your place. Offering small-batch pastry items from their micro-bakery and a handful of well-crafted matcha and coffee drinks, Rikka Fika makes the perfect morning spot pre–Comic-Con. Don’t miss their strawberry matcha, or if caffeine isn’t your favorite, check out one of their yuzu lemonade.
Website: https://legacy.rikkafika.com
Hours: Wednesday- Sunday: 8 am- 3pm
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
HINAR Dessert Bar Matcha and Cheesecake
HINAR Dessert Bar & Café
454 13th St, San Diego
Thoughtfully designed with an impressive range of desserts, this East Village spot is Kurdish-owned and an aesthetic escape from the crowds. From lotus cookie cheesecake, black sesame cake, and pistachio croissants to orange blossom lattes, their menu has a treat for anyone.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/hinar.cafe/?hl=en
Hours: Open daily from 9 am-9 pm
Where to Play
If post–Comic-Con has you itching for a little more entertainment, check out these two spots sure to satisfy your game cravings.
Arcade Monsters
Arcade Monsters
704 J St, San Diego
With every game and machine you could dream of, Arcade Monsters is the pinnacle of a classic arcade. Neon floors, air hockey tables, cheese pizza, and pinball machines, swing by for a game or stay the whole night.
Website: https://www.arcademonsters.com/welcome
Hours: Open Daily 10 am – 2 am
Coin-Op
Coin-Op
789 Sixth Ave, San Diego
A classic arcade atmosphere with pinball machines and basketball hoops, Coin-Op sprinkles in a twist of that nightlife feel with plenty of signature cocktails. Play a round of Pac-Man while sipping one of their Power Punch adult Capri Sun pouches or try out the infamous corndog bites.
Website: https://coinopgameroom.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 pm -12 am
Friday: 5 pm - 2am
Saturday: 2 pm – 2 am
