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A Comic-Con sign hangs at the San Diego convention center. — The convention center.

Where to Eat and Drink at This Year’s Comic-Con

The pop culture phenomenon returns to downtown San Diego

by Candice Woo Updated Jul 9, 2024, 9:11am PDT

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The convention center.

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by Candice Woo Updated Jul 9, 2024, 9:11am PDT

Comic-Con International is returning to the San Diego Convention Center, running Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, and bringing with it crowds of cosplayers, celebrity sightings, and sneak peeks at upcoming movies and TV shows.

While there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the Convention Center and its hallowed Hall H, (check out our handy maps of where to eat in the Gaslamp and the East Village), here’s a curated list of venues offering Comic-Con-themed dishes and drinks inspired by everything from Beetlejuice and Borderlands to anime and retro arcade games, along with some other standout spots for when you need to escape from the fandom.

There are also plenty of activations and special events around downtown, from a Comic-Con bar crawl to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles “Mikey’s Pizza” pop-up at TNT Pizza.

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The Westgate Hotel

For a more mellow respite from the festivities, this elegant hotel is putting a Comic-Con spin on its famous afternoon tea. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character to enjoy tea sandwiches, housemade pastries, signature desserts, premium teas, and a selection of themed cocktails in the hotel’s Grand Lobby with reservations available between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. July 24 to July 28.

Comic-Con attendees can show their badge upon arrival to receive 10 percent off.

1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Wonder Woman plays the harp.

Also featured in:

Animae

While this opulent restaurant isn’t offering any specific deals, its design includes playful elements like a display of '70s-era robots at hostess stand and a huge 11-by-7-foot LED-backlit artwork of The Iron Giant behind the bar, making it the perfect Comic-Con-inspired backdrop for James Beard Award finalist chef Tara Monsod’s menu that highlights her Filipino heritage with modern takes on kinilaw, lechon kawali, and kare kare. Reservations are recommended.

969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A mural behind a bar.

Also featured in:

Tajima Ramen East Village

The ramen chain’s East Village outpost was recently expanded, making it a comfortable spot to take a breather between events and panels while slurping up bowls of noodle soups that include its unique carnitas ramen as well as the traditional tonkotsu. For Comic-Con, the Japanese restaurant is offering a Pokemon-themed flight featuring colorful sake cocktails that come with a Pokemon card.

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Comic-Con sake flight.

Tacos El Gordo

The Gaslamp location of this Tijuana-style taco specialist is always busy but lines move quickly, meaning that Comic-Con attendees can fuel up between panels with its famous street tacos and more based on handmade corn tortillas and meats like carne asada, adobada, and lengua.

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Smoking Gun SD

The upcoming Beetlejuice movie reboot is the inspiration for a special Comic-Con cocktail that features Astral Blanco, Italian liqueur, melon, lime, and a lava salt rim. The 80s-themed arcade bar and restaurant is also hosting a Mario Kart N64 competition on Friday, July 26 with prizes that include gift cards to the venue.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The special Comic-Con cocktail.

Also featured in:

Havana 1920

Ryan Andrews, the Cuban spot’s beverage director, has concocted a dark and brooding cocktail in honor of Batman villain Bane. Called I Broke The Bat, it’s made with coconut rum, lime, demerara, and activated charcoal for an inky-black look.

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The I Broke the Bat cocktail.

Also featured in:

17 San Diego Restaurants That Are Open on Mondays

Prohibition

This subterranean speakeasy provides the perfect secret hideaway for post-con drinks. Among its well-crafted cocktails is one dreamed up just for Comic-Con. The Gentleman of Crime nods to Batman villain the Penguin and his penchant for purple with a mix of whiskey, lemon, and ube.

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Penguin-inspired Gentleman of Crime.

Puesto at the Headquarters

An easy walk from the Convention Center, this soaring restaurant and bar specializes in Mexico City-style tacos that come on corn tortillas cloaked in crispy cheese. Don’t skip its excellent cocktails, which include a spicy margarita spiked with habanero and a refreshing watermelon version made with fresh fruit.

Open in Google Maps

7079, 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A mural in a dining room.

Izola

The cult bakery’s expansive new outpost in the East Village is an ideal spot to start the day before heading into the convention center. Grab a coffee and one of Izola’s sought-after croissants or a specialty pastry such as a morning bun to Tahitian vanilla knot.

Open in Google Maps

1429 Island Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Croissants and sourdough from Izola.

Callie

When you’re done with panels for the day, unwind at this East Village destination restaurant that offers commendable cocktails and a breezy, shareable Cali-Mediterranean menu from chef Travis Swikard that includes housemade pita and hummus, local seafood, and can’t-miss pastas.

Open in Google Maps

1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A plate of pasta with bread and a glass of wine.

Also featured in:

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

In the mood to treat yourself? Sit down for dinner at this sustainable seafood standout from executive chef JoJo Ruiz and sip your way through its Comic-Con specialty concoctions which include the Cowabunga Cooler, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle homage served in a beaker, and the Regernation Refresher, a Doctor Who-themed drink with vodka, grenadine and Sprite.

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Lionfish’s Comic-Con cocktails.

Also featured in:

Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

In need of a quick lunch or casual group dinner? Look no further than this friendly Thai spot serving the cuisine’s popular curries and noodles as well as Thai fried chicken, whole fried local fish, spicy stir-fried mussels, and excellent Thai sausages as well as cocktails like a Thai basil gimlet or coconut martini.

1460 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A tableful of Thai dishes.

Also featured in:

The Blind Burro

This bustling Mexican restaurant and bar is all about Beetlejuice this year and mixing up a Lydia-Rita, a twist on a blackberry margarita on top of its regular drinks that include an everyday deal on a beer and a shot. Share a queso especial made with cheese sauce, crispy potatoes, and housemade chorizo or snack on street tacos.

639 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A central bar.

Also featured in:

The Deck at Moonshine Flats

Cool off at this open-air bar and restaurant that holds an array of patio games, from corn hole to giant beer pong. To go with its smokehouse menu, the Deck is doing a Borderlands-themed lineup of cocktails, including the Nuke, a margarita shooter, and the Eridium lemon drop, glistening with purple glitter.

335 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hasta Mañana

The colorful Mexican cantina, a new addition to the downtown scene, is serving up three specialty cocktails made in celebration of Comic-Con including the Pantera Negra with blanco tequila, lime, agave, activated charcoal, and agave bitters.

Open in Google Maps

310 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Hudson & Nash

Located near the convention center, Hudson & Nash in the Hilton Bayfront Hotel has given a Comic-Con makeover to its all-day menu which includes themed cocktails like the Blazing Torch, a Bloody Mary with house-infused bacon voda and the Multiverse Michelada. A Super Fan photo booth will be set up in the lobby all weekend long, for con-goers to pose for commemorative snaps of their Comic-Con experience.

1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Multiverse Michelada.

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The Westgate Hotel

1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

For a more mellow respite from the festivities, this elegant hotel is putting a Comic-Con spin on its famous afternoon tea. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character to enjoy tea sandwiches, housemade pastries, signature desserts, premium teas, and a selection of themed cocktails in the hotel’s Grand Lobby with reservations available between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. July 24 to July 28.

Comic-Con attendees can show their badge upon arrival to receive 10 percent off.

1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Wonder Woman plays the harp.

Animae

969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

While this opulent restaurant isn’t offering any specific deals, its design includes playful elements like a display of '70s-era robots at hostess stand and a huge 11-by-7-foot LED-backlit artwork of The Iron Giant behind the bar, making it the perfect Comic-Con-inspired backdrop for James Beard Award finalist chef Tara Monsod’s menu that highlights her Filipino heritage with modern takes on kinilaw, lechon kawali, and kare kare. Reservations are recommended.

969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A mural behind a bar.

Tajima Ramen East Village

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101

The ramen chain’s East Village outpost was recently expanded, making it a comfortable spot to take a breather between events and panels while slurping up bowls of noodle soups that include its unique carnitas ramen as well as the traditional tonkotsu. For Comic-Con, the Japanese restaurant is offering a Pokemon-themed flight featuring colorful sake cocktails that come with a Pokemon card.

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Comic-Con sake flight.

Tacos El Gordo

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

The Gaslamp location of this Tijuana-style taco specialist is always busy but lines move quickly, meaning that Comic-Con attendees can fuel up between panels with its famous street tacos and more based on handmade corn tortillas and meats like carne asada, adobada, and lengua.

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Smoking Gun SD

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

The upcoming Beetlejuice movie reboot is the inspiration for a special Comic-Con cocktail that features Astral Blanco, Italian liqueur, melon, lime, and a lava salt rim. The 80s-themed arcade bar and restaurant is also hosting a Mario Kart N64 competition on Friday, July 26 with prizes that include gift cards to the venue.

555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The special Comic-Con cocktail.

Havana 1920

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Ryan Andrews, the Cuban spot’s beverage director, has concocted a dark and brooding cocktail in honor of Batman villain Bane. Called I Broke The Bat, it’s made with coconut rum, lime, demerara, and activated charcoal for an inky-black look.

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The I Broke the Bat cocktail.

Prohibition

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

This subterranean speakeasy provides the perfect secret hideaway for post-con drinks. Among its well-crafted cocktails is one dreamed up just for Comic-Con. The Gentleman of Crime nods to Batman villain the Penguin and his penchant for purple with a mix of whiskey, lemon, and ube.

548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Penguin-inspired Gentleman of Crime.

Puesto at the Headquarters

7079, 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

An easy walk from the Convention Center, this soaring restaurant and bar specializes in Mexico City-style tacos that come on corn tortillas cloaked in crispy cheese. Don’t skip its excellent cocktails, which include a spicy margarita spiked with habanero and a refreshing watermelon version made with fresh fruit.

Open in Google Maps

7079, 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A mural in a dining room.

Izola

1429 Island Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

The cult bakery’s expansive new outpost in the East Village is an ideal spot to start the day before heading into the convention center. Grab a coffee and one of Izola’s sought-after croissants or a specialty pastry such as a morning bun to Tahitian vanilla knot.

Open in Google Maps

1429 Island Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Croissants and sourdough from Izola.

Callie

1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

When you’re done with panels for the day, unwind at this East Village destination restaurant that offers commendable cocktails and a breezy, shareable Cali-Mediterranean menu from chef Travis Swikard that includes housemade pita and hummus, local seafood, and can’t-miss pastas.

Open in Google Maps

1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A plate of pasta with bread and a glass of wine.

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

In the mood to treat yourself? Sit down for dinner at this sustainable seafood standout from executive chef JoJo Ruiz and sip your way through its Comic-Con specialty concoctions which include the Cowabunga Cooler, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle homage served in a beaker, and the Regernation Refresher, a Doctor Who-themed drink with vodka, grenadine and Sprite.

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Lionfish’s Comic-Con cocktails.

Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine

1460 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

In need of a quick lunch or casual group dinner? Look no further than this friendly Thai spot serving the cuisine’s popular curries and noodles as well as Thai fried chicken, whole fried local fish, spicy stir-fried mussels, and excellent Thai sausages as well as cocktails like a Thai basil gimlet or coconut martini.

1460 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A tableful of Thai dishes.

The Blind Burro

639 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

This bustling Mexican restaurant and bar is all about Beetlejuice this year and mixing up a Lydia-Rita, a twist on a blackberry margarita on top of its regular drinks that include an everyday deal on a beer and a shot. Share a queso especial made with cheese sauce, crispy potatoes, and housemade chorizo or snack on street tacos.

639 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A central bar.

The Deck at Moonshine Flats

335 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Cool off at this open-air bar and restaurant that holds an array of patio games, from corn hole to giant beer pong. To go with its smokehouse menu, the Deck is doing a Borderlands-themed lineup of cocktails, including the Nuke, a margarita shooter, and the Eridium lemon drop, glistening with purple glitter.

335 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Hasta Mañana

310 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

The colorful Mexican cantina, a new addition to the downtown scene, is serving up three specialty cocktails made in celebration of Comic-Con including the Pantera Negra with blanco tequila, lime, agave, activated charcoal, and agave bitters.

Open in Google Maps

310 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Related Maps

Hudson & Nash

1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Located near the convention center, Hudson & Nash in the Hilton Bayfront Hotel has given a Comic-Con makeover to its all-day menu which includes themed cocktails like the Blazing Torch, a Bloody Mary with house-infused bacon voda and the Multiverse Michelada. A Super Fan photo booth will be set up in the lobby all weekend long, for con-goers to pose for commemorative snaps of their Comic-Con experience.

1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

The Multiverse Michelada.

Related Maps