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Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in University Heights

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115 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Madison restaurant
4.5
Awesome(3024)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • University Heights
Booked 102 times today
With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ
A photo of insideOUT restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2327)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Hillcrest
Booked 57 times today
insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.We are excited to announce our highly anticipated Holiday Oasis Experience beginning Thursday, November 7th! Visit our website for additional information under "Happenings."Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.
A photo of Coasterra restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7583)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 121 times today
Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.
A photo of Mister A's restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(8684)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 55 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)
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(8048)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 91 times today
Juniper & Ivy is a go-to place for special occasions. With its unique, creative, and delicious menu, it's a perfect spot for birthdays, anniversaries, and any other celebrations. The reviews are glowing with praises for the outstanding service, wonderful ambiance, and unforgettable dining experience. One reviewer even mentioned a special menu for their anniversary and a champagne toast. With its top-notch service, locally sourced food, and award-winning wine list, Juniper & Ivy makes any celebration truly memorable.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6479)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 91 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Callie Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(241)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 55 times today
Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4757)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 53 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 CUCINA urbana restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7108)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Banker's Hill
Booked 61 times today
CUCINA urbana is an acclaimed Italian restaurant in San Diego. It's celebrated for its quality food, excellent service, and unique ambiance. Reviewers rave about the 'fantastic wine selection', 'creative chef', and 'fantastic service'. It's the go-to spot for many for special occasions, as one reviewer mentioned, 'Cucina Urbana continues to be our goto restaurant for special occasions'. The restaurant's warm and welcoming environment, coupled with its exquisite food and drinks, make it perfect for any special celebration.
A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant
4.0
Excellent(7388)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Mission Valley
Booked 168 times today
Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Josue
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Amazing Experience at insideOUT! I recently dined at insideOUT in Hillcrest, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the chic and inviting ambiance. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between upscale and relaxed, making it ideal for a night out. Our server, Grant, was absolutely amazing—attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly. He went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed, making the service nothing short of phenomenal. The food was exquisite, with every dish crafted to perfection. And let’s not forget the festive drinks—they were not only delicious but also beautifully presented, adding a fun and celebratory vibe to the evening. If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers top-notch service, delectable food, and a gorgeous setting, insideOUT is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back!
    More info
    insideOUTPrice: Expensive• Californian• Hillcrest
    4.8
  • Sashi
    San Diego •12 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Exceptional service and food--each dish was unique, and had a flavor profile that we had never tasted before. The miso black cod was our favorite. The wagyu bread was 'wow', and the Thai salad burst in our mouth with amazing flavors. The service from those bussing to our server were outstanding. A true gem--we will be back!
    More info
    Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy
    4.7
  • Becky
    New York City •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    From the moment we walked in the hostess was amazing. She accommodated our early arrival and was super helpful in getting us seated at the bar, while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. Our waitress in the bar, Erica, recommended happy hour drinks, and was super kind and welcoming! Our waiter, when our whole party arrived and was seated for dinner, Jacob, was also very kind and patient with our large group. We will certainly be back, as this is a staple restaurant whenever we’re in the San Diego area.
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    4.6
  • Debbie
    San Diego •25 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Sat at a table in the bar. Friendly & very good service. Good cocktails - really enjoyed the Queen of Crowns drink with the tarot card - fun presentation & a nice balanced cocktail. Loved the sliders & fries!! Fun evening.
    More info
    MadisonPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• University Heights
    4.5
  • Dena
    Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    What a wonderful place to be on Christmas day( Fantastic fixed menu, fantastic drinks and what a very attentive staff from front desk to service. I want to thank Bill, my server for the evening and all the wonderful team members who worked on Christmas day to make someone else s day special. The view from any point of view is breathtaking. The chef and team should take a bow for the menu and the bartender for a wonderful mango Durango cocktail. What a gem of a restaurant, so classy, so chic so special. Keep up the great 5 Star service. I also appreciate the many times the manager and staff checked on a single woman. I felt so special.
    More info
    Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
    4.8
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