University Heights Restaurants
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Sonny’s Pizza & Restaurant
$$$$•Pizzeria•4.5(82)Sonny’s Pizza & Fine Foods is a Brooklyn-inspired pizzeria in San Diego’s University Heights, serving 12-inch pies that blend Neapolitan and New York styles. Housed in a 100-year-old former auto shop, the space features vintage decor, a mezzanine dining area, and a lively outdoor patio. The menu includes signature pizzas, Italian-American classics like chicken Francese, and creative amaro-forward cocktails. With its nostalgic vibe and high-quality ingredients, Sonny’s offers a fresh take on the neighborhood pizza joint.Madison
$$$$•Mediterranean•4.3(3,293)With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍ
ᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍ
ᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱ
ᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟ
ꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ
ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱ
ꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ
Outdoor dining in San Diego
See what locals rave about in University Heights
- JJesseGoldSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined 1 day agoAll the staff was amazing and great tasting drinks.More infoMadison$$$$• Mediterranean• University Heights•4.3
- GGenesisGoldSan Diego •12 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoI love this restaurant so much. Every dish feels authentic, homemade and thoughtfully prepared. During our visit we ordered the Huitlacoche Tamal, Grilled Octopus, Oaxacan Fondue and El Festín. The El Festín is an excellent option for larger groups. It features steak, chicken, shrimp and jalapeño poppers, making it perfect for sharing. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The attention to detail extends beyond the food. For my mom’s birthday the restaurant surprised her with a custom candle featuring her name, which was such a thoughtful touch and made our evening feel extra special. The service was warm and attentive, and the playlist created a fun atmosphere throughout the evening. We finished the meal with the fritters and Pastel de Diablo, and both desserts were just as impressive as the savory dishes. From the quality of the ingredients to the execution of each plate, everything is exceptionally well put together. My relatives enjoyed the experience so much that they’re already planning our next visit. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine that tastes like it came straight from someone’s home kitchen, Quixote is a must-visit.More infoQuixote$$$$• Mexican• North Park•4.6
- KKatieGoldSan Diego •13 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoI went last night with my Persian husband and father-in-law, and every single one of us walked away thrilled. As the toughest critics for this kind of food, the fact that they both loved it says everything. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor, the shirazi salad was a standout, and the tahdig was fantastic. Everything was so fresh with so many fun, delicious condiments alongside. But what really set the night apart was the attention to detail. The ambience was beautiful, and every little thing, right down to the glasses and the plates, was just impeccable. You can tell real care went into the whole experience. If you are looking for Persian food in a gorgeous setting, Leila delivers on every level. We will absolutely be back.More infoLEILA$$$$• Middle Eastern• North Park•4.8
- Jjean-paulSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined 3 days agomy girlfriend and i had a date night and i wanted to take her to a great dinner with a cool ambiance and Bacari did not disappoint everything was to our liking from the moment we got there till we left. the food and decor were exquisite. Johnny our waiter was very informative and made our experience memorable.More infoBacari North Park$$$$• Mediterranean• North Park•4.7
- NNicoleGoldPhoenix / Arizona •1 review5.0Dined on 30 May 2026Love the food and vibe here! Had great gluten free pizza!More infoSonny’s Pizza & Restaurant$$$$• Pizzeria• University Heights•4.5
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Discover University Heights
Enjoy casual dining and soak up some San Diego history in this neighborhood that is just a few miles off the coast. The community has embraced its historic character, and walking the streets is like going back in time to the early 1900s. Local restaurants offer a decidedly Mexican coastal flavor with dishes like lobster enchilada, fish tacos, and scallop burrito tacos. Even establishments that specialize in Italian foods will have at least one burrito on the menu. There are more formal restaurants in University Heights, but the smaller, owner-operated eateries really fit in with the atmosphere of this old-fashioned neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in University Heights is Fortuna Ristorante Italiano
The restaurants with the best service in University Heights are Fortuna Ristorante Italiano, Vulture and Sonny’s Pizza & Restaurant
The restaurants with the best ambience in University Heights are Vulture, Sonny’s Pizza & Restaurant and Fortuna Ristorante Italiano
