Tacos El Gordo Chula Vista ★ 4.7
Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, San Diego, the open-until-4am Tijuana-style trompo where the late-night queue runs out the door for adobada and suadero.
Try: Vertical-trompo adobada tacos, suadero, cabeza
Where to eat in San Diego after midnight. kitchens that keep going, post-bar staples and the classic 2am move.
After-hours picks
South Beach Bar and Grille ★ 4.3
South Beach Bar and Grille on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, San Diego, the Pier-side fish-taco room serving Mahi and lobster tacos until midnight.
Try: Mahi fish taco, lobster taco, late-night happy hour
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop ★ 4.2
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the wrestling-themed counter on Washington Street where Surfin' California burritos last.
Try: Surfin' California burrito, four-dollar tacos, late-night chips and guac
Lolita's Mexican Food Clairemont ★ 4.3
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, late-evening California burritos and carne asada fries until nine.
Try: California burrito, carne asada fries, breakfast burritos all night
Noble Experiment ★ 4.6
Noble Experiment in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, the keg-wall speakeasy where pre-Prohibition cocktails run until 2am behind the Neighborhood beer wall.
Try: Bartender's Choice cocktails, snacks from Neighborhood
False Idol ★ 4.7
False Idol tiki speakeasy in Little Italy, San Diego, classic Don the Beachcomber rum cocktails until 2am Fri-Sat behind a hidden door at Craft and Commerce.
Try: Don's Special Daiquiri, classic tiki, Polynesian snacks
Polite Provisions ★ 4.5
Polite Provisions on 30th Street in San Diego's Normal Heights, the apothecary cocktail room with classic cocktails on tap and Soda Bar burgers until last.
Try: House-made sodas, classic cocktails on tap, soda bar burgers
The Tipsy Crow ★ 3.8
The Tipsy Crow on Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, three levels of cocktails, sliders and a downstairs dance floor open until 2am every night.
Try: Cocktails, sliders, late-night dance floor