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    Hillcrest Brewing Company

    4.2 (581 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Breweries
    Open 2:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Hillcrest Brewing Company Takeout or Delivery

    Hillcrest Brewing Company Photos

    Business Info

    HILLCREST BREWING COMPANY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Hillcrest Brewing Company

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    Taelyr V.

    Classic brewery/bar space! The service was great, staff was very friendly! My drink was great as well, perfect choice for a hot day. The food though was mediocre at best. We got a Mary Margherita Pizza, pretzel with beer cheese and honey mustard, and the bruschetta. The pizza was okay, kinda greasy and not a lot of flavor. The pretzel was amazing, as was the dipping sauces. We really enjoyed that. The bruschetta was meh. It was pretty well seasoned but it was mostly just tomatoes with barely any garlic, basil, or balsamic. Overall good experience but not great food.

    Harry L.

    This used to be our go to pizza place when we lived in SD, so I decided to stop by for a few drinks before the SDFC game. Service is still excellent, and the beers are great! I didn't have any food this time but the pizza is always delicious, and you can make your own which is a plus. The vibe of the restaurant is cool. They have TV for sports and a great selection of beer.

    Marjon F.

    My in-laws and I stopped here before our dinner reservation nearby. My father-in-law actually remembers this place from his last visit 6 years ago and was excited to come back. It's a very cute and quaint local vibe brewery. With a selection of their local made peers and also traditional cocktails and spirits. They also have their own specialty cocktails one that they were seasonally free training was the apple martini which my mother-in-law ordered and loved!

    Jordyn J.

    This spot is such a vibe. We love going here for a drink or two when we are in hillcrest. This visit, I tried the spicy marg with jalapeño and my friend tried the habanero version. We both thoroughly enjoyed them. Love the decor in here and the staff is always chatty and fun whenever I've popped in.

    Cindy N.

    My husband came home with pizza and wings after an evening out with his friends. The wings were personally too sweet for me (but this may also be due to my salty pregnancy food cravings.) I grabbed a slice of carnitas pizza and halfway into eating it there was a HUGE piece of plastic that I bit into. We were mortified and immediately stopped eating the pizza.

    Spicy wings
    Alex S.

    First time trying their wings and they're good. I got the spicy wings (not spicy to me, but good flavor). They also have buffalo, BBQ among other flavors. The wings are baked, so they will take 20 min or more to arrive. They have a huge selection of beers; mostly their own and some guest beers, cocktails, wine and NA beers. Whether you choose to sit outside, inside or by the bar, you know you'd get great service and you might even get to interact with the regulars and the staff there. I love this place!

    Hop Sucker Double IPA 9% ABV 11.26.24
    Jessica S.

    Happened upon this place while on a walk in the area. We sat at the bar. I enjoyed the Hop Sucker Double IPA which was hoppy and crisp. Totally hit the spot! My partner got one of the guest taps and she enjoyed it. I got a slice of their cheese pizza which did the trick. The staff was a little busy but got the job done. Overall, it was a good experience. Nothing fancy but comfortable. Everyone is welcome!

    Some kind of game is on, so it is getting busy. I do not follow sports, so I have no idea.
    Charles C.

    I was initially not aware of the Hillcrest Bewing Company Restaurant. It is tucked away at the side of a small shopping center known locally as Pride Plaza, since it is right beside a prominent Pride Flag flying over Hillcrest. I recently dined at a new restaurant in the plaza called Celler Hand, so i saw the Hilllcrest Bewing Company on that visit and made a mental note to return sometime soon. I decided to visit on a Monday, that I presumed would be quiet. However, to my surprise, there happended to be some kind of game on the many television sets that are suspended over the bar, so the crowds were beginning t oarrive soon after i got there. The hostess was a touch abrupt and matter-of-fact as to her greeting. Once the waiter came over, he was busy, but remained kind as well as efficient. I orered the very thin crust pizza, and it was pretty good. I think I ate most of it.

    pineapple jalepeno pizza
    Merrick V.

    solid neighborhood spot! good drink deals and pizza. they have good house made ranch. all the servers are super friendly too

    Coochie coochie carnitas
    Sean H.

    Get a group together and Kiki with drinks and pizza at this laid back spot! HBC is a really laid back bar and restaurant in the hillcrest hub, very indoor/outdoor, perfect for large groups or a drink/ date with a friend. I love feeling at home in an LGBT community space! They have a great selection of cocktails, beer, and pizza, you can't go wrong! What I love most about the pizzas is the generous toppings! They are committed to each pizza really being unique in their flavors. Coochie Coochie Carnitas - 5/5 - Mexican taco style pizza, such a San Diego moment, very filling! Margherita Mary - 5/5 one of their lighter pizzas, a succulent bite with the tomato slice and cheese. Sweet Hot Pig - 5/5 Hawaiian style with a LIGHT kick Breadsticks - the dough is super good, taste just like the pizza crust, and the marinara sauce was bomb Caesar Salad - 4/5 enough for 3-4 ppl, nothing crazy Cocktails are a step above normal bar style drinks, but not quite speciality craft speakeasy level. Lots of choices though, with their many Margaritas being my fav. Extensive beer list. You can definitely split a pizza amongst two big eaters, or even three. The servers here are all really funny and like to be silly and give you nicknames like "doll" "Jan" "Queen" "Diva" etc.

    Paul R.

    We found Hillcrest Brewing Company on our way back from Sesame Place with our kid. Just looking for something simple where we could get a beer after spending all day with Elmo. Service was quick, pizza was fantastic, and the music was on point. And a great beer selection!

    Marcie L.

    Definitely make sure to ask how the check should be divided rather than assume. We were on a date, and we received two separate checks. We just paid them to not have to deal with the hassle, but really not a wise move on the waiter's end.

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    9 months ago

    Always have a great time at the brewing company. Pizza is excellent and we are avid sports fans so the Big TV is awesome.

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    1 year ago

    The wings are sooo yummy! The pizza was delicious too. Can't wait to go back for wings on happy hour.

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    1 year ago

    The food, service, and beer selection is just the best. Can't miss spot in San Diego, specially if you love sports!

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - Hillcrest Brewing Company

    Any foods and beers that are Gluten free?

    While the menu is limited, they do offer chicken wings and a few salads that should qualify or that can be easily modified to be gluten free.

    Is it dog friendly?

    Hi there, our patio is dog friendly yes (assuming your dog follows the normal behavior rules of any restaurant)

    Do you have the peanut butter cup porter yet?

    We do have it on tap now. It should be up for a week or two. Go, go, go before it's gone! ;-)

    Does this bar do trivia? I looked on website but didn't see it under event page.

    They do trivia on Tuesdays, with a very good in-house host named Chris (look for the guy with ocean-colored hair). Be prepared for a bit of sass, as it IS Hillcrest.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Nonna

    Nonna

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This place is a vibe. It's moody but the indoor/outdoor patio makes you feel like you're in a cute…read morelittle Italian courtyard but in San Diego's Little Italy. Service was prompt, friendly, and very knowledgeable about gluten. Which is a great segue into... this is one of the most phenomenal gluten free pizzas that I've ever had. I'm not typically an olive oil sauce enthusiast but this absolutely changed my mind. Doughy, chewy, fluffy, and gluten free?! Ordered with a glass of Unshackled Cabernet. Perfection. Finished the night with three scoops of gelato. Heaven. Can't wait to go back!

    I'll be honest--Nonna's was not our first choice for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant we…read moreoriginally wanted to go to had a long wait, so we decided to stroll around and see what else was nearby. We came across Nonna's, and since I had always wanted to try it, we decided to give it a chance. The hostess was very sweet and seated us quickly, which was a great start. We ordered the calamari and two pasta dishes--one with truffle mushroom sauce and the other with braised pork. The calamari was okay, but it mostly tasted like breading and didn't have much flavor beyond that. The truffle mushroom pasta had a good sauce, but the pasta itself was very bland. Honestly, the pasta tasted like something you could buy at a grocery store and heat up at home. My boyfriend's pasta was okay as well, but neither of us felt like the dishes had much flavor, and the portions were on the smaller side. Unfortunately, the service was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. Our waiter came over, dropped off the water, and shortly after came back to take our order. The restaurant wasn't particularly busy, so we were surprised by how unfriendly and rushed he seemed. There was no smile, no attempt at conversation, or even a general sense of warmth. What really stood out to me, though, was watching him interact with another couple who were seated outside on the patio. He was completely different with them--smiling, laughing, chatting, and being very personable. At one point, my boyfriend politely asked if he could order a whiskey sour. When the waiter brought the drink, he literally slammed it down on our table, which honestly caught both of us off guard. I then watched him bring the other couple two glasses of wine, gently place them on their table, and do so with a smile. After that, the only other time he came back to our table was to rush us to take our plates. I completely understand that everyone has bad days, and I'm not someone who expects over-the-top service but I have worked in the food industry myself for many years so I do expect at least basic friendliness and hospitality--especially when you can clearly see that the same server is capable of providing it to other guests. For reference, our waiter was bald and wore glasses. He never told us his name. Overall, I'm glad I finally got to try Nonna's, but unfortunately, neither the food nor the service left us wanting to come back. There are so many other restaurants with better food, portions, and hospitality that I would personally choose somewhere else for our next special occasion.

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    Dining room
    Dining room
    Who took the last bite
    Who took the last bite
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    Isola Pizza Bar

    Isola Pizza Bar

    4.2
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Was recommended this place by a friend, and I have to say it did not disappoint! We ordered the…read moreSalamino Piccante pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. You could really taste how fresh everything was. The crust was soft and airy with the perfect crunch, and the combination of the melty cheese and spicy salami was incredible. It had just the right amount of heat and was wonderfully cheesy. We were seated right away, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. If you're looking for fresh, authentic pizza, this place is definitely worth a visit!

    Booked a dinner for 5 since we had out-of-towners staying nearby. It was a cute spot, but a few meh…read morethings stood out from the experience: - the waitress was nice enough, but gave off the vibe that she didn't want to be there - the foccaccia appetizer is just their pizza dough - the pizzas looked impressive but centers were thin and soggy. The wait time for the pizzas was also way too long. The pizzas were still tasty though. - the desserts are delicious - had the tiramisu, panna cotta, and pistachio gelato. They all came out separately which isn't ideal since people typically want to enjoy all their desserts together. - was automatically charged for the 6+ group gratuity even though it we only had 5 people. would've tipped 20% anyway but found this to be sneaky... - had a 4% additional charge for "rising operating costs" - a terrible business practice that is becoming all too common

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    Brick oven pizza
    Brick oven pizza
    Pizza Salamino Piccante
    Pizza Salamino Piccante
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    Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria

    Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This is our Go-To for the last 7 years. They greet you like family…read more They have spectacular food that is always consistent and delicious. Homemade pasta like our favorite places in Italy. Luco is the other reason we come because he is "the icing on the pizza pie". we love the patio and Next to Naples Italy the pizza is the best!

    We dropped in for dinner after Comic Con 2026 with no expectations except we were hungry and it…read moresounded good. We were seated outside on the font patio which was lovely. We were given waters very quickly. But then nothing for a long time. The server did show up and seemed as if we had bothered him in some way. But okay we will be polite and chalk it up to bad day. We order and then that is the last we see of him. I ordered linguine with clams, mussels, and shrimp while it was delicious I was not offered a plate or bowl for the shells. My partner was not offered cheese for his pasta. The manager was mulling about the host stand and looked right at us several times after I had finished my cocktail with no acknowledgement or offer for me to order another drink. So while the food was good the service defiantly left something to be desired. I will say that the server for the table next to us (Melanie/Melody?) seemed lovely and happy to be at work with her table.

    Photos
    Gotta try the Magopeno. Suggested by Alex the bartender and hands down the best martini I've ever had.
    Gotta try the Magopeno. Suggested by Alex the bartender and hands down the best martini I've ever had.
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    Mimmo's Italian Village

    Mimmo's Italian Village

    4.0
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Oh wow, what a great find! Hubby and I had a plan to park…read morenearby and choose a spot to eat just by the vibe and ambience. It was a Friday evening and every restaurant on the street was full and vibrant. You could Yelp these places all day long and it would be hard to choose. There's so many great restaurants around Little Italy. Mimmo's reached out and called us in. There were pretty white tablecloths, the hostess was smiling ready to answer any questions and of course, the menu looked wonderful. Voilà! We'd found our spot. Our waiter was so personable and had all the answers to our inquiries. He suggested items and even answered honestly when needed. I got a Le Pécora Nera Sangria (fizzy blackberry with lemon). Tasty, but too many blackberry seeds coming up the straw. I'd get another one next time. For the appetizers: RISOTTO ARANCINI (a MUST get) - these were absolutely delicious. Four good size bread crumbed fried balls of risotto sitting in the restaurant's own tomato gravy. HOMEMADE FOCACCIA WITH DIPPING OIL (yes, that's the official name) - this is a basket of super soft, warm focaccia bread for a great price. I would get it no matter what main course you're getting! It soaks up every sauce and it's just delicious. MAIN: BAKED LASAGNA (meat) - with the two appetizers this is the perfect size for both of us. No need to get one per person! It was absolutely wonderful. I would get it again. All in all, I'd definitely go back. The food was absolutely delicious and flavorful and the employees we came in contact with were great as well. We didn't want to sit at a table right next to the hundreds of people walking by, I don't like that, but there are plenty other options one row in or inside the restaurant. A solid recommendation on my part.

    This place was pretty nice! The employees were really nice and accommodating. We sat on the patio,…read morebecause let's be honest, the weather in San Diego is always beautiful and we wanted to enjoy every minute of it. The food was delicious! My child had the spaghetti and meat balls (good portion), I had the lasagna (so good), my husband had the Alfredo (big portion and delicious). It was a really fun atmosphere. Will be going back to this place the next time we are in town.

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    Seating
    Seating
    Campanelle sausage
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    Davanti Enoteca

    Davanti Enoteca

    4.1
    (2.9k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    We normally visit the Delmar location of this wonderful restaurant. Last night, we decided to try…read morethe little Italy location. It's right in the heart of Little Italy on India Street in between all of the other wonderful Italian restaurants. When we walked up. They have patio seating as well as inside dining. We decided to do inside dining as it was starting to get chilly outside. We were immediately seated by a wonderful hostess, and that made a positive impression upon us. The whole hostess staff had great smiles on their faces and they were very welcoming. After about two minutes of sitting down, our server came to ask us if we needed time to look over the menu. We said yes but that we wanted a Foccacia Bread table starter. She smiled and immediately went to put the order in. A few few minutes later she came back and we ordered our drinks for dinner: Raspberry Italian Soda, Orange Crush with Fresh Cream on top, and a non-alcoholic spritz. After we got our drinks and sip on them, it took us a bit of time to decide what we wanted. We all know that the burger here is fantastic! However, this evening, we decided to try new things. We ordered: Pappardelle Bolognese with Added Meatballs, Pappardelle Bolognese as it is normally prepared, and a Caesar salad with shrimp added. Our food was out within about 10 to 15 minutes and everything was prepared perfectly. I have to say that we really enjoyed dining in this location and we may need to come back here more instead of traveling to the Del Mar location sometimes. Our server was super customer service oriented and we appreciated her. She went above and beyond to get the orange crush drink to be unique like an Italian soda for my daughter. We were super stuffed and could not do dessert, but we did promise to come back to enjoy the lava cake at a future time. Overall, this was an excellent visit and we appreciate the staff in the great energy that we received at this location. I do highly recommend it.

    We always obtain a bunch of Seaworld tickets that always ends up expiring since we don't use them…read moreso my Son decided to call his friends and go, but before going I decided to treat them to DAVANTI ENOTECA . We ordered the following: * FOCACCIA DI RECCO w/ side of HONEY COMB *CACCIO E PEPE w / jumbo SHRIMP & STEAKS *BRANZINO AL SALMORIGLIO * PAPPARDELLE GAMBERRI * RISOTTO CARBONARA *GELATI E SORBETTI *CHEF'S CHARCUTERIE * ESPRESSO MARTINI * CARNE PIZZA As I read on some other yelp review, their FOCACCIA DI RECCO with side of HONEY COMB is so good. Looking at it, it doesn't look that much good, but omg when I tried a slice omg, as in omg it's delicious! I reccomend you guys not skip this, order this FOCACCIA DI RECCO My ESPRESSO MARTINI came, it's good, same as any other Espresso drink I've had in any other restaurant. The CHEF'S CHARCUTERIE was good, I love everything on it. For their CARNE PIZZA , I was not a big fan of it. All of the PASTAS tasted good. Only one of my son's friends ordered a burger the DAVANTI BURGER and he said it was really a good one, the burger meat patty was not dry and was very tasty. I love BRANZINO , and I always get them when I see them on a restaurant Menu, but omg this BRANZINO AL SALMORIGLIO was sooooo Salty !!! I believe that this was just probably one of those Kitchen errors for the day and someone double salted it, but without too much salt this would probably be a very good one. I don't usually order Grilled or Fried Artichoke 'coz I have bad experiences with them, always end up with a hard or chewy one, but here their FRIED ROMAN ARTICHOKES was so soft and well seasoned. For dessert we had ICE CREAM pistachio, salted caramel ,cappucino , lemon , raspberry , and it was okay. The service was great here. Other than our server, a bunch of different servers kept coming to check on us too or helped our server to pick up our done dishes. The food here was Hit or Miss, but we're definitely coming back to try for more to discover what other good foods they have here.

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    Inside near bar
    Inside near bar
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    Hillcrest Brewing Company - pizza - Updated August 2026

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