Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lestat's Hillcrest

    3.6 (354 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Lestat's Hillcrest Photos

    LESTAT'S HILLCREST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Lestat's Hillcrest

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Be prepared to put your sandwich back together. Toppings are all over the place but it was still delicious
    Allyn P.

    They're open 24 hrs. So it's a great place for a late night or study. The furniture and seating placement can make it kind of sketchy. The food was good. However my croissant sandwich was very deconstructed...still delicious.

    Saturday afternoon studies
    Maynard O.

    Classic Lestat's if you wanna get some studying done. Plenty of outlets and the WiFi was fast. It was quiet on a Saturday afternoon, so there were plenty of seats. I had the snickers drink on ice with oat milk. It wasn't too bad, and the service was good. Overall, it's not my first choice when it comes to coffee, but I'd definitely come back to study. Don't get me wrong, I'll still order drinks and maybe a pasty next time though.

    Iced Snickers Signature Drink, $6.52 (Espresso, Hazelnut, Caramel, Chocolate)
    Caitlin D.

    Came here after lunch for a latte. They had a massive menu for drinks, I had to put my glasses on since the text was so small. Luckily the man working noticed and handed me a paper which had their menu listed. I decided to get their $6.52 Iced Snickers Latte, I figured with the chocolate and the hazelnut in it-- it wouldn't be as sweet. Although, it still was pretty sweet imo -- I wouldn't ask for less syrup though since the flavors were super subtle. If I asked for less, I might as well get a plain latte! It also contained espresso and caramel. I asked for here, but it was serve in plastic cup so maybe it's only hot drinks that get served in ceramic ware. But the receipt did say Mug/Glass on it ... not sure what happened. Price is under $7 for a specialty latte which is always nice! The last time I came to Lestat's I tried their Iced Irish Monkey (Espresso, Banana, Irish Cream, Chocolate) and thought the flavors were really light. I would have liked more banana oomph or Irish cream! There's plenty of indoor seating (it's just spaced oddly) and they even have an upstairs seating area. But I didn't go check it out in case it was filled up and I would have to make the awkward trek back down. They do have an outdoor space, but I didn't see any tables and chairs out for some reason. The guys working were really kind and had loud voices which is great because I have not so great hearing. Fun music. Would come back here again and they are open late which is nice. Next time maybe I'll try their Iced Funky Monkey (Banana, Coconut, Espresso, White Chocolate) or the Iced Cherry Bianca (Espresso, Cherry, White Chocolate, and Almond). Lots of people were here on their laptop, reading books, creating art, having conversations, etc. A space that welcomes all, just be sure to grab something to drink or eat! They have a biggg food menu.

    Compliment jar
    Frida R.

    I usually go with my friend to study for our exams, and it's a really great place to study and really learn and take time out of your day to lock in. Conner was super great with positive energy and great service. I love the dirty chair latte and it was alright but the cheese danish was also good and my friend liked her sandwich.

    Counter
    Dollyrose V.

    Nestled between the best LGBTQ dance clubs/ high energy bars in San Diego is Lestat's Hillcrest. I have gone to this spot more then a handful of times in the over the past few years. It's 2 floors with an eclectic look - movie posters & Egyptian designs on the 1st floor. Here there is a full service cafe bar & kitchen that makes delicious pizza! The 2nd floor is ultra cool to me. The entrance of the stairs is hidden behind a bookshelf door. You are greeted @ the top of the stairs by a life size Anubis. There are different kinds of seatings, small tables, bigger tables & booths. En route to restroom there is an enclosed room that seems to actually isolate music & loud conversations. There are many working electrical outlets to charge your devices. The free Wifi connection is awesome. Definitely a great place for studying or that meeting the O.L.D. match safely (wink*). Afterwards you can dance @ Rich's or Flicks. "GOT A MEETING IN THE LADIES ROOM" - The restroom is decent, its clean that's what matters. It's not a ladies room though its an unisex bathroom. As long as everyone is potty trained there shouldn't be an issue.

    Wifi
    Michael B.

    Came here before on a Sunday night around 8pm to get work done. It was booming. Lots of people here. Bring headphones because nobody wants to hear your convo and also there was quite a bit of noise. I revisited on a Wednesday afternoon around 1pm and it was about a quarter full. I ordered a pup cup for my dog and a Funky Monkey for me which had banana, espresso, coconut, and white chocolate. I think the white chocolate masked the flavor of the other flavors. It was kinda too sweet which is surprising because I generally love sweet things. Drinks comes in 12-16-20 ounces. A cup generally costs between 6 and 10 bucks. I haven't had the food but it generally costs around 15 dollars and it looks okay. The staff are quick and sorta friendly. The energy was alright. Plenty of seating both upstairs and downstairs and a few outside. Brought my ESA. They seem dog friendly in general though.

    Matcha latte was super grainy

    Matcha latte was very grainy. Also the taste was very milky/watered down so did not taste like a normal matcha latte.

    Cherry Bianco (16 oz.)

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan Y.
    50
    19
    1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Steve J.
    203
    36
    15

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chad K.
    329
    442
    2261

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    My favorite coffee shop! I come here all the time and I love the food, coffee, and ambiance.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Food was amazing and cheap, the owner saw my friend was throwing up and gave me a bag and water. 10/10

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Me M.
    0
    60
    24

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Great service and nice staff. We sit and play cards in a comfortable atmosphere. Delicious treats and snacks. Food.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Why do your restrooms always smell like urine? Do the restrooms get cleaned regularly ?

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of fan a.
    1
    149
    68

    1 year ago

    I'd come back. The menu has a good variety. I got the dulce mexican mocha and really liked it. I wish I got a pastry and a sandwich.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Lestat's Hillcrest

    Is this a Latino owned cafe?? I'm trying to compile a list. Thanks!

    Lestat's is owned by John Husler

    Can you bring outside food?

    No way. The don't allow that and for good reason. It's just not right to bring outside food to a locally owned business that makes its money off of selling food.

    Are dogs allowed indoors like the other locations?

    Only service animals since there is a kitchen.

    Do they serve food all night?

    Yes our menu is always available.

    Any suggestions on where to park or when to arrive so it's not super difficult finding parking?

    I've always parked on one of the back streets.

    Is there free re-fills for coffee?

    The refills are not free. 80¢ for a small, $1.05 for a medium, and $1.30 for a large. there are also iced coffee and iced tea refills for a docked price.

    View All 9 Questions

    You might also consider

    Books & Records - Table setting

    Books & Records

    4.3(404 reviews)
    1.4 miBanker's Hill
    $$

    beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice…read more the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

    My son and I went to Books and Records Bankers Hill Saturday morning for brunch. We were expecting…read moresomething very different from what we experienced. We had a reservation which was recommended but not necessary for brunch on a Saturday. There was parking available on the street nearby. When we were walked to our table they had sat all of the reservations in a row even though there was plenty of space around the restaurant. It felt awkward. I can understand staff being assigned to certain sections but it was odd as a guest. The menu is very small. We both chose different Benedicts. He chose the duck carnitas and I chose the spinach. They were both the perfect size and tasted great. The wait staff were amazing and very attentive. The reason why I'm scoring this place with a three has mostly to do with the ambiance. Plastic plants when you have ample light is an instant turn off for me. What a waste of good light. And the only books and records you'll see will be on high shelves for display. The sign says live music and there were mics and speakers set up but no one playing the whole time we were there. That was disappointing. I liked the art work in the walls. Hope it wasn't AI. I couldn't tell. (The grid of portraits.)

    Photos
    Books & Records - Interior

    Interior

    Books & Records - Bao buns

    Bao buns

    Books & Records - Blueberry Beret ($14)

    See all

    Blueberry Beret ($14)

    Cocina 35

    Cocina 35

    4.2(2.3k reviews)
    2.0 miDowntown
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    5 years in business

    We came to Cocina 35 at Liberty Station for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and…read morehad such a lovely experience. Dennise seated us and was so kind, she even shared a few of her favorite menu items since it was our first visit. Our server Anelle was great as well. She was friendly, attentive, and helped us pick some really good dishes. We tried the Tacos Dorados de Papa, El Sampler de la Abuela, and La Bomba, and for appetizers the Burrito de Machaca con Frijoles Puercos and the sweet corn tamal (which ended up being my favorite). The food and ambiance were great, but the service from Dennise and Anelle really stood out. They made our birthday brunch feel special.

    I received very bad service while ordering and picking up my order. I ordered pickup on DoorDash. I…read morewas informed they would be making the food and accepted the order. Why would you accept an order then not make it until someone gets there??? I got there and they told me it hasn't been made and will be made once I arrived. Why? Idk but the girl was rude about it. I also got the sampler that has multiple different things. It was all mashed up in one box. The whipped cream melted on all the savory food. The savory food made the sweet food not great. This place has a VAST difference in service, swiftness, ambiance, and level of customer service compared to the location in Coronado. I literally LOVE the La Jolla location. The workers are always nice, always accommodating, and having common sense. Please fix this as the other location is way better. I'd rather go all the way to Coronado (I work downtown) rather than deal with the bad service and quality of experience that you receive at this location.

    Photos
    Cocina 35
    Cocina 35
    Cocina 35

    See all

    Hash House A Go Go - HH Original Benedict

    Hash House A Go Go

    4.1(8.9k reviews)
    0.5 miHillcrest
    $$

    Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

    It's definitely a novelty breakfast/brunch spot with tons of options and massive, and I mean…read moremassive portions. Service is great and atmosphere is very nice as well. But, the food.... "Over medium" eggs came barely cooked, still had clear egg gel floating around. The table next to us had the same issue. The fried chicken, which is beautiful looking, was strangely flavorless. Another table was also talking about this issue. Bacon was way overcooked as well. I also really dislike when food timing for a table is way off. I rather it stay in the kitchen under a heat lamp and come together rather that spend 5 minutes staring at my food being polite. So, for a fun "wow that's a ton of food" experience this is it. But I much prefer quality ingredients and attention to detail and flavor over unfinishable portions at a premium price point ($100 after tip for 2 ppl).

    Photos
    Hash House A Go Go - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Hash House A Go Go - 1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado

    1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado

    Hash House A Go Go - Iced coffee 10/10

    See all

    Iced coffee 10/10

    Richard Walker's Pancake House - The pancake

    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    4.0(4.5k reviews)
    2.6 miDowntown
    $$

    Came here for Mother's Day brunch and, predictably, the place was absolutely buzzing with families!…read moreEven with the holiday crowd, the vibe was great and the energy was high. You can't come to Richard Walker's and not get the Dutch pancake. We went with the Apple Pancake (the fan favorite for a reason) and it was honestly out of this world. It's got that perfect contrast with super fluffy in the middle but with those amazing crispy edges. We also tried the Belgian waffle, which was exactly how it should be: crunchy on the outside and delicious throughout. What really blew me away, though, was the service. Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the staff was absolutely superb fast, friendly, and totally on top of it. If you're in Downtown San Diego, this is a must-visit for a solid, convenient breakfast. Highly recommend!

    You can't miss the sweet apple aroma when you walk by Richard Walkers Pancake House. It's simply…read moreambrosial! That's the delicious smell of their famous baked pancakes! An absolute must when dining here! Everything is made to order (just the way I like it). The baked pancake takes about 20 min, but totally worth it! Overall, service was on point- from start to finish! And the staff are friendly and pleasant! Very informative about the menu, making great recommendations for our table! The apple baked pancake was light and airy with an outer crisp! This house specialty is slow-baked to golden perfection with Granny Smith apples and a warm cinnamon glaze-chef's kiss! I will definitely be back for more!

    Photos
    Richard Walker's Pancake House
    Richard Walker's Pancake House - Regular PANCAKE

    Regular PANCAKE

    Richard Walker's Pancake House - FRESH STRAWBERRY PATCH WAFFLE

    See all

    FRESH STRAWBERRY PATCH WAFFLE

    Lestat's Hillcrest - coffee - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...