Tucked between Little Italy, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and Balboa Park, the upscale neighborhood of Bankers Hill (its name a nod to its affluent reputation) is home to historic architecture dating back to the 1800s, designed by industry legends such as Irving Gill. The walkable area also boasts a number of beloved restaurants, bars, and cafés, including the legendary Mister A’s and hidden gems like WetStone Wine Bar. Here’s a quick guide on where to eat, explore, and shop next time you’re wandering this picturesque neighborhood.
Bankers Hill Restaurants & Bars
The Balboa
Food critic Troy Johnson named The Balboa’s patties among the best burgers in San Diego. But it is its current owner’s inspiring story that makes this place even more special. Come for the burgers and beers and stay for the heartwarming tale that’ll make you have faith in humanity again.
1863 5th Avenue
Parc Bistro-Brasserie
The quaint, charming Parc Bistro-Brasserie lays down classic French plates like tender steak with crispy, shoestring frites and an oven-roasted rack of lamb with tomatoes provençale, haricot verts, and mint chutney. Go for brunch, get the $18 bottomless mimosas, and try to find the bottom.
2760 5th Avenue
Pure Project Balboa Park
Pure Project Balboa Park is a microcosm of San Diego’s citywide beer renown: It’s a small-batch, ingredient-centric craft brewery and beer garden next to the iconic Balboa Park. There are flights and unique flavors, like Costa Rican coffee and vanilla or prickly pear and nebbiolo grapes. And although the beers are the star of the show, Pure Project Balboa Park’s empanadas (try the ham and cheese) play very well with suds.
2865 5th Avenue
Mister A’s
A Bankers Hill institution for nearly six decades, Mister A’s has borne witness to a not-insignificant percentage of the city’s proposals, anniversary dinners, and celebratory fêtes, thanks to its ritzy, piano-soundtracked atmosphere and perfect views of downtown San Diego and Balboa Park. Try the crispy bacon and maple apple cider brussel sprouts and the lemony Roman artichokes next time you’re ringing in a milestone.
2550 5th Avenue
Cucina Urbana
Cucina Urbana is much-loved for Italian classics like wild mushroom pasta and margherita pizza with housemade mozzarella (and also a great hamachi crudo). Got a ticket to a show downtown? Reserve the restaurant’s three-course pre-theatre dinner for $49 per person.
505 Laurel Street
Azuki Sushi
You’ll find lots of local fish at this cozy haven for sushi, sashimi, and nigiri—plus fancy ingredients like white truffle oil and real blue crab (no imitation here). Try the “r u kidding me?” roll, with both of the above, plus scallops, tempura asparagus, garlic ponzu, and fried leeks.
2321 5th Avenue
Books & Records
This sexy, dimly lit spot for sharable plates (and brunch!) lives up to its name with live music and a little library near the bar. Make sure to add the cocktail menu to your reading list—the Tom Kha Lins is a complex twist on the classic with coconut cream, lemongrass, and chili oil, and the Purple Rain marries whiskey and ube.
2202 4th Avenue
Barrio Star
Owner Todd Camburn moved to San Diego in 2004, attended the San Diego Culinary Institute in 2008, and has been making innovative, nutritious, Mexican-style food (like a chopped salad with corn salsa, romaine lettuce, radish, cucumber, cotija, and tortilla strips) at Barrio Star since 2010. You’ll also find cocktails here, including The Paola, a sipper made with house-infused roasted jalapeno tequila, fresh cucumber, lime, orange juice, and blue agave.
2706 5th Avenue
North Park Beer Company
The brewery’s patty melts and smash burgers are worthy of their own place in the brewery’s moniker (this is us proposing a name change to “North Park Burgers & Beer Company”). Lunch specials run Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: $15 for a quarter-pound burger, fries, and a 10-ounce beer or soda or $18 for all the same, but with a 16-ounce house beer instead.
3095 5th Avenue
The Marketplace
Known for its sandwiches, this corner store is always bustling, so take advantage of its order-ahead feature to snag picnic-ready bites like the turkey club or the New Yorker (hot pastrami, corned beef, and swiss cheese on rye bread with mustard). Once you’ve secured your lunch, grab a blanket and settle in at Balboa Park next door.
2601 5th Avenue
Café Bassam
Café Bassam is proof that coffee dates can be romantic: Charm your boo over lattés in a space that looks like the trinket section of an antique store (sans the smell of dust), with jazz playing softly in the background.
3088 5th Avenue
Juice Alchemy
For an easy start to the morning, head over to 5th Avenue to pick up a detox juice or açai bowl at this spot. Fruit lines the shelves around the register, like a sweet sneak peek of what’s about to hit your belly (and your Instagram feed. #healthy).
3156 5th Avenue
WetStone Wine Bar
Settle into a high-top at this homey bar—or its fairy-lit, plant-dotted alleyway—for snacks, salads, small plates, and flatbreads along with a glass or two from the wine list. Can’t decide? Let the staff curate a blind wine flight for you for $24.
1927 4th Avenue
Michi Michi
Open only four days a week until 2 p.m., Michi Michi is an underrated bakery offering sweet and savory treats. There’s no inside seating, so be prepared to picnic with your box of pastries—may we suggest the flaky earl grey morning bun and apple caramel miso monkey bread?
2800 5th Avenue
Kinme Omakase
Azuki Sushi’s omakase-only sister spot seats only 10 guests for an immersive odyssey through a seasonal tasting menu of sushi and other dishes celebrating fish caught near Tokyo Bay. You can add on a sake and wine tasting, or sip a selection from the tea menu as a callback to the 16th century Japanese tea ceremonies that kicked off this kind of dining.
2505 5th Avenue
Ocho Mexican Food
The rare San Diego restaurant with ample street parking nearby, Ocho is a laidback joint for classic Mexican eats. Want to skip the to-go box? Browse the restaurant’s “mini” options, which include teeny tortas and baby burritos.
1870 4th Avenue
Mia Trattoria
Owner Sergio Torrisi honors his daughter Mia with the name of this Italian-Mediterranean spot laying down calamari, seafood pasta, lamb ribs with red wine reduction, and other date night–ready dishes.
3401 1st Avenue
Royal Food Mart
Call Royal Food Mart ahead of time to order lunch (it’s got hot sandwiches, salads, and monthly specials; if you’re stuck, get the Royal March brisket sandwich) and stroll down the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge while scarfing.
3403 1st Avenue
Things to Do in Bankers Hill
Maple Canyon Trail
Like its name implies, Maple Canyon Trail is slow-moving, easy, and sweet, an hourlong-or-less meander across two historic bridges amid vibrant greenery. It’s a great way to get outside with kids, and four-legged friends are allowed, too.
Third Avenue
Olive Street Park
Perched near the top of Maple Canyon is Olive Street Park. Opened in December of 2024, the park is fully outfitted with a climbing structure, fitness equipment, and an observation deck and seating area that overlooks the canyon.
2772 Third Avenue
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
For an adventurous photo-op, look no further than the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. It overlooks Bankers Hill Open Canyon, and there’s a great view of downtown San Diego just beyond the treeline. Be warned: The bridge may sway a little more than some are comfortable with.
West Spruce Street
Airplane- and Sunset-Watching
One of the best places to sightsee in Bankers Hill is on the corner of West Kalmia Street and Albatross Street. From there, you’ll be able watch planes whiz overhead and catch gorgeous vistas of the Harborview shoreline. Just down the way, on Albatross Street and West Ivy Street is another airplane-spotting spot that also overlooks downtown San Diego’s skyline.
West Kalmia Street & Albatross Street & West Ivy Street
Massage at The Knotstop
Fresh off a half-marathon… or an eight-hour shift at your desk? Whatever’s got you up in knots, you can untie ’em at this massage-focused day spa that also offers facials and other skincare. Those who want to lock self-care into their regular schedule can join The Knotstop’s membership program for a monthly treatment starting at $89.
2655 Fourth Avenue
Bike the Town
Bankers Hill has a big biking community thanks to its opportune elevation—a slight decline, running from Upas Street to downtown. It’s a great way to explore the area’s scenery or get place to place on a DIY, self-guided food tour. Just don’t forget your helmet.
Fifth Avenue
Historical Walking Tour
Bankers Hill was settled in the late 1800s, and many of its historic buildings are still standing to this day. From the Late Victorian period to 20th-century architecture and early modern styles, there’s a plethora of preserved historical interest in the area’s nooks and crannies.
3536 Front St
Art Magic Creative Studio
Kick start a new hobby (or simply make yourself a new board for your next charcuterie party, so your excellent taste in gruyere won’t be the only thing you get to brag about) at Art Magic, a studio offering guided workshops in resin and epoxy art, candle-painting, and more.
2399 Fifth Avenue
Bankers Hill Shops & Boutiques
Thread + Seed
It’s a color-coordinated, boho-chic haven. Beyond clothes and beauty items, Thread + Seed offers customizable specialty gift boxes. Plus, the staff tailors their suggested clothing picks to your body shape to bring out the silhouettes that flatter you most.
2870 Fourth Avenue, Suite 106
Bodhi Blou
This airy boutique aims to carry local brands—and the clothes reflect a certain San Diego ethos, from cardigans emblazoned with ocean creatures to flowy sets perfect for throwing on for dinner after a long day at the beach.
2808 Fifth Avenue
Gift Horse Handmade
Gift Horse Handmade founder Valentine Viannay grew up designing apparel and baubles at her mother’s Parisian jewelry studio. Now, the lifelong artist uses those skills to design funky statement wearables and home goods at her Bankers Hill shop.
2655 Reynard Way
Ron Stuart Men’s Clothing
After four decades of dressing stylish men in San Diego and beyond (he counts MLB icon Willie Mays among his past clients), Ron Ford is still fitting folks with suits, sport coats, button-down shirts, and more at his haberdashery.
2410 First Avenue
Majolie Designs
It’s The RealReal… in real life. This luxury consignment boutique carries clothing, jewelry, and handbags from top brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Armani, and Burberry—and even one of Hermès’ sought-after Birkin bags (if it hasn’t already been snapped up).
3028 Fifth Avenue
