San Diego was once considered a wasteland when it came to late-night dining. Yet with the revitalization of neighborhoods like Hillcrest, North Park, Downtown and beyond, restaurateurs have paid closer attention to our post-supper food needs, giving us options that allow us to happily skip over Denny’s and taco stands.

The franchises have long made due. But our picks for dining after 10 p.m. give nightcrawlers better reason to hit the bed sheets on distended stomachs.

Freshly made ramen and modern European-style dishes are served until midnight on Tuesdays through Sundays at this stylish Bankers Hill supper club. DJ music and a sleek bar lounge offering an array of crafty cocktails augment the seductive, late-night dining experience. In addition to full dinners, the menu features vegetarian and small-plate categories, a perfect come-on for those seeking lighter, healthier fare after a vigorous round of bar hopping. 2202 Fourth Ave., 619-236-8516

Long famous for its ornate, neon signage and unswerving Chinese fare, the Golden Dragon/Asian Bistro in Hillcrest keeps its woks sizzling until 3 a.m. on most days, adding to its repertoire a host of new dishes that hail from the entire Asian continent. Gone are the corroded leather booths and tarnished mirrors that once set the tone for basic stirfry over the past 60 years. The “dragon” has been reborn, giving insomniacs a minimalist design and tastier chow. 414 University Ave., 619-296-4119

From olives and nuts to sausage boards, Jidori chicken and homemade ice cream sandwiches, Starlite’s kitchen stays open until midnight seven days a week. A dramatic hexagonal entrance leads into a sparkly and seductive atmosphere replete with a bar, dining room and outdoor patio. The laid-back atmosphere gives way to an eclectic crowd bent on eating and lounging a little off the beaten track in this low-key section of Middletown. 3175 India St., 619-358-9766

Who says you can’t eat pork chops at two in the morning? This 24/7 diner, which opened in 1949, features fishbowl windows, outdated pink countertops and lots of stainless steel. The menu offers all the usual breakfast fare, not to mention steaks, chops, roasts and a famous chicken-and-dumplings plate that will perk up those bleary eyes and then send you to bed in the height of a food coma. 2900 El Cajon Blvd., 619-282-8423

A favorite “last stop” among GLBT foodies, the restaurant’s bear-size portions and lively late-night atmosphere will leave you thinking the sun just set. Burgers, omelets, pancakes and every diner-style dish known to man are yours for the taking 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays (until 10 p.m. on weekdays). 1451 Washington St., 619-296-8268

Rising from a non-commercial district in Kearny Mesa is an unexpected, chrome-wrapped structure open 24 hours daily. The diner often attracts film crews working next door at Stu Segall Productions, resulting in a Hollywood theme complete with clapboards listing the daily specials and movie reels doubling as condiment trays. The menu is described as “East Coast fare with West Coast flair.” Best bets include the “sloppy Bob,” a takeoff on sloppy Joes, plus corned beef hash, the English muffin tuna melt and old-fashion chocolate egg cremes. 4701 Ruffin Road, 858-715-6400

In operation since the 1920s, Night & Day café is the only place in Coronado where you can eat during the wee hours of the night. Open 24 hours daily, the café features a short row of lunch counter seats situated about four feet from an open grill. Reubens, meatloaf sandwiches and standard breakfast items round out the bill of fare. Ravenous customers, however, will delight over the “garbage omelet,” a concoction of four eggs, ham, chili, veggies and cheese. Arrive extra late, then walk off your meal on the beach during sunrise. 847 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619-435-9776