Restaurants in La Jolla
Loading...
Best Restaurants
“Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!”
“I love this place. This place have amazing atmosphere with a great vibe, plus a delicious selection of tacos appetizers and drinks.”
“We attended the 20th annual Celebrate the Craft. It was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed the event. The waitstaff at the bar was friendly and provided excellent service.”
“Delicious, fresh food, made from scratch pasta, wood fired meat and pizzas....and outstanding service!”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“AMAZING!!! Celebrated my anniversary here and the waiters really make you feel special! We were walked upstairs to a table with rose petals, a hand written card, and a beautiful ocean front view. The Ahi Tuna, Norwegian Salmon, Wagyu Dumplings, and wine were all incredible. At the end our waiter Cory brought us a dessert with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. Everything was amazing, and the service was amazing. I would absolutely recommend to anyone.”
“Shiku Sushi has the best atmosphere for dining, from their amazing menu and service. You are greeted the minute you enter and each server has a smile for you. I love the rolls, and I try different ones each visit. Casanova, Summer Beach Body to name a few. This Sushi bar is a MUST when you're visiting. You won't be disappointed!”
“An absolutely amazing dining experience! Went at high tide (not King Tide) but still special having the waves come up to our window! It was our 21st wedding anniversary and they did everything to make it special. Special table right on the window with waves up to our window. Custom personalized menu and glass of champagne to toast. Stefano was so classy and treated us like royalty. No rush at all and excellent service all night. There were a few mistakes made like timing and steak a little undercooked but they were so apologetic and went way above and beyond service to correct and make things right (way more than necessary) The lobster bisque was probably best ever and our Poached Butter lobster and Waygu Ribeye were spectacular. Everything was fantastic and how they took care of us over very minor mistakes, was stellar! We will be back for other special occasions and highly recommend for special dining experience.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!”
“AMAZING!!! Celebrated my anniversary here and the waiters really make you feel special! We were walked upstairs to a table with rose petals, a hand written card, and a beautiful ocean front view. The Ahi Tuna, Norwegian Salmon, Wagyu Dumplings, and wine were all incredible. At the end our waiter Cory brought us a dessert with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. Everything was amazing, and the service was amazing. I would absolutely recommend to anyone.”
“Shiku Sushi has the best atmosphere for dining, from their amazing menu and service. You are greeted the minute you enter and each server has a smile for you. I love the rolls, and I try different ones each visit. Casanova, Summer Beach Body to name a few. This Sushi bar is a MUST when you're visiting. You won't be disappointed!”
“An absolutely amazing dining experience! Went at high tide (not King Tide) but still special having the waves come up to our window! It was our 21st wedding anniversary and they did everything to make it special. Special table right on the window with waves up to our window. Custom personalized menu and glass of champagne to toast. Stefano was so classy and treated us like royalty. No rush at all and excellent service all night. There were a few mistakes made like timing and steak a little undercooked but they were so apologetic and went way above and beyond service to correct and make things right (way more than necessary) The lobster bisque was probably best ever and our Poached Butter lobster and Waygu Ribeye were spectacular. Everything was fantastic and how they took care of us over very minor mistakes, was stellar! We will be back for other special occasions and highly recommend for special dining experience.”
“I had an absolutely wonderful experience at this restaurant. The food was incredibly delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. The service was outstanding — everyone was so kind, attentive, and professional. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality.
Everything was truly excellent. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back!”
“I’m looking forward to coming back here! The coffees were probably an 8/10, but the pastries were a 1000000/10!!! So delicious ! The environment was also amazing. There is a beautiful outdoor seating area surrounded in plants, flowers, vines. Friendly for little kids and all size groups. I wish i lived closer… but it was worth the drive to La Jolla. I’d probably take friends or family visiting from out of town because i feel confident they would have a positive experience.”
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Candor in La Jolla, and it's safe to say that I found a hidden gem. Chef Giuseppe's culinary skills are truly impressive. The arancini were crispy and packed with flavor, while the short ribs were incredibly tender and delicious. The fisherman stew was a delightful medley of fresh seafood, and even the burger exceeded my expectations. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff added to the overall relaxed and enjoyable experience. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience in La Jolla, Candor is definitely worth a visit.”
“The food was so salty! The lobster bisque and the raviolis tasted the same!”
Outdoor Dining
“I’m really grateful the melt is open so late because where else can you get a quality burger at 1 in the morning? Now that I graduated UCSD, I’m seriously gonna miss my beloved late night snickerdoodle milkshakes as well as being greeted by the melt’s friendly staff! Claire really stood out to me as someone who was consistently cheerful and helpful. I also really love that they’ve been showing the World Cup! I highly recommend stopping by for a bite to eat as it’s never failed to be yummy and a good vibe!”
“two facts about this place
1. this is a ghost kitchen-esque place where everything has to be take out
2. this is genuinely the best sushi ive ever had in my life. im in shock and awe. their salmon is so incredibly delicious and fatty
dont be fooled by the unassuming exterior - THIS IS A MUST VISIT FOR ANY SUSHI FAN!! incredible work and im mad for not visiting sooner”
“My kids and I stopped by Better Buzz Coffee in La Jolla on our way down to the beach, and we had such a great experience. We tried the iced lattes with vanilla and mocha, and both were really good, but I especially loved the iced latte. It was smooth, refreshing, and exactly what I needed before heading out to enjoy La Jolla.
The atmosphere and location of this coffee shop are amazing. It’s just a couple blocks away from the stunning views of La Jolla, the beach, the Children’s Pool, and Ellen Browning Scripps Park. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee before walking around or spending time by the ocean.
Great drinks, great vibe, and an unbeatable location. Definitely a 5-star coffee stop in La Jolla!”
“We had dinner here today. The staff were very friendly and the service was excellent. The oceanfront view was beautiful.The food tasted good while we were eating, but it left an aftertaste that lingered and sat a bit heavy. Good for one time visit. Overall, it was a nice experience. I would recommend the restaurant for the view and good service.”
“These are honestly the best salads I have ever had. They are layered and dressed perfectly. I have ordered at least once a week since their opening in OB. The staff is friendly, efficient and the space is immaculate! I cannot say enough good things about Mary’s Salads!”
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Candor in La Jolla, and it's safe to say that I found a hidden gem. Chef Giuseppe's culinary skills are truly impressive. The arancini were crispy and packed with flavor, while the short ribs were incredibly tender and delicious. The fisherman stew was a delightful medley of fresh seafood, and even the burger exceeded my expectations. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff added to the overall relaxed and enjoyable experience. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience in La Jolla, Candor is definitely worth a visit.”
“AMAZING FOOD! Service with kindness and care! 10 out of 10!! Can’t wait til I’m back in town to come again!”
Online Reservation Available
“Food ,environment , service l the best!!!!,..don't hesitate to come and enjoy this delicious Pacific Food...I love iy..since the momentnI came and I had the chance to meet Karin came to Our table to introduce Himself, made me feel like a part of a Family as a Sinaloenses we both are..Love this pace. Thanks Christian for today's wonderful Service, I will come back soon.Love this Restaurant...❤”
“I’m proud to call myself a regular here for happy hour from 4–5 pm. I’m vegetarian and skip the cheese, and I find the dishes incredibly tasty, inventive, and unadulterated. Everyone is so kind, and the whole bar has a great vibe. I recommend The Whaling Bar to everyone I end up talking food and drinks with. If you come after happy hour, the kale salad will not disappoint.”
“I just wrote this review on Tripadvisor on 5/22/23 Title: A family run restaurant just like in old Italy! Cafe Milano is a hidden gem. After dining there for the first time and being incredibly impressed by the entire experience, I was amazed that my wife and I could get seated without a reservation. There should be a line of patrons waiting outside this establishment every evening they're open. Cafe Milano may be La Jolla’s best kept restaurant secret. First off, I love the ambience of its interior. The place is very attractively decorated in dark, earthy tones with tables covered in white cotton tablecloths with matching napkins. It is clean and very well maintained. The family members (owner, his wife, his sister, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law), do all the cooking, setting up of the tables, greeting and seating the clientele, and serving the food. Actually, there's also a family friend, Bri, who was our lovely and attentive server. It felt like I had stepped back in time to dine at an intimate ristorante tucked away in a small courtyard off a cobblestoned street in Firenze in the ‘70’s. Our dinner started with a glass of wine and a generous serving of bread. Our first course was a Caesar salad for two which was one of the tastiest Caesars I have ever had. For a main course, we both chose a grilled salmon over fettuccine with olives and capers. It was perfectly done to our liking and huge, the biggest serving of a filet I had ever had. In fact, our server offered to box up the remainder of our salmon when we were only half done, apparently because most diners can't finish it at one seating. We did. However, when we were finished, we were stuffed with no room for dessert - but Pasquale, the owner, tempted us with a piece of tiramisu that was out of this world in yumminess for which we somehow managed to find the space. I'll tell you this. When we return to place our order, which will be very soon, my dinner plan will leave room for one of their myriad dessert choices. Right now, I have my eyes on one of their three tartufo offerings.”
“What a great restaurant experience! The live music and supper club vibe was so fun, definitely felt like New York for the night. Started with the table side Caesar salad - it was excellent. Also tried the Bolognese, very good. Flambe steak was so cool they butter basted it table side and ended with flambé presentation. Will definitely be back! Excellent service, food and atmosphere.”
“AMAZING FOOD! Service with kindness and care! 10 out of 10!! Can’t wait til I’m back in town to come again!”
“We had dinner here today. The staff were very friendly and the service was excellent. The oceanfront view was beautiful.The food tasted good while we were eating, but it left an aftertaste that lingered and sat a bit heavy. Good for one time visit. Overall, it was a nice experience. I would recommend the restaurant for the view and good service.”
Takeout Restaurants
“If you’re on the UCSD campus and craving real Chinese food, this place is honestly a gem. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is warm and lively, and the employees make you feel welcome. What really stood out to me is that the owner himself walks around, talks to customers, checks in, and makes sure everyone is having a good time. It feels very welcoming.
And I have to say this, the Oreo boba here is my personal favourite!”
“I tried the Build Your Own Salad Bowl, and I'm still thinking about it hours later. I got: Romaine, Power Greens, Chicken, Tzatziki, Pickled Onions, Cucumber, Kalamata Olives, Feta and Yogurt Dill Dressing. It was fresh and packed with flavor. That's my kind of salad.”
“Definitely an interesting place to eat. Everyone really nice. Food was reasonably priced, but not very generous portions , service was slow but it was Yeshiva week!
I also would have appreciated if owner would have updated their website or Google maps to reflect that They would be closed on Martin Luther king day.”
“Best Breakfast in LaJolla! Awesome Staff and EVERYTHING on the menu is 🔥! Don’t waist you time anywhere else!”
“Da italiana, ho cenato più volte in questo fantastico ristorante e vi dico che il cibo è ottimo. Qualità dei prodotti 🔝, servizio impeccabile. Il locale è veramente tanto delizioso. Ve lo consiglio vivamente non rimarrete delusi!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Without a doubt the best pastries in the area! The croissants are absolutely out of this world, the layers are incredibly flaky and the exterior is perfectly crisp.
There’s usually a line before they even open each morning, and many items sell out by 10–11 a.m., so I’d definitely recommend arriving early.
A must-visit for anyone who loves great pastries!”
“As a first timer, they have great matcha from PARU. The matcha is already naturally sweet for those that enjoy without sugars and flavor enhancers. Almond croissant filling tastes artificial so I won’t be getting that again. Great laid back ambience with indoor and outdoor seating. Looking forward to coming back for the matcha and to try other menu food items.”
“Something just very special its a vibe and you can feel.it as soon as you get in line .Best Macha by far and the most fresh pastry you can find .Cheers to the owner its a truly great find and we go often. I hear they have another location in lj village on girard. We cant wait to visit them.”
“I want to say yes and recommend them. But I can't because I have a subscription to their coffee but they sent me the wrong coffee. it's been about a week, I've call a few times, left two voice mail messages, I've emailed as well and I have not gotten any response at all. The coffee I bought and subscribed to is good, but I can't continue to do business with a company that won't respond to their customers to fix their mistakes.”
“The atmosphere and view, food and drinks are unbeatable. Staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Cody’s is a fantastic establishment that I visit every time I am in La Jolla!”
“Enjoyed it totally! 2 nd time and will go back again. Love the food and the menu”
“Food ,environment , service l the best!!!!,..don't hesitate to come and enjoy this delicious Pacific Food...I love iy..since the momentnI came and I had the chance to meet Karin came to Our table to introduce Himself, made me feel like a part of a Family as a Sinaloenses we both are..Love this pace. Thanks Christian for today's wonderful Service, I will come back soon.Love this Restaurant...❤”
Cheap Eats
“Really a great place to go to if you want a good bowl of ramen or a karaage, especially with it being in the centre of campus and all that. I've been here a few times and got a good variety of some of their foods, so I'd like to point out some of the things i liked. everything is well-portioned, and their ramen has very good meat quality and plenty of small filler ingredients for a more interesting flavour assortment. The rice bowls, such as the karaage I mentioned, has very juicy fried chicken, almost as if it was prepared in soup broth instead of fried regularly.
Service is great, these guys are fast and efficient even when they're bogged down with tonnes of other requests, though at peak lunch and dinner times you can expect the wait to rise to 15 or 20 minutes.
The atmosphere is good as well, or at least I personally like it. Indoors has a great loud-kitchen-and-music type of idea, whilst outside is more relaxed and usually has more space for groups.”
“i stop by to get a snack here relatively often. fairly quick service + nice selection! even though they mainly do drinks, i actually typically get their food. one of the only spots on campus open later at night so it can be a LIFESAVER 😭😭 please keep it that way !! ton of students r awake and need something to eat at these times, i can’t believe other places on campus close so early”
“This spot is definitely gorgeous for a coffee break. Awesome view and clearly a local student/staff favorite. They grilled our egg salad sandwich in the panini maker and the iced matcha latte was delicious. The crew here helpful And warm. Also very quick. I only wish there was more “bar style” seating for those who tend to linger for hours on their own instead of taking up a whole table. It’s been super crowded with no seating the last few months bc people tend to stay for hours working. Which I totally understand. But for a UCSD alum like me, I may just wanna sit for half an hour maybe an hour at most and often there is no seating. That’s my only suggestion. Add single person searing. But I’ll definitely be back and hope to come before a “rush”. The line can get very long. (I get it. I used to work in a cafe at the Price Center and it was crazy there). Also would Love if they stayed open later. One can only hope.”
“I want to say yes and recommend them. But I can't because I have a subscription to their coffee but they sent me the wrong coffee. it's been about a week, I've call a few times, left two voice mail messages, I've emailed as well and I have not gotten any response at all. The coffee I bought and subscribed to is good, but I can't continue to do business with a company that won't respond to their customers to fix their mistakes.”
“An excellent Szechwan Chinese restaurant that prepares authentic dishes with lots of vegetarian options. The portions were good size, freshly prepared with quality ingredients and delicious. The service was excellent and the options for Vegetarians were plenty. The prices were very reasonable and the location is excellent and easy to reach .”
“My husband and I stopped by after seeing Eddie Izzard's Hamlet right down the street. I got the Damon Bruce and my husband got thr Hollywoo. Both were fantastic (though I tried both and think i picked best). The dirty sauce was surprisingly sweet, and the only complaint I have is that it was sweeter than I would have liked. Did not stop me from devouring the deliciousness, though. I will be back if I am in the area again.”
“This restaurant never disappoints us! Always amazing food and service! Love love coming here.”
“If you are walking around Prospect Street, I highly recommend Zoya! My husband and I stumbled across this restaurant while trying to satisfy two different cravings, and it did not disappoint.
I ordered a pizza, and coming from a family that owned a pizza shop, I can tell you that their fresh dough and sauce are top-tier. My husband ordered the chicken shawarma with truffle fries, and it is hands-down one of the best shawarmas in San Diego. They include pomegranate seeds in it—if you know, you know!
We also had an amazing appetizer that is an absolute must-try. The server Yousif was fantastic; the owner and staff made sure to check on our table throughout the meal.
They even treated us to a complimentary dessert made by a local French baker! We truly enjoyed this restaurant and will definitely be back.”
“Absolutely amazing cuisine! Exceptional customer service! I would come again!”
Latest Reviews
“Shiku Sushi has the best atmosphere for dining, from their amazing menu and service. You are greeted the minute you enter and each server has a smile for you. I love the rolls, and I try different ones each visit. Casanova, Summer Beach Body to name a few. This Sushi bar is a MUST when you're visiting. You won't be disappointed!”
Most Popular Restaurants
“I tried the Build Your Own Salad Bowl, and I'm still thinking about it hours later. I got: Romaine, Power Greens, Chicken, Tzatziki, Pickled Onions, Cucumber, Kalamata Olives, Feta and Yogurt Dill Dressing. It was fresh and packed with flavor. That's my kind of salad.”
“We were celebrating my fiancés birthday and our server Molly was delightful. All of her recommendations were spot on. We don’t drink and she suggested the best tasting mocktails. The entrees and dessert were absolutely delicious. The view over looking the cove was romantic. Overall Molly made this an unforgettable experience and we will definitely be coming back.”
“I’m really grateful the melt is open so late because where else can you get a quality burger at 1 in the morning? Now that I graduated UCSD, I’m seriously gonna miss my beloved late night snickerdoodle milkshakes as well as being greeted by the melt’s friendly staff! Claire really stood out to me as someone who was consistently cheerful and helpful. I also really love that they’ve been showing the World Cup! I highly recommend stopping by for a bite to eat as it’s never failed to be yummy and a good vibe!”
“What a great restaurant experience! The live music and supper club vibe was so fun, definitely felt like New York for the night. Started with the table side Caesar salad - it was excellent. Also tried the Bolognese, very good. Flambe steak was so cool they butter basted it table side and ended with flambé presentation. Will definitely be back! Excellent service, food and atmosphere.”
“My kids and I stopped by Better Buzz Coffee in La Jolla on our way down to the beach, and we had such a great experience. We tried the iced lattes with vanilla and mocha, and both were really good, but I especially loved the iced latte. It was smooth, refreshing, and exactly what I needed before heading out to enjoy La Jolla.
The atmosphere and location of this coffee shop are amazing. It’s just a couple blocks away from the stunning views of La Jolla, the beach, the Children’s Pool, and Ellen Browning Scripps Park. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee before walking around or spending time by the ocean.
Great drinks, great vibe, and an unbeatable location. Definitely a 5-star coffee stop in La Jolla!”
“My bride and I just spent 4 nights at the hotel. It was very nice. The restaurant, to us, is the crown jewel. We had a superb dinner. The seafood was fabulous, our server (Steven) was a delight and of course the sunset! We had breakfast on our last morning and it was very good! We came here years ago when it was Elarios and we were not disappointed this time either! We will return!”
New Restaurants
“Amazing experience visted this location during my 3 day vacation stay in San Diego. I live in Los Angeles and have gone to their little gelato shops out there and the quality is top notch even here im SD best gelato hands down. My girlfriend got half cafe and half tiramisu. It was her first time trying gelato and was hooked she loved it. I got the strawberry cheesecake and it was so yummy”
“If you are walking around Prospect Street, I highly recommend Zoya! My husband and I stumbled across this restaurant while trying to satisfy two different cravings, and it did not disappoint.
I ordered a pizza, and coming from a family that owned a pizza shop, I can tell you that their fresh dough and sauce are top-tier. My husband ordered the chicken shawarma with truffle fries, and it is hands-down one of the best shawarmas in San Diego. They include pomegranate seeds in it—if you know, you know!
We also had an amazing appetizer that is an absolute must-try. The server Yousif was fantastic; the owner and staff made sure to check on our table throughout the meal.
They even treated us to a complimentary dessert made by a local French baker! We truly enjoyed this restaurant and will definitely be back.”
“An amazing restaurant! The fish is so fresh that it sparkles!! Get the omakase!! And we will definitely be back And that means traveling there from Northern California. It’s that good.”