Restaurants in La Jolla
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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.”
“Delicious, fresh food, made from scratch pasta, wood fired meat and pizzas....and outstanding service!”
“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.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“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!”
“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 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!”
“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.”
Outdoor Dining
“Where to begin,,,, Been coming here for 35 years! Was greeted by Nancy Odonell, the owner as we were seated. The ambiance is old school perfect! Fhe wait staff is top notch. And the food,,,,,, The food is on another level. Table side caesar salad for two. Grilled veal chop. New York cheese cake. Simply the best. In this era of the decline of fine dining restaurants, the is a true gem.”
“The wings here are super crunchy and packed with flavor. The Savory Red, Devils Garlic, Plain and Garlic Soy wings are all great. The Lemon Pepper isn’t bad either, but be warned they are VERY salty. Definitely recommend eating the wings on the spot since the steam trapped in the box makes them lose their crispness pretty quick. 10/10”
“We tried the pan fried pot stickers that came with this delicious sauce, the adorable cow buns, the crispy sushi roll, and the crispy chicken ramen and everything was DELICIOUS!! Definitely ask for a window table, the view is amazing and they play really good music (chill R&B)! Such a great place for dinner with good ambiance!”
“Where to begin,,,, Been coming here for 35 years! Was greeted by Nancy Odonell, the owner as we were seated. The ambiance is old school perfect! Fhe wait staff is top notch. And the food,,,,,, The food is on another level. Table side caesar salad for two. Grilled veal chop. New York cheese cake. Simply the best. In this era of the decline of fine dining restaurants, the is a true gem.”
Online Reservation Available
“Such a cool atmosphere and sweet staff! Everyone was very attentive and respectful even going so far as to let us know of cool spots to check out next.
That’s not even to say how amazing the food was. I always appreciate a restaurant who isn’t afraid to be authentic and kick up the spice level in their food. They were transparent in telling us the spice level and of course we agreed (Mexican and Chinese couple we loveeee spice) and they were excited to share their El Picosito aguachile. Perfectly seasoned shrimp, and super fresh, tasty tortillas and amazingly prepared branzino.
I can’t give a better congratulations. Thank you again to the staff for such great recommendations and service! 🤎🤎”
“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 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.”
“We loved our stay at the charming Cormorant Hotel! We enjoyed sitting on our deck which overlooked La Jolla Cove, shops and downtown LaJolla. The staff was really helpful and friendly; Megan went above and beyond to make sure our Anniversary stay was memorable with a welcome round of drinks to celebrate! Their Rooftop Restaurant, the Birdnest, was excellent as well, with great food and drinks and a view hard to beat! Note to travelers: as a smaller boutique hotel, there isn’t an elevator, but they do have a lift available, if needed.”
“Love what they have brought to our San Diego farmers markets!!!! A must for exceptional American artisanal cheeses!!!”
“AMAZING FOOD! Service with kindness and care! 10 out of 10!! Can’t wait til I’m back in town to come again!”
Takeout Restaurants
“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!”
“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!”
“We tried the pan fried pot stickers that came with this delicious sauce, the adorable cow buns, the crispy sushi roll, and the crispy chicken ramen and everything was DELICIOUS!! Definitely ask for a window table, the view is amazing and they play really good music (chill R&B)! Such a great place for dinner with good ambiance!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
Cheap Eats
“This place is the BEST. Fresh, delicious, and unique flavors and a phenomenal assortment of toppings. We've spoken with Michael (who may be the owner?) a few times and he could not be sweeter or more accommodating. Brought some family by that was in town, and they aren't big on froyo, but raved about this. They're visiting again soon and said the only must-do on their list is Yogurt World.
The only negative thing I could possible say is that they're not open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!! We could come by every single day it's that good!”
“This ramen shop is popular among UCSD students. The food is just average, but it’s convenient and consistently decent. The interior blends Japanese style with modern minimalism, and self-order kiosks make ordering a breeze.
Their fried chicken is said to be tasty, but you’d better skip the ramen. Overall, it’s a handy pick for students nearby. It’s worth a try if you’re on campus, but not worth a special trip from far away. I’d highly recommend Menya Ultra, Ramen Nagi and Nishiki instead.”
“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”
“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.”
“We were visiting La Jolla and my husband and I were craving a smoothie. Found this place and the atmosphere inside was really cute inside! My Husband got the Mudslide Smoothie he loved it. Since I saw they had a big selection of drinks I ended up getting the Minty Melon juice! Soo good and refreshing. We also grabbed a ceaser salad wrap, this was really delicious and the chicken had really good seasoning and was really tender. This will be our go to spot when we visit the town again.”
“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.”
“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 .”
“Such a cool atmosphere and sweet staff! Everyone was very attentive and respectful even going so far as to let us know of cool spots to check out next.
That’s not even to say how amazing the food was. I always appreciate a restaurant who isn’t afraid to be authentic and kick up the spice level in their food. They were transparent in telling us the spice level and of course we agreed (Mexican and Chinese couple we loveeee spice) and they were excited to share their El Picosito aguachile. Perfectly seasoned shrimp, and super fresh, tasty tortillas and amazingly prepared branzino.
I can’t give a better congratulations. Thank you again to the staff for such great recommendations and service! 🤎🤎”
“Enjoyed it totally! 2 nd time and will go back again. Love the food and the menu”
“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.”
“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.”
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
“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.”
“Wow! My partner and I ended up here after not being able to walk in at a different sushi place nearby. Without a doubt, this was way better than that other place we couldn’t get into. This is the best sushi in San Diego…dare I say the freshest fish I’ve ever found outside of Japan! Every dish we got was incredible, and we kept wanting to order more. Highly recommend the Ahi Fiesta Roll, the hamachi special, the salmon belly, and the eel. Oh, and the miso soup with truffle and salmon?!?! Divine. Can’t wait to come back to try everything on the menu.”
“Amazing costumer service and even better drinks! I had the Mermaid (raspberry matcha) and it was the best matcha I’ve ever had. It was made so perfectly. My partner had the cinnamon roll latte which was recommended by the employee/barista, and it was so so good! 10/10!”
“A shout out to Ms Luvia.. my first time at this place and she made the whole experience enjoyable. I thought she was the manager. Thank you for the delicious seafood and experience. I recommend to everyone.”
“Excellent location, super clean and beautifully designed! The coffee was fresh, aromatic and really tasty. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. AC was on which was great in this hot summer. Love the scenic patio area, perfect for relaxing. And very clean restroom, which is rare for la Jolla public restrooms! Definitely coming back. Highly recommend!”
“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.”