Tapas Restaurants near La Jolla, CA

“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.“

“Amazing venue and staff! 5 stars!“

“I attended an event at Meraki last night and absolutely loved the space! It’s beautifully clean, open, and so versatile—you can really make it your own. The food was delicious A++ (my favorite was the Fettuccine Alfredo) and the service was truly top notch. Such a great experience from start to finish. Highly recommend!“

“My husband and I had the absolute pleasure to dine at Juniper and Ivy for our 33 year anniversary. Not only did they have special menus for us, but we had a complete and very special experience start to finish.The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. We had what I would consider the best seats in the restaurant. We sat up at the kitchen bar, and were treated to an amazing dinner and “show “ The kitchen crew were so impressive and friendly to each other and us. We had such a great experience, that we canceled reservations at another restaurant on the same block for later in the week, so we could come back and try more. Same amazing experience at the next visit. Highly recommend, when we come back to SD we will prioritize another visit. Thank you so much for such a great experience!“

“**ABSOLUTELY loved coming here!**

This summer, I’ve been on a mission to rediscover great happy hours around San Diego—especially those with amazing oyster deals. I randomly heard about **Mabel’s Gone Fishing** as a spot to check out, and on a whim, my little one and I decided to stop by right at 4 PM.

We didn’t have a reservation but arrived just in time to grab a seat outside. The outdoor setup immediately gave off a charming European vibe—reminiscent of a Paris café, with chairs facing the street, perfect for people-watching. (The decor, chairs, and tables instantly brought back Paris memories!)

**Big tip: Make a reservation**—this place fills up fast!

Even though only the happy hour menu was available (dinner service starts later), it didn’t disappoint. We ordered:

* A dozen oysters (half-price!)
* The Spanish tortilla
* And we got lucky—they happened to have caviar available!

I paired the oysters with a glass of bubbly Pinot Noir Brut from Catalonia, Spain—absolutely perfect. The gin and tonic cocktail was also refreshing and well-balanced.

Now for the surprise: my 5-year-old daughter, who has a funny and ever-evolving palate, *loved* the bread and butter... but even more shockingly, **devoured the caviar**! A first for her—and possibly a very expensive new habit for me, haha! She even tried an oyster but wasn’t quite ready for the texture—still, she gave it a go.

The oysters were fresh, with a great variety from three different regions. The service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The sommelier (who was also working the host stand!) was fantastic and clearly passionate about the wine list. Bonus: many of their wine selections are available for purchase next door.

I’ll definitely be coming back before summer ends—this time for dinner!“

“Omg what a quaint and cozy spot! Our server was the most helpful and friendly server we've had in a while. She gave us excellent recommendations. The vibe was candle lit european bistro style with shareable plates. Perfect for a date night. Cannot wait to return.“

“The best dining event in a long while. Food is terrific and the beer is literally ice cold. The owner is delightful! Please visit cause it is a treat.“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at Osteria Cotto e Mangiato! The service from Andrea (owner) was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Every dish we ordered was incredible-from the rich, comforting Carbonara w/anchovies to the Captain's Treasure chest is unexplainable good, everything was cooked to perfection. You can really taste the quality and care in each bite. This place is a gem in San Diego for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. Oh, by the way, did I mention the Tiramisu... WOW!! Can’t wait to come back!“

“We had a great time visiting during the Mistletoe Pop-Up. The Christmas cocktails were delicious and we tried a few regular offerings. The food menu was underwhelming, so we ended up going elsewhere for food, but the vibe and drinks were great.“

“I ordered pickup through doordash and walked in with my family to pick up our food. We decided that we wanted to just eat there at the restaurant and we were led to a table and brought waters. I had my toddler with us and he started getting restless. One of the staff members noticed and brought him a Halloween gift bag, it distracted him for a moment but we did leave shortly afterwards since I didn't want to disturb other diners. The Ramen was amazing, the staff was friendly, and the restaurant overall was both clean and refreshing.“

“our first time was really good, we ordered ramen. husbad said we will go back for sure. i want to try the bento ❤“

“Great service! Jas and Deanna were so nice and friendly. Gotta try the Brussel sprouts.“

“Delicious food and good portions:) Great service“

“They have a white sangria that the wife just LOVES. Have to stop in every once in a while and grab a glass“

“our waiter was amazing. food was top notch had crab stuffed shrimp with jalapeño cheese sauce. Get it!!“

“Wonderful atmosphere, great service!“

“Food are delicious. Good customer service.“

“The Monkey Bar is such a fun and memorable spot. The atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and welcoming, making it a great place to stop for drinks or a casual bite whether you are staying at the resort or just passing through.

The holiday drinks are definitely the highlight right now. They are creative, festive, and full of flavor. Each one feels thoughtfully made, not just pretty but actually delicious. They capture that cozy seasonal vibe perfectly and are the kind of drinks you look forward to ordering again.

And I have to mention the monkey fries because they are absolutely amazing. Crispy, flavorful, and addictive, they come out hot and perfectly seasoned. They are one of those menu items you order “for the table,” but everyone ends up wanting their own.

The service is friendly and upbeat, and the whole place has a great energy that makes you want to hang out a little longer. Overall, The Monkey Bar is a must visit. Great drinks, great food, and a vibe that keeps you coming back.“

“Hosted our daughters graduation event there. Very helpful, beautiful outdoor dining and food was very good. Highly recommended for a group birthday, graduation, meetings, etc. the food is California casual, but the setting is lovely and the staff is wonderful. Also a lovely place to grab a quick lunch or brunch with family or friends.“

“Food was fantastic and the bartender was very nice and helpful! Highly recommend!“

“one of the best ramen I ever had...my two son's bring me there on my last Birthday celebration March 4 this year. the Ramen noodles and soups, toppings are so good and delicious. I recommend this restaurant.“

“What a great place. Amazing food and cocktails. Bartenders were amazing.“

“Dining and sight-seeing... Delicious and Beautiful“

“I went as a solo traveler and sat at the bar. The staff was so sweet and friendly. They cleared extra space for me so I could order food (it is a pretty small bar area and I get the feeling food is not often served there) the house wine and eggplant parm were so good and again the staff were so mind and warm. Will definitely go again ❤️“

“Delicious food…all of it, the Ramen, the sushi, everything!“

“in love with the food! great customer service.. best paella in town... also ylu should try their wine...highly recommendations ❤“