Restaurants in La Jolla

“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.”

“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!”

“What happens when fine dining meets meal prep ? Urban plates you nailed it. Who knew best steak ive had could be prepared fast and efficiently delivered to my door. Wow 🤩 5 stars . RFK approved.”

“Everything about this place is exceptional. The atmosphere is so nice, the food is incredible, and they take such good care of you especially when celebrating an event. I celebrated my 21st birthday here and was taken such good care of by Benjamin! Best server ever.”

“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!”

“Great meal. Dessert was a wow.”

“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.”

“The food was so salty! The lobster bisque and the raviolis tasted the same!”

“Lovely spot for great coffee, delicious croissants and other quick bites. Their infused water is quite refreshing. Service was quick. Cozy indoor and outdoor seating amidst lush greenery. Highly recommend!”

“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!”

“Tahini meals have amazing flavor balance and freshness. It’s so great to have a bowl or pita with a diversity of vegetables all fresh and chopped to ideal sizes for human enjoyment.”

“poor service. food came not as ordered. took a long time to get food. had to flag down another waiter to get attention. party melt over cooked. 1 1/2 hour waist of time. both doors left open so we were swatting flying away from food”

“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.”

“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.”

“Great food, wonderful service!”

“Amazing food, staff & atmosphere!”

“Quick, quality, and friendly sushi!!! Ordered online and got the Vermont roll and Delsushi special roll. Both were really great quality and contrasted each other nicely. The Vermont roll was so good, we loved the ratio of rice to fish. Very flavorful and light. The delsushi roll was definitely heavier, baked, and loaded!!!!”

“Great food. Great wine. Great servers. Dog friendly. Friendly dogs. Friendly dog owners.”

“pulled up close to midnight extremely hungry with no idea what to grub on but with the help of blaine i was able to land on something great, food and customer service were fantastic, will be back most definitely”

“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”

“Great view, service and breakfast!”

“AMAZING FOOD! Service with kindness and care! 10 out of 10!! Can’t wait til I’m back in town to come again!”

“Love what they have brought to our San Diego farmers markets!!!! A must for exceptional American artisanal cheeses!!!”

“This New York Italian restaurant with supper club vibes was packed on a Saturday night. Ambience was as expected, very good, and food was on point as usual. Two dings: 1. OpenTable states they have valet parking but when we arrived we found out they no longer do. Parking two blocks away was not on my bingo card. 2. Ordered a martini that never came - I guess on the bright side I saved $20.”

“AMAZING FOOD! Service with kindness and care! 10 out of 10!! Can’t wait til I’m back in town to come again!”

“Let me just start by saying Better Buzz is the best coffee place I’ve ever been to in my entire life. The service was impeccable, my baddie barista liv was literally the best ever I can’t even explain. And I can’t even begin to describe how amazing grace is. She’s actually the best. If you’re not at better buzz what are you doing.”

“One of my favorite spots in La Jolla! The view and service are great, and the atmosphere is comfortable. The food is amazing, especially the ramen (drunken noodles). For sharing, my favorites are the chicken karraage, seaweed salad, and veggie rolls. And definitely save room for the Nutella buns for dessert! They’re a must-try.”

“Awesome food, great drinks and service! Nicole is awesome!”

“Locally owned, by Lisa. She's wonderful, we've been stopping by pre-covid and post-covid for years, from Surprise, AZ. Great spot to chill at during your vacation. We will always come back by! ✌🏽❤✊🏽”

“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!”

“Darin was great! Thank you, our dinner was delicious”

“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! 🤎🤎”

“It is an okay place for a fast bite of sushi. Atmosphere is average. Service was average. Food was just edible. Not bad but not really good. Mediocre.”

“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.”

“Absolutely amazing cuisine! Exceptional customer service! I would come again!”

“This restaurant never disappoints us! Always amazing food and service! Love love coming here.”

“Best Chinese and Mai Tai's in San Diego or maybe the US”

“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.”

“Nice and friendly staff. Great food!”

“First time visitors and The Whaling Bar did not disappoint. Amazing drinks, food and service. Loves the history and the ambience plus a great place to people watch.”

“The most adorable setting serving absolutely delicious food. Fast friendly servers are all smiles and so sweet. The coffee is incredible and if you like Unicorns, well, that's doable here too! Don't miss it. Loved our experience.”

“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.”

“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!”

“Best Breakfast in LaJolla! Awesome Staff and EVERYTHING on the menu is 🔥! Don’t waist you time anywhere else!”

“Absolutely delish and the nicest people work at the bakery..”

“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!”

“My family and I had a wonderful time yesterday. Thanks for the great food and conversation! - The Cole's from Idaho”

“great sandwich. best in town in my opinion”

“This is a family favorite. We come here every time we visit Cali”

“The best frozen yogurt place I have been to. You get different flavors every day and you get toppings as you like! Pay by the weight of your cup. The owners are SO FRIENDLY!! Would recommend to everybody! Give it a try it's affordable and so tasty”

“Don Carlos Taco Shop is a La Jolla institution for great Mexican fast food. Great friendly staff and good food. I use for take out exclusively.”

“Love this place. Great healthy breakfast and great coffee. Especially love the vibe from the super cool funny girls that work there (Emma and Maya). Had fun there the other morning while having a great breakfast…will be back.”

“Great flavours! Great atmosphere!! Great service!!!”

“Delicious döner wraps and amazing baklava.”

“good service and good food”

“Cole was very helpful and friendly! :) My whole family loves this place. The rolls are always fantastic, and we always pick up takeout on our way home from La Jolla Shores Beach.”

“A special place for both long time locals and newbies. Good for a delicious double cappucino a long work session on the laptop.”

“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!”

“FOOD IS WONDERFUL AND TASTE AS SUPPOSED TO BE . I WOULD SAY THIS IS BEST PERSIAN RESTAURANT YOU CAN ENJOY THE FOOD . I AM VERY HAPPY THIS IS CLOSE TO MY HOME.”

“Simply the absolute best. Everything is ridiculously amazing and the owner ROCKS!”

“Friendly staff and good food and shake. Will be back on my next visit to SD.”

“Excellent night out. Food was delish (mussels, barramundi, salad) and the service was even better. Suggest making a reservation - we wouldn't have gotten in on a Sunday night otherwise :)”

“Autumn was an excellent CAVA worker and deserves a raise. Wow! Never had such good experience at CAVA before. I feel like Autumn should be the face of CAVA atp, I’ve never had a good experience with a CAVA worker before her”

“We’re visiting from Austin Tx and decided to try Philz, it was one of the best coffees we’ve had in a long time. The pastries were so delicious as well. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. I hope you all come to Austin someday🩷”

“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 coffee was really good and the food felt fresh and well prepared. The atmosphere is really enjoyable, and the service was friendly with everything coming out pretty quickly. Highly recommend!”

“I got mango Smoothie with boba. I love it.”

“10/10. california breakfast burrito is amazing. super friendly and kind staff. my fav taco shop in san diego and i have tried soooo many. raymundo’s is the best”

“Cliff Hanger Cafe is such a cool and atmospheric spot! The food is simple, sandwiches/burgers and the beer is reasonably priced. The best part is sitting outside and watching the paragliders take off and land right in front of you. The coastal views are absolutely fantastic throughout the day, but especially around sunset. Such a unique place to relax, have a drink, and enjoy the scenery. Highly recommend!”

“Decent ramen spot in a very central and convenient location at UCSD. A counter-service restaurant and you can pay with Triton Cash which is nice. Seating can be limited during peak hours.”

“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”

“The food is very delicious and great! Would definitely recommend giving it a try for some good Egyptian food 😍”

“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.”

“Warm and Welcoming community center for all.”

“Located on UCSD Campus. Quick and delicious. I enjoyed the Italian Panini with Calibrian Garlic Aoili. Excited to taste the other options. Thalia offered friendly and helpful information. Order by phone, online or in person. 5 Star Food, Service and Atmosphere. Cheers!”

“Located in a medical building. Not busy mid-morning. Friendly staff with made to order breakfast. The bacon breakfast burritos and salads are good with homemade chips on the side.”

“Excellent venue. So fun to be in such a welcoming space. Good vibes all around. If you've never been, keep in mind this is not your typical concert venue - it's very small and very much a DIY set up, which is what makes it awesome.”

“Staff is very kind and they make amazing food! I come in at least once a week for lunch. My favorite items are the RS Burger, house salad with chicken, and the pita bread. Great option for food and drinks before games in the arena too!”

“A coworker ordered for our spring orientation. The pizza was amazing!!”

“Was in La Jolla for my son’s wedding and was craving something healthy. Decided to walk to the Juice Caboose (I loved the name!) The location is in a cute little area with lots of outside seating. The staff were welcoming and answered some questions I had about the protein and other ingredients. I ordered the Greenland Smoothie and it was delicious. It was not too sweet and tasted fresh. The portion size was bigger than I expected for the price. Definitely would recommend a visit to this place!”

“Best ice cream in town and it’s open late.”

“Delicious, hot, Chai latte. Love to stop in while visiting LaJolla.”

“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 .”

“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!”

“FOOD IS WONDERFUL AND TASTE AS SUPPOSED TO BE . I WOULD SAY THIS IS BEST PERSIAN RESTAURANT YOU CAN ENJOY THE FOOD . I AM VERY HAPPY THIS IS CLOSE TO MY HOME.”

“Love the new Crispy Tofu so many vegetarian and vegan options.”

“Super cool and clean environment, one of the staff held the door for us on the way in, Perez served our food and was easy to talk to. The food was super good and good experience over all!!”

“Food is delicious! The views are spectacular! And service is always top-notch!”

“Amazing food. Casual atmosphere. Great service to go along with the great food”

“pulled up close to midnight extremely hungry with no idea what to grub on but with the help of blaine i was able to land on something great, food and customer service were fantastic, will be back most definitely”

“Autumn was an excellent CAVA worker and deserves a raise. Wow! Never had such good experience at CAVA before. I feel like Autumn should be the face of CAVA atp, I’ve never had a good experience with a CAVA worker before her”

“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.”

“Wonderful view of the beach and ocean and great mud pie!”

“Great food, wonderful service!”

“Absolutely amazing cuisine! Exceptional customer service! I would come again!”

“The most adorable setting serving absolutely delicious food. Fast friendly servers are all smiles and so sweet. The coffee is incredible and if you like Unicorns, well, that's doable here too! Don't miss it. Loved our experience.”

“This restaurant never disappoints us! Always amazing food and service! Love love coming here.”

“Let me just start by saying Better Buzz is the best coffee place I’ve ever been to in my entire life. The service was impeccable, my baddie barista liv was literally the best ever I can’t even explain. And I can’t even begin to describe how amazing grace is. She’s actually the best. If you’re not at better buzz what are you doing.”

“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.”

“Nice and friendly staff. Great food!”

“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.”

“Went to this place for dinner had a great dinner. Steak was perfect potato was perfect. Thank you for my friend and one of the cooks. Saul F for tell me come telling me to come try this place when I come to San Diego”

“Great food, location and service. Loved their greek platter. Chef surprised with a special delicious starter. Not a fan of their salads but everything else was great.”

“First time in today, the gelato was amazing!! So many flavors to choose from and can sample as many as you need. i got the affogato classico, really recommend them since they plate it out for you if you dine in. Special thanks to Chloe who was super helpful and patient with me. Ill definitely be back”

“I tried the gelato here. Granted, that is not their main product, but it was not very good. I gave it 4 stars because the pastries looked delicious. Just don’t go for the gelato…”

“I love this place. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. The food is amazing too. I have ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese croissant and a pain au chocolate twice now and loved them both times. Would highly recommend.”

“Kay was absolutely awesome and the coffee here was one of the best I’ve had including large chains! The espresso was perfect not acidic or Saoor very high-quality and woke me up right away. Must try!”

“THE BEST TACO IN THE WORLD! I was born in Los Angeles, lived part of my life in Tijuana, Mexico City and Guadalajara. I've traveled to various places of Mexico and I have never eaten something so tasty, tender, unique and delicious like the RIBEYE TACO... It is pure perfection, and one order is more than enough”

“SOOOO GOOD, in n out could never (respectfully). They have impossible burgers and their crazy fries are SO delicious. 100000000/10 highly recommend. I haven’t tried their shakes yet but they look great! I’m addicted now. Prepare to be sick of me! 😂🙏”

“I’m consistently impressed by the quality, the elegant flavors, the sophisticated combinations and the kindness of Eugene, the owner, and the chef’s. I eat here as often as I can.”

“Best coffee in town 😊😇!”

“A very nice winery with loverly views and a pleasant atmosphere. Good wines too”

“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!”

“So glad they are having live music and desserts on Saturday and Sunday evenings. We had a great time eating outside, listening to music and playing jenga!”

“The flavors are great, but they don’t do pre packaged pints, they hand pack them by the order, and it was kind of disappointing that they don’t actually fill them all the way.

One of the pints we got could have easily fit another half scoop or so, it looks like she smoothed down the scoop, then just left it fairly shy of being filled, instead of adding enough to fill the container.

The price was $15/pint.”

“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.”

“Super stoked they finally opened up a boba place in this center. The place is located in a shared unit (same owner I think) as Crispy Burger. Nothing better than a double smashed burger, some salty fries and power that down with an Ice cold boba!”