Restaurants in La Jolla

“I love this place. This place have amazing atmosphere with a great vibe, plus a delicious selection of tacos appetizers and drinks.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“We met friends for dinner and what an amazing experience it was! Each course was delicious and the presentation was second to none. The service was genuine and every staff member was attentive and made us feel welcome. Can’t wait to come back!”

“Great meal. Dessert was a wow.”

“Recomiendo todo Es un súper lugar cómodo ,bendecido Su personal y su comida Es lo máximo Sus bebidas no hay comparación ,su personal de la barra es súper Cada vez que tengo la bendición de estar en ese lugar me hacen sentir muy especial Todo absolutamente todo lo recomiendo Gracias CATANIA”

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

“Their food was amazing! I had the panini vegano and I’ve been searching online how to make that eggplant tofu paste. Everything went so well in that sandwich! It also had olives, vegan feta, arugula and a hint of harissa (in the menu it said red bell pepper or something like that, but I believe they used harissa and it was the best!!). I can’t wait to go again and get the same and get other things haha. My partner and I also tried their pistachio croissant, which h was delicious! Their matcha was great, and the drinks highlight was their dirty chai. Everything was sooo good!”

“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.”

“Excellent fresh food, falafel is amazing, and many vegetarian options. Neat craft soda flavors. Staff really cares about serving high quality food and very friendly and helpful. I wish I would have come to try this place sooner! Tasty and healthy. Not at all like American fast food. 👌❤️”

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

“Tina made my visit to The Melt unforgettable with her warm welcome, genuine kindness, and exceptional service. She guided me to the perfect meal, which was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Her attentiveness was perfectly timed—never intrusive, yet always making me feel valued. Thanks to Tina, I left with a full stomach, a big smile, and an experience worth sharing.”

“The staff made our special occasion truly wonderful. They were incredibly helpful throughout the entire scheduling process, and Jan, Kevin, and Victor were absolutely amazing. We created so many pleasant memories thanks to their care and attention. Thank you!”

“Chef hooked it up today. Kudos and thank you. The Omakase was beyond amazing, especially for the price. It was definitely worth it. The 2 collar items as appetizers are a steal for the price and quality. When I want sushi with a view in La Jolla I am coming here.”

“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.”

“Sandpiper is perfect - fantastic food, good prices, chill vibe, fresh seafood, great oysters, great beer, TVs at the bar, and wonderful service. It’s a dream, and the corn skillet cake side is perfect as a dessert too.”

“The name is fitting! Definitely recommend”

“Great food, wonderful service!”

“Enjoyed it totally! 2 nd time and will go back again. Love the food and the menu”

“The Cottage never disappoints. Manager Jason is a terrific ambassador. Staff are always polite and professional and the food is top shelf.”

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

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

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

“Best ceviche on tostadas I’ve had in SD! The food is super fresh and tasty, and the staff is awesome - friendly and very nice! Great ambiance and playlist as well!!

We love the red snapper tostadas, shrimp ceviche, and the taco arabe (the cheesy shrimp taco is amazing!!!)

Highly recommend if you’re craving tostadas with fresh seafood :)”

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

“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! ✌🏽❤✊🏽”

“I would give this place 6 stars if I could!!! The pastries were so fresh and delicious and the service was amazing! All the employees were so kind (shoutout to Jonathan)! Highly recommend the matcha and literally EVERY SINGLE pastry!”

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

“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!”

“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”

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

“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!”

“Cute location but no water views. Very nice decor. Super fun menu, kind of tapas vibes. I don't recommend the dirty martini as they use the fake blue cheese stuffed olives. Our waiter was great. Definitely worth a visit”

“Amazing food, staff & atmosphere!”

“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.”

“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.”

“Every time we come to La Jolla Shores we dine here. Reasonable prices for delicious food and plenty of it. Large menu to choose from. We sat on the patio, which is plenty warm with all the space heaters. Excellent service. They don't rush you. Prepare for free street parking as you might be a few blocks away.  menu to choose from.”

“Such an awesome place with great food and an awesome beach setting! Whenever I come to San Diego to visit family, I will always come here after a great day on the water.”

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

“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.”

“WOW! The Manhattan never lets us down and this perhaps was especially delicious. We had Veal Piccata, Veal Chop and strip steak. And, of course, we were served their famous carrots. And, because we were celebrating our anniversary, they gave us a wonderful desert complimentary.”

“I loved the Vibe it's an experience for sure. I'd recommend dine in atleast for the 1st time. Woww my tacos and burrito was awesome specially the sauces....”

“Our server, Eve, was phenomenal! We dined there tonight with a party of 10 which included 4 kids. Eve was on top of everything! The food was yummy and came out fast. I highly recommend Nautilus based on variety of food options, yummy drinks and excellent service!”

“Courteous, entertaining staff, they make you feel comfortable.”

“Loved the salads here!! we had the Thai Crunch and Kale Ceaser!! The Ceaser was my FAV. The dressing was SO GOOD. Big portions and friendly staff! We will definitely be back! Oh and their homemade cookies 😋😋😋😋”

“I go here every time I Visit The La Jolla Shores. The Burgers are to Die for. Typically no line to order, and my order comes out Quick. This is Definitely a Bucket List deserving location.”

“It's been a while since I last visited Fan-Fan. The menu here has changed, and it feels a bit like Panda Express, probably to cater to foreign tastes. At noon, the place is crowded with people waiting in line—it almost feels like a Chinese canteen for international students. You grab a plate, choose your favorite dishes, and pay by weight. They also have bubble tea you can order. My meal cost 23, which isn’t exactly cheap but is acceptable. The bubble tea was nothing special, so you can skip it. The food was okay, but I still prefer the old Fan-Fan, which served more authentic Chinese dishes.”

“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.”

“They have the best cupcakes ever. It is a little more than what I’d like to pay for cupcakes, but it’s definitely worth it. The red velvet is my favorite and the frosting they use is delicious. It’s not too sweet or overbearing like other buttercream frostings that I’ve had. It’s just right. I would definitely recommend you stop and check them out if your in the area. I do wish they had more locations”

“This was the most amazing cookie that I ever tried in my life, even though it was kinda hard, but you just have to warm it up and yeah, I really liked eating here. Definitely coming back for more. Definitely tell my friends about this. I’m here just for free cookie bye.”

“good service and good food”

“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🩷”

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

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

“Butter roll perfection warm, soft, and buttery enough to make you question every other sandwich you’ve ever had. The lobster? Fresh, sweet. I did try adding extra lobster, but honestly, it didn’t change my life enough to justify the price save that cash for dessert or another roll.

The place is tiny, with just a few outdoor tables, but you’re surrounded by adorable little shops, so it’s basically like eating luxury seafood in a postcard. The vibe is super chill and informal the kind of place where you can wear flip flops, sip your drink, and watch people browse stuff they don’t need.

Easily one of the best lobster rolls I’ve ever had.”

“You can go just about anywhere and find a FroYo shop with a wide variety of flavors and toppings. What really makes Yogurt World UCSD special is the service and the atmosphere. Both times I have gone here with my daughters, we have been treated like important guests and made to feel welcome. The owner even gave little duck toys to each of my daughters, which made their day. He even took an interest in my story, which I truly appreciated.

We have a favorite FroYo place here in San Diego, and it is Yogurt World UCSD!”

“Very friendly staff. I ordered the Watermelon-Strawberry slushie/smoothie. It was so good and perfect for summer. I'll be back soon to try the juices. Nice place to get a drink after that walk up from the beach!”

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

“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!”

“great sandwich. best in town in my opinion”

“Excellent food and service!”

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

“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.”

“Delicious, crispy and leaves you wanting more. The tender box with devil garlic sauce was awesome, there's a reason there's only two tenders in there, they are huge. The coleslaw in the tender box is delicious, it's not full of mayonnaise it's nice and vinegary and delicious, and the french fries are super crispy without being greasy. The buldak noodles are super spicy and delicious, and again another tender in there making it an entire meal.”

“Stunningly flaky, buttery, and beautiful pastries! No seating but excellent to take to a party or the office. Truly high quality. You can tell the owners/bakers are passionate about their craft.”

“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 have to say that this location has some of the friendliest staff. The barista named Summer was so wonderful to have a chat with while she was making my drink. Not only did my pumpkin latte turn out awesome (and she made a really neat latte art pumpkin on top), but she was just so happy to be making it. The drink was great, but go here for the extra service. Hard to find at Starbucks these days. 5 stars.”

“Best place on campus to get coffee ( in reality I just really like their self serving coffee option, it doesn't make my tummy hurt )

Dietary restrictions: I like their gluten free brownies yum”

“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.”

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

“My sister came along with me to San Diego for work from Irvine, and I give her the credit for finding this place. WOW! This place blew me away.

Our order:
🍵 two 20 oz matcha lattes - 10/10 thank you so much for putting the right amount of ice - not too much!! Our matcha lattes did not feel diluted at all. The additional $0.50 we paid for the extra 4 oz was well worth it.
🥣 Mediterranean bowl - 10/10, what a delicious combination of ingredients! I want to make this at home as a pick me up. It reminded me of the best parts of pesto pasta but without any pasta!
🌯 Soy Chorizo burrito - 10/10 we were told that the so Cal burrito is also a popular menu item. The personal preference of our cashier was the soy chorizo burrito and it did not fail!! The two are essentially the same except the type of meat (for the most part, so we’re told hahaha)

What drew us to this place has been the featuring of Parutea’s matcha. The matcha quality truly is amazing. It’s delicious.

The plating was crisp and clean - everything about the restaurant was seamlessly put together. It was a haven for good food and a way to start the morning peacefully! There’s a good number of people trickling in as soon as the restaurant opened.

The people here are kind, present, and respectful. I’m so grateful for you all.

They offer milk alternatives including pistachio milk! The food is cooked to just the right temperature where the flavors stand out because of the temperature at which the food is presented.

Next time - I can’t wait to try the pastries 😋
God bless you all!”

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

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

“Friendly Barista & a Great listener ☕😁☕ 'Gino' I love the outdoorsy convenience of the coffee truck @ 4009 Park Blvd. corner of Lincoln & Park.”

“Karaage Rice Bowl was good for the price. Although more expensive than other on campus options, the chicken was juicy and cooked perfectly and overall the dish was very balanced. Portion was very good, even for someone who eats a lot. Although it's not the best I've ever had, certainly worthwhile to stop by.”

“The Che Cafe has been a staple of the UCSD campus, and the San Diego music community for decades now. I’ve been lucky to attend and perform at this beautiful venue located in La Jolla (just minutes away from La Jolla Shores) and must say there is no other place like it. The stage is as straight forward as they come, but they also setup bands outside in the courtyard to maintain a flow of non-stop music. I’d give it less stars because the parking issue has never, and will never be fixed, but the venue is worth the 5 stars alone. It’s thanks to them that many hardcore/indie/scramz bands are able to have amazing show in San Diego.”

“Generous portions, amazing fish, and amazing service! Came here after the beach and it was a nice, quiet spot to have dinner with some friends. The owner even gave us a sampler of new sushi’s!!”

“The best homemade chili on campus by far!! It is one of RS's signature dishes. Friendly and fun staff!! Will definitely be enjoying more good eating here!!”

“Delicious döner wraps and amazing baklava.”

“Best coffee on campus. If you're in a rush, you can order ahead on the app. If you want to chat (and improve your day), take time to talk to any of the baristas here.”

“really really good pizza. pizza bases made fresh on site.”

“Always check your order before leaving because if they run out of something they will NOT tell you or offer something else as a replacement, which I think is pretty rude.”

“I love coming to this café! The lattes are always perfectly made, and the atmosphere is so cozy. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, which makes every visit a pleasure. It's my go-to spot for a great cup of coffee. Highly recommend!”

“I really recommend this place, it has a very aesthetic atmosphere. The coffee was great we got the Mexican mocha and a dirty chai. The pastries were delicious and fresh as well, it’s a great place to start your morning and head out to the beach after. (:”

“So delicious! My coworkers and I have started to go here whenever we meet up for lunch. The prices are very good given the location, and the atmosphere and service are pleasant. Highly recommend!”

“love my home away from home! amazing community, good vibes, and everyone who comes in is always so welcoming and genuine �� not too mention the coffee is the BEST on campus. trust.”

“I tried the grilled shrimp taco. Nicely seasoned and the tortilla was nice. High price point with tip + tax for what it is. Wish they used more environmentally friendly products.”

“Recently opened in my nighhborhood. Surprisingly very delicious pizza (half chicken/half dry meat). It is now my favorite pizza already. Owners are friendly and service was pretty fast. I'll come back to try other stuff on the menu.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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.”

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

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

“Had a BLAST here with a couple of broskies 😂 food was buss, and lets just say Jeff at the register absolutely slayed and gave me a free drink. Give this man a raise chat ❤️‍🩹”

“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.”

“WOW! The Manhattan never lets us down and this perhaps was especially delicious. We had Veal Piccata, Veal Chop and strip steak. And, of course, we were served their famous carrots. And, because we were celebrating our anniversary, they gave us a wonderful desert complimentary.”

“Tina made my visit to The Melt unforgettable with her warm welcome, genuine kindness, and exceptional service. She guided me to the perfect meal, which was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Her attentiveness was perfectly timed—never intrusive, yet always making me feel valued. Thanks to Tina, I left with a full stomach, a big smile, and an experience worth sharing.”

“What a delightful place to have dinner looking over the ocean (especially at sunset!). Michael, our waiter, was very attentive & directed us in making some excellent dinner choices.”

“Great food, wonderful service!”

“This spot on the 11th floor has such a mood with live music, soft lighting, and views that make you want to linger. Dinner was beautifully presented (though a little pricey), but the happy hour is where it shines. The green juice in the morning was pure joy. 💚 Everything just feels thoughtful and pretty ...very La Jolla.”

“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.”

“Contemporary decor, varied menu, great service and Delisious food!! We'll be back!”

“Every time we come to La Jolla Shores we dine here. Reasonable prices for delicious food and plenty of it. Large menu to choose from. We sat on the patio, which is plenty warm with all the space heaters. Excellent service. They don't rush you. Prepare for free street parking as you might be a few blocks away.  menu to choose from.”

“Their food was amazing! I had the panini vegano and I’ve been searching online how to make that eggplant tofu paste. Everything went so well in that sandwich! It also had olives, vegan feta, arugula and a hint of harissa (in the menu it said red bell pepper or something like that, but I believe they used harissa and it was the best!!). I can’t wait to go again and get the same and get other things haha. My partner and I also tried their pistachio croissant, which h was delicious! Their matcha was great, and the drinks highlight was their dirty chai. Everything was sooo good!”

“I needed my protein and this Burger was my delicious fix! Prompt service for someone who was hungry. The burger was juicy and flavorable...I felt the crisp of the lettuce.”

“Tried La Jolla Boba for the first time and overall had a good experience. The staff members provided quick service while keeping their friendly attitude when they served our drinks. I ordered the Strawberry Matcha and the Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie. The Strawberry Matcha provided a nice drinking experience because its matcha taste stayed delicate as it combined with strawberry flavors. The Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie was also good, creamy and refreshing.

The drinks maintained a consistent quality and the prices were reasonable at $7.50 each for the regular size. The shop was empty during my visit so I experienced complete silence while I relaxed there. A nice perk is that they vouch for parking, which makes stopping by more convenient in La Jolla.”

“So I was not convinced this was an actual place upon first look at the reviews, but indeed it is and a nice place at that. It's small but cozy, with parking nearby. Located in the UCSD grad housing, you're guaranteed interesting people and the bartender is a lively welcoming person. Well curated selection of beverages and trivia on Wednesdays.”