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$$$$ | La Jolla |
Elegant yet unpretentious, this fine dining restaurant by chefs Choi Cheolhyeok and Silvio Salmoiraghi, integrate elements of Italy, France, Korea, Japan, and California to build masterpieces in an eight-course tasting menu. Both chefs have an impressive pedigree, formerly at the helm of Michelin Star restaurants in Tokyo and Italy, but at Ambrogio, they have joined forces to redefine modern Italian cuisine in San Diego. Prepare for a playful balance of flavors, colors, and textures that changes quarterly. The menu might feature black cod with toasted polenta, linguine with truffles, or Japanese wagyu with spinach and cognac. After eight courses, the assortment of pastries seems doable when paired with an impressive list of over 100 curated wines. Pace yourself for perfection and what might be a three-hour dining experience. An exceptional "Walk in the Garden" tasting menu is available for vegetarians.
7556 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Innovative new Italian cuisine
- Beautifully plated dishes
- Seabass with taggiasca olives
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$ | La Jolla |
The desserts are magnificent at this small, charming shop in operation for nearly 50 years, where dessertier Michele Coulon confects wonders, using organic produce and imported chocolate. Snack on cookies, cupcakes, brownies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and mini-desserts. But this is not just a place for dessert: lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday (the store is open 9 am to 3 pm), and the simple menu includes quiche and salads. Other irresistible treats found here are a chocolate-lovers’ Torte Lion Belge, pear-frangipane tart, and Marjolaine Torte with layers of meringue, chocolate ganache, and buttercream.
7556 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Instagram-worthy presentation
- The buttercream- and berry-filled Gateau Aileen
- Gluten-free items usually are available
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | La Jolla |
Champions of in-season, fresh-today produce, the chefs at this cozy room in the luxurious, Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines have made A.R. Valentien one of San Diego’s top fine dining destinations. Be prepared for food combinations that are simultaneously simple and delightfully inventive—crispy skin sablefish; duck confit; prime rib with bordelaise, and an impressive collection of California wines.
11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Charcuterie platter
- Roasted duck
- 280 wine selections
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$ | La Jolla |
With locations across San Diego County, this happening hot spot is ready to get you buzzed with honey lattes, “Killer Bee” triple espressos, pour overs, and nitro cold brews. The sandwiches, smoothies, pastries, and acai bowls are ideal grab-and-gos for those who would rather munch at the beach.
909 Prospect St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Americano with creamy vanilla
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Rosewater latte
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$ | La Jolla |
For coffee with a view, the La Jolla branch of Bird Rock is the best spot to kickstart your day with fresh brewed artisan coffees and summer specials like the dirty Horchata iced coffee. Grab a table on the patio with the beach in the distance and take your pick from a comprehensive selection of morning brews and pastries. With locations around San Diego and North County, you're sure to find a spot to grab a cup of this delicious, San Diego--roasted coffee. There's no better place to recharge after a hike at nearby Torrey Pines.
5627 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Great ambience with friendly staff
- Pull-apart cinnamon rolls
- Ethically sourced coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | La Jolla |
Bringing Paris to La Jolla, acclaimed chef Jean Michel Diot unveils bistronomie cuisine, a culinary concept that blends bistro favorites with gastronomie techniques. The airy dining room, lined with black-and-white photos of France, is comfortable, if not romantic, an ideal setting for the ever-changing menu that emphasizes fresh ingredients sourced from the Sunday farmers' market that holds court in front of the restaurant. Provençal classics like duck confit, coq au vin, and scallops Saint Jacques vie with more unusual fare like pike quenelles. Patrons-in-the-know always save room for meringue floating on crème anglaise topped with slivered almonds.
7437 Girard Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- French classics like duck confit
- Poutine
- Crème brûlée with seasonal berries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$$ | | American
One of the few restaurants with a view that's also worth eating at, Brockton Villa is tucked in an historic cottage on a hillside above La Jolla Cove. Food is served all day, but this dining spot excels at brunch and lunch when ocean views are best. Snag a seat by the fireplace and start the day with their famous soufflé-like orange-scented Coast Toast, breakfast tacos, or the popular blue crab–cake eggs Benedict. For lunch enjoy the curry chicken salad wrap, a lobster roll, or chopped Mediterranean salad. During the late-afternoon social hour, a bottle of wine and artisanal cheese board are only $30.
1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Prime ocean views
- Orange-scented Coast French Toast
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$ | La Jolla |
This bustling café first opened as a full-service fish market in 1974, and has been popular with locals ever since. Order the char-grilled, locally caught halibut, swordfish, or yellowtail on a toasted torta roll to enjoy in-house or to go for an oceanfront picnic at nearby La Jolla Cove. Other delicious choices include seafood cocktails, ceviche, Dungeness crab and shrimp salad, and fish and shrimp tacos. The fresh, sushi-grade fish arrives daily from local anglers, making it a great spot to grab your catch without getting wet.
634 Pearl St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Clam chowder
- Bustling on-site fish market
- Daily-caught cuts to go
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | |
La Jolla's ocean-view destination restaurant is like two dining experiences in one with Level2 bar and the rooftop Ocean Terrace. Prepare for spectacular views and an innovative menu featuring maple leaf duck with tangerine marmalade and salmon with braised lentils at the outdoor-only Ocean Terrace, while the Level2 lounge has unique craft cocktails like "Spa Day" with cucumber-mint infused vodka and elderflower. Regulars often come just for the sunset starters like salmon tartare, mussels, or jerk octopus.
1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Outstanding California coastal cuisine
- Excellent ocean views
- Attention to detail for special-occasion dinners
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | La Jolla |
La Jolla's outpost of this local coffee chain is open until 11 pm and sports a full bar, which means that customers can spend a pleasant evening sipping a true-blue Irish coffee complete with whiskey at one of the many tables or couches. On those foggy marine-layer days, request one of their homemade soups and watch the waves roll in from the second floor.
1010 Prospect St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Milky Way mocha
- Acai bowl with homemade granola
- Quiche lorraine
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$$$ | La Jolla |
Step into this swanky New York--style Italian chophouse that takes you back in time with its piano bar, paintings of Sinatra, and dirty martinis to match. The menu is as rich as the atmosphere with the taste of olive oil, garlic, and lemon in every bite. Start with the steamed clams or homemade cannelloni, and move on to the lobster Manhattan over linguine or the charbroiled veal chop Fiorentina. Nearly all the desserts are made from scratch including the New York cheesecake and the rich cannoli. The dim lighting and dark leather booths make this one of the more romantic restaurants in La Jolla.
7766 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Live jazz
- Veal chop
- Old-school vibes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No breakfast or lunch
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$ | La Jolla |
A popular meeting place for casual connections and grab-and-go goodness, this café–bar–market is a great place to start your day with an energy boost like avocado egg cups on toasted sourdough or smoked salmon toast with jalapeño and micro greens. Later in the day, place your order at the counter for “not an ordinary sandwich” like the prosciutto with stracciatella and pesto, afternoon nibbles like smoothies and charcuterie boards, or cocktails and wines by the glass. If you’ve ever grabbed a bite at a café and wished you could replicate it at home with signature ingredients, the market portion of this space will make you very happy.
2202 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Avocado egg cups
- Espresso martini
- 75% of wine is organic
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$$$ | La Jolla |
Accolades continue to roll in for executive chef Jason Knibb—winner of an award of excellence by Wine Spectator every year since 2002—whose seasonal menus are magnets for travelers and San Diegans seeking a memorable meal like pan-roasted Colorado lamb loin or duck breast with white asparagus and mustard greens. Located at La Jolla’s Grande Colonial Hotel, the space encompasses a cozy ground-floor dining room, bar, and ocean-glimpse covered patio. At night deftly executed appetizers may include Jamaican jerk pork belly with plantains and black-eyed peas or porcini mushroom spaghettini with cured egg yolk. A prix-fixe six-course “Mercy of the Chef” menu is available for the whole table.
910 Prospect St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Juicy Jamaican jerk pork belly
- Half-off wine on Wednesday
- Half-baked chocolate cake with ice cream of the season
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Bar service only Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | La Jolla |
Between music by Pavarotti, the checkered tablecloths, and the sight of homemade pasta and free-flowing vino, you’ll swear you’ve died and gone to Italy. At this cozy La Jolla Shores eatery, northern and southwestern Italian flavors have fused into culinary magic—house-made breads, sauces, gnocchi, and pastas like pappardelle with braised lamb, and linguine with mussels—since 2004. The breaded veal and lobster ravioli are both exceptional. Pork osso buco in port wine sauce is a popular main course that can be enjoyed alfresco on warm summer nights on the dog-friendly patio. Despite its size, the tiramisu with espresso-dipped ladyfingers goes down way too easy.
2151 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Tender lamb pappardelle
- Cozy Italian vibe
- Homemade pasta, breads, and sauces
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
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$$$$ | La Jolla |
This trendy La Jolla restaurant “plays” tribute to the past with its location inside William Kesling’s historic piano showroom where live music still plays during cocktail hour. The casual yet refined menu features dry-aged cheeseburgers, pan-roasted chicken, and unconventional Caesar salads topped with jalapeño rings and Parmesan shavings; be sure to request a side of the creamy coconut rice pilaf. Its corner location offers patio seating as well as a mid-century-meets-tropical-style lounge with a magnificent mural by artist, Eva Struble, and a travertine bar where mixologists pour Oaxacan negronis and the “Ring of Fire,” a spin on the whisky sour. Arrive by 5:30 to hear an hour set of live piano on Wednesday and Sunday and live saxophone on Thursday.
5680 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Dry-aged beef hamburger with sauce au poivre
- Live music during cocktail hour
- Modern-Cali cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | La Jolla |
Blocks from the beach in La Jolla Shores, this comfortably modern dining room and shaded patio hits all the right notes—affordable, polished, and family-friendly. From lunch through close, it bustles with regulars from the neighborhood and visitors from around the world who are guided through the extensive Italian menu by the professional staff, some of whom have worked here for over three decades. Warm bread and spicy dipping sauce are hard to resist, but save room for favorites like grilled romaine hearts wrapped in crisp prosciutto, saffron shrimp pappardelle, and veal scaloppine with mushroom risotto cakes. Kids love their special menu, while parents relish the value-packed wine list with excellent selections by the glass.
2182 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Stone-hearth oven pizza
- Gluten-free and vegan options
- Weekend brunch
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$$ | La Jolla |
As the sister restaurant of La Jolla’s Georges at the Cove, this laid-back restaurant is the perfect spot to chill with friends after a day in the sand and share oysters from the raw bar or rosemary Parmesan fries dipped in jalapeño ranch. Grab a seat on the dog-friendly patio or head indoors for grilled favorites including octopus, prime rib, and cast-iron focaccia with honey ricotta. A smoky element takes flavors up a notch, with nearly every dish touching the wood-fired grill. Rounding out the menu are house-made pastas and desserts prepared by Aly Lyng, the pastry chef at George’s at the Cove. Sunday brunch and happy hour (4–5:30 pm) are both on point, especially with tempting offers that include a dozen oysters on the house with any purchase of a bottle of Champagne.
2259 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Shareable plates like skillet corn cake
- No-fuss neighborhood vibe
- $4 off select items during happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | La Jolla |
Homemade crepes and fresh-brewed coffee come second to the artisanal ice cream made with just a handful of ingredients. Even vegans can get their scoop on, with flavors like strawberry shortcake, mint, cookie dough, and chocolate made with cashew milk, cocoa butter, organic carob beans, and other natural goodness.
2179 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Vegan ice cream and sorbet
- Sweet crepes
- Flavors like honeycomb and brown sugar cookie dough chunk
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$ | La Jolla |
This casual indoor-outdoor eatery in La Jolla Shores has a sprawling outdoor patio perfect for leisurely lunches with friends and family. Surfers and well-heeled locals populate the 50-seat patio while enjoying made-to-order organic smoothies and fresh salads, as well as scrumptious breakfast and creative lunch entrées that include flatbreads, soups, sandwiches, and the popular cheeseburger and prime steak frites. The black-cherry almond smoothie is addictive, while the tarragon chicken salad with lemon aioli, green apple, avocado, pistachios, and dried cranberries over mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette is a tantalizing mix of flavors.
2236 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Mango pancakes
- Vanilla bean French toast
- California K-9 breakfast off the doggie menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | La Jolla |
If the chef at this La Jolla bakery looks familiar, it's because she won Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship in 2015. Since that win, chef Maeve Rochford has made a name for herself as a celebrity chef and owner of Sugar and Scribe offering baked goods like delicious scones as well as sit-down options like lobster Benedict, Irish sausage rolls, and irresistible blueberry pancakes with fresh-plucked berries, edible flowers, and vanilla whipped cream. For a La Jolla summer cool down, try the horchata latte.
7660 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- House-made granola
- Traditional Irish favorites
- Award-winning bakery with fresh treats
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
