The Best Restaurants in La Jolla for Views, Booze, and More

The Del Mar mainstay, Beeside Balcony, has finally opened its second location in La Jolla, offering a unique dining experience with breathtaking ocean views from its expansive outdoor balcony. Locally sourced dishes feature Mediterranean flavors such as Fjord Salmon, broccolini puree, sautéed baby carrots, lemon beurre blanc, and micro thyme; Seafood Risotto, arborio saffron rice, shrimp, octopus, mussels, blue crab meat, and parmesan; and Peppercorn Filet Mignon; au poivre sauce and rosemary French fries. Cocktails include the floral-forward Bed of Roses, made with hibiscus-infused vodka, rose water, simple syrup, and lemon, and the Lavender's Bee's Knees, butterfly pea flower infused gin, lemon, and lavender honey. Future plans include a Moroccan-themed speakeasy, The Hive, which will have its own curated bar program, and weekend brunch. How to book: Reservations can be made online or by calling 858-833-0471.

Led by executive chef Chad Huff, Marisi features handmade pasta paired with woodfired dishes from the hearth—think mouth-watering American wagyu carpaccio; seasonal agnolotti; line-caught fish dressed in asparagus, fennel, lemon, and burro bianco; and a 60-days dry-aged New York strip. Pair your meal with beverage director Beau du Bois’ take on a freezer Martini, force carbonated Bellini, or choose an aperitif from one of more than 30 vermouths.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

With its sweeping vistas of La Jolla Cove from either inside or on the deck, Brockton Villa is perfect for when you have visitors who want brunch with flights of bubbly mimosas to sip and ocean views. The award-winning Coast Toast, a fluffy, souffle-like French toast with lovely orange zest notes, is a no-brainer that also comes in bananas Foster and s’mores versions. Other offerings include house-made, beer-braised Corned Beef with Eggs and a chive horseradish creme fraiche, warmly spiced Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and a Buenos Dias Breakfast Burrito, a yummy concoction with carne asada, cheddar-steamed scrambled eggs, brown rice, smashed avocado, black beans, and cilantro pepita pesto, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Handmade stone-ground blue corn tortillas, sustainable meats and seafood, slow-cooked guisados, scratch-made salsas, and Mexican lagers brewed at their Mission Valley cerveceria make the Puesto experience memorable. Choose Tamarindo Shrimp and Filet Mignon for a great surf-and-turf pairing, or Spring Lamb Barbacoa with mint avocado salsa and nopales pico, but there’s really no wrong choice. Cocktail options abound as well—margaritas come in nearly a dozen fun flavors, and there’s a fine selection of high-end tequila and mezcal available in tasting flights or by the shot.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Harry's Coffee Shop opened in 1960, and judging from the wall of fame in the back of the place, it has sponsored every sports league in the city since. It serves up exactly what you expect: Bacon Pancakes come with chunks of bacon in the batter and a couple of slices on top, and it still has that grilled chicken with the Greens, Strawberry, Feta, and Pecan Salad that was all the rage in the early aughts and is still pretty delicious today. Harry’s isn’t one of those places that never updates its menu though; you’ll also find espresso drinks and cold brews, as well as gluten-free options.
How to book: Indoor seating is on a first-come basis.

Parakeet Cafe has an extensive, fresh, and healthy Early Bird All Day menu seven days a week. There's a little bit of everything, from bennies, Belgian waffles, scrambles and various toasts to chilaquiles, pastries, and bowls. Don’t forget the dozens of specialty coffees, elixirs, and teas. There’s also just as many choices on the non-brunchy side of the menu, think: shareable mini-skillets of roasted potatoes or Brussels sprouts, soups, gorgeous salads, Buddha bowls, and sandwiches.
How to book: Seating is on a first-come basis.

You can always tell a really good restaurant by how they treat their side dishes and condiments. The Taco Stand makes their tortillas, guacamole, and salsas fresh daily, and every dish is made to order. Savory Angus carne asada is meltingly tender, seafood choices like grilled mahi mahi, spicy shrimp, and batter-fried white fish are fresh and light, and hand-carved al pastor has just the right hit of tangy/sweet pineapple. Fillings can also be rolled into burritos or grilled as a quesadilla, and local paletas provide a cool cap to your meal.
How to book: Indoor and patio seating is on a first-come basis and varies by location.

A combination fish market and seafood restaurant, it's no surprise that the freshness of El Pescador's marine fare is its calling card. The Clam Chowder here is legendary, and the Sea Bass Sandwich only slightly less so, but El Pescador’s Cioppino—California’s classic, vaguely Italian, catch-of-the-day fisherman’s stew—is reason enough to try the place all on its own.
How to book: Indoor and patio seating is on a first-come basis.

Executive chef Kelli Crosson has put her stamp on A.R. Valentien’s farm-to-table and nose-to-tail concept, which it’s advocated for for more than two decades when the idea first started taking hold in the industry. Refined French cuisine and newly imagined classics are the mainstays, from Braised Veal Cheek Persillade with walnut, pickled pearl onion, and brown butter celery root to the noteworthy Roasted Liberty Duck Breast and Confit Leg over potato dumplings, sheep's milk feta, fava beans, friseé and preserved kumquat.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

George’s at the Cove’s duo of restaurants, Ocean Terrace and Level 2, both have stunning panoramic views of La Jolla Cove from nearly every seat in the house. The upscale cocktail menu by Trey Foshee features all the summery drinks you’d imagine, from margs and martinis to mojitos and micheladas. Stop by at lunchtime for Local Rockfish Tacos on heirloom corn tortillas or George’s Famous Smoked Chicken Soup, or at dinner for Seared Rare Local Yellowtail in eggplant miso puree, bok choy, and hon shimeji vinaigrette.
How to book: Reservations are recommended and can be made online. Pre-paid, premium seating is also available for groups of one to four. Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.

Sophisticated and elegant, Nine-Ten is perfect for intimate conversations and quiet celebrations. Starters like Doppio Agnolotti stuffed with carrot and ricotta filling, English peas, ramps, and lemon balm or Jamaican Jerk Pork Belly and baby carrots, swiss chard, plantains, black-eyed peas, spicy jellies, and sweet potato purée could easily be a light meal in themselves. Smoked Maple Leaf Duck Breast pairs rosy pink slices and white asparagus, mustard greens, charred strawberry jam, pickled green strawberries, and duck jus, while Pan Seared Local Halibut gets an upscale veggie boost of snap peas, morel mushrooms, artichokes, mint, radish, green garlic puree, and artichoke barigoule sauce. End your meal with a fun riff on the flavors of lemon meringue pie—Lemon Torte features Meyer lemon mousse, whipped meringue, lime zest, cereal milk ice cream, and fresh strawberries.
How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.