The best restaurants in La Jolla, according to people who actually live here.
La Jolla earns its reputation on the cliffs and the cove, but keeping it means knowing which storefronts are here for residents and which exist only for the rental car crowd.

La Jolla
“Three levels, three concepts, one spectacular ocean view”
$$$$ · Restaurants · 2.8

La Jolla
“Waves literally crash against the windows at high tide”
$$$$ · Restaurants · 2.8

La Jolla
$$ · Pizza · 2.5

La Jolla
“Intimate, wood-beamed eatery with elegant, seasonal American fare & a deck with golf-course views.”
$$$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Thai · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
“Quaint Italian eatery serving red-sauce classics, specialty dishes & wine in a comfortable setting.”
$$ · Italian · 2.4

La Jolla
“Japanese spot serving sushi, hot entrees & sake in a relaxed space with black-&-red decor.”
$$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
“Seafood market since 1974 offers just-caught cuts to-go or prepared on a sandwich, taco or salad.”
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Buzzy brunch & lunch spot with clever comfort food, ocean views & a patio known for people-watching.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Happening brunch & dinner spot revered for its French toast & patio with views of La Jolla Cove.”
$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Vietnamese · 2.4

La Jolla
“Fast-food style tacos, burritos & churros served in a colorful shop with a retro vibe.”
$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
“Airy two-story destination for Hawaiian-inspired fare with outdoor seating and ocean views.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Trendy eatery offering hip foodies an innovative menu along with wine & craft beer.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Mexican standards, breakfast items & vegetarian options in a small eatery with outdoor seating.”
$ · Mexican · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Indian · 2.4

La Jolla
“Rooftop cafe offering an organic, vegan, gluten-free menu, smoothies, boho-chic decor & ocean views.”
$$ · Vegan · 2.4

La Jolla
“Californian daytime cuisine served on a patio with a white picket fence or inside a vintage home.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“This bright blue cafe with free Wi-Fi serves soups, grilled panini & salads, plus espresso drinks.”
$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
“Perched atop La Plaza Center, this coastal Italian specialist serves up wood-fired pizzas & more.”
$$$ · Pizza · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Pizza · 2.4

La Jolla
“Cafe serving up locally roasted coffee & an array of brunch-inspired fare on a beachside plot.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Pasta, pizza & other Italian dishes made with local ingredients, served in a 1909 beach house.”
$$ · Italian · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
“Spicy curries, noodles & other Thai fare dished up in easygoing surrounds with patio seating.”
$$ · Thai · 2.4

La Jolla
“Simple but revered breakfast menu served all day & an old-school diner decor draw eclectic crowds.”
$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Cozy pub in a renovated bungalow offering creative burgers & many beers from all over the world.”
$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Destination for creative wood-fired pies & share plates in a laid-back space with woodsy-chic decor.”
$$ · Pizza · 2.3

La Jolla
“Fresh café & breakfast hotspot in a quaint building displaying scones & pastries in a glass counter.”
$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Tacos · 2.3

La Jolla
“Breezy outdoor eatery with a straightforward menu, craft beer & casual, surf-inspired decor.”
$$ · Restaurants · 2.3

La Jolla
“Seafood sandwich specialist serving casual fare plus beer & wine in easygoing surrounds.”
$$ · Seafood · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Mexican · 2.3

La Jolla
$$ · Indian · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Korean · 2.3

La Jolla
“Counter-serve Mediterranean spot offering mesquite-grilled meat & veggie skewers, wraps & bowls.”
$$ · Mediterranean · 2.3

La Jolla
“Laid-back all-day haunt featuring outdoor seating adjacent to a celebrated golf course.”
$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Sports bar & eatery since 1972 offers huge combo plates & margaritas inside or on the hopping patio.”
$$ · Mexican · 2.3

La Jolla
“Longtime Chinese restaurant & bar serving a lengthy menu of Sichuan & Mandarin fare.”
$$ · Chinese · 2.3

La Jolla
“Irish-style pub chain serving breakfast, bar bites, burgers & more in a casual, traditional space.”
$$ · Restaurants · 2.3

La Jolla
“Coastal cuisine & craft cocktails served in a sleek space on the Hotel La Jolla's 11th floor.”
$$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Cheery, brightly painted bar & eatery specializing in traditional Mexican fare & cocktails.”
$$ · Mexican · 2.3