Best Lunch Restaurants in La Jolla

147 restaurants available nearby

1. Le Coq

4.5

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • La Jolla

Booked 55 times today

Le Coq is James Beard Best Chef finalist Tara Monsod’s new wave French steakhouse. Inspired by the modern Parisian culinary landscape, chef Tara reinvents classic dishes through her signature approach, blending cross-cultural references and ingredients for a distinctly SoCal expression of French cuisine. Bright touches and hyper-seasonal products ground the menu with San Diego style, while nods to chef Tara’s Southeast Asian background are interwoven throughout. Located in downtown La Jolla in a 1930’s historic building with exposed brick walls, steel trusses, and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Into this storied shell is inserted a posh 1970’s diner club.

A photo of Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel restaurant

2. Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel

4.3

Awesome(1722)

Price: Expensive

• American • La Jolla

Booked 21 times today

La Valencia Hotel's premier ocean view dining destination, the Mediterranean Room, is a nod to the property's transportive Mediterranean-inspired look and feel. Formerly The Med, the reimagined space celebrates an all new menu inspired by the California coast and seasonally-driven, locally-sourced ingredients. Dine in the reimagined ocean view dining room, the transformed patio under the palms or the ocean view terrace. Enjoy your favorites daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and enjoy brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Reservations highly encouraged. Ocean View Terrace seating IS NOT GUARANTEED and will be given to GUESTS PRESENT for their reservation based on what is AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. Bring your four-legged friend to enjoy our dog menu available on our dog-friendly patio.

3. NINE-TEN

4.7

Exceptional(2941)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 27 times today

Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters and blankets are available during the colder weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

4. Duke's La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(6584)

Price: Moderate

• Hawaii Regional Cuisine • La Jolla

Booked 108 times today

We are open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery! Visit dukeslajolla.com to view our menus or place an online takeout order.You don’t need to cross the Pacific to get a taste of Hawaii. Duke’s La Jolla is San Diego’s island-inspired home, honoring the Ambassador of Aloha, Duke Kahanamoku, with coastal cuisine of Hawaii, craft cocktails and a genuine spirit of aloha. It’s the same authentic hospitality and panoramic ocean view that you’ll find at all of the California and Hawaii Duke’s restaurants, paying tribute to the Duke and welcoming you to celebrate life like the legend himself.

5. The Whaling Bar

4.6

Exceptional(83)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 30 times today

Rediscover The Whaling Bar in La Jolla, blending historic charm and modern luxury. Once beloved in the La Valencia hotel, it's back after ten years, mixing its rich legacy with today's elegance. Known for its cozy atmosphere and top-notch service, it's been updated for contemporary tastes without losing its heritage essence. Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski, with a background in America's top kitchens and Iron Chef America, leads the culinary journey, offering a menu that combines classic and innovative approaches. The Whaling Bar invites both old fans and new to enjoy luxury and become part of La Jolla's ongoing story.

6. Puesto La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(2136)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 67 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere. We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

7. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1087)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 101 times today

Discovering Italy by way of La Jolla, Marisi focuses on Italian hearth cooking with an emphasis on handmade pastas, fine wine and classic cocktails. The menu celebrates the rich diversity of cuisine from across Italy, fashioned in a time-honored tradition of handmade all day, every day. A dream that lives between the Italian and La Jolla coasts, suspended between tides instead of time — a mood more than a plot. A visit that feels a lot like coming home, if home was a warm, charming villa off the Amalfi coast. Marisi is a taste of something you want to remember. We hope you love it.

8. Catania

4.8

Exceptional(2081)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 45 times today

Inspired by an Italy road-trip Chef Ryan and I (Arturo) took back in 2008, we’re pleased to introduce Catania, the newest member of the Whisknladle Hospitality family. Here, we’ll be featuring simple, seasonal and authentic Italian Coastal Cuisine (None of the Italian version of TexMex you see most other places). Our commitment to authenticity will be evident in our use of wood burning ovens and grills, an all Italian wine list as well as an exclusively craft Italian Beer program. (Yes, Italy has an amazing craft beer movement nobody’s heard about.)

9. Brockton Villa

4.6

Exceptional(2784)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 18 times today

Great Food * Epic SunsetsBrockton Villa is a beautiful historic home converted into a restaurant located directly across from the ocean. Our seaside location offers a spectacular view of the world-famous La Jolla Cove, and has become a favorite "show off" spot for locals and visitors alike. We are known for our breakfasts, including our famous Coast Toast. Our chef creates many other wonderful dishes seasonally for lunch and our dinner service.Our house is the perfect place for you to host your next party. Whether it be a wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, baptism, bridal shower, baby shower, or any special occasion.Brockton Villa loves families! Please don't forget to include your little ones in your reservation count!

A photo of Queenstown Village restaurant

10. Queenstown Village

4.6

Exceptional(262)

Price: Moderate

• New Zealand • La Jolla

Booked 12 times today

La Jolla's new hot spot has arrived!! NZ eats opens its newest Queenstown location in La Jolla village. With a beautiful design and decor the vibe is what everyone is raving about. Serving brunch and dinner every day with a mix of New Zealand fare and American comfort food. Full bar offerings with on trend craft cocktails, local beers on draft. and the first retail wine list for a restaurant in La Jolla. Come in and discover your new favorite restaurant!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jane
Charlotte •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We thoroughly enjoyed this delicious meal! The chef is pretty brilliant with fusing flavors that enhance the meal. We highly recommend!
More info
NINE-TENPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
B
brian
San Diego •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Dukes has the best views and ambiance, and such a great price point! Service was friendly, professional and efficient. We had a great time celebrating our daughter's 21st birthday!
More info
Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
•
4.6
G
GaryVIP
San Diego •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food. Highly recommend the glazed persimmons and scallops. It happened to be a very slow night so it was quiet. Pretty room.
More info
Mediterranean Room - La Valencia HotelPrice: Expensive• American• La Jolla
•
4.3
E
EricVIP
San Diego •25 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Outstanding food and service. The baguette with chicken skin butter and the smoked bone-in short rib were exceptional. Appreciate the additional complimentary dessert for our anniversary.
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Le CoqPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• La Jolla
•
4.5
N
Nahal
San Diego •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 30, 2024
The Whaling Bar is hands down our favorite local spot, whether it’s for a cozy date night or an evening out with friends. The atmosphere is fantastic, the cocktails are exceptional, and the food never disappoints. We love everything on the menu, but our personal favorites are the celery salad, Caesar salad, the baos, and the chicken—each dish is perfectly executed. We’re also lucky enough to have George as our server every time we dine here. He’s simply the best, making every visit even more memorable with his friendly demeanor and excellent service. And don’t forget to save room for dessert! The burger dessert is an absolute must-try. We can’t wait to come back again soon!
More info
The Whaling BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.6

Best Lunch Restaurants in La Jolla

Price

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Award-winning

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147 restaurants available nearby

1. Le Coq

2. Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel

3. NINE-TEN

4. Duke's La Jolla

5. The Whaling Bar

6. Puesto La Jolla

7. Marisi

8. Catania

9. Brockton Villa

10. Queenstown Village

See what locals rave about

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