Best Restaurants with a Tasting Menu in Rancho Santa Fe

We have been to the Pacific Beach location and loved it. This time we went to Del Mar and again, fabulous evening. The Pacific Beach location is quieter, more conducive to sipping a glass of wine from the excellent wine menu while one waits for the order to arrive. The Del Mar location is snappier, lively but still quite manageable in terms of having a conversation at the table. In both locations the staff is one of the main reasons to come! Very knowledgeable, we appreciated that our wait person was well versed in the menu and pairings and provided great suggestions. Super friendly, honestly, we felt like family. My suggestion! if you go, go big! We had a dinner guest that wanted a salad, a vegan pizza. Then when the cannoli (developed by a michelin star chef) arrived at the table, he couldn't resist and asked to have his pizza boxed up and got the cannoli instead!! Happiness all around. We are eating the pizza now, for lunch the next day. The food is top notch and i know i speak with authority... my family is from Aqueseria, a small village on Lake Como, i know Italian food! This place is a stand out, not to be missed. thanks

Food was delicious and service was great. There are a lot of good salad options for lunch.

We ordered a few appetizers and entrees and everything was excellent. The service was prompt and friendly. We loved this place!

My wife and I celebrated our one-year anniversary at Amaya, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning hotel in which the restaurant is located. The property is absolutely beautiful, and the warm, welcoming staff immediately made us feel special. The exceptional service began right at the entrance with valet parking, which is conveniently validated through the restaurant. Our evening was made even more special thanks to our fantastic waiter, Peter, who took care of us from start to finish. He even surprised us with a complimentary anniversary dessert. The restaurant also provided us a signed card from all the staff to celebrate our anniversary —such a thoughtful touch! We started our meal with a couple of expertly crafted cocktails: the Banana Bread Old Fashioned and the Feelin’ Spritzy—both were delicious and unique. For appetizers, we enjoyed the brioche bread and a selection of oysters. The brioche was warm, soft, and perfectly seasoned, while the oysters were incredibly fresh. Even as someone who isn’t usually a big oyster fan, I found them delightful, especially when paired with the house-made habanero and yuzu sauce, which added just the right amount of heat and brightness. For the main course, we shared the Duck à l’Orange, accompanied by the pomme mousseline and vadouvan carrots. Every bite was perfection. The duck was expertly cooked—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside—with a rich sauce that tied everything together beautifully. The sides were equally impressive, complementing the dish wonderfully. Amaya is truly a gem, perfect for a romantic date night or a special celebration. We couldn’t have asked for a better anniversary dinner, and we will definitely be returning!

worth every penny and every calorie - bravo chef bradley and staff!