Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in La Jolla

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

North San DiegoSan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBay ParkCarmel ValleyDel MarDowntownHarbor Island

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

88 restaurants available nearby

1. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1164)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 72 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.

2. Duke's La Jolla

4.5

Awesome(6675)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Hawaii Regional Cuisine • La Jolla

Booked 123 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.

3. Puesto La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(2162)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 47 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.

4. Catania

4.8

Exceptional(2110)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 30 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.)

5. Brockton Villa

4.7

Exceptional(2807)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 20 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 Javier's - La Jolla restaurant

6. Javier's - La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(3687)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 173 times today

JAVIER'S presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. Enjoy hand-shaken margaritas, rare tequilas, craft cocktails and a vast selection of beer and fine wines. Dine with us in the main dining room, al fresco patios, one of our semi private dining rooms, or at the exquisite bar surrounded by one of the West Coast's largest selection of the world's finest tequilas. We at JAVIER'S consider all our wonderful customers a part of our family and thank them for their support and sharing in the success and joy that is JAVIER'S. Come experience the freshness of our original Mexican cuisine in a warm, friendly environment at one of our five locations.Please be advised we don't allow strollers. If you bring your stroller we have a designated area to store your stroller while you dine.

A photo of ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar restaurant

7. ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

4.3

Awesome(686)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 5 times today

Experience ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT La Jolla, where California-Asian fusion meets Mexican flair. Savor signature dishes like Grilled Miso Salmon, Adobada Pork Belly Bao Bun, and Ahi Poke Tacos in a stylish and inviting setting. Pair your meal with Signature Margaritas, Asian-inspired cocktails, or a selection of fine wines and craft beers. Join us for brunch, catch a sporting event, or enjoy a night out with friends—right here in the heart of La Jolla.

A photo of The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel restaurant

8. The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel

4.2

Awesome(2465)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • La Jolla

Booked 20 times today

Welcome to beach dining – La Jolla style. Walk straight from the sand into The Shores Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy fantastic ocean views, our open-air patio, a casual ambiance with warm hospitality, and a family-friendly menu meant to please any kind of taste. A big part of the California lifestyle is beach-style dining. The Shores Restaurant is a perfect example with dishes designed by Executive Chef Michael Vaughn. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beachside cocktails, the delicious fare is complimented by unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A photo of The Amalfi Llama - San Diego restaurant

9. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

4.5

Awesome(456)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 55 times today

The Amalfi Llama reimagines the culinary landscape by seamlessly merging the allure of a rustic live-fire steakhouse with the flavors of Italian cuisine, a culinary haven where genuine cooking, down-to-earth cuisine and stylish flair intertwine. Guests embark on a journey from Southern Patagonia to the Mediterranean coast of Italy as they indulge in a multisensory experience that transcends boundaries – from the soothing cream decor to the intimate ambiance of crackling embers accompanied by the melodies of vintage Italian vinyls. Embracing the essence of a modern farmhouse, The Amalfi Llama revolves around an open parrilla grill and wood-burning oven, harnessing fire, smoke, coals and embers to craft dishes. The restaurant’s ethos also meets design with Latin American and Mediterranean influences, resulting in an inviting environment adorned with light woods, natural light and subtly elegant finishes, defying traditional steakhouse and Italian restaurant conventions.

10. Lucrezia

4.5

Awesome(633)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 62 times today

A contemporary twist on Italian cuisine, Lucrezia is a culinary delight. Located in the heart of La Jolla in San Diego, we offer unique culinary experiences that transport our guests to a sunny terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Join us for the next voyage.The ingredients and combinations found in our kitchen evoke the very mystique of Italian summers. We are curators of fine ingredients – the way they translate beautifully into our dishes is what makes us unique. Our dishes were carefully crafted to transport our guests to the most beautiful regions of the land. Travel the Italian countryside through our menu, and select your dish for the evening.La Nostra Famiglia: Passionate about food and good service, Grupo Hunan was born in 1993 in Mexico City to create unique experiences that become part of the best moments of your life. As an expert in over five different gastronomies, Grupo Hunan is set to satisfy all senses.Looking forward to welcoming you soon ! :)

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia County •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The breakfast Cubano and breakfast sandwich were impeccable, we kept trading bites and couldn't decide which we liked better! Breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy and seasoned outside and tender inside. Cucumber cocktail and tequila cocktail with black salt both delicious.
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Miss B's Coconut ClubPrice: Moderate• Caribbean• Mission Beach
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4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Went for my birthday dinner with my family and the service was amazing. Their cuts were top choices and we finished everything down to the last piece of steak. Would come again!
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Mochomos -TijuanaPrice: Very Expensive• Regional Mexican• Tijuana
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4.7
M
Miguel
San Diego •12 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 3, 2025
Great food and excellent service and the restaurant view is amazing Thank you
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Cocina 35 CoronadoPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Coronado
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4.6

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