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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Del Mar

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23 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Shimbashi Izakaya restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(981)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • Del Mar
Booked 21 times today
Shimbashi's theme is based on the Izakaya, a Japanese tapas restaurant. We offer a multi-faceted menu that can be used as a pairing with sake for the light eater or sophisticated dinner entrées served in the Japanese tradition. Our menu changes with the season making each dining experience a new adventure.
A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Del Mar restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3611)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Del Mar
Booked 65 times today
Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Diego (Del Mar), CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.
A photo of Tavern restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(543)
Price: Moderate
• American • Solana Beach
Booked 21 times today
Newly remodeled, the much airier Tavern is all about art, music, and above all great food. Open for lunch and soon to include evening dining, the Tavern adds a distinctly Mexican/Pacific Coast set of flavors to the local fine dining scene.We are located in the heart of the Cedros Design District, within walking distance of the Amtrak station. The style is casual with indoor and outdoor dining ( plus bar seating). The patio, which can accommodate 18 guests, looks out onto the shop-lined Cedros Avenue and can be separated from the main dining area for private events.*Please note* Our restaurant welcomes walk-ins during our Lunch hours from 11:30 am- 3:30 pm. *Tavern restaurant will be closed for dinner (Lunch will remain open Monday and Tuesday when the belly up is dark)*Please check our website for the most up-to-date hours*
A photo of Lobby Lounge  at Fairmont Grand Del Mar restaurant
4.3
Awesome(14)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Carmel Valley
Booked 4 times today
The Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar has been magnificently reimagined to combine the lavish splendor of Italian palazzos with the natural grandeur of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Indulge in afternoon tea as the San Diego sun casts its golden light through large arched windows, or linger into the evening over inspired tapas, cocktails, and elevated programming under the warm glow of Venetian glass chandeliers. Take in the beauty of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve —or while sipping a craft cocktail in the bar. In a specially commissioned mural that spans all four walls, artist Jim Wodark pays homage to the canyon’s most iconic elements: its ancient rocks, cascading waterfall, and distant mountains.Live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm - 12:00 am.LIVE LIMITLESS - Join the rewards program designed with you in mind. As a member of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, you’ll earn points on dining and hotel reservations worldwide. Enroll at https://bit.ly/3gvDtJG
A photo of Milton's Restaurant restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(405)
Price: Moderate
• American • Del Mar
Booked 6 times today
Your hosts, David Levy and Barry Robbins, welcome you to their version of a traditional deli! When we opened in 1995 our goal was to remind our customers what a deli experience is like. From crunchy kosher pickles to piled high pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, steaming bowls of matzo ball soup, traditional brisket dinners and a bakery boasting homemade recipes, we hope to please our customers from start to finish. We work hard to source the best meats, vegetables, and ingredients all while developing new items to keep up with current culinary trends!
A photo of Torreyana restaurant
3.8
Excellent(126)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Torrey Pines
From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, the dining options at Torreyana are designed with you in mind. Savor delicious dishes prepared with only the freshest ingredients, or unwind with a craft cocktail by the outdoor fire pits at sunset. Additionally, enjoy an all-star selection of craft beer while you catch a game in the lounge on our 14 HD TVs including an 82-inch TV with surround sound.
A photo of AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2507)
Price: Very Expensive
• Farm-to-table • La Jolla
A.R. Valentien, the signature restaurant at the AAA Five Diamond resort The Lodge at Torrey Pines, features innovative California cuisine served in a breathtaking setting overlooking the Torrey Pines Golf Course and Pacific Ocean coastline. Executive Chef Kelli Crosson uses only the best local provisions, and the menu changes daily depending on what's offered at local farmers' markets, as well as from other local growers, ranchers and fishermen. The restaurant's wine list features California wines exclusively, including a variety of boutique wineries from throughout the state. A.R. Valentien’s sophisticated design includes artwork from the restaurant’s namesake, Albert Robert Valentien, and a spacious outdoor terrace. Special events include the seasonal Artisan Table dinner series and Celebrate the Craft, an annual charity event benefiting The Ecology Center.PLEASE NOTE: We will be temporarily closed starting Dinner, October 13 - March 2025, due to kitchen enhancement renovations
A photo of Marisi restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1076)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 110 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.
A photo of Barbarella restaurant
4.3
Awesome(842)
Price: Moderate
• European • La Jolla
Booked 25 times today
Barbarella is a restaurant and full bar located on Avenida De La Playa in La Jolla Shores. Adorned with an eclectic mix of art and boasting plenty of outdoor seating, Barbarella a one-of-a-kind culinary gem with executive Chef Lynn Crawford!
A photo of California English restaurant
4.4
Awesome(494)
Price: Expensive
• American • Sorrento Mesa
Booked 23 times today
Located in the Sorrento Valley, California English is the newest culinary creation from celebrity chef, Richard Blais. Blais is creating an all-day menu for California English that’ll interpret classic British dishes through the lens of Southern California ingredients.The idea is a fusion of sorts: the laid-back California lifestyle that makes San Diego so unique, mixed with a cozy pub convivial atmosphere where you can meet friends (or mates) for a pint after work, set up a client lunch with fresh oysters on the menu or have a cozy family dinner over a Sunday roast. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients that make for fresh and flavorful dishes. The effortless vibe of casual yet stylish makes for the perfect place to celebrate the joy of the unexpected coming together to make the perfect culinary match.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • LeslieVIP
    Phoenix / Arizona •14 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Wonderful location over looking the ocean. Fish tacos were amazing. Barbecued chicken salad was a hit as well. Had a table by the glass wall looking out over the bay. Our waitress was so sweet and attentive Definitely will come back.
    More info
    Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
    4.6
  • Laurie
    Orange County •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    It’s important to know that it’s Oaxacan cuisine. It’s different from SoCal traditional Mexican food (which I also love). Everything was excellent and yummy! I had the Agua Santa cocktail- OMG! I ate the tacos de birria - you could choose lamb or beef- and I chose the beef. So flavorful on blue corn tortillas and the beef melted in my mouth! You have to get the table side guacamole made to your liking in front of you! My husband and friends got different moles - all outstanding! We all were getting full and couldn’t stop eating! Even the “smashed” black beans were amazing! Can’t wait to come back! Cool, artsy decor, the owner stops by to check on you - this place has it ALL!
    More info
    Cocina de Barrio EncinitasPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Encinitas
    4.7
  • Dr . SamVIP
    San Diego •30 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Been before and loved it, so we took our brother for his birthday. We ordered multiple appetizers and entrees, sharing all the dishes. Outstanding service (thank you Paolo) and off the charts delicious. The flavors of some the dishes were so brilliant that it's memorable. Try the cheesecake dessert. They make it fresh. Love, love, love.
    More info
    Crudo Ceviche & Oyster BarPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Little Italy
    4.6
  • Kathleen
    Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 25, 2024
    Simply put, one of the best meals I have had the privilege of enjoying! Delightful server, Calvin, was very in tune with the timing of our meal and our needs. The fixed menu was perfect for Christmas Eve, as it kept the meal flowing and decision-making to a minimum. Every course was delectable from the scallop crudo, the creamed mushrooms, and the sea bass, to the date cake with walnut ice cream! Mezcal hibiscus cocktail was creative and tasty, as well! I will definitely be back!
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • GenaVIP
    San Diego •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 24, 2024
    Everything was great for an hitting. Menu selections easy to follow and they were easy to deal with with a sea food allergy
    More info
    The Melting Pot - Gaslamp QuarterPrice: Very Expensive• Fondue• Downtown
    4.6

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Del Mar

Discover the enchanting dining options in San Diego, Del Mar, and North San Diego that are truly "worth the drive." This curated selection of restaurants epitomizes the vibrant culinary scene characteristic of these locales, renowned for their exceptional food quality, stunning ambiance, and impeccable service. Each establishment has been chosen for its unique ability to offer a memorable dining experience, reflecting a deep commitment to culinary excellence and customer satisfaction. Whether you're seeking innovative cuisine, traditional dishes with a modern twist, or breathtaking ocean views that accompany your meal, these restaurants deliver on all fronts. The dining scene in this area is diverse, offering everything from upscale eateries to charming beachside bistros, all upholding a standard of excellence that makes them destination-worthy. Perfect for food enthusiasts and casual diners alike, these spots are guaranteed to enhance your culinary journey and merit the trip. Engage with the flavors of San Diego and its neighboring communities for a dining adventure that's worth every mile.

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