LOCAL WALLY’S GUIDE TO THE BEST LA JOLLA RESTAURANTS
Ocean Views and More in La Jolla - Updated 2026
When you want that quintessential ocean view dining experience you head up north a bit to La Jolla, often called the jewel of San Diego. You’ll find everything from expensive (but worth it restaurants) as well as cheap eats, all with the same glorious ocean view.
And there’s plenty to do here before or after you’re done eating so plan ahead and make a day of it.
Best Ocean View Dining in La Jolla
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Brockton Villa 💵
Popular brunch spot and reasonably priced dinners
This historic building is one of the original La Jolla beach cottages, built in the late 1800’s. Views are outstanding though the occasional scent from the ocean life can be a deterrent to sitting outside. Serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Carolina’s Seaside Cafe 🤑
Brunch and lunch, ocean view on a budget
A hidden gem, breathtaking views and affordable prices with everything under $20. Counter service and self seating, avoid the peak times for the best views. With a focus on healthy dining, the food is fresh, natural and intentional. Beer, wine and cocktails available as well. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Cliffhanger Cafe & Bar 🤑
Snack shack with a view… and what a view!
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this could be one of your most enjoyable dining experiences in San Diego. Located at the Torrey Pines Glider Port you’ll watch supposedly sane people strap on wings and jump off the cliffs, letting the currents take them back and forth while you feast on wood-fired pizzas and beers on tap. Even if you don’t dine here come for a drink and sunset view. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Dukes La Jolla 💵
A Bit of Hawaii Comes to San Diego
If you’ve been to the Hula Grill on Maui then Duke’s is going to look very familiar, owned by the same restaurant group. With a focus on Hawaiian influenced flavors and San Diego’s fresh seafood - and one of the best full ocean views - it’s popular with visitors and locals alike. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 💰
Live jazz in the lounge and ocean views all around
Ultra fresh and beautifully prepared seafood and steaks with an incredible view at just about every table. Lounge specials and Happy Hour (4:30 - 6:00 everyday except Sat) keep prices more affordable and evening dinner with live jazz and a sunset view just doesn't get much better. Great lounge, stop in for a fresh cocktail and ocean view. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
George’s at the Cove 💵
San Diego’s most popular ocean view restaurant
This is the place where San Diegan’s go for celebrations, the place we take our out of town guests we want to impress. The fine dining option closed after the pandemic, leaving just the less adventurous but still impressive rooftop menu. I’m less impressed with the new $60 table surcharge for the seats on the edge, though perhaps the moderate pricing for killer ocean views balances it out. Two levels of seating, the Ocean Terrace on the rooftop is the better choice for views. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
The Marine Room 💰
Waves break right on the windows at times
A San Diego fine dining institution since 1941, The Marine Room is so close to the water that the waves can crash against the windows at high tide - and yes, a few times the waves have actually broken the glass and flooded the restaurant. But considering this has only happened twice in the past 80 years it's a fair bet your dining experience will be a dry one so go ahead and take off that life preserver and dive into some of the best and most creatively presented food in San Diego. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENUS
The Shores Restaurant 💵
Right on the beach, a great lunch spot
Very few San Diego restaurants are right on the beach but The Shores is one of them. Located inside the La Jolla Shores Hotel with sweeping views of the beach, it’s typical hotel fare though priced well below what you might expect for a view restaurant. Burgers and tacos in the low $20’s and dinner entrees under $40 makes this a strong contender for best sunset dining without breaking the bank. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
No Views but Still Good Eats La Jolla
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Din Tai Fung 💵
World Famous Chinese Dumplings
Wait, I’m sending you to a shopping mall for dinner? Well yes, Din Tai Fung is located in the UTC shopping mall but I’m betting this isn’t like the mall in your hometown. It’s upscale, it’s trendy and the perfect setting for the world class restaurant that made soup dumplings famous. If the only Xiao Long Bau’s you’ve ever had are from Trader Joe’s then you owe it to yourself to try the real thing. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
El Pescador Fish Market 🤑
Ultra casual, super fresh seafood
El Pescador was started in 1978 by an ambitious 19 year old surfer who quickly found an audience with his ultra fresh fish. Fast forward to today and their fish market is still thriving - along with their tiny restaurant where you can get some of the freshest fish in town with everything from poke bowls to sandwiches to grilled seafood. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
Le Coq 💵
Elevated dining, French Asian cuisine
San Diego’s celebrity chef Brian Malarkey is behind this elegant steakhouse, an upscale rustic space in a La Jolla warehouse featuring exposed brick and beams, a feast for the eyes and senses. Flavors shift seamlessly between cultures and dinner specials such as their $98 for two shared three course menu keep gourmet dining affordable. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
Nine-Ten Restaurant & Bar 💰
Michelin recognized dining
Located in the Grande Colonial Hotel (fancy!), Nine-Ten offers elevated dining. The nightly “Mercy of the Chef” tasting menu is a delight, a culinary journey over 6 courses for $130 per person. A la carte options available as well for around $50, a simple menu with classics that will not disappoint. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
Piatti La Jolla 💵
Italian cuisine and beautiful outdoor dining
Just a few blocks from the beach, Piatti La Jolla is a charming restaurant with a neighborhood feel and one of the best settings for outdoor dining under the giant laurel tree. Their fritto misto, lightly fried calimari, shrimp and fennel, is enough to keep me coming back since they opened over 30 years ago. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
Torrey Pines Grill 🤑
Views of the famous golf course and the ocean beyond
Golf fans will insist on dining here and you should not disagree. The patio is a vacation perfect setting and food items like the Drugstore Burger (a riff on the classic counter burger only way better) and Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip sandwich (local favorite tri-tip from Seaside Market) shows they haven’t forgotten that the food is the star. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
