Best Cozy Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

92 restaurants available nearby

1. Lucrezia

4.5

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 53 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 ! :)

A photo of RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla restaurant

2. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

4.3

Awesome(2687)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 32 times today

Dining at RED O is an experience like no other that offers a unique combination of Prime Steak and Seafood with Rick Bayless’ signature Mexican inspired influences. With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, RED O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico. RED O’s team of friendly employees creates a welcoming atmosphere that parallels the luxury resort interior of the restaurant. RED O also features an impressive bar and lounge where you’ll find specialty cocktails, an extensive tequila list and an award winning wine list. The bar also offers Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and Late Night Happy Hour from 9-11pm Friday-Saturday.

A photo of Queenstown Bistro - UTC restaurant

3. Queenstown Bistro - UTC

4.7

Exceptional(187)

Price: Moderate

• New Zealand • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 6 times today

We are the lil sis of Queenstown Public House located in the Little Italy district of San Diego. Slightly smaller, but with the same basic ingredients.A beautiful, comfortable, unique, fun setting. A friendly, smiling, courteous staff we hope you get to know. Guests enjoying the moment, sharing a laugh, whom we hope we get to know. Freshly made dishes; locally sourced, passionately created, many unique…and all delicious. A beer list changing daily, proudly from our award winning local craft SD brewers, and a wine list chosen with care from select vineyards and varietals. With a kiwi inspired lineage, and the spirit, love and good nature from the land of the Maori, we hope you will join us. And if we are so fortunate, then, we hope you will have a little too much of a good time, have a few too many laughs, stay a while, and return again soon to see us.

A photo of The Amalfi Llama - San Diego restaurant

4. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

4.5

Awesome(365)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 44 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.

5. Le Coq

4.5

Awesome(293)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • La Jolla

Booked 47 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 Addison By William Bradley restaurant

6. Addison By William Bradley

4.8

Exceptional(1884)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Del Mar

Booked 18 times today

Addison, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, showcases the beauty and allure of California Gastronomy. Chef William Bradley offers his distinct culinary perspective through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients and influences. With its picturesque views of the surrounding hillside, the dining room creates a transportive setting for Bradley’s ten-course tasting menu. To further enhance the experience, Addison’s 10,000 bottle wine program showcases small producers, rare Champagnes, and new discoveries from around the world.Since 2006, the purity and precision of Addison's approach has led to global recognition for the restaurant and the San Diego culinary scene. Addison is among an exclusive selection of stand-alone Relais & Châteaux restaurants worldwide, and, in addition to its three-star Michelin designation, is honored on La Liste. It has consistently received the highest recognition from Wine Spectator for its wine program.

A photo of California English restaurant

7. California English

4.4

Awesome(486)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 12 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.

8. The Whaling Bar

4.5

Awesome(72)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 19 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.

9. Piatti - La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(5051)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 47 times today

Established in 1987, Piatti offers finely crafted fresh Italian cuisine. The soul of the menu is our housemade pasta that we roll, cut and cook by hand everyday. Offering a fresh take on the neighborhood Italian trattoria, Piatti combines a warm, inviting atmosphere, seamless service and an immersive market experience so you can enjoy Piatti at home. Whether dining in or taking home, Piatti brings friends and family together.

A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

10. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1116)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 29 times today

La Dolce Vita is located in a European courtyard setting at International Shops off Prospect St. Loyal to its name La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), is a place to sit back and relax in our cozy and romantic indoor dining room or our charming outdoor patio to enjoy a hearty meal along with a bottle of wine while listening to Italian tunes. We serve genuine Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting at affordable prices.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Cheri
San Diego •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The food was delicious a bit pricey but I knew this before we dined. The server was GREAT! I had Branzino and it was a very large portion . My husband for his birthday dinner had the lobster pasta. He said that it was very good. Overall a good experience but even though I had mentioned that it was my husband’s birthday there was no mention of it. This s was disappointing.
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The Amalfi Llama - San DiegoPrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• University City/Golden Triangle
•
4.5
D
DianaVIP
Baja California •50 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The restaurant is gorgeous and the Food is good, we ordered family style because the portions are big. We had the caesar salad, the mussels and three pastas spicy rigatoni, one that had black truffle and one with sausage that was the one I liked best.
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LucreziaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.5
M
MonicaVIP
Mexico City •99 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Everything we ordered was delish. We started with the bread and butter which is always great. We then had the bistro and celery salad, always a great choice, very tasty. The pork croquettes are delish. The swordfish, chicken,lamb and short ribs are all super delicious, the potato cakes with egg roe are awesome, the sautéed mushrooms are super tasty. Finally the cheesecake and pistacho desserts are a great finally.
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Le CoqPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• La Jolla
•
4.5
D
DianeVIP
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Manager Lisa was the best, most service-oriented manager I have ever seen. She kicked in when service was a bit slow, checked in on us every so often, comped us a drink when we waited a bit too long for our order, and just made a slow evening into a spectacular one. A great manager. Well done Lisa!
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RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.3
R
RebeccaVIP
San Diego •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Always a great experience at Queenstown! Great burgers, friendly service and a lovely indoor/outdoor environment, all in the middle of beautiful UTC. We look forward to next time!
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Queenstown Bistro - UTCPrice: Moderate• New Zealand• University City/Golden Triangle
•
4.7

Best Cozy Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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92 restaurants available nearby

1. Lucrezia

2. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

3. Queenstown Bistro - UTC

4. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

5. Le Coq

6. Addison By William Bradley

7. California English

8. The Whaling Bar

9. Piatti - La Jolla

10. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

See what locals rave about

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