Best Lunch Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

148 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Javier's - La Jolla restaurant

1. Javier's - La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(3574)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 223 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.

2. Lucrezia

4.5

Awesome(590)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 72 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 Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTC restaurant

3. Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTC

4.8

Exceptional(5006)

Price: Expensive

• American • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 52 times today

Seasons 52 is a Fresh Grill and Wine Bar offering a seasonal menu that is naturally lighter and always flavorful. Our seasonal menus feature ingredients at their peak of freshness, oak-fire grilled or brick oven roasted (without a fryer in sight) to be naturally lighter and more flavorful. We also offer an extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle. Here, you'll always feel free to enjoy every bite, every sip, every moment. Lunch and dinner daily with happy hour Monday-Thursday from 3-6PM.

A photo of True Food Kitchen - San Diego UTC restaurant

4. True Food Kitchen - San Diego UTC

4.5

Awesome(1077)

Price: Expensive

• American • La Jolla

Booked 14 times today

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in San Diego for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in San Diego at Westfield UTC center in The Pointe, next to Soul Cycle in the Nordstrom wing. Entrance closest to La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee Avenue. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

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

5. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

4.4

Awesome(2706)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 52 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 Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center restaurant

6. Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center

4.6

Exceptional(190)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • La Jolla

Booked 3 times today

This full-service restaurant with a casually sophisticated atmosphere features bistro cuisine and a full bar. Enjoy fresh salads, specialty entrées, signature cocktails, a wine list and housemade desserts.Nordstrom is located along Genesee Avenue, between La Jolla Village Drive and Nobel Drive. Bazille is located on the 2nd floor, overlooking the main courtyard of the newly expanded UTC. We offer a full bar with wine, beer & hand crafted cocktails, as well as open patio dining. We are open for dine-in service, covered, heated outdoor patio dining and to-go orders with Curbside Pickup. Call (858) 812-3582 to place your order.Join us for Brunch on weekends;July 4th hours: 11am-5pm

A photo of The Amalfi Llama - San Diego restaurant

7. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

4.5

Awesome(391)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 56 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.

8. Le Coq

4.5

Awesome(333)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • La Jolla

Booked 49 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 California English restaurant

9. California English

4.4

Awesome(497)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 20 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.

A photo of Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar restaurant

10. Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.1

Excellent(1359)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Carmel Valley

Booked 13 times today

Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar combines the spirit of a beloved Parisian brasserie with a farm- and sea-to-table philosophy that celebrates the bounty of Southern California. Savor modern renditions of French brasserie classics including a hearty bouillabaisse, escargot, duck cassoulet, fruits de mer tour and tender filet de boeuf. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the shaded terrace surrounded by fragrant blooms, or immerse yourself in the convivial atmosphere of our indoor dining room.Amaya’s menu is defined as much by an allegiance to French tradition as it is to Southern California’s bounty through the seasons. 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, experiences and hotel reservations at more than 5,000 hotels worldwide. Enroll at https://bit.ly/3gvDtJG

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Michael
San Diego •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our server Kayla was total perfection! Courtious kind, friendly, helpful, timely, one who made the experience over the top! Nice to have such professional experience! Servers like her is why we keep coming back!
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Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTCPrice: Expensive• American• University City/Golden Triangle
•
4.8
P
PaulaVIP
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Mike once again provided excellent service. The food was delicious. We had the Filet Mignon and NY steak entrees with the chipotle crema option. We shared the chocolate lava cake for dessert.
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RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.4
D
Dylan
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
We were treated like royalty, I couldn’t recommend this place more. Although it’s a busy UTC mall and hard to find at first it is worth it. Incredible service and staff and amazing food too. Ambiance was on point, the decorations make you feel like you’re in a fancy mansion for dinner. Overall, amazing spot for a date night.
More info
LucreziaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.5
N
Nidia
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Best shrimp with poblano rajas. Food was flavorful, delicious cocktails. Service was wonderful, kind, helpful, friendly, knowledgeable. Including the person assisting in the women’s restroom, she was very helpful and respectful.
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Javier's - La JollaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.6
S
Sharon
San Diego •29 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 7, 2025
This was my second visit in 3 weeks. Today there were 3 of us - I and 1 of my guests were here with me a few weeks ago- a business reunion of sorts after a decade. Today, I invited another friend who also knew my guest. Both were, or are elected officials at some time in their careers. Both times I had the Thai Peanut salad and the Doctor Mule cocktail. Both were as outstanding and flavorful as they were on my first visit. My guests were both pleased with their choices. To be honest I don’t remember what they ate. The tall ceilings make it a little difficult to hear- but not impossible. I will return.
More info
True Food Kitchen - San Diego UTCPrice: Expensive• American• La Jolla
•
4.5

Best Lunch Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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148 restaurants available nearby

1. Javier's - La Jolla

2. Lucrezia

3. Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTC

4. True Food Kitchen - San Diego UTC

5. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

6. Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center

7. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

8. Le Coq

9. California English

10. Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

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