Best Restaurants for People Watching in Pacific Beach

25 restaurants available nearby

1. World Famous

4.6

Exceptional(1014)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Pacific Beach

Booked 26 times today

Specializing in surfside dining featuring Southern California Coastal cuisine, market fresh pacific seafood, hand carved prime rib, & grilled to order steaks. Menus are written daily and inspired by sustainable California harvests.

2. The Whaling Bar

4.6

Exceptional(83)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 31 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.

3. NINE-TEN

4.7

Exceptional(2941)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 29 times today

Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters and blankets are available during the colder weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

4. Brockton Villa

4.6

Exceptional(2784)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 16 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!

5. Beaumont's

4.6

Exceptional(920)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • La Jolla

Booked 23 times today

Established in the heart of La Jolla’s Bird Rock seaside community in 2005, Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery has been a central meeting spot for locals to gather for fabulous food, hand-made cocktails, and top-rated entertainment in a casual, yet contemporary atmosphere earning its title as the “heart and soul of Bird Rock”. Nightly happy hour and a fantastic dinner menu are just the beginning, because a full bar and live local music add to the great vibe. You’ll find Beaumont’s weekends a need to be at event for brunch!

6. Draft

3.9

Excellent(125)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Mission Bay

Booked 5 times today

Located directly on the Mission Beach boardwalk, Draft Restaurant is serving up 54 beers on tap pairing the surf and sand with a wide variety of craft beers. But the appeal doesn’t stop at the #brewsandviews; Come hungry and experience a fresh take on beachside dining featuring casual, handcrafted fare from Executive Chef Luis Romero.

A photo of Pacific Beach Alehouse restaurant

7. Pacific Beach Alehouse

4.4

Awesome(263)

Price: Moderate

• American • Pacific Beach

Booked 1 time today

With handcrafted beer, eclectic menu, friendly service, and a lodge-like ambiance, Pacific Beach Alehouse is anything but ordinary. Dining Out magazine calls us "a world class microbrewery and restaurant," and "a destination for beer aficionados, tourists, and locals. We offer a wide variety of savory handcrafted burgers, flatbreads, and signature dishes. We feature four separate dining areas, each with its own unique atmosphere. You can sip a cold refreshing beer on our Sky Deck while enjoying the unparalleled views of Crystal Pier and the Pacific Ocean, or you can cozy up to the fire pit on our patio. Inside you can relax with your friends at our tables adjacent to our microbrewery. We offer free Wifi. We accept online reservations for groups of 6-12 guests. Reservations for 12+ people, please call the restaurant to book. We do not guarantee seating on the Sky Deck, but may request it as a preference.

A photo of Manhattan of La Jolla restaurant

8. Manhattan of La Jolla

4.8

Exceptional(1746)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 36 times today

Manhattan of La Jolla transports you to the best of New York via the cozy, upscale village of La Jolla. Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, it is an elegant, casual and classy place where you would expect to see Old Blue Eyes or Danny Ocean romancing a beautiful woman while she sips her Cosmo over dinner. With quality Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. Liberal olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper complement the Zagat Award winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure. Manhattan in La Jolla gets you the best of both worlds. Manhattan is an award winning La Jolla favorite, celebrating its 36th year.

A photo of Miss B's Coconut Club restaurant

9. Miss B's Coconut Club

4.7

Exceptional(121)

Price: Moderate

• Caribbean • Mission Beach

Booked 5 times today

What you’ll find here is classic, Caribbean-inspired American food with tiki flair. Cubano Roasted Pork, Jerk Chicken and Coconut Shrimp are in synch with the mambo rhythm of your appetite, and our house-ground burger is one like you won’t find anywhere in town. Jumbo Coconut Shrimp and a list of Street Cart items will have you coming back to try them all, whether you order something “to go” from our walk-up counter, stay to eat on our spacious outdoor patio, or take a seat inside.Coconut Club’s décor evokes a celebration of Mission Beach’s nautical and maritime past, which takes form as an inspired interpretation of a 30’s-style sailor tiki club. Rum is the star here, and has a leading role in our creative list of grownup cocktails, which includes shareable, tiki-inspired punches and bowls to drum up conversations and generate a buzz. Coconut Club is also a purveyor of fuel that fires the craft beer frenzy, with 20 local and microbrew tap handles.

A photo of Trattoria Don Pietro restaurant

10. Trattoria Don Pietro

4.5

Awesome(802)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Old Town

Booked 9 times today

Thanks to Trattoria Don Pietro, there is finally something new and fresh happening in Old Town. After spending a lifetime of cooking Italian food and a few years in LA learning from the best restaurants in the industry, Pietro is finally ready to roll up his sleeves and show San Diego his take on traditional Italian cuisine with a trendy twist. Between our groundbreaking Italian menu, wisteria garden patio ambiance, and over-the-top cocktails, we stand alone as the most instagrammable restaurant in San Diego. Come stop by today and experience our delicate balance of tradition and trend.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jane
Charlotte •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We thoroughly enjoyed this delicious meal! The chef is pretty brilliant with fusing flavors that enhance the meal. We highly recommend!
More info
NINE-TENPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
D
DillanVIP
San Diego •56 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
A very quiet night. Service was ready and attentive. The prime rib here is one of the best in San Diego.
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World FamousPrice: Moderate• Californian• Pacific Beach
•
4.6
D
David
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Comfortable, easy-going place with, as they say, comfort food. Casual atmosphere and friendly service.
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Beaumont'sPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• La Jolla
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver / Colorado •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Beautiful view from the deck and atmosphere was relaxing in the historic villa. Food was unique and delicious. Came during happy hour so discounts on appetizers and drinks were awesome as well.
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Brockton VillaPrice: Moderate• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.6
N
Nahal
San Diego •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 30, 2024
The Whaling Bar is hands down our favorite local spot, whether it’s for a cozy date night or an evening out with friends. The atmosphere is fantastic, the cocktails are exceptional, and the food never disappoints. We love everything on the menu, but our personal favorites are the celery salad, Caesar salad, the baos, and the chicken—each dish is perfectly executed. We’re also lucky enough to have George as our server every time we dine here. He’s simply the best, making every visit even more memorable with his friendly demeanor and excellent service. And don’t forget to save room for dessert! The burger dessert is an absolute must-try. We can’t wait to come back again soon!
More info
The Whaling BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.6

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Pacific Beach

Price

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Award-winning

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25 restaurants available nearby

1. World Famous

2. The Whaling Bar

3. NINE-TEN

4. Brockton Villa

5. Beaumont's

6. Draft

7. Pacific Beach Alehouse

8. Manhattan of La Jolla

9. Miss B's Coconut Club

10. Trattoria Don Pietro

See what locals rave about

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