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Best Romantic Restaurants in La Jolla

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57 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Le Coq restaurant
1. Le Coq
4.5
Awesome(323)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French • La Jolla
Booked 55 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 The Whaling Bar restaurant
2. The Whaling Bar
4.6
Exceptional(83)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • La Jolla
Booked 30 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.
A photo of Brockton Villa restaurant
3. Brockton Villa
4.6
Exceptional(2784)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • La Jolla
Booked 18 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!
A photo of NINE-TEN restaurant
4. NINE-TEN
4.7
Exceptional(2941)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • La Jolla
Booked 27 times today
NINE-TEN, located in the lively La Jolla neighborhood, offers an intimate yet relaxed dining experience. The restaurant is praised for its romantic ambiance, with reviews mentioning 'romantic', 'cozy', 'friendly', and 'perfect evening'. It's the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. The Michelin-distinction chef, Jason Knibb, curates seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's atmosphere lends itself to conversation rather than shout, and the wine list is a home run.
A photo of The Marine Room restaurant
5. The Marine Room
4.6
Exceptional(8240)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • La Jolla
Booked 72 times today
For generations of San Diegans, the “Seahorse” symbol of The Marine Room has long stood for its dramatic on-the-surf location and California coastal cuisine. Considering this rare blend of culinary excellence, uncompromising service and beachfront setting, it’s no wonder The Marine Room has become a true San Diego landmark. We invite you to San Diego's iconic dining destination and experience how each tide brings something new to The Marine Room. You’re not reserving a table – you’re joining a 80-year tradition.
A photo of Manhattan of La Jolla restaurant
6. Manhattan of La Jolla
4.8
Exceptional(1746)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 30 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 La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant
7. La Dolce Vita Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(1133)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 37 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.
A photo of Piatti - La Jolla restaurant
8. Piatti - La Jolla
4.7
Exceptional(5067)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 62 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 Javier's - La Jolla restaurant
9. Javier's - La Jolla
4.6
Exceptional(3567)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 208 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.
A photo of The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel restaurant
10. The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel
4.2
Awesome(2444)
Price: Moderate
• American • La Jolla
Booked 16 times today
Welcome to beach dining – La Jolla style. Walk straight from the sand into The Shores Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy fantastic ocean views, our open-air patio, a casual ambiance with warm hospitality, and a family-friendly menu meant to please any kind of taste. A big part of the California lifestyle is beach-style dining. The Shores Restaurant is a perfect example with dishes designed by Executive Chef Michael Vaughn. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beachside cocktails, the delicious fare is complimented by unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • 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
  • Virginia
    Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    A perfect dining experience. Brian was our waiter, and he did an excellent job explaining the menu and checking on my food allergies. The meal was delightful and there is no topping that view.
    More info
    The Marine RoomPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• La Jolla
    •
    4.6
  • EricVIP
    San Diego •25 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Outstanding food and service. The baguette with chicken skin butter and the smoked bone-in short rib were exceptional. Appreciate the additional complimentary dessert for our anniversary.
    More info
    Le CoqPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• La Jolla
    •
    4.5
  • 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.
    More info
    Brockton VillaPrice: Moderate• Californian• La Jolla
    •
    4.6
  • 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

Discover best romantic restaurants in La Jolla

Discover the essence of romance in La Jolla's dining scene with our carefully selected restaurants perfect for that special date night or memorable occasion. Each venue in La Jolla offers a unique blend of ambiance and cuisine, ensuring an intimate experience with settings ranging from ocean views and live music to cozy, candlelit atmospheres. These restaurants are renowned for their use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, creatively crafted into exquisite dishes by top-tier chefs. The dining scene in La Jolla is vibrant yet relaxed, making it an ideal backdrop for both new love and lasting relationships. Whether you prefer a lively seaside setting or a quiet, private corner, La Jolla's romantic dining spots provide the perfect mix of charm, sophistication, and culinary excellence. Experience the romance of La Jolla's dining offerings, where every meal is an opportunity to create unforgettable moments.

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