Best Cosy Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

89 restaurants available nearby

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

1. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

4.4

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 59 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

2. Queenstown Bistro - UTC

4.8

Exceptional(187)

Price: Moderate

• New Zealand • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 10 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

3. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

4.5

Awesome(381)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • University City/Golden Triangle

Booked 75 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.

4. 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 Addison By William Bradley restaurant

5. Addison By William Bradley

4.8

Exceptional(1884)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Del Mar

Booked 30 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

6. California English

4.4

Awesome(497)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 16 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.

7. 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.

8. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1087)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 100 times today

Discovering Italy by way of La Jolla, Marisi focuses on Italian hearth cooking with an emphasis on handmade pastas, fine wine and classic cocktails. The menu celebrates the rich diversity of cuisine from across Italy, fashioned in a time-honored tradition of handmade all day, every day. A dream that lives between the Italian and La Jolla coasts, suspended between tides instead of time — a mood more than a plot. A visit that feels a lot like coming home, if home was a warm, charming villa off the Amalfi coast. Marisi is a taste of something you want to remember. We hope you love it.

9. 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 La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

10. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1133)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 36 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

J
jenny
San Diego •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Hector the part owner of the restaurant and his staff did an excellent customer service. It was our first time dining in the restaurant and was also my birthday celebration. Hector took the time to explain the history of restaurant and what to expect. He gave us a tour of the restaurant as well. We will definitely be back for the delicious steak, empanadas and fried calamari we had.
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The Amalfi Llama - San DiegoPrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• University City/Golden Triangle
•
4.5
E
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.
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Le CoqPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• La Jolla
•
4.5
B
Bob
Washington, D.C. Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We travel around the country and try to make the dining experience part of our vacation. We had learned about red O the last time we went to San Diego and didn’t have time to experience the restaurant. So we made a point of it this year. I will say that it has to be one of the best restaurants we’ve ever had the pleasure of dining. We come from a state that serves a lot of beef and I will say that the 18 ounce ribeye was better than anything I had from our home state. My spouse had the half a pound lobster and it was done to perfection. So I highly recommend anyone experiencing this restaurant if they have the opportunity. The weight staff was incredible. And we will definitely put in our plans for next time we’re in San Diego.
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RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
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4.4
R
RebeccaVIP
San Diego •12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 Dec 2024
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
•
4.8
LE
LouiseE
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Apr 2023
worth every penny and every calorie - bravo chef bradley and staff!
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Addison By William BradleyPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Del Mar
•
4.8

Best Cosy Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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89 restaurants available nearby

1. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

2. Queenstown Bistro - UTC

3. The Amalfi Llama - San Diego

4. Le Coq

5. Addison By William Bradley

6. California English

7. The Whaling Bar

8. Marisi

9. Piatti - La Jolla

10. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

See what locals rave about

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