Best Restaurants for People Watching in La Jolla

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanBritish

Regions

North San DiegoSan Diego

Areas

Del MarHillcrestLa JollaMission BayMission BeachOld Town

Top Rated

CharmingGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for happy hourGreat for outdoor dining

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

17 restaurants available nearby

1. The Whaling Bar

4.7

Exceptional(97)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 25 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.

2. Brockton Villa

4.7

Exceptional(2807)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 21 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!

3. Beaumont's

4.7

Exceptional(926)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • La Jolla

Booked 9 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!

4. World Famous

4.6

Exceptional(1042)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Pacific Beach

Booked 19 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.

A photo of Miss B's Coconut Club restaurant

5. Miss B's Coconut Club

4.8

Exceptional(128)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Caribbean • Mission Beach

Booked 7 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 Pacific Beach Alehouse restaurant

6. Pacific Beach Alehouse

4.4

Awesome(264)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Pacific Beach

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 California English restaurant

7. California English

4.6

Exceptional(539)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 18 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 Rustic Root - Solana Beach restaurant

8. Rustic Root - Solana Beach

4.4

Awesome(57)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Del Mar

Booked 79 times today

Modern rooftop destination featuring local, seasonal cuisine & craft cocktails in stylish surrounds.

A photo of Trattoria Don Pietro restaurant

9. Trattoria Don Pietro

3.9

Excellent(826)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Old Town

Booked 2 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.

A photo of Brigantine Del Mar restaurant

10. Brigantine Del Mar

4.7

Exceptional(2787)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Del Mar

Booked 28 times today

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history. "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today.Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats. Perched between the spectacular Pacific Ocean and the hills of Rancho Santa Fe, the Del Mar Brigantine sits high above the action of the Del Mar racetrack.A lushly landscaped garden offers an unparalleled setting for weddings and outdoor-themed events. Indoors, a formal dining room looks out to the garden through floor-to-ceiling french doors. For more casual dining, the glass-enclosed deck is a year-round favorite.The Del Mar Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch each Sunday.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia County •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The breakfast Cubano and breakfast sandwich were impeccable, we kept trading bites and couldn't decide which we liked better! Breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy and seasoned outside and tender inside. Cucumber cocktail and tequila cocktail with black salt both delicious.
More info
Miss B's Coconut ClubPrice: Moderate• Caribbean• Mission Beach
•
4.8
O
Olivia
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great place for locals and to take friends and family. Some beach front establishments are a gimmick, but world famous is a beautiful waterfront spot with delicious food, great service, and reasonable prices. We come often for brunch on the weekends and always bring our out of town guests!
More info
World FamousPrice: Moderate• Californian• Pacific Beach
•
4.6
IW
IdaliaW
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The food was delicious and the hostess highly accommodating to our needs, great view too!
More info
Brockton VillaPrice: Moderate• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
The food was delicious, the service was excellent. We had a wonderful evening.
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The Whaling BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
We had a great time! Our server was awesome. I wish I could remember her name. The food was delicious. There was a band playing inside so we sat outside on the heated patio. It was fun and lovely. The drinks were great.
More info
Beaumont'sPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• La Jolla
•
4.7

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