Top Californian restaurants in La Jolla, United States

The Cottage never disappoints! While you may have to wait in line to get in, it’s totally worth it. The service is great and the food is even better! My go-to’s are the Lemon Ricotta pancakes and the Eggs La Jolla Benedict. I highly recommend stopping by!

Pictured is the Eggs La Jolla Benny & Stuffed French Toast

Absolutely so cute and the food was amazing. I was particularly impressed with how chill and nice the waiters are while still being attentive and professional. Not to mention there was lots of space when we went so we had the choice to sit outside or by the window and the view was awesome.

Beautiful ocean view! Great service! Step up your breakfast experience! Smoked Salmon & Bagel is just for starters! Delicious fruit bowls! Great Maple Sausage & Pancakes! Breakfast at the Sea!

Lunch and Dinner menu also!

Second time here. All my friends that came here loves the food, the service, and the atmosphere

It's right on the beach and you have a great view of the LA Jolla shores. I came here to surf but ended up finding this restaurant

Thought it was a cliche beach restaurant with tourist trap food about it was super. The rib eye was spit on. South African friend approved it. She had it last time we were here and I got it the second time we were here. Medium rare, can't go wrong

The seafood trio fish was tender and fresh
Mussels were great and the short rib was tender

The good: Great flavors, the lemon ricotta pancakes and antojito benedict were a perfect way to start our day. Fruit cup for the kiddo was great (more than just some bland melon). Plenty of seating both inside and out, with the patio featuring plenty of umbrellas for that morning sun. Service was friendly and helpful with the well-sized menu.

The not-so-good: Along with the rest of the area, the prices are a little steep ($65 for breakfast for two). That's really the only knock, as we enjoyed the rest of our meal.

Food/drink: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 9/10

We had a delicious dinner here after an event at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and weren't disappointed. It was only an hour before closing time and, although the service was a bit slow, it was professional and friendly. We both had the Baja Fish Trio (see photo), which was spectacular. Highly recommended.

Within just two blocks of walk from Prospect Street in the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla, The Cottage restaurant is a local gem that promises a delightful culinary journey through classic American and Southern California cuisine. With a string of foodie awards under its belt, including accolades from ZAGAT, Epicurious, and San Diego’s Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, it's clear that The Cottage has earned its reputation as a dining destination worth exploring.

During our visit, we indulged in some of their signature dishes, each living up to its award-winning status. The Stuffed French Toast was a standout, featuring perfectly preserved strawberries and luscious mascarpone, all served with ample butter and syrup. The freshness of the strawberries elevated the dish to new heights, leaving us craving more with each bite.

For those craving a savory option, the Crabcakes Egg Benedict did not disappoint. We opted to add pork belly to the already enticing combination, resulting in a heavenly marriage of flavors. The crab was impeccably prepared, complemented by the rich hollandaise sauce and a hint of heat from the provided hot sauce. Accompanied by perfectly seasoned breakfast potatoes, every element of the dish was executed flawlessly.

Aside from the exceptional food, our experience at The Cottage was further enhanced by the efficient use of technology. Utilizing the Nowait app allowed us to join the waitlist remotely, minimizing our time spent waiting for a table upon arrival. The accuracy of the app's wait time estimation ensured a stress-free dining experience, even during peak hours.

To top it all off, the Mexican hot chocolate was a decadent treat that served as the perfect conclusion to our meal. Rich, creamy, and indulgent, it encapsulated the essence of comfort in every sip.

In summary, The Cottage in La Jolla is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary institution that delivers on its promise of award-winning cuisine and exceptional service. Whether you're craving a leisurely brunch or a satisfying lunch, The Cottage is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and your dining experience as a whole.

Had time to kill in La Jolla and was pleasantly surprised by this place. The weight staff is very attentive and great at making dish recommendations. Nothing beats enjoying a Happy hour with a view like this.

Great brunch option in La Jolla. We only waited 5 mins but it was a weekday in Feb - we have heard it gets very popular in the summer! Had Morning Glory sandwich & Avocado Smash. Both divine. Fantastic service.

We came in for late breakfast and they were very busy. It took less then 10 min to get a really nice table. The host and the whole team was friendly, helpful, great service.
We enjoyed our breakfast with eggs Benedict, homemade lemon ricotta pancake.
Espresso and latte are great too!
We would love to come back.

We went for brunch on a rainy day and decided to sit outside because there were heaters. We were so comfortable for a while, but when the rain got too much, they offered to move us inside. The food and drinks were great, and we were very impressed by their creative menu - lots of unique items! Service was good and prices were high but reasonable for what we received. Would definitely return!

Came here to visit my niece in San Diego when she was studying her last year of college, so wanted to visit her while she was in this lovely and beautiful city!

We stopped to have some breakfast at this place and it was really quite good place was quite clean and just really cute to come and sit and have a really really nice breakfast!

We both ordered some and we quite enjoyed it!

Highly recommend this place if you are in the La Jolla area of San Diego enjoy!

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Went there 2 days in a row on my visit to SD. Love the owner (his name is Jason) and the coffee and orange juice were delicious.

I loved the crab and prosciutto benedict and the fruit bowl which came with a strawberry yogurt and would recommend adding the house granola. The salmon hash was ok but a little too much food for me.

Dog friendly and you can sit indoor or outdoors. Great service!

The location is really good!
The food is even better.
Have a brunch here and then walk to the beach will be a great Saturday!!!!

Located very conveniently near popular Prospect Ave and walking distance from the ocean. Parking can be challenging. Food was delicious! Vegetarian friendly. The waiter helped accommodate vegetarian diet. My favorite picks were the mushroom ravioli and the lemon ricotta pancakes. My brother loved the chilaquiles.

The wait on a Sunday morning wasn't too bad, and there are nearby shops to explore while waiting. The restaurant sends a text when your table is ready. My family appreciated the outdoor seating, and the staff provided a wonderful experience. While the food was great, the standout was the remarkable staff. A word of caution for the patio out back: be aware of birds perched on wires and the roof, as there's a potential for droppings. Overall, it's a fantastic spot near the beach and shopping!

Was really good talking with Savannah and Jimmy at the bar. They are good people. Got the lemonade and ceviche with roasted jalepeños. The seafood was fresh and the extra heat from the peppers was a perfect pairing. This is a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy a good convo. Next time I will try either the short rib or the seafood tacos 🌮 and update my review.

Wow this place was wonderful! Heather was a wonderful server and provided us with great service and delicious food. We ordered the bottomless mimosas, and breakfast mules for drinks and dined on the Baja Shrimp Cocktail that was plentiful and delicious along with the Steak and Eggs for my love and I had the Lobster Benedict that were all things Amazing!!! Go get you brunch fix and catch the beach views and vibes!

Excellent Mediterranean omelette, chilaquiles, teas and coffees, and service! Monday morning was easy to park. There was no wait to be seated and food came out right on time.

One of my absolute favorite places to eat in all of SD. This restaurant is right on the shores and has a beautiful view from all spots in the restaurant. You might even see a dolphin or two while you eat! I recommend sitting near the window or down on the lawn for a great view and vibe . The drinks are super good and the food is amazing. I feel the food and drinks are reasonably priced for such a nice restaurant. They do have happy hour from 2-5 Monday - Thursday and has really good drinks and food times on it. The atmosphere is great and the service is amazing every time I come. Love the vibes and love this restaurant!

Me and my best friend and I ate here and the food was delicious. From the oatmeal to the coffee to the breakfast plates. Our waitress was sweet, nice and attentive. I highly recommend this establishment when visiting la jolla!

We’ve been to brunch here about 2 years ago. This time we stopped into the small cafe to takeaway pastries. First, it’s hard to find a GOOD fresh-made breakfast “bread” in this area. We were happy to find a mixed berry scone and cinnamon roll. The mixed berry scone had lots of berries. The cinnamon pastry was light and flaky (not a doughy dense ball). We walked our bagged goodies back to the hotel where we could sip our free hotel coffee and munch on a small breakfast.

Highly recommend using Yelp waitlist. The menu sounds delicious but the food was just okay. I got the angus short rib and hash brown potato cakes and the short rib was bland but the hash brown was super salty. I also tried the mango pancakes and it could’ve been more flavorful. The syrup was plain and not guava syrup and our waiter had forgotten to order one of our items.

Food was good and the atmosphere was beautiful but the wait was 15 minutes to order and then 30 minutes for food to arrive! Otherwise, the pancakes were fluffy, light, and sweet. I loved the crispiness of the hash browns.