Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in La Jolla

Only steps away from the famous La Jolla Shore, this establishment is always crowded with locals, ranging from college students to business professionals. An eclectic assortment of tables and chairs is accompanied by lively jazz music playing overhead. In addition, a surprisingly extensive menu features breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Popular entrees include the Tuna Melt, Shrimp Pasta Salad, and Turkey Lasagna. Meanwhile, dozens of pastries line a glass display case at the order counter. Choose from tarts, cakes, croissants and danish.

The atmosphere at this popular restaurant and bar is best characterized as colorful. The bright yellow sign, along with a front door featuring yellow, blue and green prints, welcome guests into the restaurant. Once inside, guests will notice colorful tabletops as well as mural-covered walls. The small, busy restaurant offers juke box music and a big bar. Carne asada- grilled steak, tops the menu, including combination of tacos, tortas and burritos. The place also offers marinated steak with a cheese enchilada and guacamole. Jose's Court Room is the place for great craft cocktails and delectable eats done the authentic Mexican way.

Mustangs and Burros at Estancia La Jolla is a beautiful restaurant designed in the Territorial Ranch way. The restaurant has a warm and inviting dining room with low lighting, casual seating, a large brick fireplace and a wonderful patio similar to a Spanish hacienda for a wonderful romantic night dinner with a fireplace. The menu is packed with enticing small bites infused by the Southwest and the seasons. The full bar has some amazing house crafted cocktails and creative margaritas with great happy hour offers during the weekends. All the ingredients are fresh, local and seasonal, and are used in the menu in the most creative way. If you are craving for beautiful flavors and awesome dining experience, then M & B is the place to be in.

This trendy La Jolla joint is "the spot" for nightlife and premium cuisine. The bar is popular among thirty-something professionals. Expect to find large crowds, particularly on weekends. Many customers visit this place for one main culinary reason: steak. Utilizing the famous Al Farber's Char-Crust Spices, this restaurant offers a bevy of tantalizing steak specialties. Try the hometown-favorite Junior Seau Steak. And, for those customers who cannot get enough of the homemade barbeque sauce, purchase a bottle to take home. They also serve great hamburgers and sandwiches.

Established in 2009, Craft & Commerce has been delighting Little Italy's locals with its take on American specialties served in a relaxed atmosphere. Start of with the snack selection, offering specialties like crispy chickpeas, fried dill pickles and mini corn dogs. Mains include the popular Ode To The Burger as well as familiar favorites like escarole salad, pastrami sandwich and mac & cheese. Craft cocktails are a specialty on the drinks menu that also offers beers and other spirits. An industrialized yet cheerfully decor marks the interiors of this restaurant with bright red chairs, textured wooden tables and comfy bright-green booths. There's a little outdoor section as well. Check website for more.

Crispy coal-fired pizzas is the name of the game at URBN, a North Park establishment that's attracting pizza lovers in hordes. The dining room is a warehouse-like space with wood-beamed ceilings and brick-exposed walls. Subdued lighting gives the place an intimate vibe. Comfy booths and bar style seating make up one part of the room, while a smaller area, with bare walls and huge tables caters to groups. The selection of New Haven style pies on offer is varied and comes with a equally diverse choice of toppings. The bar offers a fine choice of beers, craft cocktails as well as wine. Check website for more.