WHERE TO EAT DINNER IN LA JOLLA: SOME OF OUR FAVORITES
We recently detailed some of our favorite local coffee shops and breakfast joints that surround Pantai Inn: Read it here! But like a good meal, once we started we couldn’t stop! We had to compile a list of some of our go-to La Jolla Village dinner restaurants, too. Just like our breakfast list, all of the restaurants below are LOCAL and in WALKING DISTANCE from Pantai Inn.
*Please note that this list was created while Covid-19 “red” regulations were in place. Please check with the respective restaurant websites for the most current opening and dining updates.
UPSCALE YET CASUAL | Catania Restaurant
6 Minutes from Pantai Inn
Located on the top floor of the La Plaza La Jolla is the delicious Catania Italian Restaurant. Handmade pastas, woodfired pizzas and Italian-inspired seafood dishes are the hallmarks of this La Jolla restaurant. Part of the Whisknladle Hospitality family (Gravity Heights, Park Commons, Common Coffee), Catania was named one of the “15 Hottest New Restaurants Around the US” by Zagat in their freshman year. We are sure you’ll love the dishes, drinks, desserts … and don’t forget the VIEW! Pull up a seat at their patio bar while sipping on an Aperol Spritz and you’ll feel like you’re on the Amalfi Coast. Catania is open for take out, delivery, outdoor dining and limited capacity indoor seating.
7863 Girard Ave., (Third Floor), La Jolla, CA 92037
cataniasd.com
@cataniasd
Or try … Herringbone
MEXICAN | Puesto
5 Minutes from Pantai Inn
It’s San Diego, so of course we are going to include Mexican food on our list! We had a few La Jolla Mexican restaurants to choose from, but we ended up selecting Puesto. Puesto, which was founded here in San Diego by first-generation Mexican Americans, shows off a love for the amazing flavors of Mexican and the family’s love of delicious tacos. Puesto perfectly mixes that casual eatery feel with elevated culinary elements—like their Puesto Perfect guacamole which takes their already tasty classic recipe and adds parmigiano and reggiano cheese. We are confident your whole table will leave happy thanks to extensive street taco, burrito and margarita selections. Puesto La Jolla has expanded their outdoor seating since Covid, and can accommodate a fair amount of people on their streetside patio in addition to limited capacity indoor.
1027 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
eatpuesto.com
@eatpuesto
Or try… The Taco Stand
*Photo via instagram.com/eatpuesto/
ITALIAN & PIZZA | Isola Pizza Bar
7 Minutes from Pantai Inn
The cornerstone of Isola Pizza Bar is the dedication of Massimo Tenino to deliver authentic Italian dishes that honor his nonna and inspiration, Isola. Tenino stops at nothing to ensure diners enjoy pizza just as they would from his grandmother in his home country of Italy. Tenino and team use an authentic Italian wood-fire brick oven, imported Italian ingredients and professionally trained “pizziolos”. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Isola menu goes far beyond their delicious pizzas with salads, handmade pastas, and meat and seafood mains. Isola Pizza Bar has won two Opentable awards and was named the La Jolla Light Reader’s Choice: Best Pizza in La Jolla. Isola is currently open for pick up, delivery, outdoor dining and limited capacity indoor seating.
7734 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
www.isolapizzabar.com
@isolapizza
Or try … Bernini’s Bistro
Dinner with a View | George’s at the Cove
Let’s talk about restaurants with a view and George’s at the Cove. With a coastline like ours, it’s almost a requirement that you enjoy at least one meal perched above the Pacific. There are a handful of restaurants that boast these beautiful views, but Georges at the Cove remains a staple for both locals and visitors. According to their websites their Ocean Terrace “is acclaimed as the region’s best rooftop dining…join us at a table overlooking the Pacific, or grab a seat at our elevated bar, for a perfectly relaxed Southern California lunch or dinner with a million dollar view.” Trust us, won’t go wrong sipping a “Spa Day” cocktail while watching the sun dip behind the Pacific.
1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
www.georgesatthecove.com
@georgesatthecove
Or try … Blue Ocean Sushi Bar + Harumama
*Photo via Facebook.com/georgesatthecove