Best Historic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

11 restaurants available nearby

1. Brockton Villa

4.5

Price: Moderate

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 17 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!

2. Le Coq

4.4

Awesome(272)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • La Jolla

Booked 19 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 Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel restaurant

3. Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel

4.5

Awesome(1686)

Price: Expensive

• American • La Jolla

Booked 13 times today

La Valencia Hotel's premier ocean view dining destination, the Mediterranean Room, is a nod to the property's transportive Mediterranean-inspired look and feel. Formerly The Med, the reimagined space celebrates an all new menu inspired by the California coast and seasonally-driven, locally-sourced ingredients. Dine in the reimagined ocean view dining room, the transformed patio under the palms or the ocean view terrace. Enjoy your favorites daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and enjoy brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Reservations highly encouraged. Ocean View Terrace seating IS NOT GUARANTEED and will be given to GUESTS PRESENT for their reservation based on what is AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. Bring your four-legged friend to enjoy our dog menu available on our dog-friendly patio.

4. The Whaling Bar

4.5

Awesome(64)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 6 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.

5. Paradisaea

4.7

Exceptional(556)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 14 times today

A celebration of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality. Housed in the historic Piano Building, in the heart of the vibrant community of Bird Rock, Paradisaea is a destination restaurant and bar, that San Diegans frequent for crave-able, accessible fare, executed at the highest level.

6. Tako

4.1

Excellent(45)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Old Town

Booked 16 times today

Nestled in the most historic neighborhood in California, Old Town San Diego, there is plenty to see and do. We strive to provide an unforgettable experience with top notch cocktails, the freshest fish & ingredients available, and unmatched atmosphere....21+ Speakeasy, If the light is on we're Open!

A photo of Officine Buona Forchetta restaurant

7. Officine Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(487)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 8 times today

Located in the heart of the historic Liberty Station neighborhood, Officine Buona Forchetta blends award winning Neapolitan-style pies and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable space.

8. El Agave

4.7

Exceptional(2461)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 7 times today

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting withinthe largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – alsorepeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is theperfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax andunwind sipping find tequila with friends.

A photo of Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina restaurant

9. Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina

3.8

Excellent(1142)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 2 times today

Located across from Heritage Park overlooking San Diego's Historic Old Town, the Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina is a panoramic spot to enjoy rooftop dining, great Margaritas and delicious authentic Mexican food, prepared from old world recipes. The Tequila Factory is open for Lunch and Dinner on Saturday & Sunday, Best of Sunday Champagne Brunch and Happy Hour on the Tequila Terrace overlooking Old Town and the City Lights below... We offer a variety of unique venues such as a Sports Bar, Cigar & Tequila Terrace and our Veranda del Sol.Bring Friends, Family and Your Appetite to the uniquely San Diego Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina. Always Free Parking.

A photo of Casa De Freds, Tacos y Tequila restaurant

10. Casa De Freds, Tacos y Tequila

4.4

Awesome(316)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

ABOUT FREDS OLD TOWN | Since 2001, Casa de Freds in Old Town has been bringing the fiesta to San Diego. Freds is the place for amigos - both new and old - to have a great time while enjoying quality food, fresh margaritas and a festive atmosphere. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious, Baja-infused selections that are made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. The vibrant decor and great music provide a unique dining experience right in the heart of historic Old Town. The restaurant offers plenty of versatility for groups of many sizes. The large outdoor patio is dog friendly, so bring in your furry friends and check out the doggy menu! The outdoor bar is a fantastic spot to enjoy the San Diego sun, whether you are here for the weekend or live down the street. Freds newly renovated Fiesta Cantina is the perfect place to watch your favorite sporting events. The Cantina also offers daily specials that will keep your tummies, glasses and pockets full. Thanks Amigo!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Amanda
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Had the Thanksgiving meal, amazing price for not only the quality but also the quantity we got. Service was excellent, ambiance made me feel like i was in europe. Overall 10/10!
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Le CoqPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• La Jolla
•
4.4
J
Judyvip
Orange County •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Top notch all around, just sp pricey. You get what you pay for, I guess.
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Mediterranean Room - La Valencia HotelPrice: Expensive• American• La Jolla
•
4.5
L
Lancevip
San Diego •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great view of La Jolla Cove and seals, good food, interesting menu, casual but fun atmosphere, excellent and friendly service. Great place to take out-of-town guests. Highly recommend.
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Brockton VillaPrice: Moderate• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.5
H
Hamiltonvip
San Diego •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Man, I noticed a few bad reviews for this place but we totally disagree. This is a cool, smaller restaurant attached to the Hotel Valencia. It has a nice u-shaped bar with what seemed to be mostly locals hanging out talking with the staff. Upscale vibe but not "stuffy" La Jolla vibe. The cocktails were amazing and fairly creative. We also thought the food was excellent, contrary to what a few other folks have said. The braised short rib Mao, crispy pumpkin squash, and twinkie ceaser were the standouts. Only minor downsides were that you can smell the seals a little bit and it was a bit chilly inside, as the door was kept open. Overall we really enjoyed our experience.
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The Whaling BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.5
D
David
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
5.0
Dined on Nov 21, 2024
It was everything we expected and more! The ambiance, the culinary adventure, the fabulous and knowledgeable wait staff, the pianist, and the interior decor were utterly fabulous! DEFINITELY will go back!
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ParadisaeaPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7

Best Historic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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11 restaurants available nearby

1. Brockton Villa

2. Le Coq

3. Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel

4. The Whaling Bar

5. Paradisaea

6. Tako

7. Officine Buona Forchetta

8. El Agave

9. Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina

10. Casa De Freds, Tacos y Tequila

See what locals rave about

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