Restaurants near Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

18 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Catania

4.8

Exceptional(2110)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 29 times today

Inspired by an Italy road-trip Chef Ryan and I (Arturo) took back in 2008, we’re pleased to introduce Catania, the newest member of the Whisknladle Hospitality family. Here, we’ll be featuring simple, seasonal and authentic Italian Coastal Cuisine (None of the Italian version of TexMex you see most other places). Our commitment to authenticity will be evident in our use of wood burning ovens and grills, an all Italian wine list as well as an exclusively craft Italian Beer program. (Yes, Italy has an amazing craft beer movement nobody’s heard about.)

2. Puesto La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(2162)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 73 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere. We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

3. NINE-TEN

4.8

Exceptional(2978)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 20 times today

Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters and blankets are available during the colder weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A photo of Manhattan of La Jolla restaurant

4. Manhattan of La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(1774)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 22 times today

Manhattan of La Jolla transports you to the best of New York via the cozy, upscale village of La Jolla. Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, it is an elegant, casual and classy place where you would expect to see Old Blue Eyes or Danny Ocean romancing a beautiful woman while she sips her Cosmo over dinner. With quality Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. Liberal olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper complement the Zagat Award winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure. Manhattan in La Jolla gets you the best of both worlds. Manhattan is an award winning La Jolla favorite, celebrating its 36th year.

5. Isola La Jolla

4.8

Exceptional(804)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 19 times today

My Nonna's name was Isola, a wonderful cook who gave me a passion for food and fresh, simple ingredients.I have vivid memories of my grandmother turning plain bread into amazing desserts, simple apples into incredible fritters sprinkled with a little sugar and honey, and even treating my sunburns with olive oil. Thirty years later, I still savor every meal and moment.Isola is proud to serve the finest local ingredients, dalla vite, from the vine. I hope you enjoy every bite, plucked from my family tree for your table. Buon appetito!

6. Piazza 1909

4.8

Exceptional(851)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 13 times today

Welcome to Piazza 1909 in the heart of La Jolla! Enjoy chef Stefano's exquisite Italian cuisine and daily specials in a beautiful Mediterranean setting. Great outdoor patios and private event spaces. Gluten free pasta, pizza and Vegan menu available. Best homemade Pasta in La Jolla. Organic, free range meat and fresh Seafood. Dog friendly. DINNER Tuesday-Sunday. HAPPY HOURS Tuesday-Friday 4:30-6:00pm. Team Building cooking Classes. Private Chef Dinners & Catering. WEEKEND BRUNCH will resumes next Summer, but we welcome private luncheons any day of the week. What else to say? If you are looking for a memorable Italian dining experience, you got to the perfect spot! Grazie e ci vediamo in Piazza!

A photo of ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar restaurant

7. ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

4.3

Awesome(685)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 3 times today

Experience ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT La Jolla, where California-Asian fusion meets Mexican flair. Savor signature dishes like Grilled Miso Salmon, Adobada Pork Belly Bao Bun, and Ahi Poke Tacos in a stylish and inviting setting. Pair your meal with Signature Margaritas, Asian-inspired cocktails, or a selection of fine wines and craft beers. Join us for brunch, catch a sporting event, or enjoy a night out with friends—right here in the heart of La Jolla.

8. Duke's La Jolla

4.5

Awesome(6674)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Hawaii Regional Cuisine • La Jolla

Booked 123 times today

We are open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery! Visit dukeslajolla.com to view our menus or place an online takeout order.You don’t need to cross the Pacific to get a taste of Hawaii. Duke’s La Jolla is San Diego’s island-inspired home, honoring the Ambassador of Aloha, Duke Kahanamoku, with coastal cuisine of Hawaii, craft cocktails and a genuine spirit of aloha. It’s the same authentic hospitality and panoramic ocean view that you’ll find at all of the California and Hawaii Duke’s restaurants, paying tribute to the Duke and welcoming you to celebrate life like the legend himself.

9. Le Coq

4.6

Exceptional(414)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • La Jolla

Booked 41 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.

10. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1163)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 104 times today

Discovering Italy by way of La Jolla, Marisi focuses on Italian hearth cooking with an emphasis on handmade pastas, fine wine and classic cocktails. The menu celebrates the rich diversity of cuisine from across Italy, fashioned in a time-honored tradition of handmade all day, every day. A dream that lives between the Italian and La Jolla coasts, suspended between tides instead of time — a mood more than a plot. A visit that feels a lot like coming home, if home was a warm, charming villa off the Amalfi coast. Marisi is a taste of something you want to remember. We hope you love it.

Dining near Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego at a glance

Updated on 3/13/2025

Himitsu

4.9

View restaurant

Discover local gems

Exceptional reviews

Search top-rated restaurants

Italian

Search Italian restaurants

Average check amount

$30 and under

Search in this price range

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MarleneVIP
San Diego •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Food was excellent! Staff was courteous. They even let us borrow their umbrella when walked to their restrooms, which were outside the restaurant.
More info
Piazza 1909Price: Moderate• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8
R
RosaVIP
Greater Boston •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Outstanding! We did the tasting menu for our anniversary. This is the second time we have done it. We loved the food and the service. Would definitively come back.
More info
NINE-TENPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.8
J
JerryVIP
San Diego •16 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Great drinks and food, really enjoyed the Octopus, and Crudo both were 10-10!!
More info
CataniaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8
D
donna
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Kelsey Jo and Hunter were fantastic and made the entire evening perfect
More info
Puesto La JollaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
Every plate was great and the service was outstanding.
More info
Isola La JollaPrice: Moderate• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8

Explore OpenTable

Landmark
Neighborhood
City/Region

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Coronado Beach
Carmel Mountain Ranch Community Park
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
San Diego Convention Center
Sun Valley Golf Course
San Diego International Airport
La Jolla Dive
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Mira Mesa Shopping Center
Carlsbad Village
Old Town Temecula
Grand Avenue
La Jolla Shores Hotel
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Broadway Plaza Shopping Center
Agua Caliente County Park
Ocean View Luxury 2 at San Diego
San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego Zoo Safari Park

La Jolla

San Diego