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Best Authentic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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82 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Javier's - La Jolla restaurant
1. Javier's - La Jolla
4.6
Exceptional(3638)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 203 times today
JAVIER'S presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. Enjoy hand-shaken margaritas, rare tequilas, craft cocktails and a vast selection of beer and fine wines. Dine with us in the main dining room, al fresco patios, one of our semi private dining rooms, or at the exquisite bar surrounded by one of the West Coast's largest selection of the world's finest tequilas. We at JAVIER'S consider all our wonderful customers a part of our family and thank them for their support and sharing in the success and joy that is JAVIER'S. Come experience the freshness of our original Mexican cuisine in a warm, friendly environment at one of our five locations.Please be advised we don't allow strollers. If you bring your stroller we have a designated area to store your stroller while you dine.
A photo of RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla restaurant
2. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla
4.5
Awesome(2727)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 52 times today
Dining at RED O is an experience like no other that offers a unique combination of Prime Steak and Seafood with Rick Bayless’ signature Mexican inspired influences. With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, RED O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico. RED O’s team of friendly employees creates a welcoming atmosphere that parallels the luxury resort interior of the restaurant. RED O also features an impressive bar and lounge where you’ll find specialty cocktails, an extensive tequila list and an award winning wine list. The bar also offers Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and Late Night Happy Hour from 9-11pm Friday-Saturday.
A photo of Catania restaurant
3. Catania
4.8
Exceptional(2098)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 44 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.)
A photo of Marisi restaurant
4. Marisi
4.6
Exceptional(1130)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 97 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.
A photo of Duke's La Jolla restaurant
5. Duke's La Jolla
4.6
Exceptional(6632)
Price: Moderate
• Hawaii Regional Cuisine • La Jolla
Booked 228 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.
A photo of Puesto La Jolla restaurant
6. Puesto La Jolla
4.7
Exceptional(2154)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 86 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.
A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant
7. La Dolce Vita Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(1160)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 42 times today
La Dolce Vita is located in a European courtyard setting at International Shops off Prospect St. Loyal to its name La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), is a place to sit back and relax in our cozy and romantic indoor dining room or our charming outdoor patio to enjoy a hearty meal along with a bottle of wine while listening to Italian tunes. We serve genuine Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting at affordable prices.
A photo of Piatti - La Jolla restaurant
8. Piatti - La Jolla
4.7
Exceptional(5095)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 46 times today
Established in 1987, Piatti offers finely crafted fresh Italian cuisine. The soul of the menu is our housemade pasta that we roll, cut and cook by hand everyday. Offering a fresh take on the neighborhood Italian trattoria, Piatti combines a warm, inviting atmosphere, seamless service and an immersive market experience so you can enjoy Piatti at home. Whether dining in or taking home, Piatti brings friends and family together.
A photo of Ambrogio15 restaurant
9. Ambrogio15
4.8
Exceptional(851)
Price: Moderate
• Pizzeria • Pacific Beach
Booked 21 times today
Ambrogio15 is an authentic Pizzeria with a unique Milano gourmet pizza recipe. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of the Italian cuisine. The restaurant is described as 'exceptional', 'fabulous' and 'authentic'.
A photo of Piazza 1909 restaurant
10. Piazza 1909
4.7
Exceptional(832)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 31 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!
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • John
    San Diego •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything was amazing. Omar and Chris had super friendly vibes the whole entire staff were amazing had a warm and inviting feeling some of the most amazing food thanks to the chef omar 🙌🏼 me and my wife will be back thank you Red O for making it a memorable night.
    More info
    RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
    •
    4.5
  • Braedon
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Fantastic meal, great service, stellar views, and a wonderful Hawaiian atmosphere. This Duke’s location is just as good as our favorite one on Kauai.
    More info
    Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
    •
    4.6
  • KaanchiVIP
    New York City •12 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Lovely place, always a great choice. Yummy food, great location and drinks are amazing. It was our 3rd time here. Its always great service. We tried dessert too, its was nice and light.
    More info
    CataniaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
    •
    4.8
  • LorraineVIP
    San Diego •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Despite it being Valentine’s Day “a busy and chaotic day at other restaurants”, service and food was phenomenal! 10 out of 10! This place never fails to impress me. Was sat down in less than a minute and waiter Nick took our drink order within minutes. Absolutely the best service provided by Nick and May. All the details and attention were unnoticed. Compliments to the chef for the best prefixed menu I have ever seen! Bring the mussels to the menu please that broth was exquisite. Thank you for making the best Valentines dinner date I’ve ever had.
    More info
    MarisiPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
    •
    4.6
  • Tia
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    The ambience was great, the service was amazing, servers and bussers were all very attentive, nice and helpful. The food was amazing and tasted so fresh, and the drinks were strong and delicious. My fiance and I came for an early valentines dinner and we will be returning for sure.
    More info
    Javier's - La JollaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Jolla
    •
    4.6

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