The Best La Jolla Fine Dining Restaurants in 2025
La Jolla, California, isn’t just a breathtaking coastal retreat—it’s a world-class fine dining destination where oceanfront elegance meets chef-driven excellence. Whether you’re seeking an intimate candlelit dinner with stunning Pacific views or a lavish multi-course experience crafted by award-winning chefs, La Jolla’s upscale restaurant scene offers something truly extraordinary. From freshly caught seafood to innovative farm-to-table creations, every bite tells a story of sophistication and flavor. In this guide, we’ll explore the best fine dining in La Jolla and the most fancy restaurants in La Jolla, ensuring your next culinary adventure is nothing short of spectacular. If you’re looking for other dining options like sushi, burgers, Italian, and more, click here to read our La Jolla food guide.
Best Fine Dining in La Jolla
The Marine Room – A Dining Experience Like No Other
Nestled right along the shores of La Jolla, The Marine Room offers an extraordinary fine dining experience where nature and gastronomy collide. With its iconic floor-to-ceiling windows, diners are treated to mesmerizing ocean views as waves crash dramatically against the restaurant during High Tide Dinners—a seasonal spectacle that transforms a meal into an unforgettable event. The menu is a masterful blend of globally inspired dishes, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, luxurious flavors, and artistic presentation. Whether savoring butter-poached lobster, herb-crusted sea bass, or a perfectly aged cut of beef, every dish at The Marine Room is a work of culinary craftsmanship.
- Address: 2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 459-7222
- Hours: Wed – Sun 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Paradisaea – A Culinary Oasis in Bird Rock
Tucked away in the charming coastal enclave of Bird Rock, just south of La Jolla, Paradisaea offers a fine dining experience that blends elevated cuisine, striking design, and a laid-back yet refined atmosphere. Housed in the historic Piano Building, the restaurant embraces a mid-century tropical aesthetic, featuring custom furnishings, lush greenery, and bold artwork that create an inviting yet upscale ambiance.
- Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 255-8011
- Hours: Wed – Thurs 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri – Sat 4 p.m. – 10 p.m | Sunday 4 -8
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
NINE-TEN – Where Innovation Meets Elegance
Located in the historic Grande Colonial Hotel, NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar is a cornerstone of La Jolla’s fine dining scene, offering a sophisticated yet approachable culinary experience. Chef Jason Knibb curates a menu that evolves daily, highlighting the freshest locally sourced ingredients and a farm-to-table ethos. Guests can expect an ever-changing selection of dishes inspired by global flavors, from delicate seafood creations to bold, innovative entrées. With an extensive wine list and an intimate setting, NINE-TEN is perfect for those seeking a refined meal in an inviting atmosphere.
- Address: 910 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 964-5400
- Hours: Wed – Sun 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Eddie V’s – Oceanfront Dining with a Touch of Luxury
Perched above Prospect Street with breathtaking ocean views of the Pacific, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood blends an upscale ambiance with a menu centered around premium seafood and hand-cut steaks. Known for its impeccable service and stylish setting, this fine dining hotspot features an impressive raw bar, indulgent seafood towers, and expertly prepared prime steaks. The restaurant’s V Lounge is a destination in itself, offering handcrafted cocktails and live jazz performances, creating an effortlessly elegant atmosphere for an unforgettable night out.
- Address: 1270 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 459-5500
- Hours: Mon – Thur 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sat – Sun 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Duke’s La Jolla – Island-Inspired Fine Dining with a View
Bringing the spirit of Hawaiian hospitality to La Jolla, Duke’s is a refined yet laid-back destination overlooking the scenic La Jolla Cove. Named after legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant seamlessly blends fresh coastal cuisine with island-inspired flavors. Guests can indulge in dishes like macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi, Hawaiian-style short ribs, and the signature hula pie—a decadent dessert that’s a must-try. With its oceanfront setting, warm hospitality, and expertly crafted menu, Duke’s offers a fine dining experience infused with the Aloha spirit, making it a standout in La Jolla’s culinary landscape.
- Address: 1216 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: (858) 454-5888
- Hours: Mon – Fri 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat – Sun 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, fine dining in La Jolla is the “it” thing to do whether you’re a local or a tourist. Gifted with the most extraordinary coastal views and ingredients from the Pacific, combined with conscientious chefs and restaurateurs – there’s no denying that La Jolla has the best hits in sophisticated dining in its playbook. And while this close-knit beach village might seem laid back, La Jolla fine dining is as upper-crust, complex, thoughtful, and artful as any you might find in Milan or NYC.
FAQs About La Jolla Fine Dining
Now that we’ve shared some of our top picks for fine dining in La Jolla, we realize you might still have a few burning questions. As always, we’ve got you covered. Here are some FAQs to round up your fine dining experience in La Jolla.
The spectacular climate, smashing beaches, and stunning views are one reason that makes La Jolla a dynamic spot for fine dining. But the real lynchpin is the ocean, farm-to-table fresh ingredients, and masterful culinary professionals who create exceptional dishes.
Absolutely! This area of San Diego, CA is known for its health-conscious communities. Therefore, our La Jolla fine dining restaurants offer plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Moreover, as this area boasts some of the most incredible produce on the West Coast, you can enjoy a wealth of plant-based dishes.
All of the fine dining restaurants in La Jolla, CA we’ve listed here have online reservation services, so you can quickly make a reservation from your phone, tablet or computer. Just about all upscale restaurants in the area will also take a phone reservation.
You’ll have to check with the restaurant to confirm that because every fine dining establishment in LJ is different. That said, most upscale restaurants in La Jolla expect their diners to dress for the occasion and the restaurant. So, you can dine in fine dress wear with a casual look – but absolutely no cut-offs or flip-flops.
That depends on what you get, but a fair average is anywhere between $25 – $45 per dish. Of course, if you get a prime rib with extra sides and a few cocktails, you can obviously expect that price to increase.
Yes! All of the La Jolla fine dining restaurants we’ve mentioned here offer gluten-free options. We encourage you to check out online menus at other locations to confirm they offer gluten-free meal choices.
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