Best Family Style Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

Price

€€
€€€
€€€€

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchChinesePizzeria

Regions

North San DiegoSan Diego

Areas

Del MarHillcrestKearny MesaKensingtonLa JollaMira Mesa

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

19 restaurants available nearby

1. Lucrezia

4.5

Awesome(634)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 85 times today

A contemporary twist on Italian cuisine, Lucrezia is a culinary delight. Located in the heart of La Jolla in San Diego, we offer unique culinary experiences that transport our guests to a sunny terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Join us for the next voyage.The ingredients and combinations found in our kitchen evoke the very mystique of Italian summers. We are curators of fine ingredients – the way they translate beautifully into our dishes is what makes us unique. Our dishes were carefully crafted to transport our guests to the most beautiful regions of the land. Travel the Italian countryside through our menu, and select your dish for the evening.La Nostra Famiglia: Passionate about food and good service, Grupo Hunan was born in 1993 in Mexico City to create unique experiences that become part of the best moments of your life. As an expert in over five different gastronomies, Grupo Hunan is set to satisfy all senses.Looking forward to welcoming you soon ! :)

2. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1164)

€€€€Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 83 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 Pacific Catch - La Jolla restaurant

3. Pacific Catch - La Jolla

4.5

Awesome(673)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Seafood • La Jolla

Booked 30 times today

Pacific Catch, the Bay Area’s premier fishhouse restaurant group, is opening its first location in San Diego County in October at Westfield UTC. The menu features sustainable seafood served in a wide variety of styles from appetizers and sharing plates to healthy bowls, sushi, tacos and burgers, complemented by a full bar and craft cocktails. The new restaurant will offer two destination patios, an open air cocktail bar, intimate booths and communal dining tables for larger parties. With ample street level parking adjacent to the restaurant, it’s a convenient option for all-day dining

4. The Whaling Bar

4.7

Exceptional(97)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 26 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. Flama Llama

4.3

Awesome(63)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Kearny Mesa

Booked 4 times today

Welcome to Flama Llama, where we strive to celebrate classic Latin dishes while bringing a uniquely Asian twist to them. Using the freshest ingredients and original recipes, every single one of our recipes are a labor of love (and the result of lots and lots of taste-testing). The team behind Flama Llama is proud to now call San Diego home, originally hailing from South America with roots Asia as well. We can't wait for you to join us in this celebration of Latin and Asian cuisines, and we hope you'll enjoy eating them just as much as we've enjoyed creating them. (You may also know us from sister restaurants Steamy Piggy and formoosa)

6. Cesarina

4.8

Exceptional(5721)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Italian • Ocean Beach

Booked 179 times today

Cesarina is a grandmother, a mother, a daughter—our personification of a nurturer who feeds and cares for her community. From meticulous attention to detail and fresh ingredients to the warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is a celebration of the power of food and family.

7. Paradisaea

4.7

Exceptional(610)

€€€€Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 40 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.

8. Cannonball

4.5

Awesome(1180)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Mission Bay

Booked 28 times today

Refreshing craft cocktails, seriously tasty sushi, and California cuisine are just the start of what you’ll savor at Cannonball. Whether you choose to get cozy within our intimate cocktail lounge or out on the rooftop terrace, you’ll be treated to truly spectacular Mission Beach views every bite and sip. Dive into culinary creativity at Cannonball—there’s nothing quite like it!For larger parties, please contact us directly at info@cannonballsd.com

9. Wormwood

4.6

Exceptional(846)

€€€€Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 32 times today

Wormwood invites you to step into a bygone era, where poets, artists, and dreamers found inspiration in the Green Fairy. By night, we offer an elegant French dining experience, where each dish is crafted with passion, paired with curated wines and signature cocktails, and brought to life by our exceptional service. Whether in our cozy dining room, enchanting patio, or the hidden charm of our Secret Garden speakeasy, every evening is an unparalleled journey of flavor and hospitality.Now, we invite you to experience Wormwood’s weekend brunch, every Saturday and Sunday. Indulge in a refined menu, sip on handcrafted cocktails and artisanal coffees, and let the soulful sounds of live jazz transport you to Belle Époque Paris. A celebration of indulgence, romance, and hospitality, brunch at Wormwood is a morning affair you won’t want to miss.

A photo of Rustic Root - Solana Beach restaurant

10. Rustic Root - Solana Beach

4.4

Awesome(59)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• American • Del Mar

Booked 68 times today

Modern rooftop destination featuring local, seasonal cuisine & craft cocktails in stylish surrounds.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MerrilyVIP
San Diego •227 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
We made a reservation for 5:00 pm, once seated we asked about the Happy Hour, was told Happy Hour was only in the bar area. However, the Server allowed us to order food off the Happy Hour menu which was nice , we ordered from both menus. I don't understand why we dined during Happy Hour and had to pay $5.00 more for drinks due to sitting 100 feet away from the bar? Overall food, tacos, and drinks were excellent. Next time will sit in the bar.
More info
Pacific Catch - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Seafood• La Jolla
•
4.5
M
MichelleVIP
Orange County •2 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Overall, it’s a fun place to go with authentic Italian food. A bit pricey. The noise level is high, so it’s hard to have a conversation.
More info
LucreziaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.5
M
mikeVIP
East Tennessee •10 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Good quality, good service, good presentation but small amount of food for the high price
More info
MarisiPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on 7 Mar 2025
The food was delicious, the service was excellent. We had a wonderful evening.
More info
The Whaling BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
M
Matthew
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on 25 Jan 2025
Food was enjoyable. Service a little slow while we were outside on the patio. Overall great experience. Will be back.
More info
Flama LlamaPrice: Moderate• Latin American• Kearny Mesa
•
4.3

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