Best Historic Restaurants in Del Mar

Our Thanksgiving dinner experience at Chart House in Cardiff was sensational! From the exceptional service (shout out to our server, Raye) to the outstanding food and ambiance, we were truly impressed. There was a price fixe menu for the holiday (at a reasonable price compared to most places in town), and the turkey entree was excellent. The turkey was moist and plentiful, the stuffing tasted just like mom's, there was a choice of potato, a vegetable, and cranberry sauce. Everything on the plate tasted so good, just like your traditional Thanksgiving, and my husband thought the serving size was very generous. The price fixe menu also included your choice of starter and dessert. The lobster bisque and kale salad were both wonderful. There were also about 9 other entrees to choose from. I had the filet and shrimp combo and it was absolutely delicious; prepared to perfection. The restaurant was packed. Be sure to get your reservation early next year. I highly recommend it!

Top notch all around, just sp pricey. You get what you pay for, I guess.

My sister and I decided to spend our Thanksgiving lunch at Le Coq in La Jolla, and it was an absolutely incredible experience. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and a sophisticated yet cozy ambiance that set the tone for our holiday meal. Our waiter, Chris, went above and beyond to make our visit exceptional. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made fantastic recommendations that elevated our dining experience. His professionalism and genuine friendliness added a personal touch that made our Thanksgiving lunch feel truly special. The food was exquisite, with every dish showcasing the perfect balance of flavor, creativity, and presentation. Each bite felt like a celebration, and it was clear that great care and passion went into crafting the menu. Le Coq is a gem in La Jolla, and it made our holiday memorable in the best way possible. I can’t recommend it highly enough and will definitely be returning for another unforgettable meal. Thank you to Chris and the entire team for making our Thanksgiving extraordinary! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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.

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.