Bistro Pazzo

Beautiful patio view with the exception of the hotel as an obstruction, but a great spot. Came in…read morewith a friend who knows wine far better than I do and we had a great time. The selection of wines was nice. Initially service was disjointed, but the team provided an excellent experience overall. We got two olive oil samplers to try what they had. We ended up liking the jalapeño olive oil and got it for another friend. The sampler had some interesting combinations which worked like the jalapeño olive oil with peach balsamic vinegar. Definitely cool.

This was genuinely one of the most bizarre dining experiences we've ever had. We sat there for…read morenearly an hour simply trying to get a glass of wine. Our server repeatedly came over to our area and waited on every table around us, yet somehow our wine never came. At one point, I actually walked up to him to ask about our order, and he asked me what table we were sitting at, as if he's never seen me- even though he had already spoken to us. The entire interaction was incredibly strange. After another 15 minutes of waiting, with still no wine and no one checking on us, we finally said we were just going to leave. Only then did he tell us, "Sorry, the ticket never printed." But during all that time, he never once checked to see why our wine hadn't come out or followed up on the order. Meanwhile, the bartender was standing there with virtually no one to serve. We were honestly baffled by the entire experience. We weren't asking for anything complicated--we just wanted a glass of wine--and after nearly an hour we left without ever receiving it. The whole situation was so strange, uncomfortable, and poorly handled that we will absolutely not be returning.

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Gata

4.8(38 reviews)

0.0 mi•La Jolla

Super love this cute place! Wine list size is just right. Not too big but not too small. Kinda…read morepricey by the glass but what isn't these days. Our Greek white Assyrtiko was excellent. Mila our bartender/hostess was so hospitable and friendly. My wife and I had a lovely conversation with her on our La Jolla staycation. We live in north PB and will come back soon with friends!

I was specifically looking for a tapas bar because we weren't particularly hungry and just wanted a…read morefew small bites alongside a good glass of wine. On the wine front, Gata absolutely delivers. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, and it's the kind of place where one glass quickly turns into two because there are simply too many interesting options to pass up. Unfortunately, the food didn't come close to matching either the quality of the wine program or the price point. We ordered the deviled eggs, which turned out to be hard-boiled eggs sliced in half with a piece of ham placed on top. When you order deviled eggs, you generally expect, well... the eggs to actually be deviled. We mentioned our disappointment to the bartender, who was wonderful, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. The explanation was that this is simply their interpretation of deviled eggs. Fair enough, but it wasn't an interpretation that worked for us. Ironically, the standout dish of the evening was the pigs in blankets, which is not a sentence I ever expected to write about an upscale wine bar. They were delicious, but they also raised the question of why the rest of the menu wasn't reaching the same level. Looking back, we realized we were the only people actually eating while everyone else was there for the wine. In hindsight, that should have been the clue. I only wish someone had mentioned that before we made the trip over expecting a tapas experience. Gata has so much potential. The atmosphere is lovely, the wine selection is excellent, and the staff were fantastic. If the small plates eventually rise to the level of the wine program, this place could be truly special. Until then, I'd absolutely recommend it for drinks, but probably not for dinner.

Partial view of the bar area

Prosciutto di Parma, Gorgonzola, and Fig Jam Panini

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Inside view behind the bar, perfect soft lighting. Very romantic casual spot to stop!

Turtle Rock Ridge Wine Bar

4.7(6 reviews)

Cool spot with a great staff and wine. Went in for a flight of wines. We ended up meeting some cool…read morepeople while on the patio and they were super interesting. The place is clean and well decorated. The staff was cool and super knowledgeable.

If you have been at the winery trail of Highland Valley Road to Ramona you would have seen this…read morewinery among the plethora of hidden wineries in the area. Now Turtle Rock hast a tasting room in La Jolla and so quaint, calms and pretty with excellent selection. I tried the sangría (they have a chardonnay version too) and it was excellent, so delicious and refreshing. This tasting room is adjacent to the Encantó coffee shop and also have a nice little terrace with ocean views. What a wonderful spot to have a glass of wine and savor life. You will find Harry, great connaisseur and conversationalist who is also the manager in this location.

Coast Walk

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First Friday Art Walk

La Sala Bar

3.9(33 reviews)

My girlfriends and I stopped by here on a Sunday before MCASD, and we really enjoyed ourselves. It…read morewas a hot day, and the lounge itself is open air no ac, but it was manageable. We sat In front of this beautiful window overlooking the shores. We were greeted immediately and offered ice cold water. We ordered a bottle of sparkling rosé. We did ask for a tasting of two different selections to choose and were given small pours to try before we chose. The server kept checking on us and refilling our glasses as needed. I look forward to returning.

Stopped here while looking at the sea lions and it was just okay. Drinks were way over priced! The…read moreview is pretty but you can only see it a little bit in the front. The service was slow and not that friendly. My friend didn't love her drink either. The only pros are the view, they had live music which was nice and the atmosphere is cool. Other then that not worth the price.

Cocktail room

Awesome Shrimp

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Pink Lady & Glass of Merlot

Birdseye Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

4.0(556 reviews)

Travis was excellent!! We were thankful they could get our large party seated. The succulent wall…read moreis incredible

Really enjoyed this place! The environment is probably my favorite part -- having some drinks, good…read morefood and watching the sunset in La Jolla is hard to beat. Food was really good and the churros were DELICIOUS. Definitely don't skip those. Also huge shoutout to Gian, our waiter. Super nice guy, attentive without being too much, and just made the whole experience better. Great vibes, great sunset, good drinks and even better service. We'll definitely be back!

Mezcal flight

American Breakfast

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Mimosas for Brunch

Marisi

4.2(1k reviews)

Locally sourced ingredients

•$$$

Family-owned & operated

Wow! this restaurant always surprises me by being better each time I've eaten here.How can a…read morerestaurant top a ""10" continuously??! The food, service and ambiance are all top notch. Best brunch I can remember having. Thank you to our server Michael and managers Karley and Stephanie. We keep coming back because of you! Mike McGinley

I went for my birthday and I'm glad I did! Dakota is a beautiful soul and I'd come back just to…read morehang out with him but also, loooved my food. Focaccia, artichoke app (which he brought out just because), short rib pappardelle, and tiramisu soft serve (also complimentary). I got the porn star martini which was delicious and fun with all the different parts. The service overall was great, even the table wipe in between courses. I'd 100% go back!!

2.3 mi•Bird Rock, La Jolla

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LJ Crafted Wines - Wines & Tastings

4.7(113 reviews)

Such an amazing spot! The wine was incredible, the food was delicious, and the staff was absolutely…read morewonderful. Everyone was so friendly and dog friendly making the whole experience even better. As a dog mom I love a place that accepts my dog but it is even better when they actively make it a point to be so nice to the dog who is my fur child. I also LOVE how cute and welcoming this place is. It has the perfect relaxed, chill beach vibes that make you want to sit back, enjoy a glass of wine, and stay awhile. One of my favorite things is that they support zero-waste and have such a strong ocean-friendly focus. Especially here in San Diego, where protecting our ocean and marine life is so important, I really appreciate seeing a small business make sustainability part of what they do. It makes an already amazing place even better!

Absolutely cute little wine bar in La Jolla. Especially after a long work week, a nice glass of…read morewine to end the day. Great staff and excellent service and very dog-friendly.

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Beautiful bar and 5 min walk to the beach

Catania

A high-quality restaurant with a relaxed vibe, serving very good coastal Italian with homemade…read morepastas. Great spot for a nice dinner in La Jolla, with gorgeous sunset views to boot. The ravioli was the standout of the night, thin pasta with just enough filling for a delightful bite. The bucatini all'amatriciana wasn't quite what I'm accustomed to, the guanciale was ground rather than diced, and the sauce leaned more toward a meat sauce with an oily finish, not really my style, though the pasta itself was cooked well al dente. The steak, on the other hand, was excellent. Cocktails were great, and the staff were attentive throughout. For dessert, the trio was a nice way to sample a few things, though I wish they offered smaller sampler portions instead of full-size pieces. The Basque cheesecake was excellent and the semifreddo was perfect with a nice crust. The chocolate torte was good but couldn't compete with the other two. Overall a strong dinner spot in La Jolla, especially for pasta lovers and sunset views.

We stopped by Catania on Sunday evening because my family and I wanted to have dinner there…read more Unfortunately, the experience started off on the wrong foot the moment we walked in. The hostess was a short young woman with straight dark hair. She gave us a cold, unfriendly, almost hostile look and quietly mumbled, "Please wait." There was no smile, no warmth, no "Hi" or "Welcome" -- just a very dismissive attitude. We waited for a bit and then watched her chatting casually and comfortably with other guests. It was hard not to notice the difference in how we were treated, and honestly, it just felt uncomfortable and unnecessary. This is La Jolla, and for a restaurant at this level, we expected a basic level of hospitality and professionalism. Instead, the whole vibe was off from the moment we walked in. So we decided not to stay and simply left. First impressions matter, and unfortunately ours was a very bad one. Hopefully management takes a look at the front-of-house experience, because people absolutely notice these things. Wishing Catania the best.

For more restaurant recommendations follow my Instagram page @cozinhacombossa

Prawn was tring to eat my noodles

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For more restaurant recommendations follow my Instagram page @cozinhacombossa

Isola Pizza Bar

4.2(541 reviews)

0.3 mi•La Jolla

I love pasta noodles that have a firm or chewy texture. Isola in La Jolla did not disappoint! The…read moresquid ink spaghetti in the nero di seppia was just perfect. The dish was generously filled shrimp in a creamy red sauce. Just a lovely entree that I would order over and over again. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive. Simply a warm environment.

I wanted to like my pizza here sooooo much more than I did (sad face). The texture of the pizza was…read moregood and in line with a Neapolitan but the char on the pizza was something I simply could not get over. It was not the classic char taste I'm used to on Neapolitans, was more like if burnt parts were like triple burnt (or some other flavor/ingredient burned on the pizza. Ruined the pizza for me unfortunately. Maybe the stone oven needed a good cleaning? Idk. The sauce was also not my favorite. Just not much depth of flavor. Aside from the pizza though, the staff was all super friendly and my wine was good.

2.8 mi•Bird Rock, Pacific Beach

Interior

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Outdoor seating, entrance and street parking available

The Oasis Under the Sun

4.9(46 reviews)

I threw my baby shower at the Oasis this past weekend and everything was amazing!…read more The venue is already so cute so you don't need many decorations, but we also had the space free to decorate as we liked to. The area is super clean and nicely shaded too. The drinks and food were delicious, and the staff were very welcoming and nice. I highly recommend using the Oasis if you need for baby showers or parties:)

Very cute yet looks like already dated place (maybe is the sun but those plastic flowers on the…read morewall didn't age too well). I have been several times and my favorite was Christmas season with all the trees for sale and more ambiance. Today I think at 5:30 I was the only customer. The coffee truck is super cute but the whole space looked pretty desolated and the 2 stores kind of boring, so basically grabbed my drink and left. Maybe this space is more popular as rental for events but not as coffee shop where you can potentially meet people. Great coffee and love the cup design .

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Raspberry matcha

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26 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Mr S.

587

11 years ago

We started with a appetizer and we ordered the caviar which was fresh and crunchy and also the bread was warm and delicious. It was truly AMAZING. Fantastic Italian food and service! Me and my two guest really love the food, and the atmosphere was great. We will definitely be back soon. It is a hour from my home and well worth the trip. Great food and service. I will put it on my list for places when I am in the neighborhood. This place is adorable and very cozy and dark it gives you a romantic feeling. It's always great when your expectations are met. Me and my guests had a great time at this restaurant with the owner. What a great guy. We ordered the spaghetti and the salmon and the ravioli all were excellent. I can't wait to try all new things when I go back there. Please try this restaurant you will not be disappointed. Thank you for the GREAT experience. read more

Warren D.

138

162

1 year ago

My wife and I are just wrapping up dinner and OMG Saito is an amazing host. If you come to La Jolla for any reason you must must must go see Saito and his amazing Bistro Pazzo We started with an amazing muscles and clams. He brought out some amazing Ciabatta bread with a pesto dipping sauce. The best Oh, the bread in the muscle and clams broth was heavenly My beautiful bride head, Ron's meatballs with spaghetti and I had a sausage and peppers that was to die for A tiramisu that seem to be made in someone's kitchen in a crème brûlée that was as good as any you'll find anywhere I'm watching now Seto talk to the neighbor two locals as their best friends Very unique experience go to Bistro Pazzo you won't be disappointed read more

Darren B.

3 years ago

Our visit was truly fantastic! Upon entering the patio, our server warmly welcomed us, treating us like long-lost Italian relatives. His genuine desire to share the best and most authentic meal experience was evident. The establishment's commitment to customer recognition was notable, addressing repeat patrons by name. Our order included the visually stunning mussels, the evening's special of tortellini, and a delightful pasta dish--all of which surpassed expectations. A pro tip: Save some pieces of bread for the end to savor the lingering flavors of the dishes! read more

George N.

15 years ago

Best Birthday diner ever! Seto is the perfect host. The food is always fresh and the recipes are as good as it gets for real Italian Bistro. The sea food was wonderful. The fresh home made Pizza and mozzarella cheese were incredible. The soups and salads were amazing. You guys do it right! every time I come here the service and food are consistently the best in La Jolla! we love you Seto! keep on doing what you do best! See you soon! Georgi read more

Linda S.

14 years ago

I was there for the first time last night- EXCELLENT service the waiter very funny which made my night particular better because I was on a first date-who was a little boring, so having a funny waiter helped in that respect- LOL I would try it again to see if a different dish may be better, UNFORTUNATELY I agree with Carries review - since I ordered the shrimp dish she had. The bread was DELICIOUS and so was the Creme Brulee.... read more

Hana J.

15 years ago

I love this little Bistro! I always come in and get the minestrone soup with grilled chicken on the side and their authentic parsley pesto dip "green sauce". Their minestrone is always fresh, and completely vegetarian no chicken broth or anything. The place is cute, cozy and the staff is very welcoming and truly appreciate the business you bring. read more

Nicole M.

260

137

2 years ago

Visiting San Diego and was glad to find this restaurant again! (After Covid, so many good family-run restaurants shuttered.) It was as good as I remembered. Scampi, salmon, risotto, and a lemoncello cheesecake. And of course, a wonderful wine selection you usually don't find in a small restaurant. Best Italian in La Jolla. read more

David S.

370

7 years ago

I don't post yelp reviews often, but this food was so good it made my friends and I better people. We were all sharing our foods, telling each other to try something from on another's dishes. No surprise that everyone loved everything. Great staff, very friendly. Amazing food, couldn't get any better. read more

Alessandra R.

11 years ago

We were in San Diego and we knew this restaurant, and only can say. They have the best pasta that I tasted. I ordered the scampi pasta and let me tell you. It was delicious, and the lasagna wow the best taste... In San Diego you need to come at this restaurant. read more

LISA M.

17 years ago

I am only giving a star because Yelp makes you. This is the worst place in La Jolla. The service was horrible and I found what looked like an insect in the olive oil of my caprese. They didn't even comp my meal! read more

Brandon H.

17 years ago

This is a great new addition to the Village. The food has great flavor, especially the Lobster Bisque. The owner is really nice and the staff is very friendly. I also recommend the lasagna. read more

Kristi M.

4 years ago

This bistro offers italian dishes, so if you're craving for pasta, risotto, eggplant patmigiana, this is the place to dine! The food was outstanding! Will definitely come back. read more

Gisselle R.

11 years ago

The best italian food that I tasted. I loved it the lasagna, was really yummy in San Diego is one of the best places that I recommend.

Chris E.

9 years ago

Amazing food.. highly recommend any and all they offer. Great customer service!!!! Will definitely be back again!

Robert R.

11 years ago

We had a great dinner and enjoyed the environment. This is a restaurant that you do not want to miss!

Tiffany B.

7 years ago

One of the best places to eat. The food was hot a fresh. Our server was great. Portions were huge.

David S.

1133

112

4 years ago

The best Italian in town!!! I love this place!!! Great location as well!!! Highly Recommended!!! read more

Cesar M.

11 years ago

The food was good. Prices are a bit high for the amount of food but the service was excellent.

Emily E.

11 years ago

The food is delicious. All four of us ordered different dishes and all were wonderful!

David F.

855

15 years ago

2 words 5 Stars...... Love this place as good this time as last time.

Bistro Pazzo - italian - Updated September 2026

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Cafe Milano is one of those classic La Jolla Italian restaurants that keeps things simple and does…read morethem well. The spaghetti and meatballs featured perfectly cooked pasta, a bright house-made tomato sauce, and flavorful, tender meatballs. The creamy pasta was equally satisfying and rich without being overly heavy. Friendly service, a relaxed patio atmosphere, and authentic Italian comfort food made for an enjoyable dining experience. If you're looking for traditional Italian fare in La Jolla, Cafe Milano is a solid choice.

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I'd heard about Bernini's so many times over the years, and I'm so glad I finally went. The service…read morewas amazing from start to finish. I'm trying to get better about catching names, but the whole team made us feel taken care of. I tend to grade my Italian spots by their focaccia, and theirs was perfectly soft. We also ordered the lasagna and the spaghetti & meatballs to keep it classic, and it didn't disappoint. There are so many Italian restaurants in San Diego, but I see why Bernini's has been able to thrive here for over 20 years. I'll be back and will highly recommend!

This was our first visit and it certainly was memorable. We were seated in a quiet little table…read morethat was private and perfect for us. Our waiter came over and welcomed us and set down a bottle of cold water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The evening was underway without a hitch. We asked a few questions and then we reviewed the menu. When Robert came back with the glass of wine, we were ready to order and the process was easy. We shared the fried calamari which had two shrimp and several different kinds of vegetables. It was served with two kinds of sauces. It was very good. My husband ordered the Salmon a la Griglia and he really enjoyed it with the risotto. I had the Seafood Cioppino. It had a great deal of seafood including really big mussels, shrimp and salmon. The broth was great too. The service was great and the meal was terrific. It has a nice variety on the menu. It seems to be a popular neighborhood place. we will be back to try some of the other treasures.

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While driving by, we've noticed this Italian restaurant many times and put it on our to "go-to"…read morelist. We went on a Tuesday night and it was completely empty. They have both indoor and patio seating. The server was attentive and the food was excellent and reminiscent of the bistros in Italy. The menu is vast and I look forward to returning.

Great service from their servers from the moment we walked in the door, and our meals were…read moredelicious. I ordered the linguine with clams and my Mom ordered the salmon. She has some health/digestive concerns which they handled very well and were nicely accommodating. Will return, and highly recommend for a family Italian dinner

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This place is amazing!! I'm gluten free and their very accommodating with that :)…read more Their melon prosciutto salad is NEXT LEVEL Went here for my birthday and been back 3 times since then!!

Came here on Sunday evening for a dinner and we made a reservation a few days before. Place was…read morepretty full. Service was friendly and attentive. Ambience is low key, cozy place with mostly outdoor dining. Indoor seating didn't look amazing. Food was exceptional, we had a salad to start which was very fresh and tasty and I had cioppino and my husband had seafood pasta, pasta was squid ink. I think both of those dishes were pretty similar. Pasta was amazing. They had a mocktail that was very mediocre. We ordered the like one. Food and service were great. The bathrooms unfortunately were not very clean. But overall a great experience.

Ambrogio15

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FOOD Nuvola Porcini e Guanciale is freshly made and exactly…read moreas described: Cloud-like Focaccia, Porcini Cream, Crispy Guanciale, Demi-glace SERVICE Staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful with my to go order. AMBIANCE There are plenty of tables for indoor (feels more formal) and outdoor dining (more relaxed).

Fair is fair. I ate here many years ago and was not…read moreimpressed. Some local friends really wanted to go so we agreed to be flexible. So glad we did! Everything was great. Spirited service. Outstanding crudo app and fresh, tasty Caprese. Then a great pizza. Nice glass of Italian red wine. We're convinced. This place has earned its great rating on Yelp. BTW They now have a walk up counter at terminal 1 at the SD Airport. We had a freshly made margarita pizza prior to our flight. Outstanding ! We plan on coming back to Ambrogio15 in the near future.

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We came here twice during a long weekend staying in nearby Mission Beach!…read more First time, we came on a Wednesday and they didn't have enough staff, so service was pretty slow. But the food was excellent so we came back on a Friday. They had an extra server so service was normal paced. Busy place, so I would make reservations ahead (seemed to be available same day though) Highly recommend the risotto if you're here with a group. We had the seafood one and it was phenomenal. My toddler also loved the spaghetti alle vongole and the mushroom pasta. I don't recommend the wild boar pasta and the pizza was just okay.

Manhattan of La Jolla

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Been wanting to try this restaurant for a while. Definitely did not disappoint. Love both the…read morepastas we got. The flavor on the baked ziti had depth. Not pictured is the bread service and shrimp cocktail, both were good. Had live music playing which was nice. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Parking is street parking or valet or lots around the area. Will be coming back for sure!

Amazing vibes, there was a live piano player who was so good! It was loud with conversations and…read moremusic in the best way possible The carpaccio was really good and the steak was perfectly cooked and also really good! Normally I wouldn't take a star off for a side dish but this place is an "Italian steakhouse" so I expected the pasta to be up to par but unfortunately the Alfredo sauce wasn't good, I barely ate it. I should have just gotten a side of potatoes. For an Italian restaurant, it was really disappointing. The Alfredo tasted kind of like store bought sauce. The staff was amazing and this would be a 5/5 if it weren't for the pasta! I'll have to go back and try one of the pasta dishes instead of a side and see if that was the issue (shouldn't matter, for the price, everything should be a priority) Overall I would totally go again and only go on a Friday or Saturday because the live music is a really great touch!

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