The food here was delicious hands down. You can tell every dish they make is fresh with fresh ingredients. I got the salad and it was soooo good. Everything you get here is top tier. It's on the pricier side but I think it's worth it. The views are beautiful, the service is quick. It's a perfect spot for a date night or a date lunch read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

See all

I've been to Jake's numerous times and always enjoyed it, today not so much. Fish taco's I'll not make that mistake again, they weren't bad but I eat fish tocos on the Embarcadero down in Encinitas, MX in 1972, so you can't fool me, they tried to put lipstick on a pig, Hard Pass. Calamari was interesting. Nicely prepared. Service was OK we were on the patio, cool breeze, fixed it with a space heater read more

The location, atmosphere and view is what brings you here. Staff is very nice. Food is decent- not great. The parking is limited to valet.

Excellent service by Velma! She was so friendly, gave us recommendations, refills without us having to ask, split our plates without having to ask. I don't ever leave reviews based on service, that's how good this was! Thanks you :) read more

We ordered the Grouper and Wagu specials that were absolutely the most delicious meals we've had ever! Our server Chuck was intuatively attentive, 100% service focused. And then we witnessed Adam cleaning the table that had a party of 8. 3 kiddos under 4, who may or not passed out the window to play in the sand. Adam meticulously cleaned the entire area like they were never there. We need more Chuck's and Adam's in the world of hospitality and the world. The vibe is the chillest. The view is stunning. We can't wait to come back!!!!! read more

I wish there was a way to rate a 4.5. I can't give Jake's a 5 because there are a few clunkers, but it is closer to 5 than a 4. It is a beautiful restaurant with a lovely view. The service is close to great. The food is for the most part excellent. A few items were not special. We ordered the crispy calamari 5/5, jumbo lump crab cake 5/5, heirloom tomato salad 2/5, watermelon & cucumber salad 3/5, lemon garlic roasted fish 5/5, grilled shrimp 4/5, pan roasted chicken 3.5/5, surfing steak 4/5 (horseradish potatoes too harsh), hula pie 4/5, and chocolate peanut butter torte 5/5 (might have been my best dessert ever). The cocktails are nice. Excellent choices for beers and wines. read more

See all

Service was great, view is fabulous, but the brunch menu is extremely limited specially for anyone who doesn't eat seafood but gets stuck with people who picked this place for brunch :). I enjoyed mixed seafood pot a lot. read more

had some friends visiting and decided to get a late lunch here. Very relaxed vibe. The food and service were great! i love anywhere that is on or close to the beach, so long as im looking at it i'm happy! The restaurant itself is lovely. i had a salad and friends had seafood and steak. all was great, will for sure come back and def recommend! read more

We had a great New Year's Eve day celebration dinner at Jake's!! We had early reservations in a terrestrial downpour but got in and hostess seated within 5 minutes We were seated in an outside covered patio with lots of heaters very comfortable. Our server McKenzie was fantastic!! Brought our mocktails and order in first thing suggests the special Sea Bass which was delicious as well as the Filet w/Shrimp seasoned to perfection!! Desserts and lattes were a special treat. Definitely suggest to try the gem read more

Beautiful view of the ocean! Great place to grab some cocktails at the large bar. Full covered patio option or inside where they have a lot of booths and tables. The menu wasn't as big as I had hoped, not many vegetarian options, but I had the eggs and hard tortillas with pico. The strawberry salad looked really good. Parking is very limited, valet only for $8. There is metered parking available or the lot across the street starting at $30. Service was great, very quick. read more

See all

We had a good time here and enjoyed the afternoon view of the ocean. I'm only knocking a couple stars because of our entrees. Our server was super cool and attentive, the prices were good, and the drinks were ok. They seemed a little weak, but tasted good. The ahi tostadas were perfect, the daily special halibut was oddly mushy, but had a good flavor, and the daily special steak flavors didn't jive that well and it wasn't that tender. I grabbed a burger to go a couple of days later and it smoked both of those dishes. I wish we would have went with our original order of a burger and the surfing steak before the daily specials were presented to us. I'll definitely stop her again and explore the menu. read more

See all

We visited Jake's while on vacation and had a phenomenal experience! I was looking for a beach view and scallops on the menu and ChatGPT recommended Jake's. While waiting for our table we grabbed a drink and the bar and the bartender went above and beyond- something as simple as squeezing the lime in my beer is such a nice touch! When we got seated our server Trey was wonderful from start to finish. We enjoyed the crab cake appetizer and scallop and swordfish entrees. Every bite was the best we've had. We were celebrating my birthday and even got a delicious ice cream cake! If it wasn't clear already, I highly recommend Jake's Del Mar! I will plan my next trip to Cali around this location simply to go back! read more

See all

Came here on a Friday night and we had a reservation at 8:00. We got seated pretty quick and the host was so nice! She walked us back to one of the best tables (closest to the ocean) and the view was phenomenal! Our server was so friendly and knowledgeable about each dish! Food came out promptly and perfect! Overall a great experience and look forward to coming back soon! read more

See all

The view of the nearby ocean is outstanding. We come down for a weekend of horse racing and this is the best was to start with brunch/lunch at Jake's. Calamari was lightly breaded and the servers are very cheerful - but how could they not be in this environment. Drinks are expensive everywhere now so go for the spicy Bloody Mary it was delicious. read more

This was incredibly disappointing. Jake's used to be the place in Del Mar for an exceptional steak and seafood dinner. It was where you went for a special occasion or a memorable date night. Unfortunately, that experience seems to be long gone. From the moment we were seated, the restaurant was so overcrowded that it was difficult to enjoy the evening. The tables were packed so tightly together that we could barely move, couldn't hear each other across the table, and were unfortunately close enough to be distracted by the body odor of neighboring diners. It completely took away from what was supposed to be a romantic night. Our server was kind when we saw them, but they were largely absent throughout the meal. We waited far too long for basic service, and I even had to notify the hostess that the restroom needed attention because it was dirty and poorly maintained. The food was equally disappointing, especially considering the price. My steak was ordered medium and arrived rare, and overall the meal lacked the quality and flavor Jake's was once known for. For a bill that was well into the hundreds, I expected so much more. The only thing that hasn't changed is the incredible ocean view. If you're looking to enjoy the scenery, take a walk on the beach instead. Sadly, I can no longer recommend the restaurant itself. read more

Everything about my experience at Jake's was amazing. The views, the food, and the service were all top notch. Our beverages and food all came out reasonably quick. Will definitely be going back again read more

Jake's - Filet Mignon* braised beef, mashed potatoes, scallops - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Came here as a recommendation from an uber driver as I am visiting for work. Hostess weren't friendly, server wasn't attentive, and food was very mid. Came in and had to wait for the hostess to stop laughing for them to acknowledge me, then my server took awhile to ask if I wanted dessert after I was done eating for awhile (I had to push my plate away from me and wait until she noticed). I'm not sure if it's because I was only a party of 1 that I didn't get attentive service, but when I received the food, I was never checked on once. The table next to me actually seemed to have great service and an attentive server. I got the spicy margarita (not great), calamari (sauce was cheap and the calamari itself was rubbery), the lemon garlic roasted fish (okay but nothing amazing), lastly the hula pie (actually very good). It seems like a place where you spend a good penny on as it's right on the beach for okay food and service, which is very disappointing ): I finished as much as I could because I hate wasting especially for the price, just wish I had a similar experience as other people in the reviews. read more

See all

Front row table was amazing. Bubba was super helpful and the hostess team were warm and welcoming. Drinks were real good including ginger mocktail (!). Fish tacos and Tostadas were also very good. I am always grateful for warm and friendly team members. read more

Jake's - Taco - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

See all

Uniqueness: Great dinner spot, lunch menu is lacking Wait Time: *** (Can get busy, but reasonable waits) Food Quality: *** (Dinner was solid, lunch selection was underwhelming) Service: **** (Friendly and efficient) Setting: **** (Nice coastal vibe, but nothing extraordinary) Cost: **** (Fair prices for food and drinks) Jake's Del Mar is a decent spot, especially for dinner. The food was good, and the pricing was reasonable, especially for drinks, which is always a plus. That said, the lunch menu felt a bit lacking--not as many options as I would've liked, and nothing really stood out. The service has been inconsistent sometimes friendly and efficient, and the overall vibe was relaxed and comfortable. It's a nice place to grab a meal, but if you're trying to decide between lunch and dinner, dinner is the better bet. read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

See all

The calamari was excellent. Giant squid cut in stripes. Most restaurants give you the tentacles. Brunch was very good. Freshly made. The service was excellent and staff were friendly. The Hula desert was great. Completed the brunch. read more

Jake's - Hula Pie - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

The food , service , and whole vibe of the restaurant was great ! Definitely worth a visit and also has an amazing view ! read more

Jake's - Surfing Steak - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

See all

I had made reservations on a Monday for a party of 4 at 7 PM, hoping to catch the sunset. I requested a booth table inside facing the ocean. Upon arrival we were greeted and seating at a table I requested...thank you! The place has a beautiful ocean view location and is extremely popular. Large parties, friend and family gatherings, this place was packed. Considering how busy it was the servers never missed a beat. We ordered cocktails, followed by Crispy Calamari, Grilled Prawns, Heirloom Tomato Burrata Salad, Mussels, Jumbo Lump Crabcake, Mixed Seafood Pot, Togarashi Spice crusted Ahi and Surfing Steak. When all the dishes were served, the presentation was perfect, all the food was cooked perfectly and the tasted good. I would definitely come back to entertain friends or family. Atmosphere: beautiful ocean view location. Service: very good. Food: good. read more

See all

The service and atmosphere was great. The food isn't the 5 star best but it is above average. Try to call ahead for the outside tables next to the beach. Those are hard to get. Parking is $10 valet but cheaper than the public parking read more

Jake's - Seafood hotpot - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

See all

What an absolutely beautiful find on Del Mar Beach! This place is bustling! Right on the beach with food that looked fabulous in a setting on the beach like no other... We had gin & tonics at the bar which were expertly crafted with service that did not skip a beat despite the throng of people. I would love to return to have a meal at sunset. We will be back! read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Made a reservation at 10am for a Sunday brunch. They open at 10a, and we did valet parking ($8 until 4p), to avoid finding parking along the stretch since the beach was already so busy. There is a public parking lot across the street (need to pay) also if you can't find street parking. We were seated by the windows and it was nice to look at the beach and feel the breeze. Appetizers: seafood corn chowder was delicious! Calamari was pretty good too. The BBQ ribs (appetizer) were good also. They give the bbq sauce on the side. I ordered the avo toast with scrambled eggs, which was pretty big. You can add on lobster claw and knuckle too. The steak and eggs were on the smaller side (fam ordered), but steak was pretty decent. Looked more like a medallion. The poké bowl was ok... not too tasty... Don't forget to ask for soy sauce! The mixed seafood pot was just OK... Kind of a version of cioppino, but the saffron taste was pretty dominant... Orzo rice and the soup base itself was a bit on the salty side. Decent amount of seafood though. The hula pie was of course delicious! They have one of the best hula pies here. Never disappoints! read more

See all

Let's just say we come down to the Del Mar area a couple of times a year, and we died in many restaurants and this is our favorite. We even had the same waiter who is a really nice fellow with a beard. We sat with an ocean view, and even though it was dark, you can see the waves because they have floodlights outside. It's been a while since we died there but each time we've had a great experience. The cocktails are excellent. The wine list is great, and the food is delicious. The waiter is happy to offer suggestions. Oh yeah, and the dessert too. We definitely will be back here and always recommend recommended to friends who are visiting the area. read more

We had a wonderful first visit to Jake's! Our server, Emily, was so attentive, enthusiastic, and made our graduation celebration feel extra special. Even with a group of 9, she kept everything running smoothly and made sure everyone was taken care of throughout the meal. The food was amazing--from the ribs appetizer and famous Mai Tais to the seafood entrées. No notes! The oceanfront setting and views were beautiful, and the service made the experience even better. We'll definitely be back for both the food and the views. read more

I was doing business as usual in San Diego and I asked AI for the best place to eat in Del Mar, i was feeling like a Lobster dinner. No reservations available. Vallet was full. Was told there was room at the bar. Walked in with the entire bar empty only to get grilled in the bathroom when i was washing my hands by some pretentious local demanding to know where i was from. By the time I came out of the bathroom every seat was suddenly taken by the self-entitled crowd that wasn't there before ----classic Del Mar gatekeeping. These smug performers were so wrapped up in their superficial clique they couldn't even let an outsider eat a meal and leave. I had zero interest in hanging out with them , just wanted good food and to take off. I wanted to eat and get back to my business, not audition for their clique. I ended up driving to Carlsbad. The service was trash in Carlsbad but at least it didn't come with the smug performers. Carlsbad for the win. read more

literally on the beach, the Surfside seats sometimes get inundated by the super high tides. Which of course is great unless you're the person that has to clean it up. Wonderful place for locals and guests. Menu is pretty good but this falls under the category of your pain for the location and the view and the ambience. No complaints there. read more

My boyfriend and I decided to visit Del Mar for a day-get-away~ We were recommended to visit Jake's for dinner. I am really picky about restaurants and service. I was so impressed by Jake's kitchen, ambiance, efficiency, and staff. Our food tasted phenomenal and our server, Julian was easy to get along with and really helped us make the best decisions for our dinner. We loved how honest he was. This transparency helped make our date that much better. We were also impressed on how the hosts accommodated us as walk-ins. We were honored to visit Jake's and be treated so nicely. Lastly, our food was delicious and looked beautiful on the plates. I would definitely recommend visiting Jake's and trying their BBQ Ribs. Here are some photos: read more

See all

Great view of the ocean, decent food, great drinks, and lovely atmosphere to round out a pleasant dining experience, of course at a premium cost. Located along the coast with its own private lot (valet parking) as well as limited street parking (paid), patrons carpool and venture to this place for lunch, happy hour, and dinner for its open look at the waves rolling toward the coast. Once you've gotten your transportation situated, make your way to the host to get checked in. Ideally, you would have already made reservations but if you haven't, hopefully they can fit you in at the bar or an open table between rushes. Regardless, it does seem to take the staff a bit to get a table ready despite having reservations. Most seats in the house have a great view of the ocean and with their big clear windows, there's very little obstruction of the view. You could ask for a table closer to the window but they're all equally good in my opinion. After being seated, you'll get the drink and meal menu and be given some time to peruse before placing the order. The drink/cocktail menu is quite extensive and the bartenders here do a wonderful job at mixing it up! If there's something off menu, chances are they'll be able to make it exceptionally well. The food menu has a good mix of seafood, steak, and poultry. Appetizers like the calamari and ceviche are shareable and come out fresh and delicious. They're nothing spectacular but decent for starting a meal off among your party. The entrees have a bit more flare with many mixing up the surf and turf (surfing steak has a decent sized sirloin with a side of shrimp). The steak was seasoned fine, cooked well, and paired up nicely with the other flavors on the dish. For dessert, a must get is the hula pie which consists of ice cream, chocolate sauce, and nuts packed in a wedge of pie. This is probably the most unique thing out of their menu and rounds out the meal nicely. The staff generally is decent but the energy and availability didn't seem to match the ambiance or price point you're paying. Waters were filled most of the time but our primary service member was rarely seen. Overall, Jake's is quite a bit of a mixed bag for me when it comes to their rating. While the location is great and the food and drinks are decent on average, it just doesn't seem to have much in the categories of cohesiveness in the theme, quality of service, or portions of food. In addition to the cost for parking, you're paying premium for the location but the food is only so-so (in portion and taste). Jake's saving grace, aside from the ocean view, is probably its drinks and infamous hula pie. Otherwise, I can't see myself really craving for their food unless I was already here for the other factors. If you're looking for just location alone, there are plenty of other spots along the coast that serve delicious, unique food with great drinks and service. But Jake's view of the ocean is hard to match and thus, the high price tag, so if you're looking to mix it up, consider it for a once in a blue moon experience! read more

See all

Wow! Such a wonderful experience! Our server, Megan, was outstanding. She made it easy to accommodate dietary restrictions and needs without making us feel like a burden! She was splendid. I cannot recommend the Mixed Seafood Pot enough! The swordfish was to die for, and the sauce was delicious! I can't wait to come back. read more

Jakes is like that cool dude who hangs out with all the young people. I been coming here since Jesus was a boy. Still the same ole same ole: good food, great service, good vibes and yes the gold diggers still at the bar. love this place. Ciiiaaaaaoooo read more

Jake's - Baja Fish Tacos - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Great view, food was alright. Valet was closed so had to park and pay another $50. Hard to imagine going back or recommending based on the quality of meals and service, along with the inconvenience of paying for parking read more

Service was excellent but their chef had a heavy hand on the salt. We each ordered the fried taco, and soup. All three of us returned the fried tacos. Salt must have been on sale! Clam chowder was delicous! Ambiance was lovely- we had a perfect table in front of the window overlooking the beach. Regardless of the salty food, we love the view and would come back. The manager kindly exchanged the fish tacos for a salad and salmon dish- which was good. Hula Pie was big! read more

See all

I haven't been to Jake's in years. I never thought the food was memorable enough to go back. But, view and location it's unforgettable. Today I decided to stop by. Took a friend. We were greeted very warmly and seated in a corner prime spot to gaze out at the beach,,, our server Michael was very attentive and professional. He took care of us and we felt it. We ordered the calamari appetizer. It was so good. Also ordered the seafood pot. Lots of bread to soak up the tasty broth. I'm assuming they have a different cook from the last time I was there. And it's apparent., the food quality and flavors improved dramatically. So happy I came back to try again. We were not disappointed. Thank you. Il be back read more

See all

When on a sister adventure, there are no limits! And enjoying a fine meal on the beach of Del Mar is no exception. We enjoyed a nice walk from our time share and strolled right in when they opened. We were sat down at a wonderful corner ocean view table. Our server, Julian, was amazing! He recommended the brussel sprouts as our appetizer, which were phenomenal! Matter of fact we have him what we were looking at and decided on our entire menu. Seafood hotpot had so much seafood and flavor. And the scallops melted in our mouths. Everything was cooked to perfection. Julian even brought out some extra toppings on the hotpot. (Oh course I forgot the name, some type of ocean succulent.. Salty, crunchy and just added so much to the uniqueness of the dish). 100% recommend this place and our server Julian! Valley parking is available. It was$8 when we were there.. But we walked so only an observation. Great location. Right on the beach next to a park. Staff is attentive and friendly. read more

See all

Service was outstanding. Ambience sounds amazing.? I ordered the Seabass, which was fair. It was dry and it comes on purée butternut squash, which I subbed mashed potatoes, which were great. They need to lose the Keyl. All and all very nice read more

Food was disappointing, service was just okay. We won't go back even for the view, which is excellent.

Jake's is a seaside restaurant that's exudes the California lifestyle of cool casual dining and family friendly...Ohana. Best friends and founders Rob Thibaut and Sandy Saxten decided to design restaurants in locations where they wanted to live, work and play...later called TS Restaurants are throughout Hawaii and California. Jake's in Del Mar has been here since the early 1980's. The actual building has morphed from a garage to now a restaurant with unobstructed views of the beach, and that's the main draw for me. The menu is very similar to Duke's, which offers a mix of Hawaiian and California casual food favs and drinks. There's something delish for everyone, but keep Nin mind the menu liens towards seafood. After a disappointing breakfast earlier somewhere else, we came here for brunch and to see the beach. We ordered the Fresh Fish cesar salad which includes an anchovy dressing and topped with Ahi tuna. This salad was enough to share and even our portions was substantial and delish. The crispy calamari with crushed macadamia and the sweet and sour sauce paired nicely with the salad. And the meal of course must include their famous Hula pie of ice cream, topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and walnuts was so yummy! The hot coffee was the perfect conclusion to our brunch and dessert. The staff were cordial and helpful. The valet staff were accommodating and kept our car closeby. The hostess staff need to be more organized in seat assignments, we didn't appreciate waiting for our table, especially with so many staff members standing around. Our waitress Emily was very helpful and had a positive attitude and made sure we were good. The decor has the Hawaiian and Californian lifestyle theme but not excessive nor tacky. The restaurant was crowded and we were glad to get there just in time to get a table next to the window to watch the beach activities and ocean views. It was strange one couldn't access the beach from the restaurant. We had to walk either to the right or left and outside of Jake's to walk through an easement and into to the beach...a bit of a hassle and inconvenience. Overall, our visits here at Jake's had been positive, Ohana cordial and would merit a return and recommendation. read more

See all