Jim S.

I've been to this restaurant recently and the food, service and ambience are amazing. It recently received a Michelin star which is the second restaurant in San Diego. We just sat and enjoyed an amazing 10 course meal with incredible flavors and presentations. We never felt rushed but relaxed. The entire experience was about three hours. I highly recommend this place for special occasions.

Felipe G.

Service is impeccable. Started the night with welcome drink in their small garden. Ordered cocktails which surprisingly took a while but they made up for it with the service the rest of the evening. They moved us to our table and started the tasting course. Every course just got better and better. However, there were some unique courses that are worth highlighting. My favorite was the Uni and caviar. The Wagyu final course was also excellent. The wine pairings were also excellent and were primarily white wines except for the final pairing which was a red wine. We received a tour of the kitchen to end the evening. Overall I highly recommend this place and I can why they earned a Michelin star.

Vanessa G.

Wife took me here for my birthday dinner and it was exceptional! It's a small restaurant and every booth looked cozy and it had a nice moody ambience. The service was excellent as you would expect for the price range, but the servers and bartender were also so friendly so it didn't feel too stuffy or overly formal. They also did a great job explaining where they sourced a lot of the ingredients and even the ceramics, which I always find interesting. The food was top notch! It's a 10+ course tasting menu that will change depending on the season and every single dish was delicious. The Uni custard and Uni brioche course, as well as the white asparagus were our favorites but it was hard to choose. The desserts were also wonderful and the progression of dishes was done very well. They have a large wine list and wine pairing if you're interested, but we opted for bartenders choice cocktails and mocktails and every drink he surprised us with was unique and suited perfectly to our palates. We left dinner very full and very happy with the overall experience! Would definitely come back.

Celebrating 40 years of marriage and my 70th birthday at Lucien in La Jolla was pure perfection! The restaurant's dedication to locally sourced ingredients and artistic culinary craftsmanship is truly unmatched. Every dish was a absolute masterpiece, with incredible flavor profiles that blew us away. From the stunning presentation to the heartwarming personalized touches on our card and menu, last night was an unforgettable experience. Service is super great and friendly If you appreciate extraordinary food and top-tier fine dining, I highly recommend placing Lucien at the top of your must-try list! You will love it!

Pauline S.

My husband and I spent our 5th wedding anniversary dinner at Lucien and we had an amazing time. Honestly, probably one of the best meals we've had which included 12+ course menu! We were stuffed by the end and we left satisfied. Parking: As with many establishments in Downtown La Jolla, give yourself time to look for street parking. We ate at 5pm on a Tuesday and we were lucky to find a spot not too far away. Environment: After checking in, you enter the courtyard/bar with the beautiful calamansi tree as the center piece. They usually serve calamansi juice and the first course outside by the tree but unfortunately, it was a windy/rainy night so we enjoyed them at our table. The inside is elevated and it doesn't seem to hold many tables (so make sure to get a reservation!) We were sat at a booth right in front of the open kitchen and had the opportunity to watch the masterminds at work. Service: I agree with one of the reviews that said even though this was an elevated and upscale place, the staff never once made it seem like a pretentious experience. In fact, they were all so friendly and made us feel at ease. Shout out to Kyra for being wonderful! The choreographed serving and bussing of the plates were fun to watch. Each course came in a timely manner. Our reservation was the first of the night and there weren't many others in the restaurant so we received almost undivided attention. In the middle of the meal, they served us a pallet cleanser course and gave us a tour of the kitchen! Food: Everything looked wonderful to eat right down to the detail of each plate. The flavors paired together were unique. I need to give a shoutout to the caviar served in an egg shell and the uni ice cream. I will post a picture of the menu because it'll be difficult to talk about everything! Overall: Superb experience at Lucien and I highly recommend this place for any special occasions. I appreciated their extra course to celebrate our anniversary and I loved that they even printed us out a menu.

Melissa T.

Phenomenal. I've eaten a lot of Michelin meals and this one is at the top. Perfectly balanced, every course delicious. Staff was extremely attentive. Must come here!

Ronnie F.

About last night... Holy moly. One of the BEST dinners I've ever had and a very special night re-celebrating 8 years with the love of my life. I recommend going now because this place is going to have a star (or more), soon and will be impossible to book. Completely blown away by Chef Elijah, Brian, James, Jefferson, Chef Bella, and this AMAZING team assembled from greats like Per Se, Daniel NYC, and Michelin pedigreed kitchens everywhere. What. An. Experience. Highlights: food, service, presentation, decor. Modern, swanky, and very comfortable. Misses: A little long on the patio for the amuse bouche set before main seating. Pacing on the slow side but handled amazingly. This was a large meal so perfectly acceptable. Go now. Now! Why are you still reading this?

Simon S.

Lucien is a cozy and elegant spot in La Jolla. Parking is street only, so it can be a little tricky. I had trouble finding the restaurant since there weren't any signs at the time but it's tucked away on the upper floor of the building that the address takes you to. We started outside under their calamansi tree with a refreshing non alcoholic calamansi drink and small bites. The fish mousse wasn't really for me, but the other bites were excellent. The staff is incredibly accommodating with substitutions. One dish featured tomato, which I usually avoid, but I gave it a try and it was better than expected. Service throughout the night was amazing and everything in the main dining area was delicious. It is definitely on the pricey side, but worth the splurge for a special celebration. They also have an open bar if you just want to stop in for a drink instead of the full tasting menu. Overall, a great mix of creative food, quality drinks, and warm hospitality.

Charles C.

Lucien Restaurant is tucked away in a 1970's minimall on Girard Avenue near Wall Street, in La Jolla. It shares the space with Catania Restaurant, located on the same level. One enters Lucien into a small patio in which there is centered a kind of varigated tangerine tree [I cannot recall the specific tree] where you sit to enjoy what is referred to by the staff as " canapes". Natasha will geet you with immense kindness. A drink based on the tree by which you are seated creates a great sense of connection to our land and to this time and moment, right here, in La Jolla. Thereafter, you are escorted through the massive door into the clandestine dining room, dressed mostly in black tones. Although there are some flowers positioned here and there, more would be definitely welcome. The staff is uniformally pleasant, from Joey to Ahmed, to Christa and the the erudite sommelier, James, who will share his deep knowledge of wine and terroir with you.

Jenny Z.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of visiting Lucien for a birthday celebration. From the moment we took our first few sips of the non-alc welcome drink paired with the generously scooped caviar custard bite, we knew we were in for a treat. Every dish was thoughtfully composed and each protein cooked to perfection. For the most part, the flavors and sauces were well balanced and complimentary. The one disappointment was the uni that we were served did not taste fresh - hopefully a one off but a rather big oversight. Otherwise our experience was fantastic. We appreciate the focus on locally sourced ingredients and the personalized experience to tour the kitchen and speak with the team. There are a few kinks to work out, not unexpected in its early stages of opening, but all in all I anticipate Lucien to be earning star recognition in the near future.

K S.

This may be the best dining experience in San Diego right now! This is delicious fun fine dining. Your night starts in the exterior courtyard with an opening mock cocktail and small snacks. You are then escorted into the main dining room for a 12 course journey. The ingredients are all fresh, high end and used in inventive ways . One of the opening dishes had a real eggshell that was stuffed with a delicious corn custard and caviar. The staff truly enjoyed having you spend an evening with them. There's a great cocktail and wine program that matches the food. The restaurant sources many of the ingredients locally. We had vegetables from Chino farm to seafood caught caught locally. Even the bread and butter dish course was amazing. This place is at gem ! Go . Manga manga

Beata K.

Truly amazing experience! We celebrated company dinner at Lucien and it was above and beyond wonderful... from beautiful ambience to excellent service and the 15 course menu prepared to every detail by chefs team was truly exquisite! We had 3 hours unique journey that was so beautiful and bursting with flavors with every bite! It's definitely worth every dollar and highly recommend Lucien ! Thank you so much to everyone who made this our evening so special, memorable and beautiful!

Emma P.

This past Friday, July 18th, I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Lucien in La Jolla, a new fine dining restaurant. From the moment you walk in, Lucien intrigues. A thoughtfully designed entrance opens onto a stylish courtyard adjacent to the bar, where guests are welcomed with a glass of French bubbles or a handcrafted cocktail and treated to a beautifully presented amuse-bouche. It is an elegant touch that undoubtedly sets the tone for the evening. Once seated in the intimate, dimly lit dining room (there are approximately 8 tables), you begin to understand what Lucien is all about. Highlights of the Tasting Menu The evening began with a decadent egg-corn custard, served inside a delicate eggshell and crowned with glistening black caviar. It was accompanied by a petite toast, layered with a flavor I can only describe as deeply umami-forward yet ethereal. Perhaps there was a hint of truffle or smoked crème. Paired with a crisp French Champagne, this opening course was a luxurious prelude that perfectly primed the palate. Another standout was an intricate seafood composition topped with a very light foam & oyster ice cream. Yes, oyster ice cream. While it might sound avant-garde, it was a revelation. The cold creaminess complemented the warmth and brininess of the seafood in a way that was both surprising and sublime. Each bite was elevated into a tasting moment worth remembering. I absolutely loved it. The Bluefin Tuna Akame and Otoro, Strawberry, Genovese Basil dish showcased an inspired play of texture and modern complexity. Topped with tomato gelée and accompanied by lightly grilled strawberries and a fresh basil-forward sauce, the dish danced between savory and sweet. If I may offer one constructive suggestion, it would be to replace the basil juice with basil pearls, a molecular caviar of sorts, to add an extra burst of herbaceous brightness and textural intrigue. Additionally, presenting this vivid creation on a crisp white plate, rather than blue, might allow its colors and artistry to truly shine. That said, the flavors were spot-on, and the dish was exceptional. The eggplant caviar dish was another delight. It was rich, smoky, and comforting. It felt like being wrapped in a velvet blanket of nostalgic comfort, reimagined through a modern lens and beautifully presented on the plate. The Wine Pairing: Simply Impressive Curation A special commendation must go to James Meringer, whose curated wine pairing elevated the entire experience. Every pour felt intuitive, sophisticated, and harmoniously intertwined with the menu. It is clear that his palate is refined and his understanding of food and wine chemistry is second to none. James, welcome to San Diego. Please do not ever leave. Atmosphere and Hospitality Lucien's main dining room is cozy and moody, creating the perfect intimate space. The service was polished, with staff who were clearly well-trained and genuinely invested in the success of the evening. One particularly lovely touch was the opportunity to visit the kitchen and meet the chef Elijah Arizmendi, a gifted young culinary talent whose passion shines through each plate. The restaurant is named after his son, Lucien, which speaks volumes about the love and dedication behind this project. His wife, ever-gracious, moved throughout the dining room ensuring every detail was just right. Her presence added a heartfelt sense of care to the evening. Final Thoughts Lucien is not just a restaurant. It is an experience. It invites you to slow down, savor, and enjoy the moment by appreciating every single detail that went into this creation behind the scenes. When booking, I strongly recommend reserving a seat facing the kitchen. Watching the culinary team at work is a performance in itself. In the future, I would love to see the patio space seamlessly integrated into the main dining area to enhance the flow and elevate the ambiance even further. Lucien will become one of La Jolla's most intimate and unforgettable fine dining experiences. It is a must-visit for foodies, couples who enjoy fine dining & anyone in search of a truly memorable culinary experience.