Focaccia and p*rn start martini are 10/10. However, the rest of our food was unfortunately lack luster. The little gem and spicy rigatoni were just okay, and I expected a lot more for the price. I didn't try to beef carpaccio but my party said that was also just okay, but they absolutely loved the prawns. Our server was very sweet but also quite slow even though it wasn't that busy. Overall decent experience but ultimately not worth the price. We would only come back for drinks in the future. read more

We went for dinner last night it was delicious. We had 6:30 dinner reservations but they were able to get us in at 5 as we got there early. We started with the olives and beet and little gem salad which was big . We also ordered the loaf of bread sorry no picture. Rory was our server and he did great! Then came our pasta dishes. We decided to try the ice cream for desert. It was a good thing we parked around the corner as we needed to walk! read more

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Marisi is a beautiful Italian restaurant in La Jolla CA. Our good friends recommended it and it was fantastic. @marisilajolla From the moment you walk in, you realize what a beautiful space it is. The first thing that caught my eye was the shelf of Amaros displayed above the bar. I knew we were in for a treat when I saw that lineup of goodness. Marisi is known for their handmade pastas. Everything we tried was excellent. The cocktails are well crafted with some thoughtful spins on the classics. I started with their Espresso Martini which was quite good. You can tell their espresso and coffee is excellent because the coffee flavor was amazing. It had the right blend of coffee and sweetness. The glass they served it in was gorgeous. The Apricot Old Fashioned was delicious (2nd photo). It's a simple recipe with bourbon, apricot and bitters. I assume they used apricot liqueur, but I forgot to ask. I was impressed with how well-balanced and smooth it was. It was served with a crystal clear large cube that included their own brand stamped on it. That was a nice touch. The bar is the stunning centerpiece of the restaurant. It has a 360 degree view of the beautiful room. The chandelier above the bar is an eye catching piece of art. The owners did an excellent job with their attention to detail when designing this space and it shows. I would definitely check out Marisi when you're in La Jolla. It's an exceptional experience. Salute read more

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The food: A+. The service: A+. The atmosphere: A+. We were visiting from LA and found this gem online. The people couldn't be any nicer and accommodating. The food is so fresh and delicious. The place is so beautiful. Perfection. read more

Food was amazing. Dakota was amazing. Get the pesto, the filet, the tuna tartare, and the ice cream.

Almost 5 stars but super long lulls between courses! Ambiance, food, cocktails were all outstanding but there was def long waits between getting our salad and starter and the mains. The wait staff were all extremely polite and outgoing, at least. Drinks: Hugo Spritz-delightfully light elderflower spritz Apricot Old-Fashioned-every so slight apricot flavor and def a boozy punch Espresso Martini-pretty standard Espresso Martini Cantaloupe Margarita- not bad but didn't taste too mellony Faves would probs be the Hugo Spritz and the Apricot Old- Fashioned since we appreciated their flavors a tad bit more than the others. Food: Foccaccia: A must-order. Crisp exterior, hot, fluffy interior. Delicious herby/cheesy dipping sauce Tonarreli with Prawns: Big prawns but overall a smaller portion; awesome for Pesto lovers and the pasta was Bucatini-like. Prawns were a little on the drier side than I would've liked and may have been a tad bit overcooked. Little Gem: Standard little gem salad with grated parm and radishes; pretty good Roasted Chicken and Market Veggies: Roasted chicken was cooked well; crispy skin, juicy meat, and a really flavorful sauce. I would have preferred roasted veggies or potatoes on the side because the veggies it came with was like a warm salad. Happy to have the greens, but a bit odd due to temp and texture. Overall a good experience. We skipped dessert (which we never do) but we were scared we'd be trapped and never be able to leave because the service was so slow. Overall really enjoyed the ambiance, the food and service for the most part, but we really can't stop thinking about the bad flow. A bunch of other tables appeared bored too. Would visit again, though. read more

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This place is amazing! We had Alysha as our server and she is the best -- ask for her if you can!

We have been going to Marisi since it's opening and it was one of our favorites in the area, but, our recent visit with the new chef it was not the same, The bread, the salad and pesto pasta are still very good but the best carbonara in town is replaced by a totally different one that does not come close to the old one, I truly hope they bring back the original one. Also, they run out of branzino, another favorite and the local fish and it was disappointing. Their wine list is very good but we were served a flat Prosecco by the glass, they replaced it but it would had been nice not to have to go through this. Service was excellent, as always and atmosphere very nice read more

Italy, we have a problem. Marisi Restaurant, which I've been told by at least three people, is a visit worth making. So I made it. My bestie and I headed over there a few weeks ago to see what all the fuss was about and I'm here to report that the fuss is not only expensive, but familiar. The menu is a rehash of everything Italian everywhere. Not that that's necessarily bad, just disappointing given how high the bar was set for us. But, I wanted to give them a chance so I threw out the Judge Judy in me and willed myself to enjoy the evening. (Besides, hanging out with my BFF always overshadows anything unfortunate, misguided, etc.) We started with Marisi's version of an Italian staple, focaccia bread ; we had it served with a not-free pesto dipping sauce which was surprisingly salty but played nicely with the fluffy, warm focaccia slices I cut up. We ordered the Proscuitto and Pineapple next. It was a riff on the more traditional Proscuitto e Melone, but it actually worked a LOT better. Whereas the cantaloupe and the melon from the more traditional plate tend to be hit or miss in the appropriately ripe department, pineapple is consistently sweet and chewy and the sour candy-tartness adds a welcome dimension to the dish. Well-done, Marisi. But the presentation had all the subtlety of death; it was this hunk of a thing on a plate without respect to space, volume, or size. For our third and final course, I ordered the Short Rib Casarecce, a $34 side dish of one of their "little known pastas" dusted with an essence of short ribs. I'm OK with the price and even the size. I'm just not OK with the way it hit how small the dish was. In fairness, the server might have said something but I shut down around him, he with the good looks and the stuffiness and who only spoke in the third person and clasped his hands behind his back like Columbo, the TV detective, investigating the murder of a wealthy scion. The pasta was excellent - so, again, kudos Marisi - but at the end of the day, it couldn't overcome the feeling that I had been here before, being seated and served by the same people, and eating the same food I've eaten at dozens of other Italian restaurants. And, lastly, there was this on the 'About' page of the Marisi website: "Dry aged fish, whole animal butchery, little known pasta shapes and homemade Limoncello are just a few things that make Marisi memorable, combined with a passionate team and service from the heart." Wait. Whole animal butchery? That's what you want to be remembered for? In 2024? Do we get complimentary bronzed organs from inside the meat we're eating? Does that come with a swag bag of methane that these animals generate? Yikes. And Ew. Or, as my bestie mentioned later in a text: "Ewwww." At the end of the day, Marisi will thrive with or without me and my opinions and I'm glad. Hard work deserves to be rewarded. It's just that I won't be doing the rewarding. read more

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Denisse our server was excellent, knowledgeable on wine and parings. Food delicious, atmosphere delightful. We have been here three times and we will be back! The branzino was fresh, light and favorable. read more

The service here is outstanding. The server does not upsell, he did not rush us, he let us order our bottle of wine and appetizers and sit and chill for a bit. He perfectly sensed when we were ready for our entrees and approached. He was perfect. The food here is typical San Diego / La Jolla ok. It hangs with nine-ten and Catania, 7/10. It is not as good as the Trust restaurant group which IMO cannot be defeated. This replaced Whisknladle. The food quality is same same but different in a not so great way. Nothing was bad to be fair, but nothing shined and melted our socks off. The best item was the chicken patte. nice and creamy, balanced. The a5 wagyu tartar, blah, sizzler, the pasta? Blah, olive garden. Restaurant is pretty. Older crowd, no young bros. Its fine but there's better. read more

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Ambiance is nice but for a so-called high end Italian restaurant food was worse than Olive Garden. We ordered Short Rib pappardelle, home made pasta was glued together, red sauce totally tasteless, my 11 year old grandson can cook better than that. I would really like to know where the head chef got his culinary education. To call this an Italian dish is an insult to the Italian cuisine..... read more

so pretty here! Went to to celebrate a few friends birthdays and was super fun! Food was decent but i'm not big on italian food. What is really awesome about Marisi is the ambience. The service was very good too! Def recommend! read more

100% five stars . Really enjoyed my dinner at Marisi . The food was super tasty and the passionfruit cocktail was my favorite !!! definitely worth trying . Our waitress was awesome super attentive and kept checking in to make sure everything was great . overall just a solid experience. Just a heads up, make sure to book a few days in advance . It gets busy ! I'll definitely be back. read more

Marisi - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I took my wife here for her 30th birthday and it was wonderful! Liz and all the staff made excellent recommendations and made her feel very special :) read more

This was honestly a tough review to sum up. All things together, if I could, I'd probably give this place somewhere between a 3.5-4. It does really well in some elements, but then lacks in others: Marisi is a gorgeous restaurant inside and out. Impressively chic decor that is romantic but well-lit, very upscale Mediterranean/coastal vibes. I absolutely adored the lights from the ceiling in the front outdoor area, and the customized plates they served their food on. Silverware and serve ware were all very high quality. For such a nice restaurant, the service is incredibly friendly. Everyone is approachable, patient, and kind. We never felt rushed, and our waiter was thorough with his recommendations. He was very attentive to us but also knew how to gauge when it was appropriate to check in on the table without being intrusive / overbearing. Loved the etiquette! The Porn Star Martini is a HIT!! Delicious and tasted exactly like the description. Must-try! Also...Fun-fact, this is the only restaurant on the west coast with a barrel of Gold standard Blanton's bourbon (aged 4 months and counting). Where I was disappointed was the food. We ordered two pasta dishes (pasta comprises the bulk of the main entrees here, all hand-made.) First off, I was surprised to see how small the portions were for dishes that cost between $24-35 a piece. One dish is enough for one hungry person, so keep this in mind if you are thinking about sharing. I hate to say this, but in the spirit of honest reviews, I have to admit that The Rigatoni was the worst I've ever tried. The sauce on it tasted like it came out of a Chef Boyardee tomato/alphabet soup can and had some pepper flakes added to it for very minimal spice. We didn't have the heart to send it back, but I definitely wanted to and would advise against it. The short rib ragu is apparently one of their most popular dishes, but I had a lot of trouble understanding why. It largely lacked short rib, the sauce was underwhelming (but better than the sauce on the rigatoni) and overall fell short of the hype. The flavors and textures did not come together well, and it's very short on the short rib. TL;DR -- come for the ambiance and drinks ... pass for the food. The food needs work on flavor, portions, and price tag for what it's worth. read more

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We visited Marisi for our Easter brunch today and as always came away very pleased. Our server Zoe helped us have a great time, very attentive with a smile, knowledgeable about the dishes and offered great suggestions. All the staff was very attentive and the dishes are delicious. We had the tasty Eggs in Purgatory, creamy and delicious Carbonara, crispy and nice Dip Sandwich, and shared a Cinnamon Roll for dessert. Beautiful ambience as always. read more

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I called months in advance to ask about making a reservation for a bachelorette dinner and was told that reservations were not accepted, and that we should come in the day of. When we arrived as instructed, the host immediately asked if we had a reservation. After explaining the prior conversation from months ago, we were met with, "I don't know who you talked to," which was both dismissive and frustrating. This experience was really disappointing, especially for a special occasion that required planning. I hope the restaurant can improve communication among staff so future guests receive consistent and accurate information. read more

I went to Marisi for the first time to celebrate a friend's birthday at the end of November. We had an outdoor table on the patio area near the street. Upon my arrival, I noticed that the restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holidays, with lights everywhere. There was a wedding reception on the patio that connects to the building, which wasn't bothersome at all, and actually really lovely to see. My friends had arrived just before me and were already sipping their cocktails. It was comfortable on the patio area (sort of the makeshift type that is on the sidewalk) as the heat lamps were plenty warm. I think the downfalls were that we didn't have any of the holiday decor, nor was there much lighting which impacted the photos, as well as our views of the menus and food. I was served quickly, and I chose the hazelnut Manhattan. A Manhattan is not a usual drink for me, but I love hazelnut. The taste was delicious, but it was on the sweet side for me. When it came to my next drink, I requested the same, but less sweet. The second was much better. Our meal started with he foccacia, which came salted (pure genius). I believe it was on the house, but I was not present when it came out so I am unsure. It was served with a sort of caramel butter that was not really sweet, but just melted beautifully into the bread. I would go to Marisi just for the focaccia. For my entree I chose the butternut squash ravioli which were served in sort of a brown butter. They were delicious. The portion wasn't too big or too small. I also ordered the giardinaro, or pickled veggies. Normally, I absolutely love these, but, these just didn't have a great flavor or texture. They offered the birthday girl a choice of dessert to end the evening, and we ordered various coffees and digestifs. All in all, it was a very lovely evening. I would have preferred to enjoy the meal in the restaurant with the decorations and proper lighting. I would ask for the Manhattan to be less sweet, and I would skip the giardinaro. However, the service was great, the foccacia and my meal were definitely memorable. read more

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We ate here a few weeks ago and the service was excellent. Dakota and Justin took care of us. Dakota shared some of his favorite items off the menu and they did not disappoint. The ambiance is comfortable, we sat on the patio and it was great. This wasn't the first time we've eaten at Marisi and i'll be back. Thanks for taking care of us, Dakota and Justin. read more

Such a charming spot with a great atmosphere and fantastic food. The tomato carpaccio was absolutely amazing and everything we ordered was delicious. As someone who is vegetarian and gluten-free, I really appreciated that there were plenty of options for my dietary restrictions. The biggest standout, though, was our server, Dakota. He was incredibly attentive, friendly, offered great recommendations, and made our whole experience even better. Great food, great service, and definitely a place we'll come back to! read more

Adorable ambiance with lights and attentive staff. We sat in the parklet outside but would aim to sit in the California room next time. The bolognese was my favorite pasta of the night read more

Marisi - Chopped salad - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

The food was good and so was the service. It seems overpriced for the quality of the pasta, but the ambiance is nice and we had a nice time.

I went to Marisi to celebrate a birthday brunch with friends - it did not disappoint. The ambiance of the restaurant is so nice, open, green with fresh pops of color. Our service was impeccable- we had a group of 5 ordering plenty of drinks & dishes, and service was top notch. From a brunch perspective, everyone really enjoyed their food! We loved every bite & I would love to come back to try their dinner option. Really loved the style of Marisi & the food made it even better. read more

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Had such a wonderful experience here and just had to share my appreciation. From the moment we arrived, the service was truly impeccable. The entire wait staff team, with Justin being the waiter (about five people) was friendly, professional, and incredibly welcoming. Even though the restaurant was busy, we never once felt unattended. At the same time, they struck the perfect balance of being attentive without ever making us feel interrupted or rushed. The attention to detail throughout the experience was remarkable. There were so many thoughtful little touches that elevated the evening and made it feel special. And the food--honestly, unexpectedly delicious. Every dish felt carefully prepared and beautifully presented. We enjoyed the Little gem Short Rib Pappardelle,.Chicken and mushrooms plate. For cocktails the Marisi Spritz and the Rossini. The décor is absolutely gorgeous and creates such a warm, inviting atmosphere. It ended up being the perfect setting for a mother-daughter date, but what I loved most was seeing how many different groups were enjoying the space. There were couples on date nights, families having dinner together, and groups of friends clearly having a great girls' night out. The space truly works beautifully for everyone. It's rare to find a place where the service, food, and ambiance all come together so effortlessly. Grateful for such a thoughtful and memorable experience. We will definitely be back! Reservations are recommended. read more

One of the better Italian places that I've tried in San Diego. Delicious food and cool atmosphere. Highly recommended. read more

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Friend and I came here for the girl dinner for the 1st time, food was good but the service was disappointing. Felt unwanted during our entire night. Also, noticed from watching videos of the girl dinner experience beforehand, we were not served the complete bread portion we paid for, as we were given only a quarter of the amount. It was advertised online / shown in videos by other customers that they received the full bread portion. Would not return due to the poor service provided. read more

Marisi - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

I wanted to like this place, but everything I ate was just ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't wow amazing type of dishes. Service was fine; fairly quick and servers were attentive. Ambience is cute, cozy and some elegance in the heart of La Jolla. Carbonara was highly recommended by our waiter but it was really just ok. Short rib bolognese was good but it wasn't wow. While whole grilled fish (snapper) wasn't bad, it was a bit more charred than we liked. Some parts were dry... Glad we tried this place but I don't think worth going back. read more

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Service was simply amazing!! We loved our waiter, Michael, who was checking in frequently and gave us recommendations for other fun things to check out during our stay in the area. Environment was impeccable! Definitely didn't want to leave!! Food was great too! We enjoyed the focaccia bread and Gem Caesar the most. Cannot wait to come back! read more

Everything was amazing. We love Marisi and treat it as our special place to go out. The food is always fresh and incredible, the ambience is upscale but welcoming and the service is top notch. The bar tenders know how to make the best bone dry martini. This time, we sat in Britnee's section and she was such a wonderful server. She shared her favorite dishes but explained what she loved about them so we could make our own choices. She was unobtrusive but we felt very well taken care of. She had a fantastic demeanor and we could tell she has a passion for her career. Would definitely recommend Marisi and ask to be seated in Britnee's section! We will be back and do the same! read more

Ask for Denisse and Noah (dream team)! Best people on the planet! Every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. The ambiance was just perfect. Service was beyond expectational. Definitely will return!! read more

This was an unbelievably delicious meal. Here's why Marisi stands apart: We called & said due to traffic, we'll be 15min late. Chloe (hostess ) said no problem, pushed our res back, gave us grace & hospitality. Every member of the waitstaff was cheerful, helpful & knowledgeable. Our server Justin was top notch. The cocktails were delicious & the food punched above its weight class. Huge kudos to the bar & kitchen staff. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. Very well decorated & has a good noise volume. 6/5 stars. read more

Fantastic place, great staff, the hosts bartenders servers are all wonderful. The food is some of the best in San Diego, we keep coming back and will continue to do so. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great dinner! read more

It's really not meant for normal people to eat here, apparently they think a fountain soda costs almost $7. The worst thing is the food's really not that good. read more

Marisi - $42 for a half chicken? Ok... - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

One of my favorite restaurants we've been to in a while. Our server Christina was a delight - knew the menu back to back, gave us a perfect red wine recommendation and was just all around lovely. The ambiance is romantic and the food is exceptional. read more

Marisi - Oro Blanco Margarita - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

My host promised a great meal at Marisi, but admit I was disappointed. The service was great -- friendly and knowledgeable. Nice patio. The beet salad was very good -- large enough for two -- and I thought the smoked goat cheese was a nice touch. The Chicken Milanese was very disappointing. Overcooked and dry. Nothing that really brought the flavors together...just olives and greens piled on top of the chicken. Like other La Jolla restaurants I encountered. Marisi does not include its prices on its online menu. I get why, but it seems (at best) lazy, and (worse), evasive/dishonest. I live in one of the country's largest cities and have seen a lot of pricing maneuvers. But I was gobsmacked when I saw they charged me $18 for each of my two vodka gimlets, PLUS another $8 -- as explained by the waiter -- for the sweetened lime juice mixer. And he said it with a straight face. read more

love to come here, always such an amazing experience and service. Changing their menu always makes me want to come back and try different plates happy that the food is consisant as well. Ambiance is amazing too always has a sense of intimacy and never feels too crowded. read more

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Hoppin place in La Jolla that has some really good Italian food. Food and service were excellent. Must try focaccia Roman Artichokes crispy and delicious and the fish and pastas were wonderful too. read more

Dining at Marisi was an unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to our exceptional server, Lucas. From the moment we sat down, Lucas made us feel welcomed and cared for with truly outstanding customer service. He was friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable -- not only about Marisi's menu but also about Italian cuisine in general. His food recommendations were phenomenal. Every dish we tried was delicious, but the focaccia bread was a standout -- easily the best I've had in San Diego. Lucas gave us a thoughtful explanation of how it's made and what makes it so special, and you could tell he really knows and loves the food he serves. The ambiance at Marisi is just as impressive as the food: warm, elegant, and thoughtfully designed, with a stylish yet comfortable aesthetic that makes it perfect for a date night or a special dinner with friends. I left feeling so impressed with both the experience and Lucas's incredible service that I've decided this will be a quarterly ritual. Can't wait to return -- and I'll definitely be requesting Lucas again! read more

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Just exceptional. We return from out of state every year to celebrate our anniversary and each time Marisi exceeds the last. They have the absolute BEST espresso martini. The food is top notch. Fresh, deeply balanced plates where you can taste the love and craft the chef and team put in. The pastas are INSANE. They had this newer tomato carpaccio appetizer that was literally out of this world. The vibes are upbeat yet still very romantic. Best of all, the service was personable, professional, and very attentive. Absolute standout. Thank you Michael and Karley for an amazing evening and anniversary! Only negative: that it takes us a plane ride to visit (worth it). See you again very soon! read more

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