Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Amalfi Llama

    4.4 (871 reviews)
    Open • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order The Amalfi Llama Takeout or Delivery

    The Amalfi Llama Photos

    Business Info

    From this Business

    THE AMALFI LLAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    More like The Amalfi Llama

    Recommended Reviews - The Amalfi Llama

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Capellini ai fruitti di mare/Filet + Lobster Tail
    Michael R.

    Excellent service, excellent food, 0 complaints. We had the short rib empanadas with the center cut fillet and capellini ai fruitti di mare. 10/10, nothing missed a beat. The sear on the fillet was amazing. Wanted to add that the server Cesar was phenomenal. Looking forward to returning for an excellent dinner. Live music and piano was an amazing addition, the vibes were top notch. I'm a tough critic, and I have not a single complaint. P.S. Try the Butter Cake, you won't regret it. Big shout out to Cesar, made the environment much more enjoyable. If he is representation of all of the employees, that's a huge win for the team!

    Front of restaurant
    Chris U.

    Since we were satisfied during our visit last month, we decided to have my wife's birthday dinner here. Had a 5 p.m. reservation. We didn't get a hard time looking for parking. Ordered again the Shrimp scampi and Crab Cake. Still two of our favorites. 5/5 Also ordered: Calamari - golden brown, crispy crust, and tender meat with Fresno, Tartar, Spicy Aioli sauce. 4/5 Wood Grilled Half Chicken - Smokey flavor but other than that, nothing special. Our least favorite. 3/5 Lobster Arrabbiata - lot of sauce, al dente pasta, and tender lobster meat chunks. Some bites get spicy so be careful. 4/5 Fire Roasted Cheesecake - we don't normally order desserts after our meal but I'm glad we did; this is one of the best cheesecakes that we had! 5/5 Thanks for the free birthday Vanilla gelato, it was delicious. Cesar did an excellent job as our server. Emma did an outstanding job in live singing. Highly recommended!!!

    SORRENTO SPRITZ
    Meri A.

    This review is related to Happy Hour! I came by this evening to celebrate a special occasion and was impressed with the ambiance upon coming in. -Service was mediocre: the hostesses were not friendly at all so that stood out as our first impression and not welcoming at all -Server seemed polite, but fairly average service overall plus he took awhile to take our food order -Decor was stunning and nice, we dined at the high top tables that bordered the outside patio, aesthetics are nice inside and out -Caesar salad was scrumptious (I'm not a big salad person so this stood out!) -Calamari was on point and side fixings were tasty with the extra spice from Fresno chilis; both dipping sauces turned it up a notch and was tasty -Truffle and mushroom flatbread was appetizing and fresh from the oven, generous toppings and satisfying -Sorrento Spritz was a refreshing cocktail -Old fashioned drink was stiff and wonderful

    Peppers
    Dave D.

    Amalfi Llama is an upscale restaurant at UTC San Diego. The place is very nice and clean. The service is friendly and efficient. I got the salmon dinner which was delicious. The fish was tender and perfectly cooked. The calamari and empanadas were also very good. I'll definitely go back soon!

    Wood-Grilled Half Chicken, Sea bass, Roasted Beet salad
    Annie D.

    First off, service was excellent 5/5. We were sat in the patio where we could enjoy the live music. However, when the regular music was playing, it was so loud you could not hold a conversation. Now to the main event, the food. $59 for a Seabass filet without any sides. Was it delicious? Yes 10/10. Was it highway robbery? Also yes. Empanadas were child sized. Lobster was missing in action from the arrabbiata. The chicken was probably the best deal. I really wanted to love this place but it's overpriced and loud.

    Short Rib Empanada
    Deyanira P.

    We visited this place for the first time using our AMEX quarterly benefit. I love trying out new places and this one did not disappoint! It's interesting because it says Italian Steakhouse but we were recommended other plates in the menu besides the steak (although I am sure its as good). Our server recommended the Branzino and Lamb Chops for entree; we got a salad and broccolini to share and the shrimp and short rib empanadas as an appetizer. The food was amazing! My husband does not even like fish but he said the Branzino just melted in your mouth. We originally wanted to sit inside (we did have a reservation) but were actually seated outside. The only availability was next to the bar, and although on a normal day we would of accepted, it was just too loud for us and we wanted to share a conversation, plus the seats were not the most comfortable in that area. They did not have availability on the other side of the restaurant, so that was interesting. I will say that the server was amazing and he asked if we were celebrating something, we said our anniversary and he gave us free ice cream. The overall experience was great and we will return with hopes to enjoy the inside seating.

    Renato M.

    The food was great, and my kids loved the fillet. It was great food and Cesar was a great server my son loves his surprise, dessert and we had a good time spending time with you. See you next time bye.

    ribeye
    Angie P.

    The restaurant is at UTC so parking is (paid) and takes forever to find a spot. It's nice inside however the ambiance spotlights they have aren't pointed well, it shone directly in our face the whole time. Our server was very slow, we barely saw her and we had to ask multiple times for things such as dipping sauce on the side for the fries. We ordered partly based off her recommendations and when we ordered what she recommended we didn't like those items. The Hamachi crudo was delicious (tiny portion). The burrata was ok, don't get me wrong I love burrata but it didn't seem prepared, as in they just placed an $8 burrata on a plate with a slice of toast and sold it for $20+. Onto the main course...not quite sure how you ruin steak but it happened. We ordered the filet medium rare and the ribeye medium. They both came out extremely rare. She sent them back to cook a little longer as the rest of our party ate. About 10 minutes later the food came out again still rare. The ribeye also seemed extremely tough and both steaks were not seasoned well if at all. The roasted beet salad didn't actually have roasted beets and barely had any goat cheese. The lobster roll was ok. Highlight of the meal was the lobster gnocchi and I'd gladly order that again. All in all, multiple hundreds dollars later and we were extremely dissatisfied and still hungry....dont recommend.

    Randall B.

    Amalfi Llama continues to be one of those restaurants that's simply fun to visit. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and seated immediately. Our server was genuinely happy--almost bubbly--and her enthusiasm elevated the entire evening. Great service has a way of setting the tone, and she absolutely did. The house-made focaccia was fantastic. Warm, crusty on the outside, soft in the middle, and served fresh. We'd happily order that again. The short rib empanadas were outstanding--honestly the kind of appetizer you talk about afterward. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Two of us ordered the prime rib dip. Normally I wouldn't order a sandwich at a restaurant like this, but I have a weakness for a great prime rib dip, and this one absolutely delivered. It was loaded with real chunks of prime rib, perfectly cooked, and every bite was excellent. The salmon was also very good. The only feedback from the person who ordered it was that it could have used just a touch more seasoning to really make the flavors pop. The cacio e pepe with steak added as the protein was simply out of this world. If you're debating what to order, put this high on your list. As an added bonus, there was a singer performing in the lounge. He sounded so good throughout the restaurant that all four of us eventually wandered over just to see who was performing. Great food, outstanding service, a lively atmosphere, and another wonderful evening. Five stars, and we'll gladly be back.

    Shalini G.

    This is a really yummy place! The happy hour not only has amazing food at reasonable prices but the service is top notch. I really need to have dinner in the dining room soon because I can only imagine how amazing it is. On my recent visit we shared 2 salads and 2 flatbreads ... it was all so amazing I tried a spritz which was refreshing Looking forward to my next visit

    Calamari with tartar and spicy aioli on the side
    Grace L.

    If you're looking for a spot that's perfect for a date night or an elevated girls' night out, Amalfi Llama is a fantastic choice. The inviting atmosphere, creative cocktails, and delicious food make it a place that's easy to come back to. We started off with an appetizer and drinks. The calamari had tartar and spicy aioli on the side, and it was decently crispy. We ordered some drinks, and the standouts were the lychee martini and purple orchid. For entrees: -Lobster arrabbiata which had lobster and spicy tomato on spaghetti: This was a good size, and the flavors were on point. -Positano pizza: This had soppressata, finocchiona, and hot honey. I loved the savory and sweet balance. -Scottish salmon: This had asparagus, arugula, and roasted tomato on the side. On a separate visit, we ordered takeout and had the Maine lobster roll and the Amalfi burger. Both came with a lot of fries on the side. Even though it was takeout, the quality remained stellar! Whether you're dining in for a special evening or grabbing takeout at home, Amalfi Llama consistently delivers delicious food, excellent drinks, and a memorable experience. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

    Blood orange margarita. Good but a tad sweet for me
    Sheri M.

    Came on a Saturday afternoon for lunch at the bar. The restaurant was pretty dead as was the bar. The bartender was very attentive and made an excellent tequila espresso martini. The food was delicious, if not just a tad pricey. We ordered the whole branzino to share and it was delicious, along with a crab cake. It was so well balanced. Overall we liked the food, bartender and decor, but I think if the music was more upbeat they would have more people at lunch. And some lunch specials would be nice, especially when it's so dead inside.

    Ceasar Salad
    Rob C.

    Let's start by saying am thankful they were open until 10pm July 4th! Also, the place had decent vibe even though there were only a few of us dining being it's the 4th and most people were celebrating still. This place is purported to be Italian and Brazillian. Wood fired grillers in the kitchen. Saw they had a ribeye at $78 for a 16 oz so it lured me. Am a bit finicky with steaks but hey, it's wood fired so I was in! Ordered smashed potato with that steak and also had a Ceasar for starters. The salad came and it was decent but it left me wanting a bit more regarding its taste, but I thought, ok. Ceasar. No biggie. Then the steak came. Wifey mentioned it looked flat like somebody ran over it. I enjoy thicker cut steaks and this looked like about 1/2 inch steak. Taste was no big deal. I think i would have done better to have gone to Norms or even better. Outback Steakhouse because that's where how I felt about the steak. And our bill wasn't that cheap! The mashed wasn't bad tho. If anything, that's the only thing I enjoyed. Rodrigo wasn't bad as our waitstaff, so no complaints there. I'd better stop now. Would I come back? Doubt it.

    Maine Lobster Roll

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Cesar provided curated recommendations, he was excellent and the food he suggested was amazing!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laureen P.
    0
    122
    102

    18 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Swan L.
    319
    903
    2874

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eunice O.
    152
    18
    12

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Keeks F.
    81
    34
    20

    2 days ago

    Cesar was phenomenal! He made my birthday celebration fun :) thank you!! We loved all the food and the deserts were amazing!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Great food and Cesar was amazing in helping choose the drink for my wife. The steak was well cooked and the pizza was great as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Frank H.
    4
    113
    20

    3 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ha L.
    224
    143
    755

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nata Z.
    0
    42
    189

    17 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gema B.
    208
    138
    38

    5 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Moe M.
    5
    242
    54

    26 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Michael S.

    Michael S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 22

    The Amalfi Llama Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Amalfi Llama

    Is there a dress code?

    Smart Casual but I've seen people from pretty dressy to laid back.

    Do they accept cash?

    Yes. They accept cash.

    How is the Gorgonzola crusted steak?

    I don't know the answer because I'm allergic to dairy

    Do they have gluten free pizza?

    Yes, cauliflower crust!

    What days do they have happy hour and is there happy hour menu for food and drinks?

    YES, 3-6 pm. It's for sure M-F, but the Website says every day. Yes, there's a happy hour menu, which is how I found out about happy hour.

    What's the corkage policy?

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes, We have a large beautiful patio and dog bowls available as well.

    Is this place family/kid friendly?

    Yes it is.

    View All 10 Questions

    Raised By Wolves - Lots o' Scotch

    Raised By Wolves

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    0.3 mi•University City
    •$$$

    RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

    LOVE THIS SPEAKEASY…read more Shoutout Taylor and Lexi for the incredible service. The ambiance and drinks are unmatched.

    Photos
    Raised By Wolves - Tiramitini and Mojito.

    Tiramitini and Mojito.

    Raised By Wolves - The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

    Raised By Wolves - Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

    See all

    Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

    Javier's La Jolla - La Jolla Location

    Javier's La Jolla

    3.6(1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi•University City
    •$$$
    Fine dining
    Outdoor seating

    Javier's is officially my new favorite spot in La Jolla! We came here to celebrate my friend's…read morebirthday and had such a great experience from start to finish. We made a reservation online ahead of time and were seated right away. Parking was pretty packed since it was the weekend, but luckily they offer valet right in front of the restaurant, which made things much easier. We started with a couple of refreshing margaritas along with the complimentary chips and salsa. For food, the four of us decided to share the Trio de Ceviche and La Tablita, and everything was delicious! The ceviche tasted so fresh, and La Tablita was especially fun because you get to build your own beef tacos. The meat was incredibly tender, and there was plenty of food for all four of us. The atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights. The music, energy, and overall vibe were amazing, and the interior is absolutely stunning. It almost feels like you've been transported somewhere else as soon as you walk inside! Our server was great and made sure we had everything we needed. Service was excellent, and our food came out surprisingly fast. Between the food, drinks, beautiful atmosphere, and great service, we had such a fun birthday dinner. I would definitely come back again!

    The decor and service are spectacular. The food is solid, though nothing special in terms of…read moreflavor. Very much on the pricy side and I was lucky enough to be treated by a dear friend. I would say based on those things I would have rated Javier's a 4 star. The one thing I could not get past was how loud it was. I had to cup my ears just to hear across from me. At one point I commented to one of the servers "it's really loud in here!" and he said "thank you" and smiled REALLY BIG. I think he thought I said he was really handsome, and I felt like a creep the rest of the night. Honestly I would say it was a 1 star from the music. But I still had a good night with lovely friends, even if I had a sore throat the following day from screaming across the table.

    Photos
    Javier's La Jolla - La Jolla Location

    La Jolla Location

    Javier's La Jolla - La Jolla Location.

    La Jolla Location.

    Javier's La Jolla - Jalapeño Margarita

    See all

    Jalapeño Margarita

    Bazille at Nordstrom - Bazille at University Town Center

    Bazille at Nordstrom

    3.9(215 reviews)
    0.2 mi•University City
    •$$

    If you're looking for a meal where you're treated like family from the moment you walk in, Bazille…read moreis it. From start to finish, our visit was absolutely top tier. Head Chef Richard and Restaurant Manager Courtney went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and you can taste the care that goes into every plate. My Caesar salad was perfectly dressed -- not drowning, not dry, just exactly right, and the cup of crab bisque was rich, comforting, and exactly what I was hoping for (paired with an ice-cold Diet Coke, of course). My daughter happily devoured her buttered noodles, and my mom raved about her French dip, which arrived beautifully toasted and full of flavor. A special shout-out to our waitress Sam, who took such excellent care of us throughout the meal. Attentive without hovering, warm, and genuinely lovely, exactly the kind of service that turns a good meal into a memorable one. This was a standout experience from a team that clearly takes pride in hospitality. We can't wait to come back, I do wish they would bring back the rosemary French fries, but I will settle for the other new LOVELY menu options!

    Passable food for a pretty penny…read more It was surprising to find such a quaint eatery within a department store, and I wouldn't have been able to find it without Emmett's comment. The spirit free drinks were surprisingly expensive, with some being $14. My server, Tony, was helpful and the food came out relatively quickly. However, everyone seemed to disappear toward the end of my meal. *Lilac Fizz: a refreshing combination of lavender, lemon, and soda. This was bright and tart, although the lavender was subtle. A bit more lavender syrup would have made it feel more spring esque. *Skirt Steak Chimichurri: came with a side of broccolini and either fingerling potatoes or fries. Tony recommended the fries, and they came with a side of kalamata aioli. The fries were a tad limp but salted well. The broccolini was a bit underdone, but similarly salty. The most notable flavor came from the kalamata aioli, with pronounced acidity. I ordered the steak medium rare and it was perfectly cooked. It was juicy and pink throughout. However, it was very bland. The chimichurri tasted like almost nothing, which was a shame given that the skirt steak itself wasn't seasoned much at all. My companion ordered the salad and while the greens were piled high, the roasted chicken was skimped on despite being $21. Overall, the flavors needed to be more concentrated and distinct. Especially for the higher prices, I expected better ingredient quality. I guess it isn't a bad place to eat if you're shopping on the top floor of Nordstrom, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here when there are better options at UTC.

    Photos
    Bazille at Nordstrom - Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture

    Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture

    Bazille at Nordstrom
    Bazille at Nordstrom - Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!

    See all

    Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!

    The Amalfi Llama - italian - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...