Best Authentic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

80 restaurants available nearby

A photo of RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla restaurant

1. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

4.4

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 61 times today

Dining at RED O is an experience like no other that offers a unique combination of Prime Steak and Seafood with Rick Bayless’ signature Mexican inspired influences. With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, RED O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico. RED O’s team of friendly employees creates a welcoming atmosphere that parallels the luxury resort interior of the restaurant. RED O also features an impressive bar and lounge where you’ll find specialty cocktails, an extensive tequila list and an award winning wine list. The bar also offers Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and Late Night Happy Hour from 9-11pm Friday-Saturday.

2. Catania

4.8

Exceptional(2069)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 18 times today

Inspired by an Italy road-trip Chef Ryan and I (Arturo) took back in 2008, we’re pleased to introduce Catania, the newest member of the Whisknladle Hospitality family. Here, we’ll be featuring simple, seasonal and authentic Italian Coastal Cuisine (None of the Italian version of TexMex you see most other places). Our commitment to authenticity will be evident in our use of wood burning ovens and grills, an all Italian wine list as well as an exclusively craft Italian Beer program. (Yes, Italy has an amazing craft beer movement nobody’s heard about.)

3. Duke's La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(6556)

Price: Moderate

• Hawaiian Regional • La Jolla

Booked 182 times today

We are open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery! Visit dukeslajolla.com to view our menus or place an online takeout order.You don’t need to cross the Pacific to get a taste of Hawaii. Duke’s La Jolla is San Diego’s island-inspired home, honoring the Ambassador of Aloha, Duke Kahanamoku, with coastal cuisine of Hawaii, craft cocktails and a genuine spirit of aloha. It’s the same authentic hospitality and panoramic ocean view that you’ll find at all of the California and Hawaii Duke’s restaurants, paying tribute to the Duke and welcoming you to celebrate life like the legend himself.

4. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1063)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 83 times today

Discovering Italy by way of La Jolla, Marisi focuses on Italian hearth cooking with an emphasis on handmade pastas, fine wine and classic cocktails. The menu celebrates the rich diversity of cuisine from across Italy, fashioned in a time-honored tradition of handmade all day, every day. A dream that lives between the Italian and La Jolla coasts, suspended between tides instead of time — a mood more than a plot. A visit that feels a lot like coming home, if home was a warm, charming villa off the Amalfi coast. Marisi is a taste of something you want to remember. We hope you love it.

5. Puesto La Jolla

4.6

Exceptional(2125)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 79 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere. We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

6. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1119)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 42 times today

La Dolce Vita is located in a European courtyard setting at International Shops off Prospect St. Loyal to its name La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), is a place to sit back and relax in our cozy and romantic indoor dining room or our charming outdoor patio to enjoy a hearty meal along with a bottle of wine while listening to Italian tunes. We serve genuine Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting at affordable prices.

7. Piazza 1909

4.7

Exceptional(817)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 28 times today

Welcome to Piazza 1909 in the heart of La Jolla! Enjoy chef Stefano's exquisite Italian cuisine and daily specials in a beautiful Mediterranean setting. Great outdoor patios and private event spaces. Gluten free pasta, pizza and Vegan menu available. Best homemade Pasta in La Jolla. Organic, free range meat and fresh Seafood. Dog friendly. DINNER Tuesday-Sunday. HAPPY HOURS Tuesday-Friday 4:30-6:00pm. Team Building cooking Classes. Private Chef Dinners & Catering. WEEKEND BRUNCH will resumes next Summer, but we welcome private luncheons any day of the week. What else to say? If you are looking for a memorable Italian dining experience, you got to the perfect spot! Grazie e ci vediamo in Piazza!

A photo of The Godfather Restaurant restaurant

8. The Godfather Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1879)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Kearny Mesa

Booked 42 times today

The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.

9. Ambrogio15

4.9

Exceptional(834)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Pacific Beach

Booked 14 times today

Ambrogio15 is an authentic Pizzeria with a unique Milano gourmet pizza recipe. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of the Italian cuisine. The restaurant is described as 'exceptional', 'fabulous' and 'authentic'.

A photo of Bistro du Marché by Tapenade restaurant

10. Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

4.9

Exceptional(1464)

Price: Expensive

• French • La Jolla

Booked 6 times today

Bistro du Marché by Tapenade is considered authentic due to its French cuisine, cozy ambience, and friendly staff. Reviews highlight the authenticity of the food, with one saying, 'The food is authentic French and it reminds me eating at a 5-star restaurant in France.' Another reviewer, a French person, praised the authenticity of the food and experience. The restaurant's consistent, well-executed French cuisine, coupled with its authentic atmosphere, makes it a beloved spot for those seeking a genuine French dining experience in San Diego.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MichaelVIP
San Diego •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our family of 5 were there for Christmas Eve dinner. We had reservations at 5:15 pm and were seated promptly. The service was very nice and took our drink orders and appetizer orders right away. We've been here many times before and had always enjoyed the ahi taco and calamari. This time I also had a Caesar salad which was good. The bar ran out of Bombay so could not have my usual Bombay tonic but substituted Tanqueray which was fine. The entrees included the Duke's fish, steamed fish and shrimp in the banana leaves, a filet medium rare and the seafood hot pot. And of course, you can't finish a meal without Hula pie. Our only wish for Christmas: have Prime Rib like they have at Duke's Huntington Beach. Otherwise, the experience was enjoyable and we shall be back.
More info
Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaiian Regional• La Jolla
•
4.6
M
Miguel
Baja California •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Service was very attentive and fast. Food was amazing!
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RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.4
M
Max
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Val was AMAZING !!!! Her service, knowledge of food and wine was outstanding. Absolutely amazing experience and I will 100% be back !!!
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CataniaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8
C
CarlVIP
Denver / Colorado •43 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Service, food and atmosphere were wonderful; highly recommended.
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MarisiPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.6
L
Lynn
Pittsburgh •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great cocktails and the guacamole and chips is fantastic. Tacos are very good although some are much better than others. Shrimp tamarind is a star for our table.
More info
Puesto La JollaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.6

Best Authentic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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80 restaurants available nearby

1. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

2. Catania

3. Duke's La Jolla

4. Marisi

5. Puesto La Jolla

6. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

7. Piazza 1909

8. The Godfather Restaurant

9. Ambrogio15

10. Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

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