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The Whaling Bar

Name: The Whaling Bar
Address: 1132 Prospect St, San Diego, CA, United States, 92037-4533
Telephone: (858) 551-3758
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

$31 to $50

Californian

Make a booking

2 people

25 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 15 times today

Great for creative cocktails
Lively
Charming

Rediscover The Whaling Bar in La Jolla, blending historic charm and modern luxury. Once beloved in the La Valencia hotel, it's back after ten years, mixing its rich legacy with today's elegance. Known for its cozy atmosphere and top-notch service, it's been updated for contemporary tastes without losing its heritage essence. Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski, with a background in America's top kitchens and Iron Chef America, leads the culinary journey, offering a menu that combines classic and innovative approaches. The Whaling Bar invites both old fans and new to enjoy luxury and become part of La Jolla's ongoing story.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Redzikowski

From the OpenTable editors: La Valencia Hotel’s iconic cocktail lounge is back and better than ever, thanks to a reboot from San Diego's prolific SDCM Restaurant Group. With emerald-green banquettes, arched windows, and brass pendant lighting, the intimate space’s decor is a nod to the bar’s mid-century heyday. Led by executive chef Brian Redzikowski, the menu is equally glamorous – think lobster rolls and braised short rib baos, plus the restaurant’s original signature cocktail, the Whaler, a twist on Irish coffee.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Martini Hour Daily 16:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–22:00 Bar Thu–Sat 22:00–00:00
Phone number
(858) 551-3758
Website
https://www.lavalencia.com/dining/the-whaling-bar
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
1132 Prospect St, San Diego, CA 92037-4533
Area
La Jolla
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 94 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Whaling Bar in La Jolla offers a vibrant, chic setting perfect for dates or gatherings. Guests rave about the "amazing cocktails" and "delicious, creative food," with standout dishes like the "Twinkie Caesar salad" and "chicken urfa". The ambiance is lively with a "youthful vibe," making it a unique dining experience.

94 Reviews

P
Pamela
VIP
San Diego
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A group of my girlfriends and I went to bingo night and had a fantastic time! The food was great. The service was as well. It was a little bit loud but overall great!
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C
Christopher
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service, well balanced cocktails & tasty food.
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N
Noelani
VIP
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Right from start, valet was unpleasant, hostess was unpleasant, our server was unpleasant. Food was okay at best - overcooked hard fries (how can one even go wrong with fries?), steak was okay, pasta special was okay but very small portion, even by European standards, the cheeseburger cake was awful, and it was so loud we could not hear each other. We just moved here and were hoping this would be a great new regular place, yet quite the opposite, we will never return.
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L
Lynisha
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 3 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The dishes and beverages were immaculate. Opened up my already eclectic pallet. Everything the waiter suggested was fabulous. Not pricey. Ambiance was great. Nice setting. One on my new favorites restaurants in SD county. Highly recommended.
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T
Taylor
VIP
Las Vegas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing date night spot! Great food, great drinks!
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E
Emiliano
New York City
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on 21 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Whaling Bar brings new energy to the neighborhood. Food is amazing specially the chicken urfa, twinky salad and the kale salad. Service always on point !!!! Congrats
1 person found this helpful
C
Charles
San Diego
31 reviews
3.0
31 reviews
Dined on 19 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
A Saturday evening dinner was a full house with a youthful vibe. The menu is sparse, but the the food was first rate. Unfortunately, the bartender could not resist adding vermouth to Grey Goose, despite an explicit request to the contrary, but the service was prompt and attentive. Much about this bistro is attractive, but I would not return if I intended to have conversation with a table mate. The music level was beyond tolerable, and there is nothing inside the four walls to dampen the natural noise level of a crowd. If one is looking for a very good meal with pleasant conversation, this is not the place. If ambiance and tempo are more important than talking, this is a good option.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
VIP
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 19 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another incredible evening at this special place. I've been coming here for 35 years. Absolutely love it.
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z
zachary
San Diego
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Really enjoyed this place. It was cool and vibe was awesome. I love the area of La Jolla it was in and can’t wait to go back. Oh by the way the kale salad was the salad I ever had.
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L
Linda
San Diego
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Was a bit smaller inside than I expected, but the overall ambience and experience was great.
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FAQs

The Whaling Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 94 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

25 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 15 times today

1132 Prospect St, San Diego, CA 92037-4533

Additional information

Area
La Jolla
Hours of Operation
Martini Hour Daily 16:00–17:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–22:00 Bar Thu–Sat 22:00–00:00
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Valet
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.lavalencia.com/dining/the-whaling-bar
Phone number
(858) 551-3758

The Whaling Bar

Make a booking

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Menu

What 94 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Whaling Bar restaurant rated?

Is The Whaling Bar currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information