New Must-Try Restaurants this Spring in La Jolla

It is impossible to run out of things to do in La Jolla, particularly when weather conditions are at their most pleasant in the spring. Come springtime, visitors, the local restaurant scene is hot as the sun, the sand, and the sweeping views of the ocean and its new spring ingredients, dishes, and places for foodies. Many of those menus are also served with locally brewed beer, which is another way to enjoy the region with fresh, seasonal sips and locally inspired beer and food pairings that don’t overpower the food. La Jolla’s culinary landscape has been changing in recent years, with a growing trend of diversity and fusion cuisine. New chefs, new ideas, new gems, and new must-tries are changing the classic picture of oceanfront and fine-dining restaurants. Based on this, here are some of your more intriguing choices.

Exploring the Best Restaurants in La Jolla this Spring

La Jolla has some restaurants that serve regional dishes, some that serve fusion dishes, and some that serve a variety of dining experiences, ranging from casual to Michelin-starred. There’s always something to do locally for all the senses, especially those of the palate. These are some great spring suggestions:

Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge

Named after one of Japan’s most fashionable nightlife districts, the Roppongi District of Tokyo, this modern pan Asian cuisine jewel doesn’t disappoint. Having been absent for 10 years, Roppongi Again was restored in its original location in the middle of the La Jolla Village District at 875 Prospect Street. 

San Diego Magazine was enthusiastic about the Ladeki Restaurant Group’s return to San Diego in December 2025, lauding the stylish restaurant and the exquisite pan-Asian dishes. Roppongi has been hailed as a success since its reopening and is now one of the top La Jolla restaurants. Good ideas for signature dishes are the Crab Stack, Duck Quesadillas, and Hamachi Tacos, and a drink will be served from 3 pm to 5.30 pm on the breezy patio.

Puesto

As true as the taco stands and food trucks in Barrio Logan around the Village District and Wall Street is the Mexican restaurant, Puesto! Another farm cheese known as costra is a delicious snack in Oaxaca, which is used in numerous dishes as well, such as shrimp and serrano sauce, roasted mushrooms, and tacos. Among the new restaurants in La Jolla attracting food lovers, Puesto is one of the best places to eat Mexican food in the vicinity, with its innovative approach to Mexican cuisine, plus Mexico’s refreshing beers and classic cocktails like the Margarita.

For a great night out in La Jolla Village, before heading down to the nightclubs, you’ll want to start with a great meal at Puesto. Not to mention a good variety of craft beers that are just as suited to the food as they are to the music, which will help you to enjoy your meal before the evening turns into a nighttime scene from the film Thrill of the Chase. Not to mention the great selection of craft beers that perfectly complement the meal, which will make for a wonderful experience before the evening becomes a nighttime experience in the film Thrill of the Chase.

NINE-TEN

Most foodies would agree to step out for a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant if they were fortunate enough to find one. NINE-TEN is a proud Michelin-star restaurant that can be found in the Grande Colonial Hotel, on Prospect Street in La Jolla. NINE-TEN is no exception to its lofty reputation as a leader of the California Cuisine movement, which promotes seasonal food, locally grown by farmers. 

Five-course dinners are available à la carte or from the tasting menu, and a California brunch is available for a more sophisticated experience. Among the region’s standout premise restaurants, guests can enjoy short ribs, lamb, and pork belly paired with pureed vegetables and early-season greenhouse-made breads, while lamb and stone fruit reductions elevate the spring tasting experience.

PIAZZA 1909

Completely, as the name suggests, it’s an Italian restaurant that has outdoor seating and a Mediterranean feel, further enhanced by the fact that the restaurant itself is positioned in a beautiful beach residence constructed in 1909. Many La Jolla restaurants use pizza ovens that run on wood fires, but PIAZZA 1909 has a unique flavor, all thanks to Chef Stefano Ceresoli, who takes a Northern Italian approach to pizza. Pizzas are PIAZZA’s specialty in the San Diego area, but Pizzas Primi and Secondi Piatti are worthy recommendations. 

Sliced calamari pasta with cherry tomatoes and white wine, catch of the day fish and clams, and Costata alla Toscana T-bone steak with butternut squash are all on the menu this spring. These seasonal dishes can be enhanced by the perfect local craft beer and premium brewery picked to match the season, adding another layer to the meal and highlighting the essence of the region’s food and beer culture.