Best Authentic Restaurants in Sorrento Mesa

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East CountyNorth San DiegoSan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkCardiff By The SeaCarlsbadCarmel Valley

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

223 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of South of Nick's - Del Mar restaurant

1. South of Nick's - Del Mar

4.7

Exceptional(1055)

$$$$

• Mexican • Del Mar

Booked 58 times today

An essential stop in San Diego for Southern California Mexican Cuisine.South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen & Bar features Classic Mexican favorites, prime steaks and seafood with a So Cal twist. Fine Tequilas & Margaritas Our food and drink meets the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality and combines both modern-creative and traditional styles of cooking. Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

2. Piatti - La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(5443)

$$$$

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 73 times today

Established in 1987, Piatti offers finely crafted fresh Italian cuisine. The soul of the menu is our housemade pasta that we roll, cut and cook by hand everyday. Offering a fresh take on the neighborhood Italian trattoria, Piatti combines a warm, inviting atmosphere, seamless service and an immersive market experience so you can enjoy Piatti at home. Whether dining in or taking home, Piatti brings friends and family together.

A photo of Javier's - La Jolla restaurant

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3. Javier's - La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(4325)

$$$$

• Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 173 times today

JAVIER'S presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. Enjoy hand-shaken margaritas, rare tequilas, craft cocktails and a vast selection of beer and fine wines. Dine with us in the main dining room, al fresco patios, one of our semi private dining rooms, or at the exquisite bar surrounded by one of the West Coast's largest selection of the world's finest tequilas. We at JAVIER'S consider all our wonderful customers a part of our family and thank them for their support and sharing in the success and joy that is JAVIER'S. Come experience the freshness of our original Mexican cuisine in a warm, friendly environment at one of our five locations.Please be advised we don't allow strollers. If you bring your stroller we have a designated area to store your stroller while you dine.

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4. Marisi

4.6

Exceptional(1658)

$$$$

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 118 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.

A photo of Gravity Heights Sorrento Valley restaurant

5. Gravity Heights Sorrento Valley

4.7

Exceptional(1338)

$$$$

• American • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 13 times today

We’re not out to take the San Diego beer scene by storm or reinvent the wheel because the truth is, there’s no shortage of good breweries in San Diego. Instead, our aim is to pair that good beer with the same delicious food, exceptional service and genuine hospitality we’re known for so you never have to compromise one for the other again. Tucked away in Sorrento mesa, our 12,000 square foot brewpub includes a full service restaurant, an event space, an expansive and lush outdoor beer garden and a pretty stellar team to make sure you always have good food in your mouth and a solid beer in your hand.

6. Dora Ristorante

4.5

Awesome(305)

$$$$

• Italian • Torrey Pines

Booked 33 times today

After quietly building one of San Diego’s most beloved Italian concepts out of a cozy North Park trattoria, Dora marks the newest venture for husband-and-wife duo Chef Accursio Lota and writer and hospitality visionary Corinne Goria. Named for Chef Accursio’s grandmother, Dora celebrates coastal Southern Italian cuisine–rooted in tradition, guided by seasonality, and interpreted through a contemporary lens. The menu draws inspiration from the sea and the seasons, centered around handmade pastas, Mediterranean seafood, and a touch of theatrical flair, with thespian-inspired dining experience and themed specialty cocktails as an ode to the neighboring Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse.

A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

7. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1485)

$$$$

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 28 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.

8. La Jollita

4.8

Exceptional(166)

$$$$

• Seafood • La Jolla

Booked 78 times today

Mexican Coastal SeafoodTacos, Tostadas & ZarandeadosGreat bar and cocktails

9. Barbusa

4.7

Exceptional(4770)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 103 times today

Barbusa is an authentic Italian restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego. It's praised for its vibrant atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food, with reviewers stating 'Food is amazing…authentic, and delicious' and 'Amazing meal and service!! An authentic Sicilian feeling'. The restaurant's attention to detail in presentation and its handmade pastas, freshest seafood, and stone-fired oven pizza add to the authenticity. It's a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

10. Lala

4.7

Exceptional(383)

$$$$

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 26 times today

From the Owners of Barbusa .we bring you "Lala" a captivating blend of modern and classic Italian cuisine, paired with handcrafted cocktails in a cozy, sexy-chic ambiance. Our menu showcases timeless Italian flavors with a contemporary twist, from traditional Stuffed Shells to inventive loaded potato gnocchi. The intimate atmosphere, with dimmed lights and plush furnishings, sets the stage for romantic dinners or vibrant gatherings.Our bar is a haven of mixology artistry, featuring classic Negronis and signature creations like the "Lala Martini." Sustainability is a core value—we source responsibly and implement eco-friendly practices in both the kitchen and the bar. "Lala" isn't just a restaurant; it's a community that appreciates culinary excellence, inviting you to savor the extraordinary in every bite, sip, and moment. Join us for a celebration of Italian cuisine, crafted with contemporary flair, and served in an ambiance that exudes romance.

‘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

J
Joseph
New York City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Had a great experience at Marisi! Hostess was super welcoming. Sat outside and it was a little chilly so they put the heat lamp on. Had the focaccia and tomato carpaccio to start. Delicious! And the pastas were so tasty! Highly recommend the spicy rigatoni. Great spot in La Jolla.
More info
Marisi$$$$• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.6
T
TeresaGold
San Diego •54 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Absolutely beautiful & unique decor, outstanding menu and delicious! Pleasant and professional service. Will definitely return.
More info
Javier's - La Jolla$$$$• Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.7
M
Mark
6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Perfect dinner for my wife and I while on vacation. Went in expecting your typical Mexican fare and were pleasantly surprised by a delicious à la carte menu. Went shared the grilled barramundi and it was fantastic. Also the ahi tostada is a must try. Highly recommend for a casual dinner with your sweetheart, family or friends when you want to impress them with some fantastic food.
More info
La Jollita$$$$• Seafood• La Jolla
•
4.8
E
ElaineGold
San Diego •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Always enjoyable, especially a summer lunch on the patio. Delicious pasta and salad. Delightful!
More info
Piatti - La Jolla$$$$• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.7
C
ChristinaGold
San Diego •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
My favorite weekly spot! The food is incredible. The service is fantastic. The chips are always fresh and hot…and who doesn’t love butter cake!
More info
South of Nick's - Del Mar$$$$• Mexican• Del Mar
•
4.7

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