Cancel

Open app

Search

DRIFT eat + drink

3.6 (104 reviews)
ModerateBars, New American
Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

DRIFT eat + drink Photos

DRIFT EAT + DRINK ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Casual
Intimate
Upscale

You might also consider

More like DRIFT eat + drink

Recommended Reviews - DRIFT eat + drink

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

Ingredients to make a drink
Cory S.

I was in La Jolla recently for a work meeting, and stayed at the Hyatt Regency. As I had a few hours to kill before meeting up with colleagues, I decided to enjoy lunch in DRIFT eat + drink while watching one of the NFL playoff games. I went right up to the bar where I found that the servers/bartenders were ready and prepared to answer my many questions about food dishes and drinks. First, I ordered the La Jolla Burger (grass-fed beef patty, bacon, and jack cheese on a Hawaiian bun). I left off the avocado. It came with regular French fries. The burger and the fries together were delicious! I would certainly order them again. To drink, I ordered a Drift Signature Cocktail. I chose the Passiontini (Kettle One Vodka, passion fruit liquor and puree, pineapple juice, served with a champagne floater). I was told a few minutes later that they were out of passion fruit puree. I instead ordered a strawberry margarita. Originally, I was brought a smaller glass which was quite strong, so they placed it into a taller glass with more juice added, and that was perfect! I really enjoyed it though I am now curious what the Passiontini would have tasted like. You can make a reservation on Open Table or their website (https://www.driftlajolla.com). I had no issue going right up to the bar as I headed there shortly after they opened for lunch at 12 noon. They are opened Monday through Thursday from noon until 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from 10 AM until 11 PM (with brunch menu until noon). They have menus for lunch, dinner, bar, Sunday brunch, and Valentine's Day. Customers can self-park in the Hyatt Regency La Jolla parking garage to receive up to 3 hours of validated parking. I also was intrigued about events in the space including the upcoming Baja California Wine Event on February 6. They are inviting anyone to sign up online for a complimentary tasting event featuring Michelin-starred Chef Roberto of Valle in Oceanside pouring his signature wines, alongside other unique selections from Baja California. Light fare will be served as guests discover the vibrant flavors of Mexican wines now on Drift's menu. If you're in La Jolla, especially if you are staying at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, I strongly recommend checking out DRIFT eat + drink.

Berry Sorbet
Michael G.

Hmmm. Mixed feelings. Great potential. This is the main restaurant in the Hyatt Regency and a convenient stop after a long day. So - first - the server Serg and his team were pleasant, attentive and consistent in delivering a solid dining experience. The setting is nice - with both indoor and patio options. I chose the patio for both visits and was pleased with the seating, the soft music and the overall vibe. The food on my first visit was disappointing. I had the New York Strip Steak with potatoes and asparagus. The vegetables were fine, but the steak was a terrible, gristle-laden cut of meat. I ended up leaving most behind and calling it a day. The food on my second visit was much better. I chose the Chile-Lime Salmon which had a pleasant avocado-mango and passion fruit relish to bring the flavor home. It's served with a quinoa-rice mix which was nicely balanced. I wish my first visit had been this pleasant. I did have a berry sorbet to finish the second meal and found it pleasantly intriguing. The consistency was almost crumbly (think ice) with very berry-forward flavoring. I enjoy sorbet and found this one a perfect complement to my meal.

Spicy black berry La Jolla Margarita
Zabrina W.

Great restaurant located in the Hyatt. The food is tasty and the drinks are fresh and handcrafted. I had truffle fries which were delta d the LaJolla margarita. Service was a bit slow but friendly. The ambiance was relaxed and quiet to start but ramped up as it neared 8 pm on a Saturday. I recommend this place for a small bite to eat especially if you are staying in the hotel.

Salmon was too bight -- too much lemon.
Monica E.

I cannot see a person visiting DRIFT if you are not staying at the Hyatt. It doesn't have a draw. If you are staying at the hotel and would like a quick drink or prefer to stay close for dinner, it is just an OK choice. I will be honest, however: even if I stay here again, I would not visit DRIFT for a meal. First, I must say that the service is very good. The team is attentive, helpful and kind. I was surprised at the level of service. But it did not make up for the food. I am going to endorse the mango margarita, and the martini is OK. But the food. Oh my. The burger is so uninteresting, and the salmon was flavored with entirely too much citrus that it nearly ruined the dish. The risotto was a bit dense and seemingly undercooked. The empanadas were an exciting addition to the menu, and the exterior was perfectly cooked. But the interior seemingly had only potato -- any other flavor or taste of cheese as advertised was lacking. I will say, however, that the fries were spectacular. Very good. The ambiance is just OK. You are seated in the parking lot, with a green barrier between you and the guests who are coming and going. So the patio doesn't lend itself to too much romance. The inside can be busy and bustling, with TVs set to sports. Again, the front of house team is wonderful here. But the food and overall ambience are not worth the time or the cost.

Chorizo
Maya T.

This restaurant was so alluring. The space is so beautiful and the ambiance is amazing. They had live music, which was pretty cool. Even though it was too cold for the patio, it looked like such a great spot for when it's warmer out. The service was a little underwhelming, and a bit slow at times. We were the only table in the restaurant, but it seemed to pick up when we were leaving. The food was almost inedible, which was sooo disappointing. We started with the Hummus, which lacked any sort of seasoning. My biggest issue was that it was topped with regular black olives, instead of traditional green or even kalamata olives. It just seemed weird. We also ordered some extra pita, which was $5. The $5 is fine for an additional side, I just have a pet peeve when servers don't mention an additional charge. I got the Chorizo Flatbread for my entree, and the dough was similar to cardboard. The tomato sauce wasn't warm and the cheese had oregano piled on top. Not great. My mom got the Brown Butter Cavatelli Pasta, and it was alright. Not anything crazy. A good portion though. I think if we stay at the Hyatt again, we'll have to try some off campus restaurants! The 3 stars reflect the amazing interior design, and ambiance. I also do love that it's open late.

Menu
Aaron W.

The seating is pick your own (nice) and we choose outdoor by the fire pit. It was perfect for a nice snack with my wife. The ambience is classy and nice and I am glad I can have a romantic evening with my wife. I ordered the shrimp tacos with were good, but the start of the show was the ahi tuna tostada and wow were they good and I am not really a fan of tuna at all. What an explosion of great flavor. The waitress was great and recommended the ahi. The service was fast, friendly, and efficient. Would love to come back and try other dishes along with getting the ahi tuna tostada for my self.

Dirty martini
Michele L.

This place is inside the Hyatt off the lobby. Got there at 5:15pm for happy hour. Website stated it was 3-6 but found out when arrived it was 2-5. They did offer to honor when we explained front desk and website has different hours though. Lots of seats at the bar and service was good. We just had a dirty martini... no blue cheese olives and my friend had a vodka soda. We tried the pretzels with cheese dip which came as 3 long soft pretzel loafs with both a cheese and mustard dip. Very good. My martini was fabulous too. It was a good place to talk and catch up. Not much atmosphere or liveliness though. My martini was 5 star, service good but not exceptional - they were attentive but something was missing. It's good for a hotel location but I probably won't be back. Hint: Park on the side street to avoid parking costs too.

a patio at night
Haylee M.

We thought this place was a rooftop bar and got a little disappointed because it was on the first floor, but ended up actually loving it! Ambiance was amazing - They had a fire pit and vertical fire lamps and overall really nice lighting. Comfortable seating and just a nice vibe to it. We wanted to stay past midnight so they told us we could go downstairs to the courtyard without drinks after midnight. That place was really lovely as well. We ended up having a nice evening chatting with good conversation and staying up to 2:00 a.m.! Drinks were also really nice. Friends got some old fashioned, dirty martini, couple of beers, and the strawberry and coconut cocktail.

Loaded Hummus Plate*
Alexandra W.

At night, sit outside by the firepit. Fun and chill vibes. Order the Loaded hummus - a unique way to eat healthy and hummus but you're going to run out of Pita quickly - and they'll charge you an extra $5 for Pita (but I promise you it's worth it on vacation lol). They offer a delicious strawberry lime mojito - so refreshing. Service was attentive and friendly. Prices are not great, but food is good.

Meghan W.

We spent the night here at Hyatt Regency La jolla. We actually went over to Salt and Lime at 830p.m. to grab a bite to eat before checking in. They were closed! I discovered that many of the bars and restaurants in LA Jolla close at 9p.m. on a Friday night! After checking into the hotel, I was pretty hungry. We happened to find Drift on our way to the hotel elevator. It is a trendy bar vibe. I like their outdoor seating. They have 2 fire pit tables. The menu was surprisingly good and the prices were reasonable got a hotel bar. I got the Ahi tuna tostada, which was an explosion of flavors. I wished there was more of it. It was good. The waitress was great. She said it was her favorite, and if I didn't like it, I could return it. She said she's never had anyone return it. She's right. It was good. My hubby got the shrimp taco, another one of the waitress's recommendations. It was good, but I felt like it was small, too small with not enough filling. I also got the athletic IPA non alcoholic beer. It is made a company in San Diego. I enjoyed it.

Darryl G.

Everything about our meal at Drift was impressive. Although it is located in the Hyatt La Jolla, it is clear that they have spend considerable resources focusing on serving delicious food with fresh ingredients, providing outstanding service, and creating a really lively and fresh decor. There are many seating options, my favorite of which was the outdoor patio dining area. It has fire pits, cozy seating, festive lighting and is very inviting. If you are just planning on grabbing a drink, there's a great bar area, and bar service was exceptional. They have two new seasoned chefs, and it shows. Every dish was plated beautifully, and tasted incredible. There were some absolute standard dishes on the menu like the shrimp empanadas - absolutely, positively, you must get them. Steak was cooked perfectly, the desserts were 10/10, beef short ribs and ahi tostadas - overall the meal was well priced and extremely delicious. Service is everything, and I would say shout out should go to everyone that works there as they are warm and friendly and helpful.

Whether you want to grab a seat at the bar, cozy up on a couch or be seated at a table, you can't go wrong! We recently dined as a family at DRIFT during our stay at Hyatt Regency La Jolla and had the opportunity to try a wide range of dishes - all were excellent! Our favorite was the tuna tostada appetizer! And the kids raved about the cheese pizza! The cocktails were delicious, the service was remarkable and it had a great casual, but elevated vibe! A great spot for happy hour or dinner - adults only or with the kids! The ambiance on the outdoor patio was lovely too! Plenty of heaters if you're dining in the Winter!

Shrimp Tacos
Sean P.

The shrimp tacos were an absolute delight - truly awesome and highly recommended! The waitstaff's helpful service and the great atmosphere added to the overall experience. Seating outside, surrounded by fire lamps on the patio, created a perfect setting to enjoy the cool night air. Staying at the Hyatt was more enjoyable with Drift here. I came back three times during my stay just for the tacos!

See all

7 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mike V.
188
43
40

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Monica E.
2368
813
14908

2 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 3

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Service was great. I liked the hummus a lot. The flatbread was good. We ate here while waiting for our car to charge in the garage.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lynn N.
8
318
57

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Amy B.
165
216
32

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Maria C.
1876
3135
9889

8 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 0
Love this 9
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Meri A.
115
1288
6493

9 years ago

Helpful 12
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0
Photo of Jocy C.
1641
1752
8486

9 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 10
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 0
Love this 13
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - DRIFT eat + drink

Is this place dog friendly?

They have a large outdoor patio and I do remember seeing another diner with a dog on it.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Bars 52,426 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Shorehouse Kitchen - Pork Carnitas Chilaquiles

Shorehouse Kitchen

4.3(2.4k reviews)
2.1 miLa Jolla, La Jolla Shores
$$

Food was amazing. Nice robust flavor from the béarnaise…read moresauce on the Salmon Benedict. Waiter was very pleasant. He asked what kind of side of toast did I want with my Benedict, I responded with "oh? There's toast included? Maybe Rye?" And he said "oh no, my apologies, it doesn't come with toast". I must have had a really sad look on my face when I said "oh ok". because he said "you know what, I'll throw in a side of complimentary toast". Anyways, great little niche close to the ocean. Nice light cool breeze. Street Parking was easy to find

This place is really very cool. They had some service issues when I sat out on the sidewalk but…read morewhen I was in the patio inside the restaurant, it was all sorted. My daughter loves their waffles which is great and all but...for $15, you get one waffle. Its a thin one. With a teaspoon of powdered sugar on top. Want another even on the same plate? Also $15. Order 2 at the same time? $30. All the dishes were very good and they have coffee out for you so if you arrive and there's a wait, you can have some free caffeine. All the dishes and the coffee seemed better than what I would have expected in a super touristy area. If its windy out, don't sit outside because the umbrellas blow over even with sand bags on them and I saw one nearly take an old guy's eye out.

Photos
Shorehouse Kitchen
Shorehouse Kitchen - Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny

Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny

Shorehouse Kitchen - Banana walnut bread  Mocha with oat milk

See all

Banana walnut bread Mocha with oat milk

Bazille - Bazille at University Town Center

Bazille

4.0(205 reviews)
0.8 miUniversity City
$$

TLDR: Solid New American restaurant with a unique seasonal menu! This place is a staple for our…read morestaff team.

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 - Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture

Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture

Bazille
Bazille - Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!

See all

Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!

Bay Hill Tavern - Açaí bowl

Bay Hill Tavern

4.3(588 reviews)
5.5 miBay Park, Clairemont
$$

NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT (4.5 stars)…read more This place is such a neighborhood hangout! FOOD: yum SERVICE: great PRICE: fair AMBIANCE: chill but parking sucks I wouldn't think a corner bar on top of Bay Hill would be vibe but it seems so with the neighborhood folks. Area is great. Parking is minimal, park on the street or across in the shopping parking lot. They have Taco Tuesdays. They have trivia nights on Wednesdays. It's family and dog friendly. And on any day it's always packed with people. Taverns usually have amazing bar food. They have amazing bar food but also different! Brunch, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, tacos, plate dishes, etc etc! WORKING CLASS CAULIFLOWER ($14) - Crispy cauliflower tossed in sweet & spicy sauce, sesame seeds & green onions, side of white rice. This was a feature and a popular dish here so I had to try it. I loved how I could keep eating this without feeling sluggish after a big meal. The cauliflower were chopped in bite size pieces, fried with a batter, and glazed with a flavor similar to a mix of sweet and sour + orange chicken but not. Kind of also reminded me of Gobi Manchurian but again not. Overall, it was a delicious meal and something I'd def order again. HIGHLY RECOMMEND There's so much more on the menu to tackle and I can't wait to put this in the rotations. Until the next bite...

Bay Hill Tavern is such a gem - I had an awesome experience and can't wait to go back. From the…read moremoment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcomed and taken care of, and the whole place has that friendly neighborhood vibe with a great bar and comfortable, open atmosphere. Shannon in particular went above and beyond for our table - constantly checking in without hovering, making spot‑on recommendations, and bringing this amazing upbeat energy that made the brunch feel special. She anticipated what we needed before we even had to ask and genuinely seemed happy to be there, which is rare and really appreciated. The food and drinks were excellent, with a solid selection of beers and cocktails and a menu that hits all the comfort‑food favorites while still feeling a step above typical bar food. It's the kind of place that works just as well for a casual hang with friends as it does for a low‑key date night. I'll definitely be back soon and will be asking for Shannon again!

Photos
Bay Hill Tavern
Bay Hill Tavern - Açaí bowl + nitro cold brew

Açaí bowl + nitro cold brew

Bay Hill Tavern - Beets by the bay with blackened salmon

See all

Beets by the bay with blackened salmon

DRIFT eat + drink - bars - Updated May 2026

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