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    Duke's La Jolla

    4.1 (4k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Duke's La Jolla Photos

    DUKE'S LA JOLLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Touristy
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Duke's La Jolla

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    Reviews With Photos - Duke's La Jolla

    Fish Tacos, Crispy Coconut Shrimp, Korean Sticky Ribs
    Jewelia C.

    * catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date After our morning dive we wanted to spend the day at La Jolla so we stopped by Duke's before our beach day to grab a bite to eat! The restaurant was big and we were seated right away. We got drinks and food to share. We got the fish tacos, coconut shrimp, and Korean sticky ribs. They were all yummy but the coconut shrimp was my favorite! The restaurant is located in a nice area walking distance to more shops and the beach!

    Ryan S.

    It's hard to beat a meal with a view like this. The outdoor patio overlooking La Jolla Cove is absolutely spectacular and easily one of the biggest reasons to dine here. While the prices definitely lean toward the higher end, the portions are generous and the food was delicious, so it felt like a worthwhile splurge. The service was a little inconsistent during our visit, with longer stretches between check-ins than I would have preferred, but whenever our server stopped by, they were genuinely friendly and attentive. Between the beautiful setting, great food, and the location in the heart of La Jolla's shopping district, I really enjoyed the experience. It's the kind of place that's as much about the atmosphere as it is the meal, and I'd happily come back for both.

    Crispy Coconut Shrimp
    Shawn S.

    Duke is the most famous Hawaiian and this restaurant is a great representation of him. The location is amazing overlooking the beach. They have a huge location with lots of seating in a beautiful setting and chill vibe. The food is fantastic, very fresh and delicious. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The hula pie is their signature dessert and is huge, enough for at least 3-4 people. All of the dishes were well presented and made with quality ingredients.

    Steak & Eggs
    Caroline C.

    We came from out of town and went on a detour to Dukes based on a recommendation Food: came out fast and fresh and clean Service: very sweet and helpful checked on us frequently Ambiance: you can't beat the view !!

    Tisha S.

    Visited Duke's for Father's Day. The service was excellent. Our server gave great recommendations. The mai tai/lychee martini were top notch, I loved the coconut shrimp, my husband really enjoyed his fish and chips, and the pie was excellent. The view is so pretty. Just a really great time all around.

    Julianne G.

    Visited La Jolla cove and wanted a light dinner and a drink. Our friend had recommended this place so we made reservations on a Sunday at 5ish and had no problem. They have a bar upstairs that had a burger special, but we sat downstairs and had a nice view of the ocean. We were well taken care of by our waiter, Jacob. I ordered a mojito which was so good and refreshing, and ordered the crab cakes which were also very good. They had an amazing meyer lemon remoulade sauce and pickled seaweed on the side which was amazing. My friend and I split the rocket salad with beets and goat cheese, and it was good as well. Our whole group split a hula pie for dessert. Very yummy with extra chocolate sauce and macadamia nuts. I would definitely go here again!!

    Breanna A.

    I've been to the Duke location in Malibu and since visiting SD was able to snag a day of dinner reservation. Quickly sat once arrived and got a beautiful view overlooking the water. It was a chilly night but nearby heaters kept us cozy. I tried the lavender pina colada - tasty and refreshing, we all shared the crispy coconut shrimp and crab wontons. I ordered the roasted lobsters - I can never say no to a lobster. And for dessert the three of us shared a slice of hula pie - perfect end to the night. A great meal at Dukes!

    From our Corner Table
    Marshall G.

    Update We returned on a packed house night. The teriyaki steak was great again and i had the fish of the day. Swordfish. Excellent Ambience. Total Surf Vibe.

    Hula Pie
    Sara R.

    I made a reservation through OpenTable in advance and requested a table near the ocean/glass, and they delivered! Our server was wonderful. The kids enjoyed their kids activity booklets (this is a very kid and adult friendly restaurant, which was perfect for us). We loved being outside near the water, watching the seals from afar, enjoying our drinks and food. I ordered the kiwi mojito and it was delicious! We had the coconut shrimp appetizer, the poke bowl, fried chicken bowl, and 2 kids meals (fish and chips and the chicken fingers), ending our meal with a slice of their famous hula pie!

    Happy 31st anniversary to us!!!!
    Peter I.

    Dukes was stop one on our 24 hour whirl wind anniversary trip. Right on the main strip in La Jolla and unbelievable ocean views made even better by great service from Gracie. We've been to I think every Dukes on the planet and we love this one. So you have to start with their famous mai tai. That drink combined with the view is just the perfect start to a great 24 hours. We had the pork wontons delicious. My wife had a crab and shrimp salad equally delicious and I had the Famous Dukes burger, which I loved so is the perfect first stop on this crazy 24 hours.

    Michelle V.

    Beautiful outdoor patio! We've tried another location in Hawaii and stopped by and got the same plate here and loved it! We tried the tuna tacos as an appetizer- delicious! We shared the rib and chicken plate for lunch and it is a great portion - comes with sides too - great deal and super good! Service was great - also tried the mocktail with ginger beer and loved it!

    Jenn V.

    stunning ocean views and relaxed, beachy atmosphere.. Service is friendly and attentive, making every visit feel special. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch or a sunset dinner.

    Key Lime Pie
    Nancyrae S.

    Visiting from Houston and this was OUR MOST FAVORITE meal while here! LOVED IT! The location is cute, quaint and scenic. Our brunch was breezy, right on the water, but the heaters helped. The hummus appetizer was DELICIOUS! We had the avocado toast, crab cake eggs Benedict and coconut crust french toast. Not a single bad choice. And of course adult beverages to start the day. Although stuffed...we shared the fudgy ice cream and key like pie. Our waiter, Nathan, was fun! He wasn't expecting us...and we hope we made his day.

    Farmers omelet

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    25 days ago

    Beautiful spot on the water. Great views from the patio, and we had nice drinks and service. But the food was just ok.

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    Page 1 of 101

    Duke's La Jolla Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Duke's La Jolla

    Will they make brunch item on weekday?

    Best to call. Christmas Season!

    What is the cost of valet parking?

    We didn't have to valet park as there was plenty of street parking so I'm not sure. Lots of metered parking all around.

    Is parking difficult for disabled?

    There's street parking for handicapped but it's not easy to nab a spot. We had to park 2 blocks away and roll there.

    Does Duke's air sports on tv?

    I'm pretty sure I remember TV's at the bar.

    Is the restaurant dog friendly?

    I have been there several times and have never seen a dog in tow. It is kinda fancy , and there are stairs. Also , it is open to the water , so may not be very safe for a dog.

    What is the price for Sunday brunch?

    Price is a la cart.

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes! Make reservations on Open Table!… Read more

    Do they take walk-ins or must be a reservation?

    They take walk ins. But it's better to do it during the week.

    Do they serve breakfast food during the weekdays?

    I would say no... they open at 11

    Any vegan options?

    zero options. they were able to remove the cheese and sour cream from the nachos... so for $13 you can get tortilla chips with 2 tablespoons of black beans and a tiny scoop of salsa and guacamole.

    Is dukes dog friendly?

    No dogs allowed :(

    Hi I tried to call for reservations but no one picked?

    I made my reservation online. Try using their Website or open table.

    Can I make a reservation?

    Yes, we usually make reservations because they can get busy.

    Is Duke's dog friendly?

    No dogs. Keep them at home.

    Do I need to make a reservation for this weekend? Thank you

    Restaurants with ocean view outdoor patios are at a premium during the pandemic. You could get in, but don't take a chance. Use Open Table-- very easy.

    Do they still have happy hour during COVID? I don't see it on their website

    No, as of 8/18/20 they are not doing happy hour.

    How is the parking? Do you have to pay or is it validated?

    Park on the street, or at the local paid parking lots.

    Do we have to reserve an outside table?

    You can try, but it's not always guaranteed.

    Do I need to make a reservation if I want to sit outside during happy hour on Friday?

    Upstairs outside is first come first serve no reservations

    Do you need to have a minimum amount of people to make a reservation?

    No, just call or make it online

    View All 45 Questions

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    Bernini's Bistro & Bar

    Bernini's Bistro & Bar

    4.3
    (693 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I'd heard about Bernini's so many times over the years, and I'm so glad I finally went. The service…read morewas amazing from start to finish. I'm trying to get better about catching names, but the whole team made us feel taken care of. I tend to grade my Italian spots by their focaccia, and theirs was perfectly soft. We also ordered the lasagna and the spaghetti & meatballs to keep it classic, and it didn't disappoint. There are so many Italian restaurants in San Diego, but I see why Bernini's has been able to thrive here for over 20 years. I'll be back and will highly recommend!

    This was our first visit and it certainly was memorable. We were seated in a quiet little table…read morethat was private and perfect for us. Our waiter came over and welcomed us and set down a bottle of cold water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The evening was underway without a hitch. We asked a few questions and then we reviewed the menu. When Robert came back with the glass of wine, we were ready to order and the process was easy. We shared the fried calamari which had two shrimp and several different kinds of vegetables. It was served with two kinds of sauces. It was very good. My husband ordered the Salmon a la Griglia and he really enjoyed it with the risotto. I had the Seafood Cioppino. It had a great deal of seafood including really big mussels, shrimp and salmon. The broth was great too. The service was great and the meal was terrific. It has a nice variety on the menu. It seems to be a popular neighborhood place. we will be back to try some of the other treasures.

    Photos
    Bernini's Bistro & Bar
    Bernini's Bistro & Bar
    Indoor dining

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    Indoor dining
    Shorehouse Kitchen

    Shorehouse Kitchen

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    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 is a cute little cafe to have brunch at. They have a variety of coffees, fresh pressed juices,…read moreand booze if you're in the mood. They have patio seating outside so you can soak in the sun, people watch, and enjoy a nice meal. I lovedddd the caramelized Tahitian vanilla French toast! It had a little crunch from the caramelization of the vanilla on the French toast. We added the strawberry, blueberry, and chantilly cream to it. Perfect blend of sweet, tangy, fluffy, with a little crunch. Definitely a good sweet treat to start the day. I got a spinach, Swiss cheese, bacon omelet. The hash browns were pretty good! Crunchy, salty, and went well with the eggs. I was hoping for more of a coffee flavor in the white mocha. They make the whipped cream from scratch. The mocha was mid. I would say this place is a lil over a 4 star place. The beach bowl is an açaí bowl on top of Greek yogurt. I thought it was a little too tangy for my taste. I think having either the yogurt or açaí bowl works better than mixing the two.

    Photos
    Shorehouse Kitchen
    Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny
    Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny
    Banana walnut bread  Mocha with oat milk

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    Banana walnut bread Mocha with oat milk
    Nine-Ten

    Nine-Ten

    4.2
    (864 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    Fabulous visit to Nine-Ten, which reminded me why it has been one of our favorites since it opened…read more It blows my mind also that Chef Jason Knibb has now been here for 23 years. It says something about the owners that there is been no turnover and he's been able to keep innovating with Chef Jose Alonzo now as the long-term pastry chef. All right - to our meal! PATIO: remains great. It's covered, which is great on a rainy night, heaters work well. The wind from the ocean can still be a lot, so bring layers anyway. SERVICE: We had Quinn this visit. He was terrific! Really great recommendations. COCKTAIL: I have often found the cocktail menus here boring compared to other places in town. This month, there were so many choices that looked really innovative and up my alley. I was deciding between Lion's Tail (Bourbon, Allspice Dram, Lime, Angostura), Trinidad Sour (Angostura Bitters, Rye Whiskey, Orgeat, Lemon), and Crescent City (Smith + Cross Jamaican Rum, Sweet Vermouth, Lime, Angostura). Quinn suggested that the TRINIDAD SOUR was the most interesting given how I described my cocktail preferences - he explained that it was made with a full ounce of angostura bitters, whereas most cocktails have only a dash. It came in a super cute up glass, and was really delightful. Didn't know my socks off but it was fun & tasty and innovative. Yum! 9/10 BREAD: I'm trying to go lower carb, but their sourdough country bread was warm and hearty. I had a teeny piece and spouse enjoyed the rest. APPETIZERS: Spouse got an off-menu item, the simple green salad with champagne vinaigrette you can always ask for her. I got the current incarnation of the TUNA CRUDO (Charred brassicas relish, currants, lime segments, aleppo, radish flowers, fresno chile, kombu oil). It was beautifully presented and fun to eat; healthy and light. The brassico relish and currants on the tuna were a really nice combination. I approve! 9/10 ENTREES: I got the current halibut preparation (they always have halibut on the menu but they mix up how they do it): Yu choy, black trumpet mushroom, spring onions, date puree, buddhas hand marmalade, sumac, sunflower, green garlic dashi emulsion. Gorgeous, and who needs carbs! The fish was perfectly cooked and the other things worked really well with it: 9/10 WINE PAIRING: I decided to get a glass to drink with the halibut. Quinn suggested pairing it with a gruner veltliner - he said they had been playing around with pairings and this was a surprising match. It was a super fun food wine (also one of the cheaper wines by the glass, $15) and worked really well. I sipped it without the halibut, meh, not my kind of wine - but as soon as I was drinking it with the halibut (and then with my dessert), it was super delish and paired well. 10/10 here on the pairing. DESSERT: I love Chef Jose Alonzo's more fanciful creations, but we went old school & got the half baked chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, which is a classic here for the reason. It's not like you never had this dessert before - but it is *perfection* here. The chocolate was really rich - and the ice cream is just the ideal texture and flavor. The vanilla bean comes through strongly and it's perfectly smooth. 10/10 to end the meal. Valets and hostess were nice too. We'll be back again, of course, even if it takes us a few months to put it back in the rotation!

    We came here last night to try the award-winning Nine Ten Restaurant, and had been really looking…read moreforward to experiencing the ambiance of this Michelin-recognized spot. We made our 6 PM reservation well in advance and were promptly greeted and seated by the hostess in a cozy, romantic spot--perfect for me and my hubby. The presentation throughout the meal was beautiful. The ambiance was relaxed and casual, though the décor felt a bit loud and slightly outdated. To start, my husband enjoyed their homemade sourdough bread with whipped butter, and they thoughtfully provided a gluten-free bread option for me--which was absolutely amazing. We also shared the hamachi sashimi appetizer. While the presentation was exquisite, the sauce it was served with was a bit overpowering for our taste, as we're more accustomed to sashimi without added sauces. For our entrées, my husband had the ribeye and I ordered the lamb. Both dishes were outstanding--cooked to perfection, incredibly tender, and easy on the palate. We couldn't even finish our meals, but they tasted just as delicious the next day. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely recommend this place. Pro tip: if you're staying at the Grand Colonial, you automatically receive 10% off your bill!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Pork belly.  Instagram: @_emwong_
    Pork belly. Instagram: @_emwong_
    Entrance

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    Entrance

    Duke's La Jolla - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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