First time at Jake's! A couple of friends visiting from San Francisco took me there for a fantastic seafood diner with a view to celebrate my birthday (is past two weeks but always open to be celebrated ). The restaurant is stunning, clean, views to the ocean from every corner, cozy and classy. Our a server was a young lady with long hair very attentive and fast service. We ordered a bunch of things to share and our only disappointment was the salad with cucumber, watermelon and blueberries. What we thought was going to be an exotic salad looked more like a non cohesive blend. We did not like it to start with because we expected the watermelon and cucumber to be very cold and also fresh (the color of the cucumber was not attractive, like was seating at the kitchen for a while). Maybe that salad should be offered as dessert instead. My favorite were the shishito peppers with brussel sprouts as well as the fish with black mole sauce. Shrimp dish was very shareable and very delicious too. Very good first experience and very happy to have friends who love me so much to treat me better than I treat them! read more

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We had a wonderful date night! The atmosphere is pretty laid back for a nice restaurant. The beachside setting contributes to that. $10 valet parking out front. We were seated quickly with our reservation. Our waiter was great! He knew the menu thoroughly. And took a ton of care with my nut allergy (even suggesting I don't do anything fried because they do fry macadamians in an appetizer). We had cocktails that were delicious and well balanced. The ceviche had great flavor and texture. And the surf and turf was great. The horseradish potatoes were notably good. We'll certainly be back for a special night out. read more

Jake's - Meztcal martini cocktail - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Disappointing 30th Anniversary Experience My wife and I came to Jake's on July 18th to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We made a reservation and arrived 30 minutes early hoping to grab a drink and relax at the bar. Unfortunately, the night got off to a rough start. The valet lot was completely jammed and backing up into the street, forcing us to search six blocks before having to pay $60 for a private lot across the street. The host staff at the door were fantastic--friendly and professional--and gave us a lovely anniversary card. But from there, the service fell apart. At the bar, after asking the bartender for a recommendation, he turned away mid-conversation and ended up serving three groups who walked up after us. Once seated at our table (no ocean view, which was a bit of a bummer for a special occasion), we waited another 15 minutes before our server ever greeted us or asked if we wanted starters. When the food arrived, the steak was cooked well and the flavor was good, but the sides--the mashed potatoes, green beans, and shrimp--were lukewarm at best. The biggest issue throughout the night was basic attentiveness. Empty water and drink glasses sat on our table while we had to flag down other staff members for refills. By the time our server came back to offer another drink menu, we were already done eating. After waiting 20 minutes post-dinner just to get the check, we skipped dessert altogether and just wanted to head home. We've had far better, more attentive service at a local Denny's. For a high-end restaurant on a milestone occasion, the overall experience was pretty "meh." We won't be returning. read more

Good vibe good location. Food was tasty. Staffs were friendly. Love the window seats! read more

Jake's - Appetizer: calamari and shrimp - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Where do I start? This is the spot if you're looking for a good time chilling at the bar, or bring your date out for a romantic dinner around sunset! And if that is the plan, get there a little early and ask for a window seat. Keep in mind, depending on time, the party before you may hang back for dessert and watch the sunset prior to leaving, and to be honest, I don't blame them lol. One other disclaimer, Valet parking here is less expensive at $10, versus public parking across the street for $26 for 2 hours. Now onto Jake's, from the moment we walked in, the greeters were very nice and welcoming! We sat at the Bar while we waited for our window seat, the bartender was cool, and knowledgeable about the drinks, and our 2 drinks were dangerously tasty! Our server when we got seated to the busboy were all friendly, our server Juda was very knowledgeable about the menu explained everything to the "T", and explained the off the menu specials to my wife and I, that made us want to actually try a few of the items (pictured in my post). The view of the ocean by our seat, to the food, to the vibe were all A+. Would definitely be back, when we're back in the area. Thank You! read more

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Jake's is a staple in my restaurant rotation! I can always count on great service, wonderful ambiance and delicious food. We started with the brussel sprouts which are SO insanely wonderful then had some of the prosciutto wrapped prawns which were good. I ordered the spice crusted ahi which was cooked perfectly, our server Todd was happy to accommodate my request for no rice, extra veggies. We finished off with the cheesecake which was exceptional (which you don't really expect with a restaurant cheesecake to be honest). Overall such a wonderful place that I keep coming back to. read more

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Service continues to be top notch. The amazing ocean view (especially during lunch service) is something that's hard to find in north county. Caprese sandwich with bacon was yummy, but really messy to eat. I'd stick with seafood next time. Calamari appetizer is still amazing too. read more

I don't come here often, but when I do I always look forward to it and I enjoy bringing out-of-towners here. That said, my most recent experience, which included two of my cousins from the East Coast where there was just a huge snowstorm, could have been better and I was torn between giving it 3 stars or 4 stars. I made a reservation for three through Open Table and confirmed it with a phone call to the restaurant. I'd requested a table by the window, if possible, and was told that those tables are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved. I was also told that because my reservation was for 11:30am, which is when the restaurant opens, getting a table by the window should not be a problem. When my party arrived, there were just two parties of 2 or 3 people each ahead of us. We followed the hostess/server to the window seating, and while the other two parties were were being seated in the center area of the window where the view is most gorgeous, our person led us to the table all the way to the side where part of the view is obstructed. I asked for a table in the middle, near where the other parties were being set up, and the employee said, "They have reservations." I told her I have a reservation too. I also told her that the tables are supposed to be first-come, first-served. She set us up where we wanted to sit, but I didn't enjoy going through that. One cousin ordered the Ahi Poke Bowl, requested a couple of substitutions, and really enjoyed what she had. My other cousin ordered the veggie burger version of the Chef's Burger and really enjoyed what he had. I ordered the Caprese Sandwich and did not enjoy it. The wild arugula was in pieces too big to eat, the burrata cheese was runny, and every bite was a mess. I anticipated the tomato would be ripe and sliced. What I got in both halves of the sandwich was the top part of a big hard tomato and it was partially green. It looked like what you get when you slice off the top of a thick bell pepper and cut out the center where the seeds are. It was so hard, it was inedible. I'm glad that my cousins really enjoyed their meals, loved the view, and felt this was a wonderful place to come. I'd come here again, and now I know what not to order. read more

If you're looking for a spot right on the water, Jake's is a great option! We came here for the first time recently and really enjoyed our visit. We got seated outside which was nice but unfortunately we didn't have a view of the ocean. However, there is a walkway from the restaurant directly on to the beach. The service was great throughout our whole meal. Food wise, delicious! We started with the ceviche which was so tasty. I ordered the Scallops and my wife ordered the Surfing Steak. Everything tasted fantastic! Even the kids meals were good sizes. It is a little pricey but it's also directly on the beach. The inside was nice and had beautiful views. Valet parking is only $10 if you can't find street parking. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner here! read more

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This is, and always has been, one of my favorite places in all of San Diego. The first went here with my wife back in 2002. It was amazing then and it's still amazing now. We went to Jake's last week with a big party from work, and the service was fantastic, and the food was as good as I remember it. I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting. read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Had dinner here with coworkers at night. Was seated at a round table on an elevated platform where we were able to see the waves on the beach through the windows. Service was amazing! Food came out quickly and at the same time. Waiter recommended the scallops. 4 of us ordered this dish and we all loved it. We received a complimentary hula pie and a large pineapple slice decorated with an umbrella stick for the group. Was so good. A huge slice enough for all 6 of us to enjoy. We didn't have reservations but they were able to seat us right away. There is a parking lot across the restaurant, you must pay. Be sure to place your ticket on the dash of your car so you don't get ticketed. I purchased my ticket and did not place on my dash and still had to pay ticket :( I would recommend parking the restaurant's valet. It's $10 which was cheaper than the parking lot across the street or find side street metered parking. This is my 3rd time here, always a nice view. Restaurant is right on the beach. You can take a nice walk to the beach and burn some calories after your meal. We also paired our meal with a Santa Barbara white wine which was perfect with the scallops. TY Jake's Del Mar! read more

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The food here was delicious hands down. You can tell every dish they make is fresh with fresh ingredients. I got the salad and it was soooo good. Everything you get here is top tier. It's on the pricier side but I think it's worth it. The views are beautiful, the service is quick. It's a perfect spot for a date night or a date lunch read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Amazing food, service and ambiance. The ocean crashing just outside. This is a must try place read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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I wish there was a way to rate a 4.5. I can't give Jake's a 5 because there are a few clunkers, but it is closer to 5 than a 4. It is a beautiful restaurant with a lovely view. The service is close to great. The food is for the most part excellent. A few items were not special. We ordered the crispy calamari 5/5, jumbo lump crab cake 5/5, heirloom tomato salad 2/5, watermelon & cucumber salad 3/5, lemon garlic roasted fish 5/5, grilled shrimp 4/5, pan roasted chicken 3.5/5, surfing steak 4/5 (horseradish potatoes too harsh), hula pie 4/5, and chocolate peanut butter torte 5/5 (might have been my best dessert ever). The cocktails are nice. Excellent choices for beers and wines. read more

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The location, atmosphere and view is what brings you here. Staff is very nice. Food is decent- not great. The parking is limited to valet.

I've been to Jake's numerous times and always enjoyed it, today not so much. Fish taco's I'll not make that mistake again, they weren't bad but I eat fish tocos on the Embarcadero down in Encinitas, MX in 1972, so you can't fool me, they tried to put lipstick on a pig, Hard Pass. Calamari was interesting. Nicely prepared. Service was OK we were on the patio, cool breeze, fixed it with a space heater read more

Went for lunch. $11.00 mimosa, super small. Poke bowl tasteless. Strawberry salad with added shrimp . Shrimp was like Rubber. 79.00 lunch, definitely not worth it. Skip this place read more

Excellent service by Velma! She was so friendly, gave us recommendations, refills without us having to ask, split our plates without having to ask. I don't ever leave reviews based on service, that's how good this was! Thanks you :) read more

We had a great New Year's Eve day celebration dinner at Jake's!! We had early reservations in a terrestrial downpour but got in and hostess seated within 5 minutes We were seated in an outside covered patio with lots of heaters very comfortable. Our server McKenzie was fantastic!! Brought our mocktails and order in first thing suggests the special Sea Bass which was delicious as well as the Filet w/Shrimp seasoned to perfection!! Desserts and lattes were a special treat. Definitely suggest to try the gem read more

We ordered the Grouper and Wagu specials that were absolutely the most delicious meals we've had ever! Our server Chuck was intuatively attentive, 100% service focused. And then we witnessed Adam cleaning the table that had a party of 8. 3 kiddos under 4, who may or not passed out the window to play in the sand. Adam meticulously cleaned the entire area like they were never there. We need more Chuck's and Adam's in the world of hospitality and the world. The vibe is the chillest. The view is stunning. We can't wait to come back!!!!! read more

We had a good time here and enjoyed the afternoon view of the ocean. I'm only knocking a couple stars because of our entrees. Our server was super cool and attentive, the prices were good, and the drinks were ok. They seemed a little weak, but tasted good. The ahi tostadas were perfect, the daily special halibut was oddly mushy, but had a good flavor, and the daily special steak flavors didn't jive that well and it wasn't that tender. I grabbed a burger to go a couple of days later and it smoked both of those dishes. I wish we would have went with our original order of a burger and the surfing steak before the daily specials were presented to us. I'll definitely stop her again and explore the menu. read more

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Beautiful view of the ocean! Great place to grab some cocktails at the large bar. Full covered patio option or inside where they have a lot of booths and tables. The menu wasn't as big as I had hoped, not many vegetarian options, but I had the eggs and hard tortillas with pico. The strawberry salad looked really good. Parking is very limited, valet only for $8. There is metered parking available or the lot across the street starting at $30. Service was great, very quick. read more

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We visited Jake's while on vacation and had a phenomenal experience! I was looking for a beach view and scallops on the menu and ChatGPT recommended Jake's. While waiting for our table we grabbed a drink and the bar and the bartender went above and beyond- something as simple as squeezing the lime in my beer is such a nice touch! When we got seated our server Trey was wonderful from start to finish. We enjoyed the crab cake appetizer and scallop and swordfish entrees. Every bite was the best we've had. We were celebrating my birthday and even got a delicious ice cream cake! If it wasn't clear already, I highly recommend Jake's Del Mar! I will plan my next trip to Cali around this location simply to go back! read more

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Came here on a Friday night and we had a reservation at 8:00. We got seated pretty quick and the host was so nice! She walked us back to one of the best tables (closest to the ocean) and the view was phenomenal! Our server was so friendly and knowledgeable about each dish! Food came out promptly and perfect! Overall a great experience and look forward to coming back soon! read more

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Front row table was amazing. Bubba was super helpful and the hostess team were warm and welcoming. Drinks were real good including ginger mocktail (!). Fish tacos and Tostadas were also very good. I am always grateful for warm and friendly team members. read more

Jake's - Taco - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Uniqueness: Great dinner spot, lunch menu is lacking Wait Time: *** (Can get busy, but reasonable waits) Food Quality: *** (Dinner was solid, lunch selection was underwhelming) Service: **** (Friendly and efficient) Setting: **** (Nice coastal vibe, but nothing extraordinary) Cost: **** (Fair prices for food and drinks) Jake's Del Mar is a decent spot, especially for dinner. The food was good, and the pricing was reasonable, especially for drinks, which is always a plus. That said, the lunch menu felt a bit lacking--not as many options as I would've liked, and nothing really stood out. The service has been inconsistent sometimes friendly and efficient, and the overall vibe was relaxed and comfortable. It's a nice place to grab a meal, but if you're trying to decide between lunch and dinner, dinner is the better bet. read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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I had made reservations on a Monday for a party of 4 at 7 PM, hoping to catch the sunset. I requested a booth table inside facing the ocean. Upon arrival we were greeted and seating at a table I requested...thank you! The place has a beautiful ocean view location and is extremely popular. Large parties, friend and family gatherings, this place was packed. Considering how busy it was the servers never missed a beat. We ordered cocktails, followed by Crispy Calamari, Grilled Prawns, Heirloom Tomato Burrata Salad, Mussels, Jumbo Lump Crabcake, Mixed Seafood Pot, Togarashi Spice crusted Ahi and Surfing Steak. When all the dishes were served, the presentation was perfect, all the food was cooked perfectly and the tasted good. I would definitely come back to entertain friends or family. Atmosphere: beautiful ocean view location. Service: very good. Food: good. read more

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Came here as a recommendation from an uber driver as I am visiting for work. Hostess weren't friendly, server wasn't attentive, and food was very mid. Came in and had to wait for the hostess to stop laughing for them to acknowledge me, then my server took awhile to ask if I wanted dessert after I was done eating for awhile (I had to push my plate away from me and wait until she noticed). I'm not sure if it's because I was only a party of 1 that I didn't get attentive service, but when I received the food, I was never checked on once. The table next to me actually seemed to have great service and an attentive server. I got the spicy margarita (not great), calamari (sauce was cheap and the calamari itself was rubbery), the lemon garlic roasted fish (okay but nothing amazing), lastly the hula pie (actually very good). It seems like a place where you spend a good penny on as it's right on the beach for okay food and service, which is very disappointing ): I finished as much as I could because I hate wasting especially for the price, just wish I had a similar experience as other people in the reviews. read more

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The service and atmosphere was great. The food isn't the 5 star best but it is above average. Try to call ahead for the outside tables next to the beach. Those are hard to get. Parking is $10 valet but cheaper than the public parking read more

Jake's - Seafood hotpot - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Everything about my experience at Jake's was amazing. The views, the food, and the service were all top notch. Our beverages and food all came out reasonably quick. Will definitely be going back again read more

Jake's - Filet Mignon* braised beef, mashed potatoes, scallops - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Beautiful location , gorgeous view of the ocean, friendly, prompt service, good food , one star off for value for money.

What an absolutely beautiful find on Del Mar Beach! This place is bustling! Right on the beach with food that looked fabulous in a setting on the beach like no other... We had gin & tonics at the bar which were expertly crafted with service that did not skip a beat despite the throng of people. I would love to return to have a meal at sunset. We will be back! read more

Jake's - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Let's just say we come down to the Del Mar area a couple of times a year, and we died in many restaurants and this is our favorite. We even had the same waiter who is a really nice fellow with a beard. We sat with an ocean view, and even though it was dark, you can see the waves because they have floodlights outside. It's been a while since we died there but each time we've had a great experience. The cocktails are excellent. The wine list is great, and the food is delicious. The waiter is happy to offer suggestions. Oh yeah, and the dessert too. We definitely will be back here and always recommend recommended to friends who are visiting the area. read more

Made a reservation at 10am for a Sunday brunch. They open at 10a, and we did valet parking ($8 until 4p), to avoid finding parking along the stretch since the beach was already so busy. There is a public parking lot across the street (need to pay) also if you can't find street parking. We were seated by the windows and it was nice to look at the beach and feel the breeze. Appetizers: seafood corn chowder was delicious! Calamari was pretty good too. The BBQ ribs (appetizer) were good also. They give the bbq sauce on the side. I ordered the avo toast with scrambled eggs, which was pretty big. You can add on lobster claw and knuckle too. The steak and eggs were on the smaller side (fam ordered), but steak was pretty decent. Looked more like a medallion. The poké bowl was ok... not too tasty... Don't forget to ask for soy sauce! The mixed seafood pot was just OK... Kind of a version of cioppino, but the saffron taste was pretty dominant... Orzo rice and the soup base itself was a bit on the salty side. Decent amount of seafood though. The hula pie was of course delicious! They have one of the best hula pies here. Never disappoints! read more

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The calamari was excellent. Giant squid cut in stripes. Most restaurants give you the tentacles. Brunch was very good. Freshly made. The service was excellent and staff were friendly. The Hula desert was great. Completed the brunch. read more

Jake's - Hula Pie - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

My boyfriend and I decided to visit Del Mar for a day-get-away~ We were recommended to visit Jake's for dinner. I am really picky about restaurants and service. I was so impressed by Jake's kitchen, ambiance, efficiency, and staff. Our food tasted phenomenal and our server, Julian was easy to get along with and really helped us make the best decisions for our dinner. We loved how honest he was. This transparency helped make our date that much better. We were also impressed on how the hosts accommodated us as walk-ins. We were honored to visit Jake's and be treated so nicely. Lastly, our food was delicious and looked beautiful on the plates. I would definitely recommend visiting Jake's and trying their BBQ Ribs. Here are some photos: read more

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Great view of the ocean, decent food, great drinks, and lovely atmosphere to round out a pleasant dining experience, of course at a premium cost. Located along the coast with its own private lot (valet parking) as well as limited street parking (paid), patrons carpool and venture to this place for lunch, happy hour, and dinner for its open look at the waves rolling toward the coast. Once you've gotten your transportation situated, make your way to the host to get checked in. Ideally, you would have already made reservations but if you haven't, hopefully they can fit you in at the bar or an open table between rushes. Regardless, it does seem to take the staff a bit to get a table ready despite having reservations. Most seats in the house have a great view of the ocean and with their big clear windows, there's very little obstruction of the view. You could ask for a table closer to the window but they're all equally good in my opinion. After being seated, you'll get the drink and meal menu and be given some time to peruse before placing the order. The drink/cocktail menu is quite extensive and the bartenders here do a wonderful job at mixing it up! If there's something off menu, chances are they'll be able to make it exceptionally well. The food menu has a good mix of seafood, steak, and poultry. Appetizers like the calamari and ceviche are shareable and come out fresh and delicious. They're nothing spectacular but decent for starting a meal off among your party. The entrees have a bit more flare with many mixing up the surf and turf (surfing steak has a decent sized sirloin with a side of shrimp). The steak was seasoned fine, cooked well, and paired up nicely with the other flavors on the dish. For dessert, a must get is the hula pie which consists of ice cream, chocolate sauce, and nuts packed in a wedge of pie. This is probably the most unique thing out of their menu and rounds out the meal nicely. The staff generally is decent but the energy and availability didn't seem to match the ambiance or price point you're paying. Waters were filled most of the time but our primary service member was rarely seen. Overall, Jake's is quite a bit of a mixed bag for me when it comes to their rating. While the location is great and the food and drinks are decent on average, it just doesn't seem to have much in the categories of cohesiveness in the theme, quality of service, or portions of food. In addition to the cost for parking, you're paying premium for the location but the food is only so-so (in portion and taste). Jake's saving grace, aside from the ocean view, is probably its drinks and infamous hula pie. Otherwise, I can't see myself really craving for their food unless I was already here for the other factors. If you're looking for just location alone, there are plenty of other spots along the coast that serve delicious, unique food with great drinks and service. But Jake's view of the ocean is hard to match and thus, the high price tag, so if you're looking to mix it up, consider it for a once in a blue moon experience! read more

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This was incredibly disappointing. Jake's used to be the place in Del Mar for an exceptional steak and seafood dinner. It was where you went for a special occasion or a memorable date night. Unfortunately, that experience seems to be long gone. From the moment we were seated, the restaurant was so overcrowded that it was difficult to enjoy the evening. The tables were packed so tightly together that we could barely move, couldn't hear each other across the table, and were unfortunately close enough to be distracted by the body odor of neighboring diners. It completely took away from what was supposed to be a romantic night. Our server was kind when we saw them, but they were largely absent throughout the meal. We waited far too long for basic service, and I even had to notify the hostess that the restroom needed attention because it was dirty and poorly maintained. The food was equally disappointing, especially considering the price. My steak was ordered medium and arrived rare, and overall the meal lacked the quality and flavor Jake's was once known for. For a bill that was well into the hundreds, I expected so much more. The only thing that hasn't changed is the incredible ocean view. If you're looking to enjoy the scenery, take a walk on the beach instead. Sadly, I can no longer recommend the restaurant itself. read more

Wow! Such a wonderful experience! Our server, Megan, was outstanding. She made it easy to accommodate dietary restrictions and needs without making us feel like a burden! She was splendid. I cannot recommend the Mixed Seafood Pot enough! The swordfish was to die for, and the sauce was delicious! I can't wait to come back. read more

The food , service , and whole vibe of the restaurant was great ! Definitely worth a visit and also has an amazing view ! read more

Jake's - Surfing Steak - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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