We had such a fantastic date night at Juniper & Ivy! The space has a slightly rustic feel with the exposed beams, but the modern décor makes it feel elegant and cozy at the same time. I was also surprised by the open kitchen--it's completely visible from the dining room, but somehow never felt overly loud or distracting. Most importantly, everything we ate was stellar. And for a fine dining restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised by the portions. We ordered several things to share and definitely did not leave hungry! We started with the oysters, which came pre-dressed. I was initially skeptical because I usually like to control what goes on my oysters, but OMG--these may have been the best oysters I've ever had. That was the moment I thought, "Okay, these guys know exactly what they're doing. Leave it to the experts." The kampachi with Thai basil oil and passion fruit was another standout. The herbal flavor of the basil oil against the tart passion fruit was such an interesting combination and worked beautifully. The tuna crudo was incredibly fresh--honestly, the best tuna I can remember having. Even the roasted cauliflower with sun-dried tomato hummus was memorable; such a creative and delicious pairing. And the miso black cod was cooked absolutely perfectly. The service made the experience even better. Our waiter took our entire order upfront and then paced everything for us, which I really appreciated. We never had to think about what should come next or when to order another dish--we could just enjoy the evening. I also loved that they have a sommelier on staff. I started with a French Sauvignon Blanc by the glass that was excellent, then asked for help choosing a red to pair with my main course. I do wish he had more time to ellaborate about the wine he recommended, but even with the brief interaction, his recommendation was spot-on and paired beautifully with the meal. Overall, this was one of those dinners where dish after dish reminded us that we were in very capable hands. Creative without feeling gimmicky, beautifully executed, generous enough that we left satisfied, and genuinely delicious from beginning to end. An easy five stars, and we will absolutely be back. read more

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It has a millennial vibe with a farm to table concept. It's very chef-driven and the menu changes seasonally. Butter Chicken Kebab : 5/5, I felt that there is a high floor and low ceiling for this kind of dish. Great for what it is. Cali Ceviche : 5/5, the fish was so flavorful and refreshing. Sweet potato works very well in it. 100% recommend. Roasted Cauliflower : 4/5, hummus sauce was very heavy. You can feel the chickpea texture and the mayo base is quite strong. Lemongrass Beef : 3/5, wasn't a fan of the cut of meat that they chose. Nothing really special here. Skip. I also got a mocktail (Trip to Mt. Fuji ) with Yuzu and Fuji apple . It was good but pretty sweet. Probably wouldn't get again. Would be really good if it had a splash of tonic. Service was great but as it got busy became a bit slower read more

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This is a gorgeous restaurant with an architectural design that sets a great mood right away, and the bar area was highly interesting with its unique setup. The atmosphere inside was very loud and energetic, which made for a fun evening out. The only minor layout quirk worth noting is that the restrooms are on the smaller side and feature a shared, coed sink outside. The food itself was wholesome, creative, and absolutely delicious. For our meal, we ordered their deviled eggs as a fantastic twist on a classic starter, followed by the yellowtail, which was incredibly fresh, clean, and beautifully presented, and finished with the pork shoulder that turned out rich, tender, and perfectly prepared. To top off a wonderful dining experience, Top Chef Richard Blais was actively in the kitchen during our visit. He was even selling the restaurant's cookbook with his personal signature for $30.00, which was an awesome takeaway to remember the night by. read more

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We came to Juniper and Ivy for a bachelorette dinner after several girls had suggested it. Lovely vibe, with a bit of an industrial feel to it. The bar area was beautiful and sitting area down below had a view to the open kitchen. You were seated quickly with the reservation we made. The cocktails were delicious and many are inspired by Japanese/asian notes. Their menu rotates seasonally, so what I have tried may not be what's available to you. But between 8 girls we got 2 house sourdoughs, several small plates to share, and two roasted ducks. There was a good amount of roasted duck and fried rice left over, so it was a good amount of food to share. The kitchen sent over complementary "deviled egg" merengues and black currant jelly palate cleansers at the end. I really enjoyed the peach salad (Regier Farm Peaches) and SD tuna crudo, but the other items were a little underwhelming for me, particularly the roasted duck which was overly salted IMO. Perhaps I'm comparing to the Peking style roasted ducks but the skin was not as crispy and meat was not as juicy. The fried rice was also catered more towards the Western palate, although leaving the duck head on the plate does comparatively add a little more of a wow factor. Ingredients tasted really fresh overall, so I can see the appeal. And a rotating menu keeps both the regular and first-time patrons coming. We did find a price discrepancy with our salad and let our waitress know, and the manager corrected it for us. Hopefully that doesn't happen often, but larger parties, best be wary. read more

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Hubs and I celebrated our Anniversary here. We both agreed one of the best restaurants we've been to. Everything. Ambiance, service, wine, and especially the food. My favorite was the scallop and for hubs, the squashini. We shared the delectable Prime NY Strip and sadly could not finish. The sourdough bread was perfection and we ordered another to enjoy at home with the provided butter spread and our own fig jam. Our sincere thank you Jessie for finding a great table and to Jesus, our waiter, for making our special day extra special. The only minor issue was the temperature inside. Several diners including me were fanning ourselves with the paper menus. We plan on returning on our next visit. Highly recommend! EG Eats read more

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Gorgeous restaurant with tasty, hideously overpriced food. Would I eat here again? Only if someone else was paying the bill. Was it a lovely evening otherwise? Absolutely. read more

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I came here for Valentine's Day several years back with my husband and we enjoyed our the food and the atmosphere! We came back recently for a nice dinner with my mom and again I was impressed! Their menu changes and this time I enjoyed the chicken roulade dish that came with cauliflower puree and succotash. The chicken was seasoned well and very tender. The purée made the dish though. My mom got their chicken kabob and I sampled some. Another winning dish. Chicken was not overcooked, the sauce and flavor were amazing, and the fresh baked garlic pita bread was phenomenal. My husband enjoyed a steak. House sourdough, and yodel dessert were good. I appreciate the interior. It's rustic, but also very upscale. It's a big open space and it's not super quiet inside, but not too loud that you can't hear people at your table, and you can't hear other tables conversations. I can tell they put a lot of thought into this by having porous walls and structures or decor that break up any echoing. The music was the perfect volume as well. Our waitress, Cassidy, was so nice and knowledgeable of the menu. She explained it in detail and went over the differences with the dish sizes. She also made a great recommendation on the Pinot Noir wine. It met the flavor profiles I enjoy with wine. She came back and checked on us, but not too often. The other staff were great too! I do have to note that at one point in the night, there was a lady dressed in a suit (I'm guessing a manager) that was following the waitresses every move. I'm not sure if maybe she is in training or there was some sort of review process happening but I found it awkward. I got "micromanager" vibes. Overall a great experience! It's fine dining and pricey, but is good for special occasions. I would recommend dressing at least semi-nice, but it's not a requirement. read more

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The service was great. An amazing gastronomic experience. I believe they have a rotating menu which keeps it interesting. The dimmed lights and candle light on the table I believe help make the space cozier. It was a great date night. We sill be back soon. read more

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First time here. We had reservations for two to celebrate a birthday. Parking is street, but also a few valet spots! We were seated soon after checking in to our reservation. From start to finish, the service was great. We ordered everything to share between us: inihaw pork belly, sourdough with honey butter, oyster sisig and 22 oz sirloin steak. Each plate came over from a different staff who explained the dish. Everything tasted very good and well made. The 22 oz steak would've been nice a little more marinated? Our water was constantly filled which was appreciated because each bite was nice and rich in flavor. Good to wash down with water. As we closed our meal, our server came by with a complimentary bday cheesecake slice with a candle. So thoughtful! All in all, would love to dine here again. Thanks for a wonderful experience. read more

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My girlfriends took me here for my birthday dinner recently, and it was a fun spot to celebrate. I thought it was a nice touch that they printed a birthday greeting right on the menu. The food overall was quite good. The menu reminded me a bit of Kettner Exchange with the shareable, small-plate style, so it's a great place to come with a group and try a variety of dishes. My favorite of the night was the Bone Marrow & Tartare - rich, flavorful, and something I'd absolutely order again. The Inihaw Pork Belly was tender with great flavor, and the Miso Black Cod was perfectly cooked and buttery. It's hard to go wrong with black cod, but this one definitely delivered. The only dish I'd probably skip next time was the Oyster Sisig. It wasn't bad by any means, but it just wasn't memorable enough for me to order again, especially with so many other standout dishes on the menu. Service was friendly, but it felt a little slow throughout the meal. We had to ask multiple times for butter and a few other items before they finally arrived. By the time the duck came out, we were already too full to really enjoy it, so my friend ended up taking it home. I can see why so many reviewers rave about the creative, chef-driven menu and the quality of the ingredients. The atmosphere is lively without feeling too loud, making it a great place for date nights or celebrations. While the service could have been a bit more attentive, the food was enjoyable enough that I'd still come back to try more of the menu. read more

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Went here for the first time and had such an amazing meal. This is easily one of my top three favorite restaurants in San Diego when it comes to the service, menu, and value. We ordered the spicy tuna hand roll, tuna crudo , house sourdough, rigatoni, and miso black cod. Everything was delicious, but the tuna and rigatoni were definitely the highlights. The rigatoni was probably the best Italian dish I've had in a long time. I forgot our server's name, but he was attentive, helpful, and gave us some great recommendations. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. read more

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Juniper and Ivy is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego, and with the food scene here is thriving, but when we want a higher end, comforting, California cuisine, we are never disappointed when we come here. First off, the starters - we had the bread which comes with a delicious slightly sweet butter mikolich farm honey butter - HIGHLY recommended! I really enjoyed the lemongrass beef skewers, and the shrimp, Hokkaido Scallop with miso butter / chili crunch / chives - it tasted like a deconstructed spring roll - so good!! The cauliflower steak was ok. For our entree, we had the Rigatoni, with pork bolognese / burrata / basil / grana padano, which my husband LOVED even more the next day. Previous visit, we've had the Miso Black Cod, with mushroom dashi / glazed shishito / roasted shiitakes and wanted to try something different. For dessert, we enjoyed the Pavlova. We loved the service and the space is gorgeous and so open but not too loud. We were there on a weekday (Tuesday) around 6pm. read more

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I was very delighted to finally dine here at Juniper and Ivy. My overall experience was okay, but would love to return back. Some food items our table wanted were completely sold out which was a bummer. It become an inconvenience when someone prefers a dish for dietary reasons and get told it is no longer available. I do appreciate the service in bring the food items to the table. I wish our server would be more attentive with our drinks. The steak was super tasty but does take a while to be served. Despite that, the steak was well worth it. I really like the vibe in there. It was warm lighting. Clean bathrooms and quickly seated at our table. read more

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We had a business dinner and I knew that this restaurant had a great reputation, so I trusted I would have vegan options. It's really artsy inside. The servers were very attentive. And the menu has several vegan options. The menu changes every day because it's truly farm to table. For an appetizer we got a few things but the vegan option I chose was a squashini - thinly sliced squash/zucchini topped with super fresh and flavorful vegetables and a vinaigrette. I chose a cauliflower steak for my main and it was totally satisfying. The combo of textures with a variety of colors was enjoyable. And, the vegan dessert was a macadamia nut Ube sorbet and it was so creamy I would consider it a gelato. read more

Juniper and Ivy - Squashini - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Juniper and Ivy was an interesting experience. What I don't understand is how they can sellout so quickly on several dishes early in the evening. They make new menus every day which was a nice concept to have by staying up to date but selling out on multiple food items is not what I expected. The menu already has a limited amount of food items and for the restaurant to sellout that quickly was shocking. I would recommend to arrive there late afternoon and not early evening due to their several sold out dishes. I probably would come back only for the bar. The overall vibe of the restaurant was exquisite and the architecture was spectacular. read more

Juniper and Ivy - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

I was treated to dinner here and it was an absolute treat. Ugh I wish I remembered our girl's name, she was so lovely. She had a short blonde bob and skin that glowed like a pearl. She was a great time and I'm so glad we could all enjoy some jokes for the night, tell her she was amazing and we loved her energy. The service here reminds me of Michelin places where you can have four or more people waiting on you. They have a sommelier and you'll never have a dirty dish on your table or an empty glass.... Extremely attentive. The place is stunning. They had people having large parties to date nights to folks at the bar. The art is a vibe and the music is great. Beautiful space and cool bathrooms that smell lovely with their own candles and diffuser in what seems like a coed bathroom but the male and female rooms are inside the coed washroom... lol so many people were confused. Also parking is tight downtown on a weekend soooo we valet. Okay so... what you actually give a damn about... THE FOOD! If I had to do it all again, this is what I'd order. I'd keep the sourdough bread with honey butter. It's warm and crunchy with some good salt sprinkled on top and the honey butter was divine... you might even need extra because don't be skimpy! The lemongrass beef was so tender and flavorful, it was so freaking tasty. We really loved the cacao pappardelle, but I might try ricotta cavatelli next time just for comparison. But it was lovely. The Miso Cod was lovely and light and the fish had the most amazing crispy glaze and texture on top as it delicately sat in a beautiful broth. We ordered three plates for three people and we really only needed two. The flat iron steak and butter chicken were other worldly and PLENTY to share if you are also getting at least one other think from small plates and pantry. And if for some reason it wasn't... there's always dessert which we couldn't even fit, we were so stuffed. We left food on the table yall, so you can be really intentional and not feel like you have to spend a crazy amount or it needs to be a special occasion. I'd eat here as often as I could if I lived locally and I know exactly what I'd get! Great place and made my trip to San Diego even more special! read more

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Ambiance - eclectic and modern! Service - incredible, 5 stars Food- really good and unique! Came here to celebrate a birthday! Burrata and tortellini were amazing but toffee pudding was my favorite (: . Also, delicious orange wine ! read more

Juniper and Ivy - Toffee pudding - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We made a reservation for 5 p.m. through the OpenTable app--hooyah for Chase Sapphire Reserve's dining credit! We got there right when they opened at 5 and were seated right away. The music was at the perfect level, not too loud, which is a must for me. The bathroom has a shared washroom, which was a little confusing at first. There is a beautiful bar area as well. Our server was Isaiah, and he was an absolute darling. He recommended some of his favorites, and we tried a couple of them. They were very good. He gave us complimentary bubbly because we were celebrating our 10-year anniversary. Non-alcoholic for me, as I'm pregnant and about to pop lol. Then we were served deviled eggs, which my husband loved. I was very surprised to see Filipino dishes on their menu, so you know I had to try some! We ordered the following: Inihaw Pork Belly, Hokkaido Scallop, Roasted Marrow and Tartare, Shrimp Thai Salad, and the Oyster Sisig. I also ordered the 1 Hour to Fuji mocktail. The Inihaw Pork Belly had a banana ketchup glaze, but I couldn't taste it much, and it had a sugarcane gel sauce that was really tangy. I would rate this dish a 3/5. The Hokkaido Scallop was sooo good! 5/5 stars! The miso butter sauce was to die for! I wasn't a huge fan of the Roasted Marrow and Tartare because the marrow was a bit bland for me. The tartare was pretty good, according to my hubby. 3/5 for this plate for me. The Shrimp Thai Salad was so good! It wasn't too spicy, and the combination of bell peppers, lemongrass, peanuts, shallots, pomelo, and tamarind sauce was like a party in my mouth. 5/5 stars for this dish. I would highly recommend it! And last but not least, the Oyster Sisig. As a Filipina, I have very high expectations when it comes to Filipino food and was not expecting much from this dish. Boy, was I wrong! This absolutely knocked it out of the park for me. The oysters were fried and crispy but not overcooked, and their calamansi aioli was orgasmic, to say the least. It was so good that we ordered another. The only thing I could think of, as far as making it a bit more authentic to its name, is how the cast iron came out. Traditionally, sisig is served in a super-hot cast iron skillet so that when you mix it with the egg, the heat from the cast iron cooks the egg. Honestly, though, I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't normally eat eggs, but for this dish, I would make an exception every time. It's so good that I plan on coming here right after I give birth and ordering 10 plates of Oyster Sisig as my celebratory meal. If I could have this delivered to the hospital after I give birth, I would! 100/5 stars for the Oyster Sisig. My 1 Hour to Fuji mocktail was like a tangy apple soda, which I loved. This place is perfect for any date night. I love that they have small plates so you can try a variety of menu items without getting too full. read more

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Fabulous food and service. We shared many dishes and enjoyed all of them. Great ambiance. read more

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Overall Juniper & Ivy was a decent experience. I was hoping for an excellent experience given the reviews, notoriety, and the expectations this place sets for itself. It was a 2+ hour ordeal, which is my biggest complaint. We arrived at 715, our reservation time, and had to wait an additional 15 minutes for our table to become ready, which is whatever, but it set the tone for the rest of the evening. At first our waitress was attentive, but as the night grew we saw less and less of her and that also slowed our courses arriving. The appetizers and bread came out relatively quick, about 10-15 minutes after we ordered, then 20 minutes later came our tortellini, then about 25 minutes later our Cod, then another 25 minutes our asparagus and steak. It truly felt and tasted like our food sat out for a while before being brought to us. I was full when we left, but not due to portion sizes, but due to waiting so long between dishes arriving. We ordered a scallop, tostada, sourdough bread, asparagus, tortellini, black cod, and flat iron steak. My favorite was a tie between the scallop and the asparagus. Bites: these were definitely single serving - Scallop: well cooked, flavorful, and satiating. We ended up dipping our bread in the sauce because it was that good. Definitely don't miss this. - Tostada: pretty dang good, it was what I expected. Pantry: - Sourdough Bread: this was probably my third favorite overall. It was warm, well salted, and came with nice spreadable butter. Highly recommend ordering this to sop up the excesses sauces from the other dishes Small Plates: - Asparagus: the crispiness and creamy sauce were sublime. Definitely give it a taste - Tortellini: again, this was as I expected. Three tortellini for $30 seemed quite steep in price. It was tasty, but not a good quantity to taste, unfortunately. Plates: they market these as family style, but I would say they're also single serving. The portion sizes were quite small. - Miso Black Cod: this was unusual, but good. Historically the miso black cod I've had is a thicker sauce. This one was similar to actual miso soup. Which was still good. The cod was superbly cooked, didn't want to forget that. - Flat Iron Steak: this is what I was looking forward to the most and I'd say it overall fell short. Three pieces to go with some spring vegetables was just ok. The sauce reminded me of a watered down store-bought barbecue sauce. Inside was well decorated and aesthetically pleasing. The menu is presented and explained well. The support staff was great. Our waitress was on the slower side. And maybe that's due to the kitchen also being slow. It was an experience. I'd honestly recommend people away from Juniper & Ivy. read more

Juniper and Ivy - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

I hoped to get a seat at the Chef's Table, but there are only 14 seats available. it is an elongated and slightly curved table with a birds-eye view of the kitchen. Since we were dining late, and dinner rush was over, the hostess was able to snag two seats for me. It was a fun, entertaining and wonderful experience. This is a Michelin Bib Gourmand rated restaurant and I can see why. FIVE STARS in creativity, original recipes and stellar service. Where to begin... the menu is divided into the following categories (some highlights were): JUST A BITE - Mini-bite sized Oysters, Pork Belly, Albacore Tostadas. I had a Deviled Egg, which I loved and a Tart of Chicken Liver, the filling was nice and firm and had good texture. It was not on the menu, but I would definitely order it next time. PANTRY - Sourdough bread with Honey Butter, Roasted Bone Marrow with Sourdough bread. SMALL PLATES - Rockfish Aguachile served with Avocado cubes, minced Serrano chili, and Jalepeno oil. This was just right, not overly spicy; Strawberry Bufala Mozzarella Salad prepared with Mint, Pesto, Basil, Pine Nuts, and Mozzarella Cheese. This salad was OUTSTANDING, the combination of the Pesto on the Strawberries was amazing. PLATES - (Entrees) Jidori Chicken Roulade Black Truffle, Parsnip puree, Braised Kale; Miso Black Cod; 22oz Tajima New York Strip Steak; or Whole Fried Rose (not Red) Snapper. This is at the top of my bucket list. I am posting a photo to show how it was propped up on a wooden stand. The presentation was OUTSTANDING. DESSERT with WINE PAIRING (suggestions) - Guava Cheesecake Yodel - in a Dulcey Half Shell topped with Guava Puree and Cream Cheese. Paired with Ratafia Liqueur. Cocktails: I ordered the "This Must Be the Place," made with Gin, Vermouth and Limoncello. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner, dessert, cocktail and Pinot Noir wine. Reservations are a must! Sincerely, Rosemary read more

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1/2 Juniper & Ivy is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why you seek out places like this, the food is genuinely exceptional. It's just a shame the experience came with a few caveats. We requested the patio, drawn in by descriptions of a vibrant, lively porch. What we got was four tables, a persistent wind tunnel, and a front-row seat to the San Diego flight path, meaning every few minutes, conversation came to a full stop for a low-flying plane. No warning from the restaurant, which felt like a miss. Inside next time, without question. The menu itself was a little overwhelming at first, but our server stepped in with confident suggestions that completely redeemed the experience. And then the food arrived. The house sourdough with Mikolich Farm honey butter was the kind of bread course that makes you reconsider every other bread course. The shio tang oysters with mojito foam and cucumber relish were playful and precise. The three cheese tortellini, wild porcini, english peas, aged parm brodo, was the standout of the night: rich, deeply layered, and deeply comforting. The saffron bigoli and miso black cod were both beautifully executed. We paired everything with a Russian River Valley Pinot that was an ideal match for the table. Bottom line: the kitchen is firing on all cylinders. Sit inside, trust your server, and order the tortellini. You won't regret it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Michelin recognized restaurant Juniper and Ivy is serving a sophisticated New American menu in an elevated space. SERVICE was excellent especially with me adding on orders in between due to FOMO with a limited time menu featuring classic dishes over the past 12 years. DRINK 5/5 MERGERS & AQUISITIONS: HERBAL, DRY, SPIRIT-FORWARD rye / sweet vermouth / china china / centum herbis liqueur 4/5 GOT 'COT: BRIGHT, SMOKEY, STONEFRUIT mezcal / meletti / apricot / lime 4/5 FUJIYAMA: BRIGHT, UMAMI, CITRUS japanese gin / fuji apple / miso honey / yuzu JUST A BITE/ STARTERS 5/5 HOKKAIDO SCALLOP(* limited availability): miso butter / chill crunch/chive 4.5/5 SHIO TANG OYSTERS (min 2 per order) mojito foam / mint powder / cucumber SMALL PLATES 4/5 ROCKFISH AGUACHILE guajillo / avocado / serrano / jalapeño oil. Chunkier than I imagined To celebrate Twelve years at Juniper & Ivy, they brought back four dishes, two of which were ordered: 5/5 Uni Linguine Carbonara: black pepper copa / egg yolk / pecorino 5/5 Snap Peas & Burrata: fresno buttermilk ranch / sunflower seed granola / mint pesto / burrata PLATES 5/5 MISO BLACK COD mushroom dashi / glazed shishito / (flavorfully) roasted shiitake 5/5 PRIME FLAT IRON korean marinade / grilled broccolini / pickled daikon DESSERT 4.5/5 Carrot Cake (sweet!!): w cream cheese frosting / coconut caramel / fresh citrus read more

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My wife and I had a wonderful dinner at Juniper and Ivy. Delicious food impeccably presented with outstanding service. Truly, our service was what one always hopes for in fine dining for but so rarely receives these days. Our primary did an excellent job helping us select our meal. She was attentive, supportive and a pleasure to talk with, yet also discreet. Plates were well-timed. Our water glasses always seemed to be full although I rarely noticed it happening. All of our entrees were delicious. Favorites? Probably, first, the Hokkaido Scallop starter. The scallops themselves were huge, perfectly cooked with a crusted chili crunch topping and served with a delicious miso butter sauce. Not overly spicy, the flavors meshed perfectly. I also loved the Miso Black Cod (especially because it's a dish one can rarely find near the East Coast where we live.) Any misses? Not really, although the Pâté de Campagne was prepared as very rustic. It was tasty but I found it difficult to eat with the bread, Overall, I recommend Juniper and Ivy as a great place to celebrate an event, enjoy a date, or just have an excellent evening dinner away from the house. read more

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Juniper and Ivy is that rare San Diego hotspot that actually deserves to be hot. Most trendy restaurants feel like they were designed by a committee of influencers who have never eaten food, but this place cooks like it's trying to impress a judgmental grandmother who has seen some things. You walk in expecting vibes and instead get technique that could file taxes. The fried fish is the first sign they're not playing around. This isn't "crispy" in the way restaurants usually mean crispy, which is "we fried it once and prayed." This is a batter so shatteringly crisp it should come with a warning label about flying debris. You take a bite and suddenly you're making involuntary noises usually reserved for spa treatments and playoff wins. The fish inside stays tender like it negotiated a separate contract with the fryer. Then the octopus shows up and the whole meal becomes a philosophical crisis. Because eating octopus is delicious, but it's also like eating someone who could have outsmarted the chef. Cephalopods are basically underwater Mensa members. They solve puzzles. They escape tanks. They recognize faces. They have opinions. You're not eating seafood, you're eating a coworker who might have been up for the same promotion. And at Juniper and Ivy, the octopus is cooked so perfectly that you can feel it judging you. Tender, charred, seasoned with swagger. It's the kind of dish that whispers "I could have opened the walk in freezer from the inside, but sure, enjoy your aioli." There's a moment where you think, "Should I be eating something that can open childproof locks" and then the next bite hits and you think, "Well, if it didn't want to be eaten, maybe it shouldn't have been so tasty." This is how villains are made. Juniper and Ivy thrives in that tension. Trendy but competent. Playful but precise. A restaurant that serves you both culinary excellence and a mild existential crisis. read more

Juniper and Ivy - Cephalopod - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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100% recommend! We chose Juniper & Ivy for our double date location and it did not disappoint. Service, food and drinks were delicious. I cannot wait to visit again. We will def repeat some of the dishes, but also excited to try other items on the menu. read more

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Lovely restaurant for your next girl dinner!! The chef provided some surprise complimentary apps to start and the sommelier had a stellar recommendation!! Sea bass was a delicious hands-on experience!! read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday and it really did live up to all the hype!!! The service was great and they made the evening feel very special! Kevin was a great server and very knowledgeable w great recommendations! The sourdough is a MUST!!! We also absolutely loved the tuna tostada and the blue fin crude. As a pescatarian I really appreciated all the fish options (Kevin told us that they get the fish right from the bay and it really does taste so fresh). We also loved the sticky toffee pudding! The vibes are great, it has an elevated feel but is not too stale either! Would absolutely go back, even if just for drinks and the sourdough!! Will be returning for sure! read more

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Chose Juniper and Ivy as its one of the Chase Reserve dining recommendations and seemed like a great spot for girls getaway weekend in SD. Reservations were easy to make. Location is the middle of Little Italy area. Parking seems like it'd be a bit tough but uber, trolley and walking would be good options. We arrived half an hour before our reservation time and were seated right away. Ambiance is nice, not too loud and tables are just far enough from one another to have private conversations. Our server, Randy was wonderful, very knowledgeable of the menu and made good recommendations. Complimentary "deviled eggs" was delicious, slightly sweet, melt in your mouth. We ordered: Kumamoto Oysters, Day Boat Scallop, Steak Tartare, SD Tuna Crudo and the apple Yodel for dessert. Everything was exquisite and perfectly prepared. My standouts were the scallop, tartare and apple yodel. Definitely coming back to try other items on the menu. Friend and I love cooking shows and the open kitchen concept made for a fun view. Overall, excellent service and delicious food will have me coming back and referring it to others. read more

Went on a Thursday evening to celebrate a friends birthday. The restaurant itself was very cozy with cool art. Our waiter was super friendly and helped us choose between two pastas. Unfortunately for me, the pasta we decided on brought back memories from the time I got sick at a potluck so I cannot speak too much on the quality of it. However, the miso black cod was exquisite! The sweetness on the fish was just right and melted right in your mouth. We also ordered a shrimp small plate, which had notes of tamarind, peanut sauce and a little bit of tanginess. The basil and the pepper addition made it a delicacy. While the shrimp and cod were great, I think the restaurant overall is a little over hyped but thankfully, it's reasonably priced. read more

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Located in Little Italy, we got really lucky finding street parking. Our party of 3 was immediately seated after checking in. We ordered 2 cocktails, Jade Python and Fujiyama. The Jade python was just right up my alley, it's tart, refreshing and tropical. Loved how it's family style so we're able to try many dishes. Our waitress coursed all the dishes perfectly. The dishes were ordered: - House sourdough with honey butter: 4/5 - Hokkaido scallop: 5/5 AHH MUST ORDER!! I personally love scallops and they were cooked perfectly! - Pork belly skewer: 4/5 my friend was obsessed with this and the banana ketchup compliments it so well - Duck lumpia (from the Juni bar menu): 4/5 flavor was there but wished the lumpia was fried crispier on the outside - Oyster sisig: 4/5 - Roasted bone marrow and tartare: 3.5/5 Flavor was missing and it was too heavy for my liking - Salted spot prawn: 4.5/5 this reminds me of the salted egg yolk dishes in Singapore/Malaysia - Miso black cod: 5/5 fish was sooo soft and tender and the broth was light but full of umami! - Tajima NY Steak: 4/5 Must admit that we did go a little overboard and ordered too much. We weren't super hungry but still wanted to try a variety of their dishes. Could only stomach small bites of our last 2 dishes and asked to pack the cod and steak to go. Our bill came out to $400. It's a splurge but will return in the future! Would like to try the other small bites off their Juni bar menu. read more

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The atmosphere and vibe is trendy and modern that is good to host a group in an upscale and lively setting. I really like the artistic pear statue in the center of the room too. The service was also very friendly and attentive. For food, the Guava Cheesecake Yodel was something that I never had before and made quite an impression. The Flat Iron Steak was cooked well and great for sharing too. Overall, really enjoyed our time here and appreciated care! read more

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Wow. The food here, amazing. The service, amazing. The ambiance, amazing. Definitely will be coming back! Our server Braulio was super friendly and helpful, he recommended so many great items for us to try and not one single item disappointed. We had the flat iron steak, miso cod, sourdough bread with the honey butter, the pork belly, and the rigatoni. Everything was super flavorful and will definitely be coming back to try more things. Also the managers or those on the floor made everything seem so seemless even though the restaurant was pretty busy! 10/10 read more

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BEWARE OF ILLEGAL CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD: I dined at this restaurant on 6/19/2026. My bill was $40, however Juniper and Ivy (and/or the server: Cassady F.) charged my credit card almost double instead. I have receipts and have submitted a dispute with my bank. Very dishonest and illegal business transaction. DINERS BEWARE read more

We absolutely love Juniper and Ivy. From the moment we walked in, we were seated quickly and welcomed with exceptional service. Our server took the time to thoroughly explain the menu, offer recommendations, and answer our questions, making the entire dining experience feel thoughtful and personalized. The ambiance is one of our favorite parts of the restaurant. It has a modern yet inviting atmosphere that feels upscale without being pretentious, making it perfect for both a special occasion or a nice night out. Every dish we ordered was packed with flavor, but the real standouts were the steak and the bone marrow. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender, and incredibly flavorful, while the bone marrow was rich, decadent, and an absolute must-order. Every bite showcased the creativity and attention to detail that Juniper and Ivy is known for. This continues to be one of our favorite restaurants, and it's a place we always look forward to coming back to. Between the outstanding food, attentive service, and beautiful ambiance, it's an easy recommendation. read more

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There was so much food and I didn't take photos in time before it was gone. It was a tapa style serving with salmon, NY Strip, Brussels sprouts (the star of the show), kale salad, fries, and cookies out of a cookie jar to top it all off. Outstanding flavors, paired with a red and white wine. Our servers were amazing. Shout out to Lauren! 10/10 highly recommend ! read more

Juniper and Ivy - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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A lovely experience. We enjoyed the food and service, and even the environment. Attention to details is apparent everywhere. Example - quiet background music that was easy to have conversation over. Loved the amuse, the clever "deviled egg" with a base of egg white meringue. A puff of flavor that really did excite you for the meal. Four of us shared various dishes and we thought all were successful. The sourdough bread had a wonderful shattering golden crust. The ahi crudo had bright and deep flavors. The spicy tuna handrole was a relevation of textures and flavors (the tender sesame leaf was fascinating!). We LOVED the sauce on the swordfish bite, oh the lemongrass! The chanterelles, my fav mushroom, didn't disappoint with that sunchoke cream and chips. We loved both entrees/plates we tried. The whole fried red snapper was delicious wrapped in lettuce with various toppings making the flavor complex (loved the grilled citrus). The duck was a spectacular presentation and perhaps even more important it tasted great. The tender breast meat, the confit legs, even the crispy wings were satisfying. Loved the rice dish it was served with (who cares what they called it!). We shared 2 desserts and loved them both. A chocolate layered cake dessert. Complimentary for the birthday we were celebrating, and tasty. And what was called sticky toffee pudding. A delightful dessert. (But I would not call it that name.) The candied persimmon pieces were delicious and a nice surprise. Everyone serving our table was pleasant. The sommelier was helpful in our picking a wine, but never came back until we had finished our meal, and seemed uninterested whether we liked the bottle. (It was ok, but too one note). I understand the menu changes frequently with what's available. I'm impressed the dishes seemed so fully realized considering the ever changing menu. This is an exciting restaurant. read more

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One of our new favorite seats in San Diego, sitting at the counter of Juniper and Ivy. The food and service is amazing. Just a few steps away from deserving a Michelin Star. There was a minor billing and service issue on our first visit that was handled exceptionally by the GM, Scott who deserves to be recognized. Our second visit had us in the action at a counter seat. It was pleasant to see many changes to the menu and added excitement to the meal. We will be returning as many times as we can. After going to almost every popular restaurant in San Diego, I've finally been urged to write a well deserved yelp review. read more

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I'm am so bummed to give this a 3 but let's chat! First off our service was excellent and the restaurant is beautiful. Everyone had only good things to say about Junioer and Ivy. The 3 is coming for the food/taste. My friend and I did the tasting menu for $185 a person for NYE. Quite expensive and so for that price I really expected the food options to really be something! Our favorites were the filet mignon and the pork belly. Everything else truly lacked flavor and was sort of disappointing. We got the crudo and tartare as appetizers, the spiny lobster, and the duck, and dessert was tart. Maybe we need to go back and try items from their normal menu but char read more

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