A beautiful and simple brunch spot in the heart of La Jolla! It seems like it gets busy so I recommend making reservations. You get a beautiful view of the ocean and nice Ocean breeze. For six people, we shared the Brunch Tower (french toast + bacon + smoked salmon giant latke + eggs benny + chicken schnitzel) and one more entree and it was the perfect amount. Service was great and food was good. We went to the museum next door to walk off the food which was nice! Street parking is available; plan accordingly because the area can get busy especially during the weekends and peak meal times. read more

Yum! And what a beautiful view of La Jolla Shores! We came here for a mommy-daughter date and had such a lovely experience. My daughter ordered the kids' egg scramble with potatoes and sourdough bread, while I had the smoked salmon latkes. Everything was delicious, and the service was great. I especially loved dining outdoors while overlooking beautiful La Jolla Shores. Great food, gorgeous views, and quality time with my daughter, it was the perfect reminder of how lucky we are to call San Diego home! read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Smoked salmon on latkes - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I made a reservation at 12:45pm Sunday through open table for a party of 2 the day before. Time slots between 10:30am - 1:45pm were booked for the most part. When I tried calling to modify to a party of 3, no one picked up. However, it wasn't a problem when we talked to the hostess. There's street parking - you might have to drive around a bit to find it. I would highly recommend making a reservation especially around noon because it was busy when we got to the restaurant. We were seated between inside and outside and the view of the ocean is incredible. It really is a nice place to dine. We had viewed the museum beforehand and gotten free admission with bank of america first free weekend of the month. The mayan mocha had a bit too much spice. The mozzarella and peach sandwich was decent as well as the smoked salmon and potato latke. It's more about the calm atmosphere and the view I would say. read more

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This is a delightful outdoor dining experience. We came the day of the world cup final and were quickly sat in their dining room. Apparently, there is usually quite the wait so not being soccer fans paid off haha The dining room is stunning. The portrait on the back wall is a little strange - lots of people in greek costumes, hanging around and mingling but the water views, wooden finishes and cactus makes up for it. We ordered two lattes and a the latke salmon dish to split. It was SO good. The salmon was so fresh and fluffy, your knife cuts right through. The latke was thick and crispy, like a massive potato pancake. The toppings with tomatoes, onions and capers were the perfect pairing and common with most sort of lox-like dishes. Absolutely recommend dining here even if you're not visiting the museum. read more

Yum! And what a beautiful view of La Jolla Shores! We came here for a mommy-daughter date and had such a lovely experience. My daughter ordered the kids' egg scramble with potatoes and sourdough bread, while I had the smoked salmon latkes. Everything was delicious, and the service was great. I especially loved dining outdoors while overlooking beautiful La Jolla Shores. Great food, gorgeous views, and quality time with my daughter, it was the perfect reminder of how lucky we are to call San Diego home! read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Kids breakfast selection - eggs, potatoes and sourdough bread - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The Kitchen at MCASD is a gem! This restaurant is a perfect way to start your visit to the Museum. The food is fresh, vibrant and delicious. Inside seating or outdoor whatever you like both are great! read more

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Absolutely wonderful experience here. This restaurant is attached to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and is located in La Jolla. I contacted the manager to discuss having a group of women (14-15) for brunch on a Saturday at 1p. They responded to me and we were able to finalize a reservation for a 13 ladies. They offer a wonderful family style Prix Fixe meal and the pricing is pretty good. On the day of our reservation, we had some RSVPs that had conflicts so we had to pivot our finalized party of 13 and let the restaurant know that it would be 11 attendees. They adjusted so well and still accommodated us! From the moment I walked up to the moment that our party departed, the customer service here was phenomenal. Our hostess had brown curly hair and she was VERY CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED. She smiled and was very welcoming. The party had not all arrived on time, so she was very patient with us as we filed in. The Concourse D'Elegance was happening on this date so La Jolla was PACKED, and parking was a challenge. Our server was Dakota. He was VERY CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED AND a natural people person. Dakota took care of all of our needs. He even answered any questions that we had about the menu with a smile. He took our drink orders and then came back for our food orders. Dakota even took a photo of us at the dining table and also one outside on the restaurant patio overlooking the beautiful ocean! Our food came out and was DELICIOUS! Everything was made perfectly and no one had any complaints. The serving staff brought out a salt and pepper shaker set and some of the ladies in our party used it. I thought that this was a very considerate thing to do by the serving staff. Our time here was spent well! We absolutely will return! We worked on our reservation with Varisa and she was EXCELLENT! Thank you! This is a truly special place to have brunch in La Jolla. Upon our departure to go to the museum, the Instagram Famous "Cake Picnic" was setting up in the restaurant courtyard. It was AWESOME! I highly recommend this location for dining in La Jolla. read more

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We did not go to the Kitchen but there doesn't seem to be a way to leave a review for the museum. We saw the Giants exhibition partly sponsored by Alicia Keys. It was amazingly well done. Everything laid out beautifully. Staff was helpful. Art was beautiful. Maybe we will get a chance to eat there next time. read more

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Expensive but worth it. The view was amazing. I had the mozzarella and peach sandwich. So unusual and yummy. I think it was a nectarine tho. Service was great. I also had a $7 hibiscus tea. Tasty but not worth the money. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Mozerella and peach sandwich with hibiscus tea. - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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After our lovely museum tour we were in need of a refreshment. My friend ordered a latte and I got an Aqua Panna. It was quite busy for early Thursday afternoon. Lots of healthy offerings and snack Heaven. We got our drinks and enjoyed them on the patio as we people watched. Space was clean and service was good. Cute cafe, will try food next time. read more

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A pleasant restaurant for lunch, food and fine ambiance. The hamburger was slightly over cooked and the Artichoke and Chicken Salad is a misnomer. It was very good, but you needed a microscope to find the itsy bitsy artichoke pieces. It should be called Chicken salad lightly tossed with a few artichoke pieces. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

Interesting spot. Went for a Sat morning brunch with a friend who had wanted to go. It's a wonderful place for the restaurant. I was only there for this so I only observed the food and the surrounding sculptures. It has the one with mulitple surfboards and a metal display all instagrammable. The view of from the restaurant is nice. The food was fine, I enjoyed the meal and it's a nice compliment to the Museum itself. So if you are in a mood for a visit to the MCASD, also save some time for a small meal at the Kitchen MCASD. read more

Is this a hidden gem??? Friday morning I really wanted to have a nice dinner somewhere in La Jolla. But my problem was that any good place in La Jolla will either have a long wait for walk-ins or have no reservations available on the day of. But then I discovered The Kitchen MCASD, and they had dinner reservations available for the same day!! We arrived around 6:30pm for our dinner reservation, and it was the perfect time of the day to see an amazing view of the ocean. We sat outside, and they offered blankets in addition to heat lamps! We were very comfy. Panisse -- 8/10 We ordered the panisse because I've never heard of this dish before. From my internet search, panisse is a dish from Italy/France that is mash chickpeas that are fried. Imagine if you shaped mashed potatoes into a square and then deep fried it so that the outside is nice and crispy, and the inside is soft and mushy. So the chickpeas in the panisse were enjoyable because they remind me of mash potatoes, while the outside was nice and crispy. I loved it!! Definitely a fun and enjoyable dish. Chicken schnitzel - 8/10 A good portion of chicken with a refreshing salad Salmon - 7/10 - a standard salmon dish Overall, this place is great for that seaside ambiance. Any other location that has this kind of view of the ocean would be BOOKED or very expensive. I don't know why this place isn't more crowded! read more

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Came to a party at the museum which was catered on the patio by the kitchen. I can't speak to the price value proposition for catering or for the menu prices in the restaurant, but I loved the selection of vegetarian and pescatarian salads. Really delicious grilled eggplant, quinoa salad, nectarine and burrata, and salmon in lettuce cups. The only note would be that the nectarines needed to be a little riper. But everything was delicious and beautifully presented. They also had four mini desserts, of which the best was the chocolate cookie. Definitely a great venue for a party with a great in-house caterer. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Selection of salads at a party they catered, from grilled eggplant to nectarine and burrata - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

I really enjoyed a nice dinner here at the Kitchen. the view is just stunning, and the service was very kind. the burger was pretty good in my opinion, and massive!! There was a 3% service fee on the burger which I thought was interesting. overall a nice place to eat if you are going for a nicer dinner. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - patio - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Beautiful view and delicious food. I had the salmon latke and it was so good! We're came here for a baby sprinkle and the staff was very accommodating. Also came on the third Sunday and the museum was free to enter! read more

We celebrated my mother's 85th birthday at The Kitchen. We were a large party and the manager V organized a family style banquet experience that was memorable. All the menu items were fresh. Their flavors were unique and delicious and we pleased everybody from teenagers on up. V and her team went out of their way to provide us excellent service and a memorable birthday. read more

Worst service in La Jolla starting at hostess stand - if one shows up. Waited 15 minutes in hot sun to then be told it was an hour wait - even though there were at least seven open tables in sight. After two tries in same week with same bad result, won't be going back. Sad thing is I live here and now won't support it. read more

I hesitate to write this review because I don't want this place to get any more crowded than it is currently, but I also want to recognize this restaurant as being one of my favorites in San Diego. This restaurant is perfect for a La Jolla art museum. The architecture and layout blends nature with industry, and with the retracting window doors and almost universal natural lighting, begs the question, "Where does the beach end and the restaurant begin?" Just kidding, but it does work really well in this area. We first came here for brunch earlier this year, as it's become my partner's and my mission to try all the brunch spots in La Jolla. For brunch, this spot is my #1 in San Diego. We ordered their salmon Benedict and churro French toast, and tried a latte and a cocktail. If I had to describe everything we've tried here in one word, it would be fresh. The hot food is piping, the fruits and vegetables are bright and crisp, the dressings and sauces are light and complement the dishes well, and even the cocktails feel...somehow healthy? I especially want to highlight their churro French toast, which is one of the best dishes I had in 2024. Cinnamon sugar bread topped with mandarin oranges and mint is a combination I never knew I needed. Sweet, tart, and herbal, both crunchy and juicy, it satisfied most of my brunch cravings. So we've been back a couple times, once for brunch with friends and another time more recently for their happy hour menu, where we ordered one of everything. Although I was impressed with their happy hour items and found them all to be delicious and satisfying, I do still prefer this place for brunch (though the sunset views were choice). I love that their menu changes frequently, and that they periodically have special menu nights where they highlight an ingredient to be used in every dish. Recently they had a squash night, and a few months ago they had a tomato night. I can't wait to go to one! read more

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This spot has a beautiful patio outlooking la jolla shores. It was a bit gloomy when we arrived but on a sunny day this would be killer. The staff is friendly but not very attentive. I ordered the artichoke chicken salad with side salad. I requested sourdough as a substitution but was sadly given the multigrain which didnt settle with my stomach. Otherwise, this sandwich was good but bread was far too thick for my liking. My friend had the breakfast sandwich which had good flavors (in her words). Overall , i would come back and probably try other items. Took off a star because it wasnt amazing (the food) but other items looked a lot better. read more

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A hidden gem that most people won't find without looking hard.... I only discovered this place thanks to our CM Hannah! I plan on taking my parents here one day for breakfast/sunset. The views and ambiance are very "San Diego" for those looking to experience the city if you really enjoy La Jolla. (do expect La Jolla pricing !) Service was prompt and our waitress was courteous and timely in checking in. The recently starting serving breakfast though I haven't been here for that yet and am looking forward to what they do with the place! read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Hamachi crudo Corn Fritters - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

Dinner here did not disappoint! I had a hard time selecting a starter, but decided to order the Panissa after the waiter's recommendation. It was so delicious! I'm already wondering when I can go back to have it again =P. For my entree I had the lamb burger. It was good, but a little less amazing - probably because I messed with it by removing the olive relish (I don't like olives). It probably needed the olive relish to add a bit of zing in each bite. I still enjoyed it though and would recommend the burger. Service was wonderful. I sat outside at sunset and was worried it would be too cold, but they seated me next to a heat lamp and also gave me a small blanket for my lap. It was perfect. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Panissa - so delish!! - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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If you are expecting to come here on a weekend, I recommend making a reservation beforehand. We had to wait ~20min because tables were booked up. The food here is pretty and fresh. We got the chicken kebab and a breakfast sandwich. The chicken kebab was with cous cous and tasted really healthy. I kinda of wished I got something else since I like my Mediterranean food with more sauces. The dish was a bit dry for me. The breakfast sandwich was yummy! This is an outdoor restaurant or the inside portion is still open air. There is a nice view of the beach but you can probably only see it sitting down if you are by the overlooking wall. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Chicken Kebab - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Today I had the good great fortune to eat at the Kitchen at MCASD. I and two friends shared the Brunch Tower. You must find some friends and experience of a tower of deliciousness. Sweet and savory everything you can imagine. A taste sensation. Can't recommend strong enough how good it is. read more

An incredible restaurant. The food was so good as was the atmosphere depending on where you sat you had a beautiful view of the ocean. The people that work there are splendid. I got the avocado bowl and I couldn't have been happier. Well maybe if I've gotten some of those potatoes that my friend had in her the basic, luckily she shared. I highly recommend going. My latte was pretty good also. read more

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The flavors of my chicken baby kale salad were amazing. The service was super friendly and warm and the views were beautiful. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - We also met Gary! - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

The Kitchen MCASD is primarily located in an outdoor space that I wish had some potted trees and something else to softer the feel of concrete all about. The restaurant is owned by the same group that operates Artifact Restaurant in Balboa Park in the Prado area. I prefer Artifact, for its more extensive menu and "real" wine list. Note: At the Kitchen, there is NO wine list, just a scattering identification of a few wines by the glass. However, you can obtain the bottle for an unspecified price [which was fair]. It is evident that the intended concept at the Kitchen is more casual than at Artifact. I am not sure why---I think the more formal concept of Artifact would work quite well in La Jolla. There is also a lot of focus at the Kitchen on breakfast, which does not interest me---I prefer lunch or dinner out. The hostess who seated me was very professional and smiling. Her manner creates a good first impression. Service by Jordan and Andrew [he opened the bottle of wine] was pleasant. read more

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Met some relatives here for brunch this past weekend, and it was the perfect environment for both adults and children! It definitely would've been nice if they had some heat lamps outside, but as soon as I got my cup of hot tea, I was nice and toasty. Service was good, waitress and hostess were both friendly and welcoming. I think the manager even came by to see how things were going, which doesn't happen very often but it was a nice gesture. Food was pretty decent and not too expensive considering the neighborhood we were in. I got the green shakshuka, which was quite delicious and very filling--definitely giving me some breakfast ideas for at home. I'd definitely order my dish again if I decided to dine here the next time I'm in town. read more

So many different online forums recommended this restaurant as one with good food and a great ocean view. We were luckily to get a table. It was packed for lunch on a weekday. My soup and salad were both so full of flavor and delicious. I'm so glad we stopped in. This place did not disappoint. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - Chicken Cobb - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The food was just OK , prices a little bit on the high side, but the review is low because it has window tables all along the windows, however, the windows are so dirty inside and out. You can't see the ocean. read more

Very nice restaurant with an AMAZING view of the beach. Unbelievable actually. Very modern with a real cafe kind of vibe. Plenty of parking but it's a task due to traffic. Our server was very pleasant. The food came out hot and fast. I enjoyed all of it however the highlight were the potatoes. Perfectly cooked with just the right amount of crispiness. The chicken sausage were SO GOOD! The Kitchen is a whole vibe and I'm so glad I came here on my visit to San Diego! read more

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This place has it all - delicious food, beautiful, scenery and friendly service. In addition to the sit down cafe style restaurant there is also a place to grab food to go on the other side of the building. I was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was. I had the lamb burger and it was so juicy and full amazing flavors that elevated the burger. The salad was also fresh and light, which wonderfully complemented the burger. I sat on the patio and although it was windy and cold that day, the staff made sure everyone was warm. They even brought around blankets for anyone who wanted them, so we could enjoy the food outside with a peaceful view of the ocean. I won't hesitate to come back next time and try more of their flavorful food. read more

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Delicious lunch at the kitchen in next to the MCASD La Jolla. Decided to grab lunch before entering the museum. The day was so nice and the patio seating just perfect. The service is a little slow and disorganized. The hostess sat us immediately, but no one came with water or menus for a pretty long while. They were busy but there were still plenty of open tables. Overall relaxing vibes. The food, we ordered the: seared albacore tuna nicoise- good and well balanced! the Sumac chicken Flatbread- tasty side of french fries- the fries has a delicious seasoning (almost Indian seasoning) they were delicious! Overall a great spot for lunch if you dont mind waiting a bit on the slow service. We had to flag down our waitress again at the end. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - seared albacore tuna nicoise - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

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What a great little find. Walked here from our rental home in La Jolla. It's right before the main shopping strip and such a great little spot. It has ocean views, great food and wonderful vibe. The staff is super friendly and welcomed all five of our dogs with two heaping bowls of water. The outdoor seating gets a lovelie ocean breeze and plenty of umbrellas to keep you cool and shaded in the summer sun. Mom ordered the yogurt bowl, pictured. My sister had the chilaquiles which are a little heavy on the sauce side. Well flavored. The burger is thick and juicy. The fries were amazing - the crispy double fried kind. And, my niece had the breakfast sandwich which was well flavored and layered for texture. We skipped on the tahini and zaatar because we were feeling a little "plain" and it was an easy accommodation for the chef. Overall really loved it and would come back for the great taste and atmosphere. Again, the ocean!!! It's right there!!! read more

Great little outdoor gem with plenty of outdoor seating with sun and without. Coffee was also fantastic! Close to all the shops and the ocean but tucked away at the same time. Would be back. Not sure if the tables are public or accessible with a purchase. read more

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This is Abit overdue but realzied there might be others out there that don't realize what a gem this spot is. A friend's recommendation led me to The Kitchen at MCASD, and what a find it was for our local brunch group--always on the hunt for new dining experiences. This hidden gem is a breath of fresh air for a unique gal's day out; it's nestled away from the La Jolla hustle. Truly more than just a brunch spot, the setting is breezy and super cute. It's evident that every element, from the airy aesthetics to the menu, is intentional and thoughtful. What stood out was their commitment to fresh, whole ingredients; it elevates The Kitchen into a celebration of food and fellowship. With service that complements the high quality of the meal, this is a concept you don't want to sleep on. During our visit, I savored the asparagus and mushroom omelette complemented with herb goat cheese, porcini cream, and a fresh green salad--a dish that redefined refreshing in a brunch setting. Adding shrimp to my omelette was a delightful choice that meshed well with the other flavors. The drink menu deserves a mention, with its eclectic offerings from smoothies to mimosas, and the adorable butterfly flower lemonade. Whether you're aiming for a peaceful family morning without the hassle of cooking or looking to impress out-of-town guests with a dazzling breakfast nook, The Kitchen has you covered. Our group of women were all smiles, relishing every bite and sip. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Kitchen--your hard work this past year truly shows, and we're excited to continue supporting such a commendable establishment. read more

The Kitchen MCASD - butterfly flower lemonade - Cafes Near Me - La Jolla, California

The location is great since it's at the Museum of Contemporary Arts of San Diego with a beautiful view of the ocean. Very convenience. There's seating inside and more outside in the art garden. Unfortunately no patio heaters but they have some thin blankets if you're cold. The food was ok for the flatbreads that we ordered. The seasonal squash flatbread was undercooked but had a nice flavor from the goat cheese. The sumac grilled chicken flatbread was quite plain. A friend ordered the smoked salmon sandwich and was not impressed. The chicken salad sandwich was good though. The avocado bowl was a smaller portion than expected but tasty. read more

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I had left an excellent five star review and I need to correct that! Our last two experiences were not very positive and they are not consistent with the quality of their food disappointed to say! read more

Service is always great when we come here! They always play good music and it's pretty laid back here. They have a beautiful design and lovely views. We had the lamb burger, French toast, and a Benedict. This is probably one of my favorite brunch spots in SD and perfect for small groups or a brunch date. We still have yet to try the dinner service! read more

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The Urban Kitchen Group recently received a Michelin honor for their restaurant at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. The same hospitality group has opened The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego which is near La Jolla Cove. The seating is mostly outdoors on a patio and the sidewalk, but the capacity is 100+ diners including the inside area. Walk-ins are only accepted unless you have a party size greater than eight. I did have to wait about 15 minutes for a table to be available. The menu was described as coastal Mediterranean cuisine. For my late lunch, I chose a Smoked Salmon sandwich which came with a green salad or za'atar fries (my choice). Whipped herb goat cheese, sweet carrot raisin slaw, cucumber, and watercress were the toppings to the salmon that was served on dark multigrain bread. The slaw was interesing because of the sweetness from the raisins. The fries were very crispy so they must have been fresh out of a fryer. The setting is pleasant although just like having a meal at a hotel restaurant, the prices at this eatery adjacent to a museum were on the expensive side. If you happen to be hungry while visiting and don't want to walk several blocks away toward the main strip of restaurants in the Cove, then The Kitchen is a reasonable choice for on-site dining. read more

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