With its rugged coast and enticing shoreline, it’s little wonder that the smart seaside community of La Jolla in San Diego is a popular spot with visitors. Be it the tidal pools of Shell Beach or the growing colony of harbour seals that have set up home on Children’s Pool Beach since the 1990s, there is plenty of nature to enjoy. But if you plan on bringing your family to this corner of California you’ll likely want to find a good child-friendly restaurant in which to recharge those batteries during lunch time. Well, consider yourself lucky, for there are plenty of examples. Read on for some of the best kid-friendly restaurants in La Jolla, San Diego.
1. The Cottage
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Enjoying a glowing reputation, and boasting numerous food awards, The Cottage will likely appeal not just to families but to food fans in general. Packing in the punters for close to three decades its menu features a range of dishes influenced by US and Southern Californian dining. What’s more, your children won’t have to feel left out during a visit to this smart eatery, for it offers a special kid’s menu featuring everything from oatmeal pancakes to chicken fingers, and from fruit plates to cheeseburger sliders. And if you and the little munchkins enjoy dining out in the open air, the restaurant also has a large patio complete with sunshades to protect their delicate skin.
The Cottage
Address: 7702 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: The Cottage
Opening hours: 7.30am - 3pm (daily); Tue & Sat: 7.30am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm
2. Barbarella
Posted by Barbarella Restaurant & Bar on Sunday, 2 December 2018
This full bar and restaurant’s eclectic art and smart decor should make for a memorable eating experience. Past diners were big fans of the welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and tasty European-style menu. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating should you and the young ones prefer to take in the sun while eating. And, as with the previous entry, it also offers a kid’s menu that includes Bambini pasta, cheese pizza and chicken tenders - all of which comes with ice cream and sprinkles.
Barbarella
Address: 2171 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Barbarella
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 8.30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 8.30am - 10pm
3. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse is a chain of popular eateries that includes several outlets in San Diego - including this one in La Jolla, which opened as recently as 2016. It prides itself on an atmosphere that “is friendly and inviting” and “perfect” for dining with the “whole family”. This is reflected in its “extensive” kids menu, which includes everything from sweet sundaes to grilled chicken breasts. The chain also offers family feasts of varying sizes that can accommodate up to 12 people and feature everything from tasty pizzas to healthier salads.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Address: 8785 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego, CA 92037
Website: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 12am; Fri: 11am - 1am; Sat: 10am - 1am; Sun: 10am - 12am
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4. California Pizza Kitchen
If your little one fancies turning their hand towards a little culinary creation then you may wish to opt for booking a special experience at La Jolla’s California Pizza Kitchen outlet. This chain offers special ‘CP kids’ birthday party’ packages, that include behind-the-scenes tours of the kitchen and a chance for the kids to make their own pizzas. You can even pick up special child-size chef hats or jackets for a little extra fee. The kid’s menu includes such pizza fare as barbeque chicken and pepperoni.
California Pizza Kitchen
Address: 3363 Nobel Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: California Pizza Kitchen
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
5. Ocean Terrace at George's at The Cove
A restaurant that’s child-friendly may be one of your top priorities when picking an eatery for a family meal. But what if that restaurant also happens to boast a world-class view? Well, this happy coincidence is exactly what you’ll find if you visit Ocean Terrace at George’s. Its elevated bar, restaurant and open-air terrace enjoy fine sea panoramas. It also boasts a special ‘Little Bites’ menu specifically tailored towards the children. Dishes include grilled cheese sandwiches, crispy chicken strips, junior burgers and spaghetti with parmesan. Come for the child-friendly dishes, stay for the “million dollar view”.
Ocean Terrace at George's at The Cove
Address: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Ocean Terrace at George’s at The Cove
Opening hours: Varies
6. Rimel's Rotisserie
This small but very popular eatery has been running for well over 20 years, and its success has seen it spawn several other sites. This original location, however, is where it all began. The tiny cafe is so popular that a number of diners simply opt for takeout. However, if you reserve or find a spot, its fish dishes are a particular highlight among past diners. It also makes a point of producing dishes from locally-sourced ingredients, and all meat is organic. Naturally, kids dishes are available, although if you want an even bigger selection, the other sites offer such options as grass-fed hot dogs and quesadilla.
Rimel's Rotisserie
Address: 1030 Torrey Pines Road, Suite E, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Rimel’s Rotisserie
Opening hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm (daily)
7. Brockton Villa
Another for fans of the coast, the Brockton Villa Restaurant enjoys strong word-of-mouth and is located within a beach cottage that enjoys mesmerising views of La Jolla Cove. There’s even a patio terrace from which to enjoy the vista. Its menu includes a range of seasonal dishes, meaning that you’ll find something different at alternate times of the year. And that menu contains all-important child menu options - and a large selection at that. Options include grilled chicken breast, and kids’ split sweets. There’s even a range of breakfasts for the little ones.
Brockton Villa
Address: 1235 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla, CA, 92037
Website: Brockton Villa
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
8. The Spot
Spaghetti and meatballs, grilled cheese, and chicken strip meals are just some of the children’s menu options available for the little ones when families dine at this popular sports bar and restaurant. Located on Prospect Street, The Spot has been delighting diners in La Jolla since the 1970s and prides itself on its “friendly atmosphere and excellent cuisine”. And parents looking to enjoy some wildlife spotting with their children should note that the street is not far from Children’s Pool Beach, which got its name from the breakwater that was designed to create calm bathing waters but is today home to a harbour seal colony.
The Spot
Address: 1005 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: The Spot
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 10am - 1am
9. Burger Lounge
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This popular burger chain boasts more than two dozen outlets including one in La Jolla which has been winning fans since 2007. Promising “refreshingly uncomplicated” grass-fed burgers, it has a “pure and simple” menu. Its menu features everything from traditional beef to veggie and turkey burgers. The options include its Kid’s Lounge Meal. These feature chicken bites, cheeseburger and grilled cheese options and all include fries or salad, ice cream and soft drink. And those looking after the good of the planet will be pleased to note that all the take-out packaging is recyclable or made from recycled items.
Burger Lounge
Address: 1101 Wall Street., La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Burger Lounge
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10.30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 10.30am - 10pm
10. Piatti
This Italian food chain has been producing tasty treats for diners for more than 30 years and has grown to nine separate outlets - from Seattle in the north to La Jolla in the south. Located not far from La Jolla Shore Park, the eatery enjoys one of the best reputations out of any restaurant in the area. It features smart interior decor and a charming outdoor terrace that is sheltered beneath the leafy branches of a large central ficus tree. Its wide array of Italian-style dishes are also popular with past diners, and there are kid’s menu options too.
Piatti
Address: 2182 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Piatti
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 10pm
Fantastic food for all the family
La Jolla’s beaches and hot Californian sun make it a popular spot for families. And this popularity has ensured that there are plenty of family-friendly eateries you can enjoy during your visit. Which will you opt for?
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