Cottage – La Jolla

The Cottage restaurant is nestled in the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla, just two blocks from Prospect Street. This local neighborhood hangout out serves up classic American and Southern California dishes that will delight your taste buds, and they have the foodie awards to prove it. The Cottage has been featured in ZAGAT surveys, Epicurious, Departures Magazine, La Jolla Village News, and San Diego’s Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. Awards include Best Breakfast, Best Sunday Brunch, Best Family Restaurant, Best Omelet, Best Lunch, among others. It’s clear that dining at The Cottage is an award-winning culinary experience.

The Cottage Ambiance

The blue-grey vintage cottage has a wide tiled patio shaded for outdoor dining that is surrounded by a charming white picket fence. Patrons ascend a short set of white trimmed stairs to the restaurant’s entrance. Inside, white beadboard and light grey walls are complemented by a triptych of abstract art in a soothing mixture of green, blue, cream, and grey tones. Dark and light wood tables, dark brown chairs, and a row of white trimmed grey and taupe booths work together beautifully. Natural light from large open windows streams in during the day and recessed lighting and small wall lamps provide an intimate feel at night reflecting the rhythms of sunny days and moonlit nights. This restaurant embodies airy seaside cottage life.

The Cottage Food

At The Cottage they’ve designed a menu that keeps it simple, but does it right, and throws in a surprise or two. It reflects a New American and Southern California style with a twist. The breakfast menu features American classics, including fresh juices, breads and pastries, scrambles, eggs benedicts, eggs with meat platters, and omelets. SoCal selections include south of the border influences like the popular Chilaquiles. For a powerhouse start to your day try the Fried Egg Sandwich with bacon, gruyere, tomato, arugula, and onion, topped with lemon aioli on sourdough bread.

Classic American and Southern California lunch items include small plates like house-made guacamole, crab cakes, and crisp calamari to name a few. The Sesame Ahi Tuna Nachos are the perfect example of traditional fare with a twist – ahi tuna, wonton chips, Asian vegetables, and ginger vinaigrette topped with wasabi cream. Guests can choose from a wide array of fresh salads and popular sandwiches like the Albacore Tuna Melt, Cottage Club, and Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The L.A. Burger is a top choice among guests; it’s made with Angus beef, tomato relish, arugula, and topped with both gruyere and goat cheeses. The Mahi Tacos and Seared Ahi Lettuce Wraps large plates are also popular.

Dinner at The Cottage adds eight additional large plates to the menu, and features meatloaf, salmon, steak, polenta, fish of the day, and fish tacos. The Crispy Buttermilk Boneless Fried Chicken dish gets rave reviews; it is served with whipped potatoes, and pink peppercorn honey. The Cottage also has a great kids menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving them the simple dishes they love like pancakes, French toast, PB&J, grilled cheese, cheeseburger sliders, and chicken fingers.

The Cottage Details

One of the nice amenities at The Cottage came when they renovated their restaurant in 2009 and installed a handicap lift and ADA accessible bathrooms, making this an accessible-friendly dining option. The Cottage provides both kids’ menus and high-chairs. There is plenty of room to welcome large groups, and the entire restaurant can be reserved for special events after their lunch rush. There is no Wi-Fi, and there are no televisions in the restaurant. Parking is limited to street parking. Bike parking available.

They only accept reservations for dinner. Although you cannot make a reservation for breakfast or lunch, you can download the app No Wait, put your name on the wait list through the app, and monitor your status.

Note: They do not have a full bar, but do serve wine, beer, and mimosas; Bloody Marys made with rice vodka are also available.

The Cottage Neighborhood

La Jolla Village offers an eclectic mix of activities. You’ll find upscale boutique shops, art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants. This bustling shopping mecca is the juxtaposition of sandy flip-flops and haute couture. Nighttime in the village is magical with musical performances, to dance troupes, to gallery exhibits.

The neighborhood is relatively small, and The Cottage is in an excellent central location, which makes seeing the attractions easy. The La Jolla tide pools are just slightly to the east of the two parks along the coast and offer a fun way to interact with some sea creatures. You can also take a short cab ride to to La Jolla Shores and kayak back to La Jolla Cove where you can tour the Seven Caves of La Jolla with a professional guide. Be sure to ask about Sunny Jim’s Cave.

If you plan to stay in La Jolla, there are lots of great hotels to choose from. A few hotels are near The Cottage. La Valencia, is known to locals as The Pink Lady of La Jolla, because of its pink exterior. The hotel has been providing guests with classic luxury and million dollar views since 1926.  La Jolla Cove Suites is the only oceanfront hotel in La Jolla Village. Pantai Inn is a traditional Balinese-inspired hotel along Coast Boulevard with gracious hospitality.

La Jolla is all about surf, sand, and fun in the sun, so be sure to explore.