The Cottage La Jolla — Restaurant in San Diego

This is my second time here in the past few months. Both times were amazing.

Atmosphere: Their outdoor area seems like the main attraction. It's probably bigger than inside or just about the same. If it's a nice day, request outside! Most of the tables have complete shade.

Drinks: The ice coffee is very weak here. It didn't pep me up at all. One of the guys in our group got a Bloody Mary and was disappointed especially because he paid $5 to add shrimp and they gave him one baby shrimp on a skewer HAHA! To put it into perspective, he had another Bloody Mary the next day and literally said "Wow, that Bloody Mary horrible, this one is amazing" so it must've been night and day.

Food: This is the main event folks. Why you come here even if the drinks are OK. Everyone has left here satisfied but here is what I recommend.

Apps: We got hummus & pita (definitely need to put more pita with this dish, both times I was here there was barely any pita and lots of hummus. everyone just wants Pita haha), Guac & Chips, and the Ahi Nachos. The Ahi Nachos were really the stand out dish here.

Morning Glory Sandwich - Probably the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had.

Soy Chorizo Hash - Where my veggie people at?! This is the dish right here! They have a ton of other great veggie options too.

Wild Mushroom Ravioli - Yum. Had this the first time I was here. Tried to convince my friend to order and split with me but I failed.

Service: Sandra served us both times and she is super sweet. I remembered her because she had a ton of suggestions and it was definitely a little pushy but everything she said is what I wanted so I personally enjoyed it. At one point, I just told her to do her thing and make my dish the way she thinks I like it. Something I never thought I'd give away, my food control. She even went ahead and cut our sandwiches in half, plating them separately since she knew a lot of us are sharing. That is amazing!

It would've been a glowing 5 stars if we enjoyed our drinks. I'd come back here again and again and again. They also have a live waitlist on Yelp which is super helpful to put your name on the list. It'll be a long wait if you just walk up there and they do not take reservations! There’s lot to do in the area of La Jolla...

Within just two blocks of walk from Prospect Street in the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla, The Cottage restaurant is a local gem that promises a delightful culinary journey through classic American and Southern California cuisine. With a string of foodie awards under its belt, including accolades from ZAGAT, Epicurious, and San Diego’s Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, it's clear that The Cottage has earned its reputation as a dining destination worth exploring.

During our visit, we indulged in some of their signature dishes, each living up to its award-winning status. The Stuffed French Toast was a standout, featuring perfectly preserved strawberries and luscious mascarpone, all served with ample butter and syrup. The freshness of the strawberries elevated the dish to new heights, leaving us craving more with each bite.

For those craving a savory option, the Crabcakes Egg Benedict did not disappoint. We opted to add pork belly to the already enticing combination, resulting in a heavenly marriage of flavors. The crab was impeccably prepared, complemented by the rich hollandaise sauce and a hint of heat from the provided hot sauce. Accompanied by perfectly seasoned breakfast potatoes, every element of the dish was executed flawlessly.

Aside from the exceptional food, our experience at The Cottage was further enhanced by the efficient use of technology. Utilizing the Nowait app allowed us to join the waitlist remotely, minimizing our time spent waiting for a table upon arrival. The accuracy of the app's wait time estimation ensured a stress-free dining experience, even during peak hours.

To top it all off, the Mexican hot chocolate was a decadent treat that served as the perfect conclusion to our meal. Rich, creamy, and indulgent, it encapsulated the essence of comfort in every sip.

In summary, The Cottage in La Jolla is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary institution that delivers on its promise of award-winning cuisine and exceptional service. Whether you're craving a leisurely brunch or a satisfying lunch, The Cottage is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and your dining...

My husband and I were here 02/25/2025. We’ve been here 4 times before and I’ve published a 4 star review. This visit was different from our previous ones. The hostess greeted us with a wonderful smile and a happy and eager attitude as soon as we arrived and seated us immediately in the outdoor street side patio . I have a cast on my leg and was in a wheel chair, and she made sure to find us a table with lots of room with space to store the wheel chair and where I was comfortable. She is always absolutely fabulous every time we come. We love her! All who work here exudes friendliness and comfort. Our order was taken in good time and food delivered quickly and piping hot. Issues: I ordered coffee and our server never brought it. I asked another server and he didn’t bring it either. I then asked the hostess and she brought it immediately along with a pot of it and lots of creamers. Having to ask 3 people for coffee and waiting 15 minutes from first request to receive it is a bit too long . My husband ordered the chilaquiles plate (black beans, country potatoes, 2 over easy eggs). The sauce on the chiliaquiles was not tasty at all and was so spicy hot he couldn’t eat them and neither could I. We mentioned this to our server and his response was the chili peppers used to make the sauce are fresh, some are spicier than others, and there’s no way to control the intensity. We understand this but were flabbergasted he was not offered a replacement item. The rest of the plate was fine. I had the Mexicali eggs Benedict poached over medium . Menu says it’s served over corn cakes. The corn cakes tasted and looked like flat pancakes . The poached eggs were so hard they appeared to be soft boiled with just a drizzle of hollandaise sauce over them. I had to ask for extra which also was brought to me by the hostess because our server disappeared for 20 minutes. The breakfast potatoes were too salty for me, but otherwise good. Every business has an off day and I’m thinking this was theirs, so won’t be...