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✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Delivery
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Hours
| Friday | 4–10 PM |
| Saturday | 4–10 PM |
| Sunday | 4–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd, San Diego, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 255-8011
Website: https://www.paradisaea.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
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Paradisaea
Restaurant in Bird Rock – San Diego. … CA 92037(858) 255-8011 · Facebook icon · Instagram logo. © Paradisaea 2024.
PARADISAEA (@paradisaeasd) · San Diego, CA – Instagram
MICHELIN Guide 2023, 2024, 2025 • Eater 38. French influence and technique. Only the best ingredients. La Jolla, San Diego Reservations ↓. Only at Paradisaea …
Paradisaea – San Diego – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
This La Jolla spot has an upscale tropical theme, where bar chairs are enlivened with a floral pattern and everything feels sunny and warm.
Reviews
Vita & Vox
Paradise in La Jolla has an absolutely amazing location. The setting alone makes the experience special, and the restaurant itself is beautiful and well designed.
We came for dinner around 7:30 pm, and it was extremely crowded. Despite that, the staff treated us exceptionally well. They offered us a separate table a little farther from the main crowd so my friend and I could comfortably talk and enjoy the evening. That level of attention really stood out.
The food was absolutely delicious, starting with the broccoli appetizer and continuing through every dish we ordered. The pasta, however, was surprisingly small. It looked closer to about 180–220 grams total, which feels more like an appetizer portion rather than a full dinner entrée — especially for dinner pricing.
We mentioned the portion size to the staff, and the manager handled it beautifully. He was very kind and professional and offered us another dish on the house (complimentary), which we truly appreciated. That response showed real care for guests.
Service was outstanding. Our server, Taylor (if I remember correctly), was amazing — attentive, professional, and genuinely warm. If I could give 10 stars out of 5 for service, I would.
Overall, the atmosphere and service were exceptional. The only improvement I would suggest is slightly more generous portion sizes for dinner entrées.
… moreWe came for dinner around 7:30 pm, and it was extremely crowded. Despite that, the staff treated us exceptionally well. They offered us a separate table a little farther from the main crowd so my friend and I could comfortably talk and enjoy the evening. That level of attention really stood out.
The food was absolutely delicious, starting with the broccoli appetizer and continuing through every dish we ordered. The pasta, however, was surprisingly small. It looked closer to about 180–220 grams total, which feels more like an appetizer portion rather than a full dinner entrée — especially for dinner pricing.
We mentioned the portion size to the staff, and the manager handled it beautifully. He was very kind and professional and offered us another dish on the house (complimentary), which we truly appreciated. That response showed real care for guests.
Service was outstanding. Our server, Taylor (if I remember correctly), was amazing — attentive, professional, and genuinely warm. If I could give 10 stars out of 5 for service, I would.
Overall, the atmosphere and service were exceptional. The only improvement I would suggest is slightly more generous portion sizes for dinner entrées.
Zan Lee
I grew up in La Jolla and I’ve been coming to Bird Rock for dinner for decades and can honestly say this is one of the best restaurants that I’ve been to in Bird Rock. I am sure it will earn a Michelin star in no time. It’s a delicious seafood restaurant that is a bit too pricey in my opinion but the flavor quality and diversity is really great and so was the service. Inside is designed really beautifully, there is a large bar that had a beautiful Christmas tree when we arrived that was sparkling and just really set a great mood. The tables have also a retro modern aesthetic that just really blends well with the area. Parking in the area is extremely easy, we were able to find a free space a few feet from the front door.
We ordered many items and thought they were all fantastic. First came the Steak Tartare and we thought that was great. The prior evening we ate at Born and Raised in Little Italy and this version was much better than theirs. We also got a Caesar Salad and that too was very nice. The cheese on top was my favorite part. The Potatoes Three Ways was also a hit at the table and was really a nice dish. For my entrée I chose the Whole Roasted Branzino and thought it was a wonderful. It had great flavor and the sauce at the bottom added a nice spice level to it. They did say it was deboned and I did have quite a few bones in it, but that’s to be expected with Branzino. I would say Paradisaea and Catania have some of my favorite in town. We ended with a cappuccino that was a little bit too small. In my opinion, I think they should use larger glasses, but still the meal was fantastic and I would highly recommend to anyone and I plan to be back in the near future.
… moreWe ordered many items and thought they were all fantastic. First came the Steak Tartare and we thought that was great. The prior evening we ate at Born and Raised in Little Italy and this version was much better than theirs. We also got a Caesar Salad and that too was very nice. The cheese on top was my favorite part. The Potatoes Three Ways was also a hit at the table and was really a nice dish. For my entrée I chose the Whole Roasted Branzino and thought it was a wonderful. It had great flavor and the sauce at the bottom added a nice spice level to it. They did say it was deboned and I did have quite a few bones in it, but that’s to be expected with Branzino. I would say Paradisaea and Catania have some of my favorite in town. We ended with a cappuccino that was a little bit too small. In my opinion, I think they should use larger glasses, but still the meal was fantastic and I would highly recommend to anyone and I plan to be back in the near future.
Helena Allerholm
10/10 ⭐️
An absolutely fantastic experience at Paradisaea in La Jolla! Head chef Anders, who is Danish, delivers a true fusion where Denmark meets California in a perfect balance of elegance and creativity. The flavors exceeded all our expectations.
We enjoyed the Sunday supper and had, among other dishes, the best confit duck we’ve ever tasted — served with a truly magical sauce. A special touch was that Anders took the time to come out to our table and talk with us about the food, making the evening even more personal and memorable. Our waitress Vanessa took good care of us. And the bar staff made us feel at home.
An outstanding experience from start to finish — we will definitely be back!
… moreAn absolutely fantastic experience at Paradisaea in La Jolla! Head chef Anders, who is Danish, delivers a true fusion where Denmark meets California in a perfect balance of elegance and creativity. The flavors exceeded all our expectations.
We enjoyed the Sunday supper and had, among other dishes, the best confit duck we’ve ever tasted — served with a truly magical sauce. A special touch was that Anders took the time to come out to our table and talk with us about the food, making the evening even more personal and memorable. Our waitress Vanessa took good care of us. And the bar staff made us feel at home.
An outstanding experience from start to finish — we will definitely be back!
Herman E
Paradisaea
We were warmly welcomed by the hostess who told us that we had been checked-in. I’m not so sure that anyone cares about this procedural matter. The desk was decorated with a large bouquet of Birds of Paradise certainly a hint to the restaurant’s name that was originally introduced in the 18th century by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. Is it coincidence that the Chef hails from Denmark and the manager from Sweden?
A short while later we were guided to our table and briefly thereafter offered still or sparkling water that was promptly served. Tevonne(?) asst. server was the first to see if we were comfortable and her graceful demeanor and conversation that ensured was a fine testimony to the hospitality profession. Elisa Marie was our server and guided us through the menu is a comprehensive manner. She was not pushy but had a gentle persuasion that in our opinion works miracles. We ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Merlot which were excellent for the type of establishment.
Here a compilation of our order and observations;
Sourdough, rich and crispy baked served with a whipped butter. Easy to indulge in but don’t eat too much as there is lots of nice food to come.
Steak Tartare, was made in the kitchen and not table side but a lovely experience. Chive sauce, egg emulsion and Japanese white radish accompanied the seasoned Tartare. Green onions, capers, mustard, herbs were all recognizable accompanied by slightly toasted north European style dark rye.
Sage Carrot served with a buttermilk sauce made this a very rich exploit.
Red Snapper was served with a fresh corn succotash in a contemporary version. The fish was very tasty and the portion closer to what one would expect in Europe. It suited us perfectly.
Veal Milanese, I have to say that this was the first time that we experienced a European style veal dish that wasn’t beef but real veal! It was cooked to perfection and definitely a dish to be remembered. The portion was more than generous and would have sufficed for three.
We ordered the Gateau Royal as dessert, which was a rich chocolate cream with a tiny cake layer in the bottom. Perhaps a lighter more mousse style (with some fine sugar dough layers) would have kept chocolate lovers happy and a tad kinder to the calorie count.
In conclusion, this was a lovely experience of unpretentious genuine cooking of crossroads between Europe and America, while all accompanying sauces were delicious, perhaps serving them on the side would be welcomed by the lighter eaters. The nice atmosphere with superb service is surely memorable in a time where service is not always a given. The restaurant has bar seats, high tables near the bar, in-door restaurant seating and a lovely terrace with soft evening lighting. The bar had a great -somewhat convivial but contemporary sophisticated vibe. The interior itself had mainly hard surfaces where perhaps a bit more consideration for noise absorbing materials would have been beneficial. We will be back and we would recommend it to friends and family. Team Paradisaea, keep up a great job.
… moreWe were warmly welcomed by the hostess who told us that we had been checked-in. I’m not so sure that anyone cares about this procedural matter. The desk was decorated with a large bouquet of Birds of Paradise certainly a hint to the restaurant’s name that was originally introduced in the 18th century by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. Is it coincidence that the Chef hails from Denmark and the manager from Sweden?
A short while later we were guided to our table and briefly thereafter offered still or sparkling water that was promptly served. Tevonne(?) asst. server was the first to see if we were comfortable and her graceful demeanor and conversation that ensured was a fine testimony to the hospitality profession. Elisa Marie was our server and guided us through the menu is a comprehensive manner. She was not pushy but had a gentle persuasion that in our opinion works miracles. We ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Merlot which were excellent for the type of establishment.
Here a compilation of our order and observations;
Sourdough, rich and crispy baked served with a whipped butter. Easy to indulge in but don’t eat too much as there is lots of nice food to come.
Steak Tartare, was made in the kitchen and not table side but a lovely experience. Chive sauce, egg emulsion and Japanese white radish accompanied the seasoned Tartare. Green onions, capers, mustard, herbs were all recognizable accompanied by slightly toasted north European style dark rye.
Sage Carrot served with a buttermilk sauce made this a very rich exploit.
Red Snapper was served with a fresh corn succotash in a contemporary version. The fish was very tasty and the portion closer to what one would expect in Europe. It suited us perfectly.
Veal Milanese, I have to say that this was the first time that we experienced a European style veal dish that wasn’t beef but real veal! It was cooked to perfection and definitely a dish to be remembered. The portion was more than generous and would have sufficed for three.
We ordered the Gateau Royal as dessert, which was a rich chocolate cream with a tiny cake layer in the bottom. Perhaps a lighter more mousse style (with some fine sugar dough layers) would have kept chocolate lovers happy and a tad kinder to the calorie count.
In conclusion, this was a lovely experience of unpretentious genuine cooking of crossroads between Europe and America, while all accompanying sauces were delicious, perhaps serving them on the side would be welcomed by the lighter eaters. The nice atmosphere with superb service is surely memorable in a time where service is not always a given. The restaurant has bar seats, high tables near the bar, in-door restaurant seating and a lovely terrace with soft evening lighting. The bar had a great -somewhat convivial but contemporary sophisticated vibe. The interior itself had mainly hard surfaces where perhaps a bit more consideration for noise absorbing materials would have been beneficial. We will be back and we would recommend it to friends and family. Team Paradisaea, keep up a great job.
Matthew A
Elyse Marie is the truuuuuuth as a server. She was bomb and so were all of her colleagues. The burger was an absolute delight, as was the Caesar and raviolis. The veal Milanese was fantastic and the pork chop was out of this world. The sundae was also delicious. Loved sitting outside on the patio. This is the second time I’ve been here and it was with a previous chef and the food is still outstanding and the service was phenomenal.
Oh, the duck fat fries were meh.
… moreOh, the duck fat fries were meh.
KC Wilder
Went for Christmas Eve dinner and we enjoyed the beautiful and festive atmosphere! Service was perfect and the food was delicious! There is a lot of attention to detail and some of the basic elements (freshly made bread, salad, house made butter) were some of the highlights of the meal! There is a nice amount of space between the tables, which gives it an airy and private feel. We were in the main dining room, but will definitely come back to eat at the beautiful bar. Highly recommended for a nice dinner!
… morejulianne pulido
We arrived just before 5pm and made the best decision of the night—grabbing seats at the bar to take full advantage of happy hour. The craft cocktails were thoughtful and beautifully balanced, and the $1 oysters? Fresh, briny perfection. A dangerous combo in the best way.
From the moment we walked in, the service stood out. The hostess set the tone immediately—warm, polished, and genuinely welcoming. Our server Aris provided us a superior level of care carried through the entire evening.
We decided to follow the Michelin guide’s lead and went all in on the chef’s tasting menu, which was nothing short of an experience. Each course was intentional, creative, and beautifully executed—no filler, no ego, just really exceptional food.
We added the $75 wine pairing and shared one pairing between us, which was more than generous and thoughtfully poured. Each selection elevated the dish it accompanied without overpowering it—clearly curated with care.
Overall, the food, service, and atmosphere were top-tier. Refined but relaxed, elevated without feeling stiff. This is the kind of place you leave already planning your return.
Highly recommend if you’re celebrating something special—or if you just believe a great meal is the celebration.
… moreFrom the moment we walked in, the service stood out. The hostess set the tone immediately—warm, polished, and genuinely welcoming. Our server Aris provided us a superior level of care carried through the entire evening.
We decided to follow the Michelin guide’s lead and went all in on the chef’s tasting menu, which was nothing short of an experience. Each course was intentional, creative, and beautifully executed—no filler, no ego, just really exceptional food.
We added the $75 wine pairing and shared one pairing between us, which was more than generous and thoughtfully poured. Each selection elevated the dish it accompanied without overpowering it—clearly curated with care.
Overall, the food, service, and atmosphere were top-tier. Refined but relaxed, elevated without feeling stiff. This is the kind of place you leave already planning your return.
Highly recommend if you’re celebrating something special—or if you just believe a great meal is the celebration.
Natasha Bavolar
What an incredible restaurant! We were blown away by the vegetable sides and their house made sourdough to start. I had the lobster gnocchi for dinner and it was easily one of the best seafood dishes I’ve ever had. I branched out and tried the Passion Fruit Mousse dessert and omg it was INCREDIBLE!! They even brought out two complimentary desserts to my friend and her partner because they didn’t order anything – one that was gluten and dairy free and one that was peppermint ganache covered chocolates that were just heavenly. Our sever Couran (spelling?) was so so thoughtful and wonderful. 11/10 and we will definitely be going back!!
… moreMark Catone
We have wanted to try Paradisea for some time now, since it showed up on Michelins list some time ago with a Bib rating. I have to say, there are better options in the area in terms of food, beverage and service.
The service was great. We had a very energetic and attentive server. The cocktail service was very disappointing, my wife ordered a drink on their special menu was all but water and loaded with too much ice. A generic seltzer from 7/11 would have been better. My whiskey sour was good, but not good enough coming from a Michelin watched restaurant. It also took forever to get the drinks and it was early, there were only two people sitting at the bar and the dining room was not busy.
We ordered the stracchiatella to start. Really good flavor, but why would you pair it with bread to dip that was soaked with olive oil? Should be plain French bread or… you get the idea.
My wife’s tagliatella was good, but way over the top with use of the saffron. I had the wagyu Salisbury steak, the sauce was very good, but it was the only flavor on the plate except the green beans. You could not tell wagyu from regular hamburger really.
The sum up, Paradasea may have been an up and comer, but has not stood the test of time. There are many other, better and more memorable options in the area.
… moreThe service was great. We had a very energetic and attentive server. The cocktail service was very disappointing, my wife ordered a drink on their special menu was all but water and loaded with too much ice. A generic seltzer from 7/11 would have been better. My whiskey sour was good, but not good enough coming from a Michelin watched restaurant. It also took forever to get the drinks and it was early, there were only two people sitting at the bar and the dining room was not busy.
We ordered the stracchiatella to start. Really good flavor, but why would you pair it with bread to dip that was soaked with olive oil? Should be plain French bread or… you get the idea.
My wife’s tagliatella was good, but way over the top with use of the saffron. I had the wagyu Salisbury steak, the sauce was very good, but it was the only flavor on the plate except the green beans. You could not tell wagyu from regular hamburger really.
The sum up, Paradasea may have been an up and comer, but has not stood the test of time. There are many other, better and more memorable options in the area.
Chris W
Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done.
The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful.
Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol.
Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!
… moreThe food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful.
Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol.
Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!