Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Manhattan of La Jolla, San Diego, CA

Manhattan of La Jolla

4.8 (1800)
$31 to $50
Italian
7766 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Great for live music
Manhattan of La Jolla transports you to the best of New York via the cozy, upscale village of La Jolla. Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, it is an elegant, casual and classy place where you would expect to see Old Blue Eyes or Danny Ocean romancing a beautiful woman while she sips her Cosmo over dinner. With quality Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. Liberal olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper complement the Zagat Award winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure. Manhattan in La Jolla gets you the best of both worlds. Manhattan is an award winning La Jolla favorite, celebrating its 36th year.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Please call for details. The Garden Room at Manhattan seats up to 60 people. Manhattan of La Jolla can seat up to 120 and can be bought out for the evening.
  • Neighborhood
    La Jolla
  • Cross street
    Silverado Street
  • Parking details
    We offer curb side valet parking or you may self park on street. Valet is offered by The Empress Hotel.
  • Entertainment
    We offer live music 6 DAYS A WEEK! Our Schedule is Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday evenings Edward Gabrielyan is playing from 6:00 to 8:15. Wednesday evenings Mikan Zlatkovich’s Jazz Trio will perform 6:00-9:00pm. Thursday evening 6:00-9:00 world-class entertainer Tad Sisler will be performing. Friday and Saturday Tad Sisler will continue with outstanding vocals plus excellent musicianship on piano and keyboards from 7:00-10:00pm. Sunday Mike Wofford will be jazzing up the evening on the piano from 6:00-8:15. Additionally, the first Sunday of every month Mike Wofford and Holly Hofmann will have a Jazz Quartet 6:00 to 8:15.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,800 people are saying

Manhattan of La Jolla reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Romantic

  • San Diego

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Manhattan of La Jolla offers a "wonderful old-world atmosphere" reminiscent of the 1960s, complete with a "dark, romantic" setting and live music. The menu features "delicious Italian pastas, steaks & fish," with standout dishes like "fabulous" steaks and lobster ravioli. Guests praise the "friendly and attentive" service, making it a "hidden gem" for special occasions and "unforgettable dining experiences."
1,800 Reviews
  1. Barbara

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great dinner and ambiance at the Manhattan Room last night! We started off with the Caesar salad tossed at the table...My husband ordered the veal marsala and I ordered the huge veal chop. Everything was lovely and the service was amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Cameron

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were here celebrating our 29th anniversary. We always come here for special occasions. Manny was our server and gave us great service along with being funny and personable. The Delmonico New York steaks are our goto and never disappoint. Love the ambience, the 3 piece band (piano, upright bass, drummer...mostly snare and highhat) playing some songs that went perfectly with the look and feel of the truly Old World steakhouse that you would be Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis in. I don't know of any other Italian restaurant/steakhouse with the old style look, feel, and service. This is a one of a kind from a bygone era. Get in here now, you seriously won't regret it.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Barry VIP

    San Diego147 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We simply love this just one of a few, fine dining restaurants in San Diego County.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Gillian

    California Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was wonderful. The service was friendly and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Wendy

    San Diego18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We all had different things. My friend had Chilean Seabass and said it was good but A little over cooked. My husband and other friend had excellent Steaks. They said tender and lean and perfectly cooked. I had veal Marsala and was a little over kill With mushrooms. It was still tasty .

    Is this helpful?

  6. Denise

    Utah1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    First time here, on recommendation of friend. We really loved the old-world atmosphere. This was like going back to the 1960's in NY or LA, dark, moody, big leather booths. Love Love. Food was great and fantastic value for the price. 3 cocktails and two entrées and bill was under $200. Brought home leftovers too:) Staff was awesome. This place is over 40 years old and I can see why. We will be coming back.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ely

    Miami - Dade1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, live jazz band, great service. Fettuccine Alfredo, lobster ravioli, New York strip, fried zucchini and last, but not least the homemade tiramisu. Everything was excellent, a bit pricey, though, we’re definitely going to go back there. We enjoyed it so very much.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Richard

    New Orleans / Louisiana7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The steaks, the pasta, the Caesar salad and even the bread and butter were all outstanding. The service was friendly, almost like visiting a friends home. The piano bar elevated the ambiance and you felt you were truly somewhere special for the evening. We will be back as often as we can!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Brad VIP

    San Diego85 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Manhattan is old school fabulous. We love it. Dark, romantic, delicious Italian pastas, steaks & fish. The tableside Caesar is excellent as are the cocktails. Great service too!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Nancy

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Have been going to Manhattan for years, and the food has always been excellent. We went Saturday night and the place was packed, but the service and food was great as it always is.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Manhattan of La Jolla does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates. Manhattan of La Jolla also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 459-0700.

Manhattan of La Jolla is rated 4.8 stars by 1800 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. La Jolla

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today
Google Map for Manhattan of La Jolla

7766 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Silverado Street
  • Neighborhood
    La Jolla
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Steak, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We offer curb side valet parking or you may self park on street. Valet is offered by The Empress Hotel.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    We offer live music 6 DAYS A WEEK! Our Schedule is Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday evenings Edward Gabrielyan is playing from 6:00 to 8:15. Wednesday evenings Mikan Zlatkovich’s Jazz Trio will perform 6:00-9:00pm. Thursday evening 6:00-9:00 world-class entertainer Tad Sisler will be performing. Friday and Saturday Tad Sisler will continue with outstanding vocals plus excellent musicianship on piano and keyboards from 7:00-10:00pm. Sunday Mike Wofford will be jazzing up the evening on the piano from 6:00-8:15. Additionally, the first Sunday of every month Mike Wofford and Holly Hofmann will have a Jazz Quartet 6:00 to 8:15.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Please call for details. The Garden Room at Manhattan seats up to 60 people. Manhattan of La Jolla can seat up to 120 and can be bought out for the evening.
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo