What is it? An Italian restaurant with housemade pastas, a small selection of meat and seafood dishes, and a beautiful aesthetic.
Why we love it: Come to Marisi for the pasta and stay to soak in the gorgeous interiors and sexy ambiance. Grab a seat on the sunlit patio or head back to “the Lemon Room” to feel like you’re on the Amalfi Coast. While you could be perfectly content to just enjoy apps like the zucchini blossoms, focaccia, crudo and carpaccio, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not continuing on to the agnolotti made with king crab, pappardelle with duck ragu, or cappelletti with black truffle. If you decide to keep going, you’ll find dry-aged beef, line-caught fish and more. Just don’t skip the Meyer lemon dessert or smooth sippers from Marisi’s classic cocktail or Italian-leaning wine lists.
Time Out tip: Weekend brunch is a great time to visit Marisi and try egg sandwiches, baked sweets, breakfast cocktails, and yes, pasta, too.
Address: 1044 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–2:30pm, 5–10pm
Expect to pay: Pasta dishes are around $30 and larger entrees are in the $40 to $50 range, so plan for at least $50 per person for dinner.