What is it? Contemporary California cuisine in a tropical, Instagram-worthy dining room.
Why we love it: Named after the birds of paradise, this Bird Rock restaurant is helmed by former pastry chef turned executive chef Mark Welker whose career includes time working in Michelin-starred restaurants in New York. What this means for guests is that dessert absolutely must be ordered here. As for the rest: The halibut tempura appetizer (served as lettuce wraps) and jalapeño caesar salad (served under a pile of parmesan cheese) are crowd favorites, and entrees like the lobster spaghetti and dry-aged rib-eye steak deliver on flavor. End the meal on a high note with the Straus milk and honey sundae that chef Welker has been making for more than a decade.
Time Out tip: Swing by their doughnut shop next door called Dodo Bird Donuts for a sweet treat and one of their fancy coffees like the pistachio latte.
Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Opening hours: Wed–Thu 4–9pm; Fri, Sat 4–10pm; Sun 4–8pm
Expect to pay: Paradisaea is the type of place where you’ll want to order a bunch of plates to share. Larger entrees are about $40 to $60 unless you spring for the gold label wagyu ($144).