Inexpensive Good Food in La Jolla & San Diego

Question

Hi all, my husband and I enjoyed our Valentine’s trip so much that we’re coming back to San Diego tomorrow. We’ll be staying in La Jolla the first 4 nights and then will likely book a couple more nights elsewhere.

Last time we stayed in Oceanside and La Jolla and overall we found most of the food to be kind of lackluster and also expensive. Obviously we understand food costs are up everywhere and that things are generally more expensive in California, so not really complaining as much as wanting to find hidden gems.

While we will be spending a lot of time in La Jolla, we do plan on going up to Carlsbad/Oceanside and downtown so really anything along the way would be great.

We love seafood and really pretty much any kind of cuisine. We tend to gravitate towards Mexican, Italian, and Greek/Mediterranean but also enjoy other ethnic food. We do have excellent Mexican food where we live in Tucson but we did enjoy the sauces when we visited The Taco Stand. We also enjoyed Osteria Romantica but felt it was a bit pricey.

So what are your cheap and cheerful restaurant options for either dine in or take out?

We will have a full kitchen in our Airbnb, but were disappointed to see the Hillcrest farmers market is closed this Sunday as is the one in La Jolla. Any good markets on Mondays? We’re going to try to go to the Little Italy Mercato on Wednesday but that will be nearer the end of our trip.

We’re packing some picnic items and our own coffee supplies this time so that will help keep costs down but do want to enjoy all the amazing local items too. Thanks in advance!

Answer

San Diego and La Jolla have a mix of hidden gems and budget-friendly spots where you can enjoy great food without breaking the bank. Since you have a kitchen in your Airbnb, you can combine dining out with casual picnic or takeout options.

La Jolla & Nearby:

El Pescador Fish Market: Fresh seafood for takeout at reasonable prices. You can grab fish tacos, ceviche, or grilled fish and enjoy a picnic nearby.
Bobboi Natural Gelato: Affordable dessert stop for gelato after a day exploring La Jolla Cove or the beaches.
Phil’s BBQ (Point Loma or Kearny Mesa): Casual and tasty BBQ if you’re willing to drive a short distance.
La Puerta: Vibrant Mexican food spot in La Jolla with good margaritas and affordable tacos and burritos.
Bobboi Poke or El Pescador Poke: Fresh poke bowls to grab and take to the beach for lunch.

Downtown & Little Italy:

The Taco Stand: Known for their flavorful Mexican dishes. Good for takeout or casual sit-down.
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto: Classic Italian spot with large portions and fair prices. Great for families or sharing meals.
Point Loma Seafoods: Affordable fresh seafood, great for takeout or a casual lunch by the water.
Little Italy Mercato (Wednesday): Excellent for local produce, fresh baked goods, and artisan foods. Good picnic options and sampling local flavors.
Kettner Exchange: More trendy but sometimes you can find reasonably priced small plates or happy hour deals.

Carlsbad / Oceanside:

King’s Fish House: Casual seafood chain with fresh options at reasonable prices.
Harbor Fish & Chips: Great for takeout and casual beach dining.
In-N-Out Burger: Classic California burger stop, affordable and quick.

Markets & Farmers Markets:

Little Italy Mercato: Wednesday mornings, great for picnic items, fresh bread, cheeses, and local fruits.
Norman’s Produce Market (La Jolla): Open weekdays, smaller than the Sunday farmers market but still good for fresh items.
Seaport Village Farmers Market (Downtown): Some weekdays, worth checking for small bites and snacks for beach or picnic.

Tips:

Pick up fresh bread, cheese, and local fruits from markets to save on meals.
Combine takeout seafood with a picnic at La Jolla Cove or Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
Happy hours are plentiful and offer seafood, small plates, and drinks at reduced prices, especially in Little Italy and La Jolla.
For Mexican food, in addition to The Taco Stand, check out Las Cuatro Milpas in Barrio Logan (worth the short drive for authentic flavors).

By mixing takeout, casual dining, and farmers market stops, you can enjoy excellent local food while keeping costs reasonable and still experience the variety San Diego has to offer.

Inexpensive Good Food in La Jolla & San Diego

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