La Gran Terraza

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor

One of San Diego's best kept secrets is La Gran Terraza at The University of San Diego Campus. What a lovely university to stroll around and and wonderful restaurant. We enjoyed our first visit here this week with tasty 5 star quality food! We were fortunate to experience Restaurant Week Menus when we dined here, so I ate off menu and it was amazing. My bride enjoyed the Crab/Shrimp Louie and their mocktails were delicious. The service can be spotty, attentive overall and polit, but sometimes long gaps of waiting to be checked on. Warning, no alcohol is served at lunch, we did not know that and we were there to celebrate a birthday, so if you like to have wine or cocktails, dinner service is better for that. The students seem to make up the staff and they are professional and polite. The views are amazing out to the bay and ocean and much of Tecolote Canyon. Parking is easy with a short walk, cutting through the student union. 2024 Note: There is a lot of construction on campus right now so we did see a lot of temporary eyesores due to that and there was no sense of valet parking mentioned on the website due to construction detours. The food was delicious, the service overall wonderful and the experience has us discussing our next trip there; I highly recommend it! I can't believe it took us 20 years of living here to discover this gem!

PJ Thompson

The most wonderful atmosphere paired with delicious food. Their honey-smoked cheesecake may have been the best cheesecake I've ever had. Rich moist, expertly accented with the texture of its accompanying crumble--it was perfection on a plate. I will also say that the chefs here are supreme sauce masters. I went there a year ago and still think about the black cod over forbidden black rice with a creamy white beurre blanc sauce. This time the wagyu steak frites that came with the crispest fries and delightful creamed spinach had an amazing sauce. As much as I loved that, the plump ravioli with roasted vegetables had this amazing green sauce that was silky, smooth, and as bright as its neon color. So amazing--highly recommend!

Kyle Joynt

A wonderful hidden gem on campus with a lovely view from the main dining room. They're at their best during one of the special events, and I do hope they bring back the lunch buffet.

Melissa Murphy

Simple and elegant. Delicious buffet for a good value. Lovely view of the canyon.

La Gran Terraza is a little known dining hall located on the USD campus of San Diego. They serve elegant buffet meals for an unbelievably cheap price! The Easter Dinner included Mimosas, a seafood bar, a carving station, salad bar, breakfast bar, cooked to order omelettes and assorted pastries for dessert. All for just $59!

I love the food here! Friendly service. Do expect to wait a bit. So this is not the place to go in a rush. However, it is an excellent place for savoring a delicious meal with a great view.

Beautiful location great service and excellent prices. Location has a view of the bay a super place for a delicious well prepared lunch or dinner. Our salads were perfect

As a former student at USD, La Gran Terraza has a special place in my heart. If more students knew they could get a gourmet buffet every weekday at lunch for the same cost as the daily special downstairs, I think they'd be kicking themselves for missing out. The lunch buffet offers a rotating selection of cheese and fruit boards, salads and soups, a few meat entrees, delicious sides, and a desert bar (don't miss the creme brule). Fantastic flavored lemonade choices are included in the cost as well. If you're not up for all you can eat, take advantage of the a la carte menu instead! Don't forget double stamp Wednesday, where you can earn a free meal extra fast.

One of the best dining experiences that I've had in awhile. We went for their Father's Day brunch buffet. The venue is beautiful with great views. Good food selections and everything was delicious. Outstanding seafood and carving stations. The service was great, especially the woman who seemed to be a manager. Her warmth and helpfulness elevated the experience. I look forward to going back.

Wow! What a great space, impressive huge windows overlooking a canyon and featuring a gorgeous sunset view. The chef’s take on pairings with Eppig beers were spot on and unique. The quail dish with peachy sauce was delightful and the Ahi tuna was perfection, seared and rare coated with za’tar seasoning. The olive oil cake was a surprise with a light beer to finish rather than a stout as is typical. Beer and a sweet, lovely.

Attended USD and 6 years later I’m still raving about their prime rib. Delicious food! Over four years I was never disappointed with the selection of food or wine. Can’t wait to visit SD to get a great meal with an amazing view!

Located within the USD campus, La Gran Terraza is a dining hall that offers an exceptional culinary experience. With its convenient location, it serves as a delightful gathering place for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Whether you're in search of a quick bite or a leisurely meal, La Gran Terraza provides a satisfying dining option. Discover the culinary delights that await you at this inviting establishment on the USD campus.

First, just being on such a wellaintained and floral lovely campus is unforgettable. Second, La Gran Terraza has such a lovely layout both interior and exterior. When the nice hostess asked if we'd prefer indoors or patio, I hesitated as usual, become patios are generally more casual...however, this be true to some degree due to chairs and tables but...the patio tables were covered with white linen tablecloths and cloth napkins... which just makes my day. Sorry, but I'm a fan of cloth napkins and linens for every meal. I do a little extra laundry just for this purpose. We all have quirks...anyhow, let's get to the menu....yum. should I start with. Lobster bisque? Yes! But its nearing summer so I had the Caesar salad which was perfect in size and had, no joking, perfectly crunchy croutons...and my friend and I ordered the rack of lamb with chimchurri sauce...Holy rosemary, that baby was loaded. Perfect ribs. Perfectly cooked...soft center, most perfect lamb I've ever had since New Zealand! The granger steak must have been a tenderloin?? Naturally, I ordered it medium rare and the three large medallions were exquisitely pink adorned by perfectly lightly charred crust....omg...yum! We opted no dessert....and ice tea was refilled on time as was the water thrice. Great service, phenomenal food. Perfect lunch. Thank you!

Shirley Worrels

One of the best dining experiences that I've had in awhile. We went for their Father's Day brunch buffet. The venue is beautiful with great views. Good food selections and everything was delicious. Outstanding seafood and carving stations. The service was great, especially the woman who seemed to be a manager. Her warmth and helpfulness elevated the experience. I look forward to going back.

Tania Marquez

I love the food here! Friendly service. Do expect to wait a bit. So this is not the place to go in a rush. However, it is an excellent place for savoring a delicious meal with a great view.

Janis Henricks

Wow! What a great space, impressive huge windows overlooking a canyon and featuring a gorgeous sunset view. The chef’s take on pairings with Eppig beers were spot on and unique. The quail dish with peachy sauce was delightful and the Ahi tuna was perfection, seared and rare coated with za’tar seasoning. The olive oil cake was a surprise with a light beer to finish rather than a stout as is typical. Beer and a sweet, lovely.

Samson Nguyen

Located within the USD campus, La Gran Terraza is a dining hall that offers an exceptional culinary experience. With its convenient location, it serves as a delightful gathering place for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Whether you're in search of a quick bite or a leisurely meal, La Gran Terraza provides a satisfying dining option. Discover the culinary delights that await you at this inviting establishment on the USD campus.

Annette Jones

La Gran Terraza is a little known dining hall located on the USD campus of San Diego. They serve elegant buffet meals for an unbelievably cheap price! The Easter Dinner included Mimosas, a seafood bar, a carving station, salad bar, breakfast bar, cooked to order omelettes and assorted pastries for dessert. All for just $59!

Tracy Ward Escobar

First, just being on such a wellaintained and floral lovely campus is unforgettable. Second, La Gran Terraza has such a lovely layout both interior and exterior. When the nice hostess asked if we'd prefer indoors or patio, I hesitated as usual, become patios are generally more casual...however, this be true to some degree due to chairs and tables but...the patio tables were covered with white linen tablecloths and cloth napkins... which just makes my day. Sorry, but I'm a fan of cloth napkins and linens for every meal. I do a little extra laundry just for this purpose. We all have quirks...anyhow, let's get to the menu....yum. should I start with. Lobster bisque? Yes! But its nearing summer so I had the Caesar salad which was perfect in size and had, no joking, perfectly crunchy croutons...and my friend and I ordered the rack of lamb with chimchurri sauce...Holy rosemary, that baby was loaded. Perfect ribs. Perfectly cooked...soft center, most perfect lamb I've ever had since New Zealand! The granger steak must have been a tenderloin?? Naturally, I ordered it medium rare and the three large medallions were exquisitely pink adorned by perfectly lightly charred crust....omg...yum! We opted no dessert....and ice tea was refilled on time as was the water thrice. Great service, phenomenal food. Perfect lunch. Thank you!

laura s

Beautiful location great service and excellent prices. Location has a view of the bay a super place for a delicious well prepared lunch or dinner. Our salads were perfect

Andrea Olachia

Attended USD and 6 years later I’m still raving about their prime rib. Delicious food! Over four years I was never disappointed with the selection of food or wine. Can’t wait to visit SD to get a great meal with an amazing view!

Taylor Trah

As a former student at USD, La Gran Terraza has a special place in my heart. If more students knew they could get a gourmet buffet every weekday at lunch for the same cost as the daily special downstairs, I think they'd be kicking themselves for missing out. The lunch buffet offers a rotating selection of cheese and fruit boards, salads and soups, a few meat entrees, delicious sides, and a desert bar (don't miss the creme brule). Fantastic flavored lemonade choices are included in the cost as well. If you're not up for all you can eat, take advantage of the a la carte menu instead! Don't forget double stamp Wednesday, where you can earn a free meal extra fast.

This place has gotten markedly worse over the years. The servings are tiny and expensive. The last two times I was there, others that ate with me complained about still being hungry after ordering a full entree and dessert. In addition, the food and check were VERY slow to come out and my coffee was served lukewarm. I suggest finding another option.

Martin Repinecz

This place has gotten markedly worse over the years. The servings are tiny and expensive. The last two times I was there, others that ate with me complained about still being hungry after ordering a full entree and dessert. In addition, the food and check were VERY slow to come out and my coffee was served lukewarm. I suggest finding another option.

Service and atmosphere is good. I’m a regular going there but the Epoch Winery dinner was very disappointing! Cheap bread, not well cooked duck and barely any meat on the lamb. Hope that was a fluke! If not then it’s going bad direction the restaurant.

Went for restaurant week and the food quality was quite poor for the cost. The pasta was cold and congealed, there was a hair in one of the dishes. The lamb dish was good but the rest of our dishes ranged from mediocre to disappointing. Definitely not a hidden gym.

I was taken here for a work luncheon and it has been the worst service I have ever experienced. We were sitting at the table for over 2 hours and were not served any food. Our orders were taken and yet no food ever came out. They didn’t even bring us bread or offer to refill our drinks while we waited. We ended up leaving without having received a meal. I will never return to this restaurant and if I could give them 0 stars I would.

Jack Hawkins

Went for restaurant week and the food quality was quite poor for the cost. The pasta was cold and congealed, there was a hair in one of the dishes. The lamb dish was good but the rest of our dishes ranged from mediocre to disappointing. Definitely not a hidden gym.

Janet Gil

I was taken here for a work luncheon and it has been the worst service I have ever experienced. We were sitting at the table for over 2 hours and were not served any food. Our orders were taken and yet no food ever came out. They didn’t even bring us bread or offer to refill our drinks while we waited. We ended up leaving without having received a meal. I will never return to this restaurant and if I could give them 0 stars I would.

Natalia Hernandez

Sadly, the services of this restaurant is VERY bad. My husband make a reservation to celebrate Valentine's day. We arrived at 6 30pm got the table and it was 7pm and not body came over to service us.