The Amalfi Llama

Food was very good. Portion was decent. Very nice decoration and great atmosphere. Great for date night.

We went here for lunch to celebrate Anniversary and my brother Peter visiting from the Philippines. There were 14 of us, big group. The manager Damny had a good sense to arrange our long table conveniently putting a break in between for bathroom breaks. The food was great but I must say on the high end price. It’s not for a family on a budget. My suster and brother in law, Christy and Eric generously paid the entire bill. I bet it’s around $1k or maybe more. We had appetizers, drinks like wine, steak, chicken, pasta, plus desserts. Overall it was a fun time. It’s not perfect but the service was excellent even with slight unavoidable confusion they corrected it without charging us. Our waitress was Larissa, our hostess Odette who is so pleasant and nice. Teo other waiters helped served our entrees but didn’t get their names. Then another waitress helped take our group pictures. See some photos I took and they took for us. Also, the bathroom is noce and clean took a picture pf that too. I am picky when it comes to restaurants restrooms. I check it out first before I order. It passed my standard in flying colors. Highly recommend even if it’s pricey, definitely worth it.

Really loved the service! Excellent service. Food wasn’t what I would come back for. It was very bland and risotto was especially tasteless. Probably won’t be back. But if we did come back it would be for the service.

Great addition to UTC. With this being on the corner of the mall, it made it easy to park and walk in and out. The food was all around great. I completely forgot to take pictures of our appetizers. We had the short rib empanadas ( Great) and the Hamachi Crudo ( over priced for what you get. Over salted and way too thin)

Farrukh Malik

I went today to the Almafi Lama and was greatly impressed by the service. Their beef empanadas were good. The steak frites were good. The only bad thing was the chicken, which was the most bland chicken I ever had. When I asked for ranch and they didn’t have any, the manager, went to the restaurant next-door to get me some. The manager went above and beyond to provide great service.

Sohrob H

🙌🏼 Exceptional Accountability and Customer Care While many upscale restaurants in La Jolla offer great food, it is the service and management that truly define a 5-star establishment, and The Amalfi Llama proved their commitment to excellence during my most recent visit. Having gone many times, I’ve come to expect near-perfect service as the standard. Even though we encountered a significant lapse during our last trip, the way the situation was handled was nothing short of extraordinary. After a frustrating interaction at the bar, the general manager Mike took it upon himself to literally chase me down after I had already left the building just to offer a sincere apology and rectify the issue. This level of dedication to guest satisfaction is incredibly rare in the industry today and turned a potentially negative experience into one that solidified my long-term loyalty to the restaurant. 🍸 Standout Happy Hour and Atmosphere Beyond the impressive management, this spot is a go-to for its great happy hour selection. It’s a sophisticated yet welcoming environment that works perfectly for a casual drink or a more formal evening out. The menu is diverse, and when things are running smoothly, the execution of both the food and the cocktails is top-tier. The interior design is stunning, striking a balance between modern elegance and a warm, rustic vibe that makes it one of the most visually appealing spots in the UTC area. Diverse Happy Hour: Offers a wide array of curated cocktails and small bites that provide excellent value for the high quality provided. Stunning Design: The restaurant boasts a beautiful, high-end aesthetic that makes it perfect for date nights or social gatherings. Consistent Quality: Despite a one-time service hiccup, the long-term consistency of their beverage program makes it a reliable choice for locals who want a premium experience. Proactive Leadership: The management team clearly monitors the floor closely, ensuring that any issues are addressed immediately rather than being ignored. ⚠️ A Note on Recent Service Consistency It is worth noting that during the most recent trip, the service at the bar was notably lacking. We experienced a long wait where our drinks sat out in the open for 15 minutes before being served, and the bartender showed some attitude and actually scoffed when we requested a re-pour for the stale drinks. However, the immediate and proactive intervention by the Mike completely overshadowed this incident. It’s clear that the leadership here takes their reputation seriously and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure every guest leaves happy, regardless of a single staff member's off-night. 👍 Final Verdict: A Must-Visit for Genuine Hospitality I am giving The Amalfi Llama a full five stars because they understand that mistakes happen, but it’s the recovery that counts. The combination of a fantastic happy hour and world-class management makes this a standout destination in San Diego. It is refreshing to visit a place that takes ownership of the guest experience so seriously. I will definitely be going back and highly recommend it to anyone who values both great drinks and a restaurant that truly cares about its patrons.

Jazmin Berumen

My husband and I really enjoyed our food and the attentiveness that our waiter provided us. Shout out to Jesse (with an e) I hope 🤞 I spelled his name right, but he made our anniversary date night a good one! We had the bread, some drinks, and pasta. Pictures of what we ordered attached with our review. 10/10

Paola S

First time in experience here. No notes. Food, service and vibe were excellent. Kamie was an exceptional server and had wonderful recommendations that we took her up on. This was a girls dinner, but we all agreed that it would also be a great date night spot. We'll be back with hubbies in tow. Highly recommend.

Drew Executive Assistant

We visited Amalfi Llama as a group and overall had a great experience. The atmosphere is beautiful and the food lived up to the hype. I ordered the steak and it was cooked perfectly—great flavor, quality cut, and plated well. Everyone at the table enjoyed their dishes. The only downside was the service. Our group’s water glasses went empty for long stretches, and refills and check-ins were slower than expected for a restaurant at this level. It didn’t ruin the meal, but it definitely stood out. Still, the food and ambiance were excellent. With a bit more attentive service, it would be an easy five-stars. I’d definitely go back.

Greg K

I went there for a business event and we got the outdoor area for our large group. The temps were perfect and the space was nice and open. The seats were comfortable and the retractable walls made it nice so that we could talk to our other coworkers. The service was a little slow with the drinks in the beginning, but they caught up. The food was delicious and well presented. Paid parking was nice because it meant the spots that were close to the restaurant. I will have to bring my wife back for a happy hour .

Cathy Del

We went here for lunch to celebrate Anniversary and my brother Peter visiting from the Philippines. There were 14 of us, big group. The manager Damny had a good sense to arrange our long table conveniently putting a break in between for bathroom breaks. The food was great but I must say on the high end price. It’s not for a family on a budget. My suster and brother in law, Christy and Eric generously paid the entire bill. I bet it’s around $1k or maybe more. We had appetizers, drinks like wine, steak, chicken, pasta, plus desserts. Overall it was a fun time. It’s not perfect but the service was excellent even with slight unavoidable confusion they corrected it without charging us. Our waitress was Larissa, our hostess Odette who is so pleasant and nice. Teo other waiters helped served our entrees but didn’t get their names. Then another waitress helped take our group pictures. See some photos I took and they took for us. Also, the bathroom is noce and clean took a picture pf that too. I am picky when it comes to restaurants restrooms. I check it out first before I order. It passed my standard in flying colors. Highly recommend even if it’s pricey, definitely worth it.

Robert & Leicy Irvine

Really loved the service! Excellent service. Food wasn’t what I would come back for. It was very bland and risotto was especially tasteless. Probably won’t be back. But if we did come back it would be for the service.

Keah Gomez

Great addition to UTC. With this being on the corner of the mall, it made it easy to park and walk in and out. The food was all around great. I completely forgot to take pictures of our appetizers. We had the short rib empanadas ( Great) and the Hamachi Crudo ( over priced for what you get. Over salted and way too thin)

Tolga Onuk

We had an incredible experience at Amalfi Llama, the atmosphere is very high end and the food is incredible. We were treated so kindly throughout the entire evening and it was a special day in San Diego. Thank you.

I often visit this restaurant for HH or a bite to eat after work as my office is close by and I have had a great experience each time I go. The food is great, one of my favorites is the crab cake appetizer. I have had multiple items here from their bolognese pasta to the ribeye steak and was impressed with not only the temperature (everything came out hot) but the flavors were perfect. Notably my last visit we had Danny as our server and he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. He was very attentive, offered suggestions to my friend who was visiting and even though it was a pretty busy evening - Thursday of Valentine’s weekend we felt like his only table. It is nice to have a great restaurant with a cool vibe to go to after work right at the mall (lots of parking). I will definitely be back! Keep up the great work!

We went for the first time on Valentine's day and they were amazing ! Reservations came with a curated menu and options to pre-order champagne & table settings. We did the top package and it was great! The pricing for the quality of food and service was incredibly well matched. Our server, Danny, was extremely attentive and kind despite our many requests. They also had a great and simple wine selection, as an Austin Hope fan I am always pleased to see it as an option. The manager, Michael, did personal check ins and chatted with us at the table which was a great touch! Highly recommend the Apricot sour, as my partner is not a big drinker he deeply enjoyed it. Would recommend on a weeknight or a special occasion if you're willing to deal with the UTC parking on the weekdays!

We had tried this restaurant when it first opened and didn’t have a great experience but I have to say they really turned things around! Very rarely do I see such a 180. The calamari was crispy yet very fresh, light and a decent portion. The aioli and tartar sauce were both the best sauces I have ever had for a calamari dish. The crab cake was well worth it for a large, protein heavy appetizer and executed in such a unique roasted manner rather than fried, which was amazing so you taste the dish and not grease. Again the sauce accompaniment was on point and that roasted lemon was delicious with it. The positano pizza was perfection. A perfectly thin crust, a delicious basil flavor, and crispy flavorful salami with heat from the fresh Fresno chiles on top. We really enjoyed this meal. Kudos to Chef Jorge for such balanced, flavorful dishes! Our server, Jesse, was the best! Excellent recommendations, noticed my purse was on the edge and brought something to hang it on, everything was prompt and he got to everyone while exchanging pleasantries and not looking rushed. Amazing job Amalfi Llama! We went from waiting for years to come back to now wanting to come back right away!

Toni Marie

I just had an incredible dinner at this Italian steakhouse! Even though we arrived close to closing time, the service was absolutely outstanding. Our server, Oscar, was incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and made the entire experience feel special. The food was beyond amazing—every bite was outstanding. I honestly can’t say enough good things about this place, and Oscar truly made the night even better. We never felt rushed and left completely impressed. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Nick Spardy

Family went for Xmas where they had a wonderful set menu. If you wanted to order off the regular menu they let you do that as well. The combination of the service, ambience and food made for an amazing experience. The wood fire cooking adds even more great flavor to a lot of their food items. I highly recommend the steaks, pastas and any of the apps. The bread is dangerously good and the crab cakes are top notch. My wife is from Maryland which is known for the best crab cakes in the US and she thinks these are the best we found in San Diego so far. We highly recommend this place! We will be back very soon!

Sanam Ansari

We had tried this restaurant when it first opened and didn’t have a great experience but I have to say they really turned things around! Very rarely do I see such a 180. The calamari was crispy yet very fresh, light and a decent portion. The aioli and tartar sauce were both the best sauces I have ever had for a calamari dish. The crab cake was well worth it for a large, protein heavy appetizer and executed in such a unique roasted manner rather than fried, which was amazing so you taste the dish and not grease. Again the sauce accompaniment was on point and that roasted lemon was delicious with it. The positano pizza was perfection. A perfectly thin crust, a delicious basil flavor, and crispy flavorful salami with heat from the fresh Fresno chiles on top. We really enjoyed this meal. Kudos to Chef Jorge for such balanced, flavorful dishes! Our server, Jesse, was the best! Excellent recommendations, noticed my purse was on the edge and brought something to hang it on, everything was prompt and he got to everyone while exchanging pleasantries and not looking rushed. Amazing job Amalfi Llama! We went from waiting for years to come back to now wanting to come back right away!

Philip Ramirez

Came here to celebrate a birthday and received the best service from Cristina. She told us she had only been working for 3 weeks but she knew the menu and specials well and provided us with amazing recommendations. We ended up getting the tomahawk steak, the bone in center cut (special), lobster arrabiata, shrimp scampi, bolognese, garlic chili broccolini (highly recommend), and roasted mushrooms. Finished the meal with an affogato, butter cake with passionfruit custard, and cheesecake. Every dish was amazing and even simple dishes like the bolognese were elevated since the meat for the ragu was fire roasted. Definitely looking forward to our next visit and hope to have Cristina as our server again.

Brian Main

An Exceptional Dining Experience at Amalfi Llama (UTC, La Jolla) Because I travel frequently for work and have done so since 2018, I dine out far more often than I cook at home. As a result, I have a wide range of restaurant experiences for comparison. While the food and atmosphere at Amalfi Llama were outstanding and far exceeded my expectations for a restaurant attached to a shopping mall, it was the exceptional service that truly set this experience apart. From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming greeting at the host station set the tone for the evening. Every detail felt thoughtful and intentional. However, what ultimately elevated this dinner from great to memorable was our food and beverage server, Jesse. Jesse was knowledgeable, kind, attentive, and highly professional, and he played a central role in creating a perfect evening for a reunion dinner with one of my longest and dearest friends. Dining out during the December holiday season, especially in a busy mall environment, can be stressful for both staff and customers. Amalfi Llama managed to create an atmosphere that felt relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable, which speaks volumes about the culture being cultivated by ownership and management. To the owners and managers: please recognize and reward Jesse and other staff members like him. Exceptional customer service has become increasingly rare since the end of the pandemic lockdowns, and Amalfi Llama stands out as a place where hospitality still truly matters. To future customers: you can expect excellent food, a beautiful atmosphere, and service that makes you feel genuinely welcome and appreciated. Amalfi Llama is a standout, and I look forward to returning.

Betty Barnett

We had an amazing experience at Amalfi at Llama, and a huge part of that was thanks to Irey, our server. From the moment we sat down, she was warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She gave excellent recommendations, timed everything perfectly, and made sure we felt taken care of without ever being overbearing. Her positive energy truly elevated our entire dining experience. The food and atmosphere were fantastic, but Irey’s service is what really made the night special. We can’t wait to come back and hope to be seated in her section again!

Had a work lunch here. This is in the UTC location. We had reservations but the place was not crowded at all. There were 4 of us and the hostess sat us in a small booth. But server moved us to a bigger one, which was very nice. We ordered oysters on a half shell and calamari for starters. Oysters tasted very fresh and very good. The calamari was very tasty and tender. For the main course, I ordered a steak that was not on the menu. It was very good. We also ordered the chocolate sin cake and it was perfect. Moist and not too sweet. The service was not up to par but food was delicious

Food was decent overall. The pizza had great flavor and a nice kick from the peppers, definitely a highlight. However, the steak arrived cold, which was disappointing for the price point and presentation. The lobster and lamb chops looked impressive but didn’t quite deliver the wow factor. Service could use some improvement. It took longer than expected to get basic attention from staff, and the pacing of the meal felt off. Atmosphere was stylish and upscale, with beautiful décor and energy, perfect for a night out. Just wish the service and execution matched the ambiance.

Imee C

Had a work lunch here. This is in the UTC location. We had reservations but the place was not crowded at all. There were 4 of us and the hostess sat us in a small booth. But server moved us to a bigger one, which was very nice. We ordered oysters on a half shell and calamari for starters. Oysters tasted very fresh and very good. The calamari was very tasty and tender. For the main course, I ordered a steak that was not on the menu. It was very good. We also ordered the chocolate sin cake and it was perfect. Moist and not too sweet. The service was not up to par but food was delicious

Matthew Guillory

Food was decent overall. The pizza had great flavor and a nice kick from the peppers, definitely a highlight. However, the steak arrived cold, which was disappointing for the price point and presentation. The lobster and lamb chops looked impressive but didn’t quite deliver the wow factor. Service could use some improvement. It took longer than expected to get basic attention from staff, and the pacing of the meal felt off. Atmosphere was stylish and upscale, with beautiful décor and energy, perfect for a night out. Just wish the service and execution matched the ambiance.

To set the stage, it was an anniversary dinner for two with two entrees, one salad, one appetizer, one dessert, non-alcoholic drinks for $275 + tip. In light of that, the food was good: the steak was very good and the fish was tasty and big. The garlic broccoli side is highly recommended.At the same time, there was an ordinary tiny side of french fries for $18 (we joked that it was $1 per piece). The service was impeccable and the atmosphere was great. We sat outside, where it is much less crowded, less noise, but still warm and comfy. There ware some interesting new choices on the menu All in all, we enjoyed it very much. At this price point though, we will explore other options next time.

Justin Flowers

Flat out: this was the worst steakhouse of my life. Went for my birthday with a party of 12. 1) They don't keep track of seating positions so they wander out with food and beverages like lost little lams trying to figure out what belongs to who. 2) They don't serve from the left and clear from the right but this is forgivable just noting here so you can compare to other steakhouses at this price point. 3) My steak and others in my party arrived COLD. Not tepid, it was flat out cold. And if was SO SALTY. If you don't have enough warmers for a party of 12 then don't seat them. Serving $70 cold steak is not an option. And ordered a chimichurri with my steak and it never came and when just kindly requested without complaint that it was removed from the bill, received a card to come back in the future for a free dessert lol....which: 4) Dessert for my birthday was two scoops of plain ice cream lol. Which don't care about really but we ordered additional cheesecake and it was worse than cheesecake factory. Drinks are good though.

lyucky1

It's a nice looking place, we came in, several hours before closing and sat at the bar. Despite there being only a few patrons and 4 bartenders/staff chatting at the bar, it took awhile to be helped, then over 15 minutes for our drinks to arrive after ordering. I enjoy a craft cocktail and don't mind when they take time - this was not that situation. We intended on ordering food, but no one ever came back over or even made eye contact after dropping off our drinks - even though we had asked for and been given food menus. Eventually we had to ask a host a the front for our check. We will never be back here and can't recommend it either.