Paradisaea

Overall, wonderful restaurant! From drinks to desserts and everything in between! It was our first time coming here and would definitely go back! If you are looking for a must go place while you are visiting San Diego I HIGHLY recommend Paradisaea!

+2

Talk about what’s new in Bird Rock! If you’ve been around long enough you know this was the piano place, then Mimi and Red and NOW Paradisaea. They’ve got a street side patio that looks onto the roundabout, but doesn’t feel too busy. Their bright neon pink sign calls you from the front and you’re greeted to a decent sized bar next to the hostess stand. It looks like the donut and coffee shop will open soon, but wasn’t just yet. My friend and I met for a Wednesday early dinner our faves! The service was intentional and perfectly timed. We wanted to chat and we had just the right amount of checking in, without feeling interrupted. It was just the two of us so we only tried 3 dishes, but they were all excellent and an ample portion size. Gnocchi - pesto and broccoli adorn the dish, but there is a crunch of pine nut and not too rich. Very well balanced sauce on this pasta dish. Hamachi Crudo - another light one with enough to share for 2 or 4. Topped with green apple and a Thai basil, lime it was a refreshing start to the meal. Halibut Tempura - this was a must get for me. The fish was cooked perfectly and the tempura light and savory. It comes with 2 sauces - a green curry and a chili. I used both and it was perfect! We were not drinking cocktails but they looked delicious and have a nice selection of non-alcoholic as well. They have live piano music which is a nice touch, BUT, minus .0000128 stars because it could be a bit loud at times and definitely if you’re right next to the piano. Can’t wait to go back with a bigger group and try more things! Welcome to Bird Rock!!

+2

We celebrated wedding anniversary. Chefs menu was incredible

+2

My first visit was a very pleasant surprise! Delicious cocktails, savory sharables and substantial mains. Modern and comfortable space with good ambiance. I had very friendly and attentive service. It is a tad on the noisy side for an intimate conversation. I’ll be back to try more dishes.

+1

A Truly Exceptional Dining Experience From start to finish, this Michelin-starred restaurant delivered an unforgettable meal. For appetizers, we opted for the Potatoes 3 Way, Caesar Salad, and Cauliflower, and each dish was a standout in its own right. The potatoes were crispy yet tender, each preparation offering something different, while the Caesar Salad had an unexpected twist with vibrant, fresh flavors. The cauliflower, perfectly roasted, brought a surprising depth of flavor and a unique kick that was truly memorable. For the mains, I ventured off the traditional path and tried the burger from the bar—one of the best I’ve ever had. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and crafted with impeccable attention to detail. The scallops were flawlessly cooked, buttery and delicate, and paired beautifully with the accompanying ingredients. The ravioli was another highlight—pasta so fresh it practically melted in the mouth, with a delicate filling that balanced richness and lightness. Every dish felt thoughtfully curated, with flavors that complemented each other wonderfully. Dessert was the Tarte Tatin, a beautiful finish to the meal. The caramelized apples were perfectly balanced with a flaky crust and just the right amount of sweetness. It was the kind of dessert that leaves you lingering at the table, savoring the last bite. Overall, this restaurant exemplifies what true culinary excellence is all about—each dish is fresh, innovative, and bursting with flavor. Highly recommend for anyone looking to experience world-class dining.

Wow! Our wait team was amazing- very knowledgeable about the menu and able to answer our questions! Highly recommend the Sour Dough and Caesar (wow) to start! Our group of 3 shared the 20oz wagyu as well as the carrots w smoked yogurt and potato three ways. We topped of the meal with chocolate mousse (hazelnut crunch and chantilly cream). The service and atmosphere were amazing. Read some mixed reviews after making reservation- was nervous, but our experience was top notch. Highly recommend this Michelin guide restaurant.

My wife, toddler, and I visited on a Saturday night for dinner. We had the pleasure of service by Alyse (Elise? Sorry if we butchered the spelling) and Ethan. They were both spectacular. We are industry professionals from Las Vegas, so service is huge to us. No marks were missed by anyone who touched our table that night. The food was great. We had the steak frites, Salisbury wagyu steak, gateau royal, and a scoop of ice cream. Again, everything was spectacular and served in a timely manner. We did consume some adult beverages, which were not made with any sacrifices of alcohol. Another plus. I would like to note, our 16-month-old got a water in a plastic cup with a lid when we first sat down. The cup had a straw with a lip on the bottom which would prevent a toddler from removing a straw from the cup (which they always do). This attention to detail let us know early on that we were going to enjoy our evening at Paradisaea.

Finally had the chance to go here with my fiance. We've been wanting to go here since it was on the Michelin guide list. You may last minute reservations day of, and were able to get a high top reservation for 7:30pm. I didn't realize the high tops are around the bar, and not in their proper dining hall, but it was still a nice, still intimate, but alive from the noise of the bar. We were debating to try the shift special tasting menu, but I wasn't feeling too adventurous, we decided just to order a number of share dishes to make her own tasting menu. We also ordered a couple of cocktails. I loved the concept of each cocktail named after a bird representing some similar characteristics. So cute and unique. And wow, the drinks were amazing! It's a fairly picky with my cocktail palette, and every drink we've tried they nailed it! We ordered the hoopoe and red reindeer (something like that, both tasty and refreshing mezcal drinks). As I mentioned we ordered a ton of food! We tried their goat cheese croquettes, their sourdough bread, their duck liver pate, they're Japanese Caesar salad, carrots, heliloom chicken and steak fritters. Probably one of the best I'd look for a patties I've ever had! I would go back just for this! The goat cheese Croquettes were pretty basic, essentially if I'd goat cheese, nothing too special. I actually liked the lightly seasoned raw carrots that accompaned it even more. We were so stuffed that we couldn't have dessert but i would have loved to try! I guess I'll just have to come back and leave room for dessert! Our server was also very attentive to making sure we got all our food out, have drinks we needed and constant water refills. I love the location, cuz it's one of the few nice dining restaurants in Bird Rock area. Highly recommend it, perfect for dinner date or night out with the friends.

+6

When first entering, it's easy to notice the stylish and modern decor with many colorful accents and playful lighting. The cocktail menu incorporates creative flavors with clean, elegant presentation. The entrées were well-proportioned (even on the generous side). The sauces for both the chicken and 90-day beef were lick-the-plate-clean good. Service was very attentive without hovering. And the desserts... These were so intense it was almost an overindulgence after such a well-crafted satisfying meal. Highly recommended all around.

+3

Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!

+2

Elyse Marie is the truuuuuuth as a server. She was bomb and so were all of her colleagues. The burger was an absolute delight, as was the Caesar and raviolis. The veal Milanese was fantastic and the pork chop was out of this world. The sundae was also delicious. Loved sitting outside on the patio. This is the second time I’ve been here and it was with a previous chef and the food is still outstanding and the service was phenomenal. Oh, the duck fat fries were meh.

+6

Paradisaea We were warmly welcomed by the hostess who told us that we had been checked-in. I’m not so sure that anyone cares about this procedural matter. The desk was decorated with a large bouquet of Birds of Paradise certainly a hint to the restaurant’s name that was originally introduced in the 18th century by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. Is it coincidence that the Chef hails from Denmark and the manager from Sweden? A short while later we were guided to our table and briefly thereafter offered still or sparkling water that was promptly served. Tevonne(?) asst. server was the first to see if we were comfortable and her graceful demeanor and conversation that ensured was a fine testimony to the hospitality profession. Elisa Marie was our server and guided us through the menu is a comprehensive manner. She was not pushy but had a gentle persuasion that in our opinion works miracles. We ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Merlot which were excellent for the type of establishment. Here a compilation of our order and observations; Sourdough, rich and crispy baked served with a whipped butter. Easy to indulge in but don’t eat too much as there is lots of nice food to come. Steak Tartare, was made in the kitchen and not table side but a lovely experience. Chive sauce, egg emulsion and Japanese white radish accompanied the seasoned Tartare. Green onions, capers, mustard, herbs were all recognizable accompanied by slightly toasted north European style dark rye. Sage Carrot served with a buttermilk sauce made this a very rich exploit. Red Snapper was served with a fresh corn succotash in a contemporary version. The fish was very tasty and the portion closer to what one would expect in Europe. It suited us perfectly. Veal Milanese, I have to say that this was the first time that we experienced a European style veal dish that wasn’t beef but real veal! It was cooked to perfection and definitely a dish to be remembered. The portion was more than generous and would have sufficed for three. We ordered the Gateau Royal as dessert, which was a rich chocolate cream with a tiny cake layer in the bottom. Perhaps a lighter more mousse style (with some fine sugar dough layers) would have kept chocolate lovers happy and a tad kinder to the calorie count. In conclusion, this was a lovely experience of unpretentious genuine cooking of crossroads between Europe and America, while all accompanying sauces were delicious, perhaps serving them on the side would be welcomed by the lighter eaters. The nice atmosphere with superb service is surely memorable in a time where service is not always a given. The restaurant has bar seats, high tables near the bar, in-door restaurant seating and a lovely terrace with soft evening lighting. The bar had a great -somewhat convivial but contemporary sophisticated vibe. The interior itself had mainly hard surfaces where perhaps a bit more consideration for noise absorbing materials would have been beneficial. We will be back and we would recommend it to friends and family. Team Paradisaea, keep up a great job.

+1

I grew up in La Jolla and I’ve been coming to Bird Rock for dinner for decades and can honestly say this is one of the best restaurants that I’ve been to in Bird Rock. I am sure it will earn a Michelin star in no time. It’s a delicious seafood restaurant that is a bit too pricey in my opinion but the flavor quality and diversity is really great and so was the service. Inside is designed really beautifully, there is a large bar that had a beautiful Christmas tree when we arrived that was sparkling and just really set a great mood. The tables have also a retro modern aesthetic that just really blends well with the area. Parking in the area is extremely easy, we were able to find a free space a few feet from the front door. We ordered many items and thought they were all fantastic. First came the Steak Tartare and we thought that was great. The prior evening we ate at Born and Raised in Little Italy and this version was much better than theirs. We also got a Caesar Salad and that too was very nice. The cheese on top was my favorite part. The Potatoes Three Ways was also a hit at the table and was really a nice dish. For my entrée I chose the Whole Roasted Branzino and thought it was a wonderful. It had great flavor and the sauce at the bottom added a nice spice level to it. They did say it was deboned and I did have quite a few bones in it, but that’s to be expected with Branzino. I would say Paradisaea and Catania have some of my favorite in town. We ended with a cappuccino that was a little bit too small. In my opinion, I think they should use larger glasses, but still the meal was fantastic and I would highly recommend to anyone and I plan to be back in the near future.

+2

Paradise in La Jolla has an absolutely amazing location. The setting alone makes the experience special, and the restaurant itself is beautiful and well designed. We came for dinner around 7:30 pm, and it was extremely crowded. Despite that, the staff treated us exceptionally well. They offered us a separate table a little farther from the main crowd so my friend and I could comfortably talk and enjoy the evening. That level of attention really stood out. The food was absolutely delicious, starting with the broccoli appetizer and continuing through every dish we ordered. The pasta, however, was surprisingly small. It looked closer to about 180–220 grams total, which feels more like an appetizer portion rather than a full dinner entrée — especially for dinner pricing. We mentioned the portion size to the staff, and the manager handled it beautifully. He was very kind and professional and offered us another dish on the house (complimentary), which we truly appreciated. That response showed real care for guests. Service was outstanding. Our server, Taylor (if I remember correctly), was amazing — attentive, professional, and genuinely warm. If I could give 10 stars out of 5 for service, I would. Overall, the atmosphere and service were exceptional. The only improvement I would suggest is slightly more generous portion sizes for dinner entrées.

+6

We eat Tuna poke, Hamachi, Brancino, Chicken Rool… and all DELICIOUS! It very difficult to find a restaurant with good food. We recommend this place 100%

If you enjoy quality food this is the place to go. Each time something new came out it only got better. The hamachi crudo was one of our favorite appetizers with the beef tartar coming in at a close second. The dry aged cheeseburger had the option to order with au poivre which was out of this world. For desert we tried them all and enjoyed each one but 10/10 loved the milk and honey oat sundae and suggest not leaving until you try it. Huge shoutout to our server Evan. We had plenty of questions for him and he was very knowledgeable and able to answer anything we asked. Super friendly and made our experience that much better. Highly suggest asking for him if you dine in.

Ab Fab. We’ve been searching for a real resto in the area since moving here from Paris. Finally. Decor, art, ambiance, service. Oh, did I mention the food is superb? We had the jalapeño Caesar (!!!) salad and one order scallops, and one mushroom tagliatelle. Impeccable. After years of surfer fare of pizza, burgers, tacos, etc it’s nice to feel like you can put on the nice a evening kit and be eating like you’re in Ny, London or Paris…in Bird Rock. Great creative cocktail ideas too. And the dress isn’t Quiksilver and flip flops. Attire is clean, nice, adult like. Nice to see the ladies raise the heels, don leather pants and style it a bit. Bravo. Selfishly ee really want this one to succeed. LJ needs a quality resto and this is it, finally.

Very excellent food . Everything was delicious, the service was excellent, very quiet and that was an excellent surprise knowing how peoples like to speak very loud in SD, the chairs are confortables (tables are nice but a bit instable for the dishes with the tiles over them), it was very easy to park on a Sunday evening. Overall a very good experience, but be ready to pay La Jola prices (the same restaurant would've been 20% cheaper if it was in an other neighborhood )

Happy hour menu tonight and all was exceptional except the jamon croquettes. No flavor at all and they were out of caviar even though it was on the menu!!! Shame!!! However the service at the bar was exceptional! Friendly, professional and timely.

We stopped after doing our research on the local fare while we were visiting from New York. The atmosphere was amazing, the decor elegant, the food was delicious, our waitress (I believe Elise) was super helpful going through the menu and answered any questions we had. Don’t skip out on the Brussels sprouts hummus, a very pleasant surprise. Thanks for the excellent experience!

First and foremost, the food was excellent. We had the Parmesan Jalepeno Ceasar, Ravioli, Steak Frites, Potatoes Three Ways and Afrogato. The Ceasar was the best salad I’ve had in a long time, it kind of looks like it’s going to be way more cheese than you can handle but it’s so airy and pleasant I was wanting more by the end. My wife wanted a saucy & perfectly seared steak for her birthday and these wonderful chefs delivered. The duck fat fries with a little dijon dipping sauce were decadent. I’d write about the other dishes but I’ve gone on long enough, rest assured they were equally delightful. Additionally, they went above and beyond to help me celebrate my wife’s birthday with a card and special little dessert. The service was attentive, helpful, and warm. The space was charming and lively but not too loud. Even the menus were a pleasantly detailed surprise, welcome and sorely missed after so much time ordering from a qr code. All I can say is I’ve spent twice as much to enjoy a meal half as good as this. A rare experience that we both agreed reinvigorated our love for dining out. Thank you all so much!

Went to Paradisaea for the first time tonight and I was blown away. Our server Elyse was very informative and knowledgeable about the menu and I really appreciate Sean for guiding the experience as well and helping take care of us. We tried the snake river farms wagyu along with some sides and it did not disappoint. I’m a server at a restaurant downtown San Diego and I am going to recommend tourists and locals to come check out this amazing restaurant. Thanks to all the staff who made this a nice experience. Cheers, Cole

We recently had the pleasure of dining here and loved it. The trendy and vibrant decor instantly makes you feel like you're in vacation mode. The menu was a mix of "tropical/ summer" vibes fused with classics. We particularly loved the oysters-- fresh and yummy. The real showstoppers were the cocktails. Super creative and funky. I had a couple espresso martinis that had a cinnamon "spin" on them. We also had a really positive experience with the staff, who were super accommodating and attentive. They were more than happy to offer suggestions to us. Overall, this is a fun must-visit!

In a day and age when details are forgot, every detail of our experience was extraordinary! Greetings both coming and going acknowledging your presence and appreciation. Waitstaff was efficient, attentive and not overbearing! They new there stuff! Food was amazing and portion size was perfect, flavor was wonderful! The detail that really hit me today is I was handed matches on the way out, just looked at them… again a detail that doesn’t matter, but this was a detail that was not lost on me! Cheers! Looking forward to our next visit when we are in town!

My family and I had an incredible experience. To give some background, I am a busy attorney, and my husband has been spending long hours taking care of our 5 month old son at home as he still has paternity leave left on the books. It was my husband and his friend’s birthday and my husband is a huge foodie, but we’re not yet comfortable leaving out son with a sitter. So I offered to watch our son and hang out with him in the car if needed. We were apprehensive about bringing our son Charlie to such a nice restaurant, but our nervousness was without cause. When we arrived, the staff were comfortably confident in the quality of their restaurant without the annoying pretentiousness one often finds in high quality establishments. They immediately facilitated a place for us to sit, and a stand for Charlie’s car seat. The manager even dropped by to say hello, ask Charlie’s age, and mention his own two children (I did take Charlie to the car at 7 as that is his usual bedtime and we did not wish to disturb other guests, but there was no pressure from the restaurant to do so). The food was incredible, the amberjack and muscle appetizers were delicious, the aged fish was flavorful and cooked perfectly, and my husband’s steak was out of this world. We also very much enjoyed the cocktails and wine list. We have been lucky enough to enjoy fine dining across the world, and I would place this restaurant among the highest quality we have visited.

Second time there and the food and service was top notch. Food is very well done with generous portions even though this is a very fine dining restaurant. Caesar salad is enormous and easily shared and delicious. Halibut tempura was wonderful, burger and duck fat fries were excellent, gnocchi and mushroom tagliatelle were rich and delicious. Roast chicken was huge and very good. Potatoe side dish is amazing. Bar and cocktails stand out here. A great addition to SD dining. Ate here again tonight with out of town friends from the Bay Area. Food and service was great. Desserts were surprising unusual and very good. One of our favorite places.

Ok, so I have never left a review of a restaurant. But this place made me do it! Me and my family were on a weekend away from the cold Utah weather! It was a stressful travel day with our 4 year old…. Not only did they get us a table, they brought out our daughter’s Mac and cheese in 10 minutes! The manager could see our stress trying to just have a good meal and a relaxing night. Everyone knows what it’s like trying to take a toddler to dinner. I would do it 1,000 times over at this place! Most selfless restaurant I have ever ate at. The focus was my family and there is nothing more you can ask for!

This is without a doubt one of the most outstanding restaurants I have ever experienced. The building is an architectural masterpiece, a mid century modern tropical atmosphere where every detail was clearly thought out for both visual appeal and comfort. The food was marvelous, my wife had the oysters and thought they were outstanding. I had the Jalapeño Caesar salad with mountains of cheese on top and it was fabulous... And only the slightest hint of spicy heat, the little peppers you see all over are mild. I had the Steak Au Poivre with Fries which is apparently new on the menu and was a showstopper. The fries are shoestring thick, and they fried them with garlic slivers and rosemary which add incredible flavor. The steak was perfectly medium rare (although they recommended rare, and I would order it that way next time). They seem to have less tropical drinks than I saw on the online menu; they were serving from a brand new menu and unfortunately they haven't received their custom Tiki mug for the new Volcano drink. I had the Mai Tai which is the authentic version with a unique twist, Macadamia nut orgeat. No pineapple... Because a true Mai Tai doesn't have any. I should also mention the smashed potato side dish, which is one of the most interesting and delicious potato sides I've ever seen; my wife ordered it to go with the fish of the day which was red snapper that she said was perfect in every way. If there is any flaw, it is that the noise level is a bit high due to the architecture of the historic building, but not so loud that it would be a deal breaker. I had the honey soft serve dessert - this may sound like a pedestrian dessert but I promise you it is on another world of flavor and texture. Overall this is a restaurant deserving of being listed as one of the best on the West Coast and absolutely worth the splurge.

While I'm no restaurant reviewer, I feel I represent 99% of the dining public who are looking for a pleasant dining experience. Paradisaea sure delivered! The food was beyond excellent, the staff was so friendly, knowledgeable and efficient, and the environment was pleasant and welcoming. The whole layout of the restaurant was very well thought out. The owners thought of every possible detail to make this a perfect dining experience. Just looking around at the other tables, you could see that everyone was really enjoying themselves. If 5 stars is the highest mark possible, I give it a six! I'm looking forward to returning soon. Jon Bozigian P.S. The five individual restrooms are an extra touch appreciated by anyone that has had to wait outside an 'occupied' restroom.

I had a great experience here. It is lively and a little loud but not to the point where you cannot hear others. All of the savory food items were fantastic, particularly the crudo and scallops. Just kept me wanting more and more, absolutely delicious! The cocktails felt a bit unbalanced and were on the strong side, which was pretty disappointing at a place like this. If I were to go again, I would probably just order from the wine menu. Also, we tried all 3 desserts, none of which were great. I would recommend only getting the main menu items and you will be sure to have a great experience!

This is probably my new favorite restaurant! I wish they didn't change the menu as much as they do, because my favorites tend to drop off, but they usually put something delicious in its place, so...as long as they keep the astonishingly fantastic fingerling potatoes...I'll be open-minded! Service level is WAY above most restaurants in the area. Decor is vibrant and fun... Even the menu is beautiful 😍

Our family went here after reading the great review in the San Diego newspaper, and we are so glad we did. The only paragraph from the article that I needed to convince me to make a reservation was the last paragraph that mentioned Wolf in the Woods as being on the same level as Paradisaea. The restaurant is lovely, with a great vibe, colorful and relaxed. The chairs are very comfortable which is important if you are going to dine in a leisurely fashion. Every dish we had was special. Our server, Ivan, was friendly and helpful, with great recommendations, but not intrusive. We ordered shishitos, focaccia, Cesar salad, tagliatelle, beet salad, halibut tempura, and a strawberry creamsicle, all of which were exceptional. We also had wonderful cocktails- and they even made me my favorite drink that I can never get anywhere- a Ramos Gin Fizz. What a wonderful meal and experience. You can tell that care was put into everything here- from the decor, to the food , to the service. We will return!

We live nearby and have been waiting what seems like forever for a restaurant like Paradisea to open, and we're so glad they're here! We've been there three times - once at a table, and twice at the bar. Each experience was top notch. The food was incredible. We had the jalepeno caesar (twice now), the beef tartare, hamachi crudo, wild mushroom tagliatelle, scallops and the steak. Everything was delicious. The scallops might be the best I've ever had. Next favorites were the tagliatelle and hamachi and caesar... I loved the tartare and the steak, but I always prefer fish/seafood over beef.. My friends love-love-loved both! We've had cocktails and wine each time we went. Cocktails were outstanding. They have an extensive list (it's really long and has detailed descriptions of each of the drinks), but can also make traditional cocktails. Wine list is solid - by the glass and bottle. We tend to judge our favorite restaurants by the cocktails & wine as much as the food, and Paradisea gets 5-stars for all. Can't wait to go back again - and welcome to the neighborhood!

Definitely 5 stars… finally an amazing restaurant in bird rock. This place does not mess around with the small touches, ambiance, and professionalism. The flavors of the food are absolutely fantastic. Our server Glenn was incredible and truly loves his craft.

Dined solo here after amazing yoga nearby at Riffs upon recommendation from two local friends and was easily best meal I’ve had in SD. Took the suggestion from my amazing server Lindsey to try the two appetizers, halibut tempura and the lobster pasta, along with a Sancerre. Perfection. Light, citrusy, fun to eat with the lettuce wrap. Really inventive and special. Venue interior is beautifully designed but I took advantage of the nice outdoor space on this lovely evening. Wish I lived around the corner.

Paradisaea is hands down one of the best restaurants in San Diego! The ambiance is modern and chic, with a lively energy. The mixologists at Paradisaea have created a menu of drinks that are amazing. Every dish that came out of the kitchen was exceptional. The Northern Halibut tempura was crispy and perfectly cooked, with a light batter that let the delicate flavor of the fish shine through. The jalapeño caesar salad was fabulous - the spicy kick of the jalapeño paired perfectly with the creamy dressing, and the pile of cheese were the perfect texture. And then there was the beef tartare - I can honestly say that I've never had a better version of this classic dish. Overall, I can't recommend Paradisaea enough. The cocktails are simply stunning, the food is outstanding, and the service is top-notch. If you're looking for a dining experience that you'll never forget, head to Paradisaea in La Jolla. You won't be disappointed!

Amazing meal, the building is cool also. Had the duck and scallops, summer squash, all were really great. Pricing may seem a bit high but it is worth it for the quality and preparation. The main chef spent 10 years at a 3 michelin star restaurant in NYC and he clearly knows what he is doing. He was a pastry chef also which is why the passion fruit dessert was the highlight. I would go back just for the desserts if I could. Having spent 9 years in SF I was missing some of the restaurants but this place brings sf to sd. An awesome addition to San Diego.

Fantastic. Everyone from the bartenders to the wait staff were phenomenal, attentive, and treated us with compassion and respect. There was a minor issue with a party member and an allergy to one of the dishes, they replaced it and even switched out others in the tasting to make sure. And the food... Oh the food. Heavenly. Sublime. Pricey, but the experience was worth it. 11/10, will come again to try more things.

We had the most knowledgeable waiter, loved the live music and the comic book drink menu really emphasized their commitment to the art of dining. Lovely spot can't wait to go back

The live music was great. I wanted to thank the singers group for the piece “Guantanamera”, I liked, while I was a research scholar in Toulouse, in 1975, southern France, where I listened to this for the first time! 50 years of memory! I wish to thank the singers out from my heart.

Beautiful restaurant, every detail was well thought out. The staff was extremely nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. We did the chefs tasting menu and it was 10000/10. Every course was unique and different. Flowed together well, surprising bites, and well executed. The chef even came out at one point to deliver a course and explain it. Definitely will be going back soon!

Check the bottom for an update, Paradisea continues to delight with their stand out food. From 2023: We celebrated my birthday at the new fine dining restaurant in our neighborhood, Paradisea. I was impressed - they have live piano in the dining room for happy hour/early dinner - a fabulous touch since this was a Steinway piano showroom for the first 80 years of the building’s life. Everything about the dinner was excellent - the service, the food, the decor. We found out the chef is from 11 Madison Avenue, but the whole thing was not stuffy, which I greatly prefer since we took my young son with us to celebrate. Highlights: the not-sweet slightly spicy and refreshing tequila drink, the hamachi crudo (little flavor bombs, a textural treat served in a thickened tomato water), my dry aged cheeseburger (I added the white truffles on top, a true splurge which made it OVER THE TOP THE BEST BURGER EVER TO HIT MY MOUTH) with duck fat fries (you’ve gotta add the gravy) and the unexpected star of the evening - the passion fruit soft serve with key lime meringues. I can’t wait to go back. Bravo Paradisea! Edit: we celebrated our anniversary at Paradisea last night. And again, this place just delivers on all points. We got the chef’s tasting menu which is 5 courses for $130 each, and is a great deal IMHO. They paced the meal well and it was a very relaxing 2.5 hours. To start they served us complimentary glasses of champagne (yay!) and an oyster with pepper and shaved lemon ice on top - spicy and cold and tangy and salty MMMM. oh my. Next was a cured ocean trout with slices of honeydew melon - a perfect blend of sweet and smoked umami, with some kind of sauce poured tableside which made the chive oil bloom on the plate. Delish. Next came their sourdough loaf and whipped French butter. My ONLY comment on the entire night was that the butter should have been a salted butter, or more flake salt should have been added on top of the butter. Then the executive chef Anders came out and served a handmade tagliatelle pasta infused with mushrooms, with some kind of tangy lemony sauce, oyster mushrooms so perfectly cooked they were al dente, and crispy oyster mushrooms on top. Such a great touch to have the handsome Dane come out and serve this special course. ❤️ The pasta itself was very thin and not chewy at all, perfectly prepared. Next they served a red snapper with the stand out of the whole night - a fume sauce with tarragon, white wine, and butter - that was poured tableside as well and BLEW MY MIND. I will dream about that sauce now. Last savory course was a Wagyu NY strip, with this crazy tasty fried cube of potatoes that must have had 20 layers of mandolined potato, along with an onion puree and a very well done bechamelle sauce. Dessert was a wine poached pear with some of the famous ice cream. Great service through out - can’t wait to come back. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A Happy Hour Experience Worth the Wait! My wife and I came to [Restaurant Name] for happy hour, excited to try their $1 oysters and cocktails. We arrived at 4:10 PM, only to find that happy hour seating was limited to the bar—and every seat was already taken. Not wanting to miss out, we decided to wait. After 40 minutes, others who arrived after us gave up and left, but we held out a little longer. At 4:45, we were ready to call it a night when the hostess, who had noticed us waiting, kindly stopped us outside and offered to seat us with a 5 PM reservation. We were seated right away at a table, not the bar, and were promptly served our long-awaited oysters. From that point on, the experience was nothing short of fantastic. The service was outstanding, and the happy hour offerings exceeded expectations. The oysters were fresh and flavorful, a steal at just $1 each. We also tried the chicken liver mousse, which was incredibly creamy and packed with rich, delicious flavor. The cocktails were well-crafted and balanced, making the entire experience even better. Despite the initial wait, the excellent service and delicious food made it well worth it. We’ll absolutely be returning to explore the regular menu, and based on our happy hour experience, we’re confident it’ll be just as impressive! Would highly recommend!

This place is one of the best restaurants in San Diego for sure. Everything is perfect and clean and the staff is very friendly. I enjoyed every single thing they had. They have great appetizers, delicious meals and amazing desserts that will blow your mind. One of the desserts even has edible gold on the top. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be going back!

Bold, beautiful flavors! Wonderful design work of each and every detail of food and decor. Someone rushed forward to fold my brother’s napkin after he the left the table to use the John—which was nice, funny, and weird. Helpful, friendly, and energetic staff. They are trying super hard for everyone to absolutely love this place. Portions can be quite small. 6 of us ate family style and it worked. The housemade ricotta that comes with focaccia is absolutely fabulous. The chocolate mousse dessert is probably best I have ever had. This is the 2nd restaurant I have been to that serves hydroponic, patented salad greens. While many means are necessary to meet the growing demands for food security in an uncertain world, I cant help but think patented seeds, means, and inputs are simply a soul-destroying method for corporations to keep agriculture growers deep into debt and servitude. Or to simply cut family operations out of production completely.

The food was mazing especially the sourdough bread. I ordered the wagyu steak, and it was exceptional. The service was great as well, as it was quick and everyone was efficient. They had heat lamps too which was great when dining outside in the evening. 5 stars, I would highly recommend coming here.

My family and I were just in Paris, came home and had dinner here. I have to say the food met or even beat some of the best restaurants in Paris. Paradesea has a new chef and a changed menu and is so exceptional it deserves to be viewed in a new light 5 stars all around

Cutest place ever. Drinks are amazing. Food is to die for. I am a steak tartare connoisseur and theirs is sooo good . We also got the Steak Frites and ooooh baby. For whatever reason our after dinner coffee took a little long but our server addressed it, then the manager came over and addressed it and said they would be taken off the bill, then she also brought us the cutest little chocolates complimentary as an apology. In a world where I feel like service has been seriously lacking, Paradisaea literally went above and beyond. We will definitely be coming back here. Huge huge fans

10/10 ⭐️ An absolutely fantastic experience at Paradisaea in La Jolla! Head chef Anders, who is Danish, delivers a true fusion where Denmark meets California in a perfect balance of elegance and creativity. The flavors exceeded all our expectations. We enjoyed the Sunday supper and had, among other dishes, the best confit duck we’ve ever tasted — served with a truly magical sauce. A special touch was that Anders took the time to come out to our table and talk with us about the food, making the evening even more personal and memorable. Our waitress Vanessa took good care of us. And the bar staff made us feel at home. An outstanding experience from start to finish — we will definitely be back!

Went for Christmas Eve dinner and we enjoyed the beautiful and festive atmosphere! Service was perfect and the food was delicious! There is a lot of attention to detail and some of the basic elements (freshly made bread, salad, house made butter) were some of the highlights of the meal! There is a nice amount of space between the tables, which gives it an airy and private feel. We were in the main dining room, but will definitely come back to eat at the beautiful bar. Highly recommended for a nice dinner!

We arrived just before 5pm and made the best decision of the night—grabbing seats at the bar to take full advantage of happy hour. The craft cocktails were thoughtful and beautifully balanced, and the $1 oysters? Fresh, briny perfection. A dangerous combo in the best way. From the moment we walked in, the service stood out. The hostess set the tone immediately—warm, polished, and genuinely welcoming. Our server Aris provided us a superior level of care carried through the entire evening. We decided to follow the Michelin guide’s lead and went all in on the chef’s tasting menu, which was nothing short of an experience. Each course was intentional, creative, and beautifully executed—no filler, no ego, just really exceptional food. We added the $75 wine pairing and shared one pairing between us, which was more than generous and thoughtfully poured. Each selection elevated the dish it accompanied without overpowering it—clearly curated with care. Overall, the food, service, and atmosphere were top-tier. Refined but relaxed, elevated without feeling stiff. This is the kind of place you leave already planning your return. Highly recommend if you’re celebrating something special—or if you just believe a great meal is the celebration.

What an incredible restaurant! We were blown away by the vegetable sides and their house made sourdough to start. I had the lobster gnocchi for dinner and it was easily one of the best seafood dishes I've ever had. I branched out and tried the Passion Fruit Mousse dessert and omg it was INCREDIBLE!! They even brought out two complimentary desserts to my friend and her partner because they didn't order anything - one that was gluten and dairy free and one that was peppermint ganache covered chocolates that were just heavenly. Our sever Couran (spelling?) was so so thoughtful and wonderful. 11/10 and we will definitely be going back!!

Incredible restaurant. This menu is amazing you can tell that the chef has put all of his passion into the selections. The entire menu has something for everyone from raw fish to a delicious selection of seafood and meats to great dessert options. The appetizers and bread selection were 10/10. The cocktails were hand-crafted and there was a holiday selection (I recommend the Snowglobe). All of the servers are attentive, knowledgable, and friendly. The restaurant itself is a warm and inviting vibe. There was live piano music playing when we arrived, and we enjoyed that the restaurant was lively, but not too loud. Prices are high, but that is to be expected in downtown La Jolla/Birdrock. Would absolutely come back.

We did the Valentine's Day experience, which was fun and the food was delicious. The fixed menu had several options and gluten free was accommodated. Overall, food was delicious, the potato leek soup was incredible. We want to go back for their regular menu.

Paradisaea is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the space feels bright, coastal, and effortlessly stylish; perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. We both did the Chef's Menu and it blew our minds..vibrant flavors, beautiful plating, and portions that feel just right. Every dish tasted clean and seasonal. Service was outstanding; warm, attentive but without hovering. Pacing was spot on, and the team checked in just enough to make sure we had everything we needed. Bonus points for a lively atmosphere that still allows for conversation. If you’re in San Diego and want the full package - great food, thoughtful drinks, and a gorgeous setting - Paradisaea should be at the top of your list. We’ll definitely be back.

Been here on a Tuesday twice now for the taco Tuesday. This was our first time coming from the happy hour $1 oysters and it was great! Both times we were here we noticed that Ethan provided exceptional service - and he’s not even a server. He SHOULD BE. I would request him as my server every time. He knows the menu well and is very accommodating and polite. Make this dude a server!

One of the best dinners I’ve had in a long time. Service was truly excellent from every member of the team. I opted for the chef’s tasting menu with the wine pairing. It was inventive, well balanced, portioned perfectly and enjoyable throughout. They have a great selection of European wines that you don’t typically find. I can’t wait to visit again when I’m back in town.

came at 4 for happy hour at the bar and moved to a table oysters- great dollar oysters tuna tartare - nice flavor. the lettuce flavor was too strong and took away from the lighter tuna flavor. bad pairing. i suggest butter lettuce fish and chips - solid. not crazy. can skip. big portion though. srf beef skewer - pleasantly surprised. tender. fennel was a bit strong for me, a tad salty japanese hamachi - pretty good. kumquat worked well. beef tartare - good beef. pairing issue again. the rye bread flavor was too strong and drowned out the beef. maybe half the thickness slice would be better. raddish worked great though. milk honey softserve - great. honey brittle is awesome food was coming out really slow so they comped the tuna tartare. great service. some really enjoyable dishes and some others need some fine tuning. overall great experience.

A truly wonderful experience. The chef's tasting meal was a once in a lifetime event. My party, which included my foodie daughter, couldn't stop raving about the local sea bass dish. The service was also top notch. I would wholeheartedly recommend a meal here during your vacation to this area. I

I liked Paradisaea so much that I'm still thinking about it months later to write this review. I had the Ravioles Du Dauphine which were very flavorful. Loved the Potatoes Three Ways. Our server was friendly and helpful, and sitting outside in the evening was perfect.

Had a nice dinner on a Sunday night. We ate family style and had halibut tempura, focaccia with jamon, jalapeno caesar, wild mushroom tagliatelle with the white truffle add-on and finished with the honey ice cream dessert. These were accompanied by cocktails the jewel, la reina and ring of fire. All were excellent except the tagliatelle. That was a total disappointment. And the truffles were flavorless and had no aroma. If I was blindfolded I would never know they were included. Unfortunately that was a large part of the bill. It's difficult to get a reservation but should ease up with time. The service was very professional.

+4

Menu Popular drinks Tiger Cruise Tiger Cruise 4 Photos 2 Reviews Espresso Martini Espresso Martini 1 Photo 1 Review Lobster Lounge Lobster Lounge 2 Photos 1 Review Review Highlights “First we started off with Drinks, ordering the Lobster Lounge and Tiger Cruise!!” in 2 reviews “Now on to food, we got the focaccia, Caesar, mushroom tag pasta, beef tenderloin and fingerling potatoes.” in 3 reviews “Ranking of the dishes we tried: hamachi crudo, beef tartare, halibut tempura taco, scallops.” in 2 reviews Location & Hours Map 5680 La Jolla Blvd San Diego, CA 92037 La Jolla Mon Closed Tue Closed Wed 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Thu 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Fri 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Sat 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Closed now Sun 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Edit business info Amenities and More Health Score100 out of 100 Powered by Hazel Analytics Masks required Outdoor Seating Help Improve Yelp Is this place trendy? Ask the Community Ask a question Q: Can we walk in for bar seating at 5pm? A: Highly unlikely MsMargo M. 18 days ago Recommended Reviews Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more. Overall rating 24 reviews 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Yelp Sort Filter by rating Search reviews Search reviews Marilyn G. San Diego, CA 01440 10/29/2022 10 photos Our experience started out five star but ended at about three, so rating at four as an average. We dined outdoors; nice open space with heaters and a swing rope dividing us off from the sidewalk. Hopefully they will add some plants or other more substantial dividers to further set the space apart but it was fine. We were seated promptly and our request for one of the available four tops vs the deuce we were shown to was fulfilled. It was our anniversary (which was on the reservation plus I mentioned it to the hostess) and we were offered glasses of "bubbly" to celebrate, and got a nice little card as acknowledgment. We started with the Beef Tartare and Hamachi Crudo, which were both delicious and complex. The Beef Tartare had a tiny bit of heat, which was just to my taste. I also got a Pina, served in a fun glass. It was mild and I didn't think had much alcohol in it until I stood up! Then we waited too long for the Pear Salad, which we split. It was light and refreshing, more lettuce perhaps than needed. Personally I would have like more pear and less squash. After that was quite a long wait for our last courses, Gnocci and Halibut Tempura. We saw the next table (who were seated after us) get two courses of two dishes each. Finally our server appeared, apologized, and said our next courses were being plated. The hospitality person also apologized and they comped those two dishes, which was very nice of them. The Gnocci were light and tasty but essentially it was gnocci in pesto. My husband thought the halibut tempura were essentially fish sticks and was not impressed with the two sauces. We ordered the passion fruit whip for dessert and it was tasty, but we didn't realize it basically was a tasty freeze. We kidded that it was a palate cleanser. I love méringue and was disappointed that it was only a few chips. I went inside to check out the bathroom, which was lovely, and also picked up a couple of charming matchbooks. We have an extensive matchbook collection from our dining out and travels back in the day, so it was nice to add a beautiful new one. Overall our experience started out as we had hoped, but ended somewhat disappointing.

+5

Hip spot in Bird Rock. This restaurant has all of the in vogue elements of an upscale dining experience including modern aesthetics, chic furniture, sharp wallpaper design, cute bathrooms, a fun logo, and a very creative and illustrative cocktail menu. Paradisea is the Latin family name for bird of paradise and they have done an amazing job building a cohesive thematic environment around that name. The food is light, refreshing, and simple. The salmon in particular was fresh, well cooked, and surrounded by a green herbal sauce that was outstanding. The price point is quite high, especially when there are some other amazing restaurants nearby. Especially since the food is quite simple from a prep standpoint, but realistically the higher cost is likely due to the interior design and location.

+3

The side fingerling potatoes are AMAZING. I will go back for these. This is a special dish but strange that a side dish was the most memorable menu item. The duck breast with fries, a neighboring table ordered, looked too literal. We got the scallops, which were better on paper then at the table or in our mouth. Summer squash was bland. Gnocchi was good. Jalapeño Cesar was just a normal Cesar but with Jalapeño slices on top. So if you're a Cesar fan but have wondered what slicing jalapeños could do: this is your dish. The server recomended ordeing family style, which apparently has now become a euphemism for small portions. The dishes offering fries do so in abundance. So unless you're getting the burger or the pepper duck, I would recommend considering a 2-3 dishes per person. Drinks were $18- 25 all seeming to be a spin on classic and tiki/summer drinks. Setting was lovely. Lighting was very strange until 7pm Generally I found from a flavor perspective, the menu suffered from unhelpful complexities. Each dish presented well, tasted fresh and offered a range of texture. After going back a second time I'm still lukewarm on the restaurant. The price is high but fitting for the atmosphere. The menu however isn't befitting of the experience. Your instagram followers will assume your meal is better than it was. Trust me.

+6

The food was very good as well as the cocktails. I was disappointed in the seating arrangement. I I booked two weeks in advance and outside and bar were the only available options. I called and see if they could get me inside st the bar and they said it was very likely and they would look into it for me. Upon arrival, they sat us outside at the farthest table possible when they were multiple tables closer to the entrance, and potentially even tables inside. I was disappointed in the atmosphere, and the staff putting us at the farthest table outside. However, the server was great and so is the food.

Paradisaea delivers a unique dining experience with its inventive and flavorful menu, perfectly reflecting California’s vibrant culinary scene. Appetizers like the Coconut Shrimp, crispy texture and balanced flavors, and the Tuna Tartare, which bursts with freshness. For mains, the Wagyu Steak and expertly prepared fish dishes shine, delivering both richness and delicate refinement. Desserts are another highlight, with creations like the tropical-inspired panna cotta and decadent chocolate cake. Every plate is beautifully presented, making the food as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Have been here many times with family and friends and love the food and atmosphere. Our most recent visit, however, was made very uncomfortable and even un-enjoyable as there were small children running around weaving through tables with guests, and darting in front of servers with hot plates, glassware and sharp objects, and yelling as if it were a playground. I understand that this is a local restaurant and many families with children dine here, but I think for the price that dinner guests pay and for the experience & service that is advertised, there should be an understanding that the dining room is not a playground and to be considerate of guests who are trying to enjoy their evening. Not sure if this is something the owners or managers have control over, but it was clear that this was bothersome to the wait staff and other dinner guests.

Perfect for celebrations (i.e. birthdays). An honoree Michelin star rating. While the menu may be limiting in their selections, they definitely have an interesting array of cocktails, including non-alcoholic options and tasty desserts.

Beautiful space with a really nice design. The cocktail list looked really intriguing but unfortunately the drinks were not very well balanced. I got the Crown Room and it was basically a way-too-sweet whiskey sour, and my partner got the Keys Razor which tasted like only mezcal. We didn't get any food.

Had the duck and the fried fish for dinner. The duck was well prepared but the deep fried raw rice was chewy and stuck in your teeth. Possibly unique but not a good idea! The fried fish was done well. The restaurant was busy and we'll staffed but service was slow. A good atmosphere but a little loud for a dining experience.

We had the Chef menu. Everything was great and delicious except for the dessert which was just a scoop of very sweet ice cream. I had expected a more innovative dessert. Hopefully they will improve on it.

Good, not great and outrageously expensive. $55 dollar tacos lol. Excellent cocktails. But be ready to spend and feel gouged.

Service is excellent. Food and cocktails are a range. Some dishes are amazing, with the salad being a true standout. Others are just "good". Generally, this is fine! I'm happy with "good" food, and I understand most restaurants are unlikely to have a full menu of home-runs, but at over 150/person and a Michelin badge next to the door, I really expect knock-out after knock-out (not to mix my sports metaphors). I'm glad we tried it, as the salad, Oaxacan Negroni, and ravioli were excellent, but I'm not sure the meal as a whole is worth the price they're charging.

Fantastic service and cocktails-but the food REALLY missed the mark. I ordered the King Salmon “Slow cooked with a fumet blanc boba, lemon, dill and parsnips”. The slow cooking made for a very bland piece of fish. I feel the chef was focused too much on “creative” additions items like the foam, when I’d love to see more interesting fresh flavors. Also in my option the foam was gross and visually obstructed the only other food in the meal-the parsnips. Could not finish the main course. Did enjoy the mud pie.

Food poisoning from the oysters. The atmosphere, service and the vibes were pretty good. However, I ordered the kebabs at happy hour, which were not brought to me. The oysters alone caused me some of the worst food poisoning I’ve ever had. Other than that, nice servers.

The chefs five course menu at $105 per person is exceptional value and the food was top tier. However, there were too many blemishes in service to amount to a recommendation. The front of the house seems to prioritize walk-ins over reservations. When asked about multiple empty seats in the bar and restaurant area, they simply said everything was full. Throughout our meal we saw the same seats sit empty, so this was frustrating and confusing. There also appears to be no dress code because even at a $100 price point we saw joggers, sneakers, bomber jackets and an assortment of streetwear that maybe wouldn't normally be okay for a restaurant at this price point. Our particular server was excellent - frustration was with the front of the house and a touch of unwarranted attitude. Given the amount of empty seats and dress wear we saw, I think this restaurant needs to figure out its real identity: either you are the cool neighborhood joint or you are a destination $100 per person restaurant. The food definitely warrants the latter, however weaknesses like this mean that I could not recommend that you venture here. Unfortunately.

Was very excited about visiting this restaurant. The decor is very lovely and the atmosphere is good. The service is great but the food does not match the decor or the service or the money they are charging for it. We were highly disappointed, the drinks were less than average and the food is definitely not anything to call home about. The only thing that was good was the salad. Will not be returning unless the quality matches the price.

+2

We have wanted to try Paradisea for some time now, since it showed up on Michelins list some time ago with a Bib rating. I have to say, there are better options in the area in terms of food, beverage and service. The service was great. We had a very energetic and attentive server. The cocktail service was very disappointing, my wife ordered a drink on their special menu was all but water and loaded with too much ice. A generic seltzer from 7/11 would have been better. My whiskey sour was good, but not good enough coming from a Michelin watched restaurant. It also took forever to get the drinks and it was early, there were only two people sitting at the bar and the dining room was not busy. We ordered the stracchiatella to start. Really good flavor, but why would you pair it with bread to dip that was soaked with olive oil? Should be plain French bread or… you get the idea. My wife’s tagliatella was good, but way over the top with use of the saffron. I had the wagyu Salisbury steak, the sauce was very good, but it was the only flavor on the plate except the green beans. You could not tell wagyu from regular hamburger really. The sum up, Paradasea may have been an up and comer, but has not stood the test of time. There are many other, better and more memorable options in the area.

Don’t be fooled by the reviews. Those were from when the place first opened. It used to be great, creative cocktail menu, decent to higher prices. Since then they’ve cut back on quality and raised prices. Very sad. This is a review from simply having drinks at the bar.

Cool looking place and good service, foods not that great, especially given how expensive it is. Cocktails fun but hit and miss. We got the soft shell crab, Caesar, lamb and honey soft serve. Ice cream and potato side were the best parts, which tells you a bit about how the other dishes were. My advice for the place is focus more on the food being good and less on it being flashy / expensive

Too many tables and they are way to close to each other. It is super noisy and you can hear everyone’s conversation. Some dishes are good some are ok. Drinks looks pretty but do not taste as good as they look. Our entree took a long time to prepare but they compensated us with free dessert. But the mud pie was too coffee’ish for me and passion fruit swirl was too sour. Service was good and they were very apologetic about the long wait for the food. But over all it’s not worth the money spent. Overall 6/10 But I’d go back just for the scallops and the jalapeño Cesar salad

We made reservations for 2 people on a Friday night at Paradisaea. We were seated promptly but not waited on for quite some time. Lindsey D was our server and we must say she was very soft spoken or the restaurant was super loud as she was hard to hear. We asked about different dishes on the menu and her descriptions left a lot to be desired. It’s like she expected us to know what the menu was referencing. I guess our expectations for service were set from Aris from a previous visit. She was energetic and offered complete descriptions and recommendations on appetizers and main dishes. Her service was stellar. Anyway, we started with the sourdough bread which is a must. It is so yummy. We ordered the Steak Frites and Half Chicken for dinner. Probably will try something different as the chicken was not as expected with the dark meat being kind of mushy inside of the white meat which was in a roll. Hard to describe. We were not offered dessert so can’t comment on that. For the amount of money we spent, we will try other places before coming back. Eddie V’s had the best fresh fish and excellent service for roughly the same price a few nights before.

Had a reservation and came here the other night for dinner. This place is primed for La Jolla influencers - lots of plants and decor and colorful wallpaper. I do freakin' love the bird logo though. (+) Service. Very friendly. We got a free glass of bubbles for our anniversary. (+) Cocktails. TBH, I had a glass of wine b/c none of the cocktails were calling out to me, but I absolutely love the cocktail menu and the bird theme. (-) Food. They must have just changed the menu because none of the items I had scoped out from looking online were available. Some of the items were good, but everything is incredibly overpriced. (+) Cavatelli. Good pasta. Good sauce. (+) Veal Tenderloin. (-) Salmon. Cooked well, but I felt like it was a pretty small piece. Paired with a few roughly chopped pieces of radish and zucchini, if I just had this as an entree, I'd leave ready to go to The Taco Stand for some more food on the way home. The serving sizes of the entrees definitely warrant getting an appetizer, salad, or sides. But just be prepared to spend a lot of money for what you get.

I’ve been here several times, but this new menu is WAY over priced. $86 for steak and fries?! At least the last menu had reasonably priced options. This menu, the cheapest option was $24 for the Jalapeño Ceasar (no jalapeños - or meat btw). If you are going to charge that much for food and drinks that are good (not great enough to be worth these prices) at least make sure the service is top notch and maybe offer a slightly scaled up atmosphere. For one, the fact that we had to order everything at once rather than take our time and order course by course was insane. That’s new. This is not a prefix menu and this was not even a busy night to justify THAT. Additionally, the waitress came by FOUR times in 10 mins to ask us what we wanted, then barely checked in after the food was served. As for the atmosphere - it’s fairly casual. If my meal for five people is going to be $900 (a few drinks, shared apps, one entree each), the atmosphere at least better be 5 stars. I would have dressed up for that $$! But that’s not the environment of this place. We have a business in the neighborhood and go here for happy hour. I will say, the drinks are phenomenal. There’s that. I loved this place, but I will not be coming back at these prices vs quality

I came to Paradisaea to unwind and have a great meal. The I'wi cocktail was not good. I placed it aside and my server didn't bother to check on the quality of the drink. Well done burger order came back being pink inside which they remade after a bit of ridiculed laughter in the kitchen. I'm unsure how this place got their Michelin guide. I really wanted to like my time and enjoy my meal as I loved the decor, the nice welcoming host and bunch of great servers. Disappointing drink and meal :(

Of all the restaurants in San Diego County we chose this one to celebrate our birthday. Couldn't have been more disappointed. Loud. Very loud. Table so uncomfortable that 2 people could never hear the other 3. Ackward and a constant stream of staff and patrons shuffling past. Did I mention loud. Our waiter Cole tried his best but he couldn't hear us and we couldn't hear him. So no veal. 2 people ordered the $123 steak platter. So inedible that had to be comp'ed. Also ran out of steak knives (really) and we were told to share the 2 we were given. Also at one table there was a drunken argument and people asked to leave. Worst thing it took 45 minutes to get our entre. Manager came over to apologize but we couldn't hear him. Whew. What a mess. This will be a funny anecdote in my family in the future. I could go on. The Brussels sprouts hummus was delicious. 😊

We are regulars and love this restaurant, however, we had a bad experience the last time we ate there. Celebrating our son’s birthday, the service was off and not typical of the experiences we’ve had in the past. The waitress was not attentive. I ordered the Halibut which was terrible as it was mushy and the sauce had no flavor. The other items were great as we have had them in the past. We will definitely go back as this was an anomaly but I would advise guests against ordering that entree.

This price is so OVERPRICED and UNDERWHELMING. We took out of town family here and I am embarassed because the food was uninteresting and it was at such a hefty pricetag...over $800 for 8 (4 adults, 14yo, 9yo, 5yo, and 3yo). Not to mention they have 5% service charge!!! I thought Gov Newsom had done away with that, but apparently not. Service was great and friendly, no complaints there. Not one person at the table said anything remarkable about the food (other than my 9yo son who really enjoyed it). We ordered 4 of the Chef's tasting, steak frites, jalapeno caesar and tuna crudo, along with kids pasta, some gelatos for kids and a cocktail. Maybe because it was the heatwave...the caesar lettuce was not crisp and the tuna was room temp. Both would've tasted so much better chilled, but really the heatwave shouldn't affect that since wouldn't you take it immediately out of the fridge?! Chef's menu had an oyster, tomato/burrata/strawberry salad (probably my fav item but again nothing special), cavatelli pasta (my kids loved this), halibut, lamb, and creme brulee dessert. Atmosphere gets 1* because there were lots of flies buzzing around; why not pay for some small fans at the table. What a waste of money!

I had recently met someone who works there and recommended it to me so I figured I would pop in with a friend for some drinks after work. We both work in the area so it was easy, or so we thought. When we got there we immediately received the head to toe eye scan from the three hostesses at the front. We were asked if we had a reservation. When we said that we did not we were told that they were full for the rest of the evening (even though only about half of the tables inside and out were full). They explained that all of the tables were reserved and the reservations are gone within 20 minutes. We said we just came to grab a drink at the bar. There were only three people sitting at the bar. We were told that the bar also requires reservations. All three women continued to explain to us multiple times why we could not be seated including the fact that they just opened recently and they don't want to overwhelm their bartenders and wait staff. There was also some kind of comment made that we "seem like nice people". What does that even mean and why is it relevant to spending my money on drinks at a restaurant ? It felt to me like maybe they thought our brown skin and attire were not a fit for their restaurant despite seeming like nice people. Giving patrons the I'm better than you eye treatment the second they walk in your door is not very nice or kind- it's demeaning and unprofessional. Maybe it's not a classism issue . Maybe it's not a racism issue. Maybe it is that they are a new and popular restaurant and despite the fact that it looked half full they really could not accommodate two people at the bar . Regardless, it is about how they made us feel. We went to another restaurant where they didn't immediately try to make us feel like we didn't belong there and gave them our $250 instead. * I'd rather be kind than nice any day!

Disappointed and Underwhelming Last night, we celebrated my wife’s birthday and treated my parents to a meal. Both my wife and mother checked the restaurant's online menu in advance to ensure there were good fish options available. They were eager to try the halibut listed online, but upon arrival, our server informed us that the halibut was no longer on the menu. The only seafood options available were scallops and trout. The server mentioned that the bar served fish and chips and harissa shrimp. My mother was excited when the server offered to check if the chef could prepare some harissa shrimp to add to her jalapeño Caesar salad. Unfortunately, the chef declined, stating that if one table was served something from the bar menu, other tables might also request it. My father initially wanted the Caesar salad and lobster bisque, but the bisque was unavailable, so he opted for the scallops. Although he enjoyed the salad, he found the scallops to be "just OK," as they were under-seasoned and underwhelming, with only two small pieces served. Given the limited options, my mother ordered the trout as her third choice. The server assured us it would be similar to salmon and preferred by the chef to be cooked medium. However, the trout was served rare, which was too undercooked for my mother’s preference. My wife tried a bite and found it too fishy, and my mother did not finish her meal. My wife and I shared the cavatelli and the chicken ballotine. The cavatelli was so under-seasoned that we sent it back, but we declined to have it remade due to the long wait between our stracciatella appetizer and the main course. My father also ordered a side of coconut mushroom rice, which he shared with my wife. The chicken was well-cooked and rated a 7 out of 10 overall. The best dishes were the stracciatella appetizer with focaccia (though they charge $8 for extra bread) and the coconut mushroom rice. The complimentary apple pie for my wife's birthday was also delightful. Regrettably, none of the main courses impressed us. We each ordered a couple of drinks and shared two desserts. The dining room was very loud, and our server was not attentive. We were disappointed that the chefs were unwilling to accommodate our request for a side of shrimp. For three of us, our first and second choices from the menu were not available. I ordered the chicken to share with my wife since her under-seasoned pasta lacked protein. Given the amount of money we spent, we expected our food to be properly seasoned and cooked, for all menu items to be available, for the online menu to reflect the current offerings, and for the server to be attentive—checking on our food and drink needs, and providing the basic level of service expected in a dining experience. They also add a 5% service fee to the bill but I asked the server to remove it and she did.