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The Whaling Bar, San Diego, CA
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The Whaling Bar

$31 to $50
Californian

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 10 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Lively
Rediscover The Whaling Bar in La Jolla, blending historic charm and modern luxury. Once beloved in the La Valencia hotel, it's back after ten years, mixing its rich legacy with today's elegance. Known for its cozy atmosphere and top-notch service, it's been updated for contemporary tastes without losing its heritage essence. Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski, with a background in America's top kitchens and Iron Chef America, leads the culinary journey, offering a menu that combines classic and innovative approaches. The Whaling Bar invites both old fans and new to enjoy luxury and become part of La Jolla's ongoing story.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Redzikowski

From the OpenTable editors: La Valencia Hotel’s iconic cocktail lounge is back and better than ever, thanks to a reboot from San Diego's prolific SDCM Restaurant Group. With emerald-green banquettes, arched windows, and brass pendant lighting, the intimate space’s decor is a nod to the bar’s midcentury heyday. Led by executive chef Brian Redzikowski, the menu is equally glamorous—think lobster rolls and braised short rib baos, plus the restaurant’s original signature cocktail, the Whaler, a twist on Irish coffee.

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Martini Hour Daily 4:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Thu–Sat 10:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Experiences

  • Whaling Bar Happy Hour – Drinks & Light Bites

    Multiple dates available
    Join us at Whaling Bar for Happy Hour from 4:00 – 5:00 PM! Sip on a curated selection of crafted cocktails, wine, and spirits while enjoying a selection of light bites before dinner service begins at 5:00 PM. We look forward to hosting you—cheers! Details: * Beverage service and light bites available from 4:00 – 5:00 PM * Full dinner menu begins at 5:00 PM

What 97 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Whaling Bar offers a charming, vibrant atmosphere with creative dishes and exceptional service. Highlights include "great cocktails," "amazing food," and "attentive staff." The Caesar salad and desserts, especially the "burger dessert," are particularly notable. While some find it pricey with limited portions, the ambiance and overall experience are "fantastic."

97 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was delicious, the service was excellent. We had a wonderful evening.

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  2. Nahal VIP

    San Diego11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Whaling Bar never disappoints! It’s our go-to spot for date night, and every visit feels special. The ambiance is charming and intimate, the service is always top-notch, and the food is consistently delicious.

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  3. Jose VIP

    San Diego9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The Whaling Bar is a very hip spot inside the Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, and it definitely lives up to the hype. The ambiance is stylish and refined, making it a great place for a special night out. Service was solid--attentive without being overbearing. The food is served tapas-style, perfect for sharing, and every dish we tried was spot on. The Philly bread was a standout, a must-order, and the potato pesto gnocchi was perfection--pillowy, flavorful, and rich without being too heavy. The drinks were also top-tier, crafted with care and balance. It is on the pricier end, but absolutely worth it for the quality, vibe, and experience. Definitely make a reservation to secure a spot. If you're looking for an elevated dining and cocktail experience in La Jolla, this is it.

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  4. Pamela VIP

    San Diego5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 19, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A group of my girlfriends and I went to bingo night and had a fantastic time! The food was great. The service was as well. It was a little bit loud but overall great!

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  5. Christopher

    Richmond1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, well balanced cocktails & tasty food.

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  6. Noelani VIP

    London1 review

    2.0

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Right from start, valet was unpleasant, hostess was unpleasant, our server was unpleasant. Food was okay at best - overcooked hard fries (how can one even go wrong with fries?), steak was okay, pasta special was okay but very small portion, even by European standards, the cheeseburger cake was awful, and it was so loud we could not hear each other. We just moved here and were hoping this would be a great new regular place, yet quite the opposite, we will never return.

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  7. Lynisha

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The dishes and beverages were immaculate. Opened up my already eclectic pallet. Everything the waiter suggested was fabulous. Not pricey. Ambiance was great. Nice setting. One on my new favorites restaurants in SD county. Highly recommended.

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  8. Taylor VIP

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing date night spot! Great food, great drinks!

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  9. Emiliano

    New York City12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on January 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Whaling Bar brings new energy to the neighborhood. Food is amazing specially the chicken urfa, twinky salad and the kale salad. Service always on point !!!! Congrats

    1 person found this helpful

  10. Charles VIP

    San Diego32 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    A Saturday evening dinner was a full house with a youthful vibe. The menu is sparse, but the the food was first rate. Unfortunately, the bartender could not resist adding vermouth to Grey Goose, despite an explicit request to the contrary, but the service was prompt and attentive. Much about this bistro is attractive, but I would not return if I intended to have conversation with a table mate. The music level was beyond tolerable, and there is nothing inside the four walls to dampen the natural noise level of a crowd. If one is looking for a very good meal with pleasant conversation, this is not the place. If ambiance and tempo are more important than talking, this is a good option.

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FAQs

The Whaling Bar is rated 4.7 stars by 97 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 10 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Whaling Bar

1132 Prospect St, San Diego, CA 92037-4533

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Contemporary European, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Martini Hour Daily 4:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Thu–Sat 10:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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