Located at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street, The Kitchen @ MCASD pairs contemporary culture with coastal dining. This open-air garden cafe sits directly within the museum’s terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean, serving as an inspired midday retreat in The Village of La Jolla.

What makes The Kitchen @ MCASD a must-visit?

The Kitchen @ MCASD serves Mediterranean-inspired lunches, specialty espresso and local wine with sweeping Pacific views.

The kitchen is operated by Urban Kitchen Group, emphasizing sustainable and local farming, organic practices and quality ingredients and ranking high among our top recommendations for casual dining and scenic ocean view restaurants.

What to order:

• The green shakshuka and poached egg: Tomatillo, spinach and potato with herbs and more. 
• Artichoke chicken salad: Served with house vinaigrette.

The vibe and atmosphere:
The atmosphere is peaceful, cultured and unhurried. Dining tables sit directly among large-scale art pieces sculptures. Background noise consists only of ocean breezes and quiet conversation. The dress code is casual gallery attire to smart daytime wear.

Local insider tip:
No museum admission is necessary; approach The Kitchen from the sidewalk for lunch, coffee, or an afternoon glass of wine with ocean views.

Who it’s for:
Art enthusiasts, solo travelers seeking a quiet lunch spot with a book, and couples wanting a low-key daytime date after touring local art galleries and exhibits.

Good to know:

• Daytime focus: The cafe primarily serves morning coffee, lunch and afternoon wine, closing in late afternoon.
• Coffee crawl: Pair your visit with other standout roasters featured on our list of the best coffee shops in La Jolla.
• Coast access: After lunch, walk down Coast Boulevard to watch the tide at nearby Cuvier Park.
• Sunset timing: Linger along the bluffs until late afternoon to catch an extraordinary La Jolla sunset.
• Evening planning: Continue your day with an evening reservation from our curated guide to dinner in La Jolla.
• Shopping: The museum is located on Prospect Street, placing you five minutes from The Village’s luxury boutiques and shops.
• Parking: Limited street parking lines Prospect Street. For nearby garage spots and unrestricted options, check our La Jolla parking playbook.