Juniper & Ivy has stood out in San Diego’s dining scene since they opened. And after 11 years, it’s still delivering some of the best food in our city. At the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival last year, their dishes stood out to me as some of the best I tasted. That did not surprise me as it is a restaurant that has consistently impressed me over the years.
I first visited during their opening week in Little Italy, and I’ve returned multiple times since. I am always excited to see how their menu has evolved. This visit was no different, and once again, Juniper & Ivy proved why it remains a top-tier dining destination for elevated dining.
A San Diego Staple in Little Italy
Juniper & Ivy’s setting is just as impressive as its food. Located in a transformed 1920s warehouse, it has both a rustic charm and a modern feel. The trendy bar area and dining room feel warm and upscale. On any evening, it has lively energy as the chefs and diners keep it energetic.
The dining area at Juniper & Ivy has a chef’s table, private dining rooms, and plenty of booths and table seating. If you’re looking for something special, the chef’s pass seating offers a front-row view of the action. The open exhibition kitchen gives you a great view of the chefs preparing the dishes, and a look at a very seasoned group of talented chefs.
Juniper & Ivy offers a constantly evolving menu that highlights fresh and seasonal ingredients. They proudly print a SoCal map with the names of the local farms from which they source produce. You’ll find Sage Hill Ranch Gardens, J&R Organics, Pure Fish, Seagreens Micro Greens, and R&L Farms on the list.
The menu also has an Of The Moment section – these dishes change daily (I saw so many people ordering the lamb kofta that was on the menu that evening.
A Look Inside the Evolving Menu at Juniper & Ivy
ROASTED BONE MARROW
sourdough, pickles, chimichurri, roasted garlic and caviar
ROCKFISH TOSTADA
aguachile, avocado crema, cucumber, j&i tajin
(this item has consistently been on the menu since they opened)
BLUEFIN TUNA HANDROLL
sesame leaf, wasabi mayo, cucumber, furikake
CREEKSTONE STEAK TARTARE
parisian dressing, brioche toast
SQUASH BLOSSOM
lemongrass tiger prawn, spicy peanut sauce
BLUEFIN CRUDO
ponzu, pickled jalapeño, radish, rice cracker
CABO KANPACHI
passionfruit fish sauce, serrano chili, mint, radish
HEIRLOOM APPLE SALAD
chicory, walnuts, point reyes blue
MISO BLACK COD
J&I dashi, glazed shishito, roasted shiitakes
WHOLE FRIED ROSE SNAPPER
bok choy, nuoc cham, roasted peanuts, persian cucumbers
Juniper & Ivy emphasizes a chef-driven approach using local seasonal ingredients. The dishes we enjoyed were so fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. All the dishes were unique and memorable. I suspect that everything on the menu is just as good as the dishes that we enjoyed.
You can find my full list of Little Italy restaurants (including Juniper & Ivy) worth visiting here.
