As the inaugural entry in SanDiegoVille’s new “Best In Class” series, which highlights what we believe are the single best versions of iconic foods across San Diego County, Caroline’s earns the spotlight for a tuna melt that somehow manages to be comforting, elevated, balanced and unforgettable all at once.
Officially listed on the menu as the “Signature Tuna Melt,” the sandwich layers white albacore tuna with white cheddar, roasted tomatoes and caramelized onions on perfectly toasted sourdough bread. The version that truly reaches legendary status, however, includes an added order of the cafe’s thick-cut applewood smoked bacon - smoky, crisp and rich enough to transform an already excellent sandwich into something close to perfection.
What separates this tuna melt from countless others is restraint and balance. Nothing overwhelms. The cheddar melts just enough without becoming greasy. The roasted tomatoes bring acidity and sweetness without turning the bread soggy. The caramelized onions provide depth rather than sugary overload. The sourdough arrives deeply toasted with the exact amount of crunch necessary to support the sandwich without scraping the roof of your mouth apart halfway through the meal.
Then there is the tuna itself. It's fresh-tasting, generously portioned and not drowned in mayonnaise the way lesser tuna melts often are. Every ingredient feels intentional.
The side potato salad, meanwhile, has quietly developed its own cult following. One UC San Diego food reviewer recently described it as “maybe the best potato salad I’ve ever had,” while praising the sandwich as “absolutely perfect.” That assessment is difficult to argue with.
Part of what elevates the experience even further is the setting itself. Caroline’s Seaside Cafe sits perched above the Pacific Ocean on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego, adjacent to the iconic Scripps Pier. The restaurant occupies one of the most scenic breakfast and lunch locations anywhere in Southern California, offering panoramic views stretching across La Jolla Shores, the coastline and the Pacific beyond.
Owned by chef and restaurateur Giuseppe Ciuffa, Caroline’s has quietly built a reputation as one of San Diego’s premier daytime cafes by focusing on simple, fresh California cuisine made with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Ciuffa also operates other respected dining venues tied to San Diego cultural institutions, including cafes associated with museums in Balboa Park and La Jolla.
Unlike trendier brunch spots chasing social media gimmicks, Caroline’s succeeds through consistency and atmosphere. The restaurant feels almost hidden away despite being one of the city’s most visually stunning dining patios. Visitors often discover it while exploring the Scripps campus, Birch Aquarium or La Jolla Shores, only to realize they may have stumbled into one of San Diego’s best breakfast and lunch destinations.
And while the menu includes pancakes, salads, breakfast plates and other California cafe staples, the Signature Tuna Melt stands above the rest because it delivers exactly what great comfort food should: simplicity executed flawlessly. It is rich without being heavy. Coastal without being pretentious. Familiar while somehow tasting better than every tuna melt memory you thought you already had.
San Diego has no shortage of iconic burritos, burgers, tacos and pizzas. But when it comes to tuna melts, Caroline’s Seaside Cafe may quietly be serving the best sandwich of its kind anywhere in the county. Order it with bacon. Sit outside. Look at the ocean. You’ll understand immediately.
Caroline’s Seaside Cafe is located at 8610 Charles F. Kennel Way in La Jolla and is open daily from 8am to 3pm. For more information, visit carolinesseasidecafe.com.
Owned by chef and restaurateur Giuseppe Ciuffa, Caroline’s has quietly built a reputation as one of San Diego’s premier daytime cafes by focusing on simple, fresh California cuisine made with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Ciuffa also operates other respected dining venues tied to San Diego cultural institutions, including cafes associated with museums in Balboa Park and La Jolla.
Unlike trendier brunch spots chasing social media gimmicks, Caroline’s succeeds through consistency and atmosphere. The restaurant feels almost hidden away despite being one of the city’s most visually stunning dining patios. Visitors often discover it while exploring the Scripps campus, Birch Aquarium or La Jolla Shores, only to realize they may have stumbled into one of San Diego’s best breakfast and lunch destinations.
And while the menu includes pancakes, salads, breakfast plates and other California cafe staples, the Signature Tuna Melt stands above the rest because it delivers exactly what great comfort food should: simplicity executed flawlessly. It is rich without being heavy. Coastal without being pretentious. Familiar while somehow tasting better than every tuna melt memory you thought you already had.
San Diego has no shortage of iconic burritos, burgers, tacos and pizzas. But when it comes to tuna melts, Caroline’s Seaside Cafe may quietly be serving the best sandwich of its kind anywhere in the county. Order it with bacon. Sit outside. Look at the ocean. You’ll understand immediately.
Caroline’s Seaside Cafe is located at 8610 Charles F. Kennel Way in La Jolla and is open daily from 8am to 3pm. For more information, visit carolinesseasidecafe.com.
Originally published on May 14, 2026.
