The city of Encinitas has so much to offer, from the amazing beach to the cultural melting pot of its residents there’s a lot to love about this city. The restaurant scene is a big contributor to its popularity. To help you navigate through the best places to eat, here is a list of the 20 Best Restaurants in Encinitas, CA.
Alice’s Italian Gourmet
$$ | (760) 632-6933 | WEBSITE
This is another great family-owned Italian restaurant. They offer all the Italian classics beautifully served up with their unique “street food” style. Enter into this mom-and-pop style restaurant and try any of their mouthwatering Paninis, or go for pasta and have their Rigatoni Siciliana, or their Carbonara Pasta.
Fish 101 Leucadia
$$ | (760) 943-6221 | WEBSITE
At this restaurant, you’re sure to enjoy fresh and locally caught fish prepared into several dishes. Try out their seafood or veggie curry specials, their grilled shrimp cocktail, or any of their delicious burritos.
Food is not the only thing you can get at this restaurant, visit their site and shop from their merchandise store. You can get cool merchandise like tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, beanies, and more.
Everest Himalayan Cuisine
$$ | (760) 942-4816 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant offers a combination of Himalayan/Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan foods to bring a unique experience to its customers. Their variety of dishes alone is a great invitation to try them out.
Stop by and try out any of their lamb or seafood dishes, or perhaps their Tandoori or Biryani dishes. Regardless of your cravings; spicy, non-spicy, Nepalese or Tibetan, Vegetarian or not, you’re sure to find the perfect meal for you.
Trattoria Positano
$$$ | (760) 632-0111 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant is a family-owned Italian joint. They specialize in creating authentic Italian-style cuisine using locally sourced produce. True to their Italian roots, they have created a place where you can be transported to the coasts of Amalfi with just one taste of their food.
Their offerings include Polipo alla Griglia for appetizers and Pappardelle alla Bolognese as a pasta choice. Or if you’re a meat-lover, they have Salsicce alla Cacciatora which is their Italian sausage. Pair any of these with a wine of your choice from their expansive list and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
101 Diner
$ | (760) 753-2123 | WEBSITE
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101 is a classic American-style family diner that mainly serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch food options. Its old-fashion laid-back, surfer-style decor gives off a comfortable and casual vibe everyone loves. Its outdoor patio dining area is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, the outdoors, and people-watch.
Their menu has quite the offering. For breakfast, you can have anything from their famous Chorizo Scramble to their Elvis Presley Waffles. Want something different? You can try one of their Acai bowls. They also have offerings of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free varieties.
You can also stop by for lunch and enjoy any of their tasty sandwiches or burgers.
Valentina
$$$ | (760) 943-6686 | WEBSITE
This restaurant offers a cross between Italian and Mediterranean food. Their black and white decor brings a sleek but casual look to their restaurant making you feel upscale but comfortable at the same time.
Enjoy a variety of dishes from their menu like; the Paella de Mariscos, or their eggplant Milanese with Marinara, or you can go for their bone-in ribeye if you’re looking to get a plate full. Stop by on Saturdays or Sundays and enjoy their brunch offerings with a glass of champagne.
Pacific Coast Grill
$$ | (760) 479-0721 | WEBSITE
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Want a restaurant where you can enjoy amazing views by the beach and have mouth-watering food? Pacific Coast is where you need to be.
At this spot, you have available to you local cuisine, sushi, seafood, wine, beer, sake, and of course vegetarian and vegan options as well. The perfect place to go with friends, family, or just yourself.
GOODONYA Organic Eatery
$$ | (858) 264-8550 | WEBSITE
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Looking for a restaurant that serves organic and healthy food? You should definitely check this restaurant out. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to start your day, a healthy lunch item, or a fulfilling dinner meal with friends this spot has all healthy options for you.
Try out their variety of drinks, from coffee and teas to their herbal juices, and of course your choice of beer or wine to go with your dinner. They cater to all diet lifestyles from vegans and vegetarians, to keto and paleo diets. Whatever you choose to have, know you’re getting the best from this restaurant.
Le Papagayo
$$ | (760) 944-8252 | WEBSITE
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Famous for its Mediterranean and Latin fusion cuisine, this restaurant is definitely one to visit. Enjoy their very cozy, yet upscale vibe while you experience mouth-watering delicacies. With its live entertainment, this spot is a go-to for late-night eats and fun.
At this restaurant, you’re sure to enjoy all their offerings like; their famous Papagayo salad, roasted Hawaiian Kahlua pork, lobster roll, and traditional Paella, paired with their wide variety of cocktails, beer, or top-shelf wine.
Herb & Sea
$$ | (760) 704-8300 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant should be your stop for all things seafood. It gives off a sophisticated California cool vibe, with its blue sea decor adding warmth to its surroundings. They serve mainly seafood items here, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimps, lobsters, scallops all the works.
They also offer their hand-made pasta and pizzas. Let’s not forget drinks. They have creative and tasty cocktails and an impressive wine list that can be paired perfectly with whatever you order from their menu. They also have a private area dedicated to special events available for bookings.
Union Kitchen & Tap
$$ | (760) 230-2337 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant is a go-to for the all-American comfort food experience. They are an Encinitas favorite with their vast menu of craft beers and their warm and inviting ambiance. You can enjoy everything from their all-American dirty burger and Mexican street corn to their union dry rub wings.
They also have an outdoor dining space with heated patios to enjoy the fresh air while you eat without feeling too chilly.
In 2019 they expanded their operations to include food trucks. So, in addition to having the indoor eating experience at their location, you can enjoy their fantastic food on the go with their food trucks.
The Bier Garden
$$ | (760) 632-2437 | WEBSITE
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Bier Garden is a go-to neighborhood restaurant for your brunch, lunch, or dinner needs. Their rustic and historic decor offers the perfect environment to have a relaxed dining experience with friends. They offer over 20 rotating taps of the best beer, good old-fashioned comfort food, and specially crafted cocktails.
Lobster West
$$ | (760) 634-1684 | WEBSITE
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This spot is a simple and casual seafood shop to grab a quick bite. They specialize in seafood sandwiches, beer, and wine. It’s the perfect place to hang out and eat with friends, they also cater to events and private parties.
Birdseye Kitchen
$$ | (760) 479-0488 | WEBSITE
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This is a Vietnamese, Thai, Asian Fusion restaurant where you can get anything from your favorite noodle soup-whether it’s chicken, beef, or vegetarian, to your choice of curries-red, panang, green or yellow curry.
Or even your traditional fried rice or pad thai. This restaurant is a good choice to satisfy any Asian food cravings you have.
Q’ero Restaurant
$ | (760) 753-9050 | WEBSITE
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This is a family-owned Peruvian restaurant that serves traditional South-American & Peruvian delicacies.
Enter their cozy and intimate restaurant space and be transported to South America with their art-covered bright walls and their colorful plants and cloths. Order some plates of their Empanandas, Papa Rellena, or their Yuca Frita to get a taste of their flavourful cuisine.
The Taco Stand
$ | (760) 753-9050 | WEBSITE
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Inspired by the taco stands of Tijuana, this restaurant offers its customers a variety of Mexican street food like carne asada, Baja fish tacos, breakfast burritos, and quesadillas, with hand-made corn tortillas and fresh meat and ingredients.
Stop by this casual eatery and enjoy all they have to offer including their Mexican-style desserts and refreshments.
The Roxy Encinitas
$$ | (760) 230-2899 | WEBSITE
This restaurant is definitely one to visit, with their 1920’s Vintage-chic style, their classic cocktails, and live entertainment nightly, they come highly recommended. Try out their shared plates with dishes like their braised beef Stroganoff, Pork Belly Adobo, or their Butternut Squash Risotto.
Hooked on Sushi
$$ | (760) 487-5410 | WEBSITE
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This Japanese sushi restaurant offers a relaxed and calm atmosphere where people can come in and enjoy a wide variety of sushi.
Whether you’re looking to grab a quick lunch or have a full dining experience this restaurant is able to meet all your sushi needs. Enjoy any of their beautifully crafted sushi dishes, pair them with your choice of noodles, or an entree like a teriyaki dish or BBQ Ribs.
The Crack Shack
$$ | (760) 230-2968 | WEBSITE
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If this restaurant doesn’t catch your attention with their giant chicken, then I’m not sure what will. Step into this fun, outdoor-seating style restaurant for all your chicken needs. They offer premium southern California fried chicken, sandwiches, burgers, bowls, and sweet desserts.
VAGA Restaurant & Bar
$$$ | (760) 452-3484 | WEBSITE
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A stunning view does not begin to describe the sights from this restaurant. Located on top of a cliff overlooking the beach, one can only marvel at the amazing ocean view. This restaurant offers so much in terms of its sleek and upscale looks, its expansive space, and seating layout.
Stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and see what they have to offer. Try their Bagna Cauda Clams, or their 21-Day Aged 28oz Rib Chop, for an unforgettable experience.
Death By Tequila
$$ | (760) 795-9143 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant is already intriguing just by its name; it makes you want to see what it’s all about. This spot is a Mexican/Baja restaurant and tequila bar. Their incredible and unique collection of tequilas and margaritas make them a go-to happy hour or after-dark place to let loose.
Pair your drinks with Mexican food offerings like their various flavored salsas and guacamole, Rajas Con Crema Empanadas, or steamed mussels. Eat, drink tequila, and take lots of pictures in their sleek Mexican aesthetic.
Conclusion
There you have it, a list of the 20 Best Restaurants in Encinitas, CA. Whether you’re trying to expand your palette, looking for a new date night spot, or something to try out with friends and family. There’s a restaurant for everyone in the city.
