Location: Encinitas
Top Restaurants in Encinitas
Top Things to do in Encinitas
Encinitas Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Encinitas
Encinitas is a beach city in the North County area of San Diego County, California. Located within Southern California, it is approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of San Diego and about 95 miles (153 km) south of Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 59,518, up from 58,014 at the 2000 census.
Things to do in Encinitas
1. Seaside Market
Overall Ratings
5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By Tattalat - Santa Fe, New Mexico
This small supermarket has the best deli
Their cold case is filled with every kind of side dish and salad you can imagine. The market is famous for their cooked tri tip roast. Produce is very good also. Management gets it . Great store with high quality foods that delight locals. Great sandwiches as well. A neighborhood gem
2. 101 Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By Donnadonna01
A friend and I️ had breakfast here and loved it! Friendly service and great food.
I️ ordered toast with avocado and salad me hash browns, extra well done. Hash browns came out perfectly. And toast / avo was delicious.
My friend ordered the California Eggs Benedict - she said it was flavorful and delicious.
Coffee was strong and perfect, fun historic diner that has been around since 1928!
3. Fish 101
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By kaioatey - The Bay Area
A super popular place with the locals, I felt lucky to come during a relative lull (but still wait ~20'). Had grilled fish (ahi tuna) and seaweed salad with brown rice, which were delicious. The Belgian white ale (in the can) less so, but that was my fault for choosing it. My neighbors had fish tacos and liked them as well. Can't go wrong with this place. Friendly service.
4. Pipes Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By gswhiz13 - Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California
Each year from March 1st through June 30th, we are Camp Hosts at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff By The Sea, CA. Pipes is our very favorite restaurant. We especially enjoy their Cheese Burger Basket with great tasty fries. We always make sure to get there early, because they are always packed by mealtime. We especially enjoy their outside dining area where we can see and enjoy the ocean while we eat. We certainly highly recommend Pipes as The Place to have a great dining experience.
5. Encinitas Fish Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By Ed M - Perkasie PA
Enjoyed a lunch here with the Mrs on a Sunday afternoon. Very tasty salmon taco and jumbo shrimp salad. Just overpriced for the amount of seafood you actually get. Nice atmosphere with multiple TVs showing NFL games. Dog friendly!
6. Pacific Coast Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 711 reviews
Now on the ocean in Cardiff, PCG is a hip and artistic trip for your senses. Feast on extraordinary Pacific Coast Cuisine in visually stunning surroundings. The Pacific Coast Grill is a place to see and be seen and most of all, to enjoy.
Reviewed By Patty8888 - Encinitas, California
You cannot beat the location: It’s right on the beach and the views are wonderful. Decor is attractive with an upscale beach vibe. Service is good. But the food is meh.
The menu tries hard. The items are trendy and there are many intriguing options. Our fried calamari rings appetizer was great—not greasy and with a nice dipping sauce. Likewise, the guacamole and chips hit the mark. However, the today’s special I ordered—Seafood Risotto—had what was a lovely assortment of seafood swimming in a watery risotto. Said risotto was closer to Uncle Ben’s instant rice with no risotto characteristic whatsoever. It wasn’t plump, it wasn’t nutty, it wasn’t flavorful. It was, in fact, utterly tasteless.
I almost gave the place just 3 stars but they gave our party of 9 a private room with our own private balcony overlooking the water, and that was divine.
Nevertheless, this is the second time I’ve been here and neither time have I felt good about the food.
7. Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Giorgio's Ristorante and Pizzeria was formerly the Vigilucci's Pizzeria.
Reviewed By KFM214 - San Diego, California
This has got to be one of the most authentic trattorie on the SD coastline. We have been there for lunch and for dinner, and the food was right on the money on either occasion. BUT, should you wish to engage in normal conversation, skip the evening hours. This place was hopping and jammed for Happy Hour at 6PM on a Saturday. A very loud and seemingly happy crowd. The red sauce for the pasta is just what you might sample in Italy but the gnocchi were disappointing... not worth the price. The server was professional, pleasant, and accommodating. In short, I would return for a leisurely lunch, when the noise level is at its lowest (weekdays anyway), since this is not a place that fosters intimacy.
8. The 3rd Corner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By malcolmh874 - St.George UT, United States
We met cousins here for an impromptu dinner. My wife and cousin's wife both had the duck dish, I had a spicy Shrimp Arrabiata and my cousin had a lamb dish. we were all very delighted with the food and with the nature of this restaurant. It is a wine store so you can go shop for your wine, bring it to the table and they then will cork it for you ($5 corkage fee - bring your own bottle opener?). Very reasonable prices on both wine and food. Most of it is A La Carte so lots of choices. Waitstaff is ok, some are a bit stiff, but most are very friendly.
9. Le Papagayo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By Wanderlustlove22 - Oceanside, California
I came here for a going away party. There were about ten of us and we made reservations. The hostess was swamped when we arrived as there was only one.
Once our table was ready, we were seated promptly with menus and water. We all ordered drinks and, man, were they stiff! If you want a strong drink, this is the place to get it. The sangria was also phenomenal!
In our party, we had the lamb, salmon, paella, bbq pork, wahine salad, and lobster ravioli. Everyone raved about their dishes!
The service was good and our server was busy but helpful. I will definitely be back!
10. Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Lotus Cafe is dedicated to serving fresh, healthy, natural food at affordable prices, prepared with love, simplicity, and a joyful heart. Our ingredients are sourced with care and are always natural. My husband and I, who are the owners of Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar, have been long-time vegetarians (21+ years). We wanted to create a place where vegans, vegetarians, and my own family (who are not all vegetarians) could come and happily share a meal together. While Lotus is predominantly a vegetarian restaurant, we also offer many fish, chicken, and Turkey options, with a fish special every night; there is also a Turkey burger for our non-vegetarian patrons. Lotus Cafe is casual and affordable; you place your order at the counter, get your table number, and on your way to your table collect your napkins, utensils, condiments, and help yourself to water at one of the condiment counters. Pick the table of your choice, and a food runner will bring your food out to you. We have ample seating both inside and outside, with a patio in back and seating that wraps around the side and front of the cafe if you prefer to be outdoors. We feel very blessed to be so whole-heartedly embraced and supported by our wonderful local Encinitas community; and we are also deeply appreciative of our loyal following of out-of-town visitors and regulars! If you looking at the TripAdvisor website because you are traveling, we wish you a blessed and beautiful journey, filled with much Joy, Inspiration, Peace, and Well-being! Blessings, johanna & carl
Reviewed By Rhristou - Sandy, UT
We stopped here for a late lunch, and it was a great find. The restaurant specializes in healthy food options and they do a terrific job making everything attractive and tasty.Thanks a lot! We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you at Lotus again!
