Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Top Restaurants in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Top Things to do in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Most Popular Restaurants in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, usually referred to as Cardiff, is a beach community located in Encinitas, bordering Solana Beach to the south in San Diego County, California. The Pacific Ocean is to the west of Cardiff, Encinitas on its east and north, and a beach and lagoon on its south. With a population of under 12,000, Cardiff-by-the-Sea operates as part of the city of Encinitas, but unlike the other communities that comprise Encinitas, has its own ZIP code (92007).
Things to do in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
1. V.G. Donut & Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By WontonTomatos - Solana Beach, California
I am here almost every week early morning. If you're there too early sometimes the selection is limited but they're slinging it all day long. Really can't go wrong with this old school doughnut shop. Cakes, breads, rolls and more. Its a Cardiff icon.
2. Pannikin Encinitas Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By cathi r - Boca Raton, Florida
This iconic coffee shop has a tremendous atmosphere positioned in a lovely old house with seating on the lawn. A great place to read the newspaper on a Sunday morning (do people still get a newspaper). But the service is substandard. The atmosphere makes up for it a couple of times and then you just mosey on down to a Better Buzz where you can get coffee without attitude
3. Claire's on Cedros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
We are a cafe and bakery located in the heart of Solana Beach. We specialize in fresh, homemade, California-style comfort food as well as a variety of homemade breads, pastries and desserts. We are family friendly, dog friendly, and most of all just plain friendly, so come on in and check us out!
Reviewed By mbcaldwell
Great friendly place to eat. Decorated with fun twists like lights that look like birds nests and chandelier near kitchen that is made out of large kitchen whisks. Outside dining area fantastic in a warm day.
Had Claire’s lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberries. They were amazing. Poached eggs perfectly cooked. They always give you a little shortbread cookie for each person after your meal.
Visit Claire’s Too in their parking lot for a latte or mocha while you wait for your table. The are pulling shots of Bird Rock Coffee (local roaster in La Jolla).
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. Lofty Coffee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Tattalat - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Lofty coffee in encinitas as well as all their locations always delivers Fab coffee and delectable homemade pastry. People flock here from the surrounding areas to wait in line in the morning for the best coffee in San Diego. New location downtown in Little Italy as well as their Solana Beach location and the first in Encinitas. How good is it? Just the BEST!
Lattes to die for , croissants from heaven, the peach croissant is Unbelievable betcha can’t eat just one.
Good solid tasty breakfast selections, Special and a must when u get a chance. Great Coffee.!
8. Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Robonski - Carlsbad, CA
Oh my goodness, Handel’s ice cream is absolutely delicious! Sure, you wait in line for about 20-25 minutes, but it is worth every second of waiting. My friend and I want in a Saturday evening around 7:30 and waited in line for about 20 minutes. My ice cream order was banana cream pie & Oreo dough (both delish!) and my friend ordered Oreo dough & birthday cake. We both got them in waffle cups (hers had sprinkles). The total was only $12 for both of ours, which is a great price for all that you get! I would go again in a heartbeat! You should too!
9. 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.
10. 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.
