Where to eat American food in Cardiff-by-the-Sea: The Best Restaurants and Bars

July 20, 2020 Merry Kessler

Find out what American restaurants to try 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

10. Lobster West

765 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-4451 Seafood, American Lunch, Dinner Seating, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Discover, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards [email protected] +1 760-634-1684 http://www.lobsterwest.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 131 reviews

Lobster West

Lobster West is a family-owned restaurant ideal for individuals, couples, families, friend gatherings or larger groups of people!

Reviewed By Susie1028

This is a great option for New England style seafood in San Diego (lobster rolls, chowder, etc). The lobster roll was delicious. The bread was perfectly buttery, crispy, and soft. There was a good amount of lobster inside the roll, which was cold, but can be warmed on request. Price is pretty much in on par with other lobster roll places I've been to. You order at the counter, and can sit inside or outside.

9. Ki's Restaurant

2591 S Coast Highway, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007-2110 American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Full Bar, Waterfront [email protected] +1 760-436-5236 http://www.kisrestaurant.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 208 reviews

Ki's Restaurant

It is our goal to maintain a quality, customer-focused business by serving great tasting, nutritious food in a fun and friendly way. Every customer is special at Ki's. We have counter service dining for breakfast and lunch and at 4:30, we up the anti by h

Reviewed By Tattalat

Where would we be without Ki’s Been going there forever Always good healthy vegetarian and great fish, poultry and some nice beef choices. Something for everyone. Full bar, fun place for sushi Wed-SatGreat homemade salad dressing that many people love. Great soups every day, ocean view ,moderately priced ,and delicious The nicest family ,the Holcomb’s own and operate ki’s just as their mom did so many years ago. Smoothies breakfast etc etcA local resource and GemWhere would we be without Ki’s

8. Chart House

2588 South Coast Highway 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007 American, Seafood Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront [email protected] +1 760-436-4044 http://www.chart-house.com/locations/cardiff/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 533 reviews

Chart House

Chart House is a fine dining restaurant serving seafood & steak and famous for their spectacular views. For more than 50 years, Chart House has redefined the ideal dining experience. With 27 waterfront and showcase locations ranging from the historic to t

Reviewed By 11douglast

OK, so this is a bit of a chain and part of a huge food organization, but they have their thing down, from the valet park to the perky service. Terrific views on the beach. And our food was really good. We shared a poke bowl, which can be kind of a cliche, but was fresh and clean and not overly mixed. From the edame to the cucumber, seaweed, pickled ginger, tuna and even the crusted shell it was quite good. Perhaps a bit under seasoned, but that was appreciated. We each had one of the fish dishes with vegetables and rice. Each were good and well cooked. One was blackened and one simply prepared with a little olive oil. Both good. Vegetables terrific. We had raspberry sorbet for dessert which was tasty, but to be fair had a bit of ice in it. The sunset was magnificent.

7. Honey Bistro & Bakery

632 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-3539 American, Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible +1 760-942-5433 http://honeysbistro.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 124 reviews

Honey Bistro & Bakery

Reviewed By scooter_vista

The ABC quesadilla is delicious with Avocado.The Denver Eggs Benedict is also delicious. The restaurant is so busy and there are patio seating if you would like to bring your dog. Everything on the menu is great, live this restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The portion is huge and should be shared.

6. The 3rd Corner

897 S Coast Highway 101 Suite F-104, Encinitas, CA 92024-4442 Wine Bar, American Dinner, Lunch, Brunch, Late Night Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Full Bar [email protected] +1 760-942-2104 http://www.the3rdcorner.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 234 reviews

The 3rd Corner

Reviewed By jeannej77

The food is excellent so you might want to stay for dinner, but it is also magnificent for a drink after work with friends. Great ambiance, nice staff, lots of locals. I love the mussels and frites.

5. UNION Kitchen & Tap

1108 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-5003 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 760-230-2337 http://www.localunion101.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 292 reviews

UNION Kitchen & Tap

UNION Kitchen & Tap offers New American Cuisine in an inviting, warm, and comfortable restaurant setting. The frequently changing menu relies heavily on organic, local ingredients and offer a variety of options to choose from including seasonal salads, he

Reviewed By happytoberetired

Shares the Pesto Chicken Flatbread. It’s made with chicken, basil, oven roasted tomatoes, bacon, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, all on a flat bread. It came out looking like a pizza. It was just prefect to share for our mid day lunch. Nice open air interior. The on street parking is always a pain. Always busy.

4. Pacific Coast Grill

2526 S Coast Highway 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007 American, Bar, Seafood, Sushi, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Beach [email protected] +1 760-479-0721 http://www.pacificcoastgrill.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 842 reviews

Pacific Coast Grill

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 salesguytoo

Classic California restaurant full of entitled millennials to serve you. Arrived in the valet lot only to find and I’m noxious attendant that “welcomed us“ to the restaurant. We came to go to the upstairs bar but that was not open on a Saturday afternoon. We were Crammed into the dark, cold downstairs area as they probably didn’t have enough employees to work the full restaurant… Here’s the good news the ice was cold and so was the beer. We ordered a roll that had questionable texture on the raw fish. Not very flavorful… Deciding not to order additional items seem to irritate the waiter. Upon our decision to leave the valet attendant helped three different patrons that were behind us in line before they helped us. It then took over 15 minutes to bring my vehicle from some lot elsewhere. As a parting gift the valet obnoxiously asked for a tip. Overrated and entitled when there are many other places to go.

3. 101 Diner

552 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-3531 American, Cafe, Diner Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service [email protected] +1 760-753-2123 http://www.101diner.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 173 reviews

101 Diner

Reviewed By Jaa92129

We were in Encinitas for a training run from Moonlight Beach and this is very conveniently close to walk to from that parking lot. We received prompt and friendly service that kept the coffee flowing. But my favorite thing is you can order a single pancake (any flavor) and add eggs and bacon for a very reasonable price. Since I had just run 12 miles, I felt entitled to indulge in a banana and Nutella pancake with my eggs and bacon. OMG! Such deliciousness! Can't wait to go back.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, United States

2. Pipes Cafe

121 Liverpool Dr, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007-1823 American, Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Waterfront +1 760-632-0056 http://www.pipescafe.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 230 reviews

Pipes Cafe

Reviewed By ready314

There's always a line at Pipe's. It moves surprisingly fast, so that's not a problem. It's a rustic place, shabby but chic. The crowd there is composed of a raffish crew of beach bums and wealthy Californians, with an impressive canine contingent. Everybody gets along. The vibe is California Cool.The food. Very, very excellent. The service. Couldn't be better.Con't miss this place.

Most Popular Restaurants in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

1. UNION Kitchen & Tap

1108 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024-5003 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 760-230-2337 http://www.localunion101.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 292 reviews

UNION Kitchen & Tap

UNION Kitchen & Tap offers New American Cuisine in an inviting, warm, and comfortable restaurant setting. The frequently changing menu relies heavily on organic, local ingredients and offer a variety of options to choose from including seasonal salads, he

Reviewed By happytoberetired

Shares the Pesto Chicken Flatbread. It’s made with chicken, basil, oven roasted tomatoes, bacon, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, all on a flat bread. It came out looking like a pizza. It was just prefect to share for our mid day lunch. Nice open air interior. The on street parking is always a pain. Always busy.

Most Popular Italian food in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, California

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