San Diego County boasts an impressive coastline with a distinct culinary scene you won’t find anywhere else. There is so much to explore such as local farmers markets, authentic Mexican dishes, California-style pizza, fresh seafood and locally produced wine and beer. Here’s a sampling of our favorites in San Diego categorized by neighborhood.
Carlsbad Restaurants
Referred to as the “Village by the Sea”, the city of Carlsbad has built a reputation as a leading dining destination not just in North County but San Diego in general. You will find plenty of casual eating spots and family-friendly establishments along with some sophisticated dining options, including one of the county’s only Michelin-starred restaurants. Discover some amazing places to eat within walking distance or a short drive to your vacation rental and see what is drawing locals and visitors alike to Carlsbad.
THE GOODS
Serving up artisan doughnuts crafted with the finest Locally sourced ingredients, The Goods is a must for doughnut lovers. Everything is made in-house and baked in batches throughout the day, ensuring their doughnuts are always fresh. And with gluten-free and vegan varieties available, everyone can enjoy a treat. Try the Nutella Buttercream Cruffin which is a croissant in muffin form filled with Nutella buttercream. The s’mores doughnut is a nostalgic tribute to summer beach bonfires with marshmallow smores. Another delicious, melt-in-your mouth doughnut is the Brown Butter doughnut. And if you like coffee, they proudly serve Stumptown Coffee.
CAFÉ TOPES
Located one block from Carlsbad Village Drive, Café Topes provides a warm and friendly atmosphere along with classic breakfasts with a twist. Try the Crack & Eggs – A buttered English muffin piled with cuts of the local Seaside Market’s “Cardiff crack” a tumbled Burgundy tri-tip cooked to your favorite temp, a hot poached egg resting on top and blanketed in hollandaise. And of course, the cinnamon roll is a local favorite. Ordering it “dirty” is going to double the icing.
BOARD & BREW
Known for its simple, straightforward menu and consistent everyday value, Board & Brew serves real ingredients that are delivered fresh daily. No preservatives, no substitutes, no frozen meats – just pure, healthy deliciousness. This is a great place to grab sandwiches to take to the beach.
THE PLOT EXPRESS
The Plot is an award-winning restaurant founded in Oceanside, California. They make delicious, satisfying and sometimes boundary-pushing food that is completely plant-based, while celebrating zero waste practices. It is hard to believe some of their dishes are completely plant-based. At this express location, you can grab amazing dishes such as the “superior crunchwrap” or the “seasonal garden harvest bowl” to go.
REVOLUTION ROASTERS
Revolution is a specialty coffee shop with scratch-made pastries and food. They roast their coffee weekly and make all their sauces and syrups from scratch. They proudly serve Straus Organic Milk, and their house-made pastries are baked fresh every morning. Vegan, gluten free, and organic options are available throughout their bakery, kitchen, and coffee menus. Be sure to grab a bag of their Espresso blend “Smooth Operator” to take home.
NICK’S ON STATE
Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. This intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Be sure to try the deviled eggs and shrimp taquitos.
CAMPFIRE
Campfire is a buzzy indoor/outdoor locale serving wood-fired American fare & cocktails amid camping decor. Be sure to try the charred broccoli and you have to get the s’mores for dessert, which is fun for the kiddos as you get to roast your own marshmallows.
PIZZA PORT
This local pizza chain is known for its craft brews, popular with families, beer fans & surfers alike. You can find classic pizzas here or get out of your comfort zone and try something like the “spicy Mediterranean pizza”.
GELATO LOVE
Gelatolove is completely handmade and is created with organic/natural ingredients. One small cup of this amazing Italian ice cream (4 oz) contains less than 5 grams of added sugar. They also serve vegan and gluten free ice cream.
Mention Haustay10 for 10% off!
STELLA JEANS
This small-batch ice cream shop utilizes real ingredients to produce the best ice cream flavors and they’re always cooking up fresh new flavors for all to enjoy including vegan and gluten free ice cream.
CARRUTH CELLARS
If you love wine, Carruth Cellars is the place to go! As a local winery, they take pride in acquiring the best grapes from Sonoma County and making high-end wines by the beach. Their wine tasting room is open daily where you can enjoy wine tastings by the glass, tasting flight, or to go.
PURE PROJECT
Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village on bustling State Street, this location has it all. From on-site aging in oak barrels, to west-facing views and even an open-air patio with our Hong Kong Orchid tree lending a distinctly tropical “Biergarten” vibe. Specifically designed to make you feel like you are sitting on a large porch whether sitting inside or out, the 5 roll-up doors open the space to invite the bustling activity in. They are both dog and kid-friendly–bring the whole family!
Del Mar & Solana Beach
Don’t miss out on some of the best restaurants in San Diego while staying in Del Mar or Solana. Some are even walking distance to your Haustay vacation rental.
CLAIRE’S ON CEDROS
A quaint homey vibe with a back patio for outdoor dining. They offer breakfast entrees, sandwiches, coffee and baked goods.
STRATFORD COURT CAFÉ
For decades, locals and visitors have enjoyed this home-style cuisine and the warm cozy atmosphere of the Stratford Court Café. This cozy café in a circa-1900 house with a deck is a family-owned and operated business, serving up breakfast, sandwiches and coffee drinks.
BRIGANTINE
With ocean views and overlooking the Del Mar Racetrack, the Brigantine casual seafood chain serving up surf 'n' turf, oysters on the half shell, fish tacos & more. Be sure to try those fish tacos! Some of the best around.
JAKES DEL MAR
Jake's Del Mar is truly an unforgettable beachfront dining experience. Situated right on the sand in the picturesque town of Del Mar, Jake's floor to ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the beach and ocean. The menu showcases clean, eclectic flavors and local, sustainable products.
LOFTY COFFEE
Stylish coffee shop serving beverages crafted from locally roasted beans, plus pastries & cafe fare.
MARKET RESTAURANT + BAR
At MARKET Restaurant + Bar, Chef/Proprietor Carl Schroeder's passion for product-driven cuisine inspires him to change the menu daily. The food is complemented with casual, yet upscale service by a well-trained staff. Schroeder's passion for perfection and the spontaneous nature of what is available are showcased in their daily changing menu. It isn’t oceanfront, but this place is something special that you won’t forget.
ALCE 101
Fashionable spot with a terrace offering farm-to-table dishes & cocktails, plus happy-hour specials. They are Southern California's first real farm-to-table Southwest restaurant offering the highest quality tequila and mezcal being produced in Jalisco's Guadalajara and Highlands regions.
MONARCH OCEAN PUB
Great place for an ocean view and located in downtown Del Mar, they serve burgers, salads, soups & sharing plates in a relaxed restaurant with happy-hour deals.
VIEWPOINT BREWING COMPANY
Located in the coastal town of Del Mar, CA, Viewpoint is a 7,000 square-foot brewery and restaurant featuring a full-service serving familiar dishes reinterpreted. Head brewer Moe Katomski provides Viewpoint's 20 taps with a mix of eclectic house-brewed styles. The expansive indoor/outdoor space offers pristine views of the San Dieguito Lagoon from all vantage points, providing the ideal family and dog-friendly gathering landscape.
Encinitas
The city of Encinitas has so much to offer, from the amazing beaches 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.
THE WAVERLY
The Waverly is an all-day cafe serving Progressive American cuisine with a European influence. Located in beautiful Cardiff by The Sea, Waverly is a full-service restaurant with a full bar and specialty cocktails. Try the Breakfast Rice Bowl and the Funfetti pancakes.
GOODONYA
Located on the 101, GOODONYA is all about making REAL food and drinks that help you feel GOOD. They have one of the largest organic menus out there and have a super laid-back SoCal vibe.
CRACKSHACK
This family-friendly restaurant serves up fried chicken fare and has a sand pit for the kiddos, while 28 taps are constantly pouring out San Diego's best craft beers. The proximity to the beach and the open-air dining room gives this location a true SoCal vibe. With ample parking and curbside pick-up spots right out front, it's also ideal as quick, convenient and high-quality takeout.
THE TACO STAND
Inspired by the taco stands of Tijuana and many adventures along the Baja Peninsula, The Taco Stand offers handmade tortillas and the freshest ingredients to make guacamole and salsa from scratch daily. Besides amazing tacos and burritos, they also serve up Mexican flavored popsicles, imported beer and Rosarito-style churros. Be prepared for a line.
BETTER BUZZ
Better Buzz Encinitas is an open and inviting space where customers can enjoy their coffees at custom-made community tables, bar tops, and various smaller tables throughout the cafe. Signature Better Buzz phrasing is also sprinkled throughout the venue like “Coffee first,” “Buzz Life” and “Morning Drug.”
PANNIKIN COFFEE & TEA
Serving the community with all of its coffee and tea needs since 1968 and in the heart of Leucadia, this family owned and operated business roasts coffee and bakes daily for all four of its San Diego locations. Built in 1888 the Pannikin is located in this historic Santa Fe Railroad Station on historic Coast Highway 101.
VAGA
Located in the Alila Hotel, VAGA offers modern creations prepared with the finest local and sustainably sourced ingredients from nearby farms and waters. The menu is Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda’s love letter to her hometown, featuring flavorful dishes infused with regional cultural influences. The view is amazing and a great spot to visit for a beautiful sunset.
HERB & SEA
Blending classic East Coast culinary traditions with a modern Californian sensibility, Herb & Sea is Chef Brian Malarkey’s companion restaurant to the much-loved Herb & Wood in Little Italy. The restaurant has quickly become one of the most sought-after tables in town, with a menu that celebrates simple, clean, and bright flavors.
BUONA FORCETTA
Buona Forchetta Encinitas blends award winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable space. This location boasts indoor seating as well as an outside patio. Inside, a gilded oven churns out classic creations, while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entree dishes.
THE BAKED BEAR
At The Baked Bear, they assemble monstrous ice cream sandwiches that have won the hearts of locals and drawn accolades from Forbes, Eater, Thrillist, and more. Original-recipe ice cream is held together by fresh-baked cookies and brownies. The Baked Bear has over a dozen original-recipe cookies and ice cream flavors, giving guests a chance to mix and match to find their favorite combination. Before they’re served, the sandwiches can be rolled through toppings ranging from Fruity Pebbles to Oreo crumble, giving them an Instagram-worthy touch.
SOLTERRA WINERY
Solterra offers delicious Mediterranean style tapas and entrees that pair well with the wines that they produce. They crush about 70 tons of grapes every harvest on the premises and diners on the weekends can dine amongst the barrels. They source grapes from Sonoma County, Lake County, Paso Robles, San Diego County, and Baja Mexico. The wines have won Golds and 6 Best of Class awards at top competitions.
MODERN TIMES
This Encinitas location features a full menu of delicious plant-based cuisine & over 30 taps of mind-bendingly tasty beverages. This location boasts a full mini mart where you can buy coffee, beer to go, and a host of sundry merchandise. They welcome all ages, but tasting rooms are 21+ (children under 12 are okay, as long as they are well supervised).
Oceanside
Oceanside has come a long way in recent years and the dining scene here is almost overwhelming with so many options. The dining scene has everything from craft beer and coal-fired pizza to locally sourced farm fare and a Michelin star restaurant.
TOASTED GASTROBRUNCH
Buzzy locale for brunch, cocktails & an espresso bar, plus outdoor seating around a fire pit.
STRATFORD AT THE HARBOR
This cheerful dockside eatery serves classic egg & pancake options, plus burgers & sandwiches. They pride themselves on creating a family atmosphere where everyone feels like an Oceanside local. And when your belly is full, you can walk the entire harbor on foot.
HELLO BETTY FISH HOUSE
Sprawling space with a beachy vibe serving up SoCal staples such as fish tacos & oysters. They also have a rooftop lounge. Whether you’ve just left the beach or want a cold beer while enjoying the ocean view, watching the surf and sunset, the Rooftop Lounge is the place to be in Oceanside.
LOCAL TAP HOUSE & KITCHEN
Hotspot with global dishes, craft beers & cocktails in rustic-chic surrounds with outdoor tables. Their generous portions of savory comfort food with a twist have cemented LTH as one of North County’s top eateries. With seasonal menu changes, creative cocktails, and rotating beer taps, they believe they have perfected the harmonization of local style and delicious food.
REVOLUTION ROASTERS
Located on the 101, Revolution Roasters is a local favorite for good reason. Revolution Roasters has been roasting beans since 2009, plus creating made-from-scratch sauces and syrups used in latte drinks. The perfectly crafted bevvies all go great with pastries, like pop-tarts in cinnamon brown sugar, strawberry lavender, and other seasonal flavors like pineapple hibiscus.
MARKET RESTAURANT + BAR
At MARKET Restaurant + Bar, Chef/Proprietor Carl Schroeder's passion for product-driven cuisine inspires him to change the menu daily. The food is complemented with casual, yet upscale service by a well-trained staff. Schroeder's passion for perfection and the spontaneous nature of what is available are showcased in their daily changing menu. It isn’t oceanfront, but this place is something special that you won’t forget.
COOMBER WINES
Located in Oceanside, CA., this tasting room is an ideal spot to spend a relaxing afternoon or evening with friends and family. A favorite among locals and visitors alike, you are in for an unforgettable experience while enjoying the bold flavors of craft wines. There is also live music almost every day of the week.
BAGBY BEER COMPANY
Brewer Jeff Bagby and his wife, Dande, own this sprawling complex that houses a brewery and full kitchen. They also serve cocktails and wine for the non-beer drinkers. The kitchen bills itself as full-scratch, making everything in-house except for bread and tortillas, which are sourced locally.
