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For authentic Italian cuisine, head to the “Good Fork” where you'll feel like you've stepped into the home of your long-lost Italian relatives, no matter where you’re from. Nearly every dish—Neapolitan-style pies, eggplant Parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, vegetarian ravioli—is made from scratch, with many of the ingredients imported from Italy; even the star of the show, “Isabella,” their golden-domed pizza oven, was handmade in Naples. The pizzas are your go-to though, with their blistered crust, fresh toppings, and artisan-cooking techniques that make them perfect to fold, bite, and eat.
250 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, 92024, USA
Known For
- Neapolitan-style pizza
- Homemade Italian desserts
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options
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One of the fastest-growing companies in the United States, Stone staked out a hilltop overlooking Escondido to create, brew, and sell its beloved craft beer in a gorgeous, solar-run facility. Thirty-six craft and specialty beers are always on tap in the tasting bar and the bistro, which has indoor and garden seating for lunch and dinner, where you can dine on an ingenious menu that features honey-sriracha quail knots, hemp seed pretzels, and the plant-based Impossible Burger; save room for a real beer float. The company store offers signature items; check their website for weekly events.
1999 Citracado Pkwy., Escondido, California, 92029, USA
Known For
- Real beer floats
- Brewery tours offered twice daily at 2 and 4 pm.
- Farm-to-table bistro food
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It's lively, it's casual, and it's the coolest spot to share tapas with a date over a glass of wine. This Leucadia-based bistro turns heads with its black-and-white decor, as does the Spanish-meets-Mediterranean menu inspired by the owners’ travels. Start off with oysters and bite-size cubes of patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and keep the plates coming with the authentic jamon ibérico, seared artichokes, and shrimp bathed in chili oil. Don't be afraid to eat with your hands and sweep dishes clean with their house-made bread.
810 N Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, 92024, USA
Known For
- Tapas menu great for sharing
- Ideal date spot
- Weekend brunch 11–2:30
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This local watering hole seems to collect characters ranging from hippies to mountain men and is the place to go any night of the week. A large, dimly lighted room houses the bar and dining tables, and the menu lists pasta and pizza in addition to old-fashioned entrées such as liver and onions, ribs and steaks, and a mixed grill. Dinners come with soup or salad, and mashed potatoes and vegetables. There's live music Friday and Saturday at 8 pm.
660 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Classic entrées
- Long-standing roadhouse
- Extensive menu
- Good buffalo wings, burgers, and ribs
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An offshoot of Bankers Hill's Cucina Urbana, enoteca occupies a grand two-story space in the Flower Hill Promenade shopping center and is as notable for its whimsical decor—antler chandeliers, burlap-wrapped chairs, and more than 400 horse figurines honor the restaurant's proximity to the Thoroughbred Club—as it is for its beloved Italian food. There are many familiar favorites like the creamy polenta board and pizzas, as well as unique enoteca plates, including short-rib pappardelle, and chicken fra diavolo. The bustling bar and on-site wine shop serve more than 200 varietals, all sold table-side at retail, plus a $10 corkage fee (waved on Sunday). For a little zucchero in your life, try the chocolate panna cotta with mascarpone cream.
2730 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Wines at retail
- Tuesday–Friday deals 4–6 pm
- Gardenlike second-floor seating area
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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This meat-focused eatery fills bellies with farm-to-table artisanal cuisine like bacon mac and cheese, and a 12-ounce pork chop served over house grits. Add a sunny-side-up farm egg to your burger, chop, shank, or house-made pasta, and if you’re into sauces, the chef is on point with lick-your-plate gravies with garlic, onions, and herbs. Burgers and sandwiches come with hot truffle fries served in a brown paper bag, stylistically in line with the quirky-rustic decor made from repurposed materials. The Flying Pig is a member of the Slow Food movement, meaning food is fresh, not fast.
509 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Elevated comfort food with craft beers on tap
- House-made pasta, bread, and bacon
- Natural prime-grade steaks seared in a cast-iron skillet
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Julian's most upscale restaurant has gained a solid reputation thanks to the chef's commitment to quality cuisine reflected in the farm-to-table menu. Although the menu features grilled steak and locally grown pork and veggies, the stars are rack of lamb, bison meat loaf, and some of the best burgers around.
4354 Hwy. 78, Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Live music weekend nights
- Flash-fried Brussels sprouts
- On-site sommelier and full bar
- Family run
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Wed.
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$$ | | Vegetarian
Veggies with a view could be the subtitle for this venerable Cardiff-by-the-Sea restaurant that grew from a simple juice shack. Ki's is well known for heart-healthy, gluten-free, vegan, locally sourced, ovo-lacto, vegetarian-friendly dishes like huevos rancheros, filling tofu scrambles, taco plates, chopped salads with feta and nuts, watermelon juice, and carrot ice-cream smoothies. The menu also includes turkey wraps piled on wheat bread and dinner entrées such as Thai seafood curry, roasted Jidori chicken, or Asian salmon salad on a bed of organic greens, all prepared with minimal fat. Get a table up top for incomparable ocean views, but be prepared for a wait, as service is rather slow.
2591 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, 92007, USA
Known For
- Healthy vegan and gluten-free menu
- Yummy Asian-inspired dishes
- Popular post-surfing spot across from the beach
- Heaping Açai bowls
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Veggies with a view could be the subtitle for this venerable Cardiff restaurant that grew from a simple juice shack. Ki’s is well known for heart-healthy, gluten-free, vegan, locally sourced, ovo-lacto, vegetarian-friendly dishes like huevos rancheros, filling tofu scrambles, taco plates, chopped salads with feta and nuts, seasonal juice, and carrot ice-cream smoothies. From 4 to 8 pm, the menu takes a step forward with macadamia-coconut mahimahi, miso-glaze salmon, and filet mignon topped with a mushroom Cabernet sauce.
2591 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, 92007, USA
Known For
- Healthy vegan and gluten-free menu
- Yummy Asian-inspired dishes
- Popular postsurfing spot across from the beach
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$$ | Del Mar |
Over the past decade, this coveted ocean-view spot in Del Mar has seen restaurants come and go, but finally Monarch did it right by transforming an 8,000-square-foot facility into dining space, an entertainment venue, and a sundeck for patrons and their pups. Inside, the California coastal menu itself is as cool as the 1970s decor, with rattan furniture and a poster of Tom Selleck greeting you at the door; outside a bridge connects the restaurant to “Monarch Park” where grab-'n'-go goodies can be enjoyed with live music Thursday–Sunday. Good luck wrapping your mouth around the short rib pastrami sandwich, brined for five days and piled high on toasted marbled rye. There’s no skimping on the lobster and shrimp roll, and the boat fries are perfect for scooping homemade ranch or aioli dip. Burgers, salads, and wood-fired smoked wings are just the right portions to save room for the Hawaiian doughnuts with Tahitian vanilla gelato.
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Happy hour $6 deals weekdays 4–6 pm
- Dragonfruit margaritas
- Community-centric place to connect
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Local families flock here for great pizza and handcrafted brews, which started in 1987 when siblings, Gina and Vince Marsaglia, bought a struggling pizza place in Solana Beach. Following the success of this original location, they've opened branches in Carlsbad, San Clemente, Ocean Beach, Bressi Ranch, and Imperial Beach. Pick a spot at one of the long picnic-type tables, choose traditional, gluten-free, or whole-grain beer crust for your pie and any original topping—such as the Monterey, with pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts—and tip back a brew from one of the longest boutique lists in San Diego.
135 N. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Handcrafted beer and whole-grain beer crust
- Popular postwork spot
- Family-friendly dining
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A wine bar ambience and a simple menu set the tone for the unpretentious creations of chef Trevor Chappell. Shareable plates and innovative sides complement an impressive new-world wine list that includes more than 250 blends, plus four of their own beers on tap from Mason Ale Works. You can't go wrong with the house-smoked brisket or the pastrami with gruyere on rye.
16765 Bernardo Center Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128, USA
Known For
- Flourless chocolate cake
- Plates to share
- Signature sandwiches
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In 1976, a fisherman and captain teamed up to deliver fresh, quality seafood at a decent price. Today, they run four restaurants across California including this North County branch that lacks an ocean view but makes up for it with perfectly cooked fish and simple preparations from a menu that changes daily. You can't go wrong with their famous crab cioppino or their garlic prawn linguine. The baked oysters and clam chowder are perfect on those rare June gloom days. The scene is lively, crowded, and noisy—it's a great place to bring the kids.
640 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Delicious clam chowder and crisp fish-and-chips
- Crab cioppino
- Happy hour 3–6 on weekdays
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California native Blythe Wilson and Sardinian-born chef Pietro Cinus met while Wilson was exploring the Tuscan countryside and together they brought all things Italian to Temecula. Grab a seat at a wooden table—built by the chef—and try gnocchi, ravioli, and soft breads all made by hand; the bustling scratch kitchen integrates spicy sausage and aged pecorino imported from Italy. The carpaccio di polpo (octopus) is bathed in olive oil, and the risotto is mixed with a medley of fresh seafood.
41789 Nicole La. B1, Temecula, California, USA
Known For
- Dishes from Tuscany and Sardinia
- Special three-course dinners
- Tiramisu and panna cotta with citrus coulis made with lemons from chef’s garden
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch weekdays
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Don't let its location above the Lexus dealership dissuade you; this swanky restaurant is part of the Cohen Restaurant empire and it's designed as three restaurants in one: a formal glass-walled dining room; a lively patio with firepits and cabanas; and the lobby bar with leather couches and a wine shop. No matter where you dine, try the macadamia-crusted sea bass or the pork chop with maple bourbon sauce, followed with a cocktail using one of the more than 125 vodkas. For something different, come for “Tuesday Date Night,” which features two entrées and a bottle of wine ($70).
1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido, California, 92029, USA
Known For
- Tuesday Date Night deals
- Nightly specials
- Large portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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