North County and Around Restaurants

Dining in the North County tends to reflect the land where the restaurant is located. Along the coast, for example, there is one luxury fine-dining spot after another. Most have dramatic water views and offer platters of exquisite fare created by graduates of the best culinary schools. Right next door you can wander into a typical beach shack or diner for the juiciest hamburger you’ve ever tasted. Locally sourced food can be found at restaurants throughout the area, although a few chefs have adopted molecular gastronomic techniques. Backcountry cuisine is generally served in huge portions and tends toward home-style cooking, steak and potatoes, burgers, and anything fried.

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  • 1. Grange Garden

    $

    Get ready for a true French garden experience, where you can sip espresso, pluck flowers from galvanized buckets, and even hold a bunny. This flower shop-meets-café experience has lite bites and pastries that will have you sinking your teeth into a flaky croissant and saying “merci!”

    240 S Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, USA
    858-342--0565

    Known For

    • Flower shop-meets-café
    • French pastries
    • Bunny experience for kids

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 2. Julian Pie Company

    $

    The apple pies that made Julian famous come from the Smothers family bakery in a one-story house on Main Street. In pleasant weather you can sit on the front patio and watch the world go by while savoring a slice of hot pie—from Dutch apple to apple mountain berry crumb—topped with homemade cinnamon ice cream. The Smothers family has been making pies in Julian since 1986; by 1989 the family had bought its own orchard, and by 1992 it had built a larger bakery in Santa Ysabel that makes and serves only pies. Arrive by 9 to avoid the lines that wrap around the building.

    2225 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
    760-765–2449

    Known For

    • Sweet Dutch apple pie
    • Frozen uncooked pies to go
    • Apple cider doughnuts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 3. Julian Tea & Cottage Arts

    $$$

    Sample finger sandwiches, scones topped with whipped cream, and lavish sweets, which are served during afternoon tea inside the Clarence King House, built by Will Bosnell in 1898. Regular sandwiches, soups, salads, and a children's tea are also available. Seatings are at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm. The attached shop sells soaps, cards, stationary, books, linens, and all things tea.

    2124 3rd St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
    760-765–0832

    Known For

    • Homemade lemon curd and scones
    • Bottomless tea
    • Charming turn-of-the-century home

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner, Reservations essential
  • 4. Soups & Such Cafe

    $

    It's worth the wait for breakfast or lunch at this cozy café, where everything is fresh and made to order. The breakfast standout is eggs Benedict, both classic and vegetarian. For lunch you can choose among several classic salads and homemade soups.

    2000 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
    760-765–4761

    Known For

    • Combo soup, salad, and sandwich for $15
    • Fresh and fast food
    • Homemade soups

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No dinner
  • 5. Thyme in the Ranch

    $

    Put your phone down and lose track of time—or thyme—at this darling cottage in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe. Owner-chef Keely Barrera has created quite the spread with artisan-baked goods made with locally sourced ingredients like the homemade muffins that blend blueberry with bran or raspberry with mango. Grab a scone or sweet bread to go, or stay for the savory Mediterranean quiche, albacore tuna salad, or old-fashioned turkey meat loaf; the focaccia sandwiches are guilt-free with locally grown avocado, tomatoes, and eggplant. If available, snag a table on the patio overlooking the rose garden.

    16905 Av. de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, California, 92067, USA
    858-759–0747

    Known For

    • Fruit muffins
    • Savory brunch items
    • Garden setting

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner.
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