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Before dawn, owner and chef Narciso Dorado preps all of Carmelita's meat, sauces, and sides to create the generous portions served at this friendly family-run eatery tucked into a back corner of what is called "The Mall." Carmelita's draws locals and visitors all day whether it's for a hearty breakfast, a cooked-to-order enchilada or burrito, or a brew at the bar. If you're still hungry, they'll serve you plenty of chips and salsa. It's the best place to escape the heat with a margarita on the rocks.
575 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Reasonably priced menu
- Large portions
- Festive cantina
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Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig into wholesome food made from scratch like organic quinoa Benedict, multigrain pancakes, and French toast stuffed with fresh ricotta. Built from reclaimed wood and salvaged bricks, the eatery has a green roof, solar panels, and is insulated with recycled denim—all of which helped it earn platinum LEED status. Breakfast is served all day, but you can opt for sandwiches, salads, and burgers for lunch. You also can’t go wrong with the Thai steak salad made with grass-fed Angus or the cucumber and avocado sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips. The attached grab-and-go bakery opens at 7 am for train commuters. There is even a doggie menu for patio-side pooches.
246 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Scratch kitchen
- California-style comfort food
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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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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The parking lot in front of D'Carlos is always full, a sure sign that Ramonans like this casual family-style dinner house. The menu offers something for everyone: burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, barbecue, seafood, and pasta. Old-time favorites include chicken-fried steak and homemade meat loaf. Monday is all-day happy hour and daily drink specials feature up to 50% off cocktails. The place can feel chaotic, but friendly waitresses are surprisingly efficient. There's also patio dining in good weather.
1347 Main St., Ramona, California, 92065, USA
Known For
- Daily drink specials
- Homemade meat loaf
- Good variety
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The line out the door—especially during happy hour—is a clear sign you’re at the best place in North County to find locally sourced, sustainably caught fish at a great price. Owned by surfers-divers-fishermen, John Park and Ray Lowe, the vibe is SoCal at its best, with a chill staff serving fresh-shucked oysters, thick clam chowder, and fish sandwiches grilled to perfection; a chalkboard menu displays the day’s catch and what’s been shucked on ice. Fish plates like mahimahi with flash-fried Brussels sprouts and Baja fish tacos with killer salsas are great options. They've got wine on tap, their own micro brew, and a second location in Cardiff. Don’t be surprised to see pro surfers and skateboarders enjoying a cold one: Fish 101 sponsors some of the biggest names in action sports.
1468 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, 92024, USA
Known For
- SoCal vibe with amazing fish tacos
- Fresh and healthy seafood
- Seasonal, sustainable ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Fast-casual takes a healthy spin at this cheery spot—think Technicolor peace sign, floral wallpaper in the bathroom, and power-boosting juices. The menu evokes the same colorful vibe with bowls like the Mother Earth (ancient grains and sweet potato) or the glow bowl (sweet potato noodles, bok choy, shiitake mushroom, and coconut milk); soups; mix-and-match sides; wraps; and salads mixed with fresh ingredients like organic kale, ginger miso vinaigrette, and proteins that include sustainable salmon, grass-fed steak, and organic, non-GMO tofu.
2690 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Kid-friendly ambience
- House-made lemonades
- Mix-and-match healthy sides
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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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Pick up a basket of fresh-cooked fish-and-chips at this dive and you're in for a treat. The shop has been serving clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, and fish sandwiches since 1969. Trophies and photos of big catch are on display. Outdoor tables offer terrific views of the Oceanside Marina. Early risers and late-night diners should look elsewhere since this spot opens at 11 am closes at 7 pm.
276 S. Harbor Dr., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Crunchy, battered fish tacos piled high with coleslaw and secret sauce
- Great prices
- Affordable daily specials
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Overlooking the water in Oceanside, this beachside restaurant serves oysters, clam chowder, fish tacos, and several fresh catch options, which can be enjoyed from their rooftop lounge.
211 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Classic Baja SoCal food like margaritas and fish tacos
- Rooftop deck
- Taco Tuesday 3–9 pm
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Fans of Top Gun—or the 2022 Maverick comeback—can get a taste of the historic house featured in the original 1986 film. In 2023, the 100-year-old home was moved to its current beachfront location, which operates as a pie shop serving hot hand-held pies in cherry, apple, blueberry, and seasonal favorites.
250 N. Pacific St., Oceanside, California, USA
Known For
- Historic house
- Fresh hand-held pies
- Seasonal selections
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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Situated next to grassy Powerhouse Park, Jake's feels like Southern Californian dining at its best—a beachfront location coupled with beautiful ocean views and the freshest ingredients. In a true aloha spirit, friendly servers are ready to tempt with cucumber margaritas and starters like macadamia-crusted calamari as well as items from the main menu, which is split "by garden," "by sea," and "by land," with options like the seafood pot, the chef's burger, and the barbecued ribs. Just steps from the sand, this is one of San Diego's best restaurants for mai tai sunsets.
1660 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Prime beachfront location
- Iconic Hula Pie dessert, a thick wedge of macadamia nut ice cream on a chocolate cookie crust that's topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts
- Sunday brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch on Mon.
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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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Don't let the bars on the windows or the illuminated billboard covered in skate stickers deter you, as the line of hungry surfers-in-waiting is a sure sign you've found the best taco bar in town. Tacos are served on paper plates and burritos are rolled in parchment paper—you'll need both hands to hold these bad boys—at this no-frills hole-in-the-wall that's open until midnight, but that makes it easier to munch street-side, or better yet, take your feast to the beach and ride on. The shredded meat is tender and the salsas have a kick.
290 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, 92024, USA
Known For
- Big portions at a great price
- Shredded chicken quesadillas
- Chorizo breakfast burrito
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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
Known For
- Sweet Dutch apple pie
- Frozen uncooked pies to go
- Apple cider doughnuts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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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
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
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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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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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In 1981, Señora Mendoza created a home-cooked menu that is still used today, making this one of North County's best Mexican restaurants. Across the street from Cardiff Beach---you can grab a margarita or some fish tacos before heading off to view surfers awaiting their next wave---expect big platters of fajitas, chiles rellenos, and chicken taquitos served with rice and beans.
2655 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, 92007, USA
Known For
- Fish tacos
- Authentic Mexican food
- Local craft beers
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Carl Schroeder, one of California's hottest young chefs, draws well-heeled foodies to his creative and locally sourced California fare, much of it with an Asian influence from his time in Japan. The three-course tasting menu changes regularly depending upon what's fresh, but Schroeder's seasonally inspired dishes have a playful spirit, whether it's a gorgonzola soufflé with strawberry-rhubarb compote, a grapefruit-avocado salad, or miso-glazed cod with ramen noodles and snap pea tempura. A well-edited wine list offers food-friendly wines by the best and brightest winemakers around the world. Desserts change monthly, if you're in luck, they'll be serving the strawberry crepes or the chocolate butterscotch tasting.
3702 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Cabernet-braised prime beef short rib
- Award-winning chef
- Well-edited wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Wealthy regulars who have dined at this elegant Rancho Santa Fe eatery since 1985 got a pleasant surprise when chef Brandon Jennings took over the kitchen in 2022, bringing a sophisticated take on their favorite comfort classics. Devotees can still enjoy Mille Fleurs favorites like Wiener schnitzel and lobster salad, but new highlights include seasonal dishes prepared with ingredients from neighboring Chino Farms like roasted dover sole with potato fondant, or veal porterhouse with roasted mushrooms. The quiet dining rooms are decorated like a French villa, and several servers will present your dish in flawless French. Save room for desserts by Executive pastry chef, Papa Moussa, which might include chocolate fondant, apple crumble tart, or homemade mini-pastries.
6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, California, 92067, USA
Known For
- Fresh produce from neighboring Chino Farms
- Authentic French desserts
- Soft jazz in the piano bar Wednesday–Saturday
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon., Reservations essential
