North County and Around Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in North County and Around - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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55 Recommendations
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1. Addison
$$$$ | |Indulge in the finer things in life at this AAA 5-Diamond, Michelin-starred restaurant by acclaimed chef William Bradley who serves up haute French flavors in...
Indulge in the finer things in life at this AAA 5-Diamond, Michelin-starred restaurant by acclaimed chef William Bradley who serves up haute French flavors in his 4- and 10-course prix-fixe dinners. Beyond the swanky bar and wine cave is a sophisticated Tuscan-style dining room with intricately carved dark woods, marble pillars, and arched windows draped in red velvet. Course by course, servers seamlessly deliver royal dishes like Kumamoto oysters, mussels à la nage, and Osetra caviar with gold leaf. Remarkable entrées may include coffee-roasted duck or tender calotte de boeuf with escargot. While the menu changes seasonally, count on impressive presentation and a first-class dining experience that comes with a heavy price tag (10 courses, $275). Addison delights wine lovers with more than 3,500 varietals from around the world.
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar, California, 92130, USA858-314–1900Known For
- Decadent tasting menus
- The ultimate fine-dining experience
- Impeccable service
- San Diego’s first Michelin-starred restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
2. Buona Forchetta
$ | |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...
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. It's no wonder they taste so good; behind the culinary magic is Italian native and master Pizzaiolo Marcello who is a five-time World Pizza Champion.
250 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, 92024, USA760-704–8070Known For
- Neapolitan-style pizza
- Homemade Italian desserts
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options
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3. Jeune et Jolie
$$$ | |Say "bonjour" to this delightful French restaurant with a Breakfast at Tiffany’s vibe, where pink velvet booths and a center bar with an absinthe tower...
Say "bonjour" to this delightful French restaurant with a Breakfast at Tiffany’s vibe, where pink velvet booths and a center bar with an absinthe tower will leave you thinking you’ve died and gone to Paris. The French-inspired, SoCal-fueled menu changes with the season, but expect labor-of-love cuisine like pithiver (pastry pie) stuffed with heritage pork, pastured chicken, and sweetbread, or aged duck with parsnip and mushrooms; embrace the moment with the signature frogs' legs and savory escargot, or the fresh-shucked oysters. The five-course Starry Night tasting menu can be enjoyed beneath olive trees and twinkling stars.
2659 State St., Carlsbad, California, 92008, USA760-637–5266Known For
- Cocktails inspired by the French Belle Epoque
- Raw oyster bar
- Tasting menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. -
4. Moms Pie House
$ | |In 1984, “Mom” (aka Anita Nichols) opened her first pie shop in the old Julian Café building. People lined the streets for a slice of...
In 1984, “Mom” (aka Anita Nichols) opened her first pie shop in the old Julian Café building. People lined the streets for a slice of the guilty pleasure, known for its buttery crust, not-too-sweet filling with local apples, and commitment to quality. Two bakeries later—plus training at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute—the integrity of Mom’s pies remains the same. And although apple is the moneymaker, you can’t go wrong with peach, bumbleberry, or pecan pies, or other sweet treats like chocolate chip cookies and apple dumplings. For something savory, there are soups, salads, sandwiches, and chicken potpies. When the wait is too long at the Main Street location, head five minutes outside of town to Mom's Wynola on Highway 78, or better yet, call in your order and they will ship a pie right to your door.
2119 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA760-765–2472Known For
- Pressed apple cider
- Cinnamon ice cream
- Baking classes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
5. Romano's Restaurant
$$ | |For four generations, recipes have been handed down the line of this Sicilian family who opened their first restaurant in 1920. From Milwaukee to Julian,...
For four generations, recipes have been handed down the line of this Sicilian family who opened their first restaurant in 1920. From Milwaukee to Julian, they set down roots in the quaint pie capital in 1982 and never looked back, creating this casual, red-checked-tablecloth kind of place, where you can dine outside in good weather. The menu is consistently on-point with Sicilian classics like spiedini—stuffed slices of rolled beef on skewers—calzones that are big enough to share, pizzas, and pasta dishes. All sauces, dressings, ravioli, breads, and desserts are made from scratch. There's a small bar that's popular with locals.
2718 B St., Julian, California, 92036, USA760-765–1003Known For
- Thin-crust pizza
- Cozy setting
- Old-school Italian cooking
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. 101 Cafe
$ | |A diner dating back to 1928 is both a local hangout and the headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement. Find all kinds of Highway...
A diner dating back to 1928 is both a local hangout and the headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement. Find all kinds of Highway 101 memorabilia here along with old-school ambience, prompt service, and great prices. The bountiful breakfast menu (served all day) lists omelets, eggs any way you want, buttermilk pancakes, and French toast. On offer at lunchtime are burgers, sandwiches, and chili fries. The thick milkshakes and root-beer floats will take you back in time.
631 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, California, 92049, USA760-722–5220Known For
- Headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement
- All-day breakfast
- Thick milkshakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards, No dinner, Reservations not accepted -
7. Apple Alley Bakery
$ | |This bakery tucked down a narrow alley proves there’s no such thing as too many pie shops in Julian. After mastering the apple-to-crust ratio, they...
This bakery tucked down a narrow alley proves there’s no such thing as too many pie shops in Julian. After mastering the apple-to-crust ratio, they took on lunch specials by offering a soup–sandwich–pie combo for $12. Wraps, salads, and other wholesome goodies are also available. Apple crumb is the biggest seller, but few can pass up their lemon tarts, molasses cookies, and berry strudels.
2122 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA760-765–2532Known For
- Apple pie
- Lunch specials
- Gluten-free and vegan options
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8. AVANT
$$$$ | |The appropriately named AVANT—meaning stylistically advanced and original—delivers contemporary California cuisine—duck, lobster, lamb, fish, or the pride of AVANT, Snake River Farms Wagyu beef—in an...
The appropriately named AVANT—meaning stylistically advanced and original—delivers contemporary California cuisine—duck, lobster, lamb, fish, or the pride of AVANT, Snake River Farms Wagyu beef—in an upscale setting. Dark woods, leather chairs, and pillar-candle chandeliers adorn the mission-style dining room, and the upper-level bar shakes up handcrafted pear martinis and margaritas with their own double-barrel reposado tequila. Start with the charcuterie platter fanned with cured meats and artisanal cheeses, and move onto the heirloom beets and burrata sprinkled with toasted pistachios and mint oil. Those who pace themselves can end with chocolate raspberry cheesecake with salted caramel. For a VIP experience, reserve AVANT Table 65 where chefs prepare dinner in a private demonstration kitchen for up to 12 guests.
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128, USA866-990–6845Known For
- Local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients
- Their own double-barrel reposado tequila
- Happy hour 4–6 with $1 oysters
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No breakfast or lunch -
9. Barona Oaks Steakhouse
$$$ | |The elegant, dinner-only restaurant at Barona Resort is one of the few fine-dining venues east of San Diego. It caters to high rollers whose culinary...
The elegant, dinner-only restaurant at Barona Resort is one of the few fine-dining venues east of San Diego. It caters to high rollers whose culinary choice often involves steak, thus the menu here lists a large selection of USDA Prime, including dry-aged porterhouse and buffalo rib eye, but there are seafood options, too.
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd., Ramona, California, 92040, USA619-443–2300Known For
- Dry-aged steaks
- Live piano music
- Remarkable rack of lamb
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential -
10. Bellamy's Restaurant
$$$$ | |Live piano music, crystal chandeliers, and leather tufted chairs set the stage at this fine-dining restaurant for a delectable menu that includes market oysters, scallops with...
Live piano music, crystal chandeliers, and leather tufted chairs set the stage at this fine-dining restaurant for a delectable menu that includes market oysters, scallops with crispy pancetta, free-range chicken with mushroom Madeira sauce, and braised lamb with guajillo pepper polenta. For a sweet conclusion, try the bread pudding made from flaky croissants, or the decadent chocolate ganache with chocolate ice cream.
417 W. Grand Ave., Escondido, California, 92025, USA760-747–5000Known For
- California-French cuisine
- Upscale dining
- Heavenly desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
11. Campfire
$$ | |Paying tribute to community around the campfire, it’s all about connecting here, both with the cool crowd and with the distinctive cocktail and dinner menus....
Paying tribute to community around the campfire, it’s all about connecting here, both with the cool crowd and with the distinctive cocktail and dinner menus. Throughout the restaurant, subtle hints of the camping theme—canvas-backed booths, servers in flannels, leather menus branded with the Campfire log—are visible, but it’s the food that will leave you setting up camp, as chefs work their magic behind glass walls grilling, roasting, and smoking almost every dish including the shrimp with pumpkin chili butter. The flash-fried broccoli has a crunch, and the smoked chicken mole with grilled cactus—packs a little heat. Topping off the meal are tableside mini-Dutch ovens of hot coals for DIY s’mores with vanilla marshmallows, graham cookies, salted caramel, and chocolate ganache.
2725 State St., Carlsbad, California, 92008, USA760-637–5121Known For
- Smoky cocktails
- Wood-fired American fare
- Innovative seasonal menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
12. Claire’s on Cedros
$ | |Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig in to wholesome food made from scratch....
Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig in to wholesome food made from scratch. 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. The menu is equally sustainable with items like organic quinoa Benedict, multigrain pancakes, and French toast stuffed with fresh ricotta. Breakfast is served all day, but you can opt for soups, 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 are even doggie biscuits whose proceeds benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
246 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA858-259–8597Known For
- Scratch kitchen
- California-style comfort food
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
13. CUCINA enoteca
$$ | |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...
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 a chicken-liver paté with apricot mostarda, 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 $9 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, USA858-704–4500Known For
- Wines at retail
- Daily deals 4–6
- Gardenlike second-floor seating area
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Mon. -
14. Fish 101
$ | |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...
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, but the gluten-free desserts, baked fresh by the chef’s delightful wife Jessica (aka owner of Sweet 101), are worth saving room for. They've got wine on tap, their own micro brew, and now 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, USA760-943–6221Known For
- Happy hour with $1.25 oysters, $4 tacos, and $5 beers
- Fresh and healthy seafood
- Seasonal, sustainable ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
15. Flower Child
$ | |Fast-casual takes a healthy spin at this cheery spot—think Technicolor peace sign, floral wallpaper in the bathroom, and yoga mat “parking” for those dining postworkout....
Fast-casual takes a healthy spin at this cheery spot—think Technicolor peace sign, floral wallpaper in the bathroom, and yoga mat “parking” for those dining postworkout. The menu evokes the same colorful vibe with salads mixed with fresh ingredients like organic kale, pomegranate vinaigrette, and proteins that include sustainable salmon, grass-fed steak, and organic, non-GMO tofu. There are also soups, mix-and-match sides, and wraps, but the bowls, like the Mother Earth (ancient grains and sweet potato) or the vegan curry, are the main attraction.
2690 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA858-314–6818Known For
- Kid-friendly ambience
- Rotating house-made lemonades
- Mix-and-match healthy sides
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16. Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen
$$ | |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...
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.
626 S. Tremont St., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA760-453–2940Known For
- Rustic American cuisine
- Craft beers on tap
- House-made pasta, bread, and bacon
- Natural prime-grade steaks seared in cast-iron skillet
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No breakfast or lunch -
17. Harbor Fish & Chips
$ | |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,...
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. Late-night diners should look elsewhere since this spot closes at 7 pm.
276 S. Harbor Dr., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA760-722–4977Known For
- Crunchy, battered fish tacos piled high with coleslaw and secret sauce
- Great prices
- Affordable daily specials
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18. Hello Betty Fish House
$$ | |Overlooking the water in Oceanside, this beachside restaurant serves oysters, clam chowder, fish tacos, and several fresh catch options, which can be enjoyed from their...
Overlooking the water in Oceanside, this beachside restaurant serves oysters, clam chowder, fish tacos, and several fresh catch options, which can be enjoyed from their rooftop lounge.
211 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA760-722–1008Known For
- Classic Baja SoCal food like margaritas and fish tacos
- Rooftop deck
- Taco Tuesday 3–6 pm
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19. Jake's Del Mar
$$$ | |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...
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 in Hawaiian shirts are ready to tempt with cucumber margaritas and starters like macadamia-crusted calamari or crab cakes with tamarind aioli and pineapple salsa. The main menu is split "by garden," "by sea," and "by land," with options like the seafood pot, the smoked cheddar-topped sirloin-brisket burger, and the barbequed ribs. Just steps from the sand, this is one of San Diego's best restaurants for Happy Hour sunsets.
1660 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, California, 92014, USA858-755–2002Known 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
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20. Juanitas Taco Shop
$ | |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...
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, USA760-943–9612Known For
- Big portions at a great price
- Shredded chicken quesadillas
- Chorizo breakfast burrito
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