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Best Casual Restaurants in Encinitas

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70 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Echale Encinitas restaurant
1. Echale Encinitas
4.6
Exceptional(145)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Encinitas
Nestled in the serene beach town of Encinitas, our California Bistro and Natural Wine Bar offers a mix of traditional Spanish flavors with a modern Mediterranean twist, complemented by an exquisite selection of natural wines. Menu favorites include the Maitake Mushroom toast and tahini "aioli", our Green Chile Burger with gruyere cheese, and our locally sourced blue fin tuna crudo with citrus vinaigrette. We play a mix of Brazilian funk, late 90's hip-hop, and French pop all through our vintage Marantz receiver and JBl speakers. Our dimly lit cozy restaurant is ideal for date nights and post-surf hangs.
A photo of Cocina de Barrio Encinitas restaurant
2. Cocina de Barrio Encinitas
4.7
Exceptional(145)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Encinitas
Booked 22 times today
*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. FloresWelcome to Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Encinitas, CA! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty of tequila and mezcal selections, beer, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Monday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!
A photo of Waverly Restaurant & Lounge restaurant
3. Waverly Restaurant & Lounge
4.7
Exceptional(202)
Price: Expensive
• American • Encinitas
Booked 56 times today
Located in beautiful Cardiff by The Sea, Waverly is a full-service restaurant serving Progressive American cuisine & specialty cocktails with a European influence.Evening Dining Reservation tables will be reserved for 1 hour and 45 minutes for parties of up to 2 and for 2 hours for parties of up to 6.Reservations are weather permitting and may be rescheduled if inclement weather is forecast. You will be contacted by one of our Hospitality Leaders should modifications need to be made to your reservation.*We offer a limited menu happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 5 PM. No reservations needed – first come, first served
A photo of Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff restaurant
4. Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff
4.8
Exceptional(9448)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Cardiff By The Sea
Booked 105 times today
Pacific Coast Grill's oceanfront venue features unique Pacific Coastal cuisine, an oyster bar, select sushi rolls, and a plethora of seafood choices, delicious steaks and more! There are two levels of dining at the new PCG with every dining seat in the house carefully planned to have an ocean view. There are bars on both levels and a heated outdoor patio and a deck with one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean and the line up at Cardiff Reef. You can watch surfers, kite surfers, dolphins, whales and spectacular sunsets from throughout the restaurant.
A photo of Buona Forchetta Encinitas restaurant
5. Buona Forchetta Encinitas
4.6
Exceptional(644)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Encinitas
Booked 41 times today
Buona Forchetta Encinitas, our third location, blends award winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable space. Located in Encinitas, this location boasts a indoor seating as well as an outside patio and a small room for private events. Inside, a gilded oven churns out classic creations, while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entree dishes. Owner Matteo Cattaneo brought the Italian warehouse-style eatery to life.
A photo of Valentina restaurant
6. Valentina
4.8
Exceptional(1886)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary European • Encinitas
Booked 29 times today
A small neighborhood Spanish restaurant in a cute California beach town called Leucadia.we play music and serve wine, tapas, some cocktails and thoughtful hospitality with some dim lighting in a lively environment.We look forward to welcoming you.
A photo of Rustic Root - Solana Beach restaurant
7. Rustic Root - Solana Beach
4.3
Awesome(102)
Price: Moderate
• American • Del Mar
Booked 62 times today
The concept behind Rustic Root is simple: Create the kind of neighborhood place you can eat at every week and never get tired of going back.
A photo of VAGA Restaurant & Bar restaurant
8. VAGA Restaurant & Bar
4.3
Awesome(307)
Price: Expensive
• American • Encinitas
Booked 46 times today
For a true “vaga”, the journey is never-ending; the spirit and palate, always curious. Drawing ingredients and inspiration from near and far, VAGA explores San Diego’s ever-changing confluence of culture and wanderlust. From its perch on a coastal bluff in Encinitas, California, VAGA keeps one hand in the ocean, one hand in the farm, and both eyes on the horizon.VAGA Restaurant & Bar is located on Level 2 of Alila Marea Beach Resort. Valet parking is available through the resort for $5.00 per car before 5 pm with validation only. After 5 pm, valet parking is $10.00 per car with no validation required. Self-parking is not available.
A photo of Ki's Restaurant restaurant
9. Ki's Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1061)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Cardiff By The Sea
Booked 7 times today
Daytime service is as it always has been: order at the counter and the food will be brought to you in the seating area upstairs or out under our tent. Night-time is full service in the upstairs seating area. On Friday nights, we also have live music from 7-9pm.Ki's is a perfect fit for its local beach community culture. We provide food options that serve the needs of people who enjoy the outdoors and have a high degree of awareness for their health, fitness and well being. And Ki's is more than just a 'health food' option for many. It is simply great food for anyone-professionals, families looking for a home-cooked meal or friends hanging out enjoying some tasty eats.
A photo of Le Papagayo Encinitas restaurant
10. Le Papagayo Encinitas
4.6
Exceptional(2286)
Price: Moderate
• American • Encinitas
Booked 39 times today
Le Papagayo blends New American and Pacific Coast cuisine to create an amazing fine dining experience. The Chef and Myself combine the freshest of local ingredients and flavor to create a unique character for each meal created from scratch. Dining at Le Papagayo is a full experience that will delight all your senses. Amazing food and a warm and inviting dining room which looks like an art gallery are all part of the experience.We also offer a heated patio and unplugged live music every night.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • JennyVIP
    San Diego •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Ordered the turkish poached eggs and it was excellent!
    More info
    Waverly Restaurant & LoungePrice: Expensive• American• Encinitas
    •
    4.7
  • Debra
    San Diego •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Beautiful setting, right on the water, sitting outdoors on a lovely heated patio. We celebrated my husband’s birthday lunch enjoying the shrimp and lobster bisque, a huge and delicious prime rib French dip, fries and au jus, while I enjoyed the perfectly prepared fresh halibut over a bed of delicately sautéed spinach on a bed of mashed potatoes with a light gravy, absolutely delicious and a large portion, doggy bag for later. Our waitress was professional, friendly and amenable in every way! She highly recommended the halibut, thank you. Side note: we recognized, renowned Chef Jeffrey Strauss, need I say of Pamplamousse , was enjoying lunch. Highly recommended great menu apps and entrees. We were too full for dessert that menu looked amazing too.
    More info
    Pacific Coast Grill - CardiffPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Cardiff By The Sea
    •
    4.8
  • Diana
    Denver / Colorado •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    I had such a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was super friendly and really welcoming.
    More info
    Buona Forchetta EncinitasPrice: Moderate• Italian• Encinitas
    •
    4.6
  • Travis
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    We love the flavors at Cocina de Barrio. We have enjoyed their excellent happy hour a few times, and finally came for dinner. We ordered the Memelitas Veganas, Pescado Zarandeadp, and Salmon en Mole Amarillo. Every dish was superb, and the service was excellent!
    More info
    Cocina de Barrio EncinitasPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Encinitas
    •
    4.7
  • Brendan
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 29, 2025
    One of the best things to ever happen in this town. Sad to see them go, excited for when they come back 🤙
    More info
    Echale EncinitasPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Encinitas
    •
    4.6

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