Best Restaurants in Encinitas 2018

 7 Dining Hotspots in Encinitas 

When in Encinitas, just north of San Diego, there are plenty of great options for dining. From Asian to Italian to American, these are our personal favorites and recommendations. Dig in!

1. Le Papagayo

Le Papagayo is an Encinitas favorite that serves a Mediterranean and Asian style cuisine. Meals are made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients. The atmosphere is fun and inviting with an artistic feel. They also have live music every night for entertainment.

2. Vigilucci’s Trattoria Italiana

This classic restaurant has a great variety of Italian dishes as well as steak and seafood. They have been open for over two decades and have been consistently loved in Northern San Diego. They have a great happy hour, which includes drink specials and food specials such as ahi sliders, and crab cakes. Photo Credit: King of Happy Hour

3. Union Kitchen and Tap 

Union Kitchen and Tap is a very popular and trendy restaurant in Encinitas that offers new American style cuisine. They have a variety of salads, sandwiches, steaks, and vegetarian dishes as well. They also have a great selection of wine and craft beers. When dinner hours are over, the bar stays open until 2 a.m. for late night fun.

Photo Credit: California Beaches

4. Trattoria Trulli 

Another classic Italian restaurant in the Encinitas area is Trattoria Trulli. They have a variety of pasta dishes including ravioli, lasagna, penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, and linguini. Their menu also includes fish and meat options and antipasti options such as bruschetta. Their Italian desserts are to die for and should never be skipped!

Photo Credit: it’s Encinitas

5. Swami’s Cafe 

Swami’s Cafe is a more casual dining option in Encinitas, but it remains just as popular as its fine dining competitors. They offer a variety of omelettes and other breakfast fixings as well as burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and smoothies. Everyone will find a favorite at this fun eatery. They also have fresh juices to enjoy on the run.

Photo Credit: WordPress

6. Potato Shack Cafe

Another popular casual dining option in Encinitas is the Potato Shack Cafe. They’ve been serving excellent breakfast and lunch dishes since 1983. Favorites include their omelettes, baked potatoes, and quesadillas. They also have a great variety of classic beverages including tea, coffee, hot chocolate and various fruit juices, as well as some seasonal favorites like hot spiced cider, lemonade, and their popular Beachtime Cooler.

Photo Credit: it’s Encinitas 

7.Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria

Pizza never goes out of style and one of Encinitas best pizza joints is the Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria. These pizzas are wood-fired and made with fresh, local ingredients. They have gluten-free crust options, excellent happy hour and late-night specials, and a butterscotch pudding dessert that everyone raves about. Don’t miss out on this local favorite.

Photo Credit: it’s Encinitas 

These are just some of the many fantastic dining options in the Encinitas area. So whether its date night, a family breakfast, or a happy hour meet up, try these restaurants and be ready to be surprised by the many amazing flavors you encounter in Encinitas!