Best Casual Restaurants in Encinitas

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

North San Diego

Neighborhoods

Cardiff By The SeaCarlsbadCarmel ValleyDel MarEncinitasOceanside

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

70 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Puntamar

4.4

Awesome(25)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Encinitas

Booked 10 times today

Puntamar is more than just a restaurant; it’s an authentic experience celebrating quality in every detail. Here, fun and excellence merge to create unforgettable moments for our customers. Discover the true essence of Mexican cuisine, crafted with authentic ingredients and genuine flavors.

2. SHELTER

4.1

Excellent(23)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Dining Bar • Encinitas

Booked 1 time today

"Open- air" cocktail lounge and nightclub in the heart of downtown Encinitas. DJ's nightly curating sexy house vibes. Reservations for bottle service are highly recommended. Shelter is a 21+ venue.

A photo of Rustic Root - Solana Beach restaurant

3. Rustic Root - Solana Beach

4.2

Awesome(169)

$$$$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 Le Papagayo Encinitas restaurant

4. Le Papagayo Encinitas

4.6

Exceptional(2299)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Encinitas

Booked 62 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.

5. Ki's Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1075)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Cardiff By The Sea

Booked 17 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 Brigantine Del Mar restaurant

6. Brigantine Del Mar

4.6

Exceptional(2835)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Del Mar

Booked 53 times today

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history. "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today.Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats. Perched between the spectacular Pacific Ocean and the hills of Rancho Santa Fe, the Del Mar Brigantine sits high above the action of the Del Mar racetrack.A lushly landscaped garden offers an unparalleled setting for weddings and outdoor-themed events. Indoors, a formal dining room looks out to the garden through floor-to-ceiling french doors. For more casual dining, the glass-enclosed deck is a year-round favorite.The Del Mar Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch each Sunday.

A photo of Kai Ola Sushi Encinitas restaurant

7. Kai Ola Sushi Encinitas

4.7

Exceptional(10)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Encinitas

Booked 23 times today

Located in the beach town known as Leucadia, Kai Ola is Encinitas, California’s best sushi in a laid-back, casual atmosphere with Hawaiian vibes.You will get the freshest, finest, and the best quality sushi at Kai Ola. We serve fresh, unique (as well as traditional) sushi and we take pride in how it tastes. Our chefs prepare top quality creations and we take pride in our work. Kai Ola is not about the scene. While locals and visitors alike love to dine with us, this is not a fine dining experience. This is about the fish. Sandals, board shorts, and bathing suits are welcome. Kai Ola has the true Aloha! spirit in everything we do. Please come join us for the best fish and sushi creations you have yet to taste.

A photo of Black Rail Kitchen + Bar restaurant

8. Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

4.6

Exceptional(348)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Carlsbad

Booked 26 times today

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant and unique neighborhood gathering space serves inventive California global fare crafted by renowned Michoacán-born executive chef Moises Hernandez. Cozy up next to one of our expansive patio’s many firepits and enjoy deliciously prepared dishes, weeknight happy hour, craft beverages, a glorious sommelier-driven wine list, local beer and live music from some of the area’s top jazz musicians and Black Rail Kitchen + Bar’s very own house band, the E.S.P. Collective.We are proud to bring our longtime Carlsbad neighbors and newcomers alike diverse dining experiences including Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen and Yelp Top 100 breakfast spot Beach Plum Kitchen. Stop by, grab a drink and soak in the best of La Costa!

A photo of Vue - Omni La Costa Resort & Spa restaurant

9. Vue - Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

4.5

Awesome(178)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Carlsbad

Booked 28 times today

Overlooking rolling green hills and fairways, VUE brings bold California Coastal and Baja-inspired flavors to the table. Our new vibrant menu showcases fresh seafood, hearty proteins, house-made sauces and locally-sourced fruits and vegetables. With a modern, creative approach to Baja cuisine, VUE delivers a dynamic selection of seasonal dishes year-round. Complementing the cuisine is a thoughtfully curated selection of creative cocktails, fine wines, and craft beers, perfectly paired to enhance every dish. From inspired sunrise flavors to imaginative evening plates, there’s always something exciting to taste—and sip—at VUE.

10. The Pocket

4.6

Exceptional(17)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Encinitas

Booked 6 times today

A seductive surf-inspired hangout fronted by epic ocean views.Catch the game, take a break from the beach or pool, or simply enjoy the sunset while snacking on crisp chicharróns and sipping a craft cocktail. For the moments between sunscreen and sundown, The Pocket presents Après Sea, featuring a menu of food and drink specials designed to refresh after a day on the surf and sand.We are a cash free environment.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Guy
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 5, 2025
Great food great service great atmosphere. Go check it out.
More info
Rustic Root - Solana BeachPrice: Moderate• American• Del Mar
•
4.2
I
Irina
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 1, 2025
We sat at the fire table on the front sidewalk area - we felt very much a part of the restaurant, we could hear the music but conversation was easy to hear. Food came out on time and the service was excellent with great suggestions offered.
More info
Le Papagayo EncinitasPrice: Moderate• American• Encinitas
•
4.6
M
Michael
San Diego •1 review
4.0
Dined on May 27, 2025
Overall, everything was great! Food was tasty. Service was good but sitting out on the patio it was loud even though the tables weren’t full. I think it’s because of the echo inside the glass. Would definitely sit inside next time near a window.
More info
Ki's RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Californian• Cardiff By The Sea
•
4.6
G
GinaVIP
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
Everything was great! Delicious food and excellent service.
More info
PuntamarPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Encinitas
•
4.4
KL
KittyLyons81
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 27, 2022
Loved dancing at shelter and the good vibes !
More info
SHELTERPrice: Moderate• Dining Bar• Encinitas
•
4.1

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