Best Lunch Restaurants in Rancho Santa Fe

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

North San DiegoSan Diego

Neighborhoods

Cardiff By The SeaCarlsbadCarmel ValleyChula Vista / BonitaDel MarEncinitas

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

76 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Mille Fleurs

4.9

Exceptional(2368)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French American • Rancho Santa Fe

Booked 14 times today

**Please note: Patio requests must call the restaurant to confirm availability for patio dining, as availability is very limited due to table spacing.* Nestled in the heart of the historic and charming village of Rancho Santa Fe, just four miles inland from Del Mar, Mille Fleurs offers magnificent California food presentation with extraordinary French flair. The exquisite yet comfortable French country décor with inviting outside patio provides an atmosphere that is gracious, warm and welcoming. Mille Fleurs has received numerous accolades including: "Top 25 in America" from Food & Wine Magazine "Far and away the best restaurant sampled in greater San Diego" quoted in The New York Times as well as "Best French" and "Best of the Best" in San Diego Magazine. Our award winning wine cellar offers over seven hundred choices spanning the globe and varying greatly in price. A mile down the road is the Chino's Family Farm where our chef heads every day to get fresh ingredients.

A photo of Lilian's Restaurant restaurant

2. Lilian's Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(262)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Rancho Santa Fe

Booked 4 times today

Welcome to the Lilian's Blog - a culinary diary and a rendezvous with history. Here, we chronicle our adventures in gastronomy, share behind-the-scenes glimpses, and delve deeper into the legacy of Lilian Rice. Whether you're a food aficionado, a history enthusiast, or someone seeking to uncover the stories behind Rancho Santa Fe's best new restaurant, you're in the right place. Dive into our articles and let Lilian's spirit guide your journey through taste and time.

A photo of Rancho Santa Fe Bistro restaurant

3. Rancho Santa Fe Bistro

4.7

Exceptional(358)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Rancho Santa Fe

Booked 2 times today

Welcome to The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro located in the heart of the beautiful downtown Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Our unique bistro offers an amazing menu and a superior wine selection for any lunch or dinner occasion. For lunch walk-ins are welcome.Owner / Chef Mozy Jahanguiri, who has run restaurants in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas, has opened The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro in the space formerly occupied by The Pantry on Paseo Delicias. Mozy has prepared a menu that offers a wide variety of healthy and stylish fresh grill and more offering a balanced approach to food and wine along with bistro favorites including Oysters Rockefeller, traditional escargots, baked brie with grapes and honey and more for starters. Entrees to satisfy any taste of carefully sourced meats, seafood and much more. Be sure to check out Bistro's beautiful wood wine cellar, housing an extensive collection that spans an impressive 100 years (1897-1997) at a variety of price points.

A photo of Rustic Root - Solana Beach restaurant

4. Rustic Root - Solana Beach

4.2

Awesome(185)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Del Mar

Booked 65 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 Steak 48 - Del Mar restaurant

5. Steak 48 - Del Mar

4.9

Exceptional(2031)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Del Mar

Booked 97 times today

At Steak 48, we serve the finest steaks and high-quality seafood in an intimate and vibrant setting. Our diverse menu will satisfy any personal craving, as we serve the best USDA prime steaks, succulent seafood, and shellfish along with inventive and classically inspired side dishes and appetizers. Also enjoy classic cocktails and an extensive award-winning wine list. At Steak 48, We encourage all of our guests to get dressed up for a great experience, here is a link to our dress code that you can share with your guests. https://www.steak48.com/steakhouses/del-mar-california/dress-code/ You are going to have a great time!If you need any special accommodations or flowers reach out to us at the host desk! We look forward to seeing you soon!

A photo of Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff restaurant

6. Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff

4.7

Exceptional(9578)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Cardiff By The Sea

Booked 148 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 Culinary Dropout - Del Mar restaurant

7. Culinary Dropout - Del Mar

4.5

Awesome(105)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Carmel Valley

Booked 63 times today

At Culinary Dropout, it’s all about raising a glass to good friends and even better vibes. A spot where flavor and music fuel the soul, kick off happy hour with ice-cold beer and our famous soft pretzels and provolone fondue. Staying for dinner? Dig into our handcrafted cocktails and 36-hour slow-braised pork ribs. Did we mention you won’t want to leave when the band starts? Come hang out and stay a while. We’re always serving damn good food for damn good people.

8. Nick's Del Mar

4.8

Exceptional(1519)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Del Mar

Booked 81 times today

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

A photo of Waverly Restaurant & Lounge restaurant

9. Waverly Restaurant & Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(237)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Encinitas

Booked 36 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 Rare Society - Solana Beach restaurant

10. Rare Society - Solana Beach

4.7

Exceptional(46)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Solana Beach

Booked 42 times today

Sink your teeth into Rare Society - a modern homage to the golden age of the American steakhouse. Chef and owner Brad Wise reimagines vintage upscale dining with a bold, contemporary edge: a wood-fired grill fueled by red oak, an in-house dry-aging program, sustainably sourced seafood, and a progressive cocktail menu that nods to the classics while pushing boundaries. The space hums with energy - smoke curling from the grill, the scent of fire and flavor wafting through the air. It’s easy to picture a Rat Pack-era dinner party in full swing: elegant, indulgent, just a little unruly. Rare Society doesn’t just pay tribute to steakhouse tradition - it revives it, reinvents it, and serves it with just a little bit of swagger.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Sandra
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Such a fun setting, great food and attentive service.
More info
Rustic Root - Solana BeachPrice: Moderate• American• Del Mar
•
4.2
G
GaryVIP
San Diego •27 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent meal had at this amazing establishment. Truly could not fault them on anything. Pure perfection!!
More info
Steak 48 - Del MarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Del Mar
•
4.9
K
Karen
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
If you have been in business for 40 years, then apparently you know what to do. The service was impeccable. The food was delicious. The ambience was perfect. The staff was welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
More info
Mille FleursPrice: Very Expensive• French American• Rancho Santa Fe
•
4.9
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 18, 2025
Great food in a beautiful setting. There was only one waiter which meant he was stretched too thin. We had to wait for him during the meal but actually that was ok cuz we were enjoying our time there. The owner should get some more help.
More info
Rancho Santa Fe BistroPrice: Moderate• American• Rancho Santa Fe
•
4.7
F
FionaVIP
San Diego •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 10, 2025
Excellent lunch Mateo was the best waiter giving us great recommendations and attention. Patio was perfect Was thanked for coming in I’ll be back !
More info
Lilian's RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Unspecified• Rancho Santa Fe
•
4.8

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