VAGA Restaurant & Bar

Name: VAGA Restaurant & Bar
Address: 2100 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA, United States, 92024
Telephone: (760) 452-3484
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.3

4.3 (338)

$31 to $50

American

2100 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 16, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 37 times today

About this restaurant

Great for scenic views
Good for special occasions
Romantic

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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Brunch Daily 7:00 am–2:00 pm Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(760) 452-3484
Website
https://vagarestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
VAGA Restaurant provides exceptional private dining experiences and breathtaking ocean-view venues for your upcoming event or celebration, accommodating up to 40 guests. For further details, please reach out to the restaurant directly or email alilamarea@alilahotels.com.

Location
2100 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Neighborhood
Encinitas
Cross street
La Costa and Highway 101
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
Valet Parking: VAGA offers valet parking through Alila Marea Beach Resort. Valet parking before 5 pm is $5.00 per car with validation only. After 5 pm, valet parking is $10.00 per car with no validation required. Self-parking is not available.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 338 people are saying

VAGA Restaurant & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.6Ambience
4.0Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

North San Diego
Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

VAGA Restaurant & Bar offers an enchanting dining experience with "outstanding food, service and view." Guests rave about the "fantastic food" and "unique flavor combinations," especially the duck tacos and trout. The atmosphere is both "romantic" and "breathtaking," making it perfect for special occasions. Service is often praised as "amazing."

338 Reviews

A
Alex
Orange County5 reviews
1.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Food was pretty solid, but the service ruined our meal and frankly our hotel stay overall. The scallops and ocean trout were by far the highlight of the meal. The fresh oysters (Kudui) on special would have been more enjoyable with regular migonette sauce however. The reason the service was so poor was due to the inept bartender at Vaga Bar who decided unilaterally to not serve my wife and I for a night cap after our meal. Our waiter nor any staff member made no mention to us about showing “signs of intoxication,” yet the power tripping bartender decided to cut us off for a reason we’re still trying to determine. We literally walked 2 min from our table to the bar after we closed out. No stumbling by either of us. Just cut off for absolutely no reason as soon as we sat down at the open bar stools. Despite reassuring him we were staying on site at the resort (on the same floor as the restaurant mind you) he still was firm in his completely arbitrary decision. We asked to speak to the bar manager who actually agreed with us that she found no signs to warrant being cut off. Nor did the hotel front desk when we made a formal complaint immediately. Frankly it felt personal like this guy just didn’t like my wife’s presence or something. Either way the decision was very poorly handled and multiple staff agreed we were fine to be served yet they could not be overruled by one person who couldn’t give any specific detail as to why he felt that way. This all to “avoid liability” yet the same bartender actually said we might try one of the Leucadia bars who might still serve us… So you have no problem encouraging us to leave the property and risk that liability but wouldn’t serve two people staying literally down the hall. Having stayed at alila marea multiple times for business and now “pleasure” I won’t be making a return due to the way this was handled. While the hotel front desk provided a partial credit to our food and beverage bill, this is not enough in my eyes.
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D
Debbie VIP
San Diego12 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service was impeccable. Food was delicious. Especially the halibut!
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D
Desirée
San Diego1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Cocktails were most excellent. Service and atmosphere , excellent. Crowd was a little stuffy. This was a 27th anniversary dinner, and I was left unsatisfied and unimpressed. My husband liked his entree pork marrow.. I had the scallops and thought the sauce was odd. The oyster starter was great. Bread side had odd flavors going on, to me. Peppers were good. Potato side was not impressive nor up to par. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Talked with folks at the pool next day and they said chicken and steak (we were thinking to get) were amazing. We finished at the pool bar and the appetizer and fish taco was excellent! Dessert ice cream sandwich was pretty good.
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M
Mary VIP
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities6 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ate in the bar off the bar menu. The view never fails. Live music was nice. A little pricey for what you get.
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G
Gabriela VIP
San Diego3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding food, service and view! Loved it there!
VAGA Restaurant & BarResponded on June 5, 2025
Thank you very much for the kind review! I'm truly grateful that you enjoyed your experience at VAGA Restaurant. I look forward to hosting you again! Sincerely, Carlmichael Caldejon VAGA General Manager
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P
Peter
San Diego22 reviews
1.0
Dined on June 4, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
We would strongly recommend you NOT TRY VAGA. What a major disappointment. The server was initially very gracious, but she never offered advice or made recommendations regarding the strange plate that was described as brisket with slaw. The brisket was very good but it was served with 2 small tacos and some cilantro leaves. When the server finally came to the table to see how things were, I said I hadn’t as yet received the slaw. She said the tablespoon of cilantro leaves was the slaw. Really? Fresh cilantro leaves are meant to pass as slaw? In what food universe does this restaurant reside? She should have suggested a need for sides. If not a warning in general. And the ambiance? Yes, we were overlooking the coast, but the interior design was not just unappealing, lacking any sense of welcome, with its hard lines and flat surfaces, there is nothing to absorb the sound. The place is like an echo chamber with everyone screaming to be heard. Don’t bother with the Pinot noir from Oregon; it was without depth and tasted like a cheap house wine. And I’ll end with the required $10 valet service. 3 guys hopped over when we arrived, but after a 15 minute wait to leave, we were given our keys and had to then wait for 2 drivers to maneuver their cars from awkwardly parked places in the narrow circle. Yes the view is good and on a hot evening, the outside tables, with cushioned chair seating (unavailable inside) might be a better choice. For us, during a June gloom evening, blankets were welcomed inside while we wore jackets to keep warm. Awful experience.
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H
Hailey
San Diego6 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Christian was attentive and knowledgeable, making great recommendations and ensuring we were having a good time :) thanks to Christian and Omar for a lovely evening!! 😊
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D
Dawn VIP
San Francisco Bay Area32 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a perfect venue to celebrate our daughter‘s birthday! We had an amazing table outside and saw the beautiful sunset. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious.
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C
Carly
San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Our server was amazing. The pork should never leave the menu. Absolutely day dreaming about those duck tacos as well. Chef kiss.
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P
Phil VIP
San Diego39 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Not your typical hotel restaurant. More like a destination restaurant for fine dining. Excellent food, superb service and very fair pricing. Portions are large and food is delicious. Can recommend the chicken, scallops and fish. The side of shishito peppers was a huge portion and very delicious. Wine list is modest but pricing is reasonable. Many glasses available for under $20.
VAGA Restaurant & BarResponded on June 8, 2025
Thanks for the review, Phil! We're thrilled to hear that VAGA Restaurant & Bar is more than just a typical hotel restaurant. We strive to provide an exceptional dining experience, and we're delighted that you enjoyed our food, service, and pricing. Your recommendation of the chicken, scallops, and fish is greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Sincerely, Carlmichael Caldejon VAGA Restaurant General Manager
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FAQs

VAGA Restaurant & Bar is rated 4.3 stars by 338 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 16, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 37 times today

2100 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
La Costa and Highway 101
Neighborhood
Encinitas
Hours of operation
Brunch Daily 7:00 am–2:00 pm Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
Valet Parking: VAGA offers valet parking through Alila Marea Beach Resort. Valet parking before 5 pm is $5.00 per car with validation only. After 5 pm, valet parking is $10.00 per car with no validation required. Self-parking is not available.
Payment options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://vagarestaurant.com/
Phone number
(760) 452-3484
Private party facilities
VAGA Restaurant provides exceptional private dining experiences and breathtaking ocean-view venues for your upcoming event or celebration, accommodating up to 40 guests. For further details, please reach out to the restaurant directly or email alilamarea@alilahotels.com.

VAGA Restaurant & Bar

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 338 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is VAGA Restaurant & Bar restaurant rated?

Is VAGA Restaurant & Bar currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information