Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in North San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in North San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Lilo

5.0

5 (74)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A lively and immersive dining experience that welcomes you to celebrate life’s special moments, Lilo harnesses the untamed spirit of the California coast and the world's shorelines through a curated, multi-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature, served around a 22-seat chef’s counter.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was our second dinner at Lilo. It was outstanding. We enjoyed each dish. Our favorite was the ice cream with caviar!! We will definitely come back again. Congratulations on getting the Michelin star in the first two months that they were opened!

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The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1575)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 7 days ago

The staff and food are always outstanding. The most beautiful view of a heart shape lake with a fountain going. It’s our favorite in all of San Diego.

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

Addison by William Bradley

4.8

4.8 (1874)

$50 and over

Californian

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Addison, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, showcases the beauty and allure of California Gastronomy. Chef William Bradley offers his distinct culinary perspective through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients and influences. With its picturesque views of the surrounding hillside, the dining room creates a transportive setting for Bradley’s ten-course tasting menu. To further enhance the experience, Addison’s 10,000 bottle wine program showcases small producers, rare Champagnes, and new discoveries from around the world.

Since 2006, the purity and precision of Addison's approach has led to global recognition for the restaurant and the San Diego culinary scene. Addison is among an exclusive selection of stand-alone Relais & Châteaux restaurants worldwide, and, in addition to its three-star Michelin designation, is honored on La Liste. It has consistently received the highest recognition from Wine Spectator for its wine program.

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Experience

Addison by William Bradley x Core by Clare Smyth

Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

4.9

4.9 (1069)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself into a refined modern setting featuring Baja-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails composed of mezcal and tequila. Enjoy a show kitchen allowing you to get an inside look behind the scenes bringing Chef's creations to center stage. Locally sourced cuisine with a coastal flair is the cornerstone of this fine dining Baja-inspired experience.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

We had a fabulous anniversary dinner with excellent service on the beautiful patio. Thank you, Ponto Lago, for a memorable meal!

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4.6

4.6 (179)

$30 and under

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

WALK-IN'S ONLY FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

WALK-IN'S AND RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER.

Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County, celebrating the creative culture of California by bringing bold ideas to timeless traditions.

Night or day, this is a place for the every day.

We open daily at 8am, with counter service up until 4:00pm, inviting you all to come in and join us on a first-come, first-serve basis for breakfast and lunch.

Reservations are available every evening, and walk in guests are always welcome.

Private Dining Room reservations are available for parties of 12-18 guests.

Top review

KimVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The wood fire cabbage was incredible. Pizza and Branzino were delicious. We sat outside, which was perfect for a summer evening.

Ki's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1080)

$30 and under

Californian

Cardiff By The Sea

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

ChefVIP

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

The waitresses have gotten so much nicer and more professional. It's a pleasure to dine here. I always order the Santa Fe Wrap from downstairs. It's a little more expensive than lunchtime, but it's totally delicious and comes with either a small salad or fries. I love, love, love their peanut sauce, so that what I use instead of the yogurt dressing! One thing you can count on. Their food is fresh, healthy and consistently good!

Herb & Sea

4.6

4.6 (3033)

$30 and under

Californian

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Blending classic East Coast culinary traditions with a modern Californian sensibility, Herb & Sea is Chef Brian Malarkey’s venerable companion restaurant to the much-loved Herb & Wood in Little Italy. Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tables in town, the concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Located steps from Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, the vibrant space is housed in a 1920’s art deco building that has been restored to its original glory.

Daily operations are helmed by Executive Chef Aidan Owens. The menu includes a mix of raw bar staples, fresh seafood, meat dishes, and roasted vegetables. A variety of pizzas and pastas round out the offerings, alongside dessert and a dedicated kids’ menu.

The spirits program is bright and playful, emphasizing citrus and floral notes that utilize the same ingredients found on the menu. The wine list offers a similar sense of whimsy, highlighting labels meant to complemen

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing Happy Meal and drinks! Highly recommend eating here.

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4.6

4.6 (1708)

$30 and under

Californian

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

AVANT is the signature Forbes Four-Star rated restaurant at Rancho Bernardo Inn, offering elevated contemporary California cuisine that unites culinary influences and flavors from Baja California with French techniques and inspiration. The seasonal menu uses the freshest local ingredients and produce from The Inn's on-site garden. Regional Sommelier & Cellar Master Joe Baumgardner has curated an award-winning wine cellar for AVANT, from limited production wines around the globe to bio-dynamically farmed selections, offering the perfect pairing for each course. AVANT's cocktail program serves up imaginative libations ranging from light to direct, all complemented by playful presentations and artistic touches. The essential San Diego dining experience is set in inviting indoor and outdoor spaces with stunning views of the surrounding resort.

Top review

Diane

Dined 7 days ago

Blaine, our servers was well informed about the dishes and was great. Scallops were properly cooked and parsnip purée pared well with the pear. Halibut was slightly dry but delicious. Chef is ambitious and making dishes with amazing surprises and flavors. Beet salad was superb. Fresh greens and hazelnut brittle were a wonderful surprise.

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Experience

Vine to Table Series - Wines of Quintessa

Experience

Vine to Table Series - Wines of France

Masters Kitchen and Cocktail

4.4

4.4 (467)

$30 and under

Californian

Oceanside

About the restaurant

Masters Kitchen and Cocktail is located blocks from the beach in the heart of Oceanside, CA. An industrial space with classic history, Masters was once a well remembered drag car shop. The revamped restaurant keeps its authentic character, and offers a warm and inviting dining experience for a lovely escape from the sun and sand. A separate bar with communal seating serves traditional craft cocktails that sip and smell of the 1920s.

Top review

GiseleVIP

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

See my review from June 14. Went back because liked it so much. This time had crab stuffed shrimp with mushroom risotto- excellent. My friend had lobster tail - again excellent. Only issue remain poor wine list and loud noises from loud motorcycles and cars - restuarant is open air which adds to ambiance but suffers from road noise.

Haven

4.5

4.5 (277)

$31 to $50

Californian

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Nestled in the hills of Leucadia, Fox Point Farms is home to Haven Farm + Table, a new Californian restaurant helmed by Chef de Cuisine Kelston Moore and General Manager and Wine Director Ricardo Zarate Jr. Haven features the bountiful produce of the three-acre regenerative farm located just steps away from the kitchen. Delight in innovative dishes such as the Jerk Pork Belly Mole while dining on the terrace overlooking our lush fields, or sip a cocktail designed by Phillip Laethem in the stately yet cozy dining room.

Top review

Effrin

Dined 6 days ago

The food was delicious and fresh. It is highly recommended.

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Experience

Fox Point Farms Tasting Menu

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