LOCAL WALLY’S GUIDE TO CARLSBAD AND NORTH COUNTY’S BEST RESTAURANTS
Coastal San Diego Dining from Del Mar to Carlsbad
Once overlooked, San Diego’s North County has popped due to Legoland. Skip the chain restaurants near the theme park and hit the local favorites, from taco shops to Michelin stars.
We’ll start in Del Mar and move up historic Highway 101 until we get to Carlsbad. Along the way you’ll find the spirit of the Southern California beach towns and plenty of good eats. Don’t eat at chain restaurants and no fast food - this is good eats, San Diego.
Best Dining in Del Mar
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
The Brigantine 🤑
Skip the restaurant, Go to the Bar for Fish Tacos
Walk right past the hostess who will usher you into the restaurant and go straight to the bar where you’ll find one of the best deep fried Baja fish tacos you’ll ever have. Open seating, ocean views outside where you’ll sit lined up like ducks in a row. Taco Tuesdays, $4 a fish taco. Oysters, salads, standard bar fare. Family friendly, this is not a grubby bar but a rather upscale setting. Get this taco! OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Poseidon on the Beach 💵
Literally right on the beach
This might be the ultimate ocean view dining experience, ocean breezes and fresh seafood. Lunch can be reasonable with sandwiches in the $20’s, dinner entrees with fresh seafood are mid-$40’s. I’d describe the food as “well executed” versus innovative, but combined with the setting it’s one of my favorite restaurants in all of San Diego. Brunch and kids menu too. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Jake’s Del Mar 💵
Inside Dining with Ocean Views
If Jake’s feels familiar that’s because the same company owns Duke’s, Hula Grill and other Hawaiian restaurants. Inside dining closed to the elements (how I wish they could open the windows on a nice day). Standard surf and turf menu with the restaurant’s famous Hula Pie dessert, a must when dining in any of their restaurants. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
An’s Hatmaker Gelato 🤑
Possibly the best gelato in the US
Rated by USA Today as the best gelato in America, An’s Hatmaker at the Del Mar Plaza nearly insists that you try every flavor before you make a decision. That’s part of the fun and the reason for the long lines of people waiting to get their turn with the spoons. Clever names of premium gelato, chic interior, get in line - you won’t regret it. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Best Restaurants Solana Beach & Cardiff
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Fidel’s Little Mexico 🤑
A North County Institution for Mexican Food
Once a barber shop that use tacos to attract patrons, an odd history for one of San Diego’s most popular Mexican restaurants. The outdoor interior patio with the booths, the tables tucked away here and there in what was once a house, and a chili relleno to beat all chili rellenos, and a killer lunch deal of one item, rice, beans, and a margarita for $20. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Tony’s Jacal 🤑
Which is better, Tony’s or Fidel’s?
Locals will debate forever whether Tony’s or Fidel’s is better but you’ll typically find me at Tony’s which opened in 1946 in their family home. The festive patio is the place to be and the salsa is perfection - yes, more chips please. Opt for their top notch carne asada tacos or indulge with the Anniversary Plate which is four “mini” versions of their top items. Cozy bar that looks like you stumbled into Tijuana with great ambiance and a coveted fireplace seat during winter. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Las Olas 🤑
Surf culture meets Mexican food
Located right on Highway 101 across from the beach, Las Olas is ultra popular with classic San Diego style Mexican food. I don’t love that they now charge for chips and salsa and that their margaritas come from a tap but I do love their $10.50 lunch special of two items, rice and beans. Cool surf vibe and ocean breezes and the food is decent and often amazing. Crunchy beef taco is my order, always. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Pacific Coast Grill 💵
Ocean view dining
Located right on the beach with an open patio for those cool ocean breezes, seafood and sushi rolls and Asian influenced dumplings. Two levels, the downstairs patio is right on the beach but the best sunset views are upstairs on the open covered patio. Good choice if you want a fancier restaurant and excellent seafood. OFFICIAL SITE
Besta Wan Pizza 🤑
Want pizza? Get the Best-a One!
Here’s a real local pizza joint - Besta-Wan is located in what was once a family home and converted to a pizza house in 1965. Though it’s been cleaned up a bit with new owners it still retains some of its funky vibe and still serving the funkiest pizza, a sauerkraut pepperoni and sausage creation called the Kraut-Za that’s way better than you could ever imagine and a “must order”. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Fish 101 🤑
Casual Seafood - tacos, burritos, and more
From poke bowls to oysters to fish and chips, grill seafood and fried fish tacos and grilled fish burritos, this casual seafood restaurant has a definite beach surf vibe and will satisfy your seafood itch without breaking the bank. Get it to go and head over to The Lost Abbey if you can’t get enough of our local beers. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Best Restaurants Encinitas & Leucadia
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Encinitas Fish Shop 🤑
Fresh fish tacos and more
You pick the fish, pick the seasonings, then decide if you want it in a taco, a sandwich, or on a salad. Fish and Chips, poke, and $1.25 oysters on Thursdays, expect long lines at this counter service eatery as people get overwhelmed when it’s time to order. Pro-Tip: You can get a half and half order of fries and onion rings by asking, not on the menu. OFFICIAL SITE & MENU
The Taco Stand Encinitas 🤑
Baja style tacos and burritos
San Diego has a lot of taco shops, some delightfully grubby. Not The Taco Stand, a cleaned up taco shop that’s so popular they’re even in the San Diego Airport. Long lines for the baja style street tacos and burritos with homemade tortillas, priced below even the grubbiest hole in the wall taco shop and possibly more delicious. Get in line, it’s worth the wait. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Isola Pizza and Pasta 💵
Popular Little Italy Eatery now in Downtown Encinitas
Clean modern dining room and authentic wood fired Neapolitan pizzas along with your favorite pastas and larger plates with porchetta, steak or fish. Encinitas has a lot of Italian restaurants and all of them are pretty good but Isola is the new champion. Happy Hour, take out specials, full bar scene. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Herb & Sea 💵
Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey’s restaurant
Modern higher end dining experience with chic interior and featuring fresh seafood along with premium meats. Of course locals know best which is why we flock to the bar during Happy Hour where you can get a smash burger, fries, three oysters AND a glass of sparkling wine for just $20 - and you can make reservations for a bar seat. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Bouna Forchetta 💵
Multiple locations around San Diego
Tiny and cozy and authentic, Bouna Forchetta makes authentic wood fired Neapolitan pizzas and allows you to pick your pasta shape and sauce for your favorite combination. Plenty of daily specials with meats and seafood that change daily on the board posted on the wall. One of San Diego’s favorite Italian restaurants, it feels like an authentic family restaurant in Italy. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Valentina 💰
Small tapas plates in a bustling setting
It’s cute, it’s quaint, and it’s also fine dining, San Diego style. Come casual but expect creative and innovative dining with small plates to share. Tapas can add up fast so the pro move is to order a larger entree plate to share like the steak frites and treat the tapas as side dishes or appetizers as it’s so easy to keep ordering more and more. Very popular, make reservations. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Best Restaurants Carlsbad
🤑 AFFORDABLE: $20’s 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
The Camp Store 🤑
Ocean views and pizza
This isn’t some trendy upscale concept restaurant, it’s the actual camp store at South Carlsbad State Beach Park. Live music most nights starts at 5:30 and full ocean views and sunsets daily. Beer, wine and surprisingly good pizza, or you can bring in your own food and beverages. Cheap eats with million dollar view. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Gonzo! 🤑
Tokyo in Carlsbad, family owned and run ramen shop
San Diego has no shortage of ramen shops and Gonzo! is rated near the top with it’s rich tonkotsu broth and rock and roll attitude. It’s legit and the best in North County so if ramen is on your mind this is the place. Tokyo street foods as appetizers and a fun retail shop with pop culture goodies along with a full bar and live music at night. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Campfire 💵
Elevated “camping” food?
Carlsbad has the Camp Store and Campfire, two very different experiences. Campfire is elevated California cuisine, all cooked over a wood fire with a playful menu that includes creative cocktails and do it yourself s’mores. Fun a playful setting with a camping motif with the demographic aimed squarely at the hip and affluent crowd. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Nick’s on State 💵
Smart and sophisticated dining
Fancy but not too fancy with a vibrant and lively bar and outdoor patio, new American cuisine that may not be the most inventive but is always well executed and delicious. Lightly battered “asparagus fries” are the signature appetizer, plenty of sandwiches and entrees like ribs and steaks. Fun setting, feels like vacation whenever you’re there. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Jeune et Jolie 💰
Michelin Likes It!
Stylish and sophisticated modern French cuisine. Guests choose their own prix fixe experience, a four course dining adventure for $120 pp. More “casual” dining experience at the bar but it’s not necessarily less expensive so make the reservations and dine in style. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU