Potato Shack Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (562) • $$

"Right off the main street towards the sough end of Encinitas, this little gem serves great food with really good service. Today i had the turkey burger and homemade fries. Fantastic and not bad for you. It is all so fresh, can't imagine how good breakfast must be... bit I'm sure other Yelpers have posted so always trust Yelp. I guess my favorite part of this place is easy parking and its quiet. Good little find!"

Thaipan Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"Thaipan Kitchen is located inside the famous Pyramid on Miramar Rd. They are the sister location to Ping Yang Thai which operates a vendor booth at the Market on 8th Food Hall in National City. The suite was tiny so if you wanted to dine on-site, there were several tables scattered in the atrium on the ground level. The place is currently open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Breakfast service ends at 11:00.The menu was a blend of Filipino, Japanese, and Thai cuisines which differs from its older sibling. The diversity of offerings ranged from tocilog to musubi to karaage to tom yum soup to pad thai. The chef had to be quite skilled to be able to produce such a variety. I showed up near the end of breakfast hours and picked a Spam Musubi and the Spamsilog. The former was decent in size and priced at $3.50.The Spamsilog was a bowl of garlic fried rice topped with three pieces of Spam, two fried eggs, and green onions. A small cup of vinegar sauce was provided on the side. This was a classic Filipino breakfast item that had lots of salt and acid from the Spam and sauce, respectively. The serving size was respectable for $14.50.I always thought the Pyramid was strictly office space and never knew that an eatery was doing business there until now. Most of the neighboring suites were being renovated which made it feel empty on the main floor. From what I tried at Thaipan Kitchen, the experience was around a four star rating."

Santos Coffee House

★★★★★ 4.5 (294) • $

"It's a cute and clean place. Very small and quaint. Service is on par. The mocha is very flavorful and you can taste the caffeine. They have a little cute courtyard sitting area to relax and do your work etc"

Lofty Coffee - La Costa

★★★★☆ 3.5 (127) • $$

"When in the north county San Diego area, Lofty Coffee - La Costa is one of my favorite places. The coffee, food, and service are amazing. The staff's service and friendly demeanor contribute to the inviting atmosphere, making customers feel genuinely welcome.Lofty roasts their own coffee and has a variety of crafted coffees. The selection of pastries and food items complement the drinks, adding to the overall experience.The quality of the coffee and food and the overall service and ambiance makes Lofty Coffee what it is. Lofty is an excellent spot for those seeking wonderful coffee and food in a charming setting."

Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (104) • $$

"Thank you Maddy for making our anniversary amazing and memorable. Topside is a perfect place to celebrate a moment like this. Great service. Service is what makes us a happy customer and a repeat customer Amazing place amazing ambiance and wow an amazing menuThank you"

Thyme In The Ranch

★★★★☆ 4.2 (374) • $$

"Beautiful little brunch place with great food and ambience! I absolutely loved the House Quiche with a cup of Potato Spinach soup of the day. Their Triple Berry Pie was also delicious, though it was a bit too much jam for me. The service was great - everyone was kinda and friendly. I would love to come again and try more dishes!"

Mexipino Craft

★★★★☆ 4.2 (531) • $$

"This is definitely a hole in the wall joint. My brother discovered this place and it is a great breakfast spot. Place looked pretty small and empty and there was only one person serving and taking orders. Took forever to have our order taken and brought out, but it was worth the wait. I appreciate a hard worker. Place deserves its 5 stars. Look at my pictures for evidence. Much rather come here than Denny's tbh."

Bud's Louisiana Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (2806) • $$

"WOW! What a hidden gem in San Diego, and a very delicious, flavorful, and beautiful gem! Definitely check this place out for your next Cajun craving!Tucked away and hidden in an industrial complex, Bud's Louisiana Cafe serves amazing southern dishes for reasonable prices! Interior is elegant with nice artworks, but still casual enough for everyone. Service was great all around.$8.50 Cup Seafood Bisque...creamy, tasty, and filled with seafood!$8.50 Cup Seafood gumbo...fragrant, tasty, and filled wit seafood!$26 Taste of New Orleans...a huge generous portion of Crawfish Etouffee! There were a solid 12-15 crawfish tails, all tender and juicy, over rice, and covered in the flavorful sauce, that was a perfect amount of spiciness. $22 Blackened Catfish...perfectly cooked with the sweet, juicy, gamey catfish meat, with a lovely butter Cajun seasoning on top, so good! Nice green beans and rice along side it."

Young Cluck

★★★★★ 4.7 (70) • $$

"The former Bowl Bar suite in the Adams Plaza of Normal Heights is now a new chicken shop called Young Cluck which debuted this week. The seating was limited to three two-top tables both inside and outside along with four stools at a countertop. The on-site parking was terrible with maybe ten spaces split between the five plaza businesses. Instead of the traditional choices of tenders and sandwiches, the kitchen produced a fusion of different cuisines. For example, there was the Southern classic of chicken & waffles, yet also a chicken banh mi sandwich.The current menu had four breakfast selections served between 7 am and 2 pm along with four lunch/dinner items available from 11 am to close. Dark Horse coffee, chips, and drinks rounded out the board. Eventually, a weekly special will also be offered. I picked the Popcorn Fried Chicken Bowl which contained pieces of battered and fried chicken served over sesame garlic fried rice. Yuzu shoyu sauce, pickled radish, and chiffonade shizo were the other toppings.You certainly won't find such a combination of ingredients in a chicken bowl from a non-Asian eatery. The pickled radish did wonders to provide acidity to cut through the batter on the chicken. The serving size could have been a little more to make the $14 price tag a better value. It will be interesting to see how the menu changes over time as these initial offerings were quite an eclectic bunch."

Madison

★★★★☆ 4.2 (1659) • $$

"This place was so beautiful!! When you walk in, the ambiance is already stunning and you know you're gonna get an amazing brunch. Staff is super friendly and the food came quickly. Make sure to have a reservation though! Here's some notes on the things we tried:Waffles churro sticks - super crispy and flavorful! It came with berries and a berry sauce which was unexpectedly spicy (but added such a great depth of flavor!) White bean shakshuka - I love shakshukas and this one did not disappoint! The poached egg mixed perfectly with the richness of the dish, and the pulled pork was juicy and deliciousPapas locas - a great brunchy choice if you're feeling like having something egg-y! With fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy potato wedges, this bowl was a perfect start to the day French toast - if you like your sweet breakfasts, this one is for you! Light yet moist, the French toast came with a good amount of fruit and butter to accompany the dish!"

Provisional Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (686) • $$

"Everything LOX was really good. It's like a deconstructed version but the flavor was amazing. I also tried the breakfast potatoes and those were yummy. Lastly, tried the Margherita pizza and it was very good. Service was OK. Didn't have a reservation both times I dined here, but got seated quickly the first time and had about a 25 minute wait the second time. Located inside the Pendry."

Stratford Court Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (506) • $$

"Everything about the Stratford Court Cafe is great. From the food, the service, and the ambiance, this is an awesome place to visit when in Del Mar. First, the food. We ordered the Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Berries & Cream Waffles, and the Açaí Hemp Bowl. All three were perfect. Kristian, the cashier that took our order, guided us in the right direction. This was our first time visiting, so we asked her for recommendations. Everything was delicious. Everyone there was very kind and helpful. And the cafe itself was very inviting. Plenty of seating. And the dog treats were a great touch. Our Golden Retriever was very happy as well. When in Del Mar, Stratford Court Cafe is a must."

Taco Surf PB

★★★★☆ 4 (1195) • $$

Pacific Beach AleHouse

★★★★☆ 3.7 (1755) • $$

"Top 5 restaurants I've tried in San Diego. I don't know if I've had bar food this good. PB Alehouse is a large bar/restaurant with a rooftop eating area as well. The place is a combination of college kids and families. We decided to sit on a booth on the bottom floor dining room, which was very comfortable. Our server was Morgan. Morgan was beyond impressive. Such a sweetheart. Really helpful with menu suggestions, and quite attentive especially given the crowded nature of the alehouse. We started with the Fried Calamari. It was really good, cooked perfectly and seasoned well. The chipotle aioli on the side was a hit. We also got some French Onion Soup, which was one of the best FO soups I've ever tried in my life! Melty cheese and really authentic tasting broth. My Mom got the Short Rib Plate. OMG, I was so mad I didn't get this. I had a bite and it was absolutely delectable. Melt in your mouth meat, buttery mashed potatoes, soft carrots, and delicious au jus and horseradish sauce. My Dad got the Fish Tacos which we all agreed were really good. I got the Steak Frites which were phenomenal. My steak was perfectly cooked and the fries were crispy. We ended with a delicious Chocolate Cake. Perfect amount of sweetness. We will definitely be back when in San Diego. PB Ale House will be highly recommend to my AZ friends who visit Cali."

Seasons Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (149) • $$$

"Would have given this 2 stars had it not been for good service. Pros:- The beet appetizer had good flavor.- Service was pleasant and timely.Cons:- The "whipped goat cheese" in the beet appetizer was pure liquid, like heavy cream, and the presentation lacked finesse. They hand ripped some basil over the top - a quick chop would have worked better for the look and taste. - The lamb ragu wasn't very ragu-y to me. There were no tomatoes in the sauce, which is usually part of a ragu. It was braised lamb in a loose brown liquid over pasta. There was also a rogue lump of blue cheese in my pasta that wasn't supposed to be there and it threw off the experience.- The yuzu tart was not good. It looked nice, sure. But I'm not sure how this dish gets messed up. The crust was chalky, the yuzu center majorly lacked flavor/sugar, and the center was very stiff like it had gelatin or too much egg. The meal was okay, but for the price it underdelivered."

Ocean Beach Pier Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (235)

"Pretty cool little place right on the pier. Good service and friendly staff. Bought some very cool souvenirs next door not sure if they are related. But overall not a bad place to have a beer or two overlooking the ocean below. The views are stunning and calming. Love supporting small businesses like this one. We bought some Clam Chowder to eat at home. It was delicious and the bread was flaky and fresh. Check it out you won't regret it."

Nate's Garden Grill

★★★★☆ 4.4 (621) • $$

"The ambiance, the service and the consistently good breakfast dishes are the draw. These are the reasons I have come to deeply appreciate Nate's. I love the Egg's Benedict and crab cakes most of all, but have never had a bad meal. The restaurant prides itself in sourcing from local farms and in prioritizing organic produce and locally roasted coffee as well as locally brewed beer. A wonderful, local community vibe. You will also find a rotation of local musicians who regularly play here -- folk, blues, acoustic music, jazz and the like. And, apparently, they not only make their own biscuits, but also brew their own root beer. Yes, this is definitely the place to bring your out of town visitors. And the team is highly informative and accommodating as well. They do help you to feel right at some. Same with the patrons, for the most part. Never have I had a negative experience here, and it is overall very child and family friendly. But, alas, there are three things I see as problematic: Parking. It may be difficult. There is a small, shared surface lot that was extended not too long ago. But the lot does not at all accommodate the popularity of the businesses here. Expect to do a few laps or, if you are lucky, find a spot on the street, which is on a hill (not best for those with mobility aids). The restrooms will sometimes reek, which is a problem for the tables seated at the very back of the restaurant. It can get very hot in the summer. Air circulation is no a best trait here. ...not reason enough to miss this local favorite."

Olive Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (850) • $$

"If you're in the Mission Beach area, this place is a must! It's a cute spot with a small indoor area, but a solid outdoor area. It's counter service, so I'd recommend grabbing a spot under an umbrella while waiting for your food to be ready.The breakfast burritos are truly unreal. Something about the combination of flavors was just perfect. You could really tell that the ingredients were high quality and cooked nicely. The hash browns hit the spot and the bacon added just the right flavor. I would be more than happy to come back for a burrito the next time I'm in town!"

Señor Burro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (227) • $

"A taco shop next to a La Mesa Albertsons.I finally tried Senor Burros and I liked it. I got the carne asada fries and they are a hit. The price is fair, the portion was generous and the food came out as quickly as you would expect. This location is cleaner than your average taco shop of its kind.If you are in this area, bring some friends and eat at Senor Burros, take a seat and eat under the watchful eye of their mascot donkey, I mean burro"

Bad Hombres Good Mexican Food

★★★★☆ 4.3 (459)

"San Diego, I've missed you so much! I know Santee is further from where I'd normally get tacos, burritos, and carne asada fries, but that's where I was staying for this particular vacation. My friend and I came here for dinner and witnessed the obscene amount of food they give. I got the Surf and Turf Fries, which were pretty good. Definitely filling. Didn't love the sauce on top, but I did enjoy the horchata I got on the side. The horchata was mostly ice, but oh well. Decent amount of seating inside the restaurant, as well as parking. Not bad overall!"

Cafe 67

★★★★☆ 4.3 (307)

"Along with an old school classic cafe/diner feel and ambiance, you get a friendly and warm atmosphere. Not to mention a generous portion of Americana.Serving breakfast and lunch, the menu is not overwhelming yet gives the patron a decent range of choices.I ordered bacon and eggs, hash browns, biscuit and a side of gravy. The eggs, fluffy and scrambled, offer a farm freshness while the hash browns crispy on the outside and cooked perfect on the inside. The bacon was crisp and cooked well and the biscuit airy and steaming hot. Pair all this with a cup of gravy and I call it a good breakfast that can hold me over till at least dinner.The service was fast and efficient, my meal arrived after order in less than 10 minutes, maybe more like 5. The restaurant is clean, including the restrooms, and tastefully decorated if you like retro. I am definitely coming back"

Arizona Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (238) • $$

"Stopped in with the boyfriend after an afternoon of walking through the pier of OB. We were just visiting from the Bay Area so it's always fun to stumble into local small businesses to support.I was craving for a Chicago style hot dog and the menu here happened to offer it (I saw it on the menu posted on the window as we were casually walking by). The hot dog came with tomatoes, pickles, sports peppers, relish & onions for $8.50 a pop. Not the greatest I have ever had but it did the job in satisfying my craving.Looks like these guys have a great beer, wine, and spirit list. There are pool tables and a huge space for large groups to gather. I bet this is a cool spot to hang out at on nights and weekends. They don't have their own private lot so prepare to look for street parking if you're driving in."

Gravity Heights - Sorrento Valley

★★★★☆ 4.2 (998) • $$

"We came here to dine with family for our daughter's promotion. We came for lunch during a midweek and it was not crowded. We were able to sit with other parties we knew so that was great. I ordered the mussels in sun dried tomato broth. I wasn't sure how I would like this entree since I do not care for sun dried tomatoes but it was actually tasty and I would order it again. The portion was enough and it also came with bread to dip in the sauce. My daughter ordered Mac and cheese which is standard but was saucey and wet (not dry). She enjoyed it and finished her plate. My daughter also ordered a scoop of chocolate gelato. Very good and a great way to end the meal. Service was good and accommodating. Parking lot has ample and free parking spaces. A very nice space with lots of indoor and patio seating."

Burger Bench

★★★★★ 4.5 (2088) • $$

"Two of my students and I had a workshop to attend in San Marcos. So looking for a place to eat, I found BB. One of my students just likes fries, so this place had some good choices. It's a cool space with indoor and outdoor seating.I ordered the bbq bacon burger which was very good! I should've asked for it med well. It was a little too rare for medium. We also ordered plain fries and truffle parmesean fries. I thought the portion of the fries was small in relation to price, but that seems to be the norm right now. This was the first time my students had craft sodas.She: I just wanted a Dr.PepperHe: I almost said SpriteBut they have a delicious Black Cherry soda! The staff was really friendly and there was good AC! Definitely worth checking out!"

Off The 8 Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (37)

"Amazing every time, both food and service!I had the Country Benedict (again!) and hubby had the ABC omelette. Good coffee. Generous portions, friendly accommodating service, clean gender-neutral restrooms. Some outdoor seating if that's your thing. It's in a retail center with other restaurants, a liquor store, a Chase bank. Literally just a few yards off Interstate 8. Plentiful parking."

Acapela Modern Mex

★★★★☆ 4.2 (109) • $

"I came here 4 months ago and tried their fish, shrimp diabla, and adobada tacos. The shrimp diabla was huge and so loaded! It was spicy and full of flavor. I also got a tamarind and strawberry agua fresca, which are made daily. The strawberry one was so creamy and refreshing. Before I left, I decided to get their pollo asada fries and these were so addicting. I loved it! It was so delicious! Service was so friendly and the staff was helpful with their recommendations."

Appetite

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (153) • $

"This spot doesn't get a enough credit. Their breakfast and lunch items are all delicious especially their soups. The employees are kind, professional and helpful when you have questions in regards to the menu and recommendations. The food comes out quickly and is handles with care. Definitely recommend this spot!"

El Pueblo Mexican Food & Bar - Del Mar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (402) • $$

"Nice casual place to catch a quick bite for dinner, or spend time with a large group with friends and family. Seatings outside are available. You order and pay your meals at the cashier and they hand you a number to place on your table. The staff will deliver your meals when ready. Purchased of non alcoholic drinks are free refill. There's a full bar and offer happy hour from 4-7pm I believe, but do check their hours as this may change. Good prices, good food and I recommend getting their full plate dinner if you are hungry. Overall, nice place to chill and good portions. Service was excellent. Cheers!"

Earlybird Breakfast Burritos

★★★★★ 4.6 (73)

"I was craving Mexican Breakfast one day... a quick Yelp Search and a quick Doordash search, I found Earlybird Breakfast Burritos. I was too lazy to get up after doing Zumba for 12+ miles the day before. Looks like they opened in March 2023. Their website notes that they are serving the "BEST" breakfast burritos and bowls in Pacific Beach, San Diego area. I tried their Carne Asada Breakfast burrito (made with 3 eggs, tater tots, crispy tortilla strips, mozzarella cheese with marinated carne asada, chipotle crema, salsa roja and guacamole). Delicious!! ENJOY!!"

Cully's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (366) • $

"My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast while we waited for our cars to be serviced at Toyota. As soon as we walked in, we're greeted by a man who I am assuming is the owner? He was very friendly and told us to sit wherever we wanted. The waitresses were very attentive and the food came out fairly quickly. Overall ambience is very welcoming and comfortable. I ordered the huevos rancheros which were delicious! I chose O'Brien potatoes as my side. A great choice! Their homemade salsa is also very good! My boyfriend ordered the chili omelette with hashtowns. He devoured his food! Will we be back?? Absolutely!! If you're in the area, check them out. They are tuck away in a shopping center next to the theater. This will definitely be our go to place whenever we are back to service our cars down the street."

Cocina de Barrio - Encinitas

★★★★☆ 4.3 (155) • $$$

"Tried this place out for the 1st time! The staff were really great! I sat outside, and they lowered the shade to block the sun,as well as offered to put the heaters on if I got too cold, which was super sweet. Disappointed they done offer chips and salsa, only if you ordered their made to order guacamole....which based on couple sitting behind me was amazing. I had their La Rosa hibiscus and it was the perfect drink on a warm day. I also ordered the portobello mushroom tacos and the blackened salmon tacos. The portobello tacos were fantastic and also vegan which was a plus. The blackened salmon however, was rather disappointing. It lacked flavor and next time I'd just stick to the portobello ones. Overall, great spot for yummy drinks, awesome service and decent food."

Juice Wave

★★★★★ 4.9 (368) • $$

"LOVED this place and the bowl I got!! I was craving an acai bowl all weekend and was looking for the best spot to get one and boy did I stumble upon it. The workers are so sweet, helpful, and they totally went above and beyond. As expected of a woman owned business! You order inside and there's also a fridge with juices. Once you order, you wait outside for your delicious smoothies and bowls. They have dining table tops outside and some benches for you to sit on if those are taken. I ordered The Wave and I'll literally be dreaming of this until the next time I come back. It had a scoop of coconut, spirulina, and pitaya!! All my faves! The granola is housemade and the current seasonal toppings are plums. Perfect for yourself, if you're hungry, or to share with someone else! The honey drizzle made for a perfect bite, not overly sweet at all. Would give this place 10 stars if I could!"

Uptown Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 (675) • $$

""I'M WITH THE BARTENDER..."(5 stars)The Hillcrest place you go to pregame before stepping out to the scenes. - FOOD: good bar food- PRICE: fair- SERVICE: spectacular - VIBE: fun and lively We stopped in during prime time (around 8p) and it was busy! Lots of hot gay boys filled the bar - predominantly male scene. I'm not gay but them boys would make me wish I was a gay boy. Everyone seems like a regular here and everyone was so darn friendly and welcoming. I felt the positive fun vibes here and foresee myself coming through more often. A friend is a bartender here and I see why she loves her work. Decided to do a surprise visit - it's my first time in the scene outside of pride. :: FOOD :: TRADITIONAL BUFFALO WINGS ($14) - Served with pickled celery and house made buttermilk ranch. Got the sauce on the side. I love me some chicken wings! They were average but delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAVERN SLIDERS ($15) - 3 Angus patties with cheddar cheese, house-made pickles, ketchup, and garlic aioli served on Hawaiian rolls. Plumpy little bite size burgers served with a thick patty. The fries it came with were seasoned well and crispy. RECOMMEND CHICKEN STRIPS BASKET ($17.50) - Crispy, hand-battered chicken strips and fries, served with house made ketchup and buttermilk ranch. Our friend recommended this, although a lot of food was already ordered and yet to be consumed this was ordered on top of that because it's the "popular" item many people order. It came with 3 gigantic very breaded pieces of chicken. While popular amongst everyone else who orders this it was just ok for me. Very giving potions doesn't always make up what lacks and I felt that something in this dish lacked and didn't wow me. I think I prefer naked chicken wings. BERRY DRINK - I asked for "something fruity, cocktaily... with gin" and was served a big drink that tasted refreshing and fruity!!! I will leave the mixology up to the pros, I trust their judgements. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Will def be back.JABA APPROVED. Until the next time..."

GARAGE Kitchen + Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (1478) • $$

"Stopped by here for happy hour as they give 51% off drinks and they're not weak drinks either. Really good deal! My friend and I also decided to try their Beijing Style Wings and Ahi Nachos. The wings were weird and all you could taste out of the 5 spices was cinnamon, which fell apart like a churro when you bit into it. It was a very strange texture and flavor. The ahi nachos, on the other hand, were delicious and beautifully presented! It could've used more ahi tuna for all the wonton chips that were provided, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything. The edamame puree at the bottom of the plate was a delicious addition that I had never seen before. This is something I would never get tired of no matter how many times I eat it. Staff was friendly and the atmosphere was fun as well. I loved that they had hockey on the tv without me having to ask. Honest, I would be more than happy to come back here and try some of their other foods."

Edgewater Grill

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (1519) • $$

"We made reservations for dinner at this great restaurant in Seaport Village for a weekday night. It was busy but we probably didn't need the reservation although it's better safe than sorry. We were immediately seated indoors with a wonderful view of the harbor. They have outdoor seating too but it was a bit chilly that night and we had noticed several tables asking to be moved indoors despite the heaters.Our spunky waitress did a fantastic job of taking care of us even considering she had far too many tables to attend to. She even took the time to come to our table and ask us if we wanted to go outside to watch a SpaceX launch as it was happening right then; it was a very cool thing to see and we appreciated her letting us know.I ordered fish and chips along with a glass of lemonade. The lemonade seemed freshly made, tart but refreshingly so. The fish was Alaskan cod, my favorite, and was light in flavor and fried perfectly. Malt vinegar was provided as was tartar sauce but the latter was used mainly to dip my thick fries into. This meal of fish and chips was the best I've had outside of the Pacific Northwest.Tiramisu for dessert! Their description: espresso & rum-soaked sponge cake, mascarpone, whipped cream, shaved chocolate. This was executed perfectly and I enjoyed the flavors in the sponge cake immensely. Considering this is a tourist spot the prices were reasonable. I'd definitely return here if I was choosing a place to eat in Seaport Village."