Brian's Guidebook
Food scene
Great oceanfront dining. Bar and more casual upstairs; more formal downstairs.
Call ahead for reservations.
121 locals recommend
Pacific Coast Grill
2526 S Coast Hwy 101Great oceanfront dining. Bar and more casual upstairs; more formal downstairs.
Call ahead for reservations.
Spacious indoor and outdoor spot for chicken sandwiches and high-end craft fried chicken and healthy bowls.
All ingredients either free range and/or locally sourced.
Craft beer, cocktails and great wine.
Amazing choice for families and super fast.
26 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Encinitas
407 Encinitas BlvdSpacious indoor and outdoor spot for chicken sandwiches and high-end craft fried chicken and healthy bowls.
All ingredients either free range and/or locally sourced.
Craft beer, cocktails and great wine.
Amazing choice for families and super fast.
Great brunch, lunch and dinner options, with a lively after dinner cocktail scene as well.
99 locals recommend
Union Kitchen & Tap
1108 S Coast Hwy 101Great brunch, lunch and dinner options, with a lively after dinner cocktail scene as well.
Great wood fired pizzas with a well curated wine and craft beer list.
59 locals recommend
Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria
897 S Coast Hwy 101Great wood fired pizzas with a well curated wine and craft beer list.
Amazing Asian fusion in a small buzzy environment. Quick and very high quality.
9 locals recommend
CHIKO
101 N Coast Hwy 101Amazing Asian fusion in a small buzzy environment. Quick and very high quality.
Coffee
Excellent single origin coffees roasted on-site. One of the best coffee roaster in the entire county, right at the end of the street
Ironsmith Coffee Roasters
458 S Coast Hwy 101Another fantastic local coffee roaster. One of the best coffee spots in the county.
82 locals recommend
Lofty Coffee Company
90 N Coast Hwy 101Another fantastic local coffee roaster. One of the best coffee spots in the county.
Bright and buzzy coffee shop, good for people watching or working remotely.
46 locals recommend
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
578 S Coast Hwy 101 Bright and buzzy coffee shop, good for people watching or working remotely.
Legendary local coffee joint in a reclaimed historic coastal home, with great pastries.
111 locals recommend
Pannikin Coffee & Tea
510 N Coast Hwy 101Legendary local coffee joint in a reclaimed historic coastal home, with great pastries.
Best espresso in the entire county. Also great single origin coffees.
32 locals recommend
Zumbar Coffee & Tea
111 Chesterfield DrBest espresso in the entire county. Also great single origin coffees.
San Francisco based chain with tasty pour-overs and blends.
No lattes or espresso drinks here.
31 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
1060 S Coast Hwy 101San Francisco based chain with tasty pour-overs and blends.
No lattes or espresso drinks here.
Bump Coffee
126 Aberdeen DrQuick tasty high quality pour-overs and freshly baked empanadas.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Craft Beer
San Diego County is the world’s capital of craft beer, with more than 200 independent breweries in the county.
Taproom at the end of the street for one of the best of the 200+ breweries in the county.
Great food as well. Dog and family friendly.
27 locals recommend
Modern Times Far West Lounge
470 S Coast Hwy 101Taproom at the end of the street for one of the best of the 200+ breweries in the county.
Great food as well. Dog and family friendly.
Amazing river and glimpse ocean views with great food and a large patio
33 locals recommend
Viewpoint Brewing Company
2201 San Dieguito DrAmazing river and glimpse ocean views with great food and a large patio
Local taproom for tasty craft beers with a sidewalk patio.
23 locals recommend
Culture Brewing Co | Encinitas
629 South Coast Highway 101Local taproom for tasty craft beers with a sidewalk patio.
The Confessional by The Lost Abbey
2007 San Elijo AveEncinitas Ale House
1044 S Coast Hwy 101Simply amazing. One of the best rotating tap lists in the county. Pub grub.
47 locals recommend
The Regal Seagull
996 N Coast Hwy 101Simply amazing. One of the best rotating tap lists in the county. Pub grub.
Priority Public House
576 N Coast Hwy 101Fantastic gastropub with a handpicked tap list.
Pizza Port Solana Beach
135 N Hwy 10121+ taproom.
Fantastic handpicked rotating taplist with a sunny patio.
Dog friendly.
Food welcome from adjacent businesses. Great spot to get some work done on a laptop.
Plenty of screens for sports.
8 locals recommend
The Brewers Tap Room
1456 Encinitas Blvd21+ taproom.
Fantastic handpicked rotating taplist with a sunny patio.
Dog friendly.
Food welcome from adjacent businesses. Great spot to get some work done on a laptop.
Plenty of screens for sports.
Surf Shops
Local family run legendary surf shop with surfboards, wetsuits, accessories, sunglasses and a huge assortment of clothing and swimwear.
34 locals recommend
Hansen Surfboards
1105 S Coast Hwy 101Local family run legendary surf shop with surfboards, wetsuits, accessories, sunglasses and a huge assortment of clothing and swimwear.
Encinitas Surfboards
107 N Coast Hwy 101Great local surf shop with all the essentials and SURFBOARD RENTALS.
Ask for Jay or Jeff and tell them Brian sent you.
8 locals recommend
IRON CROSS SURFBOARDS
2107 San Elijo AveGreat local surf shop with all the essentials and SURFBOARD RENTALS.
Ask for Jay or Jeff and tell them Brian sent you.
Great local spot at the end of the street with board and wetsuit rentals.
8 locals recommend
Concept Surf Shop
215 W D StGreat local spot at the end of the street with board and wetsuit rentals.