I am proud to be a born and raised San Diegan. It’s a pretty sweet gig – it’s beachy, it’s mellow, everyone’s active, and the food scene is amazing. So many of you have asked for my go-to spots in San Diego, and I figured it’s finally time to hook it up with my San Diego Restaurant Guide.
I live in North County, so my favorite restaurants tend to be coastal and up north, but tried to pull from a few different neighborhoods and price points as well. Some of these are a health-foodie’s dream, and some are for when you want to treat yourself with something rich and decadent. And every restaurant on here has great gluten free options. Because I wouldn’t go making a San Diego Restaurant Guide without making it gluten free friendly – come on now!
Want some more restaurant guides? Check out my Coastal California Roadtrip Honeymoon Guide or my Edna Valley Guide for the best eats in San Luis Obispo County.
Breakfast
GoodOnYa Organic
Tucked in between a surf shop and a vintage car dealership, this local spot in downtown Encinitas is one of my favorite breakfast spots. The food actually makes you FEEL good, and the ingredients are crazy clean. Plus, they have Siete tortillas, so you know it’s legit. GoodOnYa is also open for lunch and dinner and you really can’t go wrong ordering anything here. The Kitchen sink salad is hands down my favorite salad in the GAME.
What to order: Fried egg plate with gf sourdough, California burrito (they have gluten free tortillas!), veggie scramble, Kitchen Sink salad
Nectarine Grove
Oh my lanta – a fully gluten free restaurant! This spot is a picky eater’s paradise. With an adorable neighborhood vibe, Nectarine Grove is one of my favorites for a Sunday brunch or lunch with the girls during the week. From adaptogenic teas and coffees, to bone broth and superfood smoothies, you have to get a drink here as well!
What to order: breakfast tacos, protein plate, cinnamon roll (A MUST), roasted veggie bowl
French Corner
After a nice long walk along Neptune Street in Leucadia, pop into French Corner for some tasty French cafe vibes. Evan is the coffee snob in the family, and loves the bulletproof coffee and cappuccinos here. We love to order our drinks with their gluten free pistachio cake (or an almond croissant for Evan!). Some favorite breakfast items here include the omelets, quiche, or croissant sandwiches.
What to order: Omelette du Parisian, Omelette du Soleil, Breakfast Frittata, Vegetarian salad
Swami’s Cafe
Swami’s Cafe is truly the local spot of all local spots. With mostly outdoor seating and situated across from one of the most famous surf breaks in California, this is definitely a must if you’re in Encinitas. It’s classic diner breakfast style food, but with a healthy twist. Evan loves coming here because the portions are HUGE – so bring your appetite. Pro tip: if you’re going on the weekend, get there early or expect a line (don’t worry, it moves quick).
What to order: Veggie scrambler special, healthy breakfast burrito (not gf), acai bowl
Naked Cafe
With multiple locations across coastal San Diego, Naked cafe is the healthy food joint that has something for everyone. My favorite location is in Solana Beach, with an ocean view and a 30 second walk to the sand. Hot tip: it gets BUSY here on the weekends, so come early, or be cool with a leisurely (read: slower) breakfast service.
What to order: plate of prosperity, crispy burritos – I sub for corn tortillas to keep gf, and if you’re a sweets fan the pancakes and french toast are to die for.
Lunch
Homestead Solana Beach
This little spot is the perfect location for a cozy lunch! My dad and I (who are business partners and work together) love to walk here from our office and share a slow lunch on Fridays. The team working there is so friendly and accommodating, and the food feels SO fresh, clean, and homemade. Plus, there are gluten free options galore! They also have a great mini market here, with some fresh goods, books, and gift ideas.
What to order: Harvest salad (w/extra greens), the kale salad is bomb, the burritos are great if you’re not gf, and the gluten free cookies and fresh baked goodies never disappoint
Eve Encinitas
You’ll find tasty, creative vegan cuisine, superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, local kombucha and a relaxed community gathering space. This is ain’t your mama’s vegan food – it’s hearty, flavorful, and you won’t be missing meat.
What to order: Super veggie burrito (I get it as a bowl to keep it gf), Legendary Hero bowl, Sage Wisdom salad
Fish 101
Had to add Fish 101 since it’s Evan’s favorite lunch spot. It’s simple, quality food with a beachy vibe. Lately we have been loving grabbing food to go from their Cardiff location and heading down to the beach for a midday picnic or sunset eats! Nothing that will change your life, but it’s good food with an ocean view, can’t really beat it.
What to order: Poke Bowl, fish burrito, tomato soup (trust me!) or shrimp tacos
Cafe Gratitude
A vegan restaurant with upscale ambience and quite the array of options. Cafe Gratitude supports local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products, in addition to making some mind-blowing vegan eats. It’s open for breakfast and dinner too! Pro tip: come here on a Saturday morning, and then explore the Little Italy Farmers market – it’s the best in town.
What to order: Kale Caesar Salad, Macrobiotic bowl, or the Mole Enchiladas
Dinner
Next, no San Diego Restaurant Guide would be complete without some incredible dinner spots. From casual eats to memorable date night spots, check out this list for some dinner you won’t forget anytime soon.
Herb & Sea
Herb & Sea is definitely my favorite date night spot in town. Their new outdoor patio almost doubles their capacity, and it’s got ambiance up the wazoo both indoors and outdoors. What I love most about Herb & Sea is the consistently amazing service – the servers and kind, attentive, friendly, and accommodating. You love to see it. Definitely order the cocktails here – I love the Fire & Nice and Evan always gets the Bourbon & Bronco.
What to order: gem salad, hamachi crudo, boardwalk potatoes, roasted baby carrots, half chicken (soo flavorful!) or the pork chop
Campfire
Farm to table, family style, and insanely good cocktails – HELL YES. Campfire is such a vibe – it’s styled a little bit like a cabin, with a romantic and cozy vibe that still crazy cool. Coming here with a group is always fun as well, with the entire menu being geared towards a family style experience. Make sure you check out the cocktail menu too – it’s next level.
What to order: charred broccoli, ceviche, roasted Jidori chicken for two
Buona Forchetta
If you’re looking for BOMB Italian food, you must try Buona Forchetta. Serving up Neopolitan pizzas in a bustling cozy location, Buona Forchetta is a great place for a cozy carb-filled date night, or to bring a group! I love their fluffy gluten free crusts that actually taste like legit PIZZA, not just a gluten free flatbread. The pesto here is truly unreal, so order a side of it to dunk your pizza in, and thank me later.
What to order: fattore salad, Bruna pizza, Sergio pizza, pesto pasta
Madison on Park
The vibe of all vibes! The architecture of Madison is next level gorgeous, with an open air courtyard and romantic lighting galore. Don’t be afraid to sit in the bar if the spot is full – it’s a buzzy atmosphere that will make you feel hip as hell. The cocktails are amazing – the make your own Old Fashion is one of Evan’s favorites in town. Pro tip: they can make any pasta dish gluten free!
What to order: Salmon crudo, avocado citrus salad, pappardelle
Blue Ribbon Pizza
Tucked away in the Lumberyard in coastal Encinitas, this cozy pizza kitchen is a perfect casual date spot. Evan and I love riding our bikes at sunset over for a mid-week pizza date night.
With rustic Italian appetizers, delicious salads, and their signature wood-fired pizzas, it’s an affordable, relaxed atmosphere that’ll leave you feeling like part of the family. Beer-lovers rejoice, their rotating taps highlight local breweries and some smaller unknown brewers that are a fresh taste of your city. Oh and their corkage fee is only $12, just saying. Bonus points: Blue Ribbon has one of the best gluten free crusts we’ve found.
What to order: baby greens salad, pizza favorites: My Father’s and The Signature
Dessert
Before you leave, promise me you’ll try at least one of these dessert spots! Because we all know that no Beachside Kitchen San Diego Restaurant Guide would be legit if I didn’t share my favorite places for incredible dessert.
JoJo’s Creamery
Owned and run by a mother-daughter duo, this nieghborhood spot for artisanal, handmade ice cream is hands down my favorite. They have tons of seasonal favorites, gluten free friendly coookies and cones, and well as delicious vegan options. Plus, you get a free cookie with your scoops! Pro tip: JoJo’s is next door to Blue Ribbon, so hit both in one night.
What to order: peanut butter chip, vanilla bean, cayenne sea salt caramel, and don’t be shy about the cones – they’re 100% worth it
Stella Jean’s
Another amazing ice cream spot, located in University Heights down south. It’s very instagrammable, with pink and white decor and a staff that feels like they’re genuinely stoked to be there. Their flavors are rotating, so sample to your heart’s content! Pro tip: Stella Jeans is just down the street from Madison, so make it a date night and treat yourself to both.
Sidecar Doughnuts
Hip, local, artisanal, and all natural, I gotta say Sidecar is one of my favorite indulgences. They have rotating monthly flavors, along with a gluten free option every week, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference! Come with a group so you can sample a few (or sample a few on your own, I ain’t judging!), but like any good donut, they’re best eaten fresh out of the fryer.
What to order: old fashioned, Saigon cinnamon crumb, maple bacon, and anything seasonal
VG’s Donuts
Last but not least, I had to include VG’s. A staple in the sleepy beach town of Cardiff (aka my backyard), VG’s is the SPOT for classic, freshly friend and fluffy donuts. It’s a hole in the wall that earns itself 40 person lines on the weekends. While they don’t have gluten free donuts, they do have some cookies and cupcakes for you gf-ers out there like me. If you’re not afraid of some real sugar and flour, just ask for whatever’s still warm and you can’t go wrong.
What to order: cinnamon crumb, maple donut, apple fritter
Hope you love these spots from my San Diego Restaurant Guide. If you visit any, share it on social media and tag your girl B!