50 Best Bars near Encinitas

“The Leucadian is the kind of dive bar you rarely find anymore — and that’s what makes it great. It’s laid-back, unpretentious, and full of character. The drinks are strong, the music is solid, and the regulars and bartenders make you feel right at home. Whether you're catching a game, playing pool, or just hanging out with friends, it’s always a good time.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a true local vibe in Encinitas.“

“Good beer + big-screen TVs to watch sports + enjoyable, casual atmosphere = relaxation & fun“

“I love the bands here! Can’t wait for more tomfoolery.“

“One of my favorite places to visit. I like it so much I drive down from Dana Point. Great friendly customer service. Yummy food and tasty libations.“

“great sound, and stage. often there is a drum set and bass amp. Jay Cain is a great host!“

“Great food - super fresh fish & casual vibe. Prices were reasonable & I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Enjoy!“

“9/9/24 bartender (i think) Drew, was awesome and the best. gave me some recommendations on drinks for someone who is new to drinking. super nice and sweet. gave my friend a sparkler for her bday and put on a bday song. found out i like white claw because of him <3“

“I’ve been dining at Le Papagayo’s for 20+ years. I love the atmosphere, ambience, live music, and fabulous food. It’s a down to Earth place and you can come casual or dressed up! This place will not disappoint.“

“excellent drinks & food.“

“Great venue and Great service“

“A Hidden Gem in an Office Park: A Night at The WineSeller & Brasserie You wouldn’t expect to find a culinary treasure tucked away in an office park, but The WineSeller defies all expectations. Downstairs, it’s a literal wine cellar where patrons can store their own bottles. Upstairs, you step into a dining room that feels like a delightful throwback to the ‘90s—nostalgic in the best possible way. What made our experience truly exceptional was the personalized seven-course tasting menu. Our friend had a collection of his own wines stored there and gave them to Lisa, the warm and welcoming owner. She and Chef Oscar then crafted a menu specifically to pair with those wines. The result was simply unforgettable. Every course was amazing, but a couple stood out as pure genius. One highlight was a half lobster served two ways: one side topped with beef tartare, the other with lobster tartare. As someone who loves tasting menus, I was blown away by the creativity. Another standout was the clams with chorizo in a broth that was just out of this world. And who knew chicken could be so extraordinary? The chicken roulade was unbelievably tender and flavorful. Finally, the venison with mole sauce was cooked to absolute perfection and left us all speechless. Chef Oscar’s talent and humility shone through each dish, and Lisa’s hospitality made the night even more special. While we didn’t try the regular menu, I have no doubt it’s just as delightful. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience with a personal touch, The WineSeller is a must-visit.“

“🙂👍 Matt does a great job!“

“Great Cider and Mead place right In san marcos“

“A fantastic gem hidden in the midst of all the fast food restaurants you could imagine! We have the skirt steak, the lamb chops, and the ribeye! Wow- it was delisious and beautiful big portions. Our waiter was amazing and so suggestive that we really enjoyed the entire experience.“

“My favorite place in North County San Diego. The nachos are to die for“

“We LOVE this bar! Everyone we know has a life-changing story that took place in this iconic bar. The staff is so friendly, the guests are charming and the drinks are cheap. Can you ask for anything more? Oh yeah! It’s literally a block from the beach.“

“While enjoying drinks and dinner with my wife in the lobby, there was a drunk individual who was escorted out by Devon, the security manager. I was truly impressed by Devon's remarkable composure and professionalism. It is evident that he is exceptional at his job.“

“Wonderful bar in the Hotel L’Aubarge in Del Mar. Bartenders Blake and Leo are awesome but all who work there are awesome. Great vegetable crudités that looks like you are pulling vegies out of a garden but taste delicious (just don’t eat the stems, they are a little bitter) ? Live music, amazing views especially at sunset. Thank you as always

Wheelchair accessibility: It is wheelchair accessible“

“Absolutely loved this place! The location is perfect, and the kombucha is some of the best I’ve ever had. Wendy was amazing—she has such a beautiful smile and made the whole experience feel so natural and welcoming. I had a great time and will definitely be back!“

“Great hotel restaurant & bar! 🙌 I stayed at this hotel for a couple weeks for work. I had the buffalo wings, burger & fries, carnitas tacos, and garden salad with chicken. I highly recommend them all. All were very tasty/well made and I was pleasantly surprised with the portion sizes.

A huge highlight of our experience was the staff, especially Samuel. He was extremely welcoming, knowledgeable on drinks, and made great conversation. He’s a great addition to the Country Inn & Suites staff.“

“We used to live in the neighborhood where The Pony Room is located, so naturally, we were “regulars”. Ten years ago we relocated to North Scottsdale, but like many full time Zonies we travel to San Diego a few times every year and always enjoy The Pony Room a couple times a year. The service is the best, the menu is excellent and you can't beat the outdoor seating, especially at sunset. We enjoy the lamb lollipops, salmon and Dover sole. When I retired last year, I took my whole firm for an amazing dinner. Everyone from New York and San Francisco loved it!“

“This place gets great reviews and they are well deserved.

Food was outstanding, Marcos was an outstanding server with super recommendations. No rush, very relaxed service and general atmosphere. Live music was a plus, but a little too loud.

Go there. You will not be disappointed. Ask for Marcos for superior service.“

“Nice restaurant! Came in with group of 12 & was sat in back.Server was nice & friendly. Food was pretty good! The risotto with our scallops was under cooked though (crunchy!), so they re-did that. They mentioned that it's usually al-dente, but it was too crunchy for our taste :(.We were unable to order dessert, due to the kitchen closing.The rib eye was excellent though & cooked great! Our daughter had the mosaic burger & said it was delicious.Clean restaurant & easy to find parking on the property. Collected to the Sheraton hotel... beautiful walk to the sundial Bridge, too!“

“Buen lugar para desahogar penas jaja echar una chela, un trago y pasarla bien un rato.“

“Great place, decent music, and Anita is the best bartender ever!!!“

“Great atmosphere and super service“

“Great food . Well prepared and tasty , but a rowdy table with loud guests ruined the atmosphere and enjoyment. I asked management to calm the table down , but nothing was done.“

“The service was impeccable, and the food was great“

“I was out late one night, wondering why my life went to complete 💩, when I tried the carneasada fries here. The experience was euphoric. A window to heaven was opened. My life for a moment became less shittier. I poured my heart and soul into these carneasada fries, they saw things no one else has ever seen. They get me. 🫶“

“Excellent food and cocktails! Had amazing service from James and Jessica, made my friends birthday extra special. Kudos!“

“All the way from the Uk to Escondido and we found this real fun bar.We fell in love with it and went back four times in two week.Can highly recommend a visit to this wonderful bar.You won’t be disappointed.“

“The food and service is always good, I was wondering what is their signature dish? And has the restaurant had a food critics review? I love you read it! See you soon Casa de Bandini!“

“Amazing staff, excellent food and great vibes overall. Wings and queso fundido are smackin’ good and they have the best fish n chips! 😋“

“Service was superb in every way. Terry never wrote down an order for our table of five and got it perfectly! Everyone's favorite was the lamb lollipops. Soo tender and savory. The executive board was so flavorful and beyond tender. A terrific meal and celebration. Noise was a bit loud for us. But it tapered off.“

“Awesome! Waitress Trinity developed a outstanding job. She’s great!“

“👍excelente comida, ambiente agradable“

“The burgers and fries are both quite good, and the thin crust pizza is very tasty. Many choices for the burgers and pizzas. The owner and staff are friendly and outgoing but not obnoxious or phony. Give it try!“

“We celebrated our 43rd anniversary at Steak 48. We throughly enjoyed it!! The food and atmosphere was top notch. We actually live in NYC and we are used to world class steak houses and this place is on par with them. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Chauncey’s is a great place to get delicious food, drinks and spend time with people! Love their Solana and Padre pizza, and salads are very fresh! The owner, Rich, is a really nice guy… we definitely will be coming back!“

“Fantastic Brews and BBQ – A Must-Visit in Carlsbad

Burgeon Brewery has set the bar high for craft beer in Carlsbad. We stopped by on a recommendation and were blown away by their IPA selection. The DDH Juice Press was so good we brought cans home! Other standouts in our flight included Turtle Power, Treevana, and Cloud Chaser—all bursting with flavor.

The brewery’s relaxed atmosphere paired with BBQ from the Thumbs Up Food Truck made our visit memorable. The brisket with spicy sauce was smoky perfection and matched the beers beautifully. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a true gem.“

“Dropped in on Christmas for dinner without a reservation and the place was packed! But they had a little table for us immediately. My wife loved the grilled salmon salad and the prime rib was the best I’ve had in a long time! We split a clam chowder bread bowl (so good!). Staff was friendly and we had a great time!“

“Great venue and Great service“

“Update:
12/8/25
We came back for lunch to celebrate my birthday. I was really surprised that our bartenderess Gabby remembered my name 😊 I mentioned that it was my birthday and at the end of our meal she brought out a birthday cake slice. Great great and awesome service
12/1/25
We had phenomenal service by our bartenderess Gabby. Attentive but not annoying. Always on point ☺️

Great food as always!!“

“Great atmosphere, Cold beer and amazing food! We came for lunch and stayed for great service. Well dine“

“Had a late lunch with friends on a rainy Sunday. It was pouring rain, the only way to park in the restaurant parking lot was to valet, otherwise you have to park on the street or further away in another parking lot. The food, service and view was excellent. I couldn't help but to notice how stained the dining chairs were and the tables looked worn and tired. It's too bad the management doesn't see this and address it. The prices are very reasonable, it's worth a try if you love fresh Italian cuisine.“

“Great food! I had the lamb shank and it was so tender, it fell off the bone. Service was great!“

“I come here at least once a week for fajitas, tacos and/or drinks. But it’s not only the delicious food or drinks that have me returning but their exceptional bartender, Gretta. She takes it upon herself to go the extra miles for not only her restaurant but her customers. She is a diamond in the rough and the perfect embodiment of a fun loving So Cal gal. Keep on pouring em girl. I’ll be back for you!“

“Attentive server. Awesome food, hot and just enough of it. Moderatly loud, was able to have conversations with the people seated next to me, any farther away was very hard. Salsa had a nice kick, with short legs, won't burn out your taste buds.“