50 Best Bars near Rancho Santa Fe

“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!“

“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!“

“Rancho Santa fe fire protection on Calle Ambiente has friendly and helpful staff. There is always parking spots available and the lot feels safe. There are a few good lookers in their staff as well, see attached photo for reference 😄 👨‍🚒🧯🚒🔥“

“Cocina del Rancho offers amazing REAL Mexican food. We are always happy when we dine here 😄“

“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.“

“Little Miss was recommended to us by one of the Midway volunteers in San Diego. We checked out this location as it was close to our hotel, and loved the vibes! This one is USSR themed (each one has a different WWII theme). Helpful bartenders, great beer, and friendly patrons.“

“Literally one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had. They delivered 25 min after my order was placed. Fries were still crispy!!! Very delicious.“

“🙂👍 Matt does a great job!“

“Family owned! Great speakeasy vibe with lots of cool steampunk designs. You can even buy your own steampunk glasses and hats here! They mostly serve just alcoholic kombucha and 1 rotating local beer on tap, and like 2 non-alcoholic kombuchas. All of their kombucha is good with unique flavor profiles for each type. I love all their lemonade versions - tastes like actual lemonade to me, and they use cool fruits in their kombucha like dragonfruit! If you like it, they sell bottles, and can also bottle one for you then snd there. They usually have live music Friday and Saturday and events throughout the week. The vibe is definitely worth coming in and having a drink.“

“My favorite pub since 2010 or so. Always a great time. Hoping to go more often and also for takeout since they are one of the best restaurants in town as well. 🍀🍻💚“

“Neighborhood dive bar that's always busy when we've gone there. Seat yourself and best to order at the bar. You can wait for a wait staff to come to your table but they are usually very busy and you might end up waiting for awhile.

It can be hard to find a table available at game time, especially if you have more than 4 people.

The price for drinks and food are still reasonable here so I think that's why it's a popular spot. Plus food aren't bad bar food either. I do like their wings and fries.“

“Great Cider and Mead place right In san marcos“

“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.“

“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.“

“Love love love the live music! Started coming with my friends a few weeks ago. Variety of ages come here, so its fun seeing everyone vibe to classic rock or whatevers playing. :) staff are nice and friendly and drinks are reasonably priced.“

“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“

“I shouldn't talk about this, I shouldn't rate this but I can't hold back...Rodrigo is a legend behind the bar. The drinks are top tier. If you get the chance to come here, it's so worth it. Del Mar finally has a speakeasy!“

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

“You ever have one of those life defining or life changing moments? This might be one of mine. There is something special in these hard frescas. Or it could just be the chips and salsa flight talking. Either way, fantastic drinks and delicious selection of salsas. Thank you for sharing these drinks, cheers to the next 🐷🍒🌶️🍻“

“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.“

“Kelly’s! Local go to. I love being a regular here...“

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

“Great local fun hangout, bartenders are nice, food truck was great, all you need for a good local dive bar !!“

“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.“

“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!“

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

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

“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“

“This little hidden gem of a restaurant was the perfect place for a Sunday brunch. Upscale yet casual, the ambiance was great! We shared some pastries and patatas bravas which were perfectly prepared and very filling. The best part was the top-quality service - thank you, Karina!“

“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.“

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

“Great atmosphere and super service“

“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. 🫶“

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

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

“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!“

“I had a great experience at Filippi’s Pizza! The food was really good, everything came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. Our server, Ashley, made the meal even better with her amazing service. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed the whole time. The atmosphere was nice, though it’s a little on the darker side inside — but honestly, that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I’d definitely come back and recommend Filippi’s to anyone looking for great pizza, eggplant parm, and excellent service!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“This place is our go to local hang“

“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.“