Ellen's Encinitas Favorites
Food Scene
Plumeria’s is the place to go for vegetarian & vegan Thai food, drinks & desserts. The North County location is ideally located in the heart of Encinitas 101. I’ve always been able to get a table inside or out whenever I’ve gone there. It’s on the sunny side of the street 🌟 in the afternoon too. The food and drinks make up for the lack of outdoor dining atmosphere. I chose an outside table with sun and shade. The inside looks like a classic Thai place. I recommend Pad See Iw or Spicy Noodles for a tasty & filling meal. My entrée was a little bit stuck together and not as colorful as I would like, but it tasted great! They offer vegan duck & chicken, fried or steamed Tofu, jackfruit (a nice meat substitute), bean mix or extra veggies to accompany entrees. They have Thai Iced Tea and Coffee with almond, coconut or dairy milk. The Lychee Iced tea was a beautiful drink which also tasted great. One day I’ll have to go back for the Chocolate Lava Cake.
It’s right next door to the Roxy so you can enjoy the entertainment without the crowds.
The original University Heights Plumeria has a much different, vibrant, crowded and colorful atmosphere. I love that one too.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Plumeria Vegetarian Encinitas
527 S Coast Hwy 101Plumeria’s is the place to go for vegetarian & vegan Thai food, drinks & desserts. The North County location is ideally located in the heart of Encinitas 101. I’ve always been able to get a table inside or out whenever I’ve gone there. It’s on the sunny side of the street 🌟 in the afternoon too. The food and drinks make up for the lack of outdoor dining atmosphere. I chose an outside table with sun and shade. The inside looks like a classic Thai place. I recommend Pad See Iw or Spicy Noodles for a tasty & filling meal. My entrée was a little bit stuck together and not as colorful as I would like, but it tasted great! They offer vegan duck & chicken, fried or steamed Tofu, jackfruit (a nice meat substitute), bean mix or extra veggies to accompany entrees. They have Thai Iced Tea and Coffee with almond, coconut or dairy milk. The Lychee Iced tea was a beautiful drink which also tasted great. One day I’ll have to go back for the Chocolate Lava Cake.
It’s right next door to the Roxy so you can enjoy the entertainment without the crowds.
The original University Heights Plumeria has a much different, vibrant, crowded and colorful atmosphere. I love that one too.
City tacos won Best Tacos in Ranch & Coast 2022. The tacos here are unique and deserve the honor. Hot sauces are great and there's all the classic Mexican beer too.
I’ve been eating at city tacos for years in other locations like Imperial Beach and Downtown by Petco park. They are consistently friendly, fast and delicious. The zucchini taco I had here was the best, I’ve had, so far. John got the Mexicali taco which had a generous amount of steak on a fresh handmade flour tortilla. I had the pineapple agua fresca $2.29, which had fresh crushed pineapple in it. It was a little sweet for me, I would prefer more pineapple flavor and less sweet flavor, but that's just me. I just add ice water (which is what I do with jamaica) and I'm happy.
The Encinitas location is in the South end of the Lumberyard and features more parking and less crowds. There are nice outdoor dining spots tucked away on the wrap-around porch too. I recommend just one taco here (under $4) and then a doughnut 🍩 at Broad Street for a perfect & decadent lunch!
150 paikallista suosittelee
City Tacos
3028 University AveCity tacos won Best Tacos in Ranch & Coast 2022. The tacos here are unique and deserve the honor. Hot sauces are great and there's all the classic Mexican beer too.
I’ve been eating at city tacos for years in other locations like Imperial Beach and Downtown by Petco park. They are consistently friendly, fast and delicious. The zucchini taco I had here was the best, I’ve had, so far. John got the Mexicali taco which had a generous amount of steak on a fresh handmade flour tortilla. I had the pineapple agua fresca $2.29, which had fresh crushed pineapple in it. It was a little sweet for me, I would prefer more pineapple flavor and less sweet flavor, but that's just me. I just add ice water (which is what I do with jamaica) and I'm happy.
The Encinitas location is in the South end of the Lumberyard and features more parking and less crowds. There are nice outdoor dining spots tucked away on the wrap-around porch too. I recommend just one taco here (under $4) and then a doughnut 🍩 at Broad Street for a perfect & decadent lunch!
There are a few really popular breakfast/lunch spots on the west side of the 101 in Encinitas. Honey's is this one of those places. Many of these places close 2 PM, so go early. At Honey's you place your order at the front and choose your own table.
I liked this place so much that after my first time going, I went back 3 days later and ordered the same thing. It was that good.
I found great tables both visits, and short or no lines to order. I went at breakfast time on a Saturday and early lunch on a weekday.
The girls who took my order were super nice and suggested that I tried two different freshly made salad dressings for my side salad. I ordered the chipotle bean burger ($9.99).
They have lots of nice choices of self serve fresh coffee.
My husband got the Montreal steak salad ($17) which he really liked. Portions were huge and food was extremely fresh and everything tasted great. Servers and staff were also very helpful.
Lots of fresh juices, and self serve coffee and tea.
43 paikallista suosittelee
Honey's Bistro & Bakery
632 S Coast Hwy 101There are a few really popular breakfast/lunch spots on the west side of the 101 in Encinitas. Honey's is this one of those places. Many of these places close 2 PM, so go early. At Honey's you place your order at the front and choose your own table.
I liked this place so much that after my first time going, I went back 3 days later and ordered the same thing. It was that good.
I found great tables both visits, and short or no lines to order. I went at breakfast time on a Saturday and early lunch on a weekday.
The girls who took my order were super nice and suggested that I tried two different freshly made salad dressings for my side salad. I ordered the chipotle bean burger ($9.99).
They have lots of nice choices of self serve fresh coffee.
My husband got the Montreal steak salad ($17) which he really liked. Portions were huge and food was extremely fresh and everything tasted great. Servers and staff were also very helpful.
Lots of fresh juices, and self serve coffee and tea.
La Especial Norte
664 N Coast Hwy 101Classic menu, atmosphere at a reasonable price.
Food scene
Broad Street Dough makes a game changing doughnut. I just tried my first Saturday and it will not be my last. The doughnuts themselves are so freshly made they are still warm. They are soft and are topped to order by the friendly, helpful staff. I had a vegan one covered with chocolate, which broke in half when I picked it up, so I was glad it came in a nice box. Freshly poured topping is messy. I’m not a huge sweets fan, but I love these doughnuts.
The Yum Problem:
I tried, but had a very hard time not saying “yum” in absolute amazement after each bite. The chocolate was different too and had a hint of cinnamon to it. When my hubby took a bite he did the Yum thing too (which he never does either). Another thing: They might have 380 calories each, so you might have to do a good walk to the beach afterwards.
Next time I go, I’m bringing a fork and will plan on doing a few laps up and down the stairs to Swamis beach.
Go now and avoid the lines that will inevitably start forming when the rest of San Diego catches on to this place.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Broad Street Dough Co
967 S Coast Hwy 101Broad Street Dough makes a game changing doughnut. I just tried my first Saturday and it will not be my last. The doughnuts themselves are so freshly made they are still warm. They are soft and are topped to order by the friendly, helpful staff. I had a vegan one covered with chocolate, which broke in half when I picked it up, so I was glad it came in a nice box. Freshly poured topping is messy. I’m not a huge sweets fan, but I love these doughnuts.
The Yum Problem:
I tried, but had a very hard time not saying “yum” in absolute amazement after each bite. The chocolate was different too and had a hint of cinnamon to it. When my hubby took a bite he did the Yum thing too (which he never does either). Another thing: They might have 380 calories each, so you might have to do a good walk to the beach afterwards.
Next time I go, I’m bringing a fork and will plan on doing a few laps up and down the stairs to Swamis beach.
Go now and avoid the lines that will inevitably start forming when the rest of San Diego catches on to this place.