Best Restaurants Around Cardiff-by-the-Sea & Encinitas for a Casual After Surf Meal

Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas are well known as being a great surf destination where you can find some of the best surfing spots in California, very popular with locals and tourists alike. Here, you can enjoy a perfect day of tackling the ocean's waves, no matter your level of experience. If you are planning a surfing trip to California this is the perfect place, here you can find some splendid oceanside vacation rentals to retire to at the end of the day
All the time spent in the water and all the effort will probably leave you starving. Most of the time you will want to head straight to dinner, without having to change first, or maybe you'd just like to take a lunch break and head straight back in the water. To help you with this, we've put together a list of some of the best casual dining options, in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas.
Pipes Cafe
Address: 121 Liverpool Dr, Cardiff, CA.
Opening Hours: 07 AM - 3 PM

Pipes Cafe is a long time locals favorite, filled with San Diego classic delights. The meals are generous and even though they are simple, they are still delicious. Here you can find a wide variety of selections. The restaurant is small but there is outside seating and the best part is that it's just minutes from the San Elijo State Beach and campsite, one of the best surf beaches in the area.

 Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13
Address: 2633 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA.
Opening Hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday - Friday: 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM,
Saturday: 10 AM - 8:30 PM, Sunday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13 is a beach/sports bar, owned by locals with a very welcoming attitude. They serve quality gourmet food from an extensive menu to be savored along with a great view of the Pacific Ocean, directly across from the sandy beach at lifeguard tower 13 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
At Tower 13 you'll find a chill beach vibe, two outdoor patios and a friendly staff. You will also find a great selection of wines, cocktails and beers on tap (the majority of which are local craft beers). When it comes to entertainment the bar offers:
  • 30 TVs for viewing your favorite sports teams
  • Shuffleboard
  • Pinball
  • Pool
  • Foosball
  • Jenga
The Shanty
Address: 126 Chesterfield Dr, Cardiff, CA.
Opening hours: 12 PM - 10 PM.

The Shanty is one of the oldest bars in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, established in 1964, and is one of the most popular choices among the locals in North County San Diego. The large wooden bar, walls and its character have largely remained unchanged for over 50 years, a fact that sets it apart from other modern-day bars.
Here, locals and tourists alike stop to enjoy a cold beer, generous cocktails or just a great conversation with friendly locals and bartenders that are always open to sharing their stories
The Crack Shack
Address: 407 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA.
Opening Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 10:30am – 8pm, Thursday - Saturday 10:30am – 9pm

The all-star team behind the fine dining sensation Jupiter and Ivy are also delivering the dishes at The Crack Shack. The menu is not too varied but the meals are good. Their famous chicken sandwich is a must-try if you end up having a meal here.
The only downside of this place would be that it has an open concept (two sides have no walls) and the play area outside can get pretty noisy, a fact that you might find bothering.
GOODONYA Organic Eatery
Address: 1051 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA.
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 7 AM – 7 PM.

GOODONYA is a nature-inspired brand that strives to deliver people the healthiest food possible. The owner is a former athlete that suffered from bad diet habits and too many sugary sports drinks and decided to help people avoid going through what she did and offer them healthier food alternatives.
GOODONYA Organic Eatery is a casual, heartwarming place that offers organic, 100% non-GMO, healthy food. They have a great variety of delicious organic dishes and they also sell their own certified organic products. Their most unique product is GOODONYA Hydrate, an electrolytes + minerals powder that supports the immune system and can replace the sugary, processed drinks most people consume.
There are plenty of other dining options in the area, these are the ones that stand out in some way and offer some of the tastiest dishes. Hopefully, this guide will come in handy and help you make the best choice and enjoy a perfect meal.
About the author: Julio Sanchez is the proud owner of Cardiff Vacations, luxury vacation rentals in the coastal area of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.