At the Encinitas Cafe we strive to make your dining experience as if you were at home having a nice meal with friends. We enjoy serving you good food and a friendly atmosphere. The dining experience at Encinitas Cafe is much more than just the food. It's the whole experience. We work to make the ambiance warm and friendly so you will want to come back again and again.
The Encinitas Cafe has been a fixture of Downtown Encinitas for over 85 years. There has been a cafe here since the 30s. First it was Fred's Cafe in the 30s and 40s, then it was Zim's Cafe in the 40s to the 50s. Then it changed to The Coffee Mill from 1960 until it became the Encinitas Cafe in 1989.
The Encinitas Cafe has been a fixture of Downtown Encinitas for over 85 years. There has been a cafe here since the 30s. First it was Fred's Cafe in the 30s and 40s, then it was Zim's Cafe in the 40s to the 50s. Then it changed to The Coffee Mill from 1960 until it became the Encinitas Cafe in 1989.
Reviews (24)
Martha W.
Jan 31, 2022
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Katie M.
Jan 26, 2022
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Overall this place has a very welcoming and relaxing vibe. We sat outside on a beautiful Saturday. Despite being quite busy, our server was quick and very professional. We ordered the Ruben and the special grilled cheese (I forget the name) with avocado, bacon and tomato. The grilled cheese was AMAZING! Tons of flavor and the onion rings were very well made as well. We weren't overly impressed with the Ruben - something tasted a bit different opposed to a classic Ruben. It was still tasty though! We would definitely go back again sometime in the future. Reasonably priced and a friendly environment
Emily G.
Jan 17, 2022
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John H.
Dec 16, 2021
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Steve G.
Dec 06, 2021
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Christie D.
Nov 26, 2021
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We had our third Thanksgiving at the Encinitas Cafe and as per usual, it was absolutely delicious! Of course it is going to be busy, but we'll worth any wait. My boys and I got the Turkey dinner with the most delicious Turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes. Service is alway friendly and fast.
I would also like to thank the owner, I made my reservation last minute, and then unexpectedly had to move the time and add my eldest son who decided to join. She accepted my changes and we only waited about 10 minutes to be seated, on an incredibly busy holiday.
I would also like to thank the owner, I made my reservation last minute, and then unexpectedly had to move the time and add my eldest son who decided to join. She accepted my changes and we only waited about 10 minutes to be seated, on an incredibly busy holiday.
Luv S.
Nov 20, 2021
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Shrii S.
Nov 09, 2021
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For $16.10 this is straight crap, no salt drenched the entire meal in the gravy which is completely tasteless including the bread. Just yuck! I have given this spot multiple chances. First meal was the chicken strips I got 3 strips and a handful of fries for almost $13. Over priced for crappy food!!
Ben C.
Nov 08, 2021
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You NEED to go here. LOVE LOVE LOVE their breakfasts and lunches right in the heart of downtown Encinitas. Awesome location, perfect outdoor patio, and huge yummy menu ranging from just-right comfort foods (six different grilled cheeses!) to weekend-perfect breakfast foods to other exceptional entrees from burgers to salads to tacos to sandwiches. Great value, large portions, great service. Have been there twice now. Had salmon tacos the first time. And had chorizo and eggs on corn tortillas this time. With spicy Bloody Mary's to boot. Oh, and their onion rings are to die for. This place ROCKS
Michael Berman
Oct 21, 2021
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The location is wonderful -- great for people (and car) watching. We may have hit it at an off hour (11am, between breakfast and lunch), but everything was EXTREMELY disappointing. We waited for about 45 minutes for the food to come out, and that was after waiting about 10 minutes for our server to come out and greet us, take our order, etc. That might have been fine if the food had been worth it. It wasn't. We got benedicts. The eggs were cooked solid. That is, no gooey, delicious yolk. ON A BENEDICT?! The hollandaise sauce was also poorly done. It tasted more like butter than like the rich, creamy
Connie Flynn
Oct 05, 2021
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Passing thru Encinitas and googled where to eat. Encinitas Cafe had great reviews and it did not disappoint. Great food and service. One of our group had breakfast and three had lunch. Everything came out at the same time and was very tasty. Highly recommend! Sad I probably won't be in the area again but if I ever am Encinitas Cafe here I come!!
Bill W.
Sep 26, 2021
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Kat
Sep 14, 2021
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Kim S.
Jul 31, 2021
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My hometown Cafe! Right on the 101. Good, comfort food, warm friendly staff and very homey atmosphere. Breakfast all day! Parking in back. Local artists' mural on walls. THIS is where the locals eat!! Tourist are always here, too.... so c'mon in.
PS across the street is my favorite souvenir shop, Coast Highway Trading. Stop in!
PS across the street is my favorite souvenir shop, Coast Highway Trading. Stop in!
David Carchidi
Jul 22, 2021
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Jason N.
Jul 20, 2021
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I noticed this place because it looked like all the locals ate here. The morning breakfast was wonderful I got the french toast and my kids ordered the American. We went for lunch I had the BLT with avocado and I was not disappointed. The prices are not high compared to the other placed on the highway. We will return in the future.
Michael R.
Jul 12, 2021
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I stopped by for a quick light breakfast and sat outside. Not too busy on a Wednesday morning. Nice day so everyone wanted to sit outside.
The acai bowl was good and it looked like everyone else's food was pretty standard for a breakfast place (eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy). Service was quick. Good coffee refills and relaxing.
I'll swing by again if I'm in Encinitas on a nice day and want something easy.
The acai bowl was good and it looked like everyone else's food was pretty standard for a breakfast place (eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy). Service was quick. Good coffee refills and relaxing.
I'll swing by again if I'm in Encinitas on a nice day and want something easy.
Kimberly N.
May 11, 2021
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Mediocre small stingy potions and their famous turkey avocado sandwich is Plain! Nothing but the turkey and avo no tomato no lettuce nothing dry and dry! It's just plain dry and tasted days old..Service is almost non existing the famous French toast is on regular thin sandwich bread and you only get the one small slice for $8.00!!!
Would not recommend place is a joke. And highly highly overrated a complete waste of money!!
Would not recommend place is a joke. And highly highly overrated a complete waste of money!!
Tiffany Poon
Jan 23, 2021
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My roommate and I wandered in here because the wait was too long at his usual 101 Diner. We were seated almost immediately as it’s a much larger space, but it took a long time to receive our food in the Sunday morning rush. The food was worth the wait, though! And the staff was wonderfully communicative, about the backlog in the kitchen and coming to check if our drinks needed refills. Very nice breakfast in the end. We would definitely come here again.
Cameron Bickerstaff
Dec 05, 2020
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These past few days I decided to see who has the better restaurant between the rivalry between the 101 Diner and the Encinitas Cafe. The Encinitas Cafe hands down for the price has larger portions, and better tasting food. The staff was extremely gregarious and it was such a great experience and cleanly setting. Personally I know what team I'm on.
Marcus M.
Sep 07, 2020
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Arguably the worst eggs benedict I ever had. the Hollondaise saice was a weird yellowish liquid and just tasted salty. Took the food about 30' to come. Sure wasn't worth the wait. Amazing how they can stay in business at such a prime location.
Waitress was very professional and kind. Tipped her well in spite of this culinary disaster. Never again....
Waitress was very professional and kind. Tipped her well in spite of this culinary disaster. Never again....
Rudy M.
Aug 08, 2020
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After seeing this across the street from Hwy 101 cafe, we chose to make this our final spot for breakfast. They had plenty of seating and it was nice and shady. I felt like a breakfast burrito and was not let down by my bacon, egg and cheese combination. I was a little surprised they didn't put the has browns in so I had to order those on the side. They were crispy and delicious.
My girlfriend ordered two eggs over easy with bacon and hash browns. She chose to have their biscuit and gravy and she enjoyed it very much. The service was good and we are happy of the suggestion of this place
My girlfriend ordered two eggs over easy with bacon and hash browns. She chose to have their biscuit and gravy and she enjoyed it very much. The service was good and we are happy of the suggestion of this place
Jonathan Moffat
Jul 20, 2020
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This place is the best. Dreaming about breakfast. Love that they have heinz ketchup bottles and log cabin syrup bottles on the tables. Food is traditional, classic. The best thing about the food is that is is cooked the right way. The little things like ordering hash browns well done, or eggs over medium, if not executed correctly, can ruin a meal. Not here. The staff is also extremely professional. Everything a customer needs is offered. Wish they had this place back home. Highly recommended.
Kim Antry
Jul 30, 2018
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