San Marcos, CA, is home to many picturesque parks, and lakes like Discovery Lake, a mild Mediterranean climate, and stellar restaurants. From sushi spots and pizzerias to freshly made deli sandwiches and classic diners, there’s everything you could want living in San Marcos. So if you’re a longtime resident or just rented an apartment in San Marcos, there are plenty of reasons to visit a new restaurant. To help you find a place that satisfies your cravings, we’ve collected a list of 13 must-try restaurants in San Marcos. Let’s check them out.
#1: Pizza Nova
Cuisine: Pizzeria and Italian restaurant
Address: 141 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 120, San Marcos, CA 92069
Pizza Nova’s Website
Serving calamari, cheesy garlic bread, wood-fired pizza with a variety of toppings, chicken piccata, and famous lasagna, Pizza Nova’s San Marcos location is a stellar option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants.
#2: Ahi Sushi & Grill
Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 157 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 136, San Marcos, CA 92069
Ahi Sushi & Grill’s Website
A sushi spot located in the heart of San Marcos, Ahi Sushi & Grill has a lot of choices for anyone looking for a new place to grab a spicy tuna roll, rainbow roll, avocado roll, or tuna tataki.
#3: Tina’s Deli
Cuisine: Deli and sandwich restaurant
Address: 760 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste D, San Marcos, CA 92069
Tina’s Deli’s Website
Another awesome restaurant in San Marcos is Tina’s Deli. You’ll find a large array of made-to-order sandwiches like smoked ham and swiss, hot pastrami, veggie sandwiches, as well as rotating daily specials.
#4: Pita Guys
Cuisine: Middle Eastern restaurant
Address: 133 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 102, San Marcos, CA 92069
Pita Guys’ Website
If you’re looking for a Middle Eastern restaurant serving authentic dishes like chicken shawarma in a freshly-baked pita, falafel bowl, or beef tri-tip and lamb plate, make sure to stop by Pita Guys.
#5: Umami Japanese
Cuisine: Japanese and sushi restaurant
Address: 251 N City Dr. Ste 122, San Marcos, CA 92078
Umami Japanese’s Website
Maybe you’re on the hunt for a new Japanese spot serving ice cold Japanese beer, baked mussels, bao buns, fresh sushi, and ramen? If so, head to the North City neighborhood in San Marcos, home to Umami Japanese.
#6: Duke’s Hawaiian Coffee & Deli
Cuisine: Deli and sandwich restaurant
Address: 125 Vallecitos De Oro Ste K, San Marcos, CA 92069
Duke’s Hawaiian Coffee & Deli’s Website
Another one of the countless restaurants in San Marcos you should consider stopping by is Duke’s Hawaiian Coffee & Deli. Serving breakfast burritos and sandwiches, club sandwiches, wraps, and salads at lunch, and specialty coffee drinks, it’s the perfect place for a pick-me-up.
#7: Pegah’s Kitchen
Cuisine: Diner and American restaurant
Address: 576 E Mission Rd Ste E, San Marcos, CA 92069
Pegah’s Kitchen’s Website
Pegah’s Kitchen, located in the Richland area of San Marcos, has plenty of options for those looking for classics like cinnamon rolls, corned beef hash, hot turkey sandwiches, burgers, and omelettes.
#8: Sushi Huku
Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 727 W San Marcos Blvd Ste 108, San Marcos, CA 92078
Sushi Huku’s Website
You’ll find Sushi Huku, a cozy sushi restaurant, serving up fresh seaweed salad, warm miso soup, special rolls like the Alaska roll, the Lemon roll, or vegetable tempura rolls.
#9: It’s Tabu Sushi Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 344 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 147, San Marcos, CA 92078
It’s Tabu Sushi Bar & Grill’s Website
If you’ve recently relocated to San Marcos and are searching for a great place to grab hibachi chicken, craft sushi rolls, yakisoba, and unagi don, you can find that and more at It’s Tabu Sushi Bar & Grill.
#10: Chef’s Pho & Grill
Cuisine: Vietnamese restaurant
Address: 324 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 130, San Marcos, CA 92078
Chef’s Pho & Grill’s Website
If you’re looking for a warm bowl of pho to eat on a rare chilly day in San Marcos or a banh mi sandwich to take for your picnic at the beach, Chef’s Pho & Grill is the perfect place to go.
#11: Two Brothers From Italy
Cuisine: Pizzeria and Italian restaurant
Address: 591 Grand Ave Ste G101, San Marcos, CA 92078
Two Brothers From Italy’s Website
Another one of the many restaurants in San Marcos to add to your list is Two Brothers From Italy. You can find this pizzeria serving lots of great food and drinks, like New York-style pizza, Sicilian square pizza, hearty calzones, and delicious desserts like cannoli and tiramisu.
#12: Fish House Vera Cruz
Cuisine: Seafood restaurant
Address: 360 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, CA 92078
Fish House Vera Cruz’s Website
At Fish House Vera Cruz, there’s a lot of outstanding fresh fish options to choose from – clam chowder, shrimp cocktails, to calamari steak, rockfish, swordfish, Faroe Island salmon, and other catches of the day.
#13: Mama Kat’s
Cuisine: American restaurant and pie shop
Address: 950 W San Marcos Blvd Ste J, San Marcos, CA 92078
Mama Kat’s Website
Mama Kat’s is a delicious restaurant to visit in San Marcos. Serving locally roasted coffee, house made muffins, scones, skillets and breakfast bowls, there’s an option for everyone. And don’t forget to order one of their pie slices – tart cherry, coconut cream, whiskey apple, and lemon meringue, just to name a few.
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