Real Estate Blog

Escondido, CA, is a beautiful city located north of San Diego, the perfect blend of mountain views, mild weather, wineries, and of course, amazing restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a cozy breakfast spot, authentic Italian cuisine, or Mexican food with a twist, you can find all that and more living in Escondido. We’ve got a list of 15 must-try Escondido restaurants that you may just want to check out whether you’re a long-time resident or recently moved into an apartment in Escondido. Let’s jump in.

palm trees against a blue sky in escondido ca

#1: Craft & Taco Lounge

Cuisine: Taco restaurant
Address: 511 W Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Craft & Taco Lounge’s Website

Located in Central Escondido, Craft & Taco Lounge is a fantastic spot to grab a taco whether you’re looking for a  fresh fish or shrimp taco, an al pastor or breakfast taco, or a vegetarian, vegan, or paleo taco option.

#2: Signature Bagels & Deli

Cuisine: Bagel shop, deli, and sandwich restaurant
Address: 332 W Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Signature Bagels & Deli’s Website

Serving fresh-baked bagels, Signature Bagels & Deli’s Escondido location is another option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants. From cinnamon raisin and honey oat, to pumpernickel and sesame, you can find all kinds of bagels, with a plethora of toppings at Signature Bagels & Deli.

#3: Mi Guadalajara

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 525 W 2nd Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Mi Guadalajara’s Website

A Mexican restaurant serving everything from enchiladas suizas, carnitas, sizzling fajitas, camarones a la diabla, and fresh guacamole, Mi Guadalajara has a lot of dishes for anyone looking for a new place to eat.

#4: Sunny Side Kitchen

Cuisine: Breakfast spot
Address: 155 S Orange St, Escondido, CA 92025
Sunny Side Kitchen’s Website

Situated in the heart of Escondido, you can find a variety of dishes at Sunny Side Kitchen – anything from house-made quiches, gluten-free muffins, pesto chicken paninis, to keto-friendly salads and their Saturday special – homemade cinnamon rolls.

#5: Filippi’s Pizza Grotto

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 114 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto’s Website

Another must-visit Escondido restaurant is Filippi’s Pizza Grotto. You’ll find a range of pizzas with classic toppings like pepperoni, peppers, sausage, and black olives, or Italian classics like manicotti, capicola sandwiches, lasagna with meat sauce or marinara, and spumoni.

quiche dish on a table with veggie salad

#6: A Delight of France

Cuisine: Bakery and French restaurant
Address: 126 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
A Delight of France’s Website

If you’re looking for a slice of France without leaving Escondido, make sure to stop by A Delight of France. From breakfast crepes filled with scrambled eggs, brioche French toast topped with berries, niçoise salad, vol-au-vent, croissants, and macarons, you’ll feel like you’ve set foot in France.

#7:  Burger Bench

Cuisine: Burger joint
Address: 237 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Burger Bench’s Website 

Burger Bench, located in Central Escondido, has plenty of options for those looking for a fresh handmade burger on a locally baked bun. They’ve got traditional beef burgers, veggie, turkey, and chicken sandwiches, as well as craft beer on tap.

#8: Dominic’s

Cuisine: Pizzeria and Italian restaurant
Address: 113 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Dominic’s Website 

Dominic’s is a traditional Italian restaurant serving classics like calamari, Caesar salad, pasta primavera, baked ziti, and chicken Sorrentino.

#9: La Tapatia

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 340 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
La Tapatia’s Website

La Tapatia is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant with history. Serving customers since 1937 you can order anything like shrimp cocktails, carne asada plates, fajitas, shrimp plates, and homemade flan.

#10: Rock’n Jenny’s Italian Subs

Cuisine: Italian sandwich restaurant
Address: 1044 W Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Rock’n Jenny’s Italian Subs’ Website

Rock’n Jenny’s Italian Subs an Italian sandwich spot serving East Coast-style grinders on crusty bread. From turkey subs to capicola, meatball and tuna salad, make sure to order your sandwich with “the works.” 

bowl of pho

#11: Pho Saigon Express

Cuisine: Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai restaurant
Address: 605 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
Pho Saigon Express’ Website

If you’ve recently relocated to Escondido and are searching for a restaurant with Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai influences, you can find that at Pho Saigon Express. They’ve got fresh spring rolls, crispy tofu, banh mi sandwiches, teriyaki bowls, and more.

#12: Sayulitas Mexican Food

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 331 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Sayulitas Mexican Food’s Website

Sayulitas Mexican Food serves great Mexican food with a Filipino twist, like longanisa, tosilog, and tocino burritos, carnitas and carne asada tacos, breakfast plates, tostadas, and more.

#13: Chicken Plus Greek Cuisine

Cuisine: Greek restaurant
Address: 309 W Mission Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Chicken Plus Greek Cuisine’s Website

A Greek spot located in the heart of Escondido, Chicken Plus Greek Cuisine is the perfect place to grab a bite whether you’re looking for gyros, falafel sandwiches, stuffed grape leaves, and pitas and hummus.

#14: Los Panchos

Cuisine: Mexican and seafood restaurant
Address: 915 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Los Panchos’ Website

Another one of the many Escondido restaurants to add to your list is Los Panchos. You can find this Mexican restaurant serving lots of great food and drinks like queso fundido, ceviche, meat or veggie burritos, chile relleno, and mimosa flights. 

#15: Joe’s Italian Dinners

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 403 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Joe’s Italian Dinners’ Website 

Rounding out our list of Escondido restaurants is Joe’s Italian Dinners, an Italian Restaurant, serving Escondido for over 40 years. With dishes like stuffed mushrooms, pasta puttanesca and carbonara with your choice of pasta, tortellini, ravioli, and other house specialties, there’s an item you’ll love.

This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.