Best Diners in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

"This family-owned cafe has been deemed one of the best retro coffee spots in the nation, and it’s easy to see why. It has a vibe of nostalgia and community. You’ll look to the walls and see memorabilia, like newspaper clippings from when the San Diego Chargers made it into the Super Bowl (which feels like decades ago now!) It’s friendly for humans, dogs, and cars alike: pups are allowed – the restaurant even provides water bowls for them – and there’s a free one-hour parking lot for your car."

"There’s a reason Harry’s Coffee Shop is on so many "best diner" lists, including our own. It's been doing San Diego's finest take on a proper NYC greasy spoon in La Jolla since before bell-bottoms were a thing. Harry’s opens at 6am so early birds can get their eggs and bacon at the crack of dawn, but breakfast is served all day for those who can't function before noon -- which is a whole bunch of you."

"A pure dose of dining nostalgia, this San Diego landmark has been serving up generous portions of classic American comfort food since the mid-1940s. With an expansive menu, dishes like the homemade roast beef hash and traditional eggs Benedict have kept customers coming back for more."

"This Bankers Hill eatery has been feeding San Diegans since 1944. Their popular prime rib dinners mean homemade roast beef hass at breakfast-time."

"It’s a diner that pays homage to every era time has gone by since diners were a thing. From a brightly colored 50s retro diner with a milk bar and vintage care behind the hostess, to the train room with a black and white film showing above each booth, to a modern red room dedicated to corvette car lovers. A radio DJ booth pumps out Frank Sinatra, New York, New York and other classic tunes like Wild Thing, which matches the 70s groove room we dined in."

"Corvette Diner is a San Diego institution now located in the Point Loma area of Liberty Station. It's a 50s diner the serves up shakes, burgers, fries and other comfort food by sassy wait staff dressed in poodle skirts. Kids love it not only for the retro decor, casual vibe and food, but there's a killer arcade called Gamer's Garage in the back with 50 games and opportunities to win prizes."

"If dancing servers doling out thick milkshakes and tempting diner fare sounds like your family’s jam, you’ll love Corvette Diner at Liberty Station near downtown. This restaurant features themed dining areas representing the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Burgers are the specialty here."

"I love to eat here while I'm waiting for my car to be worked on across the street. The food is delicious and the service is great."

"If Rudford's had chrome instead of stucco, it would be a genuine diner, because it has the bay windows and mid-century signage. In any case, it's a landmark (and just down the street from the Chicken Pie Shop). Basic comfort fare here, which gets mixed reviews."

"Equally popular with the early bird special crowd and after-bar party goers; both sets agree that the biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak at this 24-hour diner are first rate."

"A mainstay on State Street in Carlsbad, with a second location on Coast Highway just a few miles away in Oceanside, Don’s has been a big favorite of locals for decades. On any sunny morning, the umbrellas pop open and the sidewalk tables fill up with folks looking forward to having their eggs & bacon, machaca, or stuffed french toast while watching neighbors walk by with their kids on their way to dance class or walking their dogs to the beach. The weekend crowd always waits patiently because every morsel from this kitchen is worth it."

"THE LOT is a high-end Mediterranean restaurant located in an exciting entertainment hub, which serves up some of the best seafood in San Deigo. Developed and created for the local ..."

"Movies and cheap eats equal an unbeatable evening in San Diego. Hit up both at THE LOT in Liberty Station. Take in the latest blockbusters or an Oscar-worthy favorite alongside the..."

"3825 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103Look Over Their Menu Here$$ | Breakfast Restaurant | New Favorite. This interesting brunch spot has collected a following all over social media. They are not only serving up delicious twists on early meal classics but they are spreading love and support throughout their community."

"Seaview Restaurant is located inside the impressive Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Diego. It’s conveniently situated between the quaint Seaport Village shopping area and the San Diego Convention Center. Diners will have the chance to indulge in one of Downtown’s best breakfast buffets, which features freshly baked pastries, waffles, scrambled eggs, prepared-to-order omelets, sausage, crispy bacon, breakfast potatoes, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereal, muffins, breads, bagels, teas, juices, and coffee."

"Someday we’ll be able to stop referring to time in pre-and post-pandemic terms, but for now, we’re just so incredibly grateful to our restaurant community for their steadfast dedication and for pressing ever forward when things seemed impossible to overcome. Even more incredible are the fearless entrepreneurs who forged ahead with new ventures despite the uncertainties of opening during an active pandemic. And so it’s with well-deserved thanks and high-fives that we proudly present our list of the most exciting new restaurant openings in San Diego:"

"A warm, comfortable San Diego breakfast restaurant with a stylish atmosphere, serving share plates. Breakfast and brunch items are served on weekends only, but it’s worth the wait. You’ll savor pork belly hash, house-made banana bread, bottomless mimosas, and even a short rib breakfast poutine!"

"You thought wrong — the duck fat fries at Searsuckers, one of the restaurants of Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, are fried in rendered duck fat, giving them a rich flavor."

"If you’re looking for a great spot for a date night in Carlsbad, West Steak and Seafood is the place to go. The beef sliders served with a fresh salad is a great appetizer and it’s perfect for sharing with someone special. The French onion soup is especially flavorful, and the potatoes au gratin are a delicious choice as well."

"Only a few miles from West Farm where the restaurant strives to obtain 100 percent of its produce, West Steak Seafood & Spirits "farm to table" approach to quality and freshness shines through. Furthermore, all dishes may be paired with an outstanding wine list!"

"The only Italian restaurant I regularly single out as my favorite, chef/owner Francesco Basile serves freshly made fare with a Sicilian’s flair. This perennially packed trattoria, located in a nondescript strip mall, is the kind of neighborhood gem we all want in our neighborhood. In the 12 years I’ve been going there, I’ve never had a disappointing dish."

"In-season vegetables and high quality products are the star at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria, which has a menu consisting of appetizers, main dishes and pasta dishes."

"Carlsbad State Beach, known as Tamarack Beach to the locals, stretches from the jetty, just south of Tamarack Avenue, to Frazee Beach, near Carlsbad Village Drive. This is a great beach to try skimboarding. Get a running start, toss the skimboard on the wet sand and slide into the waves."

"Swim, surf, scuba dive, and catch the warm rays, or jog along a paved pathway at Tamarack Surf Beach. View Tamarack Surf Beach location in google mapTamarack Surf Beach phone number Category: Activities. View Tamarack Surf Beach Details"

"You’ll find South Mission Beach at the extreme south end of the Mission Beach Peninsula. It’s one of the widest beaches in the city, so it’s a great place to play a game of beach volleyball or basketball. This beach is slightly more subdued than some of the others in the area, but it still gets crowded, so join the party as early as possible."

"You can always find beautiful photos to share from the beaches of San Diego. The photo below is actually a rare occurrence in Coronado where you can see a sunken ship at low tide. More: Where to Find the Sunken Ship in San Diego"