Perch on the patio, people! The sun is out and it’s time for some enjoyable outdoor dining in North San Diego. A simple search on Yelp reveals top-rated terraces to taste on, lanais for a leisurely lounge and verandas you should visit.
Check out these hotspots that boast great outdoor dining space:
Hello Betty Fish House (Oceanside)
This new joint faces the Oceanside pier and has a million-dollar view. Patrons have several seating choices, too: patio tables, bar stools in the sun and the rooftop, a summer soirée venue complete with cabana seating. Fill up on fish & chips and check the local flavor in the venue design. Also, may we suggest a cocktail while you sip by the shore side? The “Beach Break Therapy” is a refreshing concoction that combines Hangar 1, Kaffr Lime, sugar island coconut rum, pineapple, lime, and bitters.
Vintana Wine + Dine (Escondido)
Dine at dusk by heading past the main dining room and vodka bar and onto the beautifully appointed lanai: arguably the best place for happy hour in inland San Diego County. Chef Deborah Scott offers seven appetizers for $7 each daily from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the shade, the impressive fire pit and even custom cabanas. The Black Peppercorn Bacon Wrapped Dates are a yelper favorite and there is nothing like a “Vintana Sunset,” a beverage made with sparkling wine, quince tea vodka (house infusion) and blueberry/pomegranate puree.
Public House (Temecula)
Public House stays true to its name, offering outdoor dining for more than 100 people on the patio. Hot day? Don’t worry, the large outdoor space is well-equipped with plenty of shade, misters, fire pits and water features. Live entertainment is frequently featured on the weekends. Plus, both the lunch and dinner menus have great online reviews. The $10 cheese platter paired with a glass of wine – a generous, 8-ounce pour, by the way – can’t be beat. We also suggest the Butternut Squash Strudel: sweet oven roasted butter nut squash cooked in a golden crust finished with wilted leeks, brown sage butter cream and candied pecans.
The Bier Garden (Encinitas)
This place knows how to beat the mid-week blues. Happy hour is offered all day long on Hump Day and on Sundays it’s on from 4 p.m. until closing time. We like to post up on the patio bar or grab some friends and sit outside at a table. As for the prime location, The Bier Garden is right in the middle of the Encinitas hub and the local flavor is off the charts. For instance, San Diego craft breweries dominate the handles at the bar. Those pints are the perfect pairing for the food too, including the famous short rib nachos or the chicken schnitzel ($15), created with Parmesan crusted chicken breast, celery root puree, grape tomato bruschetta, arugula and a white balsamic reduction.
Pacifica Breeze Café (Del Mar)
One of the best coastal outdoor dining spots in the North County and open daily for breakfast and lunch (not to be confused with The Ocean Bar, open in the evenings). Order at the indoor counter and pick a spot in the sun with an ocean view. This café is on the second level of the shopping center with unobstructed sights of the sea. Try the Belgian waffles, such as the “Hawaiian Maui Pineapple,” which tastes like summer. The dish is topped with shredded coconut, macadamia nuts, coconut-pineapple syrup and whipped cream, all for $9. Afternoon patrons should taste the homemade soups. Also, some lunch items are served with addictive “yam chips” – you just have to try them.
Trish Sanderson is the community manager and marketing director for Yelp North County San Diego. She leads the local community of Yelp reviewers both online and off.
