805 Heat from San Diego Pepper Company next to a chicken sandwich from the Crack Shack

The Ultimate Foodie’s Guide to Cardiff-by-the-Sea

At San Diego Pepper Company, we do more than make San Diego’s hot sauce. We are believers in highlighting the community and are regular participants in Taste of Cardiff,. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a distinct “vibe” within Encinitas. It’s where the surf culture of San Elijo meets a sophisticated, localized culinary scene. To eat like a true local, you have to skip the PCH chains and duck into the spots where the floors are sandy and the ingredients are fresh. Here are the essential local spots for the ultimate Cardiff food crawl.

1. Ki’s Restaurant

The Vibe: For over 20 years, Ki’s has been the gold standard for “Cardiff healthy.” This multi-level spot offers a panoramic view of the Pacific that pairs perfectly with their commitment to organic, local ingredients. It feels like eating in a wealthy surf-obsessed friend’s living room. The menu is a massive bridge between “Californian healthy” and “Pacific Rim comfort,” making it the perfect spot for a post-surf sunset dinner.

Order This: Macadamia Coconut Mahi. It’s encrusted in a crunchy nut-and-coconut shell, served with a Thai peanut sauce that balances sweet and savory perfectly.

2. The Besta-Wan Pizza House

The Vibe: This is the definition of a “deep-cut” local hangout. Established in 1965, Besta-Wan is quirky, cluttered with vintage surf memorabilia, and unapologetically casual. While the name says pizza, the menu is surprisingly diverse, offering everything from massive salads to “New School” specialty pies. It’s the kind of place where the server likely knows half the patrons by name.

Order This: The Besta-Wan Special Pizza. A classic “Old School” pie loaded with ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and onions.

3. Pipes Cafe

The Vibe: If you don’t see a line out the door at Pipes on a Saturday morning, check your watch—it’s probably 5:00 AM. This is the Cardiff breakfast institution. It’s fast, efficient, and very affordable. You order at the counter, grab a number, and try to snag a wooden bench on the patio. The portions are legendary, designed to fuel a four-hour session at Cardiff Reef.

Order This: The Big Breakfast. Scrambled eggs, choice of bacon or sausage, Pipes potatoes, and a giant stack of pancakes.

4. Seaside Market

The Vibe: It’s a grocery store, but it’s also the culinary heart of Cardiff. The deli counter here produces the most famous piece of protein in San Diego North County. Whether you’re grabbing a sandwich to take to the beach or raw meat to grill at the San Elijo campgrounds, this is a mandatory stop. The “Cardiff Crack” (their marinated tri-tip) has a cult following for a reason.

Order This: The Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip Sandwich. Thinly sliced, burgundy-pepper marinated tri-tip served on a fresh roll.

5. Pacific Coast Grill

The Vibe: This is Cardiff’s premier “fancy” spot, though “fancy” here still means you can wear nice flip-flops. Located literally on the sand, every seat has an ocean view. The architecture is stunning, featuring reclaimed wood and massive glass walls. It’s the best place in town for a celebratory dinner or a high-end date night where the sound of the crashing waves is the soundtrack.

Order This: Lobster Tacos. These aren’t your average street tacos; they are stuffed with succulent lobster meat and served with “PCG” signature coastal flair.

6. Las Olas

The Vibe: Las Olas has been serving Mexican “comfort food” across from the beach since 1981. It’s the quintessential “surf-Mex” spot. The margaritas are strong, the chips are thin and salty, and the atmosphere is perpetually festive. It’s an easy transition from the beach to the bar, and the patio is one of the best people-watching spots on Highway 101.

Order This: Crispy Fish Tacos. They use a light, traditional batter that stays crunchy even under a mountain of cabbage and crema.

7. Breakers

The Vibe: This is the ultimate Cardiff “insider” spot, run by pro-surfer and local legend Benji Weatherley. It perfectly captures the soul of the community with a modern Tiki-bar aesthetic that transitions from a world-class morning coffee station to a high-energy lounge at night. The decor is a love letter to surf history, and the atmosphere is pure “Good Vibes Only.” It’s the kind of place where you come for a latte and stay for a tropical cocktail as the sun goes down.

Order This: The Signature Tiki Cocktail & Coffee. Start with a perfectly pulled espresso in the morning, but come back for their craft Tiki drinks—the “Painkiller” variations are legendary.

8. VG Donut & Bakery

The Vibe: “VG” stands for “Very Good,” and they’ve been proving it since 1969. This is an old-school bakery that hasn’t succumbed to the “designer donut” trend. They focus on classic techniques: frying them fresh every morning and night. Expect a line of locals in wetsuits and pajamas every single morning. It’s a Cardiff rite of passage.

Order This: Old Fashioned Glazed. It’s heavy, perfectly craggly on the edges, and melts in your mouth.

9. Tower 13

The Vibe: Named after the lifeguard tower directly across the street, this is Cardiff’s premier sports bar and beach lounge. It’s a scratch kitchen, which is rare for a sports-centric spot. The atmosphere is high-energy, with plenty of TVs for the game but enough ocean breeze to remind you exactly where you are. The patios are dog-friendly, making it a local favorite for weekend afternoons.

Order This: The Tower Burger. A thick, juicy patty with all the fixings, perfectly paired with a local San Diego IPA.

10. Waverly

The Vibe: Located in the Cardiff Town Center, Waverly is the stylish, younger sibling of the Cardiff food scene. The interior design is “Coastal Chic” (think pastels, velvet, and gold accents). The menu is progressive, blending Australian cafe culture with Southern California ingredients. It’s arguably the best brunch spot in town for those who want something more sophisticated than a breakfast burrito.

Order This: Pig Mac Bao. A playful, high-end take on a burger using pork belly, pickles, and special sauce inside fluffy bao buns.

11. Sambazon Acai Cafe

The Vibe: Sambazon basically brought the Acai bowl to the US, and their Cardiff flagship is where it all feels most authentic. It’s a small, rustic spot tucked into the Seaside Market complex. The wood-heavy decor and outdoor seating create a relaxed, “after-yoga” atmosphere. It’s the fastest way to feel like a healthy Cardiff local.

Order This: The Machado Bowl. A classic blend topped with granola, banana, and honey—simple and perfect.

12. Cicciotti’s Trattoria

The Vibe: Authentic Italian food with a view of the Pacific. Gaetano Cicciotti brings a soulful, old-world approach to seafood and pasta. While many Cardiff spots go for “beachy,” Cicciotti’s feels like a cozy neighborhood bistro in Italy that just happened to land on the California coast. It’s warm, inviting, and smells heavenly from a block away.

Order This: Linguine alle Vongole. Fresh clams in the shell sautéed with olive oil, garlic, and white wine.

13. East Coast Pizza

The Vibe: For those who prefer a thin, foldable crust over the California style, this is the spot. It’s a no-frills, counter-service pizza joint that serves massive slices. It’s a favorite for local families and kids heading home from school. The dough is made fresh daily, and the sauce has that perfect New York-style herb balance.

Order This: White Pizza. A blend of Romano and Mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, and plenty of fresh garlic.

14. The Confessional (Lost Abbey)

The Vibe: While primarily a tasting room for the legendary Lost Abbey brewery, The Confessional is a food destination because of its “bring your own food” policy and its proximity to the best snacks in town. You grab a world-class Belgian-style ale and pair it with a sandwich from Seaside Market next door. The outdoor patio is the “public square” of Cardiff.

Order This: A pint of “Duck Duck Gooze” (if available) or “Lost and Found” paired with a Seaside tri-tip sandwich.

15. Cardiff 101 Takeout (Bull Taco Heritage)

The Vibe: While the original “Bull Taco” at the campground has changed hands, the spirit of “Inauthentic Mexican” lives on through the various window-service spots along the 101. These spots are all about the view—sitting on a wooden rail overlooking the surf while eating a taco that might have duck or bacon in it.

Order This: Duck Power Taco. Rich duck meat with a spicy salsa that cuts through the fat beautifully.

San Diego Sauce by the iconic Encinitas Sign

What’s up, San Diego? I’m Kieran, the founder of San Diego Pepper Company. If you’re a local, you know that building a physical product from the ground up in this town takes a lot of grit, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of community support. We are incredibly proud to be building our brand as “San Diego’s Hot Sauce,” but if you pull back the curtain and look at our day-to-day roots, there is a specific coastal community that truly raised us. Today, I want to share the story of our beginnings and explain exactly why we consider ourselves Encinitas’ very own hot sauce.

Our Roots in North County

The story really takes shape around 2020. At the time, I had been working full-time in Multimedia and AV Engineering right here in Encinitas. My partner, Jacklyn, and I were actually living down south in Clairemont when the initial idea for the business sparked. However, my daily commute up the 5 North meant that my days were entirely anchored in North County. While the concept was born in Clairemont, Encinitas is the place where the business actually grew its legs and became a reality.

Starting at the Community Center Kitchen

Kieran, a cofounder of San Diego Pepper Company pouring vinegar for a test batch

When we finally locked in our recipes, tested our batches, and were ready to transition into legitimate, legal production, we needed a certified commercial space. We found our first real home base by renting out the commercial kitchen at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. That facility was an absolute lifesaver for a small, self-funded operation like ours. Beyond just giving us access to stainless steel prep tables and commercial burners, it provided us with our first tangible ties to the city’s infrastructure and community spaces.

The Early Grind of Batch Production

Let me tell you, those early days were an absolute grind. Because we didn’t have permanent storage at the community center early on, every single production run involved heavy lifting. We lugged all of our sauce-making equipment, raw ingredients, and heavy glass bottles to and from the kitchen every time we made a batch.

For most of 2023, our schedule was relentless. We were working our standard Monday through Friday day jobs to pay the bills. Come Friday evening, while most of the city was out grabbing a beer or unwinding, we were loading our gear into the community center kitchen to cook, blend, and bottle hot sauce late into the night. Then came the weekends. We spent every Saturday morning working our booth at the Cardiff Farmers Market and every Sunday hustling at the Solana Beach Farmers Market. We would sell out of our fresh batches, pack up the car, and repeat the whole exhausting cycle the next week. It was a tiring routine, but it was an incredibly exciting time for our business.

Scaling with Community Support

That weekend hustle eventually paid off. With the incredible, ongoing support from the Cardiff 101 Main Street Association and the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, we finally managed to grow our production footprint. Their belief in our mission helped us navigate the local business landscape as we reinvested in better equipment, which allowed us to make larger batches without completely burning ourselves out in the kitchen.

San Diego Pepper Company featured on KUSI Fox 5

Landing on the Shelves at Seaside Market

That increased capacity meant we could finally aim for a massive local milestone: getting shelf space at Cardiff Seaside Market. Seaside is a cornerstone of the community, and getting a product in there is no small feat. I made it my absolute mission. I would consistently stop by the market on my lunch breaks from my AV engineering job, trying to get a moment with the buyer at the time, Steve Materra. Looking back, Steve was definitely a bit annoyed at my relentless persistence. But eventually, he handed a bottle to one of his coworkers to try. The coworker loved it, and just like that, Steve agreed to stock our sauces in the local grocery aisle.

Securing that shelf space meant everything to us. To be the only locally made hot sauce produced in Encinitas and sold at a legendary community staple like Seaside was the ultimate reassurance that we were heading in the right direction. To celebrate, Jacklyn and I grabbed a couple of their famous Cardiff Crack tri-tip sandwiches and took a moment to breathe. Since then, we’ve hosted quite a few successful in-store tasting demos right in the aisles of the market, meeting the regular shoppers who keep us in business.

San Diego Sauce, 805 Heat, and Indian Spice Sauce on shelves at Seaside Market

Staying Active with Local Events

Over time, our bandwidth shifted. While we eventually stepped back from our weekly booth at the Cardiff market to focus on wider distribution, we stayed deeply active with the community. We’ve continued to partner with Cardiff 101’s events and have proudly participated in the Taste of Cardiff since 2024. It remains a great way to get involved and meet the community right where they are.

Beyond the food festivals, we’ve become close friends with the Chamber of Commerce team. We love participating and pouring sauce for the crowds at their annual Encinitas Oktoberfest festival, and we make it a point to donate our sauces to be featured at their annual State of the City event.

Creative Collaborations and the Arts

Our ties to the Encinitas community aren’t just limited to food and business networks; they extend into the local arts scene as well. Recently, the city opened the Pacific View Arts Center. Because of my background in AV, I actually had the pleasure of helping design and work on their multimedia and broadcast rooms. Through that project, I was connected with DJ Roob of Not So Serious Radio.

DJ Roob hosts the Pacific View Sessions out of the center. I loved the platform they were building, so I offered to provide in-kind hot sauce donations to support the local musicians being featured on their show. That organic connection led to a really cool opportunity to showcase our sauce to an entirely new demographic. It also sparked the beginning of our Early Risers pop-up series, partnering up with the awesome crew at King Coffee Penguin.

San Diego Pepper Company at the Adams Avenue street fair in San Diego

Investing in Our Hometown

Today, we are a staple at the massive Encinitas Street Fair hosted by Encinitas 101. It seems like a simple, beautiful equation: the more time and energy we invest into the Encinitas community, the more support we get right back.

As our business continues to grow, we are always excited to meet members of all five communities that make this city so special. Whether you’re in “Funky” Leucadia, the rural trails of Olivenhain, the surf vibes of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, or the bustling corridors of Old and New Encinitas, please come say hi. You’ll likely see me grabbing a coffee at Pannikin, catching live music at The Roxy, grabbing a late-night bite at Juanita’s, or picking up a pie at Besta Wan.

North County support has always been the driver for San Diego’s hot sauce. We are thrilled to continue growing and investing back into the community that helped us start it all—one bottle of sauce at a time!

What is Encinitas Hot Sauce?

Encinitas Hot Sauce refers to San Diego Sauce. The slogan represents San Diego Pepper Company’s start in an Encinitas kitchen. It is defined by its presence on the shelves of neighborhood staples like Seaside Market and Fox Point Farms. It’s a homegrown product backed by residents and local businesses alike.

Tag: taste of cardiff

The Ultimate Foodie’s Guide to Cardiff (2026)