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    101 Diner

    4.3 (879 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 1:30 pm

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    101 DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - 101 Diner

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    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast - sausage , Egg and biscuits and gravy.
    Pina P.

    Food and service with a breeze of the ocean, it was amazing. Who could ask for anything more

    A nice French toast breakfast
    Fernanda C.

    I got the French toast, eggs and hashbrowns and all of it was pretty good. The outside seating was very nice and the waitress was an absolute gem. I definitely want to go back and try more of the menu.

    Cardiff Crack Benedict
    Zan L.

    I grew up in San Diego and went to high school in North County but for some reason, I had never been to The 101 Diner. During my last visit home, I decided to change that and stopped in for the first time. I was pleased to see it's a traditional Classic American diner with very fast service, a large menu, and fair prices. Inside is pretty small, which adds to the homey atmosphere. They don't have a ton of seating options but the lines here never seem to be as long as Encinitas Café across the street. Parking in this part of Encinitas is pretty easy because if there's not a space available right on the street, it's easy to find one in the neighborhood behind the businesses. Our waitress was very polite and everything that we ordered arrived shortly after we placed the order. Being a fan of Seaside Market I saw that they have a new Eggs Benedict dish called the Cardiff Crack Benedict, which has the famous tri-tip so I had to order that. I was very pleased with it and the eggs were done just as I like them. I would definitely order it again and would recommend. I plan to be back again next time I am in town.

    French Toast
    Veronica W.

    We decided to dine in closer to closing time. Seemed quite busy trying to wind down and clean up. The service was good, and we got our food pretty quickly after ordering. Eggs tasted fresh, french toast was classically done exactly how I enjoy it. We also tried the banana Nutella pancake. I was surprised by this, they actually mix the banana in with the pancake batter rather than just using it as a topping. This made for a lighter, more refreshing pancake. I really enjoyed it as pancakes can be a little too sweet for me. Highly recommend this spot for a good breakfast! I will say there were a lot of flies and the floors didn't look to be swept at all but I'm guessing this was because they were about to clean up before closing...

    Chorizo Scramble with Cheese
    Trevor T.

    Never have had a bad meal here. In the heart of Encinitas, 101 Diner has everything you would ever want and more. I LOVE their breakfast that typically comes with crispy potatoes. The staff is so nice and friendly which is their calling card along with the excellent food. You can sit outside and enjoy the people watching or inside where you are almost transported back to a simpler time. Yes you are reminded of the present when you see a surcharge for eggs due to what is happing today, but you also look around and see connections. People talking and conversing. Chatting with the staff and ordering verbally. No iPad in sight and it's a delight!

    Kayla B.

    Was super excited to try this place out for the first time, but unfortunately ended up being disappointed. Food was COLD. Flavor was good but still it being cold outweighed the flavor for me. Everything from the pancakes to the omelette to the chicken & waffle was cold (I had to wait 10 additional minutes for my waffle but that thankfully was hot & good!) Pancakes were also thin. Wish they were fluffier. If the food was hot, I'd recommend coming here. However you can probably find better spots nearby.

    Cardiff Crack Tri-tip omelette
    Rick D.

    Delicious breakfast, friendly staff, great menu, solid choice for great food. It's an older restaurant, kinda small, can get busy during the normal rush but I really like this place, it's the quintessential hometown diner. I had the Cardiff Crack Tri-tip omelette (cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms) and home fried potatoes. This place knows how to make the real fluffy omelette with great tasting fill and perfect home-fried potatoes. I thought I was in a Midwest diner. One of the best breakfast spots In Encinitas! I left full, content, happy and wanting to return.

    Traditional Eggs Traditional Benedict with Sliced Ham and potatoes
    Brian M.

    I visit the 101 Diner every time I visit Encinitas and the food, service (Katie), overall experience is always on point. The eggs Benedict is great and get the potatoes that feel more like hash-browns.

    Atul S.

    Went here for our breakfast before returnning back to phoenix. Got outdoor seating and had pleasant time. Here are my takes: Food/Drinks: Overall it was decent. The beef meat was very chewy and maybe overcooked so I had to leave that too when it was recommended by server for being locally sourced and I decided to try. The menu is extensive so it was somewhat overwhelming to choose from. Service: There was a delay but overall no major setback during our dine-in. Ambiance: Great outdoor seating and that was the primary reason to stopped here for breakfast. Hygiene: Very small restroom and not the cleanest but overall it was decent. Price: Reasonably priced food and drinks. Nothing that was overpriced.

    Bacon  cheeseburger !!! So good and fresh .

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    Photo of Jay B.
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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Sounds like a great day!! Thanks!

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    6 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    6 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks!

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    This is your basic delicious go to diner in Encinitas. Its been around forever and known for their comfort food.

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    1 year ago

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    Scott S.

    But the flavor and service were upscale, amirite?!

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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks for this must-classic of a review Griseth!

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    Photo of Justin T.
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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

    That is a go-to review! Thanks Justin!!

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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks for the great review Derek!

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Definitely! Thanks!!

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    Photo of Ron Q.
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    7 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Helpful 31
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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Jonny! Hope you enjoyed the wine mixer…sorry no Piano Man!

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    Photo of Cindy L.
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    7 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    4 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    1 year ago

    I like their large açaí bowl with a great mix of fruit. My wife likes their eggs benny. Highly recommend them for good quality and value.

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Alan!

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    7 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Terry!

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Bria! Looks delicious!

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    5 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Wayne, stoked you were all very happy!

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    6 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks for the great review! stoked you enjoyed your meal.

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Scott S.

    That’s it

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

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    8 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Goodness gibberish, you sure did slobber up a bibful.

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    3 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Looks delicious! Thanks!

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    2 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks JF!

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    2 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Thanks Justine! An amazing roster of breakfast plates there!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Scott S.

    We agree Vanessa! Thanks!

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    5 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Definitely our favorite spot! Stoked you enjoyed everything!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Scott S.

    Fake review.

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    Page 3 of 22

    Ask the Community - 101 Diner

    Is there a cut-off time for ordering breakfast?

    Breakfast served all day until closing!

    Is the Cardiff crack Benny always available? It isn't on any of the menus I'm seeing in the photos. Also, are mimosas available?

    Crack Bene hits the menu full time beginning this Friday! We do not have a liquor license as restaurant is small and serving mimosas would create very long waits for a table on weekends

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Potato Shack Cafe

    Potato Shack Cafe

    3.9
    (603 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    It's been a few years since I've been to this iconic restaurant located in downtown Encinitas…read more Parking was very difficult on a Saturday around noon. Had to park across the 101 and trek it. Walking in there were no customers dining in but a couple of people on their outside patio at the entrance. The server was really nice and took our orders. We ordered the option C: A plain Manhole sized pancake with eggs & bacon and the Tuna sandwich w/ fries. Food arrived fast and was given salsa as well (which was delicious!). The manhole sized pancake was huge as expected and couldn't fit on the oval plate. The scrambled eggs were hanging off the smaller plate it was on with the bacon. The tuna sandwich was impressive. It was in what looked like slices of Texas Toast bread. The food was good and glad we didn't give up on the parking situation. They are still cash-only and thankfully an ATM inside. They also take Venmo.

    Old school American diner in all the best ways, diner coffee, pancakes are HUGE and fluffy, and yes…read morethey still have biscuits and gravy on the menu! Team there will get you food fast. It feels like a jump back to breakfast out with your parents in the 80s or 90s...put your phones away, be ready to pay cash, and it's still ok to enjoy stacking all the jellies into a pyramid even if your in your 30s or 40s with your own kids. Hope y'all enjoy one of the best classic breakfast diners in north county San Diego

    Photos
    1st time!!
    1st time!!
    Turkey burger! Really good!
    Turkey burger! Really good!
    2 egg over medium breakfast

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    2 egg over medium breakfast
    Atelier Manna

    Atelier Manna

    4.6
    (299 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I am in love with this place: my only problem is that when i visit SD i go there more often than i…read moreshould in a short period so i experience the same menu and given that I'm a vegetarian it's extra limited but i never regret it nonetheless lol Staff is kind , and relaxed Food is locally sourced Music vibes are all over the place but when they play african music i love it This food does heal (chef goal) ; it's an absolute joy to dig into these salads and desserts! Follow me for more on BayBitesNSips on Tiktok I'm also a bay area artist and I've just started selling online on Etsy: MLEcolorshop ; if you visit me or tell a friend who likes jewelry, I would appreciate it so much Everything I make is handmade with Polymer Clay and there is no single piece alike. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MLEcolorshop

    I am very confused at the hype and reviews for this restaurant. It's an okay brunch spot at best…read more The attention for this place is driven by dishes catered towards Instagram and eating with your eyes, not the actual experience of eating with your hands and mouth. It's tough to get a table for a weekend noon. I booked our reservation a few weeks ahead of time. Parking is either near the train tracks across the street or on the curb. We got the egg dish and salad bowl. The yogurt for the eggs was deliciously spiced; dipping in the toasted bread into the gooey poached egg, creamy yogurt, and herbs was delicious! My issue with this dish were the herbs that were too large. Was I expected to stick a big piece of herb on my toast? The dish is saucy with the chili oil so my clothes were dirty with the oil covered herbs. Chop the herbs smaller for practicality! Another dish suffered from the execution. We got the bowl which I thought was going to be a grain bowl. Rather, it was a ridiculously-sized salad--as much leaves as a pack from the grocery store! There were toppings within like slices of avocado, pieces of orange, farro, and nuts. I felt like I was trying to treasure hunt to look for these pieces. The salad was comically oversized. It was dressed fine but suffered from the portion size. You could see this theme with the French toast too where you get 1/3 of a baked bread. I'm honestly confused by this chef who has amazing experience. Why do you construct dishes that are difficult and impractical to eat? Less is more. These dishes need extensive edits. How this place got Bib Gourmand is honestly surprising to me.

    Photos
    Main patio
    Main patio
    Spanish French toast
    Spanish French toast
    Main dining area

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    Main dining area

    101 Diner - diners - Updated June 2026

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