This place is amazing! Our family has been twice now and it has not disappointed! Super friendly service, fun atmosphere and vibe. The food was really delicious! Love the macaroni salad, teriyaki chicken and the mahi was the best we have had in some time and we are big seafood lovers and often are lucky to eat fresh seafood. It was really amazing! Highly recommend and so happy to have a restaurant like this in our community! read more

If you read my reviews, you'll see that I don't leave a lot of negative ones and I don't know that I've ever left a 1 star review before. My buddy called me and asked me if I wanted to try out the new Hawaiian place. I did because I actually know somebody that's involved with opening it, so he picked me up and we went. I'm really sad to say that it was SO bad. The entire experience from the moment we walked in until the time we left was - just wow. When we walked in we were 'greeted' by two people standing behind the counter. ZERO knowledge.There was a chalkboard over their head that listed 3 things: Loco Moko, blackened fish (of some kind), and teriyaki chicken. There were no prices or descriptions, so we asked for a menu and we were told that they don't have menus. We asked how much each dish was and they had to look it up! They came back and said they're all $22. We both ordered teriyaki chicken with rice, mac, and coleslaw and paid for it ($44). We then had to go to the bar to get our mai tai and a lager beer. That was about a 15 minute wait with one customer in front of us that ordered a mocktail - and the bartender told us that all the glasses were dirty so she had to serve us our drinks in plastic cups ($30). When the food came (served with one flimsy plastic fork!), the rice was OK, the coleslaw was very mediocre (chopped up lettuce with runny mayo and some pineapple), and the chicken was basically inedible - extremely overcooked. We both had to leave some of the chicken because it had obviously been sitting on the bottom of the pan and was hard as a rock. For the record; this was not a soft opening. The soft opening was eight days ago and they have been "fully open" for the last three days. So yes; it's early in their history, but what a travesty. All the previous four and five star reviews are obviously friends from the soft opening. We left and probably said "wow" 20 times each on the drive home. By far the worst restaurant experience in Encinitas right now. I'm really sad to say that because I absolutely wanted to like it. $75 for that experience. A $6 hotdog from a street vendor would've been a better meal. The saddest part for me is that there were a few people working there that are obviously experienced professional wait staff and you could just see the desperation in their faces. I feel really bad for them. read more

I live real close by, my Musician friends told me it was a great party over there Sat. Nite. I brought my fiddle and was jamming with John Bennett and the band. Place was hopping ! Looking forward to dropping by more often.. Marty S read more

The food was excellent and the drinks are amazing. I've been there 3 times and it's been consistently good. My favorite is the blackened mahi, rice, and Hawaiian macaroni salad are my favorites. read more

Breakers - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Service is pretty ehhh. They spent more time talking to each other as I stood there waiting at the bar. Food is quite good. Benji definitely had them dialed in on the recipes. That being said - the Mac salad is absolute trash. Sooooo bland. I was so looking forward to it and took maybe two bites before giving up. Hope that changes, and service improves. I think price point is also a bit high, especially on drinks. Don't mind paying it for the food. read more

--Teriyaki chicken so good It 'broke da mouth' Legit local Hawaiian/surf vibes + tiki bar great food and service. . Ignore 'Kook of the day' one star review. Legit in every way, l full bar indoor/outdoor and grass area for kids to play. Even plumeria trees and real Hawaiian plants! This is real Cardiff. Breakers is one shave, ice machine away from being in Hawaii itself. read more

Such a great vibe and atmosphere! The food was delicious as well as the Mai Tai's and beer selection Will definitely be stopping by every time I'm in the area! read more

Good - LOVED the vibe, decor, history, and the staff. The staff were extra accommodating, friendly, and helpful. Not-so-good - unfortunately the food was underwhelming. I had the scrambled eggs with Spam, potatoes, and toast. The toast came plain with no butter or jams offered. The Spam wasn't grilled before mixing with the eggs so the flavor was just meh. The best part was the mystery green sauce offered with the potatoes - almost tasted like a sweet tomatillo sauce. Overall, pretty bland flavors without any seasoning on anything. My husband had Kahlua pork with eggs and the pork quality wasn't great and had some big fatty chunks that weren't edible. We may try again for happy hour but won't go back for brunch. read more

Hawaiian food made by haoles. Was given wrong order, and food was uninspiring, bland, and overpriced. Will not be coming back or recommending to anyone. Food was barely edible but 50$ read more

I really wanted to love this place. The decor is super cute and inviting. But then I ordered fried rice, Mac salad and Masubi to go for lunch. The fried rice was burnt and soggy. Mac salad was all pepper. No flavor but black pepper. Masubi was dry, cold rice and kinda plain. Will I go again? No. Not at all. Sorry. Love what you guys are trying to promote for the community but food needs help! read more

Breakers - Fried rice and side Mac salad - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

The place is cool, drinks are decent. You order at the front and they bring your food to you. The food itself though, needs some major improvements. Maybe it was an off day, but the mac salad was lacking and the recipe needs improvement, it was just butter and pepper. The spam wasubi was dry, the short rib was too chewy. There's a lot of potential, the food just needs to be better and that would bring everything together. read more

So excited to see Anita when I came in today! She is the epitome of hospitality. Had a delicious mai tai that sent me right back to Oahu and some of the best Teri chicken I've had. Will definitely be back to try the ribs and enjoy more of the laid back Ohana good eats I've been missing! Thanks again Anita and Benji whom I had the privilege of throwing some thanks to on the way out today. Mahalo and Aloha! read more

Breakers - Teriyaki chicken, Mac salad, pineapple slaw, and rice - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Please!!!! For the love of God Benji - change the Mac salad recipe. Apple cider vinegar, carrots, shredded onion, mayo, sugar, salt, pepper. It will only cost you probably .50 more cents in bulk- I promise you we will all show up more often. For the people - please! read more

The minute you walk in it feels like a cafe in Hawaii. We loved the vibe and the food . They have delish drinks that have no artificial ingredients. The mai tais for example has 3 rums with this crazy yummy orange foam on top . The lunch plates are authentic with a healthy take /choices. I chose the Mac salad and green salad with Blacked ahi . Large portions so much so I took 1/2 home . My husband had the ahi sandwich with pineapple cole slaw with a kick of spice . The restaurant is very dog friendly with Benji (the owner) stopping by to tell our yapping dachshund he can bark if he wants . The patio has a relaxed feel reminiscent of Hawaii with the real grass. Much needed place for North county . If I could walk to it I'd be there every other day :) read more

Good vibes and good ambiance. Food and drinks were good too...would love to see a happy hour menu bc $18 for a mai tai is heavily overpriced. Especially based off of the location, and the casual vibes that the restaurant is. We haven't been back bc of the prices. Please take this into account owners I think people would respond so favorably too it. read more

We live in Encinitas and our friends in San Clemente told us about this place and a friend that's affiliated with the restaurant so we wanted to try it and support a new business in our community. This place is great and has a chill aloha vibe with traditional island food. We had a few different things that we share and all was good. It's well worth giving it a try and be patient as it's new but the place it great ! Mahalo! read more

This is food the way it should be - made with care and kindness. This is not fast food. No microwaves here. Come here to enjoy an experience like going to the beach. You will feel like you are in Hawaii on Hawaii time, surrounded by tikis and surf memorabilia. The menu changes because the ingredients are fresh. You will be happier after coming and will have some really good Polynesian food. read more

Ahi Katsu Plate broke da mouth! Exactly what we needed in north county. Very family, home-y vibe. Benji was so welcoming. Get yourself these dank grindz! read more

Breakers - Ahi Katsu plate broke da mouth! Family, home vibes. Exactly what we needed in North County, need to try da grindz! - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

The food was amazing! First time here and will be coming back. You get a lot of food for the plate. I had enough to take home a whole meal. The inside is so cute and the staff was amazing! Very friendly and a great place to go with friends. read more

Breakers - Teriyaki chicken plate w/ rice, Mac salad and pineapple coleslaw. - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

I got the Kalbi short ribs and 2 spam masubi. The short ribs were mostly fat/chewy pieces and the spam masubi were falling apart and tasted old like they were just sitting somewhere. I paid about $65 in total for my girlfriend and I. Save your money and eat else where. I feel like I just paid to eat white rice and macaroni salad, it is way overpriced for quality and portions. read more

We were staying around the area and saw this restaurant on our instagram. We were excited to try it out just by the videos of it. Once we got there the staff was nice. My boyfriend got a Kalbi Beef Plate Lunch. Didn't have any meat at all. It was pure fat. Usually when eating ribs you can get the meat off the little bones but not with this one. I got the Ahi Katsu Place just because they didn't have chicken Katsu. I thought it was strange that they didn't have that but whatever. The fish is supposed to look like that but it just looking like I'm eating raw meat. We also got spam masubis and it tasted cold. It seemed like it was just sitting there. The Mac salad wasn't good either it tasted kinda buttery and oily. I was just not having it with the food. I love Hawaiian cuisine but this place was not it! I couldn't gone somewhere else that has bigger portions for the same exact amount of money we spent. Don't get me wrong the place has nice seating I love the decor. But unfortunately the food was not it especially after spending 60+ on the food we got. Sad to say not going back. read more

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We were there for dinner. The wait staff was very friendly and efficient. We ordered cheeseburgers. One came with Mac salad and one with chips. There was nothing on the burgers. No lettuce, or tomato or any kind of condiments. We had to ask for mustard and ketchup and were given packets from the back. So, for 2 burgers, one side each and one ice tea it was $42.00. Probably won't be back. read more

it's a tough time to open a new restaurant and we wish them the best. With our order of three lunch plates two were substandard and one was good but not great. Wife's salad had an oil only dressing...no vinegar in the dressing...had a black hair in the salad, she is blond by the way. the pork was pretty good...my friend from the P.I. had the kimchee and said it was unimpressive. Service was young and will get better with time and training. but it was a very limited menu and my wife said I will be going back alone. read more

I live in Cardiff and wanted to support the new restaurant and came in around 1:40 pm. I was told by the cashier that the teriyaki chicken is being marinaded and I could come back in about an 1 hr and I could order it to go per the kitchen as he went to the back to ask. I asked if I could just call the order in he said "we don't have a phone to do that." I said ok I will come back. Of course when I came back in 1.5 hrs they said I could not order it because it was not ready once again Synopsis: - don't open a "restaurant" when u are not prepared with enough food to serve the customers - please do not tell a customer to come back to order food and then tell me it's not ready - the waitress stated not having a working phone is a "glitch" - it's more like huge problem that customers can't communicate with the restaurant not simply a glitch - I understand this restaurant just opened but it is very ill prepared to serve customers as it should be - I gave your place not 1 chance but 2 chances to make me love your place but I was completely disappointed as my time is as important as yours to drive back and forth to purchase your food. read more

This place was such crap. No aloha love or mahalo. I asked for a to Go plate, MO told me where it was located, and helped another table with their to go plates. I know I am capable to get it myself, but to be singled out like that was unprofessional. Respect your aunties. read more

Excellent entrees and good vibes in the patio with our dogs - though a bit of traffic noise, the decor and mismatched chairs are kind of charming read more

Curtis and jade had great vibes. Amazing food and drink. Loc'd out spot. Madlove! The ahi dish is what you need. Love it

Breakers is a fantastic restaurant it has great Hawaiian cuisine from Teriyaki chicken to pulled pork sandwiches and traditional Hawaiian drinks and they also have a lot of Hawaiian decorations and surfboards as well as Hawaiian music every weekend which gets the crowds dancing and puts you in a good Hawaiian mood I have to be honest I can't get enough of the staff that works there they are all fun people especially the owner of the restaurant Benji he makes you feel welcomed and loved he wants you to enjoy the the Hawaiian spirit of Breakers well done Benji on creating a fun place to go to and eat and drink and have fun read more

Well, with all the hype and articles I read i went there today for lunch. I ordered the teriyaki chicken plate with rice and mac..$22.00 .it was horrible! The chicken was dry and difficult to chew, the mac was bland. The environment was questionable. They had 3 tv"s CNN was on one, Bonanza (yep you heard that right) on one TV and basketball on the third tv...I expected a real Hawaiian experience maybe surfing on the TV, Hawaiian music and very little Hawaiian atmosphere. I.left very disappointed, Unfortunately I don't think.ill go back read more

The food tastes just as good as being back home in Hawaii! The Ahi Katsu really is the best! read more

Breakers - Ahi Katsu with the best sides! The pineapple coleslaw is soooooo good - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We just visited "Breakers" for the first time today and it was well worth the wait. They have a very friendly, casual island vibe and the food and service were outstanding!!! Thanks for picking Encinitas to open such a cool inviting place:) read more

Community, amazing food, wonderful people. Breakers is the surfer soul of Encinitas where you will encounter a neighbor, friend, or water buddy enjoying food and friends. Mahalo Breakers! read more

Breakers - Wahine salad - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Breakers is the kind of local gem that feels like home the minute you walk in. Their Hawaiian-inspired dishes are always fresh, flavorful, and made with love--whether it's the Loco Moco, Kalua Pork, or one of their daily specials, you can't go wrong. And let's talk about the margaritas... dangerously good and easily some of the best in North County. One of the coolest details? The booths were actually bought from the old Keno's, giving the place a nostalgic touch that longtime locals will definitely appreciate. It's the kind of spot where good food, good drinks, and good memories all come together. For how busy they were their service was great! If you haven't been, you're missing out. read more

Had the kalua pork sandwich: 10/10 Spam Musubi: beyond 10/10 Teriyaki Chicken Plate Lunch, also spectacular. This spot is special. A go-to for a long time to come read more

I had lunch today around 1:15 and having lived in Maui several years and loving Hawaiian plate lunches, I've really been looking forward to it. I had a plate lunch with teriyaki chicken. Lunch rush seemed over and so service was nice, friendly and quick. However, the chicken was barely warm, didn't seem freshly cooked, and slightly slimy (which can be kind of scary), the Kimchee and macaroni were kind of tepid and even soupy, but at least the white rice was very warm. The portions were good sized but sadly I barely ate anything out of concern for food safety. I was very disappointed as I had waited several months before trying the place since initial opening reviews were poor and I always give new places the benefit of the doubt and plenty of time to sort things out before trying them. I'm not sure there is any excuse any longer for this lack of quality control.... I'm bummed. read more

Had to try this new restaurant as Kealanis closed years ago. Cool vibe inside and not too crowded. We had the teriyaki chicken and the Kailua pork plate and both were delicious. The macaroni salad was unique as it had an oil rather than a mayonnaise base and we loved it. The small green salad was excellent also with a killer dressing. We will return! read more

Fun new casual spot. Well priced Except for the Mai Tai's.....with tax and tip is $20+ per drink.....it's a Hawaiian restaurant in an offbeat shopping mall, not a Maui resort That will need to come down for me to return read more

AMAZING. do yourself a favor and go order a Mai tai and a plate of Mac salad. For real, you deserve it. I promise.

Robert, Layla, Heather and William (previous reviewers) obviously don't know the surf community or the history of Breakers. They certainly aren't empathetic or know the growing pains of a new restaurant and what it takes to get it off the ground. My husband Larry and I have been waiting for Breakers to open since we heard it was happening. We got the chance to visit today. We had a wonderful time! Anita and Taylor behind the bar were lovely and hospitable. They also made amazing drinks. Benji came out and spoke to everyone, even though he was hustling in the kitchen cooking our food. We made several sets of new friends who were just there to vibe and not be food critics. The food was great even though the kitchen had to close for 30 to restock. This is super understandable as they've just opened and are trying to gauge supply and demand. We're all about no waste in California, right? This place is great. If you want perfection, then you should probably wait a few months. If you are chill and want to have a good time then come through. The drinks were amazing and the food was solid. If you folks want new cutlery or other accoutrements then maybe man/woman up and speak up in person. Let's try to uplift this new spot and not tear it down before it has a chance to thrive. I personally want to see it around for a long time. Thanks for the awesome afternoon Breakers!!! read more

Breakers - Mai tai - Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Everything is great! Food, drinks, service, ambiance and total Encinitas beach vibes! Dog friendly and huge outdoor area. Feels like you're on vacation as soon as you walk through the door. Lots of Healthy options on the menu. It's going to be a great venue for live music too! So excited it's open! Matt the bartender and Xan are so friendly and make you feel at home. read more