Seated immediately at 5:30pm on a Saturday, which was great. It did take a while to get drinks and for the server to take our order, but not a huge deal. If only my children hadn't been losing it... We ordered the lumpia, chicharron, pancit with tofu, pork sisig, beef salpicao, garlic rice, and finally flan. Our favorites were the lumpia, chicharron that came out crackling, and the sisig. Lumpia were freshly fried and crispy, good filling. Chicharron came out with a vinegary white pepper dipping sauce that cut the fat nicely, and the sisig was impressively charred on the hot plate with good flavor. I didn't really care too much for the salpicao, but that's likely more due to my personal taste than anything. Also, the pancit was fine, just a little one note. Flan was nice and thick, but I would've liked a bigger portion. Again, not really something I can necessarily fault them for. Service people were all very friendly and checked in with us frequently, especially after the long wait at the beginning. I'd come back to try more if I'm feeling like Filipino food. read more

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One of our families favorite restaurants in north county San Diego! We absolutely love the food and the service every time feels like we are greeted by family. read more

This was such a great stop for a family dinner! We definitely over-ordered--everything on the menu looked amazing and we just couldn't decide when to stop We kicked things off with the lumpia and garlic peanuts (both so good), then somehow managed to squeeze the carnideria steak plate, grilled salmon, pork spare ribs, pancit noodles with shrimp, and the vegetable coconut stew all onto our table. The coconut stew totally stole the show. The ambiance was perfect--windows open, letting in the most amazing night breeze, and making the whole place feel so warm and inviting. Service was top notch too--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. We'll be back--often. So glad we found this family-run gem right here in Encinitas. read more

Ok had a great experience the first time that I had to come back. Although most of the flavors were as good as I remember, we did try some new things. The pork belly sisig was a bit of a miss. The lechon kasal I was a hit as well as the Bangus. However the halo halo was a big disappointment. They changed the recipe and it was sooo not worth it. It was missing a lot of the stuff they had last time like the red beans, the jackfruit, etc. I was really sad b read more

The food was not my favorite, but I do think it's hard when there's not many other options for Filipino food in North County. The man who served us was nice though, and service wasn't too slow. I like the vibe of the inside. The price for the lunch special is pretty good. read more

Rating: 4.5/5 CARiN de RiA is a gem of a Filipino eatery in the middle of the Encinitas strip. My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting twice, and the food quality has been consistently great, with standout dishes like the chicken tinola soup and desserts that left us excited to return. On our first visit, we were greeted by the owner, Archie, whose warmth and attentiveness elevated the experience. He took the time to listen to us and even went out of his way to ensure we were taken care of, like offering to warm our calamansi juice without hesitation. It's clear Archie cares deeply about his customers and their experience, which makes the place feel even more special. The ambiance is also worth mentioning. The space has a warm, tavern-like feel, which adds to the cozy, welcoming atmosphere. While they don't have a liquor license, they serve Filipino beers, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal with a cold drink. The food highlights: * Chicken Tinola Soup: Full of flavor, with big pieces of sayote squash--just like how it's made at home. Generous portions, perfect for sharing. * Calamansi Juice: Potent and refreshing, a rare find for us since moving out on our own. * Flan: Thick and creamy, melting in your mouth. * Mango Float: A dessert masterpiece, with layers of mango ice cream, graham crackers, and vanilla ice cream. My wife's favorite! On our second visit, the experience was slightly less engaging. The server was functional but not as personable. At one point, I tried to mention our conversation with Archie the day before, but it felt like she didn't hear me--or possibly ignored me. She also hesitated when we asked to warm the calamansi juice, saying it would need to be microwaved. While there were other customers in the restaurant, which may have made it overwhelming, the service felt a bit rushed and impersonal compared to the previous visit. We also tried the tapa off the Not So Secret Menu during our second visit. While the cut of beef was good and the price reasonable at $22, it didn't quite meet our expectations. We noticed the chef was on his break when it was prepared and heard the server say, "I got it," which makes us think she may have cooked it. While we can't be sure, this could explain why it tasted a bit different than expected. Despite this, we plan to return. CARiN de RiA is a great Filipino eatery, and I'm confident that with a better experience in the future, I'd happily change this review to a 5. It's a place worth supporting, especially with Archie at the helm. read more

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The friend brought me here because it is close to her work and she wanted Filipino food. I've had Filipino food before, but this was my first time here so I didn't know what to expect. We order a set and got to try a lot of different dishes. My favorite was the Caldereta! The beef was literally so tender and melted in my mouth. We got garlic rice and that was also really good. The staff was really nice and I really liked the interior design of the restaurant. It was pretty and definitely a nice date place or good place to hangout with friends. Will come again and recommend :) read more

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The family was craving For Filipino food and some of the family members had said this spot was definitely The spot to hit up. They were initially in Escondido but moved to this new location in Encinitas. There was plenty of street parking and there was some outdoor seating available for overflow since the inside wasn't very big. The service very friendly and the items we ordered came out piping hot! I'm not a meat eater so I was happily and excitedly surprised to be ordering vegetarian Kare Kare! I devoured that sucker and if I was at home I'd be licking that bowl. As all other Filipinos will say that their mom or Lola makes it better. This spot was delicious and I can say ... it takes as good as my TITA's and I like my TITA! read more

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Amazing! We loved our dinner. Our server was so kind and helpful. We had a peanut allergy and they accommodated very well!! The food tasted hearty and full of flavor. Filling but light at the same time. 10/10 recommend! read more

CARiN de RiA - Pancit and Spicy Chicken Adobo (Adobo Sa Tanglad) - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

I needed a caterer that served genuine Filipino fare for my Manila, Philippines high school reunion that was to be held in San Diego with only a week's notice. Archie from Carin de Ria came to my rescue. Not only did he recommend a menu that could feed 140 people (a feat onto itself!), the menu included a variety of delicious food, and he managed to keep in all within my budget with delivery! Food arrived hot and right on time! Worldwide experts in Filipino cuisine (that's to say all Reunion attendees were all raised on rice!) all agreed all of it was OUTSTANDING. Archie and Mary at Carin de Ria now have fans who live all all over the world! ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND CARIN DE RIA! read more

CARiN de RiA - Carin de Ria catered International School Manila Reunion Picnic - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The best Filipino food in Socal! So happy we get to try this on our way to San Diego and we went here again to eat on our way back. The oxtail karekare is so good, dinuguan- so good, the ice cream?! The best! read more

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How have I not written a review of this place?! I eat here very week and never am disappointed or get tired of the delicious food. I have tried many dishes, and while they are all good. I have my favorites! Always get the Chicharrón! They are so fresh, and will literally be popping when I handed or served to you. I absolutely love dipping them in the spicy vinegar. If it is lunch time during the week, get the lunch special. I choose between the pork adobo and the bbq chicken skewers (extra +$1). My coworkers love the spicy chicken adobo too. I love both the white or garlic( +$1) rice. The special also comes with regular or vegetable lumpia and pancit noodles. All for only $12. They have very many amazing dishes. Some of my favorites are below. The pork rib sinigang is my absolute favorite. The broth is very clean and there are always a ton of pork ribs and many different types of vegetables, including but not limited to green beans, tomatoes, and eggplant. I always order this with a side of white rice. Although it is larger in size and can be shared. I absolutely refused to share this because it is so good. I also am obsessed with the sizzling Lechon sisig. It will be served sizzling hot on a cast-iron plate. There will be pork, Lechon, onions, peppers, and a egg on top with a lemon on the side. My method is to mix up the egg in the dish. And squeeze the lemon all over the top. I also get rice on the side of this entrée as well. A few of my other favorite dishes include the Kare Kare (peanut lovers. This is for you.), lechon kawali (obvi), and the milk fish. All of the dishes I've had here have been great. But these are a few that I can think of off the top of my head. Even though you're very full, you must get dessert. There is no doubt about it. Unbutton your pants and get ready for an amazing dessert to finish up this wonderful experience! Get the HALO HALO! You will not be disappointed. It is like a milky/icy/sundae. It features sweet plantain chunks, sweet potato chunks, jellies, coconut flakes, Ube (purple yam-don't knock it till you try it), flan (silky custard), and a hefty scoop of Ube ice cream! You can share this at the table with your loved ones/friends and you will be very happy with the result. Archie is absolutely amazing and is always a smiling face to see. His restaurant is absolutely phenomenal and exactly what San Diego needs. Stop by and try something new at this delicious Filipino restaurant. You will not be disappointed. read more

CARiN de RiA - Chicharon - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

Tried twice- lumpia were a bit greasy. Not great. Not horrible. Probably not going back.

Food is always great here! Service was quick and we felt right at home. We would come here everytime we visit SD with my fam.

Was totally unimpressed with the chicken here. Totally overcooked and overpriced. Atmospheres very basic and bland. Not a place to enjoy a casual evening. Not planning to come back. Try another Filipino restaurant and you'll get a better experience. read more

Salmon sisig sizzling is good! Sinigang is cooked to perfect sourness! The Philippine Flag at the door welcomes all and is a distingushing mark beyond decor. The service staff is friendly and welcoming. read more

Hands down our favorite Filipino restaurant in SD County. First of all, cute location in the heart of Encinitas and within walking distance to the lovely meditation garden. We've only been here twice since it's a 35min trek from Mission Hills, but definitely worth the drive. Over those two visits, we tried several items like beef salpicao, garlic rice, chicken curry, lumpia, pancit, lechon sisig, bangus, oxtail kare kare, calamansi juice, halo halo, bibinka and turon. Everything hits the spot except for the turon which seemed too doughy and not enough bananas. Our absolute favorites are the beef salpicao, oxtail kare kare and lechon sisig. From presentation to flavor, these three totally hit the mark. Service is great - quick and friendly. Ambiance is calm, clean and simple. 10/10 for sure and looking forward to our next visit. read more

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I'm going to be dreaming about the chicken curry and garlic rice. Flavorful, hot, delicious. Great for me (gluten free) and my vegan friend loved her dish too. Cute, low-key spot with open air windows. Service was friendly and welcoming. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu including gluten free and vegan options. Can't wait to go back. read more

CARiN de RiA - Yellow Filipino-Style Chicken Curry and Vegetable Coconut Stew (Ginataan) - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

We took our huge Filipino family out to eat here on a Friday night and ordered an assortment of different dishes. Some highlights were the pork belly kare kare, beef bulalo, lechon kawali, and the halo-halo was amazing!! Everything tasted great. My sister and I loved all the artwork in the restaurant. All of the staff and owner were very kind. Our family had a great time here and would highly recommend. I would definitely return next time I am in North County! read more

My boyfriend and I came in over Labor Day Weekend. On this day that we came, it looked a bit busy and we ended up seating ourselves outside right next to the entrance. I apologized to the server for that and he was very kind about it. It looked like there was just one server, one busser and just about a full house inside. The server comes with the menus but we pretty much already know what we want since we often check Yelp first before going to eat somewhere. Essentially, the ordering process for us didn't take long. Boyfriend ordered the sinigang and I got the green beans, garlic fried rice and the Pork Sisig (they have other protein options). While we waited, a pretty consistent crowd kept walking up. This place is small and people that came after us were informed that the restaurant is getting backed up as there is only one chef on this day and the wait time will now be significantly long . Most people left, not wanting to wait. If I were them I would've waited if given the chance. They missed out! The food here was seriously soulfully good. I only use those words "soulfully good" when it's true. Even though they were short staffed on this day, I could tell that the staff was doing their very best to keep up and the chef did not compromise the integrity of the food to meet the volume. That is vital. The food is the MOST important component to the overall experience- unless you're a snob who just likes to judge what you know nothing about. Thank you to the staff for pushing through and serving us, and special thanks to the CHEF. I'm a first generation Filipina and you fed me well, straight from the heart. Ambiance is chill off the Main Street bustle, closer to residential, just my style. read more

Ordered the Halo Halo, Canton and Inasal, First of is the Halo Halo is missing the creamy flavor, not enough evaporated milk, not sure why it looks dry, also for the price of $12 Im expecting it should have variety of sweetness goodies. Not sure why the Inasal is so simple, the pictures shows some salad but we only get the rice and the chicken, the canton for me so bland, not have the true authentic filipino taste also bland, and usually it should comes with shrimp and pork and chicken but it is somewhat an additional cost... read more

We've since ordered party trays of lumpia for Christmas Eve two years in a row. They did not disappoint. Good stuff!

GREAT food and such friendly service. Glad to have visited a few times now, overdue to go in again. Gracias to all, MS

Wonderful Fillapino restaurant. Went there with a group recently and everybody enjoyed their food. I had the pork since it which had a slightly chart taste it was chunkier than other restaurants, which is usually more minced. But it was tasty we also had chiccarone which are very light and freshly made. My husband had the oxtail Kare Kare it was delicious with a rich peanutty sauce. It's a cute restaurant located on a side street and Encinitas away from high traffic area lots of street parking available. Service was good with server recommedations. read more

Love this place. It's lowkey, cozy and good for groups. Happy to see Filipino food, and it was so good. I got the vegetable kare kare with tofu, garlic rice, chicken adobo, pancit, turon and leche flan. Will definitely be back. read more

CARiN de RiA - Vegetable Kare Kare - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I was in Carlsbad in with my family for couple days decided to stop by and do a pick up order. Friendly staff, great food, location is great. Their pancit was good! Would definitely come back and eat here again read more

Great service and open seating. Highly recommend their lunch meal for $14. Great tasting tray with rice, palabok, and a entree

Good - Delicious Pilipino foods - Must try Sisig- serves on hot stone plates GarlicRice- flavorful Halohalo w/ Ube icecream - not too sweet so it was good!! Request extra flan. (If like it sweet, ask to be more sweet) - Good service Bad - street parking It is a small restaurant. Encinitas Pilipino food! read more

CARiN de RiA - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

BEST FILIPINO RESTAURANT IVE EVER TRIED. I'm Filipino and have grown up eating my mom's delicious cooking. I would be thoroughly disappointed whenever I tried any of the cuisine at a restaurant because every dish could never compare to a home cooked Filipino meal. We've tried places all over the world and nothing surprised me more than this place. We stumbled here by accident after a drive back to OC/ LA. A different Filipino place we wanted to try was closed so I found this place instead. This place is restaurant quality home cooked meals (if that makes any sense). I called 30 minutes before arriving to see if they could accommodate a party of 10 and they said no problem! The place was very cute and quaint and service was very nice. We tried a ton of things (party of 10). Lumpia: 4.5/5, crisp and fresh but still didn't compare to my mom's Chicharon: 4.5/5 I've never had fresh chicharon before and i was pleasantly surprised Crispy pork belly kare kare: 5/5 GET THIS. Easily the best dish I tried. I'll let it speak for itself (and I've never been a big fan of kare kare); pork belly was so crispy and tender Bangus: X/5, I didn't get a chance to try it but my siblings said it was their fave dish Lechon kawali: 4.75/5, was crispy and soft Pancit: 3/5 noodles were a bit wet but still good Crispy pata: 3/5 just not a big fan in general Sisig: 4.5/5 was tasty, but my dad's is still my fave Pork sinigang: 4/5, good taste but I prefer more sour Bulalo: X/5, didn't get a chance to try but my MIL loved it Turon: 4.75/5, I've never had Turon with caramel but was pleasantly surprised I will confidently make the drive back to Encinitas from OC to eat here again. I will also be bringing my friends and family here when they say they want to try Filipino food. Great family owned business!! read more

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The veggie lumpia was tasty - crispy wrapper. The oxtail kare kare- tender beef with a rich peanuty sauce. The chicken adobo- flavorful chicken in a tasty sauce. The garlic rice was scrumptious. Dog friendly outdoor patio. Server was friendly and attentive. read more

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I need to stop in again, but had to at least try the Lumpia and dipping sauce which was excellent. Will definitely sit down next time instead of take-out to try more menu items. Service was very prompt and friendly. read more

The man attending us gave great service, made us feel at home. The food was delicious, we were very happy with everything. The restaurant is in a prime spot and it's clean and well taken care of. read more

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After recently traveling to the Philippines, I was craving Filipino food! We came in for lunch and ordered several lunch specials which came with a ton of food for about $14 each. The owner came up to our table and was extremely nice and helpful. The restaurant itself was very casual and laid back, but was clean and stylish. My wife's Filipino family approves of this place so it must be legit! read more

CARiN de RiA - Lunch Special - Chicken in Peanut Sauce (Pipian) with 2 Classic Lumpia, Pancit, and Fried Garlic Rice ($14) - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

The customer service is top notch. Our server was able to consider our allergies and sensitivities. After detailing all the dishes that could be modified to meet our needs, they delivered our dishes perfectly! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, the menu is diverse, the prices are very reasonable, and the service is outstanding. We will be back often!!!! read more

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Finally made it here! I love the staff who was helping us; he very friendly and accommodating to my hubby's diet restrictions. I love a place that can modify their dishes to meet the customer's dietary restrictions.. i.e. low salt, no sauce, etc.... I appreciate you, because if you can understand that a customer would like to try a dish but would want also to adhere to their restrictions, so they can stay healthy, that's a plus for us. That being said, we ordered the lumpia, pancit , and liempo... OMGosh, everything was exceptional! My favorite was the liempo, and i ate it all.. LOL.. it was delicious, meat was very tender, garlic rice was perfect. We will def come back. It's nice to know i don't need to go far to get outstanding filipino dish! read more

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Delicious Filipino food on a peaceful little corner of Encinitas!! I loved how yummy the sisig was and how it came on a sizzling plate. If you haven't had longanisa with garlic rice, please come here and try it! Their menu has a solid list of authentic Filipino dishes to try out, so I highly recommend coming here! I will definitely be back to try some more!! read more

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Had high expectations based on the glowing reviews and was left underwhelmed, unfortunately. I'm used to Filipino food with robust flavors, and everything here tasted muted, like it had been dialed down several notches. As a group of 4, we shared two orders of lumpia, as well as the pancit with shrimp, sizzling lechon sisig, and the crispy pork belly kare kare. The lumpia was the best thing we ordered, and everything else was just ok. There wasn't much meat in any of the dishes and again, the flavors felt like a whisper. It's cool that there's a Filipino spot in North County, however the typical homey counter serve places in National City are much more satisfying, with more bang for your buck. Our server was also not very helpful and looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but there. A lackluster experience overall. read more

CARiN de RiA - Clockwise: Crispy Pork Belly Kare Kare, Lechon Sisig, Pancit - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

The food was amazing! The service was not so great. The sisig was really good and the Halo-Halo was to die for! Highly recommend! read more

CARiN de RiA - Halo Halo - Filipino Near Me - Encinitas, California

Delicious!!!! Wow, the reviews on Yelp are spot on. We were looking to try a new restaurant and Yelp once again led us to the right place. We ordered the family feast (medium) and we're amazed by how much food it was. Everything was sooooo good. We did upgrade the rice to the garlic fried rice. You know it's good when you can't pick a favorite dish. Everything was so flavorful and absolutely delicious. We had plenty left over and were all so excited to have it the next day. Excellent food and excellent service! We even had dessert, Flan and the Mango Float, both were amazing!!! read more

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As soon as you walk in, you feel like you're walking into a family member's home who can cook! It's a small cozy restaurant serving authentic Filipino food. We ordered lumpia, lechón sisig, and spicy chicken adobo. All were very good! The servers were also very nice. read more

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