Kai Ola Sushi

4.2 (596 reviews)

PriceySushi Bars, Japanese, Seafood

Closed • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Add Review

Call

Directions

Website

Order Kai Ola Sushi Takeout or Delivery

Order Takeout or Delivery

Kai Ola Sushi Photos

Kai Ola Sushi - Ponto - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Kai Ola Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Kai Ola Sushi - Kusshi Oysters - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

+475

Kai Ola Sushi - Beacons - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Business Info

Health Information

Powered by Local Health Department

View Health Score

Order now
Takeout available

More like Kai Ola Sushi

Recommended Reviews - Kai Ola Sushi

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos - Kai Ola Sushi

Jenn B.

Tried Kai Ola Sushi for the first time on a date night with my daughter, who had raved about it. And it did not disappoint! We loved the black cod appetizer (incredible, just wish there was more) and the garlic butter edamame, which was some of the best I've ever had - chunks of garlic I happily ate on their own. We got the Moonlight and Swami's rolls. Both were tasty, though the Swami's was a bit too spicy for my 11-year-old. A few small misses...no ginger or wasabi served with the rolls, loose rolls, and parking is tough. But overall, it's bumped Sushi Lounge off as #1 on my list. I'll definitely be back!

Lily S.

Really delicious!! So fresh!! 11/10 recommend, best spot in town. Glad we finally came in.

Salma Z.

Get the Flambing Ahi - so Delicious & Spicy! We paired it with the Beacon's roll & it was the perfect Balance! Miche11e is a great server!

Stephanie L.

Exceptional service! Delicious rolls! Had the moonlight, swamis, and sunset. All were amazing but I especially loved the sunset. The rolls were huge and I was shocked I finished all three. The waitress was very attentive and really made an enjoyable experience. I highly recommend and will definitely return the next time I'm in the area. Parking is a little tricky. I parked across the street in the dirt by the railroad tracks and had no issues.

This place NEVER disappoints. Every thing I have tried has been amazing. Always enjoy sitting at the sushi bar so can get a great view of the food and ask about the rolls that just look good!! Had their summer special tonight and it was so good. Can't wait to see what they put up for their Fall Special.... I've said it before and I will say it again. The BEST sushi in Encinitas!!

Josh F.

Kai-Ola was excellent. We reserved the 5 person table up front for dinner on New Years Eve at 5:30 p.m. and got some great sushi and excellent service. The theme at this restaurant is a relaxing surfer feel and very chill. Will be back again.

Elizabeth M.

Dropped by this costal sushi place for a laid-back lunch. Scored a parking spot right across from the train tracks, total win. The place has this chill, tropical vibe with cool fish paintings and metal fish shaped decorations over some of the walls. The friendly waitress kept things smooth, and the sushi? Fresh, flavorful, and absolutely on point. If you're cruising around Encinitas, this spot is definitely a catch!

See all

Barbara G.

235

24

23

7 years ago

Small and welcoming sushi bar with a casual island/surf vibe in keeping with the Leucadia neighborhood. The hamachi kama appetizer is not to be missed: Ours was the meatiest, tastiest yellowtail collar I had ever had, mainly due to the chef's expert job frying the fish rather than baking it. Game-changer for sure. We also had the Grandview and Moonlight specialty rolls, also recommended. The sashimi was fresh, and the rice had just the right sweetness and texture. The price was comparable to other sushi bars in the area, and the quality of the sushi was higher, I felt. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Farulya R.

59

6

14

7 years ago

Fast service and very good sushi!!!! We really enjoyed our dinner and definitely will be back.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Tim M.

1

12

0

4 years ago

One of my wife and my new favorite Sushi spots in the Carlsbad/Encinitas area. So far everything we've ordered has been delicious and they have some unique items. We recently had wagyu beef nigiri-style and it was like eating beef-flavored butter. It is definitely on the pricier side, but worth it as a treat over your typical sushi fare. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Russ G.

0

5

0

7 years ago

I am grateful to my friends from Davis introducing me to this outstanding sushi bar minutes from my home! Menu has an exciting variety of items. Food is fresh and expertly prepared, with highly attentive servers! Suitable for family or client dining. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mary P.

0

7

3

8 years ago

Great find while visiting from LA. The hamachi belly was incredible and loved the Moonlight and Grandview roll. Grilled albacore skewer with butter and garlic was yum too. read more

Kai Ola Sushi - Moonlight and Grandview roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kennedy E.

0

6

1

7 years ago

This restaurant is perfect ! I loved how small and cute it was complimented by a modern and laidback design. My friend and I sat outside at the bar seating. It was so nice to watch all the cars and enjoy the beautiful day. Our server was also amazing (unfortunately didn't get his name). It was our visit there and he kindly went over the entire menu with us, and he was very attentive throughout the dinner. It made the night very enjoyable for my friend and me. I would suggest getting the moonlight roll! It is a fan favorite there and I can attest to that. Great spot with great food :) read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Marcus L.

127

4

0

7 years ago

I'm a sushi fanatic for sure! First time here and man I'll tell you it was super delicious! We had to get more!

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Matt Q.

0

3

0

4 years ago

Best sushi in North County! Great ownership, service and food. Try the Grandview, Kook, and whatever specialty roll they have on the menu.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nina B.

0

45

3

7 years ago

Loved. Matt. Awesome. Worth the extra buck. Sit at sushi bar. Take your time. Order a drink. Enjoy your time.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Roger C.

95

22

9

9 years ago

Great atmosphere and owner is real cool!!! Waitress was awesome (Rachel)... Music is laid back as well..

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Derek K.

3

53

2

7 years ago

By far and away the best sushi in the area. With their Hawaiian influence comes a helping of Aloha every time one walks in the door. The sushi and menu items are all top quality. Many of the rolls are done with beautiful garnishments and from a visual standpoint are a bit sad to dig into. Somehow people manage though :) Highly recommend the Moonlight Roll! In addition the blue fin is amazing and both the Hamachi and Salmon Kamas are always perfect. Sashimi is tasty and fresh. The recently added a liquor license and in addition to the standard hot sake have a several cold varieties that are exceptional. Always a wonderful meal and experience. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Joe M.

0

3

0

4 years ago

The crunchy rolls are out of this world. The owner is very nice and generous and every sushi roll there is soooo good. The chefs are noice.BEST SUSHI ON THE 101 read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Clay N.

0

23

0

7 years ago

The fish is high quality and the portions are generous, particularly for the ngiri (each piece is nearly two bites!). This restaurant delivers Japanese food tuned to American preferences (I.e. rolls emphasize accouterments, not the fish itself). Prices are fair for the Encinitas area - and, after all, it's sushi! For those looking for traditional Japanese cuisine, you may be disappointed. For example, the sushi chef did not know what "arigato" meant. For a more authentic (and sometimes less refined) Japanese izikaya / sushi bar, walk a few blocks north to Umi. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Aaron F.

0

7

0

4 years ago

Go for the food not the service! The waitresses don't seem to care. They're more focused on texting. Get it to go...

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alvin L.

1

3

5

7 years ago

Being a sushi restaurant in Leucadia/ Encinitas, you should expect the price to be a little bit overpriced. The food is normal, not good not bad. To sum things up, I would say the quantity matches the price, but no really the quality. Don't mistaken though, it's still okay read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kim K.

85

3

0

7 years ago

This place is the best! Awesome beer, sushi, and music! Great vibe with friendly staff. The sushi was delicious! Why aren't you here??

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Katie U.

206

22

17

9 years ago

Super fun atmosphere Clean and quaint. Chef Lane makes the experience amazing. Not only is the fish fresh but his preparation/style (Hawaiian Flair) adds such a different experience two the generic sushi place! Highly recommended I am definitely a sushi connoisseur and eat sushi at least once or twice a week. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Anna S.

0

7

0

6 years ago

Wow. I have never been so disappointed, I'd give it 0 stars if I could. But WOW. Called in and they literally couldn't get my order right, I was on the phone for 20 mins and they ended up charging me for the wrong things and the total was like $100 for the 3 things I got. Then, to make matters worse, they gave me the wrong order!!! And called me AFTER I GOT HOME to tell me I as to go back to switch out the order??? I had already gotten HOME. So I said no. They then called me back TWICE so I answered the second time. The girl on the phone said her management was going to MAKE HER pay for the difference between my order and the wrong order they gave me! Ridiculous. She ended up personally coming to my house to switch the orders. I have so much disrespect for these people at Kai Ola now. Never ever going back and I used to go a bunch. Can't ever get over it read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Brenna L.

165

31

16

8 years ago

I really want to give this place more stars because I thought the food was phenomenal. But honestly, the service was so bad. You'd think that with as small as this restaurant is, they'd pay better attention to their customers. I'm pretty sure our waitress took her lunch as soon as we were seated and it took me at least 10 mins to flag someone else down to say wed like to order and ask where our water/drinks were. When another waitress finally came, she "didn't have a pencil" so couldn't take our order, which was odd. Once we did order, it took FOREVER to finally get our food. It seemed that several parties who arrived and ordered after us were served first. Nonetheless, the food was great. Some of the best sushi in Encinitas. I want to go back at a less busy time. I also want to give this place the benefit of the doubt because they're new and I'm sure just working out some kinks. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Craig M.

1

44

11

7 years ago

Loved the sushi, it was of course fresh. Busy place and a lot of locals. Try the lion roll. Fun place with a fun atmosphere!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Gina H.

147

33

19

7 years ago

Basically what Station Sushi used to be before they got all big. Love the small feel, talking to the sushi chef, and food was to die for!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Steve S.

48

15

5

8 years ago

Fantastic!!! Fresh with a diverse menu. Simply the best sushi I've had in a very long time!

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

C W.

0

19

10

7 years ago

The best sushi in the area. Fantastic atmosphere, and amazing food. Service was great.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Leah S.

1

6

0

7 years ago

This is our new favorite sushi spot in Encinitas! Excellent sushi prepared by Francisco tonight, best protein roll we have had anywhere and we order them regularly from some of our now "old" favorite places. The other rolls we ordered were fantastic as well. Great service and great food, just love it here. It was fun sitting at the sushi bar watching Francisco enjoy doing what he loves for a living and eager to please his customers. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jennifer K.

1

30

8

7 years ago

So so good for 2 mommas and 4 kiddos from NY and LA. We were picky sushi eaters and were so impressed by their cuts and everything was delicious. We highly recommend this place!! Ask to try the yellowtail belly seared with pickled wasabi. Our server recommended it and we loved it!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Bill P.

45

28

0

7 years ago

Kai Ola is the real deal with excellent fresh sushi! Their poke bowls are delicious. Sashimi is fresh with generous portions. Service was prompt and friendly. This is a super place to eat? read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Deanna B.

0

5

0

4 years ago

Great place to get sushi even by yourself. Would eat there again and again :) and would recommend it to a friend or someone visiting Leucadia. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Catherine S.

0

17

0

7 years ago

Had some nigiri and maki sushi and everything was wonderful! I've been to most sushi places in the area and this definitely is a new favorite. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Cy J.

0

4

2

8 years ago

Very cool place to eat some amazing sushi . They are just bring in local beers, so I am in! read more

Kai Ola Sushi - I don't know another cool sushi place that has goats!!!!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Anu H.

30

38

7

8 years ago

Me and my son came here for a nice dinner we ordered some sushi and teriyaki plate both were delicious. Also the restaurant was very interactive with its costumers read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Erica F.

Elite 19

287

46

8

8 years ago

Stumbled here after realizing Fish 101 was closed on a Monday. The food was decent, I got a poke bowl and a salmon avocado roll. The poke bowl was too saucy, and I didn't love the taste of the salmon. I would come back here if I was starving and in the area but I didn't think it lived up to its reviews. The service was good and ambiance was nice. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Ronald B.

25

35

4

7 years ago

Just finished eating at Kai Ola and had some of the best sushi ever! Very small and personable. Sit at the bar and enjoy the food

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Elizabeth W.

40

21

6

8 years ago

The entire experience was fantastic. The rolls were delicious and well balanced. I love that they weren't overstuffed with rice. The service team was fantastic, our server recommended a great Saki, and, and Sushi chefs had the best vibe. Thank you all! We will be back for more! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Jay C.

0

20

1

7 years ago

I liked the location/looks of this sushi restaurant.. but this place is wayyy overpriced. I am guessing the residents of this city do not quite know what avg sushi cost is.. I've been to many great sushi places, but $9.50 for 2 pcs of salmon nigiri gave me second thoughts on getting them. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Dan A.

7

21

0

7 years ago

I like this place. It's is small and cozy with a Hawaiian vibe. Great saiman for cold days and I just tried the sushi. The fish is really fresh. I'm not into rolls so I went straight for the sashimi and I was not disappointed. The fish was very fresh. The owner guy is super chill and a good but small selection of good beer to wash down the ono grinds. The service is so so but not horrible. I'll be back. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jo G.

0

32

2

8 years ago

Unbelievable good food at Kai Ola Sushi. Best of the Best. Just go and be amazed. read more

Kai Ola Sushi - Chef Laine creates sushi rolls fit for the gods.Kai Ola Sushi. # 1 Sushi in San Diego County - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Kai Ola Sushi - Fresh caught Yellow Tail with secert red miso broth is 5 star gourmet feast. Kai Ola Sushi. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Hannah R.

6

114

50

5 years ago

We tried Kai Ola (takeout) for the first time and had the most delicious nigiri and sushi rolls. We tried the Beacon specialty roll and the regular Shrimp Tempura roll and both were incredible. I don't usually leave a review after just one visit, but the food was so good. We will be back! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

D R.

0

6

3

5 years ago

Yum! Glad we went here. A busy little place, but that usually means good food. Good food it was!!!!!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Michael S.

1

27

15

8 years ago

Had a killer experience at Kai Ola tonight. Michelle was our server and she was awesome! The uni sashimi and yellowfin nachos were INCREDIBLE! We will definitely be back again soon! read more

Kai Ola Sushi - Uni sashimi- so fresh! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Toni S.

266

7

35

8 years ago

We got the sashimi combo that included 2 pieces each of salmon, hamachi and tuna; the kook roll and the jalapeno bomb. Everything is fresh and delicious! Btw get some of the watermelon green tea or the cucumber lime infusion for sureeee read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Page 11 of 15

918 N Coast Hwy 101
Ste 2049
Encinitas, CA 92024
Directions
(760) 492-7130
Call Now
Visit Website
https://kai-ola.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Kai Ola Sushi open?

Kai Ola Sushi opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Kai Ola Sushi close?

Kai Ola Sushi closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Kai Ola Sushi closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 12:00 PM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Kai Ola Sushi take credit cards?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Kai Ola Sushi have catering options?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi does have catering options.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have a drive thru?

No, Kai Ola Sushi does not have a drive thru.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have a happy hour?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has a happy hour.

Does Kai Ola Sushi serve alcohol?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Kai Ola Sushi allow dogs?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi allows dogs.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have TVs?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Kai Ola Sushi have bike parking?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has bike parking.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have outdoor seating?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has outdoor seating options.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have parking?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Kai Ola Sushi wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi is wheelchair accessible.

Does Kai Ola Sushi have free WiFi?

Yes, Kai Ola Sushi has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Kai Ola Sushi Reviews in Other Languages

Fish 101

As always the food is fresh and delicious. I tried something new this time and got the grilled…read moreshrimp sandwich. Their seafood is always do fresh. Not pictured is my husband's halibut burrito he states was "delicious". The parking his more difficult at the moment as the 101 is being worked on so keep that in mind.

It was really good! The spot plays the sports games (thank you). They serve cocktails and their…read morespeed of service is excellent. The Great - The food The Good - The cocktails The Bad - a little expensive The Ugly - NA

Photos

Inside

2 piece Fish and Chips

See all

Thirsty Thursday!!!!

Pelly's Fish Market & Café

Popular spot at a strip mall with lots of parking space. It gets pretty crowded with plenty of…read morepeople coming in but the fresh seafood is worth the wait. We love the taco combo as you can try a shrimp taco and a fish taco. The meats are very tender and flavorful and filling. Surprisingly, they also have a sashimi platter with lots of pieces which is worth the price but the rice as a side dish is kind of pricy.... Just cook your own rice if possible.

I had a good experience at Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe (Carlsbad). I ordered the Boston Clam…read moreChowder Bread Bowl ($16.99). Surprisingly, the sourdough bread bowl tasted more spectacular than the chowder. Although the soup had clean ingredients, it's runny and a little bland. Fortunately, that fresh, flavorful sourdough bread had a happy crunch while also coveting that bold sourdough flavor. YUM! I arrived at Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe (Carlsbad) on a Saturday (around 12:55PM). Parking is easy. The lot is very big. Customers order at the counter, and Staff brings the food to your table. Staff is polite enough. Staff had a very laid back, casual presence. The male staff member just appeared & plopped the food on the table before strolling over to chat with another customer. The clam chowder bowl arrived in 15 minutes. As mentioned, I appreciated the Boston Clam Chowder Bread Bowl ($16.99). The soup was unremarkable, but the sourdough bread is phenomenal. I liked how the clam chowder is peppery and piping hot, but it's also fairly bland and runny. It had a very watery consistency. Thankfully, that fresh sourdough saved this meal. On ambiance, Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe (Carlsbad) is clean and comfortable. There's plenty of tables. There's also a gender neutral restroom in the back. Overall, Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe (Carlsbad) is a good option. It's not the most remarkable, but it's a solid option. I had a good experience. 4.4 out of 5

Photos

See all

Sashimi Tray

Encinitas Fish Shop

My favorite stop on my recent trip to the San Diego area…read more Encinitas Fish Shop was recommended by one of my local SD work colleagues. I grabbed an Uber after work on a Thursday and headed north 11 miles. As I arrived at the Fish Shop, I could smell the goodness inside and saw the line waiting to order. The restaurant is on one side, with an open bar on the other. Ordering is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Pick your fish, pick how you want to consume it (plate, sandwich, salad), and pick your sides and drink. I went with my work colleagues recommendation of a blackened sea bass sandwich with onion rings and a Marg. That choice was FANTASTIC!!! You seat yourself once you order and place the buzzer given to you by the counter person on the unit on your table. Although busy, there were still tables available (bar and restaurant, plus out front). As the NBA playoffs were on, I sat inside. Everyone working here was friendly and as I already stated... my meal was the best I had on this San Diego visit. A bonus was a gorgeous sunset just 3 blocks down from the shop. I will be back to Encinitas Fish Shop when I next visit San Diego.

Fish Shop is always a solid choice and never disappoints ! So many options and I like that you just…read morewalk up and order what you want. You can't go wrong with any fish taco or surf and turf. We had the Cardiff crack (IYKYK) and it was delicious ! The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere has a relaxed, beachy vibe that makes it a great spot to hang out with friends, fam or enjoy a casual meal

Photos

Fish Shop Lumpia (2)

See all

Ahi Poke

Le Papagayo

First time visit, the food is outstanding, Best Chicken fried Steak west of Texas…read more Service outstanding. Love the atmosphere, cool vibes, and laid back no pressure.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Sometimes the local eateries can be hit or miss, but this long…read moretime local restaurant is true to the town! The fried goat cheese salad and prime rib hit the spot for me! I love that there's a wide selection on the menu for everyone to choose from. I think there's live music some nights as well. I need to remember this place for more family get together. They've always been so good at accommodating larger parties for us! Service has always been up to par as well.

Photos

Best Traditional Eggs Benedict

Papagayo margarita

See all

Carlsbad mussels in Thai peanut sauce, yum!

Cancun Mexican & Seafood

You can tell the owner really cares about this place! Every dish is made with love. We always get…read morethe #17 fried shrimp and a crispy beef taco.

Talk about a HIDDEN JEM. Right next to a gas station isn't usually someplace you find AWESOME food…read morebut this is one of those exceptions. Having set my Apple Maps before reading the description of the restaurant, my wife and I set our course on the way back from the San Diego Zoo. I didn't want to get home too late and the parking situation for the better restaurants near the zoo didn't look promising so we decided to go further away from San Diego to find a place on the way home near the 5 freeway. Cancun may not look like much but the food is pretty freaking amazing. My surf and turf burrito filled with generous amounts of shrimp and carne asada was incredible. Adding sour cream and guacamole just put it on another level. No burritos like this near my home. My wife's shrimp plate was also a winner. Lots of shrimp. My wife's only gripe was not enough rice and beans. Even the side of corn tortillas was moist and tasty. I'm not sure if they make their own tortillas but it seemed like it. Even the french fries are incredible. Nice and crispy but not dry. I thought I'd still be hungry after just the burrito but I had no idea what a monster it is. Even after eating 3/4 of it, the remainder was still heavy. The older lady working the register is so sweet. A little hard to understand since she has a thick accent but very nice and helpful. The cook was cool too. Very happy when I stopped before leaving to tell them the food was "delicioso". Don't let the gas station scare you away. The food is jammin'! I plan on stopping by again when I attend Comic-con next year.

Photos

Awesome food quality service

Crispy chicken tacos. Great price!

See all

Carna asada burrito. Soooo goooood

Lobster West

Food was great, lobster can either be hot or cold you just have to ask for it Connecticut for hot…read moreor Maine for cold, (did a little research before hand). Service was great quick and easy right to the table to them politely telling me about it. The ambience was great the music was fitting to the overall vibe and I loved the food, Would go back for sure!

Great lobster roll, clam chowder, and mac + cheese. Ali was amazing, took care of us very well!…read moreThank you! Aloha

Photos

Ordering area

New England Clam Chowder

See all

Puntamar

4.4

(166 reviews)

1.3 mi

What a hidden gem! This restaurant is so cute. It was perfect for my friend's birthday dinner. Our…read morewaiter, Andrew (i think) was awesome! Our food was all good and the drinks. The wine selection was perfect. Definitely recommend for any type of occasion! And, there is a sports bar next door that I would like to check out soon.

Update 2: the owner of this restaurant is a jerk. period. Avoid at all cost…read more ==== Update 1: With the recent reply by the owner I have to update the rating to 1 star. If you are understaffed, hire more people. If they are underpaid, pay them more. They're trying to give customers moral pressure to not tip high enough, as if it is customers' fault that the employees are not paid what they deserve. ==== The food was innovative - it was not of super good taste nor terrible, but I admire their effort to be creative. The service was honestly not bad, but what made me uncomfortable was that their suggested tips were 20% minimal. With the pressure of being presented the POS machine by the server, most people would not manually enter a lower tip.

Photos

The outdoor covered seating with TVs above

Michelada Kraken

See all

Espresso martini, best ever, you must try!

Pacific Coast Grill

Epic dinner on the beach. Yes, we did not have reservations,…read morebut like a miracle, they found us a table ON THE BEACH at sunset. You must sit outside. Epic views of crashing waves. Warm heaters keep you enjoying the sound of the waves crashing. We just saw a flock of pelicans soaring by. We ordered bread and shrimp dumplings. Our meal was a split Paella! It was incredible. We also had seafood pasta. The taste of the ocean was evident in our meals. The service was excellent. As the sun set, the colors changed. It was a great evening.

We decided to stop of during vacation for an early dinner after a whale watching boat tour in San…read moreDiego Bay. We got to the restaurant 30 minutes early, and they weren't seating for dinner yet. So we sat on the bar for a drink while we waited. The bartenders were attentive and the drinks were delicious! (Not pictured) We go a Pina-Rita and a pale ale. We got seated for dinner shortly afterwards outside by the beach and waves. The view was spectacular and they have umbrellas strategically placed to offer shade. We had to move ours a bit but it was super easy. We refreshed our drinks at this time but traded the 'Rita' with a 'My Tai', which was also amazing (pictured). I am NOT a seafood fan, but my husband loves it. We ordered the empanadas for an appetizer, I had the burger with havarti and bacon and my husband had the seafood pasta. Big portions and really yummy. For dessert we had to try the crème brûlée. Service was perfect and the food and view were amazing. I'd go back again.

See all

Lobster Lab

Family-owned & operated

Grab-and-go

We come here for the crab rolls. We look forward to them . They definitely changed them since we…read morecame last. Used to be more chopped up and easy to eat. This time around it was full legs of crab put on the bread. When you take a bite the entire leg comes out. Wasn't as flavorful as we remember.

Wow had an amazing experience here. The ,"co owner, Ridvan, was present and he was very helpful…read more I was unsure what I wanted and he made some amazing recommendations for the warm lobster roll and as I ordered the grilled cheese as well he recommended I get the lobster grilled cheese so I changed my order according to his recommendation. 100% did not disappoint. All his recommendations were spot on. My wife and baby loved both dishes as well did I. The food hall is pretty nice where it's located and not hard to miss. However it can get loud if there is live music playing.

Photos

See all

Lobster Grilled Cheese

Valentina

Family-owned & operated

Boutique

We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and had an amazing experience! Super cute and cozy…read morerestaurant and so nicely decorated. I loved the aesthetic. It was easy to book a reservation online ahead of time. We were promptly seated upon arrival. Our waiter was wonderful! He seemed like he was the owner or manager. He knew the menu really well. We ordered a bunch of small plates (tapas) and enjoyed every single one: the squid, patatas bravas, shishito peppers, artichoke, shrimp, to name a few, and they were all delicious and thoughtfully made. They had some good options on the kids menu too, my daughter chose the fish and fries and loved it! They made my husband's birthday special by bringing churros with a candle for dessert. Great way to end our experience. Overall a really nice and upscale-like experience at a reasonable price! Highly recommend! We'll be back.

So many compliments to give. Interior:…read moreIntimate. You feel cozy, not claustrophobic. So many fun things to look around while waiting for your next course to arrive. Service: Luis, an amazing server. He gave my husband and I his own personal favs. Which was valid. Get the Wienerschnitzel, you won't be disappointed. The service was exceptional and didn't feel rushed. Overall, Luis makes me want to come back to hear more of his other personal favs. I will be coming back. Food: Every appetizer, entree, desserts and drinks were divine. My personal fav was the patatas pavera because of the unique flavors. I had 5 different items and not a bad bite in the bunch

Photos

See all

Valentina

Family-owned & operated

Boutique

We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and had an amazing experience! Super cute and cozy…read morerestaurant and so nicely decorated. I loved the aesthetic. It was easy to book a reservation online ahead of time. We were promptly seated upon arrival. Our waiter was wonderful! He seemed like he was the owner or manager. He knew the menu really well. We ordered a bunch of small plates (tapas) and enjoyed every single one: the squid, patatas bravas, shishito peppers, artichoke, shrimp, to name a few, and they were all delicious and thoughtfully made. They had some good options on the kids menu too, my daughter chose the fish and fries and loved it! They made my husband's birthday special by bringing churros with a candle for dessert. Great way to end our experience. Overall a really nice and upscale-like experience at a reasonable price! Highly recommend! We'll be back.

So many compliments to give. Interior:…read moreIntimate. You feel cozy, not claustrophobic. So many fun things to look around while waiting for your next course to arrive. Service: Luis, an amazing server. He gave my husband and I his own personal favs. Which was valid. Get the Wienerschnitzel, you won't be disappointed. The service was exceptional and didn't feel rushed. Overall, Luis makes me want to come back to hear more of his other personal favs. I will be coming back. Food: Every appetizer, entree, desserts and drinks were divine. My personal fav was the patatas pavera because of the unique flavors. I had 5 different items and not a bad bite in the bunch

Photos

See all

Biergarden Encinitas

If I could give 20 stars, I would! The Bier Garden in Encinitas has never disappointed me. Every…read moredish I've tried has been amazing. The cornbread is hands-down the best and a must-order every single visit! So far I've had the Poke N Chips, BG Bones, and grilled cheese with tomato soup, and every single item has been flavorful, fresh, and perfectly prepared. It's rare to find a place where everything on the menu is consistently this good. The atmosphere is always great, the food is outstanding, and it's become one of my favorite spots in Encinitas. Whether you're stopping by for drinks, lunch, or dinner, you really can't go wrong. Highly recommend I'll definitely be back for more cornbread!

My mother and I came here for lunch on a Tuesday in June. We both received burgers, she asked for…read moreonion rings instead of fries and I asked for a Caesar salad instead of fries. My burger had very little flavor. The meat was dry, it was still edible just wouldn't order it again. The Caesar salad was fantastic!!!! The lettuce was amazing and the dressing was absolutely delicious. My mother ordered the fig burger with a side of onion rings and instead she got fries and there was no goat cheese on the burger. However she still loved the burger. Also all the pictures online show that they have WAFFLE FRIES - THEY DO NOT. The service was good and they were helpful in fixing the issues with the onion rings. Ambiance is very loud being right on the 101 but it's not terrible.

Photos

Cardiff Crack Steak Sandwich was delicious.

See all

Fish 101

As always the food is fresh and delicious. I tried something new this time and got the grilled…read moreshrimp sandwich. Their seafood is always do fresh. Not pictured is my husband's halibut burrito he states was "delicious". The parking his more difficult at the moment as the 101 is being worked on so keep that in mind.

It was really good! The spot plays the sports games (thank you). They serve cocktails and their…read morespeed of service is excellent. The Great - The food The Good - The cocktails The Bad - a little expensive The Ugly - NA

Photos

Inside

2 piece Fish and Chips

See all

Thirsty Thursday!!!!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Carly H.

0

4

0

6 years ago

We are Encinitas locals who live right across the street from Kai Ola. We got seated inside, the waitress that was designated to our table took about 5 minutes to bring our menus. Then, after we finally got the menus, a group of 6 came in that the waitress clearly knew. She immediately chatted with them, brought them their menus, got them water, and took their order all whilst walking past us paying 0 attention to our two top. After about 20 minutes of not even getting waters, we decided to leave. We went to Samarai Sushi in Solana! If you are looking for a great sushi restaurant with an expansive drink menu as well as a variety of food items check them out! Other better options than Kai Ola include: Hooked on Sushi, Sushi Lounge, Umi and Hapifish. read more

Jeff M.

175

227

342

3 years ago

I don't understand all the high reviews, all the Yelp reviews are only 1-2 stars, I agree that this is a 1 star place. Small cramped dining area, long waits for a table so we sat at the bar, was ignored for at least 15 mins- agree with the other yelpers, poor service and expensive sushi, go elsewhere!!!! Sushi rice was mushy and moist, how can you screw up sushi rice???? It's crap, at the bar you see all of the gross flaws, dirty countertops, crap on the floor,and as the other yelpers say... CLEAN your grease traps - freaking black and gross!!! We will never come back and sit at the bar again will get food poisoning!! If you want poor service and crappy sushi rice, this is it! read more

Nichole M.

136

20

11

4 years ago

This little gem is my favorite sushi spot in North County! The last time we ate here you'd have thought something inappropriate was going on due to the moans coming from our table. Toe curling it was so good. We usually just let the chef pick what we eat but we recently tried some rolls off of the menu and I'm telling you, this place can do no wrong. The servers are super laid back but very helpful and when it's busy (which it often is) any one who is free will check on you, to make sure your glass is full or whatever it is you need. From hostess to manager, everyone is so nice and helpful. read more

Daniel E.

81

36

37

5 years ago

Zero stars, please give us back our 2 hours spent in this hole! Wait was ridiculous especially when there was hardly any customers here. Wait staff and servers are non-existent and so is the service, geez we couldn't even flag down a server to order AND we were at the sushi bar. Fish is so sub par and the prices are $$$$. Sinew in toro and ahi, ridiculous poor quality! And the sushi rice was sticky and starchy- how can u mess up rice for God's sake!!! Bad service, poor quality fish, as one Yelper said "it's fish bate!" Crazy price, no we are never coming back, so many better choices!! read more

Cynthia Post M.

2

51

69

11 months ago

From the moment we walked into Kai Ola, we felt welcomed. Drake greeted us warmly, and Gwen took such great care of us throughout the meal. The sushi here is absolutely top-notch -- truly the best in the area. We started with our favorite, the crispy rice, and it did not disappoint. The Grandview specialty roll was a flavor-packed delight, and the shrimp tempura was perfectly crisp and light. If you're looking for incredible sushi, friendly service, and a place that knows how to do it right, Kai Ola is a must-visit! read more

Debbie T.

1

70

0

6 years ago

The servers were nice enough and the ambience was just okay being on the 101. The food tasted all right, but the ramen noodles were stuck together and hard. Also, the chicken Teriyaki was a ridiculously small amount of of about 2 oz of chicken and mostly just rice, romaine lettuce and two spoonfuls of potato salad for $14. Sad to say I won't be going back since I was very disappointed after spending $111. read more

Wes G.

633

18

19

7 years ago

Small but mighty. Great sushi and the owner in on site many days. Food is super high quality and the service is always spot on. Every roll I have had along with nigiri has been a surprise. They are not cutting corners here. Go try it. read more

Raquel A.

443

8

0

8 years ago

Amazing fish! Super fresh and delicious rolls. I am seriously such a sushi snob and can say that I absolutely love everything there. The one thing I will have to complain about is the service, it's a little too slow for my liking. read more

Sean F.

819

50

11

8 years ago

Best sushi spot in San Diego! Fun staff, excellent atmosphere, and the sushi is top notch. We usually sit at the counter and ask the chefs to give us whatever they recommend. This place has turned into our go-to sushi spot! read more

Ryan L.

5

46

16

7 years ago

Really really good rolls at this place. I feel like I've been to a lot of different sushi bars in SD including Nobu, Ken Sushi, Ota, etc. and this is up there with the best in terms of presentation, flavor and originality. read more

Chris R.

0

10

0

9 years ago

This is what Leucadia/Encinitas has needed! This is the best sushi in town. I took my 7 year old for lunch and couldn't stop ordering the albacore. Relaxed service, great vibe. read more

Mario W.

344

9

6

9 years ago

this place is the ti*$ ! chef Lane san knows whats up, best yellowtai roll i ever had. and locally caught bluefin belly will be back for sure leucadia needed this place. read more

Mike O.

1

3

0

3 years ago

I live nearby and it's good but pricey and staff isn't always nice but sometimes they can be. Food is great but tables are too small for me.