← Best special-occasion restaurants in San DiegoDate night guide · San Diego

A big night out in Encinitas / Del Mar

For the anniversary, the birthday, the big news.

6 spots · Jump to the list

For the anniversary, the birthday, the proposal. Every restaurant here sits at the top of the price range and treats dinner as the whole event. Book well ahead, mention what you're celebrating when you do, and plan for a longer meal than usual.

This guide ranks 6 special-occasion restaurants in Encinitas / Del Mar. Editors' picks come first, then the rest by rating, and the plans below build a whole evening around the best of them.

Make a night of it

Routes around the top spots on the list, with the best-rated places nearby for the rest of the evening.

Around Vigilucci's Trattoria

2 stops, all within a short walk

1
0.6 mi
5:30 PMThe big dinner
Vigilucci's Trattoria
Vigilucci's Trattoria

Restaurant

530 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, United States

Encinitas / Del Mar

4.8

2
7:00 PMSomething sweet
Calicream Ice Cream
Calicream Ice Cream

Ice Cream Shop

90 North Coast Highway 101 Suite 101, Encinitas, CA

Encinitas / Del Mar

4.5

Around Herb & Sea

3 stops, all within a short walk

1
0.5 mi
5:30 PMDrinks first
Anigma
Anigma

Cocktail Bar

509 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Encinitas / Del Mar

2
< 0.1 mi
7:00 PMThe big dinner
Herb & Sea
Herb & Sea

Restaurant

137 West D Street, Encinitas, California, 92024

Encinitas / Del Mar

4.6

3
8:30 PMSomething sweet
Gelato 101 Encinitas
Gelato 101 Encinitas

Ice Cream Shop

480 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA

Encinitas / Del Mar

Around VAGA

2 stops, all within a short walk

1
0.7 mi
5:30 PMDrinks first
Caves Wine Bar & Shop
Caves Wine Bar & Shop

Wine Bar

1410 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Encinitas / Del Mar

4.7

2
7:00 PMThe big dinner
VAGA
VAGA

Restaurant

Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas

Encinitas / Del Mar

4.5

Special-occasion restaurants in Encinitas / Del Mar

Editors' picks first, then by rating.

Good to know

What's the best special-occasion restaurant in Encinitas / Del Mar for a date?
Our top pick is Vigilucci's Trattoria, rated 4.8 out of 5. Herb & Sea and VAGA round out the top 3.
What should we do before or after?
Make it a big night out: drinks first, then the big dinner, then something sweet. The plans on this page pair each top spot with the best-rated places within about a 20-minute walk.

More nights in Encinitas / Del Mar

Special-occasion restaurants in other neighborhoods