Best Pizza in North County San Diego

Urban Plates

What’s not to love about a Tender Greens knock off? Try UP’s tasty arugula, beet, and fennel medley or comfort foods like turkey meat loaf and vegetarian curry. Organic wine and beers, too. 12857 El Camino Real, Carmel Valley

best brunch, blues, & bloodys

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

The Craftsman New American Tavern

Make over your lazy Sunday with live music and high energy at chef Wade Hageman’s down-home tavern. Made-to-order omelettes, homemade sausage, apple-cinnamon beignets, and some soul-stirring blues are all on offer. 267 North El Camino Real, Encinitas

Le Papagayo

We love the all-night Happy Hour on Tuesdays for Shanghai-style ribs, Mahi Mahi tacos, and mojitos, and where else can you hear nightly live licks in genres such as gypsy groove, blues, reggae, and Flamenco nova? 1002 North Coast Highway 101, Leucadia

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

The foodie quotient at Del Mar Highlands Town Center has risen with meteoric speed. This summer, locals will get their pineapple-upside-pancake-with-vanilla-crème-Anglaise-and-cinnamon-butter-fix at Snooze. So long IHOP, hello breakfast pot pies, Bennies, and brioche with blood orange mascarpone! 3435 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley

Sustainable sushi at Harney Sushi

Not only is chef Robert Ruiz serving sustainable sushi, but he works directly with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency) to get the most up-to-date sustainable fish data. And while you won’t find the severely overfished bluefin tuna on his menu, nor any yellowtail, he’s serving up hamachi’s delicious sustainable cousin, Kona blue kampachi. A round of sake bombs in his honor for being so conscious. 301 Mission Avenue, Oceanside

Sugar Coffee & Tea

At this minimalist gourmet coffee shop from Kaito Sushi owners Hiromi Kimura and Ryan Bertsch, friendly baristas serve up artfully prepared French press coffees, perfect espressos, and individually steeped loose-leaf teas. We love its fine beans from a local boutique roaster, diminutive demi spoons, and delicate teacups from England and Japan. Dogs are welcome, too. 466 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas

Native Foods Café

Native Foods Café

Meatball sub? Deli-style Reuben? Baja blackened tacos? If you didn’t know it was all vegan, your taste buds may never have figured it out. These chef-crafted dishes with made-from-scratch sauces translate into kickass fresh vegan food, all under 10 bucks. 127 North El Camino Real, Encinitas

Royal India Del Mar

North County has a dearth of cultural cuisine, so we’re happy the owners, the Kambos, have opened a new outpost of their downtown eatery. While the waterfall and white tablecloth décor is a little over the top, the live sitar player, fresh-from-the-tandoor naan, and made-from-scratch recipes rock. 3860 Valley Centre Drive, Carmel Valley

The Vineyard Wines and Tastes

Saddle up and head on over to this quaint family-run wine bar with more than 90 labels. Hitch your horse to a shaded tree and enjoy a wine flight on the patio. More than 40 beers by the glass as well. 28714 Valley Center Road, Valley Center

Urban Tasting Rooms

Here are four we love:

Culture Brewing Co. 111 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Solterra Winery & Kitchen 934 North Coast Highway, Leucadia
Stumblefoot 1784 La Costa Meadows Drive, San Marcos
Stone Company Store 310 North Tremont Street, Oceanside

Cucina Enoteca

Cucina Enoteca

We appreciate owner Tracy Borkum’s commitment to being green. From choosing recycled material for 75 percent of her furnishings, sourcing locally, and using sustainable products to composting, recycling vegetable oil for biodiesel,
and employing energy-saving equipment, her dedication stands strong. Cheers to that. Now bring on the stuffed squash blossoms and salumi boards. 2730 Via de la Valle, Del Mar