Oceanside, located in North San Diego County, offers a vibrant and health-conscious dining scene where you can indulge in nutritious meals without sacrificing taste. This beautiful coastal town features restaurants dedicated to serving dishes that tantalize your taste buds and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. From locally sourced seafood to fresh, homemade options, Oceanside provides a variety of eateries that prioritize fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition. Many establishments cater to specific dietary needs, offering gluten-free, vegan, and other health-conscious alternatives.
Restaurants with a Healthy Focus
The Plot
The Plot stands out as a haven for culinary enthusiasts, where chefs creatively transform locally sourced ingredients into plant-forward dishes. Located at 1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054, this restaurant is farm-to-table, vegan-friendly, and vegetarian-friendly. The Plot offers a full-service dining experience in the evenings and for brunch, as well as a casual lunch on weekdays. You can enjoy the beautiful dining room or the bountiful patio gardens.
The Plot is led by Jessica and Davin Waite, who have been at the forefront of San Diego's culinary scene for over a decade. They've gained a loyal following for their inventive and sustainable approach to seafood and plant-based dishes, attracting attention from critics and culinary innovators.
The Plot is shaking up plant-based dining with a bold mix of comfort and style, offering everything from cozy classics to exciting flavors. Chefs Davin Waite and Travis Roe are reimagining vegan cuisine and zero-waste menu design to celebrate flavor, texture, sustainability, and the magic that comes from sourcing locally and growing their own food.
Jessica and Chef Davin Waite are dedicated advocates for improving and educating people on food systems through their expanding culinary efforts, contributing significantly to the sustainability movement in Southern California and beyond. They bring an eco-conscious model to the table with a plant-based, zero-waste approach, focusing on the total utilization of fresh, boundary-bending homegrown ingredients. Their philosophy is to give veggies the respect they deserve in an imaginative way, creating stunning and delicious culinary offerings with plants.
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Reviewers rave about the "incredible food," "super vibey" atmosphere, and "outstanding service." The creative menu features "delicious and creative plant-based food," highlighting a sustainable garden-to-table approach. The Plot is perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.
The restaurant offers a nightly tasting menu from Wednesday through Sunday, celebrating the seasonal abundance of local gardens and farms. This tasting menu highlights the innovation and preparations that the chefs are most excited about, balancing fine dining technique with fresh creativity in five courses. The team is passionate about unique zero-waste practices and philosophies.
TLC’s Oceanside Restaurant
TLC’s Oceanside restaurant provides a true San Diego vibe with its open-concept floor plan, wood-burning oven, and light-drenched spaces. The showcase kitchen invites you to view the cooking process in a relaxed atmosphere that feels like home. TLC emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, bringing together the flavors of California sunshine, rich earth, and sparkling coastal waters in their meats, vegetables, and seafood.
Wrench & Rodent
Founded in 2013 by Davin and Jessica Waite, Wrench & Rodent is a space for culinary exploration and collaboration. This cozy, eclectic restaurant has become a destination for those who appreciate Chef Davin’s creative approach to celebrating local and responsibly sourced fish and produce. In addition to a set sushi menu, Wrench offers an omakase and a list of specials that change daily. The team is committed to reducing waste and enhancing flavor by elevating all cuts of fish and veggies, as well as featuring a diverse range of species. Many menu items are simple, fresh, and creative, with lesser-known fish species complemented by ingredients from the backyard garden. Byproduct utilization drives the menu, and recent explorations with aging techniques have led to a dry-aged fish program. They also celebrate plant-forward preparations and offer a vegan omakase upon request.
20|Twenty - Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Located within the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, 20|Twenty offers fresh Californian cuisine sourced from within a 40-mile radius. The restaurant focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, ensuring a healthy dining experience.
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Haven Farm + Table
Nestled in the hills of Leucadia, Fox Point Farms is home to Haven Farm + Table, a new Californian restaurant. Haven features produce from the three-acre regenerative farm located just steps away from the kitchen. Diners can enjoy innovative dishes, such as pan-roasted chicken with jalapeno labneh and summer salad, while dining on the terrace overlooking lush fields.
Wildland
Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar, and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County. Celebrating the creative culture of California, Wildland brings bold ideas to timeless traditions. They offer counter service for breakfast and lunch and full service in the evening.
Other Notable Restaurants
Nick's
Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen - professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive, memorable experiences.
Fresco Cocina
Fresco Cocina is a bustling restaurant in Carlsbad Village serving a traditional and contemporary interpretation of Mexican cuisine. The menu rediscovers tradition and offers shareable plates and main courses infused with Mexican soul. Fresco Cocina is known for bold, bright flavors paired with exemplary wine and artisanal spirits that let the high-quality ingredients shine.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse prides itself on craft and attention to detail. Guests visit for award-winning handcrafted beer, a Southern California twist on Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, and Pizookies®. BJ’s aims to make every moment spent there count.
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Additional Dining Options
Ruby's Diner
Ruby’s Diner offers a fun, nostalgic experience suitable for all ages. Known for serving breakfast all day and offering the best shakes, Ruby's Diner is always a fun time.
Brickmans
Brickmans epitomizes the essence of a charming golf-side eatery, exuding a laid-back country club ambiance. Serving as a beloved community hub, it seamlessly transitions from the ideal 19th hole for golf enthusiasts to the cozy familiarity of your best friend's living room. Brickmans offers coastal California cuisine crafted with a fresh and flavorful approach, complemented by ocean views.
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