clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Official Image [Mal Al Sham]

Where to Eat in El Cajon

This inner suburb is known for its wide range of Middle Eastern cuisine

View as Map

The East County city of El Cajon, located just 17 miles from downtown San Diego, offers a large variety of dining options, from classic breakfast spots to barbecue and Italian fare, but the area has become particularly known for its family-run Middle Eastern restaurants that serve as a gateway to the wonders of Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi cuisine.

Points on this map are arranged from north to south. Know of any great restaurants to check out in the El Cajon area? Send us a tip.

A number of San Diego restaurants have resumed outdoor dining. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit San Diego’s coronavirus tracker. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Read More

Breakfast House

Copy Link

The speciality is right in the name: Breakfast House has amazing breakfast and lunch dishes — from crusted french toast and omelettes in the morning, to burgers and sandwiches in the afternoon.

Official Image [Breakfast House]

Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant

Copy Link

Mamma Rosa’s has been serving authentic Italian food to El Cajon residents and visitors since the early ’80s. Their menu includes speciality dishes like chicken cacciatore, as well as pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. And don’t forget to order a side of garlic bread.

Official Image [Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant Instagram]

Janet's Cafe

Copy Link

Operating since 1994, Janet’s Cafe offers delicious American food, open from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. every day. Delicious breakfast options range from omelettes to huevos rancheros, while their waffles and french toast will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Official Image [Janet’s Cafe Instagram]

El Cajon Bistro & Bakery

Copy Link

This El Cajon eatery has a wide range of menu offerings that will make choosing this place easy when your group can’t decide on a restaurant. Notable dishes include the Hawaiian burger, a calamari wrap, tequila chicken fajitas, meatloaf, and a reuben burger.

Official Image [El Cajon Bistro & Bakery]

URBN El Cajon

Copy Link

A crispy Brussels sprout appetizer and craft pizzas stand out on this simple yet delicious menu.

Official Image [URBN El Cajon]

Mal Al Sham

Copy Link

For delicious Mediterranean food, look no further than Mal Al Sham. The menu offers shawarma, kibbeh, and pleeeenty of hummus.

Official Image [Mal Al Sham]

Downtown Cafe

Copy Link

Satisfying bar food is to be had to Downtown Cafe. From quesadillas and mozzarella sticks to burgers, sandwiches, and tacos, this place has it all.

Official Image [Downtown Cafe]

Por Favor El Cajon

Copy Link

A generous margarita and cocktail menu at Por Favor will keep diners happy throughout their whole meal. House margaritas conveniently come in three sizes, so you can easily decide how much you want to drink.

Official Image [Por Favor El Cajon]

Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill

Copy Link

This quaint Iraqi restaurant serves up serious flavor with notable fish and chicken dishes. Try the masgouf — the national dish of Iraq — for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.

Official Image [Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill Facebook]

Ali Baba Family Restaurant

Copy Link

Ali Baba has been serving delicious halal food to El Cajon since 2002. And it is seriously loved — the restaurant boasts a 4.3-star rating with over 1,000 reviews.

Official Image [Ali Baba Facebook]

Sagmani's Restaurant

Copy Link

For delicious hummus and kabobs, Sagmani’s has you covered with authentic Iraqi food.

Official Image [Sagmani’s Restaurant Instagram]

Crafted Greens

Copy Link

According to their website, Crafted Greens is “dedicated to bringing you the best ingredients sourced from credible, local farms.” Their beet and goat cheese salad is particularly enticing.

Official Image [Crafted Greens]

The Wrangler Family Barbecue

Copy Link

Texas-style barbecue is always an easy choice for meat lovers. Wrangler Family Barbecue offers delicious sides — from french fries to baked beans to macaroni salad — and truly delicious pit barbecue. Beef, ham, and ribs are on the menu.

Official Image [Wrangler Family BBQ Facebook]

Sahara Taste of the Middle East

Copy Link

Shawarma, kabobs, falafel, tabbouleh, and hummus can all be found on this extensive Middle Eastern menu.

Official Image [Sahara]

Breakfast House

The speciality is right in the name: Breakfast House has amazing breakfast and lunch dishes — from crusted french toast and omelettes in the morning, to burgers and sandwiches in the afternoon.

Official Image [Breakfast House]

Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant

Mamma Rosa’s has been serving authentic Italian food to El Cajon residents and visitors since the early ’80s. Their menu includes speciality dishes like chicken cacciatore, as well as pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. And don’t forget to order a side of garlic bread.

Official Image [Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant Instagram]

Janet's Cafe

Operating since 1994, Janet’s Cafe offers delicious American food, open from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. every day. Delicious breakfast options range from omelettes to huevos rancheros, while their waffles and french toast will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Official Image [Janet’s Cafe Instagram]

El Cajon Bistro & Bakery

This El Cajon eatery has a wide range of menu offerings that will make choosing this place easy when your group can’t decide on a restaurant. Notable dishes include the Hawaiian burger, a calamari wrap, tequila chicken fajitas, meatloaf, and a reuben burger.

Official Image [El Cajon Bistro & Bakery]

URBN El Cajon

A crispy Brussels sprout appetizer and craft pizzas stand out on this simple yet delicious menu.

Official Image [URBN El Cajon]

Mal Al Sham

For delicious Mediterranean food, look no further than Mal Al Sham. The menu offers shawarma, kibbeh, and pleeeenty of hummus.

Official Image [Mal Al Sham]

Downtown Cafe

Satisfying bar food is to be had to Downtown Cafe. From quesadillas and mozzarella sticks to burgers, sandwiches, and tacos, this place has it all.

Official Image [Downtown Cafe]

Por Favor El Cajon

A generous margarita and cocktail menu at Por Favor will keep diners happy throughout their whole meal. House margaritas conveniently come in three sizes, so you can easily decide how much you want to drink.

Official Image [Por Favor El Cajon]

Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill

This quaint Iraqi restaurant serves up serious flavor with notable fish and chicken dishes. Try the masgouf — the national dish of Iraq — for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.

Official Image [Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill Facebook]

Ali Baba Family Restaurant

Ali Baba has been serving delicious halal food to El Cajon since 2002. And it is seriously loved — the restaurant boasts a 4.3-star rating with over 1,000 reviews.

Official Image [Ali Baba Facebook]

Sagmani's Restaurant

For delicious hummus and kabobs, Sagmani’s has you covered with authentic Iraqi food.

Official Image [Sagmani’s Restaurant Instagram]

Crafted Greens

According to their website, Crafted Greens is “dedicated to bringing you the best ingredients sourced from credible, local farms.” Their beet and goat cheese salad is particularly enticing.

Official Image [Crafted Greens]

The Wrangler Family Barbecue

Texas-style barbecue is always an easy choice for meat lovers. Wrangler Family Barbecue offers delicious sides — from french fries to baked beans to macaroni salad — and truly delicious pit barbecue. Beef, ham, and ribs are on the menu.

Official Image [Wrangler Family BBQ Facebook]

Sahara Taste of the Middle East

Shawarma, kabobs, falafel, tabbouleh, and hummus can all be found on this extensive Middle Eastern menu.

Official Image [Sahara]

Related Maps