An Oceanside harbor mainstay for over fifty years, where better to eat fish and chips other than right on the water? This classic, family-owned spot does a one-piece fish basket that comes with a green salad, coleslaw, beans or fries for just $9.50. Daily specials include a fish taco plate on Thursdays for $13.

The neighborhood cocktail bar and eatery got a serious upgrade when chef William Eick joined its kitchen in 2018, and now offers pub fare alongside plates like Vietnamese caramelized pork belly, honey-chili shrimp, and wagyu filet with tamarind and black garlic long beans. Last year, Eick launched Matsu, a separate concept that currently operates inside the Mission Avenue space, which offers a 10-course chef’s tasting menu of modern Japanese fine dinings.

The standout bakery by the beach just blocks from Oceanside Pier does a superb line of sugar-dusted all-day buns, classic palmier cookies, and buttery Madeleine cakes. On the savory side, there’s from scratch breakfast and lunch fare spanning Benedicts and crepes to salads and specialty sandwiches.

The much-loved customizable bibimbap stone bowls here just landed this Korean mom and pop spot at No. 26 on Yelp’s annual list of the ‘Top 100 Places to Eat’ in the U.S. Each one is made with a choice of rice, salad or jap chae, before adding meat or veggies and topping everything off with a sunny side egg.

Soft opened in December, Orfila’s new tasting room in coastal downtown Oceanside is just a few blocks from the pier. There are 22 types of wine to try and purchase, including Orfila’s flagship Estate Syrah, plus a food menu that spans a cheese and charcuterie board to shared plates, flat breads, and sweets.

From Rincon, Puerto Rico to Oceanside, Calif. Opened in 2015, Banana Dang is a real neighborhood gem, where, alongside the superb coffee drinks, locals love the selection of smoothies (ty the Nutty Dang with hemp protein), happy toasts (try the Green Fire with smashed avocados), and semi-sweet baked goods. 

Come for the whole roasted sea bream, satays, or nasi goreng during dinner or mango tartine and kaya French toast for brunch on Sundays. Dija Mara’s all-natural wine program is stellar too - ask for a glass of the Longavi Glup Cinsault or Pipeño País Coronel de Maule, both new Chilean reds not to be missed. 

This new ‘grain to glass’ craft distillery produces gin, vodka, brandy, agave spirits, and variations on whiskey that include bourbon and a small-batch single malt. There is a cocktail bar and farm-to-table restaurant here too with a lunch and dinner menu of shareable plates, from dips to charcuterie boards, plus salads, tacos, and heartier fare like fried chicken and waffles.

Be ready to wait in line at this beloved hole in the wall joint. Attached to Primo Market, it has been serving up authentic street tacos and carne asada burritos (among other deliciousness) for over 20 years. For $4.99 burritos and 69 cent tacos and swing by on Mondays and Taco Tuesday, respectively. 

Tucked beside Buccaneer Park right across the street from one of Oceanside’s smallest beaches, this local counter spot serves up killer breakfast burritos, avocado toasts, and breakfast tacos from 8 a.m. daily. Grab a seat on one of the picnic tables or pop across the road and sit down to eat on the sand. 

Family owned and operated since 1988, this essential breakfast spot is well known and loved for its generous sized portions of hotcakes, banana crunch French toast, and homemade corn beef hash, among other dish standouts. Counter-culture fans will enjoy the surf memorabilia, photos, and decor.

More than just a standard sushi joint, chef/owner Davin Waite’s unconventional nigiri, sashimi, and house roll creations, not to mention his unique and worth the splurge omakase menus, are as eclectic as the “surf shack” decor.

Located inside vintage consignment store Captain’s Helm, grab a custom tailored drip coffee, dirty chai latte or Mexican mocha and a pastry from the walk up bar before taking a seat with the laptop (there are plug in stations and free wifi) or browsing the racks for denim, t-shirts, bags, boots and accessories.