For a true vaga, the journey is never-ending; the spirit and palate, always curious. Drawing ingredients and inspiration from near and far, VAGA explores San Diegos ever-changing confluence of culture through the cuisine of native Chef Claudette Zepeda. VAGA is a love letter to her hometown; victual poetry penned in the tongue of local growers. From its perch on a coastal bluff in Encinitas, California, VAGA keeps one hand in the ocean, one hand in the farm, and both eyes on the horizon.
Kunal Shah
We had breakfast here during our stay at the resort. The patio offers a lovely view, and the service was friendly. While the overall experience was pleasant, the food could use some improvement. We ordered the veggie omelette, but the vegetables were quite oily. On a positive note, the yogurt with granola was good. With a bit more attention to food quality, this place has the potential to be excellent.
… moreAbraham Jaimes
My wife and I had breakfast at Vaga during our stay at the hotel, and the entire experience was outstanding. Our server, Patrick, was absolutely phenomenal. He took the time to walk us through the menu, gave honest recommendations about what was good, and made us feel genuinely taken care of. His service elevated the whole experience.
The restaurant itself is beautiful—very clean, well-kept, and stylish. The food was equally impressive. We ordered the avocado toast, pancakes, a carne asada omelet, and a breakfast sandwich. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. I had a freshly squeezed apple juice, and my wife enjoyed a delicious latte.
Overall, Vaga delivered an amazing breakfast with top-tier service. Highly recommend dining here, and if you go, definitely ask for Patrick!
… moreFrancisca Griffiths
From beginning to end the food was delicious. The atmosphere was quite romantic whether on the patio or in the restaurant. Christian was our server and was very attentive but not so attentive you had to stop mid sentence to answer and you could actually enjoy a conversation. The food was prepared wonderfully and the timing of courses was well done, something you don’t see very often. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to taste some good food.
… moreCasey Thompson
Let’s be honest, if you’re coming here, you’re coming here for the ambiance. The patio bar seating was phenomenal. Comfortable seats with fireplaces or heat lamps nearby. It was wonderful being able to hear the rolling waves from the beach while enjoying a delightful cocktail.
… moreMike Varel
Five stars for dinner all around. They had great live music in the bar area, fantastic service, and the food was amazing.
The Black Gold cocktail is one of their best!
The pastured half chicken was so juicy and no bones in it so it was easy to eat. The Koji hanger steak has an Asian fusion deliciousness you have to try and the peppers with it aren’t really spicy at all.
Christian was a fantastic server and we really loved our experience all around.
Make sure to mention if you have food allergies just in case, the breakfast menu there wasn’t properly labeled for a GF item so always ask, they’re happy to make adjustments or recommendations.
… moreMarc Ashford
I took my wife here for a Valentine’s date, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The view over the ocean was stunning, and they had heaters and the game on, which were huge pluses. The design was very modern, featuring an exposed kitchen where you can see the chefs cooking your food right in front of you. The food itself was excellent. I had the short rib, while my wife enjoyed the crispy skin trout. Additionally, we ordered a side of sweet potatoes and shishito peppers, and everything was cooked to perfection. I have no complaints at all.
We visited during a non-peak time, so it wasn’t crowded. I can imagine that if it had been busy, the service times might have been a bit slower. I highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to have dinner. The bar area is also lovely, and I had a great drink there.
… moreWandering in Paradise
Excellent brunch at Vaga! First off, incredible ocean views and a beautifully designed restaurant and hotel. The cocktails were great, we had the afternoon teaquilla and the howlin wolf. For entrees we had the lobster salad, crab cake Benedict, and the Vaga burger. The service was excellent, there are tables for all group sizes and I believe the patio is dog friendly. Recommend getting a reservation. There is valet at the hotel for $5. Highly recommend!
… moreOlha Kotova
A wonderful place with delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere! I visited the restaurant twice – for dinner and breakfast – and was impressed both times. The dishes were fresh and perfectly prepared, and the service was excellent. The cozy ambiance makes it a perfect spot to enjoy your meal and relax. I will definitely come back!
… moreArmando Limon
We went in between lunch and dinner which wasn’t the best idea. I need to go back for dinner to really appreciate the menu.
Apart from that, food was amazing, the burger, chicken sandwich and the shrimps; desert was top…
… moreBritt Senecal
Devine dining with a spectacular view. The waiters are on point and extremely attentive. The food was down right heavenly. I loved the gluten free choices and they were a delicious delight to be had both aesthetically pleasing and a treat to the taste buds.
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