Celebrated my sister's birthday (17 friends!) in the beautifully lit back patio of Union. The service was efficient and friendly especially for a large group. I ordered the short rib ragu and it was so flavorful and delicious. I finished the whole thing! Great value too. My husband got the gumbo and he enjoyed it. Everyone was so pleased with their choices. There was live entertainment indoors too. They let us bring in a cake and provided plates which was so nice. A fun night was had by all! Looking forward to returning soon. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Short rib ragu!! Sooooo delicious! - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Went here twice. Once for a late night dinner and then "brunch" a few days later. I can absolutely say go for dinner. I had the fisherman's stew. Essentially a version of ciopoanno. It was amazing. Fresh seafood, amazing slightly spicy broth. Perfect. Nothing overcooked and clearly fresh ever ordering close to closing. Also ordered a ceaser salad- the fried capers LEGIT PERFECT. My husband had the union burger with truffle fries. He said was good. I was too distracted by my dinner to try. "Brunch" on the other hand, was a little disappointing. Hoping it was just a limited menu because it was Father's Day but food was mediocre. Service here is great. Not overly attentive but very great recommendations. Will definitely visit again when I'm back in town. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Fisherman's stew - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

​The absolute worst way to end an evening is driving out to a restaurant that claims to be fully open, only to arrive and be told the kitchen is already closed. ​If your kitchen closes early, your listed hours need to reflect that. It is completely unacceptable to bait customers in with the promise of a meal, let them waste their time and gas to get there, and then turn them away empty-handed. ​Fix your operations and update your hours online. Turning hungry customers away at the door because of poor management is a guaranteed way to ensure they never come back. read more

Delicious brunch menu with well made drinks. We enjoyed the green veggie omelet & skillet cornbread benedict. The service is friendly & the ambiance is industrial & laidback. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Bar seating - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Service is hit or miss here. Last time we came in, our waitress rubbed 80 percent of our table wrong and we had 10 people. Food is good here though. Price is fine. I think the layout of the patio doesn't make sense and is pretty inconvenient for getting people served. Ambience is fine, nothing to write home about. read more

Wow. Our experience here was great. The food was very good. We tried the Honey Roasted Fig flatbread and the Executive burger and both were delicious. The fries and bacon from The Executive Burger, and the goat cheese and balsamic from the Honey Roasted Fig flatbread were my personal favorite touches. I found that the figs on the flatbread tasted refrigerated unfortunately. Our server, Brooke S, treated us very kindly and was quick on refills. We came at a slow time in the day, 15:00 on a Friday, but regardless, the ambiance is fun, comfortable, and the restaurant is comfortable and beautifully designed in an elevated rustic manner. read more

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Come here for the vibes not the food~ it was such a cute place near the beach, I sat next to the open windows and the fresh air was so nice with the games on the bar TVs. The food was decent but not great. The autumn salad was nice and refreshing but flatbreads were lacking. The honey roasted fig flatbread sounded so good but was such an odd flavor we couldn't take more than two bites; thankfully they have great service and swapped it out for the mushroom arugula flatbread instead which was much better but still not of the better ones I've tried. Short rib fries were so flavorful and delicious - they are more of a poutine which I loved, but my partner did not. Overall would recommend the salad and short rib fries but maybe avoid the flatbreads unfortunately! read more

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Great ambiance and good food! I came here with my family for my dad's birthday recently. I ordered the honey roasted fig flatbread. It was good, but the fries my sister ordered were delicious. Our server was nice and even brought out a little chocolate cake to celebrate my dad's birthday. read more

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Tonight I got the Moroccan quinoa salad. It was fantastic!! I got it with dressing on the side, which was perfect because I could go lighter on the dressing. Next time I might add additional shrimp (I like a lot of shrimp) and I'll get it with no fried garbanzo beans to make it lower calorie. Louise our server was fantastic: friendly and helpful! Perfect meal read more

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This spot is definitely going to be a go to brunch spot when in the area. The Christmas vibes were super cute gave it such a warm and welcoming ambiance. Service and food were great! Would highly recommend it if you're in the area. Has a bunch of seating inside and outside. read more

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Love the atmosphere and vibe of this restaurant. Food was delicious and satisfying. Tgey have a great menu; evetything sounding good! We had great service! The only negative was the long wait for food. But... the food was definitely worth the wait. Next time we are in the area, we will come back! read more

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Place was large and they had Halloween decorations up which made it feel festive. We were there on Friday so they had live music (ad toppers say live music 8-11p but went until 10p), the guitarist was really good. Menu had a good variety, we ordered the executive burger and a Moroccan bowl, both were tasty. Our server was good, only thing to call out is the bussers were fast to pick up plates when we're still eating, should ask before taking away plates and drinks. read more

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A solid spot in Encinitas with good drinks and food and fun vibes for sports and the occasional live music option! We have been coming here for years and this place has consistently been good and one of our go to's - I *love* the purple haze cocktail and their shrimp and grits and burger options are consistently in my rotation (both of which are/can be gluten free with the bun swapped for GF). They also do a fun shot on the brunch menu with bacon & OJ that tastes like a full breakfast (just try it, trust me!). Staff is friendly and professional and this is overall a great stop in downtown Encinitas! read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - The Executive Burger - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Blending coastal charm with a lively, beach-adjacent atmosphere, this spot feels like Encinitas at its best. For all the time I've spent in this town, I have no idea how I'd never stopped by before. The vibe is fun and open, with comfortable seating and fire pits that make the outdoor space especially inviting. The food leans into elevated comfort, familiar but done with real care. We ended up here on Thanksgiving and were so grateful they were open, as most Encinitas was not. We decided to try the special Thanksgiving dinner, and it was fabulous. The roasted turkey was moist, the homemade gravy rich and decadent, and the cranberry purée struck that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and citrusy. The roasted Brussels sprouts were cooked beautifully, but the standout was the jalapeño cornbread stuffing, so flavorful and unforgettable. I'm already planning to return after the holidays, and the Executive Burger has my full attention: brie, cowboy bacon, roasted mushrooms and garlic hummus, avocado, all on a pretzel bun. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who worked on one of the busiest holidays of the year. We're truly grateful you opened your doors for us on Thanksgiving. read more

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We came here last year for a birthday dinner hosted by high West and we got a nice taste of a sampling menu finger chef which was really awesome. What a cool event and an introduction in this restaurant now a year later it's a go to brunch spot for us. We love walking around and seeing Encinitas on the weekend mornings with our dog we end our morning walks here right around when they open. Their patio is super dog friendly, and everybody is really kind. One of the waitresses usually comes by in the mornings with little pieces of bacon for all of the dog sitting out on the patio, which I really love The food Here is also phenomenal. Steak and eggs is my go to breakfast with the mustard Hollandaise as a great touch. My husband loves their cornbread skillet with andouille sausage. If we come with multiple people we usually get a sticky bun for the table as well. They serve cafe moto coffee which I think is the best coffee in San Diego so I appreciate that. I can't wait to come back for dinner as well this place is so cute and I love their back semi covered patio as my husband is a ginger and would perish in the sun lol. read more

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Solid spot with large patio. Great place to grab a drink for reasonable prices, but the food menu was definitely on the pricey side for what it was. Nothing tasted bad, just standard salty bar restaurant food. Service was hit or miss, some were friendly and attentive, others seemed bored to be there. read more

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We discovered UNION when we were looking for a place to try a bite with our bit older than 2 month old at the time outdoors on the weekends. Parking was not bad, as they have their own lot - small, or there's plentiful street parking. UNION itself is a pretty spacious place, and we really enjoy their shaded outdoor seating. We've have only gone three times and will continue going as we have enjoyed our time there as a family of three or with friends. Service has been fast or decent the times we went and always friendly. A few of our favorites: - Short Rib Breakfast Burrito - generous serving, not skimping out on the meat. Tasty for a brunch selection. - Union Gumbo - tasty and delicious. - Blueberry Yum Yum - refreshing Changing table available in the womens' bathroom. I haven't had an opportunity to try the weekday menu, only the brunch menu. read more

Union was one of the three restaurants in Encinitas we could find that was open on Christmas Day, and for that, we give it 5 stars. The food was pretty good. There was a long wait for the food but there was great service, and I chalk it up to it being literally Christmas Day. It was packed in there! Super fun ambiance too. Dog friendly and had a dog menu!! I'd come back. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Steak Frites and Charred Lemon Broccolini and Baby Gem Caesar - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Menu has lots of options, including vegan. Wish that removing meat products from a salad would result in them offering alternatives, but alas no such luck! Ordered the corn bread appetizer - it came warm and had a good texture and taste. Ordered the Cobb minus the bacon and chicken. It was fresh and the blue cheese dressing had the right amount of flavor. Fries are seasoned nicely. Coffee was a nice end to the meal. Service was attentive and helpful. Location is on the coast so expect to pay more than expected for all items. read more

The food was bland and beyond overpriced. We ordered the flat bread, wings, and salad. The wings were underwhelming at best, the flat bread was basically microwaved, and the salad I could've bought at Von's for less. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, this review is not directed towards her at all. They had live music but I felt bad for the band, they looked stuffed into a corner. There's better places to go in Encinitas if you're looking for good food and a drink. read more

We're local Encinitans and stopped coming here because the food quality went down as their prices skyrocketed! Come on, $25 for a burger, it better be wagyu, salads and flatbread are decent. Brunch menu of crab cakes, shrimp and grits - meh, gumbo my rice was undercooked and raw - could not eat. I think this place is focused on tourists as are their prices and service. Local vibe is nice, open environment bar and restaurant. read more

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Our server was Shay seasoned vet. On point with service and even better good food with great weather close to the beach. Outside seating with heaters to keep warm while enjoying a good meal. read more

I really, really love their Roasted Brussel Sprout & Sweet Potato. Flavors are so well balanced that it went very well with my Chicken and Waffle dish. Great service, love the ambiance and the atmosphere of the restaurant---it gives you a fun bar vibes! read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potato - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Perfect food stop after a day at the beach! Shared the wings and mushroom pizza and everything was delicious! We sat down right away on a Saturday afternoon (came in around 5pm). Service was pretty quick with no complaints. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, both kid and pet friendly! There's also TVs, heaters, booths, and high top tables. Overall, had a great experience! read more

Great service, great live music, good food, friendly staff, what more can you ask for? Plenty of seating options inside and out, street parking was easy to find, good menu selections and reasonable prices. Good vibes, good food, will definitely be back. read more

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This is a wonderful gem in downtown Encinitas. Came here with co-workers for a happy hour and was very impressed with the food and service. Street parking can be limited but I was lucky to find a spot in the small parking lot behind the restaurant. We had a reservation for a large group of 12+ and were seated immediately at the patio. Our waitress was very friendly and took time to breakdown the whole drinks menu to us. I started with a California Soul cocktail ($16) which consisted of Tito's, Guava, house made lavender and coconut syrup, and lemon. It was delicious with just the right fruitiness and sweetness. For starters I ordered the sesame seared ahi Yumi ($22.95) and the Creole BBQ shrimp ($18.95). Highly recommend the shrimp which was juicy and well seasoned with bread that was perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. The star of the show was the steak frites ($32.95). My prime sirloin was cooked as requested to medium rare and had decent marbling. I enjoyed the accompanying Chimichurri sauce with both my fries and steak. Highly recommend this fine Encinitas establishment! read more

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Dillon was our waiter. He's good at his job. Tempo was proper on a celebratory day for our family. I had the Caesar gem salad add white anchovies and grilled chicken. Well executed. You can sit in or out, in the shade or in the sun, and the menu offers a wide range of homemade cocktails and mocktails. I was told the grain bowl and the bacon Mac 'n Cheese are tasty (add buffalo sauce to the latter I'm told). Again, bravo to Dillon. read more

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Great cocktails and recommend the strawberry field. I liked their banana Belgium beer. The fried chicken and waffles are bomb and also recommend their executive burger with sweet potato fries. Great staff super friendly and accommodating for our dogs Might post a food review video soon read more

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Went here with my friend and we had a great experience! The food was delicious and came out super quick eventhough we just got fries! I got their Blueberry yum yum mocktail and it was life changing. Our server was so kinda and attentive as well! Cool vibe overall and they have plenty of TVS if you watch sports read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Basket of Fries - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Many restaurants in Encinitas were closed on Thanksgiving Day but this was open and busy thank you for working on this special day,service was great,special turkey dinner was excellent and and amazing martinis and fireplace warming us in the cold evening,and being together with my daughter the best read more

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One of our favorite restaurants in Encinitas! We go probably 2-3 times a month. My favorite is weekend brunch! We've tried so many items here and only once had subpar food (I think they had a change in the kitchen) so I'm still giving 5 stars. Waitstaff is generally friendly and attentive and atmosphere is rustic bar but cozy vibes too. Fun to people watch if you sit outside or inside by the walkway. read more

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Great food and good restaurant for family or couples. Short rip fries are worth a drive alone. Wings are excellent. Crab cakes were very good. read more

Great to watch the game at and do their trivia night. The burgers and chicken n waffles worth waiting for. Great pair of beer selection, quick service and open windows with high ceilings read more

I love this spot for brunch. They have indoor and outdoor seating. They also have heat lamps outside. We had an awesome server who offered me a sample of the sourdough when I was wondering how sour it is. I ordered the Avocado Toast and added balsamic vinaigrette. It came with pickled red onions and poached eggs. It was a good portion and tasted delicious. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Avocado Toast - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

This place is good. The drinks were very good and the staff is extremely friendly. I ordered a shrimp Ragu which is pretty good and decent in size. My partner ordered a burger, which was just OK lacked a bit of flavor. The Sweet potato fries it came with were very good though. Thank you for a great experience !! read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The shrimp and grits was so delicious! The shrimp was nicely cooked and grits were smooth, creamy with a little bit of texture (not grainy). Just a nicely seasoned plate even on a hot day. I definitely recommend! read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Shrimp & Grits - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Food is tasty, but a little overpriced. Split the kale and quinoa salad added chicken with my friend..... Not enough chicken for the price to add. HOWEVER, the salad was bomb and I could bathe in that basil vinaigrette. Fries were also bomb and super addictive. The rosemary salt on it?! Chefs kiss. Love the atmosphere here and service always friendly. read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Kale and Quinoa Salad with chicken and a side Basket of Fries. - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Food: My husband and I ordered shrimp & grits dinner with cornbread skillet. I had a glass of wine, and my husband ordered a beer. Ideally, food is hot, this was warm, maybe lukewarm. I love hot food, so that was disappointing. If the server came back to check, I would have asked that they warm it up a bit more, but he didn't show up for awhile by that time. I had already decided, to just eat it, as is. I'll warm up my leftovers nice & hot. Service: He was nice and busy. Ambiance: laid back, good music. Great vibe Price: Plates are about $28 each, $16 wine read more

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Fantastic staff! My girlfriends and I came here for a bachelorette celebration and had a great time. I loved my watermelon salad. We sat outside, and it was a cute space. I'd definitely come back. It's also within walking distance to the beach and located in downtown Encinitas. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Love the atmosphere, the variety of seating options, the indoor/outdoor feel (especially seated along their open windows), and the energetic locals vibe! During our first visit, we were fortunate to land seats at the bar top, where we were greeted and assisted by fabulous bartenders, whose warmth and friendliness immediately made us feel like regulars. So fun engaging in conversation with a true regular seated next to us, further adding to our enjoyment and desire to return! We had so much fun that we returned the following week; this time, no room at the bar top, but still fun seated in the bar by the window. Service has been consistently friendly and attentive; great to see teamwork is observed among the staff. A definite go-to spot for drinks when we're in this area! Fun find! read more

Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas - Not Toddy ($10) off the Mocktails menu - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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