Encontro North Park

Encontro is easily one of the best restaurants in North Park, San Diego. Located on University Ave, this spot perfectly blends craft beer with elevated, seasonal cuisine. The dishes are chef-driven and you can taste the quality in every bite — especially the seafood, which is incredibly fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The atmosphere is stylish yet comfortable, making it great for date night, meeting friends, or even a casual dinner. Service was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. It’s clear the kitchen is led by someone who truly understands flavor and execution. If you’re looking for a standout North Park restaurant that delivers on both food and vibe, Encontro is absolutely worth visiting.

I came here the other day for the first time, this spot had been recommended to us by a friend. And I can definitely say I had a great first impression! We came on a Saturday for brunch and the spot had a really nice vibe to it. Great for groups, families, or just with a friend or partner. The staff was very helpful and friendly! We definitely recommend trying the items in the boxes on the menu. The Cardiff crack steak and eggs or steak sandwich, the house made bread which comes from a special recipe, truffle Mac and cheese, poke tacos, warm brussel sprouts salad and definitely get the dessert. The butter cake was a little tooo delicious, hard to stop eating! I’d come back here. Good food and good vibes in North Park! Oh and they also have a dog and kids menu! Love that.

Encontro is serving up crave-worthy dishes from a menu created by Chef Jason-bold flavors, comfort favorites, and plates made to share. Start with the legendary breadsticks inspired by the original Pat & Oscar's recipe and taken to the next level. When it comes to entrées, don't miss the crack tri-tip (tender, flavorful, and seriously addictive) or the perfectly cooked pork chop that delivers big, satisfying flavor in every bite. Encontro is truly a restaurant for all: a kids menu for the little ones; a dog menu for your furry companions and stress-free dining with parking validation at the structure across the street. The ambience is relaxed and the staff is friendly!

I love going to restaurants that stand by their food and takes pride In everything they do. Not only was the food here amazing, after reading the back of the menus and learning more about what the owners stand for and the history, I Love them even more here. 🥹 The “Cardiff Burger” with tri tip was AMAZING and a must get. For the PRICE of everything here, they don’t skimp out on portions They employ a guy with some disabilities to help around the restaurant and write sweet notes on the to-go bags that melted me!! Will for sure be back here and tell everyone about it.

Absolutely love Encontro North Park! The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed — perfect for everything from a casual lunch to a night out with friends. The food is consistently fresh and creative (their fries and Brussels sprouts are next-level!), and the craft beer selection never disappoints. Staff are friendly, quick, and always make you feel welcome. I also appreciate how dog-friendly and community-oriented the place feels. One of my favorite go-to spots in North Park — highly recommend! I have even used them for catering on several occasions and everyone is always thrilled!!

We went in on a Wednesday night. Ordered the ahi tuna tacos - best I’ve ever had! Then had the Baja Jalepeno salad, which had so much flavor and was dressed perfectly! Staff was friendly and service was quick - will come back to try brunch.

This place is one of the attractions in north park area, if you are in town, definitely go to this spot. They have a great selection of beers and the food menu is very good. We ordered fish and chips, chicken sliders and truffle tots, all freshly made and served hot. The staff is very friendly and courteous. There is good seating options, bar, indoor and outdoor.

I’ve dined at this restaurant multiple times & every time is wonderful! Last night we tried the bread that they highly recommended & I’ve seriously never had something so good. We also got the Cardiff crack burger & the boar burger with a side of sweet tots! Everything was excellent. Service was excellent, hard to come by in San Diego!

When we walked into Encontro last night, we could not have predicted the miraculous dining experience that followed. Nights like this is why restaurants exist. The team at Encontro is so kind, knowledgeable about their menu, passionate about their restaurant, and of course they're dog lovers! The menu is delectable and there is something for everyone! They also have an extensive dog menu! Thanks for having us, Jason & Ellie! Meal details: Appetizer: Hot & Fresh Bread by Pat & Oscar Dessert: Butter Cake (CANT MISS THIS!!!) Side to share: Truffle Fries Ruthie's mom: Diet Coke & Cardiff Crack Burger Shaylee's Mom: Pineapple Sangria & Mary's Fried Chicken Sliders Ruthie: Pup Patty Shaylee: Pup Melt Note: due to San Diego zoning rules and Encontro restaurant set up, well behaved dogs are welcome to dine indoors or outside on their patio. dog friendly dining, San Diego foodie, SoCal fun, date night, night out in north park, north park San Diego

I went to Encontro in North Park and overall had a really good experience! I ordered the truffle mac and cheese, which was flavorful but a little too heavy on the truffle for my taste. It might have been better with a protein, but adding one was a bit pricey. The prices overall seemed reasonable, though they do charge extra for small add-ons -- for example, it's $2 to add cheese to a burger and $1 for other toppings. We also tried the portobello mushroom fries, which were surprisingly delicious and paired perfectly with the basil aioli they come with. For dessert, we had the butter cake, which was a nice sweet ending to the meal. The service was great, the staff was super friendly and attentive.

Came here on a Tuesday night for dinner, and was not very impressed with most of my time here. For starters the sun shines straight in and it's more of an open building vibe, blinding half the the guests at any time there is light. We got multiple dishes off the happy hour menu and to be honest most dishes were average. Brussel sprouts were soggy and uneven in texture. Also not the biggest fan of the vinegar, made it to sour for my personal taste. The tuna taco was no better, it had too much aioli and seaweed salad and that hid the fresh taste of the ahi tuna. The Cardiff crack tacos were the best out of the bunch, good seasoning on the meat flavor, though even was hard to eat with how small the taco shell was compared to how much diced tomatoes and onions were on top of the meat.

This place is on the corner of a very busy corner in north park. They have ample seating both inside and outside and the menu is fantastic. It is your typical American fare with some fusion dishes. I tried the chicken and waffles and the Cardiff crack Benedict. The chicken and waffles were okay to me. They just tasted like typical chicken and waffles. The star was definitely the Cardiff crack Benedict waffle which is made with brisket. I feel like the plating could be better because it looks like this could be an appetizer. I would suggest putting it on a round dish and add some potatoes or even an arugula salad on the side. However, that's how it is sold on the menu- literally just the egg Benedict waffle. It was delicious tho! It was more than enough for me. The brisket was cooked so well and had a nice Smokey flavor. The eggs were also poached perfectly. The star is that aioli that had on top, it was what paired everything together. It was also nice to have a corn meal savory waffle as well. I would highly recommend that to be the brunch dish to get!

Extensive beer list, mostly local stuff. Also have cider and fruit and sour beers. Expansive menu - small plates to share, large salads, good selection of sandwiches. Dog friendly patio. Truffle fries are the bomb! Patty melt was a hit too. Plenty of shops in the blocks around the restaurant. Parking can be tight. No lot. There is a parking garage across 30th Ave.

We were looking for a dog friendly restaurant in North Park, and stumbled upon Encontro. The restaurant has a cool set up right on the side walk, and has an open air concept. My husband typically gets a "beer-mosa" for brunch, which is basically beer with maybe less than an ounce of orange juice. We were a little surprised that our waitress had to inquire with her manager about a splash of orange juice, which we were charged for. She even mentioned a work around of using some OJ from my mimosa if it wasn't made, so he could add it to his drink. It's all good, but it was kind of a weird experience. The avocado toast was pretty good - Really enjoyed it with the corn & pickled peppers. My husband enjoyed the tri-tip burrito, and said it was flavorful. Not sure if we would return, but the food was decent!

My boyfriend and I truly love this restaurant (we came here on our first date too)! Chef Jason met us with such kindness, as well as Angie, our server and manager. The vibes are cozy and great for any occasion. Lastly, the food always surpasses our expectations. I will always come back here! P.S. they are dog friendly!!!

This spot was fantastic! We came for brunch and to our surprise they have the exact same bread recipe from Pat and Oscar's. It was amazing, and honestly tasted better than I remembered! The service was fast and everyone there was so kind. Plus, the owner was so kind and we loved learning about the background to each dish. The ambiance was perfect for a Saturday brunch. We can't wait to come back to try out their dinner menu.

Huge shoutout to the Chef for recreating the most amazing piri piri dish! The chicken was tender, juicy, and packed with bold, smoky flavor that paired beautifully with the grilled lemon. The creamy mashed potatoes and fresh broccolini made it the perfect balance of comfort and freshness. This wasn't just dinner, it was an experience. The Chef is seriously talented and creative--he turned a special menu item into something unforgettable. Can't wait to see what else he comes up with! I love the ambience and the service!

The food wasn't as good as expected and the coke was $7 for a little bottle. A little expensive for that tbh. The service was great though! And it wasn't that loud either and it was a cool place to hang out.

The food is fun here. We shared that lamb burger and fries and had specialty teas. I had the peach and we had sublime hot tea. Very very fun upbeat place to be. They have a lot of people working here so you get everything you want. I'll be honest is cool and breezy.

I hadn't been here in FOREVER but happy I did today! Sam was great and very attentive of our drinks and also sweet with my kids.

Every item that we've had so far has been delicious and very fresh. You can tell a lot of time, thought, knowledge and care go into the menu. Presentation of the dishes is top-notch and the staff is attentive and very down to earth. ENCONTRO North Park has quickly become one of our go-to restaurants. P.S. The desserts are to die for. Try the Churro Ice Cream Sandwich and The Butter Cake!

We enjoyed our afternoon mimosas at Encontro during pride weekend! I've lived close to this spot for years and have never tried this place - although it is always busy no matter the day. Would definitely recommend the mimosas, there are a ton of flavor options and they are really good! Good service, good drinks, and good vibes!

Great spot! Limited private table seating inside but lots of seat yourself at the bar and along the window. Seems like a great spot during the summer they can open up h to e large patio seating and open the windows. The food was beyond amazing everything tasted so good. We started with the garlic Parmesan wings. Normally those are dry rubbed but they made an amazing sauce cream sauce and they were great and cooked very well and crispy but also super juicy. The truffle mac and cheese with the asparagus I thought sounded kind of weird but it was amazing together and the cheese was so rich and creamy! The patty melt was perfectly cooked medium. Portions were very large. Our server was very nice and friendly and the food was very fast we got our food in less than 10 minutes.

Love this spot! Definitely will be a regular. The servers were attentive. Even on a semi busy work week when people were on lunch. It's a nice little casual place to have a quick snack/tapas for lunch or for anything! The only downside is parking. But it is right on the corner of Central North Park! Their food was so delicious. The portions were good for Happy Hour. PSA: Happy Hour tacos come in 2! I learned that the fat way... Lol. I always ask for sauce on the side for all my wings if they can make it naked. My little cheat code The fresh bread was the same recipe as Pat&Oscar's! The poke tacos were fresh and the sauce was the right amount to the serving portion. Definitely will need to try other things on the menu!

Located on a busy corner in North Park area of San Diego, the ambiance was dark with that CA modern industrial look. It wasn't too busy when we arrived 1 hour before closing. I tried the Patty Melt, which was tasty because of a perfectly medium temp beef patty on grilled sourdough, giving the sandwich a crunchy outside but tender inside. We also shared the truffle fries which was the highlight of the meal, those were so good, loaded with grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Came here post wedding dress shopping with a girlfriend just down the block. I've heard great things here and we got some waters and waited for happy hour to kick off. We shared an arugula salad with grapefruit and avocado this was so delicious I dream about this salad. We got some other happy hour apps to go with this and a bottle of sparkling water. Really enjoyed everything here. I live in north county now but I would come back here if I lived closer for that arugula salad weekly.

Their eggs Benedict was so good. They also have really great mimosas. Is a a very good brunch spot. Definitely does get busy on the weekends so the service was a little slow. Parking here is also limited definitely recommend ubering. Overall though a great place to grab brunch with your friends.

Fun food for inside outside dining. A lot of choices service is quick . Ambience is bar lounge. Try it ! 5 stars.

Absolutely loved my experience here. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive. Everything was so delicious. If you're going to just get just one appetizer and you have to pick, please please make it be the grilled lettuce. This was one of the best ones I've ever had. The sauce is phenomenal. We also got crispy poke tuna tacos, which were also really yummy. Beef Burgers were really delicious. We also started off with some pull apart fluffy bread that came with a melt in your mouth sauce. I will definitely be returning to try the Lamb Burger.

Went last Thursday around 7, was sat down really quickly and our waitress was really sweet and attentive. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with the side salad & the mac & cheese. It was really yummy and the pulled pork was nice and tender. The coleslaw wasn't too overbearing, overall a balanced sandwich. I had a glass of their red Paoloni, would definitely go again. There's an ACE parking lot across the street. Ambiance was lively, but not over stimulating.

Located on the corner of 30th and University Ave. Nice, open, airy restaurant. Staff was welcoming. Kid friendly! Dog friendly! My daughter had the Mary's friend chicken sliders, they were so cute and tasty. 10 out of 10, cooked to perfection and seasoned well. The Elote fries were a hit at the table, everything worked well together and was quite delicious. They don't serve liquor here, just beers/IPA/soju/wine etc. We tried a few drinks, they were good.

This place has great service and is perfect for delicious appetizers with drinks or a hearty meal with friends or family in North Park. The owner is super friendly and the staff is quick to take orders and bring out food. I highly recommend! It is even great for an office outting, they were super accommodating for our holiday dinner out as a team!

Came here and I've always loved this place. My server Sam is so amazing and attentive to my child! I highly recommend coming here and especially ask for her

My arugula salad for lunch was delicious. All of the ingredients were top notch. The arugula, corn and grapefruit were all fresh. The shrimp was nicely marinated and grilled. I asked for the dressing on the side because I always feel like salads are often overdressed and I didn't want to take the risk. I didn't love the ice tea that I ordered. I expected black tea but it was probably herbal. The atmosphere is just okay. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who needs a comfortable chair.

It's been a really long time since we've been here (close to when they opened), so thought we'd give it a try again. First why we haven't been here in a while, the service was a little slow and the food was ok. The difference this time was the food has really improved. The service is still slow and it wasn't at all busy, but everyone was extremely nice. It's a great place if you are looking to chat and hang out and you aren't rushing somewhere. One more thing that could have improved was the tap water. I didn't know we actually had to ask for ice. I know it's tap. Aside from those 2 things, we came for happy hour and I must say that I was impressed with the variety. We probably ordered too much, but we were able to take it home and share with the kids. Here's what we had: Cuban sandwich (good and full size), the flavors were good, the yellow mustard was pretty strong though. Poke had good flavor and was just enough to get a good taste. Parmesan chicken slider, nice flavor in a small package. Tacos, they were good. Nothing out of this world, but the pickled onions was a nice add. Lastly and this is what we will come back for every time, which was also not on the HH menu, but worth it was the sweet tots. You could taste sweet potatoes in every bite. Where has this been all my life. We're talking about ordering ahead and just picking it up at the side window as we walk the neighborhood. Try it!

Every time I come here it's a great experience. The food, ambience, & service is all wonderful. Would highly recommend starting off with the bread. We got the Cardiff crack burger & boar burger with a side of sweet tots. Will be back soon!

Encontro is located in central North Park making it a great place to meet with friends & enjoy the atmosphere. The vibe is pretty casual but the food was exceptional! The churro French toast was my favorite. The menu seemed like a fusion of new American, Latin & Hawaiian so it definitely has option for everyone, even dogs! (Dog menu offered) I would definitely recommend this place if you are considering to try it!

The perfect weekend brunch spot. I loved that you can order off their breakfast AND lunch menu, perfect to tackle everyone's cravings. I ordered: SALAD WITH AHI TUNA: This was bomb. I'm not one to really get a salad when out but this salad was super filling. It had tons of fresh ingredients and the amount of tuna was good! BOTTOMLESS MIMOSA: So worth it. I tried the guava and watermelon. You can change the flavor each time but guava was hands down the best. SERVICE: The waitress' were super sweet and accommodating. Will forsure come back!

It was my first time at Encontro in North Park, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit. The menu has so many great options, and the drinks hit the spot. Plus, parking was surprisingly easy--a rare win in North Park. Definitely a place I'd recommend if you're in the area!

Our server Sam was so attentive and fun :) best happy hour visit! Must get the ahi poke Tostitos!

We tried this place for a first time on a Friday night. The wait time was very quick which we liked. The service was decent and the atmosphere was nice, but our biggest problem was the quality of the food. For the price, we expected the sauces to be flavorful, but they were not. Both of our dishes were bland and when we asked for seasoning, they said they could not bring any out. Also, they did not have any red chili flakes for the pizza which was weird. We will not be coming here again.

Definitely worth a stop! Not only is the food delicious care is clearly put in to all aspects. The presentation is lovely. We sat outside and it got a little chilly but the heaters were turned on and everyone was happy. I enjoyed the Cardiff crack steak & eggs- there were friend calamari with the potatoes- a wonderful touch. And hubby had fish and chips. Came with plenty of dip options so you can enjoy to your liking: ketchup, vinegar, lemon and of course slaw

We came here once before a while ago and just had a chicken sandwich and my wife and I liked it. So we are back in the area to see a concert and decided to come here again. To be honest it's just way over priced for what it actually is. The food is decent. But nothing to write home about. Then they add a 6% surcharge on the bill for " inflation". Service is ok. It wasn't that busy when we went so I don't feel like we were waiting for anything. I think this place just try's to give off this like urban corner spot vibe and like your getting a "dinning experience" when really it's just over priced ok food. We came in for late lunch just me and my wife. I had the patty melt she had the pulled pork sandwich. The "caramelized onions" on the patty melt were barely cooked. And like I said the sandwich was good enough but for the price I could just go somewhere else. The pulled pork again was ok. Definitely needed more bbq sauce and less coleslaw but maybe that's just preference. We ordered the Brussels sprouts and i actually I think that was the best thing we ordered. I had two non alcoholic drinks my wife had water. And our bill with tip was 92$. So like I said before .... It's not that it's terrible it's just nothing special. And for the price I feel like it should have been better. It's not good leaving a place feeling ripped off.

I really enjoyed my lamb burger and the portobello fries were amazing. Never had anything like those portobello fries before. However the service ruined the whole experience for me; especially because of the high price point. I would expect decent service but it was sub par. They gave us dishes that were wet, we waited a long time for our food to come out, they completely forgot about one of the sides we ordered, the wait staff was impatient, upon leaving we asked for two to go boxes of which they only wanted to give one and we had to ask for another box a second time and even then we weren't given a bag. Overall I felt like we were treated poorly despite the fat bill.

Sunday brunch was chill and lovely, breathable open space, i had the lox plate that could easily feed two! but was delicious! Katie the bartender was productive, professional and personable. def check this spot out. worth the stop. $3 brunch mimosas til noon? sign me up!

Some of the best food in San Diego!! The staff were phenomenal!! The rotating selection of beer is awesome as well. If you haven't been here...go try it...especially the Chicken Fried Trout

the wings were delectable! I love the outdoor seating while you people watch everyone walking down university ave. I also had the Cardiff crack steak but it was a bit dry and flavorless and uneventful. my friend unfortunately was put off by the taste of her sandwich (can't remember what it was). great place to wait at/have some drinks/snacks if you're attending a show at the observatory later on in the evening, would I come back just for the food, probably not

Encontro is a great brunch spot in north park. Their service is always really great. There can be a wait sometimes depending on what time you arrive and if it's the weekend. Their food is good, but not my favorite in the area. They do have a good happy hour.

My husband and I were looking for lunch places in North Park and Encontro kept popping up. We've been missing out this whole time! Service/Ambiance: We were seated right away on a Saturday early afternoon. We opted for indoor seating this time but there were many seats available outside. It's a pub-looking kind of restaurant with benches and high tables. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and they even have a dog menu! The place looks like it could accommodate a larger party. We had excellent service from Catherine and Jason (who we later found out is the chef and owner of the place!). They were so accommodating, friendly, and made our first time dining here an excellent one. Food: They serve brunch and lunch/dinner menus and we opted for lunch. -Jidori Wings ($16): We ordered half garlic parm and half sriracha. They accidentally served us barbecue at first, which they let us keep. The barbecue flavor actually ended up pretty tasty too! You have to option for the wings to be dry or saucy and we chose saucy for all of them. So good! -Patty Melt ($18): ordered with sourdough bread. My husband really enjoyed this dish. It's usually served with house made chips but upgrades to truffle fries. -Lobster Roll ($28): served with house made chips which were fresh and crunchy. For this price, you actually get TWO lobster rolls. The bread was nice and buttery and there was a generous amount of lobster in each of them. I was pleasantly surprised with this dish and I'd definitely order this again. Overall: Excellent service from Jason and Catherine. Great casual food for great pricing. Will definitely come back!

If only the food was as good as the pictures depicted on line . The chilaquiles were cold, flavorless and a bit soggy . The fried potatoes were hot and a tad undercooked. Oh no flavor !! Wish we had the chance to taste the buttermilk fried sandwich is what we ordered , but instead got a grilled chicken sandwich . It was good but not what we wanted . The chips were also unseasoned. Ordered a 16oz beer and received it in a 12 oz cup . That was very weird ... Since when do restaurants not serve ice water ? Is that due to cutbacks?? In addition to the flavorless food , the service was atrocious. Had to ask for napkins, salt , etc and the waitress had a stank face the entire time . Mind you we were literally the only patrons she was assisting, so it's not like she was busy ...

Went to lunch yesterday for my birthday. Kanya was our server and she was great! The food was amazing, everything was so good!! It was a wonderful way to spend my bday with my husband. Kanya sent out the Warm Butter Cake for my birthday dessert, which was so nice. We will be returning to Encontro very soon. :)

Encontro is great for a casual bite to eat in North Park after shopping in the area. I have been able to try lots of things off the menu. My favorites so far have been the Cardiff crack and the truffle mac and cheese. The corn dogs were also a surprising favorite Their salads are always fresh and satisfying, and they have a great selection of appetizers if you're looking for smaller plates. I'm excited to come back and try their drink deals, which look equally enticing.

Don't let the 4 stars fool you, this place is definitely worth a visit! The only reason it didn't receive 5 is because it was a while before we were sat and then before we were met by a waitress. A group of 4 of us stopped in on a Saturday morning, after the bfast rush so there were tables available without a reservation. We ended up seating ourselves and eventually were met by a waitress. She immediately brought us waters and took our drink orders. Once she got the drinks going, time from service to delivery greatly improved. Being the chilaquiles connoisseur that I am I went that route, while my friends ended up with the BLT Benedict, Cardiff hash, and shared the truffle tots because they sounded too good to resist. Can happily report everything orders tasted great. We opted for a bottle of Prosecco, but the cocktail list is worth giving a look. If you're in the north park area and in need of a bite or thirst quencher, check it out.

This place was cute . We sat outside in the patio area . It was a little chilly but the heaters made it comfortable . Service was good and food was ok . I'm not a fan of fish and chips but I shared it with my mother . The batter was too thick and the fish was really fishy . We also ordered Brussels sprouts and they were very salty and the server was kind enough to send them back . We also ordered chicken and waffles and that was very good . This cocktail the Prickly Pear margarita was really good.

Great service, went in the middle of the week for breakfast. Pull bread appetizer was a nice starter with truffle butter. The truffle Mac and cheese was the best I have ever had in my life. The potatoes in the breakfast had a nice unique crunch, combined with the Cardiff steakThe owner came out and greeted us and made the date feel special. Highly recommended if you are looking for great food in the North Park area!

We all meet for lunch last month before our daughter bridal appointment a few doors down. Service was great quick with drink Coffee is was great cold weather and teas was good we asked waters all a round . I warm Brussels salad it was warm and great for the weather, biscuits and gravy with chorizo was good and want come again for the same dish again and again!!! We enjoy come out to bring family here! Food came in decent time and we all were happy campers here. Our server was great too she had everything covered On her end. We were sitting a only a few couple but by the time it was busy. Nice to see more people out on a Saturday morning

Came in for Saturday brunch and really loved the atmosphere. The service was great! Everyone was super kind and on top of things. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, which had solid flavor, but it came on a biscuit that was...a lot. Thick, heavy, and kind of stole the show in a way I wish it hadn't. I'd give it a 3/5, just a little too biscuit-forward for my taste. Now let's talk about the drinks. As someone who lives for espresso martinis and anything mocha-adjacent, I was SO excited to see a chocolate espresso martini on the menu. I was emotionally invested and convinced it would be life-changing. The moment it hit the table, I knew we were in trouble. It was missing that dreamy espresso martini froth and had the telltale see-through brown color that screams, "this is a syrup situation." And sadly, it tasted like the chocolate-flavored cough medicine of my nightmares. I love the idea, but please--next time, give that beauty a real espresso shot. She deserves better. That said, I'd come back to explore more of the menu! I'm hopeful other dishes (and drinks) might be a better fit for my taste.