Petite Madeline Bakery
Petite Madeline Bakery
Eater sends you here for the buns, cakes and croissants.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 223 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA, 92054
Local finds · City guide no. 21
San Diegolocal finds
Where San Diego shops for bread, sweets, meat, pantry goods and coffee to take home — 68 spots, each named by a critic or food writer, with the source linked.
- 68local finds
- 2named sources
- 14neighborhoods & towns
- 0ship nationwide
The icons
Four San Diego stops to start with
If you only try four: Petite Madeline Bakery, The Goods, Tip Top Meats and Prager Brothers Artisan Breads.
The Goods
The Goods
Eater singles out the doughnuts, bacon and cake; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Tip Top Meats
Tip Top Meats
Eater sends you here for the sausages and bacon.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 6118 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92011
01 · 9 finds
Bread & bakery
Loaves, pastry and bagels worth the line in San Diego County.
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
One of Eater's picks for the best bakeries in San Diego.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 5611 Palmer Way, Carlsbad, CA, 92010
Sugar and Scribe Bakery
Sugar and Scribe Bakery
Go for the cakes and scones — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7660 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA, 92037
Yiko Yiko
Yiko Yiko
Per Eater, the move is the cakes, tea and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 8008 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92111
Arelys French Bakery Café
Arelys French Bakery Café
Per Eater, the move is the baguettes, croissants and macarons.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4961 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA, 92117
Tous les Jour
Tous les Jour
Per Eater, the move is the donuts and cakes.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7725 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA, 92111
Wayfarer Bread and Pastry
Wayfarer Bread and Pastry
Per Eater, the move is the croissants, buns and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 5525 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA, 92037
The French Gourmet
The French Gourmet
Eater sends you here for the cakes, macarons and tarts.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 960 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA, 92109
Blackmarket Bakery North Park
Blackmarket Bakery North Park
Eater singles out the cookies, tarts and scones; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4686 30th St, San Diego, CA, 92116
Bread and Cie Bakery-Cafe
Bread and Cie Bakery-Cafe
Eater sends you here for the macarons, croissants and rye.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 350 University Ave, San Diego, CA, 92103
02 · 28 finds
Sweets & ice cream
Doughnuts, cakes, pints and treats to carry home.
Little Fox Cups + Cones
Little Fox Cups + Cones
Eater singles out the ice cream, cake and cookie; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1940s S Freeman St Suite 100, Oceanside, CA 92054
Lady M Cake Boutique
Lady M Cake Boutique
Go for the cake and tea — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
Peterson's Donut Corner
Peterson's Donut Corner
Eater singles out the doughnut here.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 903 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Go for the pints, jam and chocolate — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7740 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Michele Coulon Dessertier
Michele Coulon Dessertier
Per Eater, the move is the cakes, macarons and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7556 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA, 92037
Mochinut Encinitas
Mochinut Encinitas
Go for the doughnuts and mochi — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1452 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
JoJo's Creamery
JoJo's Creamery
Per Eater, the move is the ice cream, caramel and cookie.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 937 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Sage French Cake & Coffee
Sage French Cake & Coffee
Eater singles out the cakes and chocolate; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3860 Convoy St, San Diego, CA, 92111
Broad Street Dough Co.
Broad Street Dough Co.
Eater sends you here for the caramel, chocolate and beignets.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 967 S Coast Hwy 101 Ste 109B, Encinitas, CA 92024
An's Hatmakers
An's Hatmakers
Go for the gelato, chocolate and cookies — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1555 Camino Del Mar Suite 115, Del Mar, CA 92014
Sugar & Scribe Bakery
Sugar & Scribe Bakery
Per Eater, the move is the cupcakes and cookies.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1420 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA, 92109
VG Donut & Bakery
VG Donut & Bakery
Eater singles out the donut, doughnut and cinnamon roll; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 106 Aberdeen Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007
Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw
Eater singles out the ice cream, tea and tres leches; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3705 Caminito Court Suite 0580, San Diego, CA 92130
Hatsuzakura
Hatsuzakura
Eater sends you here for the tea and mochi.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 2123 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
Eater's pick for doughnuts to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3435 Del Mar Heights Rd d7, San Diego, CA 92130
Bobboi Natural Gelato
Bobboi Natural Gelato
Eater singles out the gelato, chocolate and sorbet; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 8008 Girard Ave #150, La Jolla, CA 92037
Extraordinary Desserts
Extraordinary Desserts
Go for the cakes, cookies and tarts — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1430 Union St, San Diego, CA, 92101
Dot & Dough
Dot & Dough
Per Eater, the move is the chocolate, mochi and doughnuts.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 9450 Scranton Rd # 114A, San Diego, CA 92121
Somi Somi
Somi Somi
Eater singles out the soft serve, ice cream and ube; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4620 Convoy Street, CA, 92111
Mad for Cheesecake
Mad for Cheesecake
Go for the cheesecake, ice cream and caramel — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1420 E Plaza Blvd Suite B5, National City, CA 91950
Mary's Donuts & Coffee
Mary's Donuts & Coffee
Eater sends you here for the sandwiches, muffins and doughnut.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 8959 Carlton Hills Blvd, Santee, CA 92071
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Per Eater, the move is the chocolate, truffle and cake.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4475 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92109
Barrio Donas
Barrio Donas
Eater singles out the doughnut and chocolate; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4714 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117
Mariposa Ice Cream
Mariposa Ice Cream
Eater sends you here for the ice cream and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3450 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Dodo Bird Donuts
Dodo Bird Donuts
Eater sends you here for the doughnuts, chocolate and sandwiches.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 369 Bird Rock Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Gelati & Peccati
Gelati & Peccati
Eater singles out the gelato and honey; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3066 B University Avenue, CA, 92104
Randy's Donuts
Randy's Donuts
Eater sends you here for the doughnut, ube and cake.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3737 Murphy Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
North Park Creamery
North Park Creamery
Eater singles out the ice cream, soft serve and chocolate; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3077 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104
03 · 9 finds
Delis, markets & sandwiches
Sandwich counters and delis to pick up from.
Seafood City Supermarket
Seafood City Supermarket
One of Eater's picks for the best specialty grocers in San Diego.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 8955 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126
Miramar Cash & Carry
Miramar Cash & Carry
Eater counts it among San Diego's best specialty grocers.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 9262 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126
99 Ranch Market
99 Ranch Market
Eater counts it among San Diego's best specialty grocers.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
H Mart Balboa
H Mart Balboa
Eater's pick for chicken to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 7725 Balboa Ave #2, San Diego, CA 92111
Nijiya Market San Diego
Nijiya Market San Diego
One of Eater's picks for the best specialty grocers in San Diego.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3860 Convoy St Interior Design, San Diego, CA 92111
Harvest International Market
Harvest International Market
Eater singles out the baklava here.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4220 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
Carnival Market
Carnival Market
Eater counts it among San Diego's best specialty grocers.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 3560 Ashford St, San Diego, CA 92111
Mission Square Market
Mission Square Market
One of Eater's picks for the best specialty grocers in San Diego.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 6171 Mission Gorge Rd #111-112, San Diego, CA 92120
Andrés Latin Market
Andrés Latin Market
Per Eater, the move is the empanada and beans.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1249 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
04 · 19 finds
Coffee, beans & bottles
Roasters and shops to stock up on beans and bottles.
Revolution Roasters
Revolution Roasters
Eater counts it among San Diego's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1836 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA, 92054
Muri
Muri
Per The Infatuation, the move is the latte, espresso and cheesecake.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 2528 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Steady State Roasting
Steady State Roasting
Eater singles out the cold brew, honey and latte; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 2562 State Street, Suite G, Carlsbad, CA, 92008
Sine Wave
Sine Wave
Per The Infatuation, the jam is the reason to go.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 4810 Santa Monica Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Lofty Coffee
Lofty Coffee
Per Eater, the beans is the reason to go.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 90 N Coast Highway 101, Suite 214, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Boards N' Beans
Boards N' Beans
The Infatuation sends you here for the beans and latte.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 763 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109
Mostra Coffee
Mostra Coffee
Eater singles out the latte and cold brew; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 12045 Carmel Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA, 92128
Marta
Marta
Go for the latte, sourdough and salsa — The Infatuation's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 2804 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Zumbar Coffee and Tea
Zumbar Coffee and Tea
Eater counts it among San Diego's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 10920 Roselle Street, Suite 106, San Diego, CA, 92121
Il Giardino di Lilli
Il Giardino di Lilli
Per The Infatuation, the latte is the reason to go.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 7467 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Jaunt Coffee Roasters
Jaunt Coffee Roasters
Eater sends you here for the espresso, ube and latte.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 8680 Miralani Dr, San Diego, CA, 92126
Steady State
Steady State
The Infatuation singles out the cold brew and latte; grab some to take home.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 2562 State St Ste G, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Blue Whale
Blue Whale
Go for the lattes and tres leches — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 834 Kline St, La Jolla, CA, 92037
Vigilante
Vigilante
Go for the lattes, espresso and cinnamon roll — The Infatuation's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 1575 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Scrimshaw Coffee
Scrimshaw Coffee
Go for the sandwiches and wine — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 5542 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92115
Mnemonic
Mnemonic
Go for the cold brew and latte — The Infatuation's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 2604 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Go for the espresso and ice cream — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4350 Palm Ave, La Mesa, CA, 91941
Coffee Coffee
Coffee Coffee
Per The Infatuation, the beans is the reason to go.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 970 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Friends Of Friends
Friends Of Friends
Per The Infatuation, the latte is the reason to go.
Picked by Stephen Mackintosh (The Infatuation) The Infatuation (opens source)
Where: 127 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950
How this list works
Every find is made in, or was born in, San Diego County, and every one links to a named, unpaid recommendation: a chef, a restaurant critic, a food writer or a cookbook author. This is a curated city list, not a ranking. When a local product also earns a spot in our national rankings, the card says so and pulls its cites straight from there. We left out anything we couldn’t source, and anything sold by the outlet that recommended it. How we pick · Disclosure