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Pick 6 Dining Options Near the Track for the Del Mar Fall Meet
Events / Travel
Poseidon Restaurant's Hokkaido scallops with mascarpone mashed potato, market vegetables, tamari pickled beech mushrooms, lotus root chips, and miso-ginger ponzu. (Courtesy of Poseidon Restaurant)
Are you a horse racing fan planning a trip to Del Mar for an upcoming meet? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Del Mar area will surely be a popular travel destination for horseplayers and racing fans from far and wide this season.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or repeat visitor to Del Mar, it can’t hurt to make some plans before you go. This overview of recommendations on the local Del Mar area dining scene aims to put some hotspots on racing fans’ radars for your next visit to the track. If you’re going to make the trip, it’s good to know that the racetrack isn’t the only game in town.
Del Mar Neighborhood Favorites
Famous tacos at The Brig (Courtesy of The Brigantine)
3263 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
858-481-1166
“The Brig” is known as the principal dining spot and gathering place after the races at Del Mar. It attracts horsemen and racing fans for its standout seafood offerings, oyster bar, and legendary happy hours from 3 to 6 p.m. every day except Saturday (Mondays 3 to 10 p.m.). The Brig Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. is also popular. This is your best chance to hob-nob with other racetrackers while enjoying an upscale menu, inviting ambiance, and friendly service. Sample several microbrews and don’t forget to try their award-winning fish tacos. Since this is such a racetrack-friendly place synonymous with Del Mar, reservations for dinner as far in advance as possible are strongly recommended.
A quintessential steak house (Red Tracton’s photo)
550 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach
858-755-6600
Located right across the street from Del Mar, Red Tracton’s is a quintessential steak house that has been family owned and operated in its current location for 30 years. Enjoy their patio, piano bar and lounge, or their red banqueted main dining room with its classic supper club vintage vibes. Red Tracton’s serves prime steaks and seafood and is known for its signature dishes, large portions, and impeccable service. Open every day except Mondays, this place is popular with racetrackers so be sure to make reservations as early as possible.
Amazing food since 1946 (Courtesy of Tony’s Jacal)
621 Valley Ave., Solana Beach
858-755-2274
This family operated Mexican restaurant in Solana Beach’s “Little Mexico” district has been there since 1946 and is known as an area dining legend thanks to its big portions of tasty food, a charming atmosphere, and friendly service. “Tony J’s” is also renowned for killer margaritas and their famous turkey tacos. If you are craving Mexican food, no trip to Del Mar would be complete without a stop at Tony J’s.
Tasty food to complement a great beer (Viewpoint Brewing Company photo)
2201 San Dieguito Dr., Del Mar
858-356-9346
Del Mar’s first brewery restaurant is perfectly located between the racetrack and Del Mar village in a waterfront location on the San Dieguito Lagoon and Water Park. The 7,000-square foot Gastropub occupies a warehouse offering an indoor and outdoor atmosphere in a surprisingly family-friendly setting. There is a large menu of typical gastropub fare to accompany the beer, which is the real star of the show. More than 20 beers are offered on tap, and beer flights and beer tastings are also available.
Lobster and shrimp sliders (Monarch Ocean Pub photo)
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
858-925-6047
Located in the heart of Del Mar village, Monarch Ocean Pub is part of a huge bustling dining and entertainment complex offering an indoor/outdoor experience complete with ocean views from the second-floor patio dining and bar area. The restaurant boasts a beach-inspired SoCal concept where the motto is “cheers to me, cheers to you, here’s a toast to a hell of a view.” Enjoy a diverse menu of California cuisine along with those stunning views. Live music is hosted on the deck on Fridays and Sundays, Happy Hours are from 4 to 6 p.m., and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. features fresh shucked oysters and mimosas with freshly squeezed juice.
Chilean sea bass (Poseidon Restaurant photo)
1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar
858-755-9345
Poseidon offers coastal cuisine on the beach at an unbeatable location in Del Mar. With a name like Poseidon and a seaside location, you won’t be surprised to find that seafood is the name of the game. The focus here is on sustainable seafood, from the wild salmon and their scallops to their famous Chilean sea bass and Mangrove tiger shrimp. If you have a vision in your head of Southern California scenic beachfront dining, this place is about as close to it as you can get. If you can’t get here for dinner, make sure you don’t miss their killer breakfasts and brunch.
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