When people across the world dream of California, it’s gotta be Encinitas they see in their mind’s eye. It’s the quintessential beach town—skate shops, surf breaks, a classic Southern California downtown area that’s home to the county’s oldest Spanish Colonial Revival–style theater (La Paloma), and about a billion brunch spots where you can watch herds of smiling families on e-bikes.
Needless to say, Travis Brummett totally gets why his brother and business partner Andrew is moving there. It’s to put down some new family roots, yes, but it’s also to run the second location of their family restaurant The Brant this summer.
Brummett has worked in restaurants since he was 19 in Huntington Beach, moving from busboy to server, bartender, management, director of operations, and eventually wrote a business plan for The Brant. He opened the coastal California bar and grill opened in his hometown in 2023, serving comfort food like pretzel bites, clams in white wine, spicy tuna tartare tacos, a raspberry and beet salad, fried chicken sandwich, a “Brant” Kobe beef burger, bone-in ribeye, fresh halibut, and chocolate lava cake.
The Brant’s designed as an approachable neighborhood joint, he explains, and includes a full bar with craft cocktails, plus local and domestic beers.
Travis and Drew had been looking specifically in San Diego for their next venue and call the former Beachside Bar and Grill site in the heart of Encinitas their dream location. They completely rebuilt the space (the location needed a restart) with a 1,500-square-foot rooftop bar and inside dining space that’s far bigger than their first spot, which will allow them to expand their menu and experiment.
“We really want to focus on being a part of the local community in Encinitas,” says Brummett. “We know that there’s a rich culture there, and [we] really want to cater to the locals and kind of bring the family neighborhood restaurant vibe to Coast Highway.”
Tapping into that Encinitas community through food is a trending idea. Over the past few years, the idyllic coastal town has seen an explosion of new eateries: Chick & Hawk, Necessity Coffee, Pastaria Vivi, and Rosemarie’s Buns & Brews, to name a few.
“It’s more than just opening a restaurant,” he promises. “It is about joining a community.”
The Brant will open at 806 Coast Highway 101 in late summer 2026 for lunch and dinner service, plus weekend brunch.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Zodiac Boba Opens in Pacific Beach This February
The stars have spoken—boba is in your future. Zodiac Boba, a specialty drinks shop based on astrological signs and cosmic vibes, will open at 2015 Garnet Avenue, Suite 101 this February. Owner Angeline Tingzon says every sign will have a signature drink (as a Taurus, mine is a Taro-licious brown sugar tea with white foam), plus she’ll serve smoothies, coffee, and a few desserts like Belgian waffles along with the boba tea menu.
Tingzon says she wants to provide a place for people to relax and find a place for a pick-me-up. She plans to add an affirmation box to the ordering counter to help lift people’s spirits, and weekend tarot readings for an extra metaphysical touch. It shouldn’t be too hard—she’s already tapping into the local beach energy. “I really love the vibes here,” she says. “I think it’ll do well.”
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beth’s Bites
- It’s a three-peat nomination for chef Tara Monsod for Best Chef: California at the James Beard Awards for her work at Animae, and this year she’s joined by Eric Bost of Lilo, which already earned a Michelin star in less than two months from opening. Convoy District made an appearance on this year’s list as well (an overdue one, in my humble opinion) with Realm of the 52 Remedies up for Outstanding Bar. I don’t want to jinx things, but I feel like this is our year for some hardware.
- Cover the planet in pho. Escondido’s got a new Vietnamese soup shop just down the street from the California Center for the Arts. Pho Luu will have its grand opening on January 27 at 205 W. Mission Avenue, serving (you guessed it) pho, banh mi, spring rolls, bun bo hue, vermicelli bowls, and more. As someone with a pho tattoo, I wholeheartedly support any and all new additions to the local roster.
- If 2026 is the year you’ve decided to get serious about probiotics (or you just like Greek yogurt), then you might be pleased to know that Go Greek Yogurt is opening its very first San Diego store in Del Mar Highlands Town Center on Friday, January 30. It’s the fifth location in California and its menu offers Greek yogurt, frozen yogurt, smoothies, and a bunch of protein-and-probiotic-packed items to treat your gut to a little TLC. (And let’s face it, with this whole new inverted food pyramid, focusing a little on gut health is probably going to be a good idea.)
Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
