Encinitas restaurant Le Papagayo remains at the top of our list of favorite places to dine along the coast. The atmosphere is always friendly, lively and comfortable and a reminder of dining in the islands - a-come-in-your-shorts-and-flip-flops type of place, and the food is varied and presented well. Yes, the trains roar by on the other side of the Coast Road now and then, but for a casual, fun place with great prices, a respectable wine list, and a colorful interior (lots of original artwork), Le Papagayo is well worth a visit.
Read a recent review in the North County Voice on Le Papagayo
Owner Francois Patanchon, who hails from the Bordeaux region of France, is charming, and goes out of his way to make sure customers, whether new or old friends, are well taken care of. I don't think I have even been there and not seen him greeting friends, checking on people's experiences, or just stopping by to chat about what is going on with his enlarged outdoor dining area where the liquor license is still, unfortunately pending (as he did last night).
But have no fear, you can wine and dine in the main dining room or at the bar where the music plays, on their outside deck to watch the activity on the Coast Road, or in the "Blue Room" a few steps down from the main dining area.
The music varies throughout the week (see the Le Papagayo website for the music schedule, although I find it can change from what's listed from time to time) - Flamenco Nova on alternating Thursdays is a favorite.
Le Papagayo can get a bit noisy, depending on who is playing and the crowd (it was jammed last night) so I suggest dinner earlier, say 6, so you can enjoy talking before the music starts when chatting becomes more difficult, at least in the main dining area.
It's not bad idea to make reservations, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, and especially in the summer when it is the most crowded. If you have to wait, you can hang around outside or pop into the Andrews Gallery next door.
Some other great reasons to checking out this terrific Encinitas Restaurant Le Papagayo - Cuban Night (Thursdays), Happy Hour, Happy Hour all night Tuesdays, outdoor dining, brunch on the weekends...
Le Papagayo is located at 1002 N. Coast Highway 101 in Leucadia (Encinitas) on the west side of the road between Leucadia Blvd. and La Costa Avenue (760) 944-8252
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Jeff, You have certainly captured this colorful restaurant with your photography. Very pretty and very appetizing. That is a gorgeous plate of food but I can not identify the entree.
Margaret - my bad. I should have identitifed it as it's a fave of mine. It's actually an appetizer - a wonderful crabcake with rare Ahi tuna on top, a balsamic reduction, and a small garnishment of fruit and vegetables. A meal in itself. As a foodie, this place ranks high on my list.
And thanks for the compliment.
Jeff
Jeff
Does he have lots of variations on food such as Cuban, French, and coastal items?
Hi Jeff,
What a neat place, you always find the most interesting places! That colorful art work looks like a real treat right along with the artistic dish. Just love places like this.
Tom - yep it is rather an eclectic menu - Pacific Island, Caribbean, a hint of French, good seafood, and so much more.
It is a very cool place, Lynda. As I told Francois last night, it reminds me of eating at beach restaurants in St. Martin. And visually it is very appealing with the colorful paintings of musicians, and the mini parrots (not real).
Jeff
Jeff that dessert looks almost to good to eat, but I think that some how I could force myself to :)