Best Places to Eat for Ironman Oceanside 70.3

Traveling to a race can be super stressful. Whether you fly or drive, you have to pack your race gear, bike, nutrition, etc…and pray to the triathlon gods you did not forget anything! On top of everything related to travel, you need to find good restaurants in an area you may not be familiar with. I've always found choosing places to eat when traveling to a race a little bit stressful.

I’ve lived in Oceanside for 5 years and have eaten at almost every restaurant in town. To help you sift through some options, I have created a list of my top picks for places to eat.

LTH and LTH+

LTH is probably the most popular restaurant in Oceanside. It is a casual gastropub with a cozy and cool atmosphere. You can find anything from burgers to elegant entrees. Their chef-crafted food is sourced from local farms making everything fresh and healthier for you. The beer is always nice and cold and their version of a whisky mule is on tap is a must-have. LTH has a great Sunday brunch, making it a great option to replenish calories the morning after the race.

Their overflow restaurant, LTH+ (open Friday and Saturday), is right across the street and has select options from the regular menu and brick oven pizza. LTH+ also has simple bar games for adults and kids to enjoy. And, of course, both are dog friendly if your buddy is along for the trip.

Both restaurants can get very busy, so plan for long wait times.

My go-to's are the Short Rib French-Dip, Pepperoni Pizza, and the French Toast for brunch.

Blade 1936

By far one of my favorite restaurants in town. This little restaurant is located in the building where the historic O’Sides newspaper “The Blade Tribune” operated from 1936 to 1960. The fare is Italian and serves freshly made pasta, pizza, steaks (my favorite ), and seafood. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly. The owners are super nice and love dogs, so if your pooch is coming to the race, get yourself some fresh pasta while your dog enjoys and nice chicken breast made solely for them!

Reservations can be made on Open Table so you can eliminate any wait times.

My “go-to’s” are the Ribeye and the Pappardelle ai Funghi con Olio Tartufato.

Pacific Coast Spirits

This is a cool “farm to table” type restaurant. Serving high-quality American fare. Pacific Coast is designed around their distillery and has a huge outdoor patio with plenty of seating. Wait times usually light or non-existent if you are on the inpatient side. They also have live music Thursday-Sunday evenings. Their Sunday brunch is one of my favorites.

My "go-to's" are the Steak Frites and the Rustic Avocado Toast for brunch.

The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar

This is another cool spot with historical references. It is located at the bottom of the Fin Hotel, formerly known as Hotel DeWitt. During WWII it was commandeered as a communications center in support of the war effort. This restaurant got its name "Switchboard" to honor the women that worked there during the war. This restaurant pays homage to the switchboards operators and serves up great Hawaiian fare. It’s a smaller restaurant with a few tables and a bar inside. There is outdoor seating, but make sure to bring a light jacket as it can get a little chilly.

My "go-to's" are the Kaneohe Bay Shrimp and the Classic Hawaiian Plate with Kalua Pork & Cabbage.

The Flying Pig

This may be my second favorite restaurant as it serves delicious steaks, pork belly, and comfort food. The atmosphere is rustic farmhouse and most of the food is locally sourced. The food is on the heavier side (hence comfort) and it is a little more expensive, so I recommend this to be a post-race splurge rather than a pre-race dinner. They moved locations recently to Mission Avenue so it is centrally located and very easy to get to.

My "go-to's" are the Chef Steak and Shrimp and Grits.

Hello Betty’s Fish House

If you are looking for seafood, this is your spot. Hello Betty’s is right across from the expo and serves up anything from fish dishes to tacos. They have a cozy and private outdoor patio and a big rooftop if you enjoy eating outdoors. They also have a huge bar with plenty of TVs playing sports games if that's your thing. This is also a perfect stop for a cold beer post-race as it is literally up above the finish line.

My “go-to’s” are the Chips and Guacamole and Lime Carnitas Tacos.

Best Pizza and Brew

This is a great spot for some pre-race Pizza! It’s a very laid-back and casual spot that serves up whole pizzas or by the slice. They have other menu items such as chicken wraps, salads, burgers, and wings. They have a huge selection of craft beer and have a special menu for dogs as well! It is a little further south, so a car or Lyft is recommended. Or, you can always get delivery.

My “go-to” is The Works.

Anita’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Everyone visiting California always asks me where to get the best Mexican food or tacos. If you are wondering that yourself, Anita’s is your place! They serve upscale Mexican fare for a modest price. Their freshly made chips are a perfect complement to their spicy salsa and delicious guacamole. Anita's is located on the Coast Highway but a little further south towards Carlsbad. It would be best to drive or take a Lyft.

My “go-to” is the steak and shrimp fajitas that come out on a sizzling plate.

Craft Coast Beer & Tacos

If you are looking for a more casual Mexican spot, Craft coast may be it. They serve mostly street tacos and bowls. They have their own brewery as well, making this a perfect post-race stop! This is a hop and a skip away from the finish line and is super casual and cheap.

My "go-to's" are the Veggie and Al Pastor Tacos.

The Cup

This is a great spot for coffee and breakfast. They also have a lunch and dinner menu. Mostly sandwiches making this a good option for something lighter leading into race day. This located on Wisconsin where competitors will go from the strand up to street level and back down on the run course. This is a great spot for your support crew to enjoy some coffee or a sandwich while they are close to “the hot corner”. A bonus if you are an Animal Kingdom fan, Daren’s bar is located one block east.

My “go-to” is the Avocado Toast.