“ Had a great meal at Valentina for my birthday! My favorites were the padron peppers and patatas bravas - both are classic Spanish dishes but I thought they were done really well. We visit the area often and Valentina is a nice change of cuisine compared to everything else. The outdoor patio is heated and dog friendly as well! Will definitely be coming back. ”

“ Spanish tapas are served here! Tastes just like the food I had in Spain. I highly recommend this place! The octopus is delicious. ”

“ Valentina in Encinitas never disappoints! This was our second visit, and we loved it just as much as the first time. Despite booking a dinner reservation on short notice, we had a perfect date night on a quiet Monday evening. We started with the Gambas Al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas, and Croquetas De Iberico--all were delicious, with the croquetas being a standout. For mains, we enjoyed the Lubina Con Patatas and the Steak & Potatoes. The flavors were outstanding, and everything was perfectly cooked. We ended the night with the Basque cake for dessert, which was the perfect sweet finish to a fantastic meal. Every dish was a hit, and the ambiance made it even better. We can't wait to return to Valentina in the future! ”

“ We drove here for our anniversary weekend from Arizona and settled on this restaurant for our dinner! And boy were we happy we did. As soon as we sat down, the hostess took a Polaroid of us for a memento! Our waitresss was extremely accommodating and helped us choose which wines to get and reccomended the best items on the menu. We got the baby squid, mussels, bread, gentlemen's rice?? Which was sorta like Paella, and gamba from the appetizer section. You must try the Orange wine! It was delicious. It was cozy and dimly lit but lit well enough to read the menus! It was also super lively with a full dining room even at 8:30pm:) Will be coming back for sure. They even brought us a little dessert and a manager called and asked how our experience was a couple days later. Incredible service. ”

“ The good: Nice location the sunset was pretty from here with the ocean near by and it was easy to get to from the high way. The ambience was chill eclectic modern with a cozy feel. The bad: The food was maybe a 6/10 for me but it might depend what you order our sea bass was amazing but most other dishes didn't hit the mark for me. I also like the bread and steak with mashed potatoes. The mussels were tiny and had a fishy odor it was pungent. The chicken was flavorful but salad with it was off. The potato bravas had too much aioli and the shishito peppers were rubbery. The ham croquettes were good just tiny. The service: Server was nice at first but by the end of our reservation the waiter seemed upset and rushy due to their 2 hour limit they impose. In summery maybe this is more of like a date night spot or small gathering either way it's best to check it out yourself. I love the creativity of the menu though and overall look of the restaurant. ”

“ Drink menus for my pal James who requested the wine menu (let me in on that case order?). Rumor has it the squash will be on the menu soon, tried the special and it was great so get it if you can! ”

“ Such a cute and cozy spot in Encinitas with wonderful food. We went here on a Saturday night and it was a great spot for a date. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance because it was pretty busy. The restaurant has a casual but more elevated vibe and the interior is cozy and well decorated. We had the steak with chimichurri, potato bravas, shrimp, crispy rice, and octopus. All the dishes were wonderful and id recommend any of them based off what your preferences are. My personal favorites were the steak and the shrimp dish. I'll definitely be planning on coming back and trying a different menu of theirs! ”

“ I visited Valentina's over the weekend, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! From the moment I walked in, the ambiance set the stage for a perfect date night that was intimate & vibrant, with attentive service that was a solid 10/10. For the food, I highly recommend: - Mediterranean Sashimi: This dish was my favorite! The fish paired beautifully with the capers, olive oil, and dill. I could eat 10 of these!!! - Patatas Bravas: A simple dish done to perfection. The potatoes were crispy and golden, and the sauces complimented the dish perfectly. - Gambas Al Ajillo: These garlic shrimp were amazing! Dipping the bread in the olive oil and garlic sauce was a game changer. - Bread with Whipped Butter: It may seem basic, but this bread was fantastic. Soft and warm, it paired perfectly with the gambas. Be warned, Valentina's gets busy on weekends, so I recommend making reservations or arriving early. If you have to wait, the Market across the street is a great spot to grab a drink. Would I go again? Absolutely! ”

“ This was our last night visiting the San Diego area so we wanted to go someplace special. We found Valentina, and it is special. The food and service was 5 stars, however, I have to subtract 1 star for the sidewalk seating. It is right along the train track, and the train came by 3 times during our meal. It's so loud we can't hear the person next to you. It's also along a busy street, where some motorcyclists feel they have to rev their engine extra loud. However, on the positive side, each table is separated by a large olive tree, so you have your own private space. The food here is sophisticated, but not stuffy. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and casual. The plates are small and meant to be shared. What we ordered: + Chicken paillard - butterflied chicken breast in a lemon mustard sauce. The chicken is flavorful, and the sauce we so good, I could have licked the plate. I wish there was just a bit more sauce, though. + Pesa del dia - tonight's fish was monk fish with roe over mashed potatoes. The fish was buttery smooth, and the roe pops in your mouth. Potatoes were soft and delicious. The serving was very small though; about the size of a side dish. + Side salad - spring greens in a vinaigrette dressing, with pepitas, olives, red onions, and red peppers. All the components complimented each other. + Basque cake - what a way to end a meal. Cake with pastry cream, cherries, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The best part is the burnt edges on top of the cake. Our server also recommended a Donkey and Goat chardonnay blend, which paired wonderfully with our meal. Overall, a wonderful experience. ”