Best Historic Restaurants in Oceanside

Such a cute place. Very comfortable and fun. The drink menu has a couple drinks for 2 to 4 people to share, non-alcoholic tropical drinks, and a good variety of regular tropical drinks served in various unique glasses. My husband had the Painkiller and was given the option of level 1, 2 or 3 depending upon how much pain you want to kill. I had the Caribbean Welcome which was served in a hollowed out coconut. For brunch, he had the Kalua Scramble and I had Chicken and Waffle. Both dishes were outstanding and we brought home the leftovers and had them for dinner. After brunch we went up to the rooftop to the Cococabana and had another drink. Their food menu was the same as the Tiki Bar, but the drink menu was slightly different. It also was a very fun place to visit and had a great view. I would highly recommend coming here for a little slice of the islands. We will be back.

The staff at this fine-dining restaurant shared a birthday celebration for my sister. We both had the salmon dish, and I would recommend it without a doubt. What could be nicer than looking out at the Pacific Ocean and enjoying delicious food served with prompt and professional service?

The service was wonderful. Everyone was very welcoming & attentive. My water was never empty. Our waiter made great recommendations for us. The gluten free pizza we ordered was delicious as was our salad. The made fresh daily tiramisu was the best I’ve ever tasted! We will definitely return.

Had enjoyed twice previously for dinner, but this was the first time for a Sunday breakfast/brunch. Menus are limited but beautifully executed. Rebecca’s service was friendly and fabulous plus she was working on her birthday. Her upbeat personality is infectious. One of our 4 diners has to be gluten free and although the menu items are not marked, Rebecca was very knowledgeable about menu & prep and offered to bring a fruit bowl instead of the breakfast potatoes. It was huge, fresh and delicious. The Hawaiian breakfast plate was great & even the spam nonbelievers in our group were impressed. The table seating is quite limited so we were glad to have reserved our table for 4. The restaurant still has the retro switchboard decor, an homage to the telephone operators who worked in the building during the 40s as Oceanside was exploding in growth with the establishment of Camp Pendleton. The restaurant is located in the Historic Fin Hotel, now a Hilton Tapestry Collection, boutique hotel. Opened in 1927 & having colorful history and several owner & name changes, most recently The Dolphin. It was one of the first seaside hotels to have hot & cold running water & steam heating in each of its rooms. From modern, to seedy, to almost destroyed in a 2015 fire, to reborn in 2016, if you enjoy a restaurant/building with retro cool history and great Hawaiian/Korean food, you’ll enjoy The Switchboard. The ambiance of the Fin Hotel building and the coffeehouse next to the restaurant are added pluses.

FABULOUS food and great service. We love Le Citron!