The Encinitas expansion marks the third location for Isola Pizza Bar, which first opened in Little Italy in 2012 before expanding to La Jolla several years later. Founded by chef and owner Massimo Tenino, a native of Italy’s Piemonte region, Isola has built a loyal following around its Neapolitan-style pizzas, wood-fired cooking, and ingredient-driven approach rooted in traditional Italian techniques.
The new Isola will occupy a high-profile stretch of Coast Highway 101, a corridor that has seen significant restaurant turnover in recent years. The space was previously home to Death By Tequila, a Baja-inspired Mexican restaurant that closed in late 2024. That closure followed Death By Tequila’s acquisition by Empress Capital Investments, a once-expanding San Diego hospitality group that ultimately collapsed in 2025 after a series of restaurant and brewery closures across the county.
Isola’s arrival represents a clean break from that turbulent chapter, bringing a more established and proven concept into the Encinitas market. Since its debut more than a decade ago, Isola has become known for its use of double-zero flour imported from Naples, long-fermented dough, and high-temperature wood-fired ovens that produce lightly charred, thin-crust pizzas. The menu traditionally extends beyond pizza to include antipasti, salads, housemade pastas, Italian desserts, and gelato, paired with a wine list heavily focused on Italian producers. The Encinitas location will also have a full bar with beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.
While details specific to the Encinitas menu and design have not yet been announced, past expansions offer clues to what diners can expect. Both the Little Italy flagship and the La Jolla location emphasize open kitchens, visible wood-burning ovens, and a warm, modern aesthetic that balances rustic Italian elements with coastal California sensibilities. The Encinitas site’s size and prominent location suggest it could be well suited for both locals and the area’s heavy weekend foot traffic.
An official opening date has not yet been announced, but Isola Pizza Bar is targeting a spring launch, pending final permits and buildout. Once open, the Encinitas restaurant will join Isola’s existing locations in Little Italy and La Jolla, further solidifying the brand’s footprint across San Diego County.
Isola Pizza Bar is expected to open as early as late March/April 2026 at 569 South Coast Highway 101 in San Diego's North County city of Encinitas. For more information, visit isolapizzabar.com.
Originally published on January 9, 2026.
