The Brant, the Huntington Beach coastal restaurant, is heading south and planting its flag in Encinitas at 806 S Coast Highway 101, taking over the long-vacant Beachside Bar & Grill spot. The new project brings a bigger kitchen and a rooftop bar to the north-county coastline, with the team targeting a late July to early August 2026 opening after buildout kicks off in the coming months.
Owner Travis Brummett told What Now San Diego that the ground floor will span about 6,500 square feet of dining space, with roughly 1,500 square feet upstairs devoted to cocktails, wine and local craft beer. His brother, Drew Brummett, is set to run day-to-day operations while Travis oversees the overall project. Plans also call for additional commercial space aimed at offices and small fast-casual tenants as part of a broader mixed-use buildout.
City sign-off for a two-story replacement
Encinitas planners have already signed off on a two-story restaurant to replace the decades-old Beachside Bar and Grill, complete with a second-floor patio and new sound-monitoring requirements, The Coast News reports. At a June commission meeting, the property owner described the empty corner as an "eyesore" and said the upstairs patio is being designed as a relaxed lounge instead of a rowdy late-night destination. The approval also builds in bicycle charging and transit-friendly measures, reflecting the site’s close proximity to the train station.
Menu will lean coastal with familiar favorites
The Encinitas menu is expected to track closely with the Huntington Beach flagship’s coastal California lineup, leaning on seafood, steaks and shareable plates. Images and menu highlights on The Brant show dishes like pan-seared halibut, steamed clams, a prime rib dip and pretzel bites, while regional coverage has called out the restaurant’s brunch and steak offerings. Regulars can look for the Brant Burger alongside happy-hour and weekend brunch options that helped the Pacific City location build a steady following.
Timeline and what’s next
The Brummett team is aiming to start construction within one to two months and is still targeting a late July to early August 2026 debut, according to What Now San Diego. The Encinitas address is set to include a larger kitchen and more square footage than the Huntington Beach original, which the owners say will translate into more seats and extra flexibility on the menu. Actual start dates and a firm opening window will depend on permitting, contractor timing and how the winter build season shakes out.
If the schedule stays on track, The Brant will add a new rooftop drinking spot and full-service restaurant to the Coast Highway dining strip, likely pulling in both longtime fans and curious locals across North County. The Huntington Beach flagship’s oceanview feel and wide-ranging menu have already built a loyal crowd, Locale Magazine notes, and the bigger Encinitas footprint is designed to double down on that formula.
