Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Carlsbad

Atmosphere - great, casual to formal vibe, natural and friendly vibe Service - really good! Food - Cornbread - mind blowing Broccoli - do not skip, especially if you like kale Chips. It’s impressive how they so evenly dehydrated the top of broccoli Fish - to be honest, fish right after the broccoli-the charcoal taste was too overwhelming for me. It’d be nice if they give tips on ordering a balanced menu! Very nice restaurant. Would recommend.

We went for so many things in the menu and they were all terrific! Oyster warmed over coals, smoked oxtail dashi, pickled onion Bluefin crudo, strawberry, rhubarb, mint Carrots charred, preserved huckleberry, honeycomb, fromage blanc Charred broccoli, chermoula, lime, peanut Pork belly smoked, rainbow carrot, pistachios Koji dry aged ribeye, chimichurri Potato Au gratin with double smoked bacon, charred onion and raclette cheese Passion fruit sorbet Baked Alaska to finish it off. Service was excellent, ambiance was very nice for a date. It’s mid and family friendly too.

I really enjoyed the smoky undertone of the menu. The dishes illustrated the combination of high quality ingredients with creativity and levity. I enjoyed my mocktail Apres ski. We had the smoked olives, bread smoked oysters and whole head of charred broccoli as starters. The broccoli was absolutely flavorful. I like my Octopus main course very much. One of our guests was vegan and there were options to adopt dishes to make them vegan. I love that they offer such flexibility.

We celebrated our anniversary here, and everything was truly exceptional. The food was incredible — the ribeye and the octopus were absolutely amazing! For dessert, we had the Alaska, and it was delicious. The cocktails were also on point and perfectly crafted. Our server, Jasper, made the night even better. He was kind, attentive, and provided excellent service from start to finish. The place itself is wonderful and cozy, the perfect spot for a special night. Definitely a 10/10. Highly recommend!

Campfire was a real treat for a birthday celebration. We opted for outdoor seating, which was on a lovely patio with heated lamps — so comfy it felt like we were inside! Food was superb, the waitresses really know the menu. Got the blueberry rosemary cornbread (yummy, melts in your mouth), beet salad (so fresh, goat cheese very good), mushroom cavatelli (the freshest pasta!!!), and finished off with a decadent pumpkin baked alaska (suchhhh a treat!). Can’t recommend this restaurant enough. It was the perfect end to a fun day in Carlsbad.

My wife and I just celebrated our anniversary here. It was DELICIOUS! We had the cornbread and carrots, then my wife had the fish and I had the river. Every part of this meal was delicious and we left absolutely satisfied. The cornbread was great, and my wife and I could not stop talking about the carrots. I'd order those any day of the week. The fish was a locally caught sea bass - and it was also fantastic. Perfectly cooked with a great sauce. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, generously sized with a very tasty chimichurri. Id absolutely recommend Campfire!

This is exactly the kind of very dark restaurant I usually dislike — impossible to get decent food photos. But the food was so good, I’ll let it slide. 🤣 Among new American restaurants, this one really stands out. Nothing too salty or heavy, just beautifully fire-roasted dishes with well-balanced, flavorful sauces. The dessert was a highlight: a very creative panna cotta, layered with watermelon and bright citrus notes — surprisingly good and memorable. As untrained diners, we felt the complexity of flavors in some dishes almost hit a Michelin one-star level.🌟 For appetizers, we went with the waitress’s recommendations: cornbread, crisps, pork belly, and oysters. All amazing — I’d recommend every one of them. The entrées were a bit less exciting. Still good, just not as impressive as the starters. I liked the pasta and grilled fish, but the chicken was pretty underwhelming. All in all, definitely worth a visit — just don’t expect to come away with nice photos!

Overall, I’d rate the experience a 3.5 out of 5. The seafood platter was the highlight of the meal, but the courses that followed were less impressive (nothing to write home about). Things picked up again with dessert, which ended the evening on a better note. If you enjoy wine, they do have a great selection. While it was still an interesting experience (due to the 1-star fame), I don’t plan on returning.

I won’t go into detail about each dish we ordered from the 4 course menu because I know they change them often but I cannot recommend Jeune et Jolie enough!! We celebrated my husbands birthday here and from the second we arrived til we left, they made it so special. Each staff member was incredible at explaining the dishes and the flavor profiles. We chose to add the beverage pairing - one regular and one non-alcoholic to accompany each course and were so impressed with how much we loved every drink brought to us. It’s definitely pricey but completely worth every penny. Sit on the patio - it’s super cute.

I highly recommend putting this place as a top priority on your list if you're considering fine dining in San Diego. The food, service, and atmosphere are exceptional! Hard to give any critiques to this place. My highlight is that their drink pairings to the menu are some of the best I've ever had. Their wine pairing is very good, but their non-alcoholic drink pairings are made in house. I can't recommend giving it a try because it's so unique compared to other places and it complements the food so well!

We celebrated my husband’s birthday here today, and everything was absolutely exceptional. The food was delicious, the presentation was beautiful, and the atmosphere was perfect. The staff’s professionalism, attention to detail, and warm attitude truly made the experience unforgettable. We felt very well taken care of. An outstanding Michelin star dining experience we will definitely be back!

A magical evening! We celebrated my partner’s birthday, and the team at Jeune et Jolie made everything feel special — from warm congratulations to a lovely chef’s compliment. Every dish was incredible, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Truly one of the best dining experiences we’ve had!

We had a lovely dinner at Jeune et Jolie and would definitely recommend it. If you’re looking for high-end French dining, you’ve come to the right place. We had the tasting menu and paired it with what they call the “Goldie Locks,” which was a mix of wine pairings and specialty house mocktails. Portions are smaller but pleasant, and we left feeling comfortable. I recommend this spot for those seeking ambiance and a high level of service while enjoying delectable bites.

My husband and I left about ten minutes ago and could not hold off one more second without expressing our appreciation for this restaurant and its staff. Every person that served us from the water to the dessert was so warm and engaged. Dan!!! Our server/host for the evening and the absolute man - he took a meaningful piece of conversation and created such a fun and heartfelt moment for us that we will literally never forget. I considered turning the car around just to give him a hug. Also the food was unbelievable. 5 stars.

This is a great spot to come and eat dinner! I took my fiance here on the night we got engaged, and it added even more to our special night! The staff was very attentive and the food came out really quickly! I was very impressed at the speed of the food and the quality as well. I order the mango sushi roll and my fiancee ordered one of their me tempura rolls, both were amazing and both were delicious! Our server was named Nathalie and she was very kind and helpful, honestly such a great experience!

The server was very friendly and attentive. The food was off the hook fancy without the fancy prices! We ordered dishes to share with everyone - we loved this tact as the dishes just kept coming and we all were able to get a taste and we just loved it!! A great evening to share with close friends! The fish was fresh. We did not feel rushed and enjoyed the night.

Surprisingly amazing experience! All the rolls were absolutely delightful. Pork belly bao spot on! Yellow tuna jalapeno roll very refreshing, which went great with more ummami caterpillar roll. Pedro was very decadent! We demolished all of it (just the two of us). Service also friendly. Will be back !

This is a real culinary destination in Carlsbad, excellent food! If you are plant based or vegan it is worth the trip out to Carlsbad to try their vegan sushi. The chef who came up with these recipes is really inspired and talented. I’ve attached photos of the vegan sushi creations “earthquake” and “lady in red” 10/10 for presentation and flavor, sooo good!

My favorite place in Carlsbad! The food always has a great taste , fresh and drinks as well. The service is great 👌… but every time, the kitchen sent food on different time (you need to wait for the others or not eat together 😔). Doesn’t matter if everything is cold, raw, cooked.

Our server was Julian, he was wonderful. We came for our parents Anniversary at 6 on a Saturday night. It didn’t take long to get our party of 6 seated. We ordered many items to share. The vegetable tempura and edamame were a great start. The rolls we ordered were tasty and we ordered many. I personally liked the Playboy, Summer and Surf-turf. So fresh and delicious! The menu is big, lots to choose from. I look forward in coming back with friends and trying other items.

Great sushi and sashimi! The quality and freshness of the fish cannot be overstated. Our waitress was not very attentive and we had to ask for water and tea refills throughout our lunch. One of our orders was gotten completely wrong. The hamachi kama (grilled yellow tail collar) was very tasty but it was the smallest kama I have ever been served. I would say that these complaints are very minor compared to the overall experience and I have no problem recommending this place at all. The price was reasonable considering it is in Carlsbad.

This was amazing. My brother comes here regularly and I am in town visiting. The Calamari was amazing, perfectly cooked, delivered fast, and the best I have ever had. We ordered the gnocchi, the same, the best I have ever had. Pappardelle con Funghi e Capesante was fabulous, scallops cooked perfectly. Cappellacci di Manzo was so tender, fresh, and delicious! Penne alla Vodka con Porcini was amazing and delicious. Thank you for a fabulous meal. We will be enjoying the leftovers all weekend!!

I had an unforgettable evening at Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse—this place truly delivers on all fronts. We sat out on the patio, and the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. The ocean view was absolutely stunning, especially as the sun began to set…it created the most beautiful and relaxing backdrop for dinner. The food was incredible from the fresh seafood to the perfectly cooked steaks, every bite was flavorful and expertly prepared. The cocktails were also spot on and paired beautifully with the meal. The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made sure we were well taken care of throughout the night. If you’re looking for a romantic date spot or a classy place to unwind with friends, I highly recommend coming here for dinner and drinks during sunset. The atmosphere is elegant yet comfortable, and the view makes it truly special. We’ll definitely be back!

Beautiful views. The perfect place to have dinner during sunset. They offer valet parking but fills up quick, try nearby streets. Menu has many seafood, pasta and steak options. Portions are large but some of the food was under seasoned. Its worth noting the staff are amazing and what make this place shine.

Stopped in for Happy Hour at the bar. They have a few solid items for food and drinks for Happy Hour. We also perused the menu, it's a little pricey but not more than what you would expect for location and views. They do offer valet parking for $10 but you can find free parking on the nearby streets if you don't mind walking a block or two. The interior is lovely with most tables having ocean views. Extensive wine and cocktail list. Service at the bar was decent—nothing exceptional, but perfectly fine

Best Italian restaurant in the area hands down. Authentic, delicious food perfectly prepared and presented every time. We ordered several appetizers and all shared several entres and desserts, and everything was stunningly good (Hint get the gnocchi as an appetizer). The service was fantastic, exactly what you would want from a nicer restaurant. We were lucky enough to even have a server from Italy and she was very patient with my novice Italian language skills. The food and drinks can be a bit pricey for some, but it is absolutely worth every penny. You pay for quality and ambiance and that is exactly what you get from Vigilucci's. Can't wait to go back!

Vigilucci Steakhouse was such a great experience! Service was attentive and friendly, and the ocean view made for the perfect setting. We started with two appetizers—the Caesar salad, which was not your typical style but more of a “Caesar boat” (very fresh and fun presentation), and the Caprese salad, which was light and flavorful. For mains, both my boyfriend and I ordered steaks. I had the 10oz filet over mashed potatoes with veggies, and he ordered the same. The filets were cooked perfectly, tender, and cut like butter. Absolutely delicious and one of the best we’ve had in a long time. We couldn’t resist dessert and got the chocolate lava cake. It came out hot, with a perfectly cold scoop of ice cream—an amazing combination. To top it off, I had espresso (five double shots total!) and each one was smooth, bold, and well-prepared. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the view, this is a spot we’ll definitely be coming back to!

The food is freakn over the top. Thought a high end restaurant would be tiny portion and way over in price but we left there fuuuuull and with not a huge dent in the wallet. I had a meat trio plate with chicken, steak and Italian sausage. Came with delicious vegetables and a baked potato. But there choices were between fries, baked potato and fettuccine Alfredo. It was soooo good. The quality of the food is on lock! They serve alcohol and you have a choice of sitting inside or out on the patio. The atmosphere was actually chill for as many people that were there. And dont let the suits and fancy dresses discourage you from experiencing this fine dining. I went in with a button up shirt, shorts and some vans, she went in with jeans and shirt and weren't turned away. Not everyone there is dressed to impress. But if you wanted to, you wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb either. We really liked this spot. Right across from the ocean, the service was great and we had a great time. Got get yourself some of this amazing Italian

Here on a packed house night, sat at the bar and ordered the fish tacos (most entries large enough to split). It was flaky, fresh fish, prepared perfectly on their homemade tortillas. Drinks are a little pricey but they were ok. Great service from bartender Ruby.

Friendly and very efficient service .Large restaurant with indoor or outdoor patio seating . We had a large group and the service was Very Good . Musician s playing Nice songs ,Fun and Happy Atmosphere. The Carne Asada and Shrimp plate was very good. The asada was tender and had good flavor, Shrimp was also good , could have used a couple of more shrimp. Black beans ,Rice , guacamole and choice of tortillas also came with plate . Very generous portions. The chile relleno plate was also very Good. We had a party of 15 and everyone was Very Satisfied with their Food Selections and Service .

On a Friday night with a group of 14 the service was absolutely amazing. Was checked in on quite often and gave plenty of chips and salsa! Food was actually delicious carnitas burrito was juicy and had a nice sear. Portions were big but not too big. Price to quality was very respectable. Overall I loved it and am excited to go back.

I hadn't been here in YEARS and it was just as amazing as ever. Amazing service, fast turnaround, and a beautiful atmosphere. I got the Especial de Flautas and subbed a side salad instead of beans, and even the salad dressing was SO good. It was fun to visit and I'll definitely be back!

This place met my Mexican husband’s requirements for a “good” Mexican restaurant but neither of us would give it 5 stars. There is something “off” about this place but it is in that part of Carlsbad where things exist in a “bubble.” (I say this with much affection…Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, which is not too far away, and its surrounding area is one of my favorite places ever). The portions are generous, the flavor is there for most everything (I especially liked a green chile tamale that I stole a bite of off my hubby’s plate)…the margaritas are exactly what you would expect from this type of place (good!). It’s a fun, colorful family friendly restaurant but it also feels like it’s trying too hard at moments. I ordered something that was on a side menu…it was on the “lighter” side: mango, avocado, grilled chicken…not at all a classic dish, it was satisfying though because I love anything mango or with avocado. Their desserts are great….the fried ice cream, churros, flan, tres leches, and mango mousse cake were all delicious. My dad always asks the musicians to play something when they come by. It’s not the best Mexican food for sure, but if you don’t eat a lot of homemade “authentic” Mexican food and you are not stuck in THAT bubble, you’ll probably love this place (my brother always gets the San German which looks amazing, carved out pineapple with shrimp and rice).

Visited from out of town and LOVE this place! We sat on the patio and it was beautiful! Food was delicious and service was great. Can’t wait to come back!

My experience at Casa Bandini is never bad, tonight it was so good, the service was very good and the burrito and black beans were wonderful and very tasty. The strawberry margarita was just right and Roy was a very pleasant server and prompt.

Had a wedding rehearsal dinner for 14 in the private room. The food and the service were outstanding. Every dish was prepared perfectly and the entrees came out fresh and hot. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant.

Me and my family visited this place after a day in the LEGOLAND on a Saturday. It was not crowded at all. The services are very polite and attentive. We ordered 2 scallops for appetizers, a soup, and deer steak. My daughter loved the scallop a lot. Mint ice cream with chocolate source for dessert. It was not too sweet. We liked it.

Dining at Paon is much more than a meal, it's an authentic Parisian escape. From the moment we were seated on the twinkle-lit patio, the atmosphere was simply transportive, feeling just like a beautiful night out in France. ​The food is executed with perfection and incredible authenticity. We started with the warm walnut goat cheese crostini, which was a delicious interplay of savory and sweet, especially with the honey and thinly sliced apples. For the main course, the pheasant and rice was delicious and perfectly portioned. The surprise star of the evening, however, was the beet salad, turned out to be my favorite of the evening. ​The attention to service elevated the entire experience. Our waiter was fantastic, ensuring we had plenty of time between courses to savor the dishes, enjoy great conversation, and simply take our time in the gorgeous setting. Paon truly makes you feel like you are back in Paris. A five-star evening all around.

My duck confit was delicious, well balanced of taste and texture. The hanger steak was very good as well, well seasoned and cooked perfect. Service was great. Prices are pretty high ... cant afford more frequent dining here for sure...

Paon in Carlsbad left us underwhelmed. Servers were overly insistent on pushing pricey bottles, which felt off-putting. Bread and butter were delicious, but only one slice was offered — surprisingly stingy for fine dining. The wine we chose was good, but steeply priced. Food was uneven: some dishes were solid, others forgettable. I was also disappointed to find oysters only on the bar menu and not available in the main dining room. Service was attentive and polished, but overly formal. Overall, the experience just didn’t justify the high price point.

We went for a belated Mother’s Day lunch and were super happy with everything! Great wine menu, the food was delicious, the ambience is beautiful, and our server was funny and helpful. We sat outside which was great for a kiddo. Would definitely go back. Would like to check out their wine tasting room as well.

We had a great experience at Paon and will definitely come back. The service exceeded our expectations. Our server Eugene was very attentive but not intrusive. Eugene was friendly and highly professional and accommodating. The owner Steve was very personable and made us feel welcomed and comfortable. He came by our table, engaged with us, and gave us good recommendations! The food was amazing, very well seasoned and prepared to perfection. They also have a large wine selection and cocktails. Attached to the restaurant is a quaint wine bar/shop with live music on the weekends, large wine selection, and a cozy atmosphere! I highly recommend Paon and give Eugene a 5-star rating!

5 Stars all the way. What a perfect date night spot. Modern and refreshing, upscale American would what I’d call this cuisine. I was going to go for the Prime Rib dip, but opted for the Rib Eye Melt on sourdough with melted Swiss, red wine onions and mustard bacon sauce. Wow! Service was great as expected. I’d love to see a happy hour menu. Keep it up!

Great service! Good food. If you go here, leave room for dessert and get the butter cake. It's amazing. Lemon cake was just ok for us. Had fried chicken, burger and prime rib sandwich, all were good.

Recommendation for Jodi If you ever find yourself at Nick’s on State Street, do yourself a favor and grab a seat at Jodi’s bar. She’s the kind of bartender who makes you feel like a regular, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. Jodi has that rare mix of professionalism, personality, and genuine warmth that turns a good night into a great one. Her cocktails are perfectly balanced, her timing is impeccable, and her energy sets the tone for the entire place. She remembers names, preferences, and always finds a way to make everyone feel welcome. It’s clear she takes pride in her craft and truly cares about her guests’ experience. Nick’s is lucky to have her — and so are we every time we stop by.

I have heard so many great things about this place. First I must bring up the parking situation. Carlsbad village the parking can be rough so come a little early especially if you have reservations. The ambiance is nice and the staff upon entering is very welcoming. I feel there is some for everyone on the menu especially if you bring little ones. The food is delicious and filling. Our waitress gets a 10 out 10 and everyone there is great. If you are looking for bougie but casual, this place is it. Definitely worth coming.

Two very traditional but different entrees. Our meatloaf a d potatoes was excellent. Great flavor, we were disappointed they could not make the meal gluten-free, there is no reason to add a wheat product to bind the meat. The veggies were fresh and cooked to perfection Our shrimp meal was overcooked and disappointing. Yes, the flavor was great, but the actual shrimp were TOUGH, check out that curl. Thankfully the heavy-poured drinks made up for the shrimp.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere, it wasn’t too loud where you actually could hold a conversation without leaning forward on or raising your voice which is always important to me. Anyway, the food was perfect, it was crisp fresh and exceptionally moist. I loved the margaritas, they were just right especially when they added some Grand Marnier to it. Our server Jake was very mindful to our needs he made sure we had just what we needed. I plan on being back here again soon. I highly recommend this place for good food, service and a welcoming atmosphere.

Nice place very busy on a Saturday evening. Get a reservation to cut down on the wait time. Food was good and customer service was great.

I LOVE this place!! Fantastic German restaurant and a great place to get unique deli meats, as well as European grocery items! The location is shutting down in September, however, I'm sure they will relocate. Hurry in and grab a delicious German Dish or dessert!! 🤤

This place doesn't disappoint. I always come here to get my ham hocks for ham bone soup. The prices are good and they have every type of meat you can think of. They also have bones for dogs which is a plus for our household. They also sell a wide variety of beers, German sweets and delicacies. They also have a restaurant which seems very popular although I've never personally tried it, I've heard good things.

The restaurant here is great, but it can take a long time to put in an order, and almost as long to get your order. So plan ahead. Everything I've ever eaten here has been delicious, carefully made, and well prepared, but it would be great if they came up with a more efficient order taking system. The shop is the best European market and meat shop in the region. It's a treat every time.

This place was recommended to me for breakfast and I’m glad I went but I wasn’t expecting to stand in a line to order my food and then take a number to my table. The cheese omelette and home fries were good, the coffee was good and you get up to pour your own including water and soda. The place was clean and pretty crowded for a Monday morning at 11:30. The food and coffee is cheap and worth standing in line but we did have to wait 20 minutes at the table and people that came after us were getting their food first. The groceries are pretty expensive and there are a lot of empty shelves, not sure why but it looks like they do most of their business on the restaurant side.

Nice market and restaurant. Go early and expect to get in line. Delicious food and very, very reasonable price. Our Czech guest was extremely impressed and satisfied with his dinner! Excellent beer! If you want some of their menu items at home, you can always buy and cook at home. We will visit again.

I was there it's last few weeks of operation @ last week of September 2024. Employees there indicated that they were hoping to re-open somewhere else but had not yet found a location. Basically that the landlord would not allow them to renew the lease If any of the powers that be from Tip Top are reading this, It'd be nice for you to comment here on the status or actuality of Tip Top ever re=opening. Awesome if it can re-open. And sadly if not THANK YOU all so much for a great memory of a awesomely fun local restaurant and deli that was definitely Tip Top! All the best! Tomco

It is an interesting place. It's a corner grocery store with wines and beers, plus a decent butcher shop, plus, surprisingly, an attached restaurant. Everything feels very German, including the menu, it was a delight to experience something outside the usual melting pot merchants. You enter the restaurant through the grocery store, the food is very affordable, and, despite looking like it would be better suited for an older crowd, was really quite tasty. Excellent quality, and in satiating quantity. It's so much not the usual type restaurant that would attract me as a customer but it won me over. It will be returning to taste all their other offerings.

My family of 4 dined here on 7-20-2025 We were very fortunate to be served by Nelly ( I think that was her name, cute freckled faced sunkissed woman with a cool tattoo about "trying again tomorrow" on her arm) I ABSOLUTELY adore her upbeat personality and excellent service. Give that woman a raise!! Any way on to the food - I had the Fra Diavolo pizza, which was perfectly spicy. My daughter had a fettuccini alfredo with grilled chicken. Let me tell you about this alfredo... it was made the traditional way with fresh parm or perhaps grana padana cheese, over homemade pasta ...My gosh, so delish I wish I had a bowl in front of me right now!! My mom and brother shared a pepperoni pizza and they each had a watermelon salad that my mom who NEVER gushes about food...Gushed over!! The presentation of the food was absolutely beautiful.. a feast to the eyes one might say. The restrooms were very clean and I love the way the dining room is decorated, however we sat on the patio to take advantage of the beautiful Carlsbad weather. My review would not be complete if I did not acknowledge the sweet man who assisted Nelly, the man who bussed our table was either Italian or spoke spanish based upon his accent, Oh how I wished I had asked his name ... what a kind and helpful soul!! I will definitely be returning to 264 Fresco on my next drive down from Las Vegas. ( Yes, I live in the hospitality capital of the U.S. so I KNOW excellent service when I see it!! )

The food there is amazing, the last two visits we had a very good time and the food was perfect! First visit we ordered the short rib pappardelle and lasagna and it was amazing! Yesterday my boyfriend ordered the short rib again because he loved! I tried something new ( ricotta gnocchi) and it was really good!

Beautiful Atmosphere, Great Drinks, and Outstanding Service 264 Fresco in Carlsbad is a beautiful, modern spot with a clean design and partial ocean views that elevate the whole experience. The second-floor outdoor seating is especially inviting perfect for a relaxed afternoon or evening. While the food is average and nothing particularly special, the cocktail and drink selection is excellent. What really stood out was the outstanding service our server was incredibly attentive and made us feel well taken care of throughout the meal.

We came here on a weekday evening and the place was buzzing. The lower level is reserved seating and the upper level is seat yourself anywhere kind of seating. I didn't particularly like the upper level because it was really busy. We ended up sitting in a nice corner in the back. We had our privacy and liked the ambiance because it was bright. Our server was very kind. We are a little picky and she went along with it. We were here on Wed when a wine bottle is 50% off. We asked for a taste of a couple of whites before choosing the bottle and I'm glad that we did because we ended up choosing our safe option - the Sauvignon Blanc from Crowded House, NZ. The others that we tried (a viognier and a Sauvignon from California) were not good. The bottle was priced around $50 so we got a great deal! For food, we started with the spicy diavola pizza with tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami, evoo. The pizza was good. Thin crust, delicious, but not really spicy. It was pretty big - we got about 3 slices each. We ended up getting quite full but we wanted to try some of the entrees also. I got the chicken Marsala and my friend got the braised short rib. Both entrees were excellent. The short rib was a little too salty for me but my friend loved it. The meat fell off the bone very easily. The sauce was rich and the accompanying polenta and carrots were a good addition. The Marsala was one of the best I've had. Definitely on the side of more mushroom, which I love. The chicken was cooked well. The potatoes and veggies were cooked well too. Both portions were big and I ended up taking majority of the Marsala home. When eaten as leftovers the next day, it tasted delicious. For dessert, we ordered the tiramisu. It came in a bowl that matches the tiramisu colors so initially we mistook the bowl for the dessert. The portion is huge. The tiramisu itself was ok. It had a lot of more cream than the ladyfingers or Expresso. It was a bit more sweet that I would've liked. All in all, this was a good experience. We definitely like this restaurant more than their sister restaurant Fresco Cocina because these guys have more food options. Pricing wise, it is comparable to a nicer restaurant in Carlsbad. There is a street parking all around the restaurant. We shall be back!

Great start at the front and excellent service throughout! The carpaccio was a great and tasty opener, and the pasta with meatballs was the definite highlight. The pizza was good, but too much plain dough with toppings mostly in the middle. Atmosphere was fine, but nothing memorable.

We eat a the roof top. Great place to get some drinks and a bite. Cocktails were super cute and food was pretty good. Came out super fast! Bonus the sunset was nice from there. A bit cold after sunset but there are heaters.

The food was excellent and the service was as impeccable. The view from the roof top is beautiful. I wish they had the eggplant parm in!!! But the SeaBass was amazing.

NAKED CAFE @ CARLSBAD My boyfriend raves about this place so many times, and I mean so much that he brought me here to try! We got seated fairly quickly on a sunday morning, and it was pretty busy, but they have tables inside and outside. We ended up getting lots of things, the Green Heart Quesadilla, Bacon & Avocado Toast, Strawberry Chocolate Chips Pancakes, and a large Hot Cocoa.I have no words, because this has fully turned me into a breakfast person, because I need this every day! Each dish was so delicious, I really enjoy the Bacon and Avocado toast, as it was smeared with this delicious pesto spread, and had potatoes on the side.The crunchy bacon was fantastic, and having the sweet strawberry chocolate chip pancakes were fantastic. I wish there was a bit more strawberry in the pancakes however. The hot cocoa is a MUST, if you're a fan, it's a huge cup that looks like it's over the top full, and with a large amount of whip cream, it just melts in your mouth. I also tried my boyfriend Green Heart Quesadilla and WOW, this was fantastic as well, also has that creamy pesto spread in it. Overall, we really enjoyed the environment, the waiter was kind, and the art around the store was pleasant to see of artists (the art is also for sale!) Parking is a massacre, it's a large complex with limited room, so l'd definitely recommend doing street parking or just be aware you might be waiting!

My son's eyebrows lifted perceptibly when I mentioned the name of the restaurant. All the servers, however, were fully clothed and the place was jumping! Despite that we were promptly seated. Mimosas hit the spot. He ordered the Chocolate Strawberry Pancakes (again) but his plate was soon naked, although with a maple syrup veneer. My wife ordered the Bacon Avacado Toast with extra crispy egg whites - which they sure delivered! I ordered the Green and Red Pagoda, a dish which featured a side salad. It felt healthy. Everything was delicious, and our server was cheerful and attentive despite having her hands full. A great healthy option for breakfast in Carlsbad; just don't expect THAT kind of show!

We enjoyed brunch at the Naked Cafe on a recent Sunday morning. We sat outside of the restaurant in a very pleasant setting, along with other people and their dogs. This is a very dog-friendly restaurant and they even have a doggie menu to go along with the people menu! We ordered the Artichoke Scramble and the Solstice Burrito, along with Moroccan mint tea and the mimosa flight. Everything that we ordered to eat in and take out was delicious, well-prepared, and served in a reasonable amount of time. The staff were friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is relatively small, but well-decorated on the walls with beachy art and prints. Overall, the Naked Cafe is well worth a visit and they do a great job.

Always a great experience, I have never had a bad time. The coffee is great and the food is good. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I finish my plate every time.

Everything was delicious! Ordered the Moroccan mint green tea latte and hearty green heart quesadilla. They did not disappoint! 😉 and our server (Ashley ?) I think was her name. She had the tarts on her legs and she wears glasses - she was awesome! Super sweet and nice. She did a great job!! Thank you!

Excellent breakfast with a view and chill crowd. Mocha was great and the pancakes melts in your mouth

It’s a breakfast joint located in the heart of the village. It’s organic and tasty food. It’s good fresh food and many vegan options. The drink menu looks great too, try to mushroom latte. I think it’s a great cafe for Carlsbad where there is no amazing food.

Located just off the main drag of Carlsbad Village, this place is a gem with great indoor/outdoor dining, a fun bar scene, and a great happy hour (lots of options, rare for most places). Oysters for $1.50ea at happy hour are a steal and they are good (but sometimes do run out). Good cocktails and amazing wine list. Prices very reasonable. Parking is street only (no lot).

I am definitely going back here. The food was outstanding the service was outstanding, I suggest reservations you can get them online but we definitely will be back Husband got the surf and turf which came with a generous portion of filet a lobster four or five shrimp and veggies. I got the appetizer shrimp barsac, which I didn't like and sent it back because it was not peeled properly so I just ate off my husband's plate and it was really good

Excellent service and food! This was our second visit, and both occasions were great! Giorgio was our server and did a great job. I had the surf and turf and loved it! My wife had the ravioli, and she also enjoyed it. Our appetizer was brucheta with mozzarella, tomatoes, and a lovely dressing. All excellent! The dessert was tiramisu, and it was the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this establishment.

I admit that I used a Groupon for this restaurant but we also drove 30 miles to go to it because it was that good. We were there once before and the food was excellent. The ambiance is also excellent and the service as well. It's a long way for us to go but old Carlsbad is a nice place to visit so I highly recommend this restaurant.

One of the best meal ive ever had. Osso bucco was the tenderest most flavor lamb ive ever had. The steak could be cut with a fork it was soo tender.

Stopped in for an afternoon bite, Nick was welcoming, made great drinks and his service was on point. Food was amazing! Definitely recommend! 10/10

Pretty good food but very expensive.

We celebrated New Year's Eve at this charming steakhouse located in a chic and beautifully designed hotel, and the experience was a mix of highs and a slight miss. Opting for outdoor seating was a fantastic choice—it was magical dining beside a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, with the festive ambiance adding to the evening's charm. The staff were wonderful—friendly, attentive, and quick to accommodate any requests. Their warmth definitely enhanced the overall experience. Food-wise, the clam chowder was the star of the meal—creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. It’s definitely something we’d come back for. However, the steak, unfortunately, didn’t live up to the same standard. It wasn’t bad, but it lacked the “wow” factor you’d expect from a steakhouse. In the end, the stunning atmosphere and excellent service made it a memorable evening, even if the steak fell short of expectations. A great spot for a special occasion, especially if you're looking to soak in the festive vibes.

Service got off to a rocky start- one of the younger hostesses was extremely rude and short with us. It was so bad we would have left if it wasn’t for the fact that a large group of my clients and team were eating in one of their other areas. With that said- our waiter was great, and the bartenders amazing. The food was all excellent. We tried 11 dishes over two days and none disappointed. The wine list is decent and there are definitely a couple of really decent bottles for a good price. Highly recommend checking them out. If you’re staying at the resort it’s a no brainer.

Cherry my bar tender was absolutely amazing one if tbe best experience ive evwr had at a restaurant. WOW. just Wow!!! Im the tattoo guy w the long beard from Monday night 😎

Hostess offered a warm welcome and had our table ready on the patio where we requested to be near the band. They were our main reason for coming here, noted by 5-6 other tables as well. Antonio our server was polite, although not as attentive or anticipatory of needs/progression of the dining experience. He was offended we didn’t order a main entree, perhaps that is what altered the experience for us. We just weren’t that hungry, or interested in a huge meal. The smallest steak is 9 oz., and the sea bass filet he said was also similarly a large portion, so we opted for the 3 scallop appetizer. We also ordered a bottle of wine, a cocktail, two wedge salads, along with the scallop appetizer. The bread was surprisingly delicious, crispy crust yet ultra soft and fluffy inside. The scallops were decent, but we couldn’t finish. They were tender and very rich, accompanied with a lemon buerre blanc sauce. The wedge salads were a nice portion with plenty of bacon, blue cheese, and a beefsteak tomato cut in half. I ordered a bottle of Chardonnay knowing I’d cork the bottle after a glass and a half, and take the rest home. My friend had a classic mule. We were mindful not to take the table up, but had to wait a long time to get our plates cleared, water refilled, and flag him down for the check and a bag for the wine. We moved down to the lower tables and had much better receptivity. We thoroughly enjoyed the band playing…The Swinging Johnsons. We came specifically for them. I personally wouldnt come back if it wasn’t for the band. Next time they play here, we will skip the upper tables and just have a drink and appetizer at the tables by the band. Service was better and the experience too.

I chose Bobs Steak and Chop House Carlsbad to celebrate my birthday this restaurant has a great. atmosphere and good vibes The food options were very limited and food is quality wasn’t necessarily the best. For the price of the food and atmosphere. I had high expectations for this restaurant. Antonio G was my server he was friendly at first abut proved absolutely the worst service possible.

Food is good, I expect phenomenal for the prices. The sides could be better and more flavorful. Service was okay bit also a bit slow. We waited a long time after dessert waiting on our check.

Walking up to Bob's was like walking into a movie. During the holiday season it's very picturesque and the atmosphere was awesome. Greeted at the door with smiles and cheer, the restaurant itself has an old world feel to it. The staff were great, they seemed genuinely happy to be there. The food was what you would expect from a place such as Bob's. Well prepared, presents nicely, not flashy and delicious. My filet was perfectly pink and the glazed whole carrot was delicious as were the mashed potatoes. It can be tricky getting to the restaurant and parking is limited unless you want to walk a bit. Highly recommend the valet and get your ticket checked at the restaurant.

Our 3rd year in a row celebrating New Year’s Eve dinner at Black Restaurant Kitchen. The food was delicious—the steak was cooked perfectly and served in just the right portion. The pork brine was flavorful and easily one of our favorites of the evening. However, the music stopped around 9 PM and remained off for about 45 minutes. Just as we were reaching the peak of the evening and getting into the mood, the silence felt like a letdown. Last year’s band had everyone dancing—kids, couples, everyone was on their feet, enjoying the music. This year’s band didn’t quite capture that same energy, and the gap in music took away from the festive vibe. While we might return for a jazz brunch (which sounds amazing), we’ll likely try somewhere new for next year’s New Year’s Eve dinner. Overall, a good evening with fantastic food, but a few missed beats in the ambiance.

Love the ambiance and our server was great.. lamb meatballs & my purple rain drink was delicious. We weren't big fans of brussels or mushroom pasta. In fairness I'm not a big pasta person, so I probably shouldn't even have ordered it. (But Wanted something different). Would return here next time we're in town.

Great experience! We came here on a Sunday night. We had reservations but honestly, you don't need them. We got seated right away. Ambiance is very nice. They had music outdoors and we asked to be seated away from it. There is tons of seating indoors and outdoors. On Sunday night, they have a 3 course dinner for 2 option for $79+taxes. My friend and I did the math, which was mathing so we chose this option. We got the crispy brussel sprouts, the Moroccan braised lamb meatballs and the tomato basil pasta and the semifreddo for dessert. The food was all very good and we enjoyed our choices. We would recommend all of our choices again and would eat the same exact menu again. The semifreddo was actually surprisingly great. My friend and I are thinking of making this our usual haunt to catch up.

We sat outside so the pictures are a little dark . They have lap blankets , heaters and fires to keep you warm. The drinks were tasty. The chimichurri lentils blew my mind. Steak sandwich was so tender and didn’t fall apart when bitten into . Their desserts were delish. Reservations are suggested as they do fill up

We had our 40th HS reunion here and it was perfect! Great atmosphere for large parties or groups but also provides a cozy, intimate setting for more personal dining. The food and service was outstanding. Highly recommend!

Exceptional dining experience. Warm and welcoming staff, unique and tasty food, with delicately balanced fresh flavors. Interesting cocktail and wine choices, open relaxed venue with a unique decor (a bit loud on Fri night, don’t try to conduct business😁). Our server Nicole C had impeccable timing and guided our choices with her expertise, curating a wonderful meal from start to finish. Lovely adult dining experience. Would not recommend for children (does not mean you could not bring them, just might be a bit hectic and loud for little ones? … of course we were there on a Friday night). We will definitely be back!

Came here for the Jazz Brunch and it was incredible. Loved the guy on the keys as well as the amazing singer. We had a side of pancakes before our meal that were thin, warm and delightful. My New York Steak and eggs were cooked to perfection and we left very happy. Amazing service by our server and the staff, both friendly and attentive. 5 stars and will definitely be back next time we are in the Carlsbad area.

Came for happy hour which featured $6 drafts and $10 appetizers. Ordered wings and asada fries for the appetizers. We had ordered another appetizer which never came, so we had that taken off the bill at the end (no worries). Also got a Food Truck Burger and a Birria Beef Dip. Burger was okay, but it got soggy fast. Beef Dip was awesome. The Asada Fries were very good, as were the wings. And of course, the beer is always the shining star. Service was great. We sat on the "back" patio (there is a front patio as well, less shaded). We really like the vibe of this restaurant. It's a safe bet whenever you need a quick happy hour spot. Definitely worth checking out. Oh, sign up for Club Karl and get a free appetizer on your next visit.

So many choices for all palettes. Definitely worth paying the couple dollars extra to keep the mug 🤩 Food was also good just wish they had kid menus or the coloring menus for kids. Especially since they are so close to Legoland and we saw so many kids, it would make sense. But overall we enjoyed ourselves.

Nice place. Sat on the patio to enjoy the weather. Service was a bit slow at first but improved while we were there. Server was super friendly and personable. Food was awesome. And the prices were more than fair. Birria french dip was amazing and the sausage plate was so good. Tried a sausage plate at another place and there was no comparison. Beer was great too and a good selection on top of it. Highly recommend.

The food was absolutely fantastic. The fish-n-chips, mac n cheese, and fries were so good. The guava hard kombucha was really good. The outside seating in the back by the bar is really nice with the plants.

It was pretty good... I'm not a beer drinker, the food was so so... I had the chicken tacos and a (very over priced) hummus appetizer... Tasted good.

This location has a pub vibe rather than the outdoor brewery vibe. We were seated immediately. Our server was nice. We ordered the fried shrimp, the piggy bank Mac and cheese, the pork chops. For drinks, I got the Chai me a River as a trial and I loved it so now that's what I have at every Karl Strauss. The food was good. Their Mac and cheese is quite well-known and rightfully so - creamy, cheesy and melts in the mouth. The bacon, ham and sausage were great additions to the palate. The fried shrimp was fantastic! The spicy mayo with it gave a lot of depth to the shrimp itself. The pork chops were also great but the star of that dish was the firecracker/spicy mustard sauce. Absolutely delicious and if I could just get that sauce to add to all my food, I would. You can sit for as long as you want, no questions asked. The pricing is on par with the other KS locations. They have a parking lot and street parking in the area.

I haven’t been here in a long time. It’s still packed and loud. For a quick lunch it was fine . They did have vegan and gluten free options. Portions were fine. Prices were decent . Maybe if I were into beer I would have been more enamored with it all or just drunk.

Great place to stop for a traditional breakfast. Outdoor seating covered. A little bit of a wait but worth it. Friendly and welcoming service. Plates are full/nice size portions. Their pancakes 🥞 ARE fluffy, you can actually share the short stack (2). The 🥓 bacon and corn beef hash and eggs 🤤. Their vanilla had me 3 cups in (and I'm not a coffee ☕ drinker).

One of the better breakfast options in Oceanside. Located right on HWY 101 it’s not very far from the ocean and carries that casual, beachy feel to the restaurant. It’s quite large on the inside with many different sitting areas as well as covered outdoor seating, which is where we sat for our breakfast. There is a large free parking lot in back so parking was really easy. Our waiter was also very polite and the service was very fast. Only downside was we had to wait about 30 mins to be seated for a party of 4 for our Saturday morning brunch. For my first visit I chose the Santa Fe Scramble and loved it. The chorizo was perfectly spicy and it was a large sized portion. I opted for the free Coffee Cake on the side and thought it was one of the best Coffee Cakes that I have had in a very long time. It was moist and full of cinnamon flavor and the glaze on top was warm and just mixed so well with it. I would not miss it! Overall a great breakfast spot. I don’t drive up to Oceanside often but next time I do I would definitely consider eating here again and would recommend to anyone else in the area.

Had the best bonding time with my granddaughter today! We enjoyed a lovely breakfast together 🥞🍳🍽️☕😋🥓. The beach vibes of the restaurant were just delightful! Our server, Kelly, was super friendly and really engaged with us. We definitely had a wonderful and filling breakfast!

After a 20 min wait we sat outside on patio. Quaint surf beach cafe setting. Friendly and efficient service. I had a very delicious omelette with perfectly crisp hash brown potatoes. The coffee cake was light but a bit on the sweet surgery side.

Great spot for breakfast or early lunch. The food is delicious, the menu is large, but not overbearing, and the service was attentive and friendly. The coffee cake was outstanding, as was my meal. My eggs and sausage were cooked perfectly. I love the So-Cal surfing/skateboarding theme to the inside of the restaurant. There is pictures,articles, and memorabilia hung to observe and read to keep you occupied while you wait. It was busy but the turnover was fast and while eating I didn't feel rushed by waitstaff.

Very loud atmosphere, have to talk at a elevated level to be able to hear who’s sitting across from you. Wasn’t too amazed by the food, it wasn’t bad just nothing spectacular. would definitely come here if you have friends or family that like a more simple food.

This was our first visit here and we loved it . The atmosphere is definitely awesome . Skateboards , surfboards and tons of photos of surfing as decor , definitely California. Very Clean and staff always made sure coffees full and we had everything we needed. For sure a locals place , it seemed everyone knew each other. Ordered Avocado toast and fruit and I’m pretty picky about my avocado toast this was perfect !!! ABC omelette was ordered as well and it was great . Will definitely be going back .

We loved this place so much we came twice in the same day. First time we arrived around 1130 and they barely had enough servers to be open so the hostess actually became our waitress. I had the “1st mate” seafood platter which was amazing, and my wife the sea bass which she loved. Dinner I had the seafood cobb, the caterpillar sushi roll and my wife had a grilled salmon. Our kids had pasta with marinara and mac&cheese which they really enjoyed. Service in the evening was much better and the food again was amazing. We’ll absolutely be back!

We were seated promptly at our reservation time. We began with draft Guinness which was spot on. For starters we ordered four different pairs of oysters and some sour dough bread. The bread was delivered right away and was good. However, we were sitting for quite a while when I waved over our server and asked what happened to the oysters. He said he'd check and shortly brought them over. About a minute after the oysters were brought to our table, our main dishes were also placed on the table. The timing was disappointing. We felt rushed to eat the oysters before our mains got cold. The oysters were fresh and two of the four were particularly tasty- the Summerstones and the Old Salt. The Crunchy Lobster roll was nicely done and very crunchy. The trout with almonds was perfectly cooked but somewhat bland. Adding salt and pepper did help. The sides of northern roasted vegetables were quite good, but the corn had a lot of silk mixed in and was disappointing.

the food was pretty good, fries were very salty though. we tried to make a few lighthearted jokes at the beginning when meeting our server to break the ice(which the server should be doing anyways) and the server ignored us and had a straight face. she was very blunt and short with us. not very kind, friendly, or outgoing

$35 for my scallops plate. Each scallop about the size of a quarter. Mashed potatoes about 1/3 size of my palm. 1/4 cup veggies (if that!). Wife had two fish tacos with about 7 tortilla chips. Dad had the same. Mom had chicken salad. Bill came up to $139.00. Safe to say won’t be fleeced again eating here.

The food was good, great oyster selections at the bar. Most of them seem small though. The one starts with Sol Azul I think was best, creamy. Grilled scallops and octopus (this was a bit dry) were cooked well.

Decent food, great atmosphere, reasonable prices. I really like the remodeled location in Carlsbad feels like you’re stepping into a high-end restaurant. Their sushi is wonderful . They bring really good bread to the table. I tried this spicy Manhattan style seafood soup which wasn’t very good - just too watery for my taste. I would return here to try their other dishes . Seafood in general is expensive and it’s hard to find a good restaurant with fresh fish.

Highly recommend! Outstanding staff. Very nice but casual atmosphere. Great food. Kid friendly (but not run around being loud type of place in my opinion) My son was exhausted from being at the beach all day so he just sat quietly eating.. he ate ALL of his food. The waitress and servers were very attentive to us and him. We all enjoyed it Can't wait to visit again next time I'm in the area.

Great pizza spot right near the 5 and close to the beach. Laid back atmosphere and nice patio. Great slice and drink combos. Fun, original, pizzas of the month and awesome beer and seltzer selections.

Everything was okay . I had high hopes and was sadly disappointed with the food. I think this place is more for the alcohol then the pizza. If you're here only for the vibes and alcohol then yes probably a 5 star place for environment. However, we aren't drinkers and wanted to try this place for the reviews. The pizza bread is good but the toppings were scarce (for $3 a topping). I couldn't taste the toppings at all. Just tasted like cheese. The ranch isnt made in house. Straight up hidden valley ranch, which if its your thing, you're good. I think its gross. ... in summary. It was fine. But I probably wouldn't come again 😕.

My family on have been to a few Pizza Ports from the central coast in Morro Bay to Carlsbad. It's a good place to eat with the kids as you travel the Pacific Coast. When we arrived on a Thursday evening it was extremely busy, we had to wait for a table to clear. We waited about 40 minutes for our pizzas to be ready. They have a huge selection of om tap beers some brewed there at the location including beers to go. They also have a small arcade for the kids to play while you wait for your pizza. Overall I enjoyed the memory however it did take a long time to get our order and it was very loud and chaotic in there in comparison to Morro Bay which is a much smaller coastal city. I even took a cool souvenir shirt. Despite the chaos I would do it again idk if my gf would.

It's basically a cafeteria style pizza place. Good beers on tap. Our first visit was about a month ago and pizza was decent. Our second visit over the Columbus day weekend was chaos and pizza wait times were over an hour. We opted for some apps and they were just meh. When you order fried Mac n Cheese bites at most places, you know you won't be dazzled and it's likely a frozen product. What you don't expect is the bites to be made with blue box 😆 just had to take a picture to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks. We made do with dipping veggies and these bites. Pizza Port is clearly Carlsbad's answer to feeding lots of visiting families with small children in the area. It's just ok.

Wonderful location! Very family and pet friendly, close to great shops downtown. This should be really obvious but based on some other comments that weren’t aware it should be noted that I t’s a very busy location due to their iconic status, take that into account on what lines/wait times can be during peak or tourist times. They cater to allergens as well and we’ve never had an adverse reaction.

This place was pretty busy which is a good sign. Showed up and ordered at the counter. The mac & cheese bites were undercooked and were just ok. The portzel was pretty good. Pizza came out and it was pretty good. If you sit outside make sure you're listening for your name to be called when your order is ready, otherwise it might sit there for a bit. Overall, this is a cool place to come for lunch on the weekend.

Pretty great pizza with a great selection-there’s something fro everyone on their menu! We got several pizzas and I think I liked the meat one the most. The chicken wasn’t the best quality, otherwise the Carlsbad would have been the best. Beer line is kind of long at times but they have lots of options! The upstairs patio is perfect for a beautiful night!

I was told this place was the best place to go to for fish. They claim of fame is the fish and chips, which I had. I’ll be honest with you, it wasn’t anything amazing. It kind of lacked flavor. That being said, it was perfectly cooked, crispy, golden, brown, Fish was delicate. The way it was prepared was done very well. It just didn’t have much flavor. Then again, most fish and chips don’t have a ton of flavor. I would definitely be back to try other food. Their clam chowder was very good and they have a great view as well.

If you find yourself in Carlsbad and looking for excellent fish tacos then there is no better place than the Harbor Fish Cafe. Not only is the food top notch and very delicious the service is exceptional. Food was delivered hot and fresh and I was treated with professionalism and terrific hospitality. As for the location and atmosphere all I can say is, absolutely spectacular. The Harbor Fish Cafe is absolutely fantastic.

I was amazed by their fish and chips. The fish was incredibly fresh, covered in a light and crispy batter, and the homemade sauce made every bite even better. Having it with their own beer was such a great match. Sitting outside with the sea breeze and the ocean view made the experience feel calm and special. The service was warm and quick, and I left already wanting to return. If you enjoy fresh seafood in a relaxed beachside setting, Harbor Fish Cafe is absolutely worth visiting.

My husband & I visited Carlsbad often but never had the chance to stop to eat here. I'm glad we finally did because it was delicious. We shared the fried zucchini and the 2 piece fish & chips. The batter was crispy and not doughy. The fries had an extra crisp texture, which made them even yummier because nobody likes soggy fries. The best part was that at no time did it ever taste greasy. The tartar was yummy, and I asked for extra! The staff was amazing. Super helpful, esp when we mentioned it was our first time. But they also checked in and were friendly. We will definitely be coming back.

This was a great place for lunch! They offered some good specials and the prices were very good for being next to the ocean. Their fish and chips were amazing and their burgers looked really good. We enjoyed this place. The servers were great. It is all covered open air seating and when you are done you can walk the walkway looking out at the ocean - how can you beat that!

Cool place... The chowder has a slight kick of spicy... Loved it! I got an extra piece of fish. Served SUPER hot so be careful!

Local institution for a reason. Fresh seafood for a reasonable price. Could not believe the amount of food in the fish & clam platter for $16.49. Unreal location, friendly folk, quick and delicious. Happy we stopped by. Wasn’t sure as we figured it would be overpriced and touristy but it is the opposite!

Outstanding Italian food in a fine dining experience that isn’t fussy. Come as you are, but expect the finest in food and service. Definitely recommend when you’re in the neighborhood.

Our first time here and we sat outside. If you want to watch people walk by your table or be near the street traffic and hear the train off and on while dining then definitely enjoy the outdoors. Inside is quiet and cozy. Next time we'll try indoors. Food is really good. It's a pricy dinner but good. Service is excellent and waiter was all smiles and fun to talk with. Had good recommendations. It's a great special occasion dinner and they really made my husband feel special for his birthday with dessert and a card from the staff there. Nice touch for sure. We'll go back.

Great Experience! Loved it! Thank you. The service was great and they kept checking on us (very subtlety). The cocktails were good, the wine list was decent. We also order a bottle of EnRoute (Pinot Noir). We started with cocktails and a Caprese salad. All very good and well timed. We had asked the waiter to slow down our service and he was very happy to oblige. For dinner I ordered the Pappardelle Con Funghi E Capesante. Delicious. Followed by dessert, which they had a special gelato dessert , Straciatella (but as you can see in my attached photo it wasn’t just a scoop of ice cream). We finished with a port wine.

Sunday, Feb-2, Family lunch for 6 of us: Food was fantastic, flavorful and served hot! The head server, Memo, was attentive and very personable. The Gnocchi were to die for; the Cioppino was loaded with seafood; and the Pappardelle con Fungie e Capesante was so spot-on with very large and exquisitely-braised scallops. But the creme de la creme was the short-rib Ravioli ("Cappellacci di Manzo"). I kept to the lunch menu and had Penne del Fattore which totally held its own with rich vodka creme sauce. WE WILL BE BACK!!!

Pricy but the best spaghetti and meatballs ever. They do serve a very large portion, so it was worth it. They said they use veal and filet mignon in their meatballs. Very tender. Noodles cooked perfectly al dente with very flavorful sauce. Try it.

Love happy hour at this little old school bar! Parking can be a challenge. The food is always consistent. Totally different vibe in all the Vigilucci locations. Very local here. For sunset Tamerack location Rocks!

This was our 2nd time eating here. Food was okay but not as great as it was the first time. We sat outside and there were not too many people yet so the server didn't come around as often. Food presentation was beautiful. Creme brulee-it had lemon flavor and I wasn't a big fan but baked perfectly and looked pretty. Chicken marsala-my friend liked it. Carbonara-was good but I had better

Coyote bar is known locally for the live music on the patio almost every night of the week. It is nice to see all the entertainment. The food is good, not great, but good. Beware, if you are there during live music, there are $ minimums you're spending per person. When the weather is nice, the patio is great for seating. But if you don't get there early, you won't get a seat. Service is very friendly, but typical of a bar setting. You will have to chase down drinks now and then. Overall, it is a very fun, energetic atmosphere with live music!

First Visit and it was great. Good Food, Good Service (thank you Phoebe)! Food portions are huge! Fresh and delicious. Fortunately arrived just before Happy Hour ended (5pm)…Tacos are huge and $3 ea! I ordered 2 Cajun Shrimp and 2 Steak (both were delicious). Too much food though (took 2 to go) because I also ordered the delicious Guacamole Stack—so yummy! Just too much food. Everything was fresh and prepared well. I sat on the Patio—which is Open Seating—you just walk in and grab any open table! Live music this eve (7/3/25) was excellent (The Platinum Vibe). Band on 6-10pm. People arrived at least by 4pm possibly earlier to grab their seats on the patio! I arrived 4:45 and only had 1 table left open. Of course some people leave and tables open up. It does get very crowded and dance floor is packed. It was fun though. There’s inside seating as well as a horseshoe bar and a few high top tables in front of the bar and alongside. Parking spots are extremely narrow—everyone parking on top of your vehicle—barely getting out of the vehicle doors! Beware! Aside from the parking, the only unpleasant thing was the surprise 5% Surcharge on my bill. Manager isn’t able to remove it. And showed me where it is stated on the bar menu, which actually shows 4% NOT 5% (see photo). Otherwise, great venue.

This restaurant would have 5 Stars if is wasn’t for the sneaky surcharge at the bottom of the bill. Should have told us before we ordered. The food was good and the drinks were cold. The atmosphere was pretty good, we ate inside because the live music was too loud. I guess that’s what the surcharge is for the band playing? Weird! Overall it was a good experience our server Hayden was good.

Actually had a really good time here Food was very enjoyable! Slightly pricey but can't complain live music and good food is hard to find! I recommend this place. Chicken quesadilla is great Steak Street tacos are on point!

I was there for taco Tuesday but was disappointed with the fish tacos. The fish was tough as if it had been in the freezer too long but fortunately the bartender (as I was sitting at the bar) didn’t charge me for them. However, this is a great place for drinks & listening to live music in Carlsbad CA. Outdoor patio seating with fire pits along with ample seating inside & at the bar.

Great night with all the friends! The Friends Band rocked the house. Great musicians. Loved the Cadillac margaritas. The bottles of wine were reasonably priced. The nachos were over-flowing and great for sharing. Too many great dinner options on the menu.

This place rocks! Great food, good service (although if they’re busy, it may take a while), and live music. Really good live music! If you’re ever in car by a village, you have to check this place out and enjoy a night of live music, drinks, and good food.

Jay's Gourmet is an absolute gem! We ordered the Fresh Swordfish w Shrimp + artichoke in limonecaper sauce special written on the chalkboard, and it was phenomenal. The buttery angel hair pasta soaked up all the delicious tangy flavors perfectly. This dish was a true standout. It came with their outstanding minestrone soup, which was clearly made in-house from scratch. The fresh vegetables had the perfect slight bite that only fresh, high-quality ingredients can provide. My husband had the spaghetti with sausage, and it didn't disappoint! The homemade sausage was exceptional, with the fennel flavor being present but perfectly balanced--not overpowering at all. Even the starter bread was a delight--fresh and clearly made from scratch in-house. A special shoutout to Brandy, who was outstanding! She was kind, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect for us. The only downside was that they no longer offer discounts for Carlsbad Inn guests like they did in the past, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, the quality of the food and service at Jay's Gourmet makes it a must-visit. We'll continue to be back!

Overall great food! Had the option of sitting inside or outside which is nice for a beach town. Portion size for a small pizza was like a Large. My girl enjoyed the mussels and breadsticks. A must try if nearby!

Located just around the corner from the ocean, this spot offers a casual Italian experience with a beach vibe. It's known for its solid, high-quality food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The great service, especially from exceptional staff like Brandy, makes for a memorable dining experience. As for parking, a small, limited free lot is available. Otherwise, you can use the valet service or look for street parking nearby.

Best octopus I have ever had! Legit ✅ Also our waiter was incredibly nice

Tonight we had the seafood pizza and it is spectacular. We have been eating here for 25 years and it has been consistently great, cozy and fabulous family vibe. To me it is everything Carlsbad.

When traveling do you seek local flavor? If you want to eat where the locals eat at a place that cares more about the food and rich experience than trying to impress with over the top decor - look no further. I saw the blue awning and I hesitated. But so glad we went. The garlic bread came out steaming hot and delicious. The right amount of butter and garlic to set the meal in motion. Everything we ordered was terrific and watching the calzones, the pizzas and assorted pasta dishes flow out was mesmerizing. Hard to figure out what to order because they have everything you crave Italian and lots of seafood options to satisfy. Everyone from the couple of hostesses who were both wonderful and our waitress were a delight. We loved our food and could see everyone else felt the same around us at the restaurant. I wasn’t surprised to see a good sized line forming at the 7pm hour as a nice crowd was forming. Thankfully we ate early which is what I would recommend.

The food has definitely gone downhill. It used to be full of flavor and deliciousness and for some reason, the flavor lacked dramatically. My family has been coming here since the 1980’s and this is the first time it was completely without flavor. I don’t know if they got new cooks or something but we were highly disappointed. We usually crave this place while visiting but something changed within the last year. We’re hesitant to come here again in the future.

Beautiful museum/restaurant in Carlsbad near the Flower Fields. Kid friendly, and wonderful proprietor who stopped by to greet us at dessert. Really lovely atmosphere, spotlessly clean, and very delicious food! I had the turkey pot pie, and it was wonderful!

What a neat place. Unfortunately we didn't have time to check out the museum portion as we were on a bit of a time crunch, but just the overall ambiance and environment of the place was really cool. The gentleman that seated us then ended up as our server was patient and helpful and genuinely friendly. This was by far the best dining out experience we have had in a long time. The food was amazing as well. The lobster rolls are huge and flavorful and well worth the price. Blackened cod tacos were also super good and not skimped on at all. Everything was great. Highly, highly recommend and if we ever find ourselves out there again we are going back.

Had fun in this New England themed restaurant. The portions were hearty. The Turkey pot pie was well seasoned and a tiny bit peppery. The parmesan fries were perfect. I also really enjoyed the soup of the day. Check it out and also look over their fun exhibits.

We came here for a weekend dinner. We made a reservation just in case but it wasn't super busy, so we could have walked in. Since we got here a little later in the day, we didn't get to check out the museum. There are some exhibits, paintings and information in the dining hall itself. I think I expected this to be more museum like, but the dining space was modern, neither a tavern, nor a museum. The food was ok. We got a red wine and a cucumber based cocktail, the sesame calamari for an appetizer and the jambalaya and Connecticut lobster roll for entrees. The jambalaya was very good. The calamari was interesting - not too fried and accompanied by tempura veggies. The veggies were honestly more tasty than the calamari. The lobster roll was not good. The lobster was dry and pretty bland by itself. The Connecticut version was warm. The bread seemed too thick and no amount of lemon or butter seemed to add any flavor. We paid a pretty penny for everything and the food was just average, so this wasn't a great culinary experience. Our server was nice. There are better dining options in the area, so we will not return.

What a unique gem in San Diego right off of I-5!! Great food and atmosphere. The small free Revolutionary War museum was well done and very informative as well.

Delaney delivered an all-encompassing experience. History, culinary arts, hospitality, all of the above. This empress revived the experience for our generation. I won't lie, as gen-z, this place was initially off-putting with historical and cultural context, but this DIVA put everything into context, delivered bespoke service, and made us feel as though we were at a country club. Her knowledge of the menu as well as the history solidified a musaïc experience that made the Green Dragon not a restaurant, but a destination for historical appreciation and culinary artisanry. I'm sure everyone is lovely, but I will specifically request Delaney any and every time I bring myself, my friends, and my recommendations. This wasn't 'Queen' Delaney, this was tea-pushing, musket-loading, revolutionary "Delaney" 🇺🇲

Went for the food and was happy with the experience. As transplants from the east coast, we appreciated the ambiance and feel of New England. A few options for vegetarians including basil tomato soup and avocado tempura tacos. Both items were delicious!! We also ordered fried cauliflower and while tasty, they were so drenched in oil I could not eat them. Would recommend and will definitely be back.

Great experience. Normally there is a wait to get a seat, but not today. We ordered the Chilaquiles, 2 egg breakfast, chicken biscuits and gravy, Salted Brown Sugar Bliss. Wasn't a fan of the Chilaquiles, although normally that's my go to at restaurants. Loved the Chicken biscuits and gravy. The salted brown sugar Bliss was wonderful and I would order it again.

Steak and eggs were really well priced for what you get and the quality. Coffee cake was also a great addition. Great coffee as well. Well worth a visit for breakfast if you feel like splurging occasionally

We hosted a bridal shower here and it was the perfect venue for our group. The staff was so helpful and the whole process was seamless. We rented the private room and it was set up so beautifully. I highly recommend getting the white table linens, greenery, and cake as well. Thank you for making our day extra special!

The food at Blum Kitchen was absolutely amazing! Everything was cooked to perfection, full of flavor, and made with care. You can really tell they put love into their dishes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying meal!

The breakfast burrito was solid — one of the better ones I’ve had lately. The French toast, not so much… still soggy and undercooked. But the real letdown was the service. We sat forever before anyone brought water or coffee, and once our food arrived, it was radio silence. No check-in, no refills, no chance to ask for extra salsa. Meanwhile, half the staff looked like they were on a break at a family BBQ — just hanging out in groups, chatting it up while we sat there trying to flag someone down. Customer service clearly wasn’t on the menu.

Been here dozens of times. The food is delicious. Service is weak and mostly inattentive. They are a 5% service fee to every check for no reason and then calculate a recommended 20% tip on top of that. The staff has gotten too comfortable and don't pay attention to the needs of the Clients. Usually a local spot like this the more seasoned staff are the best but here it's reverse. The more seasoned staff gives you the most attitude and newcomers are the nicest. Every single time the fruit here is old and not fresh. They save it from the previous day and it's always soggy. Always. My kids stopped ordering the fruit. Having said all that, the food is noteworthy delicious. YMMV

Cute spot! Woah Dirty Chai Latte is AMAZING. I would come back just for that. Wasn’t the biggest fam of their homemade jam personally. Granola bowl was good, but wasn’t expecting all granola with a tiny side of yogurt, it was a little odd since you’re essentially just eating dry granola- still good though.

We went for mother’s day and was pleasantly surprised. The salsa served with the chips was DELICIOUS! I had the shrimp and carnitas tacos and they were great. My husband said the steak was okay but not great.. We had bottomless mimosas and the server never out let cups get empty.they were so friendly with our kid as well.

We really enjoyed the restaurant’s modern and fresh feel. The drinks were very excellent. The food very good and flavorful. The salsa was delicious as well. I had the fish tacos, they were tasty and crispy. The staff, service and the atmosphere were nice.

We started with their Cadillac margarita straight up with an extra shot of tequila on the side. The margarita and tequila was very smooth. I usually get Patron Silver but this time we tried Cierto Blanco. We nibbled on the chips and salsa as we enjoyed our drinks. Then we ordered the chicken Fajitas de la Casa with all rice and no beans. The guacamole was bright green. They cover the chicken fajitas with a crema. I assumed the crema was on the side. Their corn tortillas are amazing. I could eat them separately by themselves. There’s no shredded cheese, just the crema which was different. I definitely prefer shredded cheese. Then there’s the grilled bell peppers, onions and a couple tomatoes. Excellent flavors. Great service from our server. The restaurant has a fun upbeat vibe with positive energies. For me, the margarita was a 5, service a 5, corn tortillas, guacamole, grilled vegetables and rice were a 5. The crema on the grilled chicken was a 3.75. This is why the food score was 4 stars and not 5. Almost 5 stars across the board. Suggestion: have the server inform the customer the crema usually is on top of the chicken and would they prefer it on the side.

We’re from LA and we took a chance with this place and it did NOT disappoint. We were reeled in due to their happy hour offer which is from 3pm-6pm DAILY (OMG). The cocktails ($10 EACH) we got were insanely good. (1)Dos Amantes 10/10 teeny lovely spice kick (2)Casa Margarita skinny w/ blood orange 10/10 (3) Good Vibes 9/10 yummy and sour. For happy hour apps we got (1)Delicious warm house made chips and guacamoles. The real star though was the house made red salsa. It was so authentic and fresh. Guac was extremely creamy too. (2) half order aguachiles. Extremely limey and sour, which I LOVED. (3) short rib quesadilla was 12/10. Best short rib I’ve ever had and the quesadilla tortilla felt house made. It was so flakey and flavorful. The meat was addicting and not over cooked like some places do. I will be dreaming of this short rib. (4) my fiancé is a shrimp connoisseur and she absolutely demolished the shrimp tacos unfortunately we only got two and we regret not getting four And lastly our server Matt is a world class star. He is incredibly friendly and sincere. We would honestly come back just for him. We can’t wait to come back. Best Mexican food we’ve had in a long time. PS. We regret not ordering the octopus ceviche because it looked so mouth watering when it arrived to other tables.

Our server Matt was amazing!! He gave us perfect recommendations on their menu and everything we ordered was DELICIOUS!!!! He had great energy and was very attentive!! Thank you all :)

We hosted our goodbye brunch here the morning after our wedding, and we truly could not have asked for a better experience. Guests could not stop raving about the food — everything was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The chef went above and beyond in every way, and the entire spread exceeded our expectations. A special thank you to Nadia D’Almeida, their incredible coordinator, who made the planning process so seamless. She was such a pleasure to work with — communicative, thoughtful, and always one step ahead. She truly went the extra mile to make sure everything was perfect. They were also extremely accommodating of our guests with dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free options that everyone loved. It was the perfect sendoff to an unforgettable weekend.

We had a wonderful experience at Fresco Cocina. The food was fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented—but what truly made our meal memorable was the incredible service from Matt. He was not only knowledgeable and passionate about the menu, but also warm, personable, and genuinely attentive. His enthusiasm elevated the entire dining experience. Highly recommend both the restaurant and asking for Matt if you can!

Our uber driver recommended this place to my wife and I. The drinks were excellent I had the margarita with serrano peppers and my wife had the cucumber mojito, both were great! We had the steamed clams and mussels and the New England clam chowder. I loved the chowder a must order! For lunch we had the blackened swordfish and the cod. Both were very good! The key line pie was sooooo good!! Definitely recommend this place!

Our waiter, Brandon, was courteous, fast, and professional. My glass was never empty, and he catered to our needs. My wife and I both had the clam chowder and the cioppino. Both were absolutely delicious. Afterward, we treated ourselves to the lava mud pie. Yummy yummy yummy 😋

Upscale Seafood Restaurant in the Heart of Carlsbad Village. Lovely outdoor patio (2) one in front and one in back. Great service. Food is good—little ⬆️ $$$. $50 for Lunch (incl tax & tip) is a bit steep. New England Clam Chowder was creamy and delicious. The bread and butter they serve is excellent. I mistakenly ordered the Crab BLTA. I don’t recommend it. Crab meat was very fresh, yet flavorless and just didn’t go well in a sandwich. Would’ve been much better on the side with some drawn butter or a nice aioli. Fries were crisp and plentiful. Ranch dressing is yummy. Ginger Beer was good quality. Would like to return to try Happy Hour offerings and other menu items. UPDATED: 8/11/25 made it to HH and got the Baked Crab & Artichoke Dip—WOW—So Good. And the Firecracker Shrimp Lettuce Cups was amazing and plentiful. Although the Lettuce is a bit odd (but the shrimp-Wow)! Check out the photos! I also got the Napa Gin Tonic Cocktail—very good and very refreshing. Inside dining is very nice as are the restrooms. Parking can be tough…there’s a Free public parking right beside as well as street parking and other lots. Beware if you’re sitting on the front patio as the trains are incredibly loud with the crossing only a few feet away. Definitely recommend this place.

I ordered the salad with seared tuna, bean hummus, capers, olives, and lettuce. It was delicious! A salad uniquely served, for a change. Ate at the bar, by myself. One of the bartenders, Dakota was awesome. Got here at 4:30 on a Saturday. Before the rush and it was very nice. Lots of parking.

Anna did an outstanding job of going above and beyond. She really knows the ins and outs of the industry, and the service was fast. Drinks came out quickly and entrees were hot, chowder was delicious and the service was fantastic. Thank you Anna, will be back soon.

We had an overall good experience. We were seated quickly on the patio (which was heated) and checked on frequently. The calamari was crisp, the burger was solid, the scallops were brilliantly cooked. The scallop dish had very well prepared asparagus with goat cheese grits and sweet corn. A nice dinner date atmosphere for us.

I'm in Carlsbad each spring & fall, for a week each time. I ALWAYS make sure I dine at Bluewater Grill at least one time each visit. Best prepared salmon I've ever had. All other fish have been equally delicious. I always save room for the key lime pie. The best! Service is always attentive. No complaints. Only suggestion is to add ice to water served.

In the heart of town, a delicious breakfast place with great service! 👍 Lots of seating, inside, outside and on the street/sidewalk. 👍 Extensive menu, everyone can find something. 👍 Several home-made fresh squeezed juices (delicious, albeit expensive). 👍Great service from Luis. Also great buss and host service (did not catch his name). 👍 Appreciate they offer potatoes either hash brown, or whole style and several veg options as well. 👍 Very large portions.

We stopped into Swami’s in Carlsbad for brunch and had such a great experience! For food, we ordered the Chicken Teriyaki so good, tender, and flavorful. I also got the Buffalo Burger, but swapped the bacon for an extra egg, which was a perfect choice. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. On the drinks side, I tried the iced matcha latte with 2% milk light, refreshing, and just right. I also had a double dirty chai (hot), which was absolutely amazing, my boyfriend even said it tasted like it was made just for me. The bitter but had a slight sweetness to it, exactly how I like it. We sat outdoors since the weather here is so much nicer than back home in AZ and humid TX absolutely perfect for enjoying brunch. Service was quick and friendly, and our server even shared that the restaurant is named after a nearby meditation center, which was such a cool tidbit. The location is great too on a quiet street, just a short walk from the beach and the village center. Relaxed vibe, great food, and friendly service. Definitely a spot we’ll be coming back to!

Recommend! Stopped Friday morning on our way to Comic-Con. Fabulously kind and efficient service - love the Padres restaurant shirts on the waiters! Good food delivered quickly, would love to stop by again for the corn beef hash benedict and fantastic hash browns

In an older building (home?) Just a bit N of the busy intersection . The food and service were FABULOUS. We enjoyed a great breakfast. I had gluten free options also.

Food was delicious and staff were very friendly.. only cons are motorcycles reving loudly as they pass the restaurant one of the bad sides of being on the main street.

Multiple locations in North County for good reasons… fantastic food not limited to breakfast. I especially enjoy the breakfast croissant when I come. The açaí bowls are large and filled with fresh fruit. The staff is super friendly and it’s a casual atmosphere. Worth a visit if you want plenty of choices.

This is an amazing place, the service was the best part of the experience. Here I think everyone is a bilingual so that is a plus. The chilaquiles with chicken was really amazing dish. Very well done with a magic flavor I from Mexico and this is exactly that flavor over there. The waitress super cute and polite all the time putting attention at the table.

Divine breakfast food! My friend suggested we try this popular restaurant down the street from her hotel while we were in town. There was a long line outside on a Thursday morning and it was moving pretty slow. They have a large menu selection and everything on it looks good. We were drooling standing in line to order and watching all the delicious looking dishes being delivered to the other customers at their tables. You order at the counter with the friendly staff and are given a number stand. Open seating and there is lots of it inside and outside. A popular item was their giant cinnamon buns and it was so good! Fluffy and not too sweet. I ordered the chilaquiles and it was good too though I wish the salsa was thicker. My tortilla chips were drowning and getting soggy. My friend who ordered the grilled cheese sandwich said it looked good but fell short. She claimed it was a bit too sweet. Another friend ordered the omelet and loved it. The pancake was fluffy and perfectly cooked.

Visited Cafe Topes for breakfast on a Friday morning, and it was a pleasant experience! The place wasn’t too crowded, which made for a relaxed vibe. I ordered the Crack’n Eggs, and they nailed it; eggs were perfectly over-easy, the potatoes were well-seasoned, and the crack was tender and cooked just right at medium. My wife got the Classic Benedict; one egg was spot-on, but the other was slightly off. The country ham was super thick and hearty, though we prefer thinner Canadian bacon. Still, it was good quality. The Bloody Mary was a miss for her, hard to pinpoint why, but maybe the wine-based vodka or lack of that rich, tomato-y kick we love. On the plus side, they handled my wife’s shellfish allergy with care, and she had no issues after the meal. Bathrooms were clean and nice, with two unisex options. The water setup was, let me say, different; the pipe looks like it comes from the roof, so jokingly, I felt like I was drinking roof water! It tasted fine, though, and seemed well-filtered. Overall, solid spot with great food we’d come back!

Stopped into Café Topes based off of the recommendation, and we were so happy that we stopped in. We started off with a dirty cinnamon bun and then moved on to lunch. Everything was very flavorful. We actually couldn’t even finish the three tacos. There was so much food.

Okay, so, this place was GOOD good. It was poppin', which is a great sign, but despite how busy it was, the service was super fast and totally on point. The food was positively sublime, with perfect runny eggs on my benedict and a side of fruit that was actually fruit you want to eat. The standard menu is already phenomenal, but the specials were also a fun surprise and sounded incredible. Basically, Cafe Topes knows what they are doing, and I am here for it. ❤️

The staff here is exceptionally friendly and eager to accommodate your needs, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The simplicity of the place adds to its charm, making it a comforting spot to enjoy a meal. The toasted avocado dish is rich and flavorful, while the Greek yogurt is thick and satisfying, together making for a hearty and filling experience that leaves you feeling pleasantly satisfied.

Great breakfast spot, but get there early. If you do get there late and the line is growing, it is worth the wait. Quick service and friendly staff.

Order at the counter and find/wait for an open table. Dog friendly. Ordered the country fried steak, the 222, the chilaquiles, blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes, and the cinny roll. The food was amazing, I'll be back to try more.

I'm truly surprised by positive reviews for this place and very mislead because I don't know if I should consider checking out places based on their ratings. Service was very good. Food was awful! Scrambles eggs ordered for a baby came undercooked so I had to request to cook it again. Waffle combo was the worst I ever had. Eggs and bacon came several minutes before waffle did so my food started getting cold. Waffle was chewy, stretchy, and dry. Eggs were again undercooked. I asked for over easy and the whites were not cooked either. They didn't have real butter to substitute for margarine. My husband had blueberry pancakes. The frozen blueberries they added inside pancakes were hard and rubbery. Fresh berries can be found all year round, thanks to green house but even frozen blueberries could have brought to the plate in a better way. Home potatoes were absolutely tasteless, burned onions and bell peppers, large potatoes slightly burned. Food was very disappointing. The only thing good was cottage cheese which they probably dont make in house. Place was dirty dining floors and bathrooms and its not even a weekend. We are never going back!

We loved breakfast at this old school diner. I’d love to return for lunch or dinner! The service was prompt and happy. The food perfectly cooked and the coffee hot, fresh, and a rich roast. I noticed that they make their own corn chips. Yum! Give it a try!

Dan‘s country kitchen is a gem! It’s a small family owned café with an ambience of family style dining. They have an extensive breakfast and lunch menu and the food is delicious! No matter how many times we changed our order, they accommodated with a smile. The service was great, the prices were great, this is the great place to go for a quick delicious breakfast or lunch.

The atmosphere was cool, they had outside seating. It is a very small space better very nice employees and the food was good . My son and I enjoyed our plate and I over heard others who seemed like they were regulars

Fantastic breakfast and service! Their rancheros skillet was great and the service was top notch!

Old school diner. Scrambled eggs were good as was bacon & sausage patty. Hash browns were crispy. The biscuits & gravy were a bummer. I hoped for brown biscuits with sausage gravy. The biscuits were fair but the gravy tasted like flour & onions.. too many onions. Service was fine. The place is dumpy.

All around Fantastic spot! We had Don's 3 out of the 5 breakfasts while visiting Oceanside. Delicious, consistent, great service, overall a 10! This will be a must stop for our family when we are back in Oceanside - no need to look around when you find the best! Great job Don's staff!

The Food is “not made with love and care”. It is pretty much “below average” in terms of Freshness and Taste. I picked up couple of items for Lunch and I was truly disappointed. The ”Chilly Paneer” (Cheese Cubes cooked in Himalayan Sauce) was stale and it seems they threw some fried Cheese cubes on already made Sauce. The portions were also really small ( please see pictures of the actual Quantity provided). It is barely enough for 1 person. I do not recommend this Restaurant for authentic Indian/Himalayan Cuisine. I have been a Customer but the Quality and Care of the Restaurant has deteriorated so much since it’s opening that “ I will never be going back to this Restaurant ever again.

Best Himalayan food I’ve had in a while. This joint knows how to spice things up and add lots of flavors . Their cilantro garlic naan was amazeballs. The soups were incredible. We tried the a little bit of everything and nothing disappointed .

Tried Himalayan Sherpa Cuisine in Carlsbad recently and overall had a great experience! The **lassi** was excellent—refreshing, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness. The **choila** really stood out with its bold, smoky flavors and tender meat—definitely a highlight of the meal, however a spice level 7, it was intensely hot! If you're not used to that level of heat, I highly recommend asking for a 3 or 4 instead. The **chicken tikka**, on the other hand, was decent but lacked that extra punch or char you’d expect. We also tried the momo (dumplings)-they were juicy and well-cooked, but the flavor felt like it was missing a layer, maybe a more robust dipping sauce or spiced filling could have elevated it. Service was friendly and the atmosphere cozy. Definitely worth a visit if you're craving authentic Nepali flavors, just be mindful of the spice scale!

Small place, it was busy, food took 20 minutes to come, and only 1 guy was taking care of everything. At least 3 employees in front should be there to cover. Anyways, the guy was doing his best, but the food was at par. Palak paneer was good. Mushroom masala was like boiled mushrooms in tomato cream gravy. Chutney with veg momos was not even close to Nepali momos Chutney. I would say if they can hire more staff in front and kitchen, then it would be better.

I placed a pick-up order from this restaurant and was really disappointed with the food. I got samosas, paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, and a couple of garlic naans. The naan and paneer tikka masala were just okay. The samosas were undercooked, and the butter chicken was dry, overcooked, and the curry itself was unappetizing. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend getting food from here to anyone.

Excellent food and service, plenty options. 👌 Just love this place. Thank you. 🙏

A hidden gem! The food here is outstanding. Im so amazed there isnt a line out the door. Incredible flavors. We especially loved the “Lamb Boti Kabob”. It came sizzling with surprisingly delicious vegetables.

Service was a little slow, but realized one young man was taking care of the whole patio by himself. The kitchen brought out the wrong food (we ordered the whipped feta and loaded brisket fries). They brought out steak frites (really good but fries cold). The whipped feta was good and refreshing. The loaded brisket fries were initially good but seemed to have fake/canned cheese. The brisket was tender and flavorful, however. Nice atmosphere on the patio.

During our stay, I stopped by the Grab and Go every morning between 6:30–6:50 a.m. while walking my dog. The staff were always kind, service was quick, and it became part of my morning routine. Prices are on the higher side—a medium coffee ran $7.76—but the quality and consistency made it worth the splurge. Over the week, I tried: Caramel Macchiato White Chocolate Mocha Dirty Chai Iced Coffee Regular Coffee All were well-made, smooth, and gave me the caffeine kick I was looking for. On our last day, we sat down at the restaurant for breakfast before heading to the airport, and I wish we had done this sooner. We both ordered the Breakfast Sandwich with Breakfast Potatoes, and it ended up being one of the best meals of our trip. The sandwich was big enough to share, with fluffy eggs, perfectly thick turkey, fresh avocado and tomato, and melty cheese that I surprisingly loved—even though I don’t usually like cheese with eggs. The breakfast potatoes, however, were underwhelming; they would have been much better if cooked with the peppers and onions for more flavor. What really stood out was the staff—they were warm, welcoming, and all loved my service dog. They made sure we were served quickly, knowing we were on a tight schedule before the airport. Overall, an amazing experience. The Grab and Go was convenient and consistent, and the sit-down restaurant delivered a delicious breakfast. My only regret is not trying their lunch or dinner while we had the chance!

Our first night coming in, we ordered our food to go and it took over an hour to get some cold food. Granted, the food still tasted great, we were just a bit agitated as we had just arrived and it took an absurd amount of time. Since then, the service has made up for the initial negative experience. Henry and Jazzlyn have taken amazing care of us during our stay. Very friendly, kind, timely, and guided us in the right direction for everything from food to our overall stay. The atmosphere here is nice as well, very clean, but as I said, those two and especially Henry make it worth your while. He even sent us and our friends off with some snacks, fruit, and protein bars to our room before our early morning flight out. Thank you!!

Was disappointed with the breakfast I had this morning. Dry breakfast potatoes and Turkey pastrami. Loved the hospitality services at the restaurant , it’s the food quality that needs to change

This is our second visit and both times the servers have been great and attentive. Food is great and they have a kids menu. Hany, our server is wonderful and engaging. The view of the sunset is to die for.

Got the socal breakfast sandwich and the breakfast egg burrito. Both were delicious. Quick friendly service. Went around 11am on a Friday where it wasn't as busy.

Really nice upscale restaurant located in the Sheraton Hotel. We ordered Fish and Chips, BLAT and a Margarita Pizza. Fish and Chips came with 2 very large pieces of perfectly cooked pieces of Cod that just melted in your mouth. BLAT was so delicious with ripe pieces of Avocado, Bacon that had a nice smoky flavor and was very crunchy, Margarita Pizza was the only disappointing part of the meal, it looked and tasted like an ordinary Cheese Pizza.

We had a reservation for our traditional Christmas brunch (11 a.m.), requesting outdoor sitting. We were greeted upon arrival, and our request was honored. They were not very busy. The facility was clean and neathly set up. The view of the golf course was beautiful. The service was fabulous. We were attended to frequently, keeping our coffee and water filled. The drinks (Memosas and Bloody Mary) and food were delicious and freshly made, and the price was decent. The only unfortunate part was that there was no brunch menu, and breakfast had ended, which was a downer, and resulted in several parties walking away. We were really looking forward to having breakfast food

Rare 5 stars for me, food was excellent, prices are not as bad as you’d think for the area and view. Brunch was amazing and golf was even better after getting to watch the course while we ate. Great atmosphere, would definitely recommend and go back.

Delicious breakfast and attentive service! Nice view of the golf course.

The croissant waffles were delicious, some of the best I’ve had. I wouldn’t order the chicken with it. The chicken was dry and not very good. Service was great and the views were beautiful looking at the sunrise

BLTA salad and braised short rib for dinner were perfection! Gorgeous view of golf course and friendly service. Also came for breakfast with kids who got a free meal with purchase of an adult entree during summer promotion!

Had dinner at Vue and this was the experience, with ratings from 0 (worst) to 10 (best) in each category: 1. THE PLACE: (4) The restaurant is separated into two different sections: one for club members and the other for everyone else. WARNING: If you’re eating at the non-member section of this restaurant, it’s a third class experience with tables and chairs with a cheap backyard aesthetic, not worthy of a fine dining experience. 2. AESTHETIC: (2) The restaurant decor is underwhelming and dated. It has an early 1990s vibe and not contemporary with the times. Huge miss for a multimillion dollar property in such a prime location. 3. DATE NIGHT OUT: (2) Don’t get dressed up to eat here. It’s a mix of golfers, people in beachwear with flip flops galore and if there’s lots of hotel guests, you’ll dine with people with unruly kids bouncing off the walls. 4. THE CHEF (MIA) - Don’t expect to see or have your meals cooked by Chef Emily B. who won the 2025 Yes, Chef show. We were disappointed to learn she’s rarely at the property. 5. FOOD: (4) Vegetable Cavatelli: sauce was dry and tomatoes weren’t fresh. Pasta was cooked perfectly, but the overall dish had below average taste and execution. Pozole: Chicken and broth had good flavors, but the dish was super spicy, beware. After tasting these 2 dishes, we decided not to order anything else. The kitchen didn’t give us any reasons to keep trying more food. Disappointing too, because the menu looks good on paper but didn’t live up to expectations. 6. PRICES: (9) Surprisingly, the dinner dishes don’t seem grossly overpriced. The bigger problem is the kitchen didn’t deliver the quality or taste for what they charged us. If they can improve on quality and taste, they could become a neighborhood spot vs. a soulless eatery. 7. SERVICE: (5)The help was friendly and hosts were average. Saw manager behind bar on our way out, no effort made to say anything like thanks, how was your dinner or come see us again. 8. THE VIEW: (10) Too bad the wonderful view didn’t match the dining experience! 9. PARKING: (10) Valet service is free for first 2 hours with restaurant validation. (BTW, the restaurant host didn’t know this when I asked, lol.) 10. FINAL GRADE: (2.5) I cannot recommend this restaurant in its current state. Radical changes must be made. Be forewarned…This is NOT a date night, get dressed up or special occasion place. Save that for another restaurant. Odd, for a place that promises chef built dishes and experiences. I don’t get it. While the member and non-member version of this restaurant both offer the same menu, the non-member section has a third rate setup with a 1990s aesthetic and cheap furniture. The member section looks much nicer, but they have the same problem b’cause they eat from the same kitchen. The overall menu at surface level is well designed, but the experience and execution are totally lackluster. 11. This area has MUCH BETTER alternatives including VAGA Restaurant & Bar in Carlsbad or the restaurant in L’Auberge Del Mar. While both are slightly more expensive, they deliver an elevated chef based experience without a dated hotel look/vibe that continues to haunt the Omni Resort in La Costa. The Omni’s La Costa owners are either cheap, negligent or both. Get your chefs to deliver consistent quality and hire some new architects and damn interior designers!

OMG! The croissant waffles and the açaí bowl were chefs KISS! My husband loved the Baja breakfast. Jaden was our server and she was extra awesome! Highly recommend!!!

I used to love their sandwiches, but they’ve changed so much now. Ingredients are much cheaper and with half the quantity as before even though the prices have gone up. Definitely not worth the price now even though the bread and pastries are good

I finally discovered Prager Bros and Ian now done purchasing store bought bread. I purchased their focaccia bread to go with my pasta dinner and what a wonderful choice I made. The Ginger Molasses cookie is mouthwatering and I could keep eating them. Everyone was very nice and very knowledgeable about all the products. I will definitely be making a weekly trip to this place. 🥖🥨🥐🍞🥯

Delicious fresh made assorted pastries. They also have great, fresh sandwiches for a quick lunch, along with their Prager Bros pizza shop next door. The staff is super friendly and fast. Often have live music on weekend mornings. 10/10 love Prager Bros!

The owner of the shop seems really nice at first, once you get talking with him he becomes very condescending and sometimes passive aggressive. He down talked me many times and made me feel very stupid and unwelcome. Additionally, the way he treats some of his employees is the exact same. He is constantly on some weird power trip. I don’t know, I think he needs to go to therapy and be held accountable for being unwelcoming and rude. What did it for me was the way he talks down on his employees (which is okay until a certain extent) is so dehumanizing and rude I just can’t give this business my time or money anymore unless some changes are made. Another lapse of treatment I’ve observed here at this establishment is the female manager. The way she carries herself is almost insufferable, her ego clearly overrides her judgement especially in the treatment of her employees was honestly really shocking when i witnessed it, and she only acts like this when the owner is not around. She seems extremely fake and self absorbed. As a business owner, I feel you should be choosing your staff more wisely but how is that possible if you can’t even address yourself? Very disappointing to see this kind of behavior, especially from a coffee shop I had loved to support. Can confidently say I will not be going back there unless attitudes are changed and people can be held accountable or hold themselves accountable for mistreating their customers and employees.

Prager Brothers is an unexpected delight for this light industrial complex. The honey vanilla coffee cake is excellent! The staff was helpful in making the choice between all of their delicious options. The prices are very reasonable. They have a wide variety of baked goods. The parking is a bit slim directly in front of the bakery, but overall, there is plenty of parking around the area and on the street nearby by. This whole area is pretty quiet, it's a great place to grab a snack and a drink from any of the surrounding businesses. Some days there is local musicians performing at the joining businesses as well. If you look through the windows inside you get to see the bakers work their magic. There is seating indoors and out. Great place to visit all tear around.

Prager Brothers is always delicious and if you wanna get out of the hustle it’s such a great chill place for lunch. They have amazing pizzas and sandwiches and all kinds of other goodies. You can sit outside and enjoy views of the surrounding hills. They even have live music some days. The staff is always friendly and—honestly so are the other patrons. Good vibes 😎😎🥰🥰 I highly recommend this place.

Nice and helpful stuff with Big variety of sourdough that taste amazing

This morning, my wife and I enjoyed a coffee date at Baba Coffee on State Street in Carlsbad. Baba opens at 6:00, and the ambiance was open air with warm lights. Perfect for enjoying coffee in the morning. Baba appears to be dog-friendly, by providing dog treats (lower left corner). My order was a cup of house coffee. My coffee was bold, which met expectations. I accidentally spilt a small cup of water, and customer service provided a quick clean-up. Two things were odd. First, Baba did not have a creamer for the customers to add cream. However, the barista added cream. Second, they charged for a second cup of coffee. Perhaps this is necessary to cover costs.

I love this place! The rooftop is unbelievably beautiful. I love the live music. The coffee and tea is excellent. The owner is extremely friendly and welcoming. Let's support these local gems! They do chef menus on Fri and Sat:)

Stumbled upon this spot while walking the village, and it couldn’t have been better timing since I hadn’t even come close to my caffeine limit for the day. The barista was kind and patient, giving us space to look over the menu. I was torn between two drinks and asked for his suggestion he recommended the Hammerhead, and wow, he did not miss! We grabbed seats at the street-facing bar, which was perfect for people-watching. The vibe here is super chill, not overly loud or busy, but lively enough to enjoy the atmosphere. It’s not really the type of place to hunker down and work, but it’s an ideal stop if you’re out on a leisurely walk and want a quality drink. Hammerhead (iced coffee with espresso): My new obsession. Mixing caffeine with caffeine opened my eyes to a whole new world of coffee ideas. Bold, smooth, and just the right amount of kick. Hibiscus & Mango Iced Tea (loose leaf): My boyfriend isn’t as into coffee, so he went for this tea, and it was a pleasant surprise. Smooth, slightly sweet, and refreshing, made with loose leaf, which we really appreciated. Overall, Baba Coffee is a gem. Great drinks, friendly service, and a laid-back atmosphere. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area

Cute spot with nice atmosphere. My hold back on full stars is for average service for very overpriced coffee. I got a large basic drip coffee (w tip) for $8.09! For drip coffee and a bit of half and half - And the last sips were full of grounds... Servers weren't overly friendly, zero electric outlets, and limited indoor seating. meh

Baba Coffee and the stunning "Nido d'Amore" Rooftop Lounge are absolutely breathtaking! The atmosphere is matched only by their friendly, attentive, and truly professional service. I had the pleasure of catching and filming my friends, The Soto Six (TRIO), performing live at Baba Coffee, as part of their fantastic Friday night jazz series. This venue is a must-visit for anyone who loves JAZZ or LIVE music of any genre, all while enjoying excellent coffee, delicious pastries, snacks, and a fun, vibrant vibe! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm driving up from Las Vegas to the San Diego/Carlsbad area. Huge thanks to Rob and the entire Baba Coffee Team for all your hard work in creating such a special venue! Andrew ( Cool JAZZ 🎷 YouTube Channel )

I only rated this 4 stars because I didn’t try the food. I had a decaf Americano and it was very good and not acidic at all. I really enjoyed the chill acoustic music playing and I enjoyed watching passers-by.

Rob and Reagan have crafted an absolutely incredible community hotspot! The food is all made in house with high-quality ingredients, and the wine is even more incredible! Came here for the coffee in the morning, left in the evening after delicious wine and a really fun movie night! The live music is next level! I cannot emphasize enough how awesome Rob and Regan are, and how phenomenal the spot they’ve created is. 🤍

Outstanding service, atmosphere and food! We loved the wagyu steaks, whipped potatoes and wine. I personally loved the corn crime brûlée concept dish (although my husband didn’t like it because it’s definitely out there, haha!)—so unique and delicious! A huge shout out to our absolutely wonderful waiter, Jeremiah. Thank you for your kindness, professionalism and amazing service! And thank you for helping to celebrate my birthday!

We enjoyed this amazing restaurant in Sept. Erica was the absolute best server. Super knowledgeable on the menu. Very impressive, just like the food and drink. The dry aged ribeye was amazing! Very fun and delicious place. Highly recommend. Ask for Erica!

Had brunch here during Father’s Day weekend and we all had a great meal. I was raised in San Diego and my family still lives there so I have been to many different restaurants in this same building, Ember & Rye being the newest edition, which is another Richard Blais restaurant, who I am a big fan of. Last time I was here it was Argyle Steakhouse but I will say that Ember & Rye is an upgrade. The interior is beautifully done and it’s very open, spacious, and has a very classy look to it. I know they also serve dinner as my family has been a few times and they say that the steaks are fabulous. Parking is extremely easy, free, and plentiful right out front of the restaurant. Our server was also very polite and so was the rest of the staff that we encountered. It has great views of the lagoon in the back and is just a very peaceful place to have a nice meal. This particular morning, I was more in a lunch mood than a breakfast mood, which is rare for me because I am a big breakfast fan, so I decided to start my meal with a Wedge Salad and thought it was really nice. It was filled with all the delicious parts of the wedge, and they definitely did not skimp on ingredients. Next, I followed up with the Wagyu Cheeseburger and thought it was honestly really good. It was packed full of flavor, cooked perfectly, and overall I just really enjoyed it. I already plan to come back next time I’m in town to have dinner here and would suggest this location to anyone in the area.

Great steak and fish. We waited a bit long for our food though. We stayed at the Park Hyatt next to the restaurant, and they have free shuttle service to get to this restaurant. Great view of the golf course. It does get a bit chilly at night.

Celebrated my 40th Birthday here! Started in the bar area for drinks and appetizer. Gentlemen at the bar that worked there for 13 years provided great service! For dinner we were able to sit outside over looking the 18th green and what a view. The croissant was so good! The Denver steak was amazing, ribeye was good but little fatty, bbq carrots and purée potatoes were also great!

Located on the beautiful property of Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Course over looking the lagoon with its own parking lot. We made reservations for lunch and sat on the patio admiring the golf players, beautiful weather and scenery. This is a casual steakhouse by Chef Richard Blais but we were fixated on the prix fixe menu. Glad we had an appetite because the portions were huge. First course: Beet & pear salad: sweet beets and pear paired with frisée greens. Sprinkled with a middle eastern spice, zaa’tar that I thought was granola. Underneath was a caramelized yogurt sauce and topped with mint leaves. Truly a refreshing salad. Caesar salad: Romaine lettuce, kale, artichokes and croissant croutons. The dressing was well balanced, not overly garlicky or creamy. The croutons stole the show. Second course: Blackened king salmon: Perfectly seared creating a crispy flavorful seasoned skin with moist interior. The roasted carrots were hard and too tough. Needed to be roasted longer. The walnut raisin chutney sauce tied the dish together. Bucatini pasta: This was a subtle garlic butter sauce with baby tomatoes, broccolini, kale sprouts, sprinkled with basil herb bread crumbs. This dish was surprisingly light and fluffy, it wasn’t too heavy. That’s when you know it’s high quality pasta. Third course: Raspberry vanilla cheesecake: No bake, no crust, instead it was with rice crispy and oat crumble with raspberry sauce. I’m not a cheesecake fan so this wasn’t for me. It was dense. Yuzu lemon pot de crème: This tasted like limoncello/key lime pie flavor. Very tasty, citrusy with a bit of sweet and sour. We enjoyed every single dish. I would have liked the roasted carrots to be softer and I would have ordered chocolate s’more cake not cheesecake. Otherwise, bravo. I would come back for dinner.

We went to this restaurant one night while I was staying at La Costa in Carlsbad. It’s a beautiful room and a nice vibe. We had great service at the bar. And the food was really good except one dish was a bit over salty (creamed spinach) which I couldn’t eat. All the other side dishes and the rib eye were great! Overall, a great experience and we will definitely go back.

This establishment was a block from my hotel, so really convenient location. The pizza was good, service was good and friendly. Ordered in person for a pizza to go. Short wait, barely had time to drink my beer. I'd order from here again. Indoor and outdoor seating. Don't know about parking, I walked from my hotel. I have a preferred pizza place in the area, but I didn't feel like driving, so this was a good substitute.

I was greeted warmly immediately. She offered me fresh slices of pizza and a menu of more. The Cesar Salad was epic. And the pepperoni slices were Huge. Nice friendly atmosphere and a wall of wine to boot. I will be coming back.

Corner Pizza makes some of the best and most unique pizzas I’ve ever had. They have a great variety, and the Killer Bee (with honey) is absolutely outstanding—definitely a must-try. The location itself is nice, and the food consistently delivers. That said, the atmosphere can be a challenge. Nearly every time I’ve visited, there are young kids (around 3–8 years old) running around unsupervised—screaming, knocking into people, climbing on furniture—which really takes away from the otherwise great vibe. At this price point (around $50 for a pizza and two beers), I’d expect the environment to feel a little more enjoyable and managed. Overall, the food is excellent and worth coming for, but the experience could be much better if the staff helped set clearer expectations for parents to keep their kids in check.

I had high hopes for this place but it didn't live up to the hype. Tasted like Domino's pizza but for twice the price. We enjoyed the padrino salad more than the pizza. Service was super friendly and fast on a Thursday night. (Update) 😂 Thanks for the reply, high key Domino's slaps IMO, especially after 12am, but it's no five star pizza. It comes through when you need it, though.

After living in Chicago for many years it's been hard to find good pizza in San Diego County. This pizza was great, the people who work there were funny and kind! Atmosphere is easy and chill and the house red is really dang good.

Great pizza and a nice vibe at this location. We live in the area and come here about once a week. Go-to spot for a group of friends or when family visits. Gluten free option is good, but the pie gets pricey. Between 4-6pm is when it gets packed with families with small kids.

Customer service is pretty bad here. I have ate in the restaurant and gotten to go orders a handful of times because this pizza place was a little closer to my house than the others I like, but for about the same price or less there is other pizza places in the area that are just as good and that fully appreciate loyal customers. I had been an easy customer in the past I never complained and tipped good for the service I was getting but after my last experience I won’t ever step foot in there again cause the level of laziness and disrespect given. I called in a to go order at 8:20 and got a vm so tried back at 8:25 left a vm and heard nothing and tried back at 8:33 and got a vm again and so tried driving 10 mins there to place an order in person cause I really wanted pizza and this pizza place was closest to my house. I got there at 8:45 and there were 6 or so tables eating there and tried to order but the guy said he had to check with the kitchen at 8:45 when they advertise they are open until 9pm and he said the kitchen said they were closed. Then I said to that server and another guy standing behind the counter I called 3 times and left a vm and the other guy standing there said he answers the phone and said he was busy and that the kitchen normally closes at 8:30pm and to come earlier next time if I want a pizza. I know this is BS cause I have ordered after 8:30pm before there and this was just pure laziness and disrespect. They weren’t that busy there were 6 tables still eating and unless 10 tables left in 10 minutes this was just a lazy excuse. After this happening I wondered why I had been supporting this small business all this time eating in the restaurant and ordering to go when they clearly could care less about the customers supporting their business. I used to be a F&B manager for a hotel and a restaurant when I was younger and if I had denied service to someone 15 min before close I would of been reprimanded or fired for doing so. At the end of the day there is a lot of competition around and customers picking your restaurant over the others is what puts food on your table at the end of the day. I read some of the other reviews and how the owner responds back to people looks like a 12 year old is in charge of this place and if I had read through the reviews and seen how the owner responds/ manager responds I would have never supported this place. The owner claims to go orders aren’t important and they must be so successful that they treat people getting to go orders like second class citizens. Well I have ate in this restaurant too not just to go and I was an easy customer I never complained before and always gave a good tip. The claim the owner makes on reviews that you are not important to their business ordering to go is a good way to divert bad customer service and bad training there were a bunch of employees working that night and standing around not looking busy when I walked in. So I won’t be going back again in the future cause there is just as good pizza around for about the same price or less that appreciates you when you bring business their way.

Ok gluten-free tacos, semi-fresh ingredients, but not as fresh or flavorful as expected. Our vegetable taco was fresh, good fillers, but on the smaller portion size compared to the five meat tacos. The rest of our tacos had a meat that tasted like it was previously cooked, kept warm under a heat lamp and served as ordered, they were not cooked and served fresh when ordered. The same with the soft corn shells, they tasted like refrigerated day-old options that needed to be heated/cooked a bit longer. Each of the simple filler ingredients tasted fresh in the taco.

First day of our trip in Carlsbad and we scored BIG. RUN do not walk to this place if you want the BEST roasted corn of your life. I’m not joking. Also notably delightful was the veggie and grilled fish taco. We found the pulled chicken taco very bland - wouldn’t recommend it. You should grab a brookie - not too sweet, great textures of cookie and brownie balanced well. The Cali beach vibes in the natural wood tone decor were perfect. Pure Taco was pure yum!

Upon entering with a friend we weren't greeted and saw the only cashier on the phone with a customer. Stood there awkwardly for a couple minutes. She then hung up and actually turned around and left without greeting us. Then finally another girl came out to take our order. I ordered 2 of the veggie tacos and added guac (something they should come with). The cashier quickly forgot to give me the drink I ordered as well and I had to remind her. Cashiers were very young and inexperienced. We sat at the bar because that was the only available seating area. The restaurant has an open bar Miami feel to it which was the best thing about the place. We didn't order margaritas as the tacos were expensive enough, 2 for $15 and they were the smallest tacos I've ever seen. The veggie tacos came with this huge flower thing on top which was edible to an extent but there was simply too much of it. The tacos were tiny and gone in 2 minutes. The service at the bar was better than the check-in experience by far. I had originally filled a water cup at the drink despenser but the bartender offered to fill up my water with that little hose thing they have which was a nice gesture. Conclusion: not worth the price for the small portions you get and the lack of seating. Nice idea but simply isn't worth it.

The global fusion makes the menu more fun than the average taco place. The dog friendly covered patio (which has heaters when it is chilly) has a great vibe. Proximity to the beach makes it perfect for pre or post beach grub. The Happy Hour is on point (may I suggest the Dole Whip Mai Tai - YUM).

Perfect place to grab a bite to eat! Carnitas bowl is amazing! Love the different flavors and the salsa verde is the best! Spicy, but too good to not want more 😉 I’ve ordered the carnitas fries previously, but the bowl is my new favorite. Plus, leftovers are still good the next day, too! 😀 such a cute little restaurant.

Food is really spectacular and the overall atmosphere is great! However, the bartender Oceana, is extremely rude and she has lack customer service skills. We visited during a busy time which is the time when your true self shows toward paying customers. We were trying to clear a table that was slow to turnover so we had somewhere to sit. Oceana shook her head and exclaimed a rude comment under her breathe when we set the trays from the dirty table on the corner of the bar. One bad apple always tarnishes the rest of the workers with a positive mindset.

Updated review now that they've been open 6+mo: Food is still really good and service is still good but for some reason they can't get food out hot. We've been now problem 6+ times and it's the same issue literally every time. Food is not even warm when it hits the table. Even burritos which should be the easiest food to serve hot. I am guessing it's because they try to time in so a tables order is all server at once which is nice but I think most people would prefer staggered service times if the food is hot. ........…. Really good new restaurant! We've been 3 times since it's opened and have had a chance to try most of the menu and just about everything we've had has been great. All food we've had has been well seasoned, especially the Korean pork and citrus pork. The margarita's were good, a little on the weaker side but solid over all. Service has been friendly every time, and for a new restaurants they're doing pretty good. I've had food come out cold once, and they should really offer more salsa when food is served. And for the prices, they should include free chips and salsa (especially if cocktails are ordered). Prices are the main issue, they really need to provide more value for the cost. For example, the California burrito was super tasty, but small compared to other offerings and at $11 it's $3-5 more than anywhere else. For that price it needs to include a side or be larger. Overall a great new spot with a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out.

Awesome Thai restaurant! Same Same doubles as a bar, we went to an 8pm reservation and spilled into the bar/nightclub turnover at 9 pm. The atmosphere and staff were amazing, super vibes and slick. Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and not pushy. The food was insanely fresh and quick. Food came out hot and all the flavors were on point. It’s traditional Thai, with a modern spin. Highly recommend the chicken wings, and the tuna crudo. And since it’s a bar, the drinks are creative and tasty. Sits in upper floor of a Carlsbad shopping center, and kind of hidden in the back. Love this place, well done.

Same Same delivers the kind of dining experience that feels both inventive and comforting. From start to finish, everything I ordered was a standout. I started with the wonton samosa, a playful and delicious fusion that balanced crisp texture with rich, flavorful filling. It was the kind of appetizer that sets the tone for the meal—unique but approachable. For drinks, the Sioux City Old Fashioned impressed me with its balance. Smooth, well-crafted, and just the right level of boldness—it paired beautifully with both the starter and the main course. The highlight of the evening was the grilled New York steak. Perfectly cooked to almost blue, very juicy, and seasoned with care, it showed off the kitchen’s skill. The flavors were deep and satisfying, and the preparation respected the cut without overcomplicating it. The Thai chili dipping sauce was phenomenal. To end the meal, I was lucky enough to try something off-menu: the secret Thai Tea Tiramisu. This dessert was nothing short of brilliant—silky layers with the fragrant sweetness of Thai tea, offering a twist on a classic that I won’t forget. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere struck a balance between stylish and relaxed. The music was fun and fit their style. The art was punchy and the added punk twist took me back. Same Same is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to come back—not just for the food, but for the sense that every detail has been thought through. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Highly recommend if you’re in Carlsbad and want a meal that blends creativity, quality, and genuine hospitality.

Restaurant Review: Same Same – A Flavor-Fueled Gem Worth Repeating From the moment we sat down at Same Same, we were treated to a top-tier dining experience – and it all started with our waiter, "Sea-bass". He absolutely killed it with his service. His energy was contagious, his recommendations were spot-on, and his attention to detail made the entire meal feel effortless and fun. He set the tone for what turned out to be an incredible night. The rest of the staff was just as amazing – friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. The whole team operated like a well-oiled machine, making us feel welcome and taken care of from start to finish. Now let’s talk food: an absolute flavor explosion. Every dish was layered with bold, vibrant flavors that hit all the right notes. It’s rare to find a place where each bite keeps you coming back for more, but Same Same nailed it. The bar is equally impressive. It’s a full bar, and the cocktails are seriously next level. The Paloma was refreshingly crisp, perfectly balanced with a zesty citrus pop, while the espresso martini was rich, smooth, and left us wishing we had room for a second (or third). Portions were more than generous – we left with leftovers, which we were more than happy to relive the next day. Bottom line: Same Same is a must-visit. Amazing food, exceptional drinks, and the kind of service – thanks again, Sea-bass! – that turns a great meal into an unforgettable experience.

Amazing Drinks and Vibes. You might not expect it but the food is incredible with possibly the best Vegan options in all of North County. NWA behind the bar is an A+. Great for drinks, food or both.

Food’s okayyy , service can really improve lol bartender here literally does order taking. Nothing above & beyond. Idk his name. Mid 40 ..? Doesnt care much about service. Kao soi - is it really egg noodles or angel’s hair pasta lol I liked cucumber, wontons though Lot of cocktails have spicy complexities which’s interesting to try but beside food & cocktails service kinda ruined all the stars.

What a great place!!! I visited after the restaurant was closed, bar & dancing only......All the staff were incredibly responsive, friendly and helpful with drink selections. There's a good mix of friendly people there, no judgmental vibes, everyone having a great time. DJ was jammin' and dance floor was alive. Age range varied but most in their 30-40s. Highly recommend!

This used to be a really cool spot to come and listen to music, dance, and feel good .. Now it's obvious they they just let anybody in here and don't kick rambunctious men out when they're drunk. It's become a sloppy place. The drinks that were great were taken off the menu as well... Watching men be drunk and spill drinks all over the place and do push-ups while taking up the entire dancefloor is the most ikiest thing... I definitely will not be coming back again. Not a great place for girls honestly.

This place was amazing! The food was so delicious. I had the skirt steak & fries. Had an amazing glass of Prisoner wine 🍷 with my meal. Friend had fig salad & a pretty orangey drink. Our server Teresa was sweet. Our view was the most amazing view. All this after a wonderful day at the spa. Highly recommended 💕

Nice restaurant, food options are limited but good menu. Quick service.

I stayed here for an extended stay and so I was at this bar quite a few times. The bartenders are spectacular. 🎉🎉🎉The service is five star. The food is elevated bar food but my favorite bartender, Josh (and also delightful Lukas and super young and cute Tanner) told me about a secret menu item ”honey walnut shrimp” which is literally mouthgasmic 👅👅👅🤷‍♀️ If you’re in Carlsbad and you need a solid place to have a cocktail and a nice bite 💖 this is the place… Now keep in mind the crowd can be empty or full and full of people you like or people you don’t like so just focus on the blessings🎉💃🏿💃🏿

Was overcharged $64 for one beer and had it “corrected”. Was told that the $64 would go back to my account and was charged another $20 - $14 plus tip(the correct amount). I have talked to 4 different people the past 3 weeks about being charged a total of $84 for one beer. They took my info each time and did not correct the issue.

Decent food but slow service. Overall it’s a good option if you’re staying at the Omni.

We visited the Bar Tresa after arriving in Carlsbad after a long day of travel. Luckily, we were given Jose T as a server. He was an amazing server, he took care of us and we had a delicious meal. We will be back, we highly recommend you visit. The food, service and view were amazing! Thanks Jose!

Great buffalo wings, had a nice drink. Service was good but not great, and be prepared to pay - it's overpriced. Was probably busier than usual because of the NCAA golf tournament. Will happily go back once my paycheck clears.

I had an amazing night at LILO. The staff were incredibly friendly, and once you’re inside, you feel like you’re part of the action—almost like you’re in the kitchen with the team. The food had a Michelin-quality edge, and each dish kept surprising and delighting me. A memorable evening all around.

Exceptional in virtually every way! The food and service is easily on par with 3 Michelin star restaurants and I imagine Lilo will be getting its third star in record time. The atmosphere on the patio and inside is elegant, adult yet comfortable. LOVED it! LILO’s team makes a special night even more special. The one miss, wine director Savannah. She was disinterested and unable to articulate basic facts about wines. She seemed cranky when we tried to discuss the wine offerings and never came back to ask if we wanted another glass. I must mention the pastry chef is a genius!

Lilo is an undeniably amazing experience from the moment you walk in till you take your last bite. It’s like a symphony orchestra that never misses a beat. Amazing food, incredible drink pairing and every single team member you come in contact with is impressive. Can’t wait to visit again and bring new friends.

Best restaurant I’ve ever been to, hands down. Been to Michelin restaurants all around the world including Greece and Italy. And 2 weeks prior to coming to Lilo, went to Addison for the first time. LILO, is hands down, the best food I’ve ever had. Why? Bc there’s no gimmick, it’s not trying too hard to be something it’s not. Yes, the presentation is beautiful, but the taste is mindblowingly better. The experience started outside, beautiful courtyard, music at perfect volume. (They brought sound engineer in to create the perfect environment of music without you having to lean in to hear someone talk, who does that?) This may not seem like a big deal, but when you get there you’ll see what I’m saying, it’s perfectly executed. When we were sat, another table was sat maybe 5-10 minutes after us, and the runner accidentally brought our starters to their table after we had already been waiting. Without saying anything, they realized their mistake, and when our starters came out, they brought some free rose champagne which was honestly the perfect touch. No complaining, no excuses, just fixed the problem. Every dish was better than the last, but the dish with caviar was definitely my favorite. The open concept kitchen was fun to watch every chef do their thing then bring their dish to present to you, added that personal touch that they were proud to show you their creation. After dinner you’re escorted to the yard around a bonfire for some hot tea and additional wine if you’d like. Here is where you get your parting gift and menu. It didn’t even occur to me that we hadn’t seen a menu the entire time, and every meal was a surprise. Again, nothing special, just a really nice touch. 100/10 recommend, I’m going again tomorrow it’s that good.

We live nearby and went to Jeune et Jolie before they got their Michelin star, and coincidentally did the same thing at Lilo. Everything was immaculate and impeccable. What makes each course special is that it’s a cohesive experience, making fluid use of their outdoor and indoor spaces. The staff rotates taking the time to explain the dishes, and they’re watching to make sure you have everything you need. We went for my husband’s 39th birthday and it was our favorite dining experience. The menu was seafood-focused, fresh, and flavorful. Every bite is a flavor bomb hitting different, bright notes. Props to the owners for their meaningful naming conventions for all 4 restaurants. We’re already looking forward to the next time. Until then, congrats Lilo team on your star! So well-deserved.

A stellar experience from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. Unparalleled service worthy of a michelin star with the food to back it up! The chef has curated a phenomenal menu that balances courses with intensely bold flavors that challenge the traditional flavors one may typically be exposed to. You will not go wrong coming here

Wow, every detail was spectacular. I had the unfortunate experience of having a migraine during the meal that required me to leave the table and sit in my car. Talk about the worst timing. But my husband and friends had an incredible evening, and probably took advantage of having extra portions to themselves. The staff was incredibly helpful and made me a care package for the car and even went as far as making me a pizza at the end of the night since they assumed I would be hungry after missing portions of the meal. It was so kind and thoughtful. We’re planning on making this are go to spot for a special occasions. A definite must do restaurant. Oddly we probably dined At four Michelin star restaurants both before and after this meal within 60 days, and this location had a presentation that blew the others out of the water. This is a world class restaurant. The food was incredible, that I got to try anyway. Just came across the Google page to rebook for an anniversary dinner. Thanks so much for such a great experience!

Ramen noodles with broth must start and have a lingering deeply flavored broth. This is a solid legit Ramen shop with noodles with a good bite and medium thickness. Char siu was sliced pork belly and could be cooked a little more for silky tenderness. We enjoyed chicken curry katsui, spicy and non spicy tonkatsui Ramen. Sushi rolls also yummy and hardy. The floats are cute and worthy of a picture share to friends.

We ordered Salmon Rolls and the rice was so sticky & overcooked, my first bite, I felt like I was eating Mochi. We did complained to the manager and she told the chef. We hope that's been fixed. On the other hand, the Ramen was really good! The noodles were little thicker than usual and it was not overcooked. The broth was fabulous and the pork was really tasty and it melted in your mouth. They also put corn that was cooked over fire and it was a bomb! I would recommend the Ramen but not the Sushi.

Great for happy hour! Definitely a smaller space than their Downtown SD location. The staff were friendly and very accommodating for our group of 8.

I must say, as someone who is not a big fan of ramen, i loved this place! I ordered the vegetarian ramen bowl with fried tofu… yum! The service is fast and the drinks are delicious. I recommend the ube ones.

Sushi rolls were great. Fish was fresh and the rice was perfectly prepared. Service was amazing. Our server Seth was amazing. Very attentive. Sushi chef seems to be a newbie and rolls were a little bit of a mess. Also, it took a little bit too long to prepare our rolls when the restaurant was not busy. Price is great. We will definitely come back.

Had an enjoyable dinner at BESHOCK Ramen at The Shoppes at Carlsbad! The beef rib and Nagoya tonkotsu ramens were very tasty. The roasted brussel sprouts and hitsumabushi roll were great additions. The outdoor patio is dog friendly. The servers were all very kind. Recommend for a break from your mall shopping.

A nice ramen shop on the side of the Carlsbad mall. First time going and it was splendid to say the least. Customer service was excellent, food arrived quickly and was delicious! See images for what was ordered - it was about $80 for everything pictured before tax and tip. Next time we definitely plan to try their sushi!

Excited to come back here and try some other dishes for dinner vs lunch. I got the Pizza Sandwich and it was good, I would get it again, I liked the small side of pickled carrots and cauliflower. Overall, the sandwich was filling and tasted great. I was definitely full after having it, and barely had room for the cheesecake. The cheesecake was not extremely rich, but rather light, which I did not expect. I usually do not get dessert, but I wanted to try it. Then my friend got the pizza and coffee cake. He mentioned he enjoyed it, especially the coffee cake.

I love this place food and decor. We have come some time to have breakfast and we really enjoy the food. Everything is good breakfast and pastries. They have a really nice patio and interior dinning area. Service definitely can improve, they might be under staff. They take a lot of time to clean the tables .

Great location with great ambiance. The build out is great and the textures and decor are well done. We visited for dinner which is table service. Breakfast and lunch are fast casual order at the counter. The hostess, bartenders, bussers were great. Extremely friendly and helpful. Our actual server seemed very spacey. The food was delicious. The lamb meatballs were delicious and the beans served underneath- heaven! The cake was just okay but nothing to rave about.

Very nice outdoor seating area. The salad was flavorful and with a lot of texture. Croissant sandwich is flaky looks beautiful. I'd prefer more flavor on it though. French toasted with whipped cheese was so nice, whipped cheese was so fluffy and creamy addition to the toast.

Love this place! Sat outside with my daughter and her dog. Food was really good.... Ordered pastas, salad, veggies, tiramisu, croissant, and coffee! The tiramisu and coffee were my favorite. Everyone there was so friendly. We will return.

Visited Wildland for their dinner service (4:30PM onwards) and had an excellent meal. Lovely, warm atmosphere too. We loved: Roasted Badger Flame Beers Christmas Beans Rotisserie Chicken Malfadine Looking forward to coming back and trying the pastries and lunch!

We came here for the first time and we were pleasantly surprised by how good the food was and how great the service was. Colleen took such great care of us. Lamb meatballs were a little tough but came on top of beans which I thought were potatoes.. The Mafaldine pasta (add chicken) was delicious. The woodfire cabbage was recommended and we're so happy because it was one of the best things we are Also got a kids pepperoni pizza which was more than enough for the little one. And they brought out a little birthday cake as it was my birthday. Shootout to one of the managers who was super kind to our little one! Can't wait to go back and try more food!

I ordered 4 items #26 - spicy marinated mix appetizer #98 - pepper wings #91 - ginger, scallion beef #67 - house seafood chow mein with basil All of these boxes were packaged together, Therefore, the spicy marinated mix was no longer cold when it arrived at my house. The pepper wings were soggy when they arrived at my house, but they were well marinated. Tasty. The ginger beef was tender and well seasoned. The house chow main was mediocre at best. Not a repeat customer.

I had a fantastic dining experience at this restaurant! The flavors were authentic, and the attention to detail in every dish was impressive. I ordered the **braised beef noodle soup**, and it was absolutely delicious. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, with just the right balance of savory and slightly sweet notes. The beef was incredibly tender, and the noodles had the perfect texture—chewy yet soft. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was excellent. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure everything was perfect. If you're looking for a taste of **authentic Jiangzhe cuisine**, this place is a must-visit! I’ll definitely be coming back to try more dishes.

We came here after an escape room as our little “victory meal.” The restaurant is located on the outside of the mall, easy to find, with a good amount of space and both indoor and outdoor seating. For food, I ordered the orange chicken. The menu noted it as spicy, and I even asked for a little extra spice, but it really didn’t have any heat at all. Still tasty, just not what I was expecting. My boyfriend went for the beef teriyaki, but since he’s currently obsessed with Szechuan flavors, we asked if they could add ground seeds. They didn’t have those, but they did add Szechuan oil, which he absolutely loved. (I’m one of those rare people who can’t taste the numbing/electric effect, so I missed out on that fun.) For drinks, he ordered a coconut smoothie, he said the Szechuan oil actually intensified the sweetness, which made it even better. I had a Thai tea, and it was just right: smooth, flavorful, and not overly sweet, which is exactly how I like it. Our server was fantastic, kind, funny, and super attentive to everything we needed without us ever having to ask twice. Overall, a really good experience with friendly service, solid portions, and some creative flexibility on the menu. Would definitely come back!

We've discovered our new favorite spot! Despite my 13-year-old son's picky palate, he couldn't stop raving about this place, even comparing it to our recent experience at PF Chang's and declaring it superior. I couldn't help but agree. The authenticity of the dishes and the genuine care put into the food preparation by the cooks truly stood out. You could even catch glimpses of them peeking out to ensure everyone was enjoying their meals, which we absolutely did. I opted for the spicy chicken noodles, while my son went for the chicken noodle dish, specifically number 59. The service was impressively fast, adding to the overall positive experience. I even had leftovers because of how generous the proportions are! The price was awesome too!

Restaurant pretty empty. Ordered to go. Thai Style Beef Fried Rice - huge portion, nice flavors. Taiwanese Chicken had chunks of garlic but it wasn't overpowering.

Food, service and atmosphere 10/10. First time trying Shanghai specific cuisine and it didn’t miss. I can’t recall what I had but it was flavorful and not too spicy. Broth was rich and flavorful as well. Will definitely be back with friends and family!

Big portions, had more than enough to bring home for lunch the next day. The food came out fast, and it was not busy at all. Next time I think I would get chicken vs beef and try more of the dumplings or steam Buns.

The night we chose to attend, the restaurant was not busy, yet the service was pretty slow. My pumpkin raviolis were delicious, but the portion was surprisingly small. The lobster risotto was also superb and thankfully much more filling for my mother. The Black Forest cake came as pictured, two tiny cakes on a large wooden box that breathed “smoke of the forest”. What made a four star experience into three stars was the check: I ordered the ravioli and salad (not from menu, just simple greens and veggies) a la carte, but I was charged the price of an Alegretto (appetizer + main + dessert) minus $6 because I didn’t order dessert, which was substantially more than the ravioli a la carte price plus the value of the simple salad. The host offered to adjust the check, but offered no apology for the outrageous charge. The lobster risotto was truly exquisite, but the most satisfying part of my meal might have been my starter salad! Make sure to ask about portion sizes, and be clear about a la carte vs course menus.

Our waitress became tremendous exceptional and beneficial in recommending to us what the maximum famous choice's had been. Ask for the wine tasting to go together with your meals at the dinner. would fairly advise doing that if your no longer positive what you would like to attempt as a ways as wine is going.

Introduction: we are foodies, sampled the top end of Michelin around the world, gravitate towards quality nostalgic formal and classical, not into bar & grill and loud happy hour. New to north county, we finally concluded that our best hope was in the resort hotels. Vivace is our best find yet. I donned an off-white dinner jacket and felt at home. This was also our first introduction to the Park brand. Researched it further, confirmed it is a destination property, saw it has very high visibility in the Hyatt portfolio. Would consider a Park when in New York Paris Milan Zurich etc.

Best italian food in San Diego county. Expensive, but worth it. Very pretty setting and pleasant live jazz guitar on the weekend. They will give you a prix fixe menu, which can be intimidating, but you can also order a la carte, which is good because the set menu is a lot of food. You have to ask for the a la carte menu. There is always something unusual and I've never been disappointed. Unfortunately the service is slow.

Being from NY I'm definitely not new when it comes to restaurants . Great wines without a doubt. The food was good but to much added stuff around it that takes the acual real being away. I know it makes the plate look great and they want to make you feel like the money was well spent but it was overdone. Froie gras would of been fantastic on its own with just a bit of bread like in Europe not with all of this added extra. Simplicity goes a long way. Good restaurant but time to move on for me many othesr to try.

Vivace is like many of San Diego’s best restaurants, in that it is associated with a resort hotel, and meant to accommodate guests to this region, rather than feed the people who live here, most of whom are disinterested in elegant haute cuisine. Make no mistake: although this restaurant is located in the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, Vivace ought to be considered a local treasure and every San Diegan should try it. During my visit to Vivace this past summer, a variety of prix fixe menu options were offered, and I selected the 5-course option, which consisted of the following plates: • Amuse Bouche: Cucumber, Crab, and Avocado Gazpacho • Bread: Focaccia with Asiago Cheese, Baguette, Olive Oil with Thyme, Salt, and Crushed Peppercorns • Asparaghi Grigliati con Fuoco a Legna: Wood Grilled Delta Asparagus, Speck Ham, Black Truffle Vinaigrette, Farm Egg • Polpo Grigliato con Fuoco a Legna: Wood Grilled Octopus, Sweet Pepper Crema, Marcona Almonds, Olive, and Calabrese Chili Oil • Agnolotti di Foie Gras: Foie Gras Agnolotti, Morel Mushrooms, Duck Confit, English Peas, Pecorino • Ippoglosso con Granchio e Asparaghi: Alaskan Halibut, Asparagus, Morels, Dungeness Crab, Tarragon Zabaglione, Chili Oil • Pannacotta di Cioccolato: Chocolate Pudding, Hazelnut Whipped Cream, Dark Chocolate Streusel • Cappuccino with White Chocolate Dipped Biscotti • Petit Fours: Chocolate Truffles The highlight for me was the grill-marked octopus and its lip-smacking pepper cream sauce, similar to an Argentinean red sauce, and a small piquant mound of mouth-pleasing rapini braised with chilies and slices of potatoes. Octopus is all the rage in San Diego currently, but I challenge anyone to find it prepared better than it is here at Vivace, flavored with the smoke of the wood it is cooked over and tender enough that I imagine some poor guy in the kitchen hand-massaging it for hours before it hit the grill. The foie gras agnolotti was rich and heavy, and lacked any fresh textures or bright flavors – it was built on duck confit, umami-packed morels, and liquified foie gras as more of a “guilty pleasure” dish than one that is subtle or nuanced. Even still, it was a plate I would have greedily licked in private. The halibut dish was perhaps more of what I was looking for from a kitchen of Vivace’s caliber. I would argue that a forkful of the lightly pan-seared halibut by itself was boring, but the sweet Dungeness crab, in its moist deliciousness, helped redeem a plate that also featured both green and white asparagus to provide it with a pleasing aesthetic, the whole of it finished by a sweet, custardy tarragon zabaglione cream sauce that was a surprising but satisfying way to bring the dish together. When you dine here, you should try to reserve the terrace, which features magnificent views of the surrounding areas and fixtures that contribute to an overall ambiance of European luxury. The polished service from Vivace’s well-experienced wait-staff will make you feel like your dinner is the most important dinner the restaurant has ever served. Vivace is not underrated, but one would argue it is most certainly under-appreciated. Vivace is more than a fancy fine-dining restaurant in a fancy hotel, it is among San Diego County’s top two dining options as far as I’m concerned, with only Addison at the Grand Del Mar in front of it.

Here with a group of friends. Disappointed to find that they had already removed quite a bit of the beautiful Christmas decorations in the main areas. Had fun and enjoyed the gentleman who was there playing music. Service was a little slow. Will probably go back but most likely won't be a regular spot.

What a terrific find! Cool place w a California vibe that has a chef who knows what he is doing. Service was superb w great team work! We both ordered the fresh catch, a black cod. Delightful! We shared an order of roasted beets which my husband liked as much as I did. Don’t mean to show favoritism but their Basque cheesecake was the star of the show! We shared it and couldn’t believe how creamy the texture was! Delicious! Appreciate the advice our wait staff gave us on wines. We found the “skin contact” wine a perfect pairing w our entree. They paired a nice chilled red blend wine to go with our dessert. Check out “little victory” wine bar! (Note to single men in the area—this place draws very pretty ladies!).