Beyond its scenic beauty, Carlsbad boasts a diverse culinary scene, featuring everything from laid-back cafes to upscale dining establishments.
Therefore, let's explore the top restaurants Carlsbad CA offers, ensuring both locals and visitors can find the best places to enjoy a meal.
Campfire is a custom-built 12-foot wood-burning hearth, which lends an appropriate note of smoke to many of their kitchen's offerings.
You can find several options, from vegetables like crispy roasted broccoli with tangy chermoula sauce, or grilled octopus with Jimmy Nardello peppers. Meatier options like slow-cooked brisket or a hefty tomahawk steak for two will sate even the burliest appetites.
Address: 2725 State St
Vigilucci's Cucina is the perfect spot for a night out, with fabulous food and award-winning service. You can enjoy a delicious lunch on their outdoor patio or start the evening off at the full-service bar.
A daily happy hour is a favorite among locals after a long day at the office. Their menu highlights include pasta dishes, savory veal, chicken, prime steak and seafood paired with award-wining wine list.
Address: 2943 State St
The Naked Cafe is a local cafe chain with a globally influenced menu of breakfast and light eats, coffee, and mimosas. Located in the Carlsbad Village Faire, you can stop by for a freshly made meal with real ingredients.
The restaurant serves meat, delicious American breakfast, brunch, and lunch options alongside vegan options being made available. Vegans can also enjoy the breakfast fruit bowl and the ying-yang dish, a lunch wrap with tofu, a salad, or a brown rice & veggies wok.
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr Ste 107A
It is the delicious Mexican restaurant in Carlsbad bringing the fun and flair of the original Casa de Bandini to The Forum Shopping Center.
This restaurant provides the essence of Mexican culture, serving authentic Mexican food, fabulous mariachi entertainment, hot-off-the-grill homemade tortillas, giant margaritas and an atmosphere depicting Colonial Mexico.
Address: 1901 Calle Barcelona The Forum Carlsbad
This appealing French restaurant is shaded with rose and flooded with natural light flaunting its nouvelle-French sensibility. Their food served through the wide-open kitchen is top-notch with a playful twist.
You can try the Sea bass with crispy skin, resting on a bed of sauteed spinach with saffron and vanilla sauce, which is delicious. Also, try their pale green sweet pea ice cream on bed of macerated blackberries, which is bits of eggy and lightly crispy.
Address: 2659 State St
Paon restaurant offers authentic California cuisine with French influences. The restaurant features a beautiful patio dining and elegant Art Deco in an intimate dining setting.
It features seasonal, locally grown organic produce for the palates of fine food lovers all over the world. Their menu highlights organic prime meats, game, and fish prepared with traditional French sophistication.
Address: 2975 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad
Himalayan Sherpa Cuisine is a restaurant offering authentic Himalayan Sherpa cuisine. The menu includes momos, thukpa, yak meat dishes, and Sherpa bread, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant provides a cozy atmosphere with genuine decor and artifacts that transport you to the heart of the Himalayas.
The diverse menu features appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, and various bread and rice options. Additionally, the restaurant also offers online ordering and delivery through Seamless.
Address: 5630 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Same Same is a craft cocktail bar and pop-up restaurant on the second floor of the Carlsbad Village Faire Shops. Known for its unique ambiance, blending escapist jungle vibes with North County alt culture, it creates a tropical vacation-like atmosphere.
It has the perfect space for birthday bashes, holiday parties, corporate events, weeding festivities, and more.
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #213
Their menu focuses on shareable plates highlighting fresh local farm ingredients, seafood, and a cocktail bar. They offer reservations for large parties and cabanas at Carlsbad's only open-air rooftop lounge.
Their dining experience is 21 and over only with no pets allowed due to space limitations. You can elevate your evening with a curated charcuterie board, perfectly paired with cocktails on their rooftop deck.
Address: 264 Fresco, 264 Carlsbad Village Dr
Felix's BBQ With Soul follows "The Felix's Way" as its corporate philosophy, reflecting its values and attitude. It is a confluence of Cajun and que, gumbos and fried chicken, collard greens, and red beans, considered a tasty mix, served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Barbecue is what they do. You can join them to experience gentle music and the best in BBQ, Soul Food, and Southern Hospitality.
Address: 5671 Palmer Way Ste D
Come visit the nostalgic Ruby's Diner to enjoy amazing burgers, fabulous shakes, and super breakfast. They are located near the family fun Legoland and next door to the world-renowned Carlsbad flower fields.
They offer a place where mom and dad can relax while their little ones enjoy the motorized train that circles the restaurant while you dine.
Address: 5630 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Open for lunch and dinner, this casual restaurant in the heart of Carlsbad Village, features an island bar, an exhibition kitchen, and a spacious covered patio. It serves an innovative twist on classic American comfort food with a full bar with extensive wine list.
Moreover, the restaurant has a high rating based on OpenTable diners' reviews which adds to its charm, and the dress code is business casual.
Address: 2742 State St Suite 100
GONZO! is a family-owned ramen restaurant founded by Mika and Jamison Murphy offering Japanese ramen dishes. It is considered to be the first ramen restaurant to throw rock' n roll concerts in the world.
Being there in Carlsbad and Oceanside for 12 years and more, it is their pleasure to introduce authentic Japanese soul food and hospitality to Carlsbad and the city's visitors.
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr
Beach Plum Kitchen is a casual restaurant that serves homemade jams, organic fair-trade coffee, cage-free eggs, and from-scratch recipes made in-house daily.
With a passion for great food and as long time residents of San Diego, they serves quality food in the neighborhood place in a comfortable and contemporary setting.
Address: 6971 El Camino Real #201
Bluewater Grill is a seafood restaurant and grill serving delicious food for over two decades. It is a place to go for dinners in large groups, with friends or family as the place is also child-friendly.
This casual dining space offers television and free Wi-Fi, a full-service bar that adds to the delectable flavors of the cuisines. Some of the popular cuisine choices at this place include baked stuffed Maine lobster, crab crusted cobia, cedar plank salmon, and lemon pepper mahi mahi.
Address: 417 Carlsbad Village Dr
Sharehouse Kitchen serves a delicious breakfast and brunch made with fresh ingredients daily. The restaurant has a cafe attached as well for those looking for coffee and to-go food items.
Being located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, Shorehouse Kitchen is a local favorite and serves something for everyone.
Address: 2833 State St
Blue Ocean serves specialty rolls, grilled skewers, creative cocktails, and other delicious food and beverage options.
Their kitchen and sushi bar draws on the traditions of the past, but their passionate team of chefs drives it towards the future. They bring together the food and people of many cultures with the singular vision of making a truly memorable dining experience.
Address: 2958 Madison St #100
Shoots Fish & Beer is a casual counter-style restaurant, that serves a menu of poke, tacos, and gritty gourmet daily specials accentuated by a fresh raw oyster and sashimi bar.
You can enjoy 20 tap beer and wine bar offering core shoots beers and rotating natural wines, agave-based margaritas, hard kombucha, and hard seltzers.
Address: 2956 Roosevelt St Unit 2
