A fun part of living in Carlsbad is discovering, and enjoying, our diverse dining options, which range from very casual to higher end. Carlsbad doesn’t offer the diversity of restaurants found in San Diego, but there are a number of options, with a few new ones on the way to suit most tastes and budgets. Many of these are stand-alone restaurants but some included here are in hotels.
This list of Carlsbad restaurants is not all-inclusive. These are some of the restaurants I am aware of or have tried, plus others that have been suggested by people I know. No one has provided any incentive to me to be on this list or has specifically asked me to include them – it’s my own decision as to who to include, with apologies to other venues in Carlsbad that are not on the list (nothing is intended by them being included), plus new restaurants since the article was written.
If you have other favorite Carlsbad restaurants you think should be included please let me know! And I will add to this list periodically. Which restaurant will you try tonight?
Now, in no particular order…
Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen, 6985 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009,(760) 431-5323
West Steak Seafood & Spirits, 4980 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 930-9100 WestSteakAndSeafood.com
Paon Restaurant, 2975 Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 729-7377, paoncarlsbad.com
Café Topés, 3091 Roosevelt, Carlsbad, CA 92008,434-8673
Blue Ocean Robata and Sushi Bar, 2958 Madison Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 434-4959, blueoceanrobatasushi.com
Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana, 2943 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 434-2500, vigiluccis.com
Las Olas Mexican Restaurant, 2939 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 434-5850, lasolasmex.com
Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen and Bar, 2659 Gateway Road, Carlsbad, CA 92009, (760) 602-1949, TommyVsUrbanKitchenCarlsbad.com
Bistro West, 4960 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 930-8008, BistroWest.com
Argyle Steakhouse, 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011, (760) 603-6908
264 Fresco, (remodeled and new owner in 2017) 3263 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 479-1525, 264Fresco.com
Café Elysa, 3076 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 434-4100
Jay’s Gourmet, 2975 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 720-9688, JaysGourmet.net
Norte Mexican Restaurant, 3003 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 729-0903, NorteMexicanRestaurant.com
Barrio Mexican Restaurant, 530 Grand Avenue, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 453-7242, BarrioCarlsbad.com
Pizza Port Brewery & Restaurant, 571 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 720-7007, PizzaPort.com
Harbor Fish Café, 3179 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 729-4161
Coyote Bar & Grill, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive (in the Village Faire), Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 729-4695, CoyoteCarlsbad.com
Dini’s Bistro, 3290 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 434-6000, DinisBistro.com
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, 2968 State Street, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 729-8565, AtGarcias.com
Señor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant, 377 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad CA 92008, (760) 729-6040, GoodTacos.com
Pelly’s Cafe & Fish Market, 7110 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92011, (760) 431-8454, PellysFishmarket.com
20|Twenty Grill – Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 827-2500, 20TwentyGrill.com
Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge – Cape Rey (formerly the Hilton), 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011, (760) 683-5500, ChandlersCarlsbad.com