20 Must-Try Carlsbad Restaurants: Where the Carlsbad Locals Eat

Carlsbad, California is known for its diverse dining options, with a mix of seafood, farm-to-table, and international cuisine. Whether you’re living in an apartment in Carlsbad, recently bought your first home in the city, or have been living in the area or a while, you might be on the hunt for a new restaurant to check out. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of 20-must try Carlsbad restaurants for the next time you’re feeling like grabbing take-out or enjoying a night on the town. 

#1: Park 101

Cuisine: Beer bar and BBQ joint
Address: 3040 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Park 101’s Website

Located at, Park 101 is a cool spot to grab a beer, enjoy an outstanding plate of BBQ, or have a lobster roll – all without leaving the city.

#2: Café Elysa

Cuisine: Café, coffee shop, and French restaurant
Address: 3076 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Café Elysa’s Website

A café, serving coffee, French pastries, desserts, and sandwiches, Café Elysa’s Carlsbad location is another option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants.

#3: Naked Café

Cuisine: Breakfast spot
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Ste 107A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Naked Cafe’s Website

A breakfast and lunch spot, Naked Café has plenty of options for anyone searching for a new spot to eat. From egg scrambles, to pancakes and smoothies, they’ve got you covered.

#4: Board and Brew Carlsbad

Cuisine: Sandwich restaurant
Address: 201 Oak Ave Ste E, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Board and Brew Carlsbad’s Website

You can find a variety of dishes at Board and Brew Carlsbad – anything from classic turkey sandwiches to house salads and pastrami sandwiches.

#5: Las Olas Mexican Food

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 2939 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Las Olas Mexican Food’s Website

Another must-try Carlsbad restaurant is Las Olas Mexican Food. You’ll find a stellar assortment of Mexican dishes, margaritas, and more at this beachside location.

#6: Señor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 377 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Señor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant’s Website

If you’re looking for an award-winning Mexican restaurant, make sure to grab a bite at Señor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant. Craft cocktails, breakfast burritos, vegan options, and more, there’s an item for everyone.

#7: Shorehouse Kitchen

Cuisine: Breakfast spot
Address: 2833 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Shorehouse Kitchen’s Website

Maybe you’re on the hunt for a new breakfast spot? If so, head to Shorehouse Kitchen, where you’ll find classics like eggs benedict and steel cut oats on their menu.

#8: Vinaka Café

Cuisine: Coffee shop
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Ste 211, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Vinaka Cafe’s Website

Another one of the numerous Carlsbad restaurants you should consider stopping by is Vinaka Café. This café serves a variety of breakfast items, pastries, and delicious coffee drinks.

#9: Pizza Port Carlsbad Brewery

Cuisine: Pizzeria and American restaurant
Address: 571 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Pizza Port Carlsbad Brewery’s Website

Pizza Port Carlsbad Brewery has some wonderful options for those searching for a laid-back spot to grab a beer, pizza, and hang out.

#10: Campfire

Cuisine: New American restaurant
Address: 2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Campfire’s Website

At Campfire, you’ll find a great selection of dishes from local vegetables, fresh fish, and even upgraded smores.

#11: Knock Out Pizza

Cuisine: Pizzeria
Address: 2937 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Knock Out Pizza’s Website 

Whether you’re looking for a takeout pizza topped with pepperoni, artichokes, or pineapple, or a great salad like buffalo Caesar, Knock Out Pizza has you covered.

#12: Café Topes

Cuisine: Café and breakfast spot
Address: 3091 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Café Topes’s Website

Café Topes is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a café or new breakfast restaurant serving upgraded classics like scrambles, buttermilk pancakes, and chilaquiles.  

#13: Norte Mexican Food & Cocktail

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 3003 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Norte Mexican Food & Cocktail’s Website

Norte Mexican Food & Cocktail is a Mexican restaurant serving everything from nachos and chimichangas to albondigas and more. 

#14: Don’s Country Kitchen

Cuisine: Diner and American restaurant
Address: 2885 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Don’s Country Kitchen’s Website

If you’ve recently relocated to Carlsbad and are searching for a diner serving classics like biscuits and gravy, omelets, waffles, and scrambles, you can find that at Don’s Country Kitchen.

#15: Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 2943 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana’s Website

Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana is home to some great authentic Italian food – think fresh pastas, calamari, and cioppino.

#16: Jeune Et Jolie

Cuisine: French restaurant
Address: 2659 State St Ste 102, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Jeune Et Jolie’s Website

A delicious French restaurant, Jeune Et Jolie is the perfect place to grab a bite in Carlsbad whether you’re looking for a classic like ricotta dumplings or something more adventurous like frog legs.

#17: Bluewater Grill

Cuisine: Seafood restaurant
Address: 417 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Bluewater Grill’s Website

The 17th Carlsbad restaurant to add to your list is Bluewater Grill, where you can enjoy delicious fresh fish and craft beer on tap.

#18: Jay’s Gourmet Seafood & Pizza

Cuisine: Pizzeria and seafood restaurant
Address: 2975 Carlsbad Blvd Ste B, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Jay’s Gourmet Seafood & Pizza’s Website

At Jay’s Gourmet Seafood & Pizza, there are plenty of dishes to choose from – from halibut and salmon to pesto pizza. 

#19: Swami’s Café

Cuisine: Café and American restaurant
Address: 2780 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Swami’s Cafe’s Website

Swami’s Café is a stellar spot to check out in Carlsbad. A café and American restaurant serving food like breakfast burritos, multigrain waffles, to burgers and scrambles, Swami’s Café has it all.

#20: Pollos Maria

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 3055 Harding St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Pollos Maria’s Website 

Finishing our list of Carlsbad restaurants is Pollos Maria, a Mexican restaurant famous for their fire-grilled broiled chicken. You can find anything from chicken dishes to shrimp tacos and tamales during the winter.

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