Best Restaurants in Carlsbad (2025)

Carlsbad’s modern French landmark delivers a refined tasting menu with SoCal brightness. Michelin-starred and frequently celebrated by Condé Nast Traveler and San Diego Magazine, it anchors the Village’s rise while staying intimate and neighborly in spirit.

An intimate, 22-seat tasting experience from chef Eric Bost and restaurateur John Resnick, Lilo quickly earned a Michelin star in 2025. Eater San Diego and Axios have chronicled its precise, coastal-driven courses and thoughtful beverage pairings.

The fire-fueled original that jump-started Carlsbad’s dining renaissance. Recommended by the Michelin Guide and often cited by Eater and SFGATE, Campfire channels smoke and seasonality into shareable plates and a beloved DIY s’mores finale.

An all-day restaurant, bar, and bakery from the team behind Campfire and Jeune et Jolie, Wildland is a lively community anchor—showcased by Eater San Diego and local tourism outlets—for breakfast sandwiches, pizzas, porchetta, and a serious pastry program.

A compact cave à manger from respected local wine pros, pairing natural wines with precise small plates. Featured on Eater San Diego and welcomed by the Carlsbad Village Association, it’s where chefs and locals linger over crudo, tinned fish, and risotto.

Locally owned and rooted in Japanese and Hawaiian traditions, Kai Ola serves pristine fish with unfussy hospitality. It’s a favorite of local editors and regularly recommended by area guides for its line-up of nigiri, handrolls, and island-accented specials.

A spirited, independently run ramen shop championing Japanese soul cooking. Recognized by Axios and Yelp roundups, it draws fans for rich broths, tsukemen, and community-centric energy that spills over into cultural pop-ups and neighborly collaborations.

A humble, family-run spot serving momos, thukpa, yak dishes, and hearty curries. Featured on Eater San Diego’s Carlsbad map and embraced by locals, it offers a flavorful window into Nepali and Himalayan cooking in the heart of the Village.

Chef Gaetano Cicciotti’s Village outpost delivers soulful pastas, wood‑fired pizzas, and old-world hospitality. A longtime local favorite, it’s highlighted by Visit Carlsbad and praised by diners for relaxed atmosphere and generous, classic Italian flavors.

A beach-adjacent stalwart dating to the 1970s, Norte remains a local gathering place for combo plates, margaritas, and family celebrations. Frequently cited by local guides and tourism sites, it’s as Carlsbad as a sunset stroll on the seawall.