264 Fresco

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.

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!

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.

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!! )

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.

My husband and I usually have a special date night whenever we take our yearly June trip to California. We decided to give the place a shot because the views and some reviews. In terms of service, I believe it's honestly just a hit or miss on who your server is, but Our server, I believe her name was Jen? She was amazing and we really enjoyed having her as our server. The view was very pretty and the atmosphere on the deck was very nice for our date. When it got a little too cold, we were able to move to the fireplace and it was very nice of them to allow us to move. I had the Short Rib pappardelle and it was so tasty, the portions are very good too.

Amazing place.. took my fiancé for date night and it was a great experience! Lucas gave us exceptional service definitely coming back.

Really sweet place for a 1st date or try something new to impress your girl. Date night type vibe. Service is accommodating with full bar and good wine choices. Fresh bread by order but homemade. Carbonara is always a hit. I had the sea bass it was a good size piece the only thing is i wish the fish wasn't so thick. I feel it was less tender because of the cut. Otherwise still an amazing beach vibe being able to feel the ocean breeze from your seat.

264 Fresco has the right environment. The space feels put together and the service team knows how to take care of guests. They were steady, responsive, and kept the experience smooth from start to finish. The issue wasn't the people or the atmosphere. It was the food. We started with the brussel sprouts. They came out overly oily and lacked any depth. There was nothing memorable about them, and we asked for lemon aioli just to add some life to the plate. The entrees were better, but still not at the level we expected for the price. I had the pappardelle short rib. The flavor was solid, but the pasta was overcooked and lost the texture that makes pappardelle work. My husband ordered the spicy diavolo pizza. He said it was fine, but not something he would go back for. Overall, the experience was good enough because the staff carried the visit, but the food needs more attention. For the cost, we were hoping for dishes with more intention and better execution.

Beautiful restaurant. Great service. Mediocre food. - Margarita pizza: 2. Honestly the worst I've had at an Italian restaurant - lasagna: 3.5. could have been a 4 if it came with sauce - short rib w/ polenta 3.5: very generous portion of meat but it was overcooked (a bit drier/harder than it should have been). Polenta was delicious but there was only 2 tablespoons of it. Recommend they serve 2-3x more polenta

I have been wanting to try this I place out. This was a treat since I just finished going through a detox. We came here on a Saturday evening since we had family in town. We were seated outside. There seemed to be various seating areas - between the patio, inside, back patio, upper deck, etc.. The patio worked since it was lovely out. Our table ordered Rigatoni alla Vodka w/shrimp, Ricotta Gnocchi, (a dish I didn't get a chance to take a photo of of someone else's), and spaghetti with butter sauce and shrimp (for a child). We all loved our pastas (minus the kid who wanted the buttered pasta and shrimp but changed her mind since it wasn't Kraft Mac n Cheese). I had the Rigatoni alla Vodka with shrimp. The pasta was a perfect al dente for me, as well as the shrimp and sauce being tasty. Our wait person did a great job accommodating us and the food. All in all, we would definitely come back to try out other items on the menu. It's a great place to go when the weather is nice out too since they have quite a bit of outdoor seating. Parking: street parking, although I do believe they have valet.

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!

Got seated right away for Happy Hour on a Wednesday. The waiter was very attentive the entire time which was great! The prices for happy hour were fair. My friend and I shared the meatballs and some bread and butter. The bread was delicious and fluffy. I think the butter was whipped so it was like cream. Overall amazing! The meatballs were good too. Moist but not wet. Definitely a classic dish done well! It wasn't too busy for happy hour which was nice but definitely started to get busy closer to dinner time! Pleasant happy hour spot.

Wow! My husband, son, and I visited this place on a random Tuesday to celebrate a late anniversary. It was quite lively with families, coworkers, and friends having food and drinks. They have quite a wine menu and a full bar, i was more impressed by the food! We ended up ordering way too much but it was delicious. Our server was a nice Italian man who was extremely attentive and mindful of checking in on us. We had the calamari, smash burger, pizza and drinks, i have to say this was extremely enjoyable and there was quality and quantity in each dish. The prices are fair for such a nice place by the beach. Parking can be tricky but it's worth coming here once! Will be returning in the future

My first time having Cioppino! it would have been fun if it had muscles in it, but it did not disappoint! The flavors were so unique and the fish pieces were so creamy! Our server Michel was very kind We loved the atmosphere, it made for a perfect bachelorette dinner out! The bride had a Tropical Margarita, but it tasted more like a cocktail... if you like tequila than it could be for you.

We chose Frescos in Carlsbad to celebrate our engagement and our baby's gender reveal two incredibly special moments for our family. We've had wonderful dates here before, which is the only reason we trusted this restaurant with such an important day. Unfortunately, the service we received completely changed our perspective on this place My fiancé made a reservation for 11:30 AM, just an hour after they opened. The restaurant was practically empty, so we expected attentive and kind service. Instead, our server's behavior was shocking. It was obvious we were celebrating something meaningful, yet she approached us with a rude, dismissive tone from the start. She repeatedly rushed us to order even though our entire party of 16 hadn't arrived yet. She cut multiple people off mid-sentence and "corrected" anyone who mispronounced something not in a helpful way, but in a way that made guests feel stupid. Once we finally ordered, she barely checked on us. We had to flag her down every time we needed a drink refill or anything at all. The worst part was when it came time to pay. We completely understood that separate checks weren't possible for a large party, I've worked in the service industry myself. We simply asked if two cards could be used on one check split evenly 50/50. Before we could even finish speaking, she cut us off again with a rude, "I can't split a tab for this big of a party." Her tone was so disrespectful that I had to genuinely bite my tongue just to keep from letting her ruin our day. This was supposed to be a joyful celebration, and instead we walked away disappointed, frustrated, and honestly shocked by how unprofessional and discourteous the service was. It takes only one person to change an entire experience, and unfortunately, that's exactly what happened here. I hope management addresses this level of customer service, because no one celebrating something important should ever be made to feel the way we did today

We walked in an hour before closing and were seated right away. Service time all around was not lagged one bit. Friendly staff, as well. Food: *Focaccia - I'm not too familiar with focaccia but the one we had seemed undercooked, is that how it should be? I wasn't a fan of it. *Eggplant Parmigiana- this was good, very flavorful. *Spaghetti with meatballs - very filling and tasty! It's a pretty spacious restaurant. Plenty of seating for couples and bigger parties.

Street or lot/valet parking only. Reservations are accepted or you can try self seating upstairs. Perfect for groups. Came here for a catch up dinner with friends and sat upstairs. Our server was horrible, we were constantly calling him over because he wasn't checking on our table or we had to keep reminding him of things we needed because he kept forgetting! We were able to excuse that it was getting busy, but we noticed several times other servers tending just fine to their tables or sometimes we saw our server helping other tables, just not us -__- The food and drinks were amazing! Thoroughly enjoyed our calamari and truffle fries while drinking our mezcalitas! Loved that all the pasta was made in house and it showed. So delicious! Dessert wasn't that great, the panna cotta was too firm and a slight chew to it, I would never get it again. Overall, love the ambiance, view, and food/drinks, but I would definitely make sure to get a new server. Our server really brought down the score for our whole party.

264 Fresco is a great spot to hang out, drink, and eat. The staff was great, they sat us quickly, and the food came out within a reasonable time. I saw another table ordered the crispy artichokes and I had to try them. Overall the pizza was delicious, the salad was great, and you have to order those artichokes, but I was not a fan of their pasta. Both pastas we ordered barely had any flavor. For a $170 bill, I expected better pasta. Overall we had an excellent time dining here. I'll be back for some more pizza and cocktails. Cheers!

Seriously cannot say enough good things about this spot - it's the absolute perfect restaurant. From the beach view rooftop, the amazing italian dishes, and extraordinary service, this is a must go in SD. As an Italian and someone who frequents Little Italy, i've deemed this Rigatoni Vodka the best i've had in the city. That combined with the crispy brussels and insanely delicious focaccia makes for a death row meal. Our waitress (i think her name was Sophia) was absolutely incredible and so attentive despite the busy crowds.

264 Fresco is a wonderful Italian spot in Carlsbad. The food is delicious, the drinks are great, and the whole experience never disappoints. The pesto gnocchi is incredible, arguably some of the freshest pesto I've had. The lasagna is rich and hearty, and the scallop risotto is perfectly done with tender, flavorful scallops. The margherita pizza is another favorite with its crispy crust and great flavor. The staff are always friendly and attentive and we've surprisingly never waited long for a table. The rooftop is a GEM as well. It's the perfect place for a sunny beachside drink. It's 21+, so it has a relaxed, adult vibe that fits the setting.

Stopped in for a little food before hitting the road after an epic wedding weekend. Started with a much needed Bloody Mary and it hit just right! Started with calamari which was excellent! Ordered the short rib hash with eggs and it was delicious! Our group of 5 all enjoyed their food immensely- salads, spaghetti bolognese meatballs, and short rib pasta. Service was quick and attentive. Waitress brought out some complimentary cannolis for my daughter's bday. Great spot with ocean breeze to keep it cool. will be back next time in town!

Excellent short rib- very nice ambiance and pretty good wine list especially some higher end bottles - service wasn't the greatest but the food made up for it -

We've been coming here for years and it is always a great experience. The service and food were delicious as usual. I highly recommend!

My favorite Italian place to take people visiting. A block to the beach, free street parking. They also have a valet but I never have to walk more than a block. This is a big place with 3 seating options- inside, on an Astro turf patio (was put up during Covid) or up on the rooftop. Food is fantastic. They pipe ricotta around a lot of the plates as a finish and it's yummy! From braised beef to a hearty watermelon salad, I have loved everything!

My friends and I were quite pleased with the service and food here. To top it off, the decor, inside and out, was so beautiful. Whoever designed the place had really great and exquisite taste. They have outdoor roof top as well as outdoor in the first floor. We really wanted to sit on the roof top but a large party had reserved the spot an hour after our arrival. Devin was our server and he was super cool and attentive. Very easy to talk to and welcoming. You could tell he loves what he does. We really appreciated his above-and-beyond service. I ordered the smash wagyu burger and it was the juiciest most flavorful burger I've had in such a long time. The smash patties paired with the pork belly and the sauce was a match made in heaven. My tongue was salivating for bite after bite. I'm glad we chose this spot for lunch. Definitely a cute area as well if you're visiting the beach.

One of the best restaurants we ate at this weekend. The food was just phenomenal and had so much flavor. Get the meatballs probably one of the best I have had. The bruschetta was also super delicious. My son got the Happy hour pizza and it was amazing. The start of the show was the piccata seabass and fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp (basic but so amazing) We live in Los Angeles are we totally take the drive back up here. The service was great & very nice inside.

Our go-to restaurant every time we're in Carlsbad! Good Italian restaurant to bring the kids too! Lots of pizza & pasta choices to choose from. Truffle fries are super delish & a must if you dine here! They have $8 valet parking right next door to the left of the restaurant. Great service & a cute little cozy ambiance! :)

Perfect place to gather for great Italian cuisine. In the heart of Downtown Carlsbad.... Lasagna, Ravioli, Short Ribs Pasta. All amazing.

3.5 stars Indoor and outdoor seating available. We were seated outdoors (tented) and enjoyed the ocean air (only a block away). Service was friendly and attentive throughout our stay. Crispy Brussels Sprouts ($15): Served in a small cast iron skillet with pancetta, agrodolce sauce (slightly sour/sweet sauce), and topped with cheese. Good portion size for sharing though the sauce did make the bottom brussels sprouts quite soggy by the time you got to it. Short Rib Pappardelle ($27): Thickly cut noodles served in beef jus, mushrooms and cheese. Short rib was tender and portion was good, but the dish was overly salty with every bite. Overall, food was subpar but I did enjoy the ambiance and for a restaurant so close to the beach, pricing was considerably fair. We were able to find street parking without any issues around 5:30pm but it does seem a bit more challenging during prime peak hours.

The restaurant was easy to find. I was very pleased to see that they have their own private lot. I came around lunch time on a beautiful day so I met up with my friend & we ate outside on the deck. The servers are nice, gave good recommendations, & were attentive. DRINKS La Vita Bella- My girlfriend ordered this & she liked it. It was a tequila & pineapple cocktail mix giving a refreshing taste Hibiscus Mezcalita-I loved this. I almost got the same drink as my girlfriend, but the server told me it was one of the more popular drinks so I got this one instead. It did not disappoint! FOOD Truffle Parmesan Fries- This was pretty good. I give it a 4 out of 5. It was like any other truffle fries, not exceptionally impressive, but not bad. My daughter liked it too. Chicken Caesar Salad- My girlfriend enjoyed this. The greens were super crisp, fresh, & the chicken was cooked well. Short Rib Pasta- This was amazing, 5/5. I asked the server which pasta was most popular & she said this one. I was worried that the short rib would be a little heavy, but it wasn't. It was flavorful & pasta was served al dente. I can't wait to come back & order this dish again!

Solo date with my dog. Dined Al fresco. Got lucky with street parking. Conveniently located near the beach. I ordered the short rib pappardelle dish which tasted like a beef mushroom stroganoff with noodles. I read previous reviews about this dish being salty so I had requested to have the cheese on the side and make it less salty. It wasn't too bad, just underwhelming for its price tag. Service was quite disappointing. The hostess pointed to where I was going to sit, rather than actually walk me to the table, not far away from where she was posted. There wasn't a line behind me and I had to confirm that I was going to the right table. I had to request one of the customers to move for me as I would've bumped by the stairs. My server was nice but I had to raise my hand for attention to request chili flakes. He really didn't check up on me until the end; wasn't sure if he was on break. I skipped dessert. Not sure if I plan to give this place another chance.

My friend and I found this cute spot while on a little staycation in Carlsbad! There's so much seating both indoor and outdoor. The rooftop area is super cute and has great views! Plenty of parking on the street and in the lot. We were seated right away, service was great, and food was delicious!!!! Definitely recommend if you're in the area. Food review: Pinot Grigio: (2/5) I wasn't a fan of it. I can't put my finger on it. Wouldn't order again. Lychee cocktail: (3/5) Drink was very lemon forward and the lychee flavor was very subtle. Rosemary Focaccia: (5/5) OMG this was soo delicious with the whipped butter. Lasagna: (5/5) This was a huge slice and super tasty! There was a little savory/sweetness to it. I loved it. Definitely recommend. Pepperoni pizza: (4/5) The crust was a little too hard and burnt in my opinion. Overall, the pepperonis were delicious and the hot honey was a nice touch! Shareable but also can be personal pizza too depending how hungry!

Tonight, four of us visited 264 Fresco. I had been to this restaurant 10 years ago, when it was new and called Fresco. We started off with a beautiful bottle of wine, followed by delicious focaccia. Next was Crispy Artichokes, and they were so good. For our entrees, both of us split the Sea Bass Piccata. I, telling you that this was so light, but so flavorful. I need to mention our server, McKenzie, who was amazing. She was always willing to wait for us to make a decision, and never was impatient. We at above on "The Deck" which gives you a view of the ocean. We were there 3 1/2 hours, and loved every minute of it. Please, please do yourselves a favor, and visit this amazing restaurant.

Nice restaurant on the fancier side in terms of atmosphere and decoration. Service was great and really friendly and they gave us a free dessert with a candle for my friend's birthday. Food was kind of average though Calamari: 3/5. Definitely too salty and had to eat it with the sauce to balance out the saltiness Spaghetti pomodoro: Grilled shrimp was really good but the portion overall was kind of small for the price and the pasta was undercooked I don't have photos but we also ordered two pizzas and I thought they were too doughy and the crust took up like 1/3 of the pizza so there wasn't that much sauce or toppings

2 words; Chicken Parm! I mean, this thing is big, hearty and delicious so I highly recommend it! Also, the location is awesome and they have a rooftop deck with attentive bartenders and a bit of an ocean view. This restaurant is one of a kind in carlsbad village.

The place is charming, with outside/inside options - great for Carlsbad. The wait staff was outstanding. We were warmly welcomed and, when we asked about menu items, they were described so beautifully that we just had to order them. My personal favorite was the Crispy Artichokes appetizer (it really lived up to our server's description). The pasta was also as described, with a VERY generous portion. We'll be back.

The good: this place is super cute, the rooftop is perfect in good weather, and the heaters all worked. It's a great date spot with varied seating and young cute waiters. Seriously, every server was attractive. It gave us a good chuckle throughout dinner. The best things we ate were the roasted artichokes, short rib pappardelle, and the pear cheesecake dessert. The bad: of course parking is a challenge, it comes with the beach location. The Caprese salad was almost flavorless and the Mozzarella was hard. My friend said her Filet Mignon was just ok, and she wouldn't get it next time. All our cups ran empty multiple times. We ran out of water and cocktails, and we would have ordered more had they been more attentive. Once desert was delivered the mostly disappeared on us and it was difficult to get the check. The over all: I know I'll be back for the views, but probably only when we have out of town guests. Maybe leave a caraf of water at the table so we don't run out, and please don't let the cocktails run dry.

I wish I could say that I liked 264 Fresco more. The ambiance was definitely warm and inviting, and I don't have enough compliments for the service we received. Unfortunately, the food, on the other hand, was not as impressive. (P.S. Parking is a challenge, especially when it's peak hours.) FOOD: Calamari (3/5) - Nice crispy batter, but shockingly salty. Comes with a lemon, so make sure to squeeze it to balance out the salt. Spaghetti Pomodoro (3/5) - The sauce was nicely seasoned and flavorful. We got it with the grilled shrimp which was super delicious. Minus two points only because the pasta noodles were on the harder, crunchy side. Spinach Artichoke Pizza (2/5) - I personally love artichoke on pizza, so that was enjoyable. I do wish there was more sauce or just something to make it less dry. It didn't help that it was mostly crust. (Dipping crust into pasta sauces was nice though.) Affumicata Pizza (2.5/5) - Also as dry and crust heavy as the spinach and artichoke pizza. Ranks slightly higher for more depth to the toppings. SERVICE: (5/5) My friends and I experienced an amazing service here, despite it being such a busy night. Our waiter was super attentive, always checking up on us and keeping our waters refilled. Since it was a friend's birthday, they brought out a complimentary dessert and sang happy birthday. The free dessert was the best thing we tried that night. TLDR// The food was unfortunately disappointing, but I am hoping it just happened to be an unusually off day. The service and vibes were phenomenal, and I might come back just for that. Maybe try a drink next time.

Gnocchi was so good, I added shrimp. Server was nice, I have a lot of allergies and she was accommodating. Espresso martini was AMAZING. We sat on the rooftop and it was pretty!

Came here after a full day at LEGOLAND. Our party consisted of 4 adults and 7 kids, so it was a rather large party and we didn't have any reservations. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. The inside of the restaurant is very nice, and there is also an outdoor seating area. Not as fancy, but definitely perfect for a large party with lots of kids! I ordered the short rib pappardelle & it was out of this world. So good.... I didn't eat it all and when the server asked if we wanted to box it up my husband said no!! I quickly corrected him and took the leftovers. Now it's usually a 50/50 chance I'll actually eat any leftovers I take home from a restaurant but you can rest assured I ate every single bite. The kids had spaghetti and meatball, which they happily ate. My husband had the Wagyu smash burger which he said was one of the best burgers he's had. (High compliments from a super picky eater.) Our server was very friendly and personable. She didn't even blink at having to serve such a large party with a lot of kids. We also had a couple of special requests with food and it was taken care of with ease. Bottom line: great ambiance, great service, and great food.

Super disappointed and a horrible way to start our trip! My family and I came to Carlsbad for a staycation and they always value my opinion in restaurant choices due to my Elite status. I researched this place and even got a recommendation from my Yelp friend who lives in the area to try 264 Fresco. So I had booked a reservation for us the girl I spoke to on the phone was kind and was thankfully was able to accommodate our party of 8. Anyhow we arrived and we all were super excited and hungry to try their food. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations from the moment we walked in and from the time we left I couldn't say we had the best experience. Our server first off wasn't very friendly I felt like he could care less he knew he was going to get his 20 percent automatically gratuity so he just gave us whatever service. This is my personal opinion. It took forever to get our food and the items completely came out of order. I understand that we had ordered things at separate times but I don't understand why an entree comes out prior to the appetizer. Not to mention my son asked for chicken on his alfredo pasta but sadly he didn't get any chicken. Than we ordered a pizza with light cheese and we got no cheese. In addition, the bruschetta was an oily mess the foccacia was drenched in oil and not enjoyable at all was hoping for a crisp but didn't get that my fingers were drenched and had to use multiple napkins. We also ordered regular foccacia and that tasted fine and had the nice crisp. I also ordered the beet salad and it had more beets than arugula and I was just eating beets it was super overwhelming and not my favorite. See my pictures. All in all very average food and not that great service even the hostess didn't even greet us nor say anything to us when we left. Also, I noticed there was a manager in a suit walking around he asked one lady dining alone if everything was okay but never once came around to check how we were doing. For the price we paid for the food it wasn't worth it. Not sure if we would return again. It left a bad impression and sadly it made me look bad for recommending it. I do hope the team at 264 Fresco can work on improving consistency in both service and food preparation.

I was really in the mood for pasta and I remembered this gem! The hostess Allison greeted me graciously with a smile and had great energy!My server Julianna was so sweet and helped me pick the Short Rib Pappardelle , which really hit the spot! Love this place 10/10 all around. My first time on the rooftop too was amazing !

Outstanding. Food was the best we've had dining out in a long time. Highly recommend the sea bass piccata. Excellent cut of sea bass, prepared to excellent standard. Amazing flavors. The sauce had a very light tang that accompanied the capers perfectly. Even the potatoes accompanying the bass were extraordinary- roasted then flash fried. Holy cow they were great in this dish. The pepperoni pizza was ordered with many personal requests: light on sauce and cheese, and burn it. It was presented and it was again, perfect. It was exactly as requested: crunchy base, wonderful hot honey added the right zing to the pepperoni. We sat at the bar, Blake served us with excellence. The old fashioned was perfect too. Well presented restaurant. Very happy/highly recommend.

To be honest the service is a 5/5 as is the view/vibes. The food was hit and miss. Some things slapped but some were kinda disappointing. We went for brunch and our favorites were the French toast and the focaccia. The burger and the gnocchi were meh. Parking can be a pain as it's downtown Carlsbad but that's normal. All in all come by for beautiful views or for a date!

Great venue on the upstairs patio for a relaxing lunch. We met friends and pleasantly greeted. We had some wine and great entrees. We stared with some crispy Brussels sprouts, very tasty. Our fiends each had a salmon sandwich. I had a farro salad with salmon and my wife had the beet salad with chicken. The farro salad had generous portions of spinach and arugula. The beet salad was loaded with beets and chicken. The food was excellent and we were able to sit and talk for 2-1/2 hours. They were very gracious and accommodating. We'll be back.

Great service. Good food, not really a fan of the Cesar salad or pizza. The papardelle is my favorite. The rooftop is fun and has a great sunset view.

I have been visiting 264 fresco for a while now! The food never disappoints and they add new things every once in a while. Service is excellent very welcoming and fairly quick even when busy. The restaurant is really nice has a great vibe with a roof top deck and patio seating.

A very cool but yet relaxed location. They do a great job of being classy without being pretentious. The service each time we have been there is outstanding especially upstairs where we have had the pleasure of meeting Kylie who is an absolute joy. The food is creative and tasty and the drinks are always perfect.

Restaurant 264 has a nice ambiance and friendly service. The chicken dish came in a large portion, but it was a bit thick and overcooked, and the pasta was slightly undercooked overall a little underwhelming. The pizza was really good though great sauce and bread and the ravioli was a bit salty but still tasty.

Over priced for what you order. Service was marginal at best. Drinks were good when you could get them. Understand, the location is the main draw. But, back it with good food and deliver things on time.

Nestled in Carlsbad Village and walking distance from the beach, this casual, open-air vibe of a place is inviting. Restaurant comes with a rooftop bar and tented accommodations for dining. Parking was indeed challenging! Went during Memorial Day weekend. Expect crowds! Food was mediocre, a hit or miss. We ordered the Crispy Calamari, Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Short Rib Pappardelle, Spinach Artichoke Pizza and Watermelon Salad for a party of 4. Surprisingly, the pasta Alfredo was good, but my daughter's order, the watermelon salad was the star of the dish for me CRISPY CALAMARI (5/5)- crispy good with a splash of lemon; lightly breaded, a favorite of mine! SHRIMP FETTUCCINE ALFREDO (4/5)- garnished with fresh parsley, it was rich & creamy. Loaded with too much cheese! The first few bites were great but after a while, one felt heavy and bloated after a meal. SHORT RIB PAPPARDELLE (2.5/5)- wide noodles cooked Al dente, short rib was good but overall, salty for my taste. SPINACH ARTICHOKE PIZZA (3/5) - good, average slice; however, the pizza could use more sauce on the crust. I mean who likes a dry crust? Certainly not me. WATERMELON SALAD W/ SHRIMP (5/5) - with arugula, cucumber, tomato, pistachio, watermelon & mint vinaigrette, salad was light & refreshing. Packed with flavor, the mint vinaigrette combined with herbs, & watermelon was a winning combination. I enjoyed this dish the most! Overall Score 3.5

So husband & I went after Good Friday service with our daughter. At first I was excited to try it finally because we always saw it when we walk around Carlsbad but just never really had the time or money to try it out. Anyway, when we got there, we were asked if we would like a seat inside or outside under the covered tent. Because it started to get a bit windy & chilly, we asked for a table inside & were told it would be about 10 minutes. No problem. But then , several other families with groups between 3-4 people came in after us, were asked the same question. Almost all said inside as well and were seated immediately. Now at first I didn't think twice I thought maybe they made a reservation, but then after a few more families came in with three, and were asked the same question, they then were out on the same wait list we were. So I started to get irritated because then, those families were still seated before us. Then a host came by and asked our name, & I told him we had been waiting for 30 minutes now when we were told 10 & we saw about 10 families go ahead of us for tables inside. Then he just said yah well you're next. Then he grabbed menus & seated us OUTSIDE! & not even under their heated tent. Like what? My daughter was freezing & I asked the other hostess if there was a a table inside like we asked for & she said no. Then, my husband asked if they could at least turn on the hanging heater higher since we were under the tent either then she said sure... but they never did. Now for the food. It was very subpar. First, all the stuff on their menu on YELP is not what they had there. They had lobster options & when we got there, all the lobster was changed to shrimp with the same price tag still. The portions were small & my shrimp Alfredo which cost $8 more to add 3 shrimp... was the same size as my daughter's spaghetti. The kids menu option. Then my husband got the pizza which was burned on bottom. I know it says wood fire ovens, but that doesn't mean I want to eat & taste the burned wood chips on the bottom of the pizza. Definitely not worth the money. I think the only think that makes this place desirable is the fact they had an adults only section on the roof. That's it.

From the outside, this place invites you in. Happily situated in Carlsbad Village with great views, 264 Fresco has made excellent use of their space - so many options for group gatherings of any size. They've got the green room, a flexible private dining room; the rooftop deck with a coastal living feel; and the open-side tent where they've achieved a great greenhouse vibe. I placed a to-go order for a luncheon I was hosting nearby for 15 guests. I had faith that their food was going to be great, so I had patience with the cumbersome process of placing the order. Their Toast menu didn't match their in-restaurant menu, and I ran into some glitches. I didn't receive an email response for 48 hours and when I called, I was unable to speak to a manager for over 30 minutes. Ultimately, the manager took my order by phone and placed it for me. I arrived a few minutes before my order was scheduled for pick-up and had to wait an additional 15-min for the kitchen to finish preparing and packaging it - the lunch rush had not started yet so there seemed no excuse for the delay. The food was delicious. Chef-driven, fresh ingredients, and perfect portions. We had a bunch of their salads with chicken and I was pleased to find the chicken cooked beautifully, very moist (terrible word yes, but super important for the bird that tends to fly toward rubbery!). While I was waiting, I had a chance to check out their section in San Diego Cooks: Recipes from the Region's Favorite Eateries, Bakeries, and Bars by Ligaya Malones. This restaurant knows its food. But it's got some kinks in service. I would eat in-restaurant anytime I'm in town and want a delicious meal in a beautiful space. I might consider an event but it would depend on my interaction with their events manager. I would not order to-go again, nor trust them for catering.

Stopped in for a few drinks on the rooftop, and it was a beautiful day! Drinks were delicious and refreshing, I got the lychee verde. The wait staff was friendly and attentive - I will definitely stop by the next time I'm in Carlsbad.

I should start by saying that on top of the amazing food, what really blew my family away was the service by Galen. The amount of attention and care he gave, suggesting drinks just off me saying I want something fruity, to giving us discounts because it was my birthday. Just wow, thank you so much Galen for treating us so well. Food was amazing. I love the portions, and I was surprised at how fairly priced the menu was. My pappardelle was excellent, it was savory and a bit zesty, the short rib was perfectly cooked. I also got to try the steak and eggs and wow, the breakfast/brunch menu is excellent. Steak was so tender and cooked perfectly. Parking can be tough as in most beachside areas, though they offer valet. Highly recommend this place for special occasions!