Fresco Cocina

Mexican restaurant · Carlsbad

Fresco Cocina

Mexican restaurant · Carlsbad

2

2858 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

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Fresco Cocina by null
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Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
Fresco Cocina by null
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Highlights

Latin American cuisine, seafood, tacos, and cocktails  

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2858 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

frescococina.com
@fresco.cocina

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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2858 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

+1 442 333 9321
frescococina.com
@fresco.cocina

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Oct 1, 2025

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@eater

Fresco Cocina Brings Modern Latin Cuisine to Carlsbad Village - Eater San Diego

"The latest restaurant to land in coastal Carlsbad Village is a second project for Linda DiNitto, who owns the nearby 264 Fresco. Fresco Cocina explores her upbringing in Venezuela through a menu that includes Venezuelan dishes along with plates from Peru, Brazil, and Uruguay. The dinner menu includes the pabellón criollo, the national dish of Venezuela, interpreted here as braised short ribs paired with black beans, rice, and fried sweet plantains. There’s also the Peruvian classic, lomo saltado, along with prime skirt steak, grilled in the style of Brazilian churrasco, and an Uruguayan specialty called a chivito, a multi-meat and cheese sandwich often topped with a fried egg. Fresco Cocina also does a weekend brunch, with options like plantain pancakes, mole-spiced salmon hash, and a breakfast burrito with carne asada, eggs, and yuca fries. Its cocktails center mostly around rum drinks like the Sol y Arena with spiced rum, sweet vermouth, strawberry, lemon, and soda, but the list also includes refreshing pisco sours and caipirinhas infused with cucumber and black pepper." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2022/8/31/23330754/fresco-cocina-latin-american-restaurant-bar-new-opening-carlsbad-village
View Postcard for Fresco Cocina
@postcardnews

Modern Latin menu with strong Mexican throughlines—ceviches, tacos, and Veracruz-style seafood—opened by a longtime local restaurateur. Featured by The Coast News and noted for its lively bar program.

https://thecoastnews.com/fresco-cocina-carlsbads-modern-latin-cuisine/
Mexican Food in Carlsbad (2025)
View Postcard for Fresco Cocina

Ryan P. F.

Google
We really enjoyed the restaurant’s modern and fresh feel. The drinks were very excellent. The food very good and flavorful. The salsa was delicious as well. I had the fish tacos, they were tasty and crispy. The staff, service and the atmosphere were nice.

Maddie Haneline

Google
We went for mother’s day and was pleasantly surprised. The salsa served with the chips was DELICIOUS! I had the shrimp and carnitas tacos and they were great. My husband said the steak was okay but not great.. We had bottomless mimosas and the server never out let cups get empty.they were so friendly with our kid as well.

Amy Reed

Google
We had an amazing experience at Fresco Cocina! The food was absolutely delicious—authentic, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. From the fresh chips and salsa to the incredible entrees, every bite was fantastic. What really made our visit special was our server, Matt. He was attentive, friendly, and made great recommendations. His service was top-notch, and he truly went above and beyond to make sure we had a great meal. He was knowledgeable with gluten-free options. If you’re looking for great Mexican food with excellent service and plenty of gluten-free options, this is the place to go. Highly recommend, and we’ll definitely be back!

WAKANA PORRETTA

Google
Our server Matt was amazing!! He gave us perfect recommendations on their menu and everything we ordered was DELICIOUS!!!! He had great energy and was very attentive!! Thank you all :)

Kyle Kunnaragthai

Google
We’re from LA and we took a chance with this place and it did NOT disappoint. We were reeled in due to their happy hour offer which is from 3pm-6pm DAILY (OMG). The cocktails ($10 EACH) we got were insanely good. (1)Dos Amantes 10/10 teeny lovely spice kick (2)Casa Margarita skinny w/ blood orange 10/10 (3) Good Vibes 9/10 yummy and sour. For happy hour apps we got (1)Delicious warm house made chips and guacamoles. The real star though was the house made red salsa. It was so authentic and fresh. Guac was extremely creamy too. (2) half order aguachiles. Extremely limey and sour, which I LOVED. (3) short rib quesadilla was 12/10. Best short rib I’ve ever had and the quesadilla tortilla felt house made. It was so flakey and flavorful. The meat was addicting and not over cooked like some places do. I will be dreaming of this short rib. (4) my fiancé is a shrimp connoisseur and she absolutely demolished the shrimp tacos unfortunately we only got two and we regret not getting four And lastly our server Matt is a world class star. He is incredibly friendly and sincere. We would honestly come back just for him. We can’t wait to come back. Best Mexican food we’ve had in a long time. PS. We regret not ordering the octopus ceviche because it looked so mouth watering when it arrived to other tables.

Jaimie

Google
We hosted our goodbye brunch here the morning after our wedding, and we truly could not have asked for a better experience. Guests could not stop raving about the food — everything was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The chef went above and beyond in every way, and the entire spread exceeded our expectations. A special thank you to Nadia D’Almeida, their incredible coordinator, who made the planning process so seamless. She was such a pleasure to work with — communicative, thoughtful, and always one step ahead. She truly went the extra mile to make sure everything was perfect. They were also extremely accommodating of our guests with dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free options that everyone loved. It was the perfect sendoff to an unforgettable weekend.

Rob Nilles

Google
We came with our three kids for dinner and it was great. They had a full kids menu and each got their own choice. Our server, Matt, was fun and took great care of us. The food was delicious and the margaritas were even better. Will definitely return.

Yrish Cathe Arellano

Google
Spring break was not complete until we stamped it with a bang at Fresco on a Tuesday! Happy hour and tacos all day! The best part was the energy and service by our incredible server Matt! He came in and gave my 3 kids high fives and put in their cheeseburger and Shirley temple orders first and it came out so fast! His recs and service was one you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant. I love the vibe here, very San Diegan, very coastal and uber friendly. We’re definitely going to be regulars! It’s family friendly and also great for date night. Get the octopus and mango chile margarita are a must!

Kelly F.

Yelp
We stopped in from out of town and was blown away by the food. The service was equally outstanding, thank you Matt! Beautifully designed restaurant, an exceptional experience overall.
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Chad D.

Yelp
Anniversary dinner. Great service and the food was amazing. Pulpo Ala Brasa appetizer. We had the Roasted Chilean Seabass and Carne Asada for our entrées. And a few cocktails. The presentation was beautiful
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Tina N.

Yelp
The interior is nicely laid out and spacious with comfortable seating and is well decorated. The attention to detail in the art, greenery, and finishes went beyond the dining area and into the restrooms as well, which was a great touch. The service was great. Our waiter informed us of a longer wait, brought out chips and dip, and was super friendly and attentive throughout. The food was really tasty and portions were good, but I think the ratio of protein to the rest of the plate was lacking. My sopes plate had a heap of black beans at the bottom of each sope with a sprinkle of birria on top. There was a LOT of filler-- rice, beans, cabbage, compared to other restaurants similar to this... especially for the price of our plates. For three plates and one beer it was over $100.
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Eddie C.

Yelp
Food: 2 Cheese Enchiladas - choose red, green or suiza salsa, cilantro, lime crema, onion, rice and beans; 1 Fish Taco & 1 Cheese Enchilada - local fish, citrus slaw, avocado salsa, pineapple salsa Service: only 1 server for the whole restaurant at lunch time and only 3 tables with guests Design: interiors is beautiful, contemporary style with lt. grey concrete floors, white walls & ceilings with lots of greenery, hanging plant baskets, a lot of windows with natural lighting, light maple wood tables with light tan leather chairs; the bathroom has a cool, 1950s space vibe wall covering Overall: if you want good latin food in Carlsbad, then check out this place
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cindy s.

Yelp
Let's start with the positive feedback. Great location, cute decor. Great service from the manager to the waiter to the busboy. I am a local and live within a few blocks. I have been wanting to try this popular restaurant. The service was excellent. We ordered the tampiquena steak and sea bass and a Cadillac margarita. The meal was a disappointment. The steak was chewy. It came with a cheese enchilada. The enchilada was boring. The waiter raved about the Sea bass. It had very little flavor. It tasted like they pulled it out of a box of frozen fish before you add anything to it. Not super moist, or dry. It was blah. My margarita was delicious. However for $16.00 it was the smallest margarita i have ever had. Maybe 4 inches tall. The bill was $99.00 for two mediocre meals with one margarita. I will not be going back. I would not recommend this restaurant. The food was a dud.
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Mei T.

Yelp
I came here for brunch with a friend and we ordered the following to share: - Mole Spiced Salmon Hash - Aguachiles - Short ribs benedict These paired very nicely with margaritas! Beautiful ambiance, delicious food, and great service!
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Rhondi S.

Yelp
Bring back Koko Beach......PLEASE!! How can Yelp be wrong about a restaurant, oh let me count the ways! Another Mexican restaurant in North County, ok good reviews, let's go. Had reservations, we're seated next to the bar, just very bad acoustics, we couldn't even hear our conversations...we asked to be moved so we got seated outside- much better. Overpriced pseudo Mexican food, flavor meh, service...I think our waiter had too many tables or everything was just so slow from drinks, ordering of our food, etc. chicken Mole ok, shrimp fajitas/vegetables were steamed not grilled and no accoutrements like guacamole, salsa or sour cream, it was tasteless. Top it off 50% of us had stomach aches the next day.....will not go back. Let the tourists have this restaurant.
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Nelinda B.

Yelp
Fresco Cocina is an absolute gem! I was drawn to this place as soon as I saw it. The decor is outstanding, with every detail thoughtfully curated to create a chic and inviting atmosphere (as you can see in my photos). It's the kind of place where you walk in and immediately feel like you're in for an amazing experience. And it truly was an amazing experience. We ended up spending the entire day here--starting with a light breakfast elsewhere and transitioning into an afternoon of great food and drinks. We ordered two bottles of champagne (an amazing deal at 50% off!), and the boys kept the rounds of drinks flowing. Everything we tried was delicious, and the shared bites were perfect for snacking throughout the day. The service was also top-notch! Even though we stayed for at least five hours, we never felt rushed or like we'd overstayed our welcome. The staff was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Fresco Cocina is the perfect spot to relax, celebrate, or simply enjoy great food and drinks in a beautiful setting. Highly recommend!
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Jharvis L.

Yelp
On my way down to San Diego, I decided to stop by the beach in Carlsbad, take a walk, and have dinner. Fresco Cocina has one of the best rating in the area. The food here is amazing, fresh, and distinctly much more tasty. I decided to sit at the bar, so there was no wait. The staff was accommodating, provided suggestions for dinner, and made sure my visit was enjoyable. The ambiance here is awesome since it's a few minutes walk from the shore. The weather was cool, and the vibe was lively with all the foot traffic in the area. The only downside is that parking can be a bit challenging, but once you find a spot you're good to go. I'd definitely come back!
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Guadalupe H.

Yelp
Food was delicious, waitress Matt was nice he answered all our questions. Overall don't pass out on the churro desert 10/10 bomb.com.
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Kat N.

Yelp
Came in with reservations for early lunch. Good to come early because their parking lot is very small and you'd have to find meter parking. Server was nice and food was prepared and served quickly. Right next to the beach so it had a good view. Food tasted good but it was just average and not someplace I'd come back to. But that's my personal preference. Mole spiced salmon hash - all good ingredients. Wish there was more salmon Short rib Benedict - crunchy tortilla on the bottom quickly became soggy. Short rib was okay Ceviche was the least favorite. Not very tasty
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Randy S.

Yelp
Here's a cleaner version of your review: From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent. We were seated immediately and offered drinks as soon as we sat down. We arrived at what seemed to be opening time, so there weren't many other patrons, which likely contributed to the prompt service. The space is open, with plenty of seating and a bar. Being situated on a corner lot, it offers a nice view of pedestrians passing by. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience. However, I was disappointed to find that the Red Snapper dish, which is highly rated on Yelp, is no longer available. Not only has it NOT been removed from the menu, it's still listed on Yelp and the physical menu at the restaurant, which added to my disappointment. While I wouldn't mind going back, I wouldn't be in a hurry to return.
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Deanne H.

Yelp
10/10! Christy pork belly tacos were out of this world! Service was above and beyond. Ample space for all types of seating both outside and inside. Booths and chair style seating. Guava margaritas were delicious. Kids had the banana pancakes and they ate the entire plate. We will be back for sure the next time we are in town.
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Gregory A.

Yelp
Matt was the absolute best--extremely friendly and on top of things. This was our first time here but we felt at home immediately. Highly recommend all the food and drinks--spicy margarita was amazing. Will be back! If you come in--ask for Matt! Your experience won't be the same without him.
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Lauren S.

Yelp
We made a reservation for dinner for 7 adults and 5 kids on a Thursday night at 5:30pm. When we arrived we found parking in the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. (The parking lot is fairly small and narrow). The restaurant was relatively empty when we got there and we were sitting in the dining room away from the bar area - likely because we had so many kids with us. When we arrived they had high chairs for all the kids that needed them which was great. Our waiter was incredibly kind and helpful as we ordered a ton of different entrees and appetizers. I think maybe because it was a Thursday and earlier that's why it wasn't as busy so we had a lot of help while we were there. It is kid friendly, but there's not a lot of space for them to move around if needed. There is a really nice outdoor area but it's raised from the street so we had a few toys fall through the railing and into the parking lot. When we went to leave there was a delivery truck in the lot which made it almost impossible to back out and the delivery driver was anything but kind. I'd likely go back next time we are down there and wander around the area!
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Pranjali S.

Yelp
This is an upscale but beachy feel Mexican restaurant in Carlsbad. They have parking at the rear and usually there is enough street parking around to not have to drive around too much. We ordered the mole spiced salmon, the prime skirt steak and the picso sour. Everything was delicious, but the best part was that spicy yogurt sauce that the salmon was laid on. They were not stingy on the sauce and I was fashionably licking it off my plate by the end of the meal, lol! The pisco sour was nice but not as good as the one I've had at Q'ero in Encinitas. The server was good, friendly enough without being too overwhelming. All in all, this was a good evening out!
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Jason B.

Yelp
I'm not sure I can express in words just how good this place is but here goes...We had reservations for my beautiful brides birthday. From the minute we walked through the door we were treated like royalty. We were seated and almost immediately Matt, our server, came to greet us with a huge smile and waters. He did something one rarely sees when dining. Not only did he tell us his name but he asked us for ours and addressed us by said names the entire dinner service. We ordered margaritas and Ceviche Verde for an appetizer. Of course blue chips and an amazing salsa were brought to table. The ceviche verde is unique and wonderful at the same time. I must learn how to make it. For dinner we ordered Roasted Chilean Sea Bass and Brazilian Skirt Steak with shrimp which we shared (our own surf and turf). Both dishes were just amazing. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned to perfection. Matt then proceeded to bring us a birthday cake for my wife, which of course we shared. I never got a name but if I were to try and explain it I would say it was a spice cake with a fudge icing center. Again, absolutely delicious! Pro tip, I would suggest reservations if you are going at dinner. The couple ahead us did not have them and the wait would have been very long so they went elsewhere. Of course it was Friday at 7;00pm. If in Carlsbad I highly suggesting finding a way to get a table. You will not regret it!
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Margaret K.

Yelp
Fresco Cocina is wonderful! The ambiance is very charming. It makes for a great date place or any other reason. The prices are excellent with a good variety of food choices. The service is a 10. Our server Matt was the BEST server we have ever had! He was friendly, always aware of our needs. At all the right moments he was there for the drinks, appetizers, a funny comment and a smile. He checked on us without ever interrupting the flow of our conversations. We were never rushed. We were given amply time to enjoy our first cocktail and appetizers before our main course came out. Too many establishments push out the main meal before you have eaten half your appetizers which doesn't leave you time to enjoy the experience and have time to chat. The food was served hot and delicious! All 4 of us loved our meals. I'm a foodie and very picky about where I eat. We have eaten here 4 times and we have never been disappointed. I highly recommend Fresco Cocina!! You really have to try this place!!
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Maritza S.

Yelp
Found this place by chance and I'm so glad that we went in. The vibe of this place is relaxing and summery. The food was the high point of my day! The blue corn tortilla chips were some of the best chips I've ever had. I want to go back just for those! We used them to scoop up the shrimp aguachile and the side of salsa that accompanied them. The absolute star for me was the Whole Roasted Red Snapper Veracruz. The presentation is simple but the flavors are epic. The skin is nice and crispy while the fish is tender and juicy. I wasn't able to eat the whole meal by myself but I sure tried. The poblano cornbread was just ok, I would not recommend it. The service wasn't great but the food made up for it. I saw our server leave halfway through our meal and a bartender helped us pay when we were ready to go. I will definitely go back. FYI: They have free parking on site.
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Adelaid G.

Yelp
I've been to Fresco Cocina three times now for breakfast every time and it's been fantastic every time! I love that there's no wait and the service is fantastic. The salmon hash is a favorite - it's a generous portion, super flavorful, and always hits the spot. Their eggs Benedict are also delicious, perfectly cooked, and served with just the right amount of sauce. I'm looking forward to going back to try their lunch and dinner menus because, if breakfast is any indicator, I know I'm in for a treat! The staff is always welcoming and attentive, and the vibe of the place is perfect for a relaxed start to the day. Can't wait to explore more of what they have to offer - Fresco Cocina has definitely become my go-to breakfast spot in Carlsbad!
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Chris C.

Yelp
Fresco Cocina didn't quite land for me. The fish tacos were smaller than I'd hoped--not bad, but not what I pictured for the prices, which lean a bit steep. It's got a touristy edge, more style than punch. They've dressed it up nice--looks taco-lly sharp--but the food's just alright, nothing to write home about. Probably won't swing back; it's okay, just not my go-to.
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Dennis C.

Yelp
Dinner for 4 with our outstanding server Matt. We started with the Peruvian ceviche, which was plentiful, but didn't have enough lime juice to create a great leche de tigre. The tequenos were excellent and authentic. The whole Red Snapper Veracruz was very good, but could have been great with some crisp to the skin and spices. Good restaurant, but super noisy in the front. Dining much nicer in the rear room.
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Juan S.

Yelp
Amazing Find! Reminded me of one of my favorite Restaurants in Vegas! Food was so flavorful and well served! Dish after Dish! Basically tried everything on their menu because everything kept coming out better than the next. Tried the Kids Taquitos, Agua Chile, Queso Dip, Charred Octopus, Skirt Steak, Enchiladas Suizas, Chile Relleno, Shrimp and Beef Taco . And yes we got Dessert! All 3 of them. Service was on point and fast and food was always hot! Restaurant was really nice. Wish the upstairs was open but it was a Thursday night. Definitely coming back!
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Kristine T.

Yelp
Came here earlier today for lunch. SERVICE - Our waitress was friendly and came by often. We came when it was pretty quiet at the restaurant so we opted for outdoor seating. The weather was gorgeous so the patio area was nice. FOOD Queso - It looked pretty plain but it had a lot of flavor. Enjoyable! Guac - Love the freshness but it was on the bland side for me. I think it needs a little more oomph. Cocina Caesar - This is how one of my fave Caesars. It was so fresh. Lettuce was crispy. The grilled chicken was nicely marinated. The tortilla chips gave it the perfect crunch. The dressing was delicious. I would come back just for this alone. Burger - So much flavor. The meat was juicy and every bite had the sweet and savoriness. Yukon fries were different. Probably would have preferred regular ones. Chilaquiles - I usually love chilaquiles. Portion was huge but can't say it was the star of the show. We added steak and that was tasty but overall, flavor was mediocre. Great spot to hang, eat, and people watch. Would def come back!
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Emma S.

Yelp
Another great experience here! This time lunch with Spiced Salmon, Ceviche Verde, and Maduro. Perfect serving amount too
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Daphne L.

Yelp
We ordered the peruvian ceviche, short rib tacos, fish tacos (fried), Brazilian prime skirt steak, and the passion fruit creme brulee. The ceviche was SO SOUR I was wincing as I was eating it. The fish quality inside was pretty good but the sourness just turned me off from it. They gave us some chips and salsa for free after we ordered which was pretty nice. The short rib tacos were quite good but the fish tacos were pretty mid in my opinion. You can get the fish in the fish tacos fried or grilled. The Brazillian steak which I think was originally called the churracaso or something similar in the past... was decent? We ordered the steak to be medium but it was quite well cooked when we got it so it was a bit tougher than expected. Service was great and the waiter was quite friendly but there wasn't anything that stood out in particular to me.
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Vivian V.

Yelp
We've driven by this place many times and decided to give it a go on a Friday night with my brother and his gf as well. Ambiance was great. The inside is so cute and the outside looked great but a bit too cold for my California blood to sit outside for dinner yet. Our server was great, shaved head, enthusiastic and had great recommendations. I cannot remember his name. We started with some tasty cocktails, and then Peruvian ceviche and the short rib empanadas- which we added an empanada to make it 4 vs 3 for the table.both of these were great choices. For mains my husband decided on a cali burrito which I think was a mistake. Have those at a taco shop not at a fine dining place but alas he didn't love it and said it started weird compared to the cali burritos he loves. He did like the rice and beans with it. My brother got the Peruvian steak and loved it, his gf the sea bass which was a big hit and I got the red snapper. Show stopping fish served whole. We didn't have room for dessert but I'd love to come back for a taco Tuesday with some cocktails.
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Elisa G.

Yelp
Happy hour is the best at Fresco Cocina, in Carlsbad Village, and it is a very lively vibe with the sweetest hostesses ever. The drinks were amazing and so was the food! I can't wait to come back here next time I'm in Carlsbad! Taco Tuesdays are also great and worth driving down from OC! Their guacamole is almost as good as mine and I love the margaritas!! I totally forgot to take pictures of my happy hour meal so I will be back even sooner
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Ellie Q.

Yelp
Our newest favorite restaurant in Carlsbad area. The food is definitely a 5 star! Anne was our server and she was amazing. She was so friendly and helpful in describing the drinks and dishes to us. She gave us recommendations and boy were we happy!!! When the food came out, the gentleman running it out to us commented that he was impressed with our selections. He said we ordered all the best dishes. And once we tasted it, we totally agreed! We started with Guavmos! A delicious play on a Cosmo using guava juice. It was delicious! I highly recommend. We ordered Guacamole because hello, we're in Carlsbad having Latin food. It was great. The homemade blue corn tortilla chips were tdf! We also got the famous Octopus which was fabulous! I tried the Coconut Soup and I've been back for it again because it was SO delicious! OMGosh! My favorite soup ever. For the entrees we had, Chimichurri Steak, the Peruvian style steak, the whole fish, and the Rack of Lamb. Everything was so beautifully plated with flavor bomb after flavor bomb of added sides with each plate. I would need another chapter to describe all these dishes actually lol. So just trust me, it was a party in your mouth, great! We ended with coffee and Churro Cake. We were so stuffed that we could barely react to it, but it was tasty. Again, our sweet server was attentive the whole time and we really just couldn't wait to be back and tell our old neighbors about it since we used to live here. Like I said, we've been back to try some other things and we loved it all. The Aguachile is insane! Yucca Frita is a must especially if you're Cuban like me:) Tacos and burrito are delicious as well. See ya'll there!
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Mindy P.

Yelp
A fun experience at happy hour on a rainy Saturday! The restaurant was maybe 1/3 full at 4:00-5:00. We sat at the bar because another reviewer said the bartenders made the experience fun. Randy was our bartender and he didn't disappoint. Friendly, through the busy-ness of his job. He recommended El Oso cocktail, which was a perfectly balanced mezcal cocktail that another bartender told us was his creation. Homemade chips and salsa were free and delish. We ordered the guac, which was limey and very tasty. I usually feel like I need salsa with it for more flavor, but didn't feel that way. We also got the aguachile, which had a generous amount of butterflied shrimp for the price. Taquitos were our final choice. They were good, but we were both full by this point! I'm sorry I forgot to take photos of the food. Highly recommend visiting! (And sit at the bar) I took a photo of the menu because it was more extensive than the one on their website. Unfortunately the drink menu photo didn't turn out, but there are a lot more drinks on the happy hour menu, as well.
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Jon K.

Yelp
Very pleasant and bright environment . Great place with our dog. The service was good and quick. The taquitos were very good. My combo plate with a fish taco and enchilada was excellent. The mango salsa was tasty and spicy. My wife's avocado chipotle salad was ordinary. It's expensive but a good experience.
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Paula B.

Yelp
Giving them a 2 because of the Service it was excellent but food was not great for what it cost. The Quesobirra was terrible there was zero meat or cheese in it just the fried tortilla. Definitely do not order this item. The best part was the warm chips and dip. The carne asada plate was not good too the meat was to tough meat the knife would not cut it.
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Eileen Y.

Yelp
Wow! Matt was our server and he was amazing! We celebrated Valentine's Day early, and everything was as good as can be. They just changed their menu to Mexican style food, I had the Seabass, and my partner had the Quesabarria. We ate EVERY bite! We also happened to come on Wine Wednesday..bottles of wine or 50% off! Try to beat that! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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Travis T.

Yelp
Great team and environment. Had a 7:45 reservation and it's 8:50 and haven't been seated. Bummer.
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nicole k.

Yelp
Great Mexican Food. Loved the Good Vibes cocktail. Matt our waiter was so fun and attentive. Will be back!
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Nicole M.

Yelp
Been wanting to come here for a while for some Peruvian Fusion. We were surprised to hear the happy hour extended all day! They have a great selection of cocktails, beers and wine. They even have Pisco, for the Peruvians! The Peruvian ceviche is a bit different than the traditional--but in a good way! I've had Peruvian ceviche many times, even in Peru and this little twist on it is putting it in the top best ceviches I've had. The Pisco sours were amazing. And our server Matt--he was upbeat with good vibes and very informative on the menu. He definitely knows what's up! A good server really changes your experience Drove 35 minutes to get here and will definitely be back soon! They have great upcoming deals!
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Calley G.

Yelp
The hostess was great and tried to find us seats outside. The service inside(on the patio) was ok. It took a really long time to get margaritas, which tasted great but would've had more if we got the first one sooner. Started with chips, guacamole and homemade salsa which tasted great. Then we got the ceviche. It tasted ok, but smelled so fishy that I couldn't eat another bite. Maybe a one off and maybe bc we showed up close to closing. I was turned off bc of the smell and we decided to go somewhere else to eat dinner. Overall nice ambiance and decor and good drinks
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Alexa L.

Yelp
Went here on a date. Had to wait a bit but service was great. LOVED the birria enchiladas and walking around Carlsbad Village afterwards!
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Olga W.

Yelp
It was a breezy, warm evening in Carlsbad when we decided to explore some Latin cuisine at Fresco Cocina. We walked in on a Wednesday night and got a table without any wait. The service was exceptional; our server was friendly, attentive, and patient. I ordered the Coco Beach cocktail, which was not only beautifully presented but also delicious. For the appetizer, we had the Cocina Guacamole. It was solid, though it could have used a bit more spice. The highlight of the meal was my coconut soup--piping hot, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The Fish Tacos were pretty plain, and I had to ask for lime crema to add some flavor. However, the Peruvian Steak Fajitas were excellent and generously portioned. I also enjoyed a Chipotle Avocado Salad with added salmon, which was very tasty. My child had Chicken Tenders with incredibly delicious yuca fries. The restaurant is beautiful, breezy, and has a distinctly Californian vibe. I had a great time and would recommend it to anyone visiting Carlsbad.
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Adam M.

Yelp
Matt was our server for an early Valentine's Day dinner, and he provided outstanding service. I enjoyed the Quesabirria, while my date had the sea bass--both dishes were exceptional. The restaurant's transition to a Mexican-inspired menu was an excellent decision, making for an unforgettable dining experience. Plus, it was Wine Wednesday, so our bottle was half off, which made the evening even better!
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Linda L.

Yelp
Such a cute restaurant with wonderful food and service. The staff was amazing. My favorite dish was the ceviche. It was very fresh and had a lot or flavor.

Mia L.

Yelp
Tonight my family and I went in to celebrate my cousin's 22nd birthday. Though we had to wait for a table to clear when we had a reservation at 8 the service was otherwise ok. Luckily even though we were sat down rather late we weren't rushed through our meal and were still offered dessert. I ordered the aguachiles and the Baja shrimp tacos and would 100% recommend this to any seafood lover. A huge shoutout to our wonderful server Jason! He was very patient with us being that we were a bigger party and even sang happy birthday with us. I would 100% be back but in the future I would double check to make sure that my reservation was still in place.
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Jordan L.

Yelp
Reaaaaalllly good spot. We loved our waiter Matt - he seemed to be busy running the show for all the tables inside! Funny guy and added to the dinner experience. I tried the guava mocktail and it was good! I also had the salmon and it was sooo good. The cilantro sauce was really yummy. The other dishes we had were good too! My mom was surprised her red snapper came with the fish head but that was fine - just something to prepare yourself for. The chips and guac were good too, so was the queso. Would come back for sure!
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Trisha B.

Yelp
Exceptional service from beginning to end. Great menu with a variety of options. The food was fresh and so tasty. One block from the Ocean. They have their own parking lot which was an added bonus. We really enjoyed our meal!
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Juliana P.

Yelp
10/10 we love this place- we had Matt as our server and had too much fun. He told us Thursdays are 1/2 off margaritas and the food is amazing. I love the Sancho fries- they don't use seed oils.. what more could you want. My mocktail was good but we're coming here every Thursday when I'm not pregnant:)
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Britt R.

Yelp
The food was amazing. I personally loved the calamari. My friend got the short rib enchiladas and said they were great and I got the fish tacos. They give you the option to have it fried or not, but they didn't have that much flavor honestly. That is the only reason I'm not giving the restaurant 5 stars because they look better than they tasted. I will say the restaurant is beautiful and the service was top tier. They definitely catered to us and had our drinks out pretty quickly. I ordered a few of the guava mojitos and they were delicious. Definitely a must have drink. Their cocktails were amazing!
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Sandy A.

Yelp
Upscale Mexican with excellent ambiance. Loved the decor and vibe and the location is primo. It has the California vibe, casual but still unique and upscale like the food. Service was good, very attentive and finished dishes didn't sit on the table they were cleared off in a timely manner. We ordered the salmon and fajitas-both very good. They ask you how you like your salmon cooked, which you don't find often. Great flavor and not dried out - because they don't over cook it. The fajitas were excellent but know they are a little different than what you find elsewhere. I really enjoyed the flavor and sauce and the meat was very tender. We also ordered ceviche and that was excellent too. They offer other Latin dishes beyond Mexican and that makes this place interesting. I liked the variety on the menu and look forward to coming back to try more!
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Princesa L.

Yelp
Tried this place today but my best and her sister. I tried to look at the menu beforehand so I was prepared. The place is easy to find right by the coast and the parking was ample. There are at least 3 different places to park and when I arrived, the parking place I parked at was empty. I ordered the tropical vice without coconut, the poblano corn bread for an appetizer, and for my entree, I ordered the red snapper which was the whole fish., The snapper was really salty on the outside but I guess that was needed because the inside had no salt so it balanced out. It came with spicy red bell pepper, kale, tomato, and olive somethings something going on under it, which was a nice balance and it was tasty. I would order this dish again. My bestie ordered the El Lobo drink, tequeños, and tacos. For dessert, she ordered the tres leches with hibiscus and lime. She liked her food, especially the salsa that came with the tequeños. They were basically cheese sticks and it looked like it had an egg roll wrapper around it, but not sure. She was not fond of the tres leches and ordered the mango sorbet which was good. I actually liked the tres leches because it wasn't wet, but it's fine Her sister ordered the short rib enchiladas and a Shirley Temple. She liked her food, but ate very little and ordered the chocolate bread pudding to go. Our waiter was cool, his name was Jackson. He said he was the bartender as well. If you come during happy hour but do not sit at the bar, they do not serve you happy hour things. This was not told to us when we first walked in. The ambiance was nice. There is low lit lights that are yellow and they have real plants all around. The spacing (of tables) is nice and the tables are white so it has a nice little contrast with the walls. There's also seating outside which was proudly nice during summer. This place is nice.
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Kate M.

Yelp
My partner and I grabbed a quick bite at Fresco Cocina last Saturday. I do not think I have eaten a better elote in my life. It was creamy and spicy, which paired well with my shrimp taco. I was not impressed by mushroom taco though, however, I must say that aquachille is very generous and perfectly balanced. I loved selection of rum based drinks and would absolutely be back to try all of them!