Jay's Gourmet Seafood & Pizza

We had an outstanding meal at Jay’s Gourmet Seafood & Pizza tonight! Our server Shelly provided excellent service and helped guide us through the menu. The pizza was perfection crispy crust with just the right amount of cheese. We also ordered the veal parm and veal limoncello, both of which were delicious. The Caesar salad stood out with its fresh, natural tasting dressing (none of that overly processed flavor). The minestrone soup was a classic, comforting bowl done right. Portions are very generous, come hungry! Between the quality of the food, the friendly service from Shelly, and the welcoming atmosphere, this is definitely a spot we’ll be returning to. Highly recommend!

DING DONG we have a 5 Star Champion. If I were to give out a 10/10 I’d give it to Jay’s. We came in on a slow night, got seated immediately. The house wine (Chianti) was excellent. The chiopino Was better than most. Lasagne…outstanding. Tiramisu fantastic!! If you’re thinking about stopping there, stop thinking GO

It has been a long time since I’ve been to Jay’s, but it was a wonderful dining experience. My husband and I were in the village and we had our dog with us so we were looking at dog-friendly restaurants on Google, and Jay’s popped up as an option. We sat outside in a half booth which offered very comfortable heated cushion seats, and there was also a heat lamp above us. The food was amazing. We ordered a mixed seafood pasta with gluten-free pasta and it was portioned large and the flavors were great. We also ordered some gluten-free bread which was a delicious garlic flatbread. That was the perfect compliment to our seafood dish to dip the bread into the sauce. Service staff were warm and friendly and helpful.

Located just around the corner from the ocean, this spot offers a casual Italian experience with a beach vibe. It's known for its solid, high-quality food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The great service, especially from exceptional staff like Brandy, makes for a memorable dining experience. As for parking, a small, limited free lot is available. Otherwise, you can use the valet service or look for street parking nearby.

I’m not sure you can go wrong at this place. A casual feel but upscale food. Great service, nice atmosphere and a cool location. I had the linguini with calamari and spicy sauce and a bowl of clam chowder. Best chowder I’ve had in a long time. The calamari was great and the arrabbiata sauce was amazing. I’ll go back here anytime I’m near Carlsbad.

Overall great food! Had the option of sitting inside or outside which is nice for a beach town. Portion size for a small pizza was like a Large. My girl enjoyed the mussels and breadsticks. A must try if nearby!

I just had to leave a review because I got the most delicious, tender, rare steak I have ever eaten from their surf & turf special. I was so surprised at how perfectly cooked it was, the seafood pasta and lobster elevated it perfectly. The atmosphere here is so cozy, staff are incredibly kind and everything was just such superb quality. I will be returning with friends/family soon!

When traveling do you seek local flavor? If you want to eat where the locals eat at a place that cares more about the food and rich experience than trying to impress with over the top decor - look no further. I saw the blue awning and I hesitated. But so glad we went. The garlic bread came out steaming hot and delicious. The right amount of butter and garlic to set the meal in motion. Everything we ordered was terrific and watching the calzones, the pizzas and assorted pasta dishes flow out was mesmerizing. Hard to figure out what to order because they have everything you crave Italian and lots of seafood options to satisfy. Everyone from the couple of hostesses who were both wonderful and our waitress were a delight. We loved our food and could see everyone else felt the same around us at the restaurant. I wasn’t surprised to see a good sized line forming at the 7pm hour as a nice crowd was forming. Thankfully we ate early which is what I would recommend.

stumbled across here. not expecting much. everything was over the top impressive from the waitstaff, to the food and perfect atmosphere. Dad who is frugal says prices are reasonable. highly recommend

Jay's Gourmet may be small, but the food is anything but. The complimentary warm bread they bring out is like a flatbread and it's so good. I ordered the Pasta Alla Pesto, it had romano, sun dried tomatoes, and pine nuts over angel hair pasta. It came with a salad with creamy Italian dressing. The pasta was ridiculously good -- a huge portion that easily could have been split. I ended up bringing half back to the hotel for my daughter, who also loved it! My husband ordered a bowl of Clam Chowder and then had the Linguine with White Wine Garlic Clam Sauce. I tried a bite -- it was delicious, full of flavor, and another generous serving. You really can't go wrong with Jay's. Everything was so good and perfectly garlicky. It's a small spot inside, but we sat outside at a little two-top in the parking lot, which honestly adds to the charm. Jay's has been around forever, and it's fun to sit outside and watch the buzz of the busy intersection nearby. So good!

Well I'm not sure about the other reviews at this point because we ordered pizza and it was great! We chose half The Works (a combo) and half Canadian Bacon and Pineapple. The veggies still had a nice bite to them, the sausage was super flavorful, and the pie was nice and hot. The crust was not too thin but raise at the edges for a nice bite. Kinda bummed we decided on pizza before we got here because the pastas and seafood options looked amazing! The service was good (they were all pretty chatty behind the bar near where we were seated) but happy and friendly. The place is pretty small so chatter was normal but not too loud. All in all it was a great experience and we'll be back next year when we visit again

Food smelled and tasted as of there was some type of lighter fluid in my pasta, I can still taste it in my mouth only tried half of a ravioli. Service was good I feel sick to my stomach though never again people really need to be shut down I'm tired of every time you go to a restaurant out here everybody Mexican in these kitchens and they hate Americans . And they watch you walk out of the restaurant knowing they did something to your food never again shut them down.

Absolutely five stars for Jay's Gourmet in Carlsbad! My boyfriend and I couldn't decide between pizza or pasta--so we got both and shared, and honestly, best decision ever. We ordered The Works pizza on gluten-free crust and the pesto pasta with gluten-free noodles. The pizza was really good, albeit there wasn't much cheese. Being gluten free, it was flatbread, and it was pretty standard for a gf pizza. The pasta, however, completely stole the spotlight. It was rich, creamy, and had this amazing flavor that reminded us of lobster bisque--totally unexpected and seriously delicious. We showed up around 6pm and were pleasantly surprised that there was no wait at all. The restaurant has a cozy, relaxed vibe, and even though it's close to the beach, it wasn't too cold to sit comfortably. The staff was super friendly without being overbearing, but it did take a while for us to get the check. All around a great experience--we left full, happy, and already planning what to order next time. Highly recommend for a casual date night or just a great meal close to the beach.

My family have been loyal customers of Jay's Gourmet for over 30 years. Today we brought our guest from Florida, bragging of the delicious food and service is. Never have we had such low quality food and questionable service. The clam chowder was so watery with little to no clams. Our order of angel hair pasta primavera was delivered with a different noodle and was sent back. The hot garlic bread was replaced by a flavorless flatbread cracker. The clam chowder was horrible. We gladly pay and tip well for gourmet dining. Today it was a complete tragedy and horror. I asked if they had a new chef. The attendant said that some times the chowder gets watery. Really? You don't say! I asked where was Jay? I was told Jay was at Norte's across the street. We will not return to pay gourmet prices for such bad, food and service. Blue Gill here we come, as they have been noted for the best chowder in town. Bye bye Felicia. No more Jay's Gourmet.

It was Saturday night and we wanted to go to Jay's with out of town friends. We were concerned because it was a weekend, and in the season, and because Jay's doesn't take reservations. The memories of good food triumphed and we went anyway. We were all so happy that we did. We were seated immediately. The servers went out of their way to explain the dishes and to offer to modify ingredients for one of us who has food sensitivities. We all got something different and everything was so savory and unique. We are already making plans to return. Oh, BTW, the bread that they served was extremely fresh and delicious!

Cute, intimate restaurant that we always like to visit while in Carlsbad. Quick and friendly service. The food is always solid and comforting. I had the clam chowder and lasagna. My husband always gets the pizza. Great place to go if you want seafood or Italian food!

Jay's Gourmet has been steadily going downhill. I used to go regularly and the food was fantastic. Last year I went and was very disappointed. I thought the passage of a year would matter. It did not. I ordered chicken limon. Emphasis on limon. What I got was a black pepper sauce with no lemon flavor and one lemon wedge. The chicken was rubbery and not tender at all. It was genuinely terrible. I thought, well, maybe the pasta with red sauce that came with it would be good. Nope. Bland. Most marinara sauces in jars exceed this. The only good thing was the salad dressing, but I can easily make that. I have been a customer for 30 years. I will never go back and suggest you stay away too. Oh- and the tip choices were 18, 20, 25 and 30%. So presumptuous.

At Jay's, it all about the food. Had the seafood salad and it's as good as I remember. I crave this dish and am willing to drive 40 minutes to get it! It's got chunks of salmon, calamari, etc, with the creamy Italian dressing, just perfect. All of their red sauces are delicious, with the fra diavolo just spicy enough. Jay's is a bit of a dive, but in that laid back, beachy way. It's in the heart of downtown Carlsbad, with plenty of windows for people watching. They've added Caymus, by the glass to the menu, if the above wasn't incentive enough!

Had a wonderful dinner at Jay's Gourmet. They give you a hot basket of baked flatbread strips with parmesan cheese to start off with. I loved it. Tried the linguine with clam sauce and the chicken marsala. Both dishes were delicious! Ended the dinner with a pistachio cake and it was really light and not too sweet at all. The portion size was just right. Since the restaurant was really close to the beach it was an easy choice. However it is really pricey. The service was great.

Excellent food and centrally located in the village!!! Small restaurant, a great environment with indoor and outdoor seating.

The entree's were amazingly good. We were the only ones in the place so service was quick. The place has a beach feel with a small bar. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the white wine and garlic sauce were tasty. The swordfish, shrimp and artichoke were totally awesome. This place is definitely worth a stop for lunch or dinner. The plates were $$$ but worth it.

A bit of a wait - hostess was great though. Very busy night - a few large groups. Bread was great - salad cold & crisp & best house salad in a long time. I had lasagne - really good - portion very good size - could only eat half - great cold a few hours later. Wife had Jays seafood platter - white wine - really good - tons of seafood - shrimp very large - will come back again in heart beat

Jay's Gourmet in Carlsbad is a hidden gem for seafood lovers. My recent visit was a delightful culinary adventure that left me thoroughly impressed. If you're a fan of fresh and delicious seafood, this place is definitely worth a visit. Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The decor is charming, with a nautical theme that sets the mood for a great seafood meal. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure we felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout our dining experience. For starters, I ordered the sausage rolls. These were quite large and generously filled with flavorful meat. The sausage was perfectly seasoned, making each bite a savory treat. However, the meat sauce that accompanied the rolls was a bit too watery for my liking. It didn't detract too much from the overall experience, but it could have been a bit thicker to better complement the hearty rolls. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the cioppino. This dish was enormous and packed with a variety of seafood that made it a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The cioppino included giant shrimp, crab legs, salmon, halibut, and mussels. Every component was cooked to perfection. The shrimp were so large they looked like small lobsters, and they were incredibly succulent. The crab legs were a real treat, full of sweet, tender meat. The salmon and halibut were both fresh and flaky, adding a rich texture to the dish, while the mussels were plump and delicious. The broth was flavorful and aromatic, tying all the ingredients together beautifully. The portion sizes at Jay's Gourmet are generous, and the cioppino was no exception. It was more than enough to satisfy a big appetite, and every bite was a testament to the quality and freshness of the seafood. The rich, savory flavors made it a standout dish that I would highly recommend to any seafood enthusiast. Throughout the meal, the service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and provided great recommendations. They checked in on us regularly to ensure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. In addition to the food, the ambiance of Jay's Gourmet adds to the overall dining experience. The restaurant has a relaxed and inviting feel, making it a perfect spot for both casual meals and special occasions. The attention to detail in both the decor and the presentation of the food shows the care and pride that goes into running this establishment. In conclusion, Jay's Gourmet in Carlsbad is a fantastic place for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality seafood. Despite a minor hiccup with the sausage roll sauce, the overall experience was outstanding. The cioppino, in particular, was a seafood lover's dream, with its abundant, perfectly cooked seafood and delicious broth. Combined with the friendly service and charming atmosphere, it's a place I'll definitely be returning to.

Feels like it has weathered the test of time and the perils of restaurant turn over. Absolutely fantastic eggplant parmigiana, with eggplant in thin slices. Delicious table bread with a garlic butter seasoning. Our waitress told us it was the same dough as the pizza crust. Kids menu. Some parking out front. Made this mama and her NJ Italian friend very happy!

This place is one of the best restaurants in Carlsbad! My husband is Italian and usually hates every Italian food we go to! This place he loves! Best pizza and fresh seafood (sometimes locally caught)! Small inside but very cozy! Highly recommended!

Jays didn't disappoint.. Food, Service and Ambience on Point! Had a great time with my family and our server was wonderful. Thank you Jays.... We'll be Baaaack. Peace... Frankie G.

First, I'll say, we LOVE this restaurant, and the food is fabulous. On our last visit from Tucson, it was a bit disappointing. Our salad came out and after maybe 3 bites, our entrees came out. We therefore couldn't eat the salads, which we love, or our seafood dishes would have gotten cold and overcooked. Our server asked if she could keep it under the warmer which isn't optimal. Another complaint is, please don't call the scallops 'jumbo'. There were 3 medium and 1 small scallop for over $40.00. I wouldn't mind paying that if they WERE jumbo. We'll still go back because the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is great. Please don't serve the entrees almost immediately after the salads are brought out. Thank you.

Not a bad place well located at the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive in N. Coast Highway aka Carlsbad Boulevard. It's a casual place you can sit inside or outside Some people have been coming here for many years with the favorite hangout for locals as well as folks from San Diego. The Caesar salad comes with the spaghetti and meatball s is really good.

We picked up 2 orders of the Clams Linguini (not the whole clams) with the red wine clam sauce. It was so delicious that I called to let them know! It totally hit the spot! Thank you Tino on pasta, I think that what they said his name is! Sooooooo good!

Went here for a pre-Valentine's date night and was very impressed. It's conveniently located, right on the corner of Carlsbad Village and Coast Hwy. They have a very small parking lot, but there is additional parking behind the building. We were lucky, and found a spot in the small lot out front. The food was absolutely delicious. After being seated, they brought us some flavorful garlic bread with marinara. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and my fiancé ordered the fettuccine alfredo with shrimp. Both dishes were amazing!! I enjoyed an ice cold Ballast Point Sculpin IPA with my meal. They have about 4 or 5 beers on tap and a huge wine selection. Each meal game with your choice of a soup/salad. I had cesar salad and the lady had a cup of clam chowder. The serving sizes and prices were perfect as well. The service was on point! Our server, Scott, was very personable and professional. He was also knowledgeable in regards to the their menu and food options in general and gave us great input. He made the whole experience a great one! Thanks, Scott! We will definitely be back soon .

I was pleasantly surprised by this little restaurant. The outside screams "seafood," and while they do offer that, they offer much more. We ordered a few pizzas and sides, and everything was very good. It was ready and hot when we arrived. The inside is small, and you feel like a local when there. It reminds me of the inside of a boat or a small bar in a fishing town. Don't overlook this place when you're in Carlsbad, it's definitely worth a stop.

Came for a quick beer. Topped off perfect. (I don't want that foam) Cold crisp Italian lager. Vibes are heavy Quick easy spot enjoy yourself enjoy your time Great service by the ladies

WOW! The food is remarkable, however it is expensive. But, if you are in the mood for some truly great Italian food, this is the place to go. ENJOY!!!

Service was slow. I ordered chicken limone. It was really almost inedible. It was swimming in a soupy watery sauce. The chicken looked all deformed. I was going to talk to the waitress but she never came back once during the entire meal.

This was my first visit to Jay's Gourmet. If you have ever visited or driven through Carlsbad along Carlsbad Boulevard you have probably driven and not have given it a second look or even bothered to stop here. It sits on the corner of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive. As you walk into this restaurant it has that feel of a place more near the beach than an Italian restaurant. I guess since it is near a popular surfing area along Carlsbad Boulevard it has that vibe. I'm going to give you my take on Jay's. As soon as we walked in the server immediately took care of us. Gave us the menu and as we were looking over what was on the menu my wife pointed out to me that they had a special listed on their chalkboard. I took one glance at it and I didn't have to read the menu I knew what I was going to order. We had our drinks on our table already as our server took our order. No sooner than taking our orders, we had breadsticks with a marinara sauce to dip the yummy breadsticks in. Next came the antipasto salad that was large enough for more than the four of us and delicious as well. Next came the calamari with a delicious red sauce for all of us to share and delicious too. Next came my main course, which was the Seafood Volcano. Oh I couldn't wait to taste this dish. The risotto was cooked to perfection with sour cherry mushrooms which was to die for. My dish also contained jumbo shrimp, scallops, swordfish and salmon. Believe me everything I ate on this dish was incredibly delicious and cooked to perfection. I do have to admit that the prices are a bit high but the food speaks for itself. Now would I return here, absolutely. The only thing I regret is not asking the server her name as she deserves a shout out. They deserve notoriety for taking care of their customers especially good service.

I don't live in Carlsbad California and whenever I'm in town I eat at Jay gourmet I've never had a bad dish, never had bad service, and always have a pleasant experience. This time I took a friend we both had the cioppino, and he did nothing but rave about how great it tasted. This is not my first review of Jay's. They were a fantastic restaurant, a staple of Carlsbad and if you're ever in town, I highly recommend eating at Jay gourmet.

So delicious & fresh! Love this place. Indoor & outdoor seating. Great for the family.

Server with an Italian ATTITUDE!! Just hanging out in Carlsbad Village on Sunday evening. We stumbled into this little Italian restaurant right after watching sunset. OMG! It's so DARK in here but we love it. Food is delicious but a bit on the salty side just like our home cooking. PERFETTO! Our server is so accommodating. Even the customers next table were so kind made some recommendations as well. Such great vibes from the locals. We loved supporting small family owned and operated businesses. You can see family members working and running it. We loved the authenticity of the personality, service and atmosphere. This is the experience we have been CRAVING for. We can't wait to go back again!!

Finally, got to try this place but again we had a problem with reservations. I asked for the manager since this was the second time we had a problem with "reservations". The hostess was young but mature and took care of the problem without me having to deal with the manager. We were a party of five, and it was busy but she promised we would be the next table and we were. We had a nice waitress serve us. We got our drinks and ordered our food. The place is small inside and loud but cozy at the same time. Like a big Italian family around the dinner table. I personally didn't think the pizza was anything to rave about but my brothers loved it. I had the lasagna and it was okay. The service was good but a little slow. The waitress was very busy, so you gotta give her break. You can eat inside or out. My brothers will come back for sure, but when I come to visit, I will not. July 1, 2023

Jay's is always good! Service is attentive and the food is delicious, We have enjoyed Jay's for over 20 years.

I've been going to Jay's once or twice a year for probably 25+ years. It's always good. It was still good tonight. In the last year or two they have raised their prices substantially. I get it. I'm not going to whine about it. If it's good food, good portions, and great service, it's worth it. Food was always top notch. My wife almost always gets the shrimp Fra Diavlo. I usually get the same but with scallops. While the flavor was great tonight, a little less spicy than usual, still great. I was kind of bummed out with only four scallops on my plate. My wife's portion of shrimp on her order was the same generous order as it always is, but mine was a bit lacking. Four scallops? I mean they're decent size scallops, but the usual serving has always been at least double the size I got tonight. Maybe they were low on scallops? Maybe scallops have gotten more expensive? If that's the case, raise your prices! Don't skimp on your usual generous servings. The service was also unusually slow and sparse for a Wednesday evening. It wasn't busy, but the wait staff seemed generally ambivalent unless I caught their attention and asked for something. I don't expect anyone hovering over my table but at least pop by and ask if we need some more bread, water, another carafe of wine, whatever. . . I understand there are labor and kitchen issues with most restaurants these days being a bit understaffed. It wasn't really busy at all tonight though. I'm not going to whine any more. I still love Jay's and I'll be back, but let's tighten things up there a bit!

Everything perfect! Great wait staff, delicious food, nice atmosphere! The most delicious pizza dough ever.!

Good location, great seafood and Italian food. This is a fantastic place to take your sweetheart in the heart of Carlsbad village. I have been here several times with my family and it's always a treat. The staff is basically amazing; friendly, funny and professional. It's a go to for me!

Visiting from AZ and staying at the Carlsbad Beach Inn. Tried a couple of the local restaurants recommended by the hotel and many of them didn't really give the excellent quality that this place did! We had the mussels & clams, spaghetti & meatball, fettuccini alfredo, & shrimp parmigiana - all AHMAZING! Was a little disappointed by the house salad. Could have been in a better looking bowl, the dressing was a little watery & the cuts of veggie & lettuce could have been better. Other than that, would definitely come here again!

Food was excellent as usual. Service definitely needs to be improved. Here for lunch and we were the ONLY customers. The dark haired waitress with the pony tail (?Meena) has no sense of urgency. Never asked if we wanted anything but water to drink and it took 20 minutes to get a bowl of soup. When other customers came in, possibly frequent ones, she was all over herself with good service, refilling drinks and bread bowls. Sorry that we like the food here so much because we would most likely look elsewhere based on the service!

This is one of the most consistently good restaurants I've ever been to. Their house salad is absolutely the best and their pasta garlic olive oil and spices dish is what I get every time and of course the bread they bring to the table while you're waiting for your food is cooked to perfection. They also have the best meatballs in San Diego.

I couldn't tell you about the quality or appearance of the food because they never served us. We walked out after waiting twenty minutes for a server at 130 pm on a Sunday.

Mussels with red sauce! Always a win. Check out the specials board! They usually have a fresh fish option available that is always amazing

For several years we've looked at, but ignored, Jay's, located just across the street from our annual timeshare. From outside, the restaurant looks to be nothing special. Today, for the first time, we decided to try it. I ordered out, choosing the chowder and (the special) swordfish. My motivation? It was almost the closest restaurant near my timeshare. But ... Wow, Jay's gave me a meal as good as anywhere in Carlsbad.

Dammit. I hate to leave bad reviews. I really, really do. However, when things are just awful I am compelled to share the experience (if anything just to vent). So without further adieu, here is my review of Jays Gourmet.. We arrived around the downside of peak service, roughly 7:15. We were seated promptly inside and had waters dropped off. Things went off the cliff from here. We waited around 25 minutes to have our drink order taken - in the interim, two other tables were sat. They unlike us, had their order and drinks dropped promptly. I order a regular old iced tea, was delivered their raspberry tea by mistake, so I flagged down a person and had this replaced with a soft drink . No big deal, we are not in a huge rush and small mistakes Do happen, BUT I do have an 8 year old getting hangry. Waitress bobs in to take the order 20 minutes after drink order, at this point 45 minutes into seating. Kiddo orders a small margherita pizza - I convinced my wife to go here based on the sword fish special they had written on the board, so naturally this was my order and my wife the halibut, with the mussels to start. Order is in, we wait again. The two tables sat after us have received their meals and are wrapping up a bottle of wine / paying their bills. 1 hour and 20 minutes in the pizza comes out. WOW. Cheese was not melted, crust was soggy, toppings slid right off the crust when you picked up the slice. Needless to say it was awful. I think half of one slice was eaten. 1 hour 40 minutes in. Waitress comes by to apologize for the delay and drops off a complimentary cheese sticks app. This was basically string cheese sticks deep fried. The cheese was not melted in the fry, OH and my wife is lactose intolerant :) SO, 20 minutes later our entree's were dropped off piping hot. I mentioned the mussels app and was told "those will be right out". No thank you - I don't even want them anymore. The travesty of the night was sitting in front of my wife and I. Her fish was mushy and didn't taste fresh. My swordfish, Jesus I have had SPAM steak more tender. Again, no way it was fresh and the accompanying pasta was drowning in bland watery lemon caper(ish) sauce and half an inedible artichoke. Needless to say we didn't eat any of it. I promptly asked for our check and was surprised to have the waitress tell me they removed the swordfish from the bill. Good, I was going to make this request myself. I paid the roughly (still) $84.00 bill for an 8 year old, my wife and I, tipped my usual 20%, left with a chip on my shoulder, a stomach ache and a daughter still hungry. We didn't bitch, we didn't piss and moan. Genuinely we had high hopes this would be a nice meal, but all around it was a total flop, expensive and a complete waste of time on our little vacation. The waitress was very nice however, this was the reason I offered 2 stars vs just the 1. Can't say we will be back, nor should you roll the dice.

We wanted to eat Italian food. With a quick search we found this restaurant and the food and service were amazing. You won't regret it(: Thanks for a good food.

Jay's Gourmet is an unassuming little restaurant in the Carlsbad Village. Our friends who live in Carlsbad suggested that we try it out. We were seated immediately at one of the patio tables. Yennifer (yes, with a "Y") was quick to the table with a basket of complimentary garlic bread and a side of marinara and she took our drink order, Peroni beers for the table! The garlic bread was like flatbread and it was delicious as was the marinara that accompanied it. The four of us decided that we would share a couple of appetizers. We ordered the Sautéed Calamari and the New Zealand Mussels. We chose the white wine garlic sauce for both. The calamari was was very good in flavor, but it was rather chewy. Out of the four of us, one didn't like it all. The mussels were absolutely fantastic, we could all agree on that. Yennifer was happy to bring more of the bread for dipping in the excellent white wine garlic sauce. There are a lot of places in Carlsbad we have yet to try, but I would definitely return to Jay's.

Been going here for 35 years and find there food to be very good and reasonable prices over the years some nights the service lacked but never the food

If you're looking for a chill, local vibe with great dough and sausage look no more. Jays has Great pasta and homemade sausage, not to mention the Clam Chowder is amazing and makes this coastal dinner or lunch visit a must.

Amazing Italian food! I really loved the shrimp scampi. Wine list was also great. The vibe is really cozy inside, kind of tight but they also have tables outdoors!

Sat at the bar and immediately regretted my decision. Watched a woman behind the bar scroll social media for five minutes before finally acknowledging us. Food was fine, not good but also not gonna give you food poisoning. Spent the entire dinner forced to listen to every server and bartenders personal life woes along with how much each patron tipped as they left. Honestly felt like we were invisible or that they forgot we were there based on the inappropriate conversations. If you ever wondered what goes on behind the curtains of a restaurant, go here because it's all on display.

This place is so great that I find myself actually eating slower than normal because I don't want it to end. Every time I go, Jay has created yet another masterpiece. Went there for lunch a couple of days ago and had swordfish with jumbo shrimp and artichokes on pasta. I have never had a bad meal there only excellent ones. Jay usually comes over just to say hi to me and my friend Frank who goes with me occasionally. I can't get over how he keeps figuring out new great meals. Nice atmosphere right off highway 1 and all the servers are friendly. Great place. My number one choice when I go out to dinner. Thanks Jay!