Nick's on State

American restaurant · Carlsbad

Nick's on State

American restaurant · Carlsbad

1

2742 State St Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Photos

Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by Nick’s on State
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null
Nick's on State by null

Highlights

Upscale American comfort food, wine, cocktails, great service  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

2742 State St Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

nicksrestaurants.com
@nickslagunabeach

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

2742 State St Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

+1 760 696 3593
nicksrestaurants.com
@nickslagunabeach

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Carlsbad, California | Eater San Diego

"With several locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, the Carlsbad outpost of Nick’s shines as a casual place to find staples like large, filling salads and burgers alongside favorites like the “bistro plate” with petite filet mignon. Crowd-pleasing drinks at this always-busy spot include the bright Mi Guayaba with aperol, tequila, and guava, as well as the earthier Lions Tails with rye whiskey, Sorel liqueur, cinnamon, lime." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-carlsbad-san-diego
View Postcard for Nick's on State

Stacy Smith

Google
Great food! One of my favorite dishes of San Diego is their fried chicken comfort food. It's high quality, and they have other high quality comfort food amongst other traditional more fancy dishes. It's non experimental, so you get what you expect and not any crazy fusion or hot pepper laced surprises. Nice bar area. It's about impossible to get in on a Friday or Saturday without a reservation.

Erica W.

Google
Great service! Good food. If you go here, leave room for dessert and get the butter cake. It's amazing. Lemon cake was just ok for us. Had fried chicken, burger and prime rib sandwich, all were good.

Tim Yargeau

Google
5 Stars all the way. What a perfect date night spot. Modern and refreshing, upscale American would what I’d call this cuisine. I was going to go for the Prime Rib dip, but opted for the Rib Eye Melt on sourdough with melted Swiss, red wine onions and mustard bacon sauce. Wow! Service was great as expected. I’d love to see a happy hour menu. Keep it up!

Lauren B

Google
I love this place so much! The Ribeye melt is my favorite so far and have ordered this many times. It can be a bit busy during lunch hours if you are on your lunch break. If you have limited time, it is easier to sit at the bar and just try and close out early when they check in on you. The food is amazing, everything I have tried I have enjoyed and had a great flavor to every dish. Some of my favorites apart from the Ribeye Melt would be the Prime Dip Sandwich, Meatloaf, Deviled Eggs, Crispy Fish Sandwich, and the Wedge Salad. They also have a grilled cheese you can order, which I split with a friend on top of a regular lunch order, it is very rich in flavor and will fill you up. The chicken piccata was delicious.

C. Wise

Google
It was a Sunday evening, so there was a 45-minute wait I understand that but once we got to the table and ordered our food it was another 30-minute wait, and then it came out cold. They took our plates away and came back pretty quick with a Fresh Off The Grill order that was warm. We both ordered the bistro plate, which king was squash soup a petite filet mignon a bistro salad. The soup was just so so, but I have to say that salad was horrible you take a fork and you try to stab it and it doesn't work, I tried to scoop it and that doesn't work so you end up just leaving it on the plate. And for 45 minute wait we got the absolute worst table in the hole restaurant it was in an outside area white with cars and people going by and that's the ramp to get into the restaurant how romantic was that?

Priscilla Han

Google
Got the Chilean Seared Sea Bass. Fish was cooked well but the seasoning was just a pinch of salt, very bland. I also don’t understand why this small piece of bass costs $42. Definitely wasn’t worth the price. French onion soup was barely lukewarm. Asparagus fries were really yummy but portion was on the smaller side. Ambience was nice and bathroom smelled amazing 😂

ForOurDog

Google
Two very traditional but different entrees. Our meatloaf a d potatoes was excellent. Great flavor, we were disappointed they could not make the meal gluten-free, there is no reason to add a wheat product to bind the meat. The veggies were fresh and cooked to perfection Our shrimp meal was overcooked and disappointing. Yes, the flavor was great, but the actual shrimp were TOUGH, check out that curl. Thankfully the heavy-poured drinks made up for the shrimp.

Hakz olot

Google
Nice place very busy on a Saturday evening. Get a reservation to cut down on the wait time. Food was good and customer service was great.
google avatar

Alex G.

Yelp
The asparagus fries are so good and unique. It's impressive that they can get the breading to stick so well and not crack with each bite. I'm a tough sell with meatloaf because my Dad made the best but theirs is one of the better ones I've had at a restaurant. The food and service is always solid and I love the building/ decor. We sat next to the kitchen recently and I appreciated their process and watching them do service.. I'm from a restaurant family and I always love when I can watch a kitchen. I have never ordered ribs any place outside of a restaurant where you can smell the smoke from atleast half mile away but they always looks so good when they come out I may have to try them soon. So glad to have this restaurant in Carlsbad!
google avatar

Jennifer D.

Yelp
Nick's is one of the best places to dine in Carlsbad, especially considering the mediocrity that defines many other restaurants in this city. The service is amazing, the ambiance is fun, and most of the meals are good quality. However, one thing that bothered me during my last visit was the chicken piccata. I gave feedback to our server, as the dish was not authentic chicken piccata--it was essentially overly breaded chicken cutlets with hardly any sauce. To make matters worse, the arugula salad had no dressing and was completely dry. When I shared this with our server, they told me the kitchen doesn't listen to feedback from the waitstaff and that I would need to email the kitchen directly to share my opinion. I found this really odd. It felt like the message was, "You need to do the extra work of contacting the kitchen yourself because we're not passing on your feedback." I've since lost the card they gave me with the email, which is why I'm leaving this review--not only to share my experience but also to inform future diners about the quality of the chicken piccata. Now you've been warned...
google avatar

Alex L.

Yelp
Nick's is always a solid option. I'm happy Carlsbad Village has one! Missing the one in Long Beach, coming here was great :). I came here about a month ago when my friend was in town and got the fish burger which is always a delish option and a reasonable price. We also got the buttercake for dessert which is an absolute MUST and what Nick's is known for. Service was great and seamless; always a fun place to go for a good night out! It's always busy, but that's because the food is solid.
google avatar

Alicia K.

Yelp
Nick's is our favorite place! Food and service are always top notch. Both locations are designed beautifully but Carlsbad is my favorite! Almost Feels like you're inside a boat.
google avatar

Anola S.

Yelp
Food is excellent but they gave us literally the HARDEST time if we tried to modify ANYTHING. I asked to substitute the sauteed spinach that's came with my salmon for asparagus and they WOULDNT DO IT?? Like I'm sorry, what? Isn't the customer always right? Literally made no sense. Other than that..their food is unmatched so lol I will come back. Butter cake is unpictured but the best thing on the menu (and that's sayin something cuz everything is amazing). Salmon was also cooked perfectly and my friend's fried chicken was amazing too! Excellent mashed potatoes
google avatar

Kathryn W.

Yelp
Food and ambiance. Service not so good. Waitress seemed distracted. Would return in future.
google avatar

Mike K.

Yelp
The food and spirits are always top notch, but last night our experience was highlighted by amazing service from Caroline. She was incredibly attentive, personable and made suggestions to ensure our time at Nicks was a great night of dining. Thank you Caroline!
google avatar

Kay V.

Yelp
Food was absolutely delish! A must have appetizer are the deviled eggs. Our waiter, Bryce was absolutely fantastic and great with drink suggestions. He was very engaging and knowledgeable about the menu. Friendly atmosphere.
google avatar

Clayton T.

Yelp
Wifey and I sadly never even knew of the "Village" portion of Carlsbad. Boy have we been missing out!! We checked YELP for some fine dining suggestions and found Nick's. Nick's staff happily placed us on their wait list, and we were rewarded within minutes with a table! We couldn't help but note that everyone, including employees, seemed happy in the place. It's cozy, clean and the atmosphere feels like a large family/friend get together. At our table, we were greeted by Jake. He efficiently handled our request for an appetizer and cocktails, which were whisked surprisingly quickly to our table, considering the volume of customers present at the time. The drinks (skinny marg's) were on-point. The appetizer, (shrimp taquitos), were much better than expected. Everything seemed to flow, the cilantro, Pico, sauce, crisp tortilla, and surprisingly tender & succulent shrimp. I added a little lime juice, from a lime wedge, and was in a happy flavor city place. Wifey ordered the filet, which was perfectly aged & seasoned, with outstanding cook. Not only that, but the beef was of such exceptional quality & aging, you could fork cut it, or peel a bite using your fork, from the steak. Bomb.com I had been craving fried chicken for a few days, and their fried chicken, with the biscuit and silly-good-mashed potatoes were terrific. Just the right amount of seasoning & flour on the chicken, mega tender, and outside of my Wife's recipe, the best mashed potatoes I've ever had. The corn on the cob was simply dessert on the platter. Both of us could not be happier. Thank you, Nick's, (And Jake!) for a great meal & environment!
google avatar

Becky K.

Yelp
We only came for drinks. The place was open until a decent time even on a Wednesday night. I had a cucumber Collins, which was delicious. The aesthetic of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. It looks like an airplane hanger with beautiful woodwork and decor. This may seem odd, but this is the best smelling bathroom I have ever been in. The waiter said it is scented with black bamboo. I wish I could bottle up that scent and take it home.
google avatar

Olive J.

Yelp
Nick's in Carlsbad is one of my all-time favorite restaurants! The food is absolutely delicious! Everything you order is literally perfection. The loaded baked potato is the best you'll ever have, and the chicken piccata is amazing. The quality of the food is top-notch, and the bacon deviled eggs and shrimp taquitos are a must-try. The service is excellent, with everyone being very professional, nice, and on top of everything. It's truly a treat to dine here, and I can't wait to visit whenever I'm in the area or have guests visiting. The restaurant itself has such a cozy, nice vibe. It feels upscale, but the prices are surprisingly reasonable. This is all around a great place to have lunch or dinner!
google avatar

Soph R.

Yelp
Nick's is a staple, perfect for date night, celebrations or bringing visitors. My go to is the prime rib dip but recently tried the fried chicken sandwich. It was huge! They even brought a small sweet treat for the birthday in the party.
google avatar

Gwen G.

Yelp
Nick's has it down from service, to food, to atmosphere! We had amazing service including warm towels! The food was absolutely delicious! I ordered the chicken sandwich and fries and highly recommend!
google avatar

Kandy F.

Yelp
We came to Nick's on State for lunch. As we tried to open the front door, it was LOCKED!! There's a front patio full of people eating. We tried to catch the employees working but were unsuccessful. Finally, an employee coming to work helped us! Not sure how many people they lost by not noticing people trying to dine here. When we were finally greeted and seated, our waiter was very friendly and helpful with suggestions. We were promptly given water while we looked over the menu. I ordered the Bistro Plate. It's a petite filet mignon, garlic toast, petite salad, and a cup of soup. My friend ordered the Maple Glazed Meatloaf. My meal was good, not great. I think they forgot to put the garlic butter on my steak. My friend's meal was tastier. The place is beautiful. The staff is friendly. The bathroom was well maintained. They are an upscale-ish kind of place. Maybe it was an off day. I don't mind paying for a nice meal, but it was kind of on the skimpy side. The steak I understand for the price point. The toast was a two-bite piece! Overall, it's a nice place for drinks with friends. I'll give them another try when in the area.
google avatar

Cat Zaimi, M A.

Yelp
Manager Sarah is the bomb.com! Wow couldn't have asked for a better night! She suggested the lentil soup and it was absolutely delish! Been going to Nicks for years & I've never experienced exceptional management like tonight. Great vibes Thank you Sarah, we'll be back!
google avatar

Nayyirah F.

Yelp
Came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Overall the experience was okay. I ordered the steak with 2 sides and I would've like to see the cheese on my baked potato melted. The drinks were good. I heard their brunch is great so I'll have to check it out!
google avatar

Megan B.

Yelp
WOW. just wow. everything i ate could be my last meal and i would die happy. The service was great, food amazzzing. Claudia is the best bartender i've ever met. It wasn't too crowded for a saturday night but i'll be going back a lot i'm sure!
google avatar

Sol C.

Yelp
Delicious dinner in a beautiful, upscale, old school atmosphere. Deviled eggs were a really nice start. The Cesar salad was tasty but only three shrimp are added to the dish for a hefty additional price. The salmon was really lovely with garlic spinach and mashed potatoes. Highlight was the French Dip sandwich, this was out of this world and not to be missed.
google avatar

Marcie L.

Yelp
This place was fantastic! We arrived for our reservation and were told there would be a short five-minute wait before being seated. During that time, they kindly offered us the option to order cocktails, which was a nice touch. True to their word, we were seated within a few minutes. The menu was incredibly enticing, and while the meatloaf caught my eye, I ultimately chose the filet -- and it was phenomenal. Our server was warm, attentive, and provided excellent service. Overall, the atmosphere was both relaxing and enjoyable, with outstanding food and friendly service.
google avatar

Daniel A.

Yelp
Dined at Nick's on State for the first time on 10/3. This was our anniversary dinner on our weekend getaway to Carlsbad. We were there on a busy Thursday night and seated within 15 minutes of arrival. AMBIANCE: 5 out of 5 - The restaurant is beautiful. It's small and cozy with a modern design. Every detail of the restaurant was well thought out and it was overall, beautiful. FOOD/DRINKS: 3 out of 5 - We ordered: Center Cut Filet, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Asparagus Fries, Bacon Deviled Eggs, Butter Cake, Cucumber Collins and a glass of Chardonay. Total bill after tax was $163 with a $14 comp. on the Butter Cake. - Center Cut Filet ($49): Would not recommend. Prepared perfectly medium rare as ordered. Sear was left on high heat for too long. We love a crust on our steaks but this was burnt and the steak tasted that way. Was also told we could not sub asparagus but they were just "garnish" however 7 pieces of asparagus on plate would suggest they are a side rather than garnish. The star of the plate was the loaded baked potato. - Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass ($42): Must order. Fish had great sear. Quality of the fish was top notch - perfectly flaky and moist. The whipped potatoes and sautéed spinach were good as well. Truthfully, this was my favorite fish dish that I can remember having in a long time. - Butter Cake ($14): Great. Sugary crust, ice cream and a berry sauce that you can pour on it. It's a shareable dessert. - Bacon Deviled Eggs ($11): I liked them. My wife thought they were too mustard forward but still enjoyed them. Probably wouldn't order again. - Asparagus Fries ($15): They're asparagus with a fried batter on them. My wife and I like asparagus - these were ok. Wouldn't order again. - Cucumber Collins ($14): Probably the worst gin and juice that I can rememeber tasting., This was not good. Very minty - I did not like. SERVICE: 2 out of 5 - The staff was all very nice including our server. However, a couple of things were bothered us. - My wife didn't want two portions of asparagus (w/ her filet and the starter Asparagus Fries) and asked if she could switch out asparagus on her filet dish for anything else - was told that it was only a garnish. Not the case. - Service was great prior to ordering food. Once we ordered, our server visited our table only once when the appetizers were dropped. Didn't touch the table after that until... - Once we finished our food, we waited for over 30 minutes for our server to come back to our table. We wanted to order butter cake. We didn't want to be rude. Made eye contact several times but she didn't come over. My wife had to get up and found her at the bar. It appeared that she was spending a lot of time talking to other employees. It may have been work related but when we had been needing service, it was very frustrating. - When boxing up our food, our server didn't box up my sea bass or spinach. She started to place an old plate on top of my food but I stopped her and asked her to box the sea bass. The dirty plate was already on top of the spinach so I didn't want her to box that. She wasn't paying attention to what she was doing. - The manager came and apologized for the delay in getting back to us and comped our butter cake. That was appreciated. OVERALL: 3 out of 5 - Would I give Nick's on State a second chance? Probably not. I come to Carlsbad area a couple of times a year and there are other options that I would prefer. From a value standpoint - I would say that it's not worth it. I'll be thinking about the Chilean Sea Bass but that's the only thing that would bring me back.
google avatar

Nick M.

Yelp
Very well crafted food, fantastic environment with a cozy but sophisticated feel. Great for date night or a group dinner. Located in the heart of Carlsbad village. Food is delicious, although I only tried a couple of things, but can't wait to go back again.
google avatar

Steve B.

Yelp
Typical awesome Nicks fare. See my reviews of Nicks in MB (my local ) and Newport. By far, the coolest vibe of the 3 that I have been to. Kind of an urban farmhouse shindig. It was slam-packed and not a very large space. Would probably not attempt on a weekend. Food was awesome, as expected. Service was great.
google avatar

Franco M.

Yelp
TL;DR: Burger and Fish Sandwich weren't reorders for me personally. I'd stick with the ribs, fries and butter cake! Your Thoughts? 2/2 The blackened fish sandwich, priced at $21, lacked a good balance. Mainly due to the thick, under-seasoned fish. The $19 burger was decent but the patty itself lacked seasoning. However, the ribs at $34 delivered on flavor and texture. Although I'm unsure of the price, the butter cake was delicious and I'm pretty damn sure my new favorite dessert. Spectacular Give Me 14 of Them Right Now. Expenses: 1/1 The pricing is pretty standard. Some items were not worth it to me, but some are worth going to battle for, figuratively speaking of course! Fish Sandwich: $21 Ribs: $34 Burger: $19 Butter Cake: I don't know and I don't care. Give me another 14. Location: 1/1 The staff was very friendly and went out of their way to make our night memorable, which we deeply appreciated. The location itself is beautiful with a great ambiance enhanced by the the impressive architecture, décor, and lighting. I was able to pay using debit card. Parking is a hit or miss, good luck! Possibility of a Future Visit & Recommendation: 1/1 While not all menu items hit the mark, the combination of delightful service, fantastic fries, ribs, and the unforgettable butter cake make it a new favorite spot.

Heather P.

Yelp
Advance reservations are highly recommended at this five star restaurant. (If they don't have a Michelin, they should!) Seating options include a covered, heated patio (my first choice!) Indoor tables and a bar. Service and server were excellent. Felt like the big city. Diverse selection of cocktails and wine. Chicken picata, with flavorful vegetables and mashed potatoes almost as good as mine, were enough for two, and pretty perfectly prepared. Prices for food were not outrageous, although drinks will be expensive. A great choice for a special dinner.
google avatar

Liz C.

Yelp
The food, ambience and service was amazing. A group of friends decide to check this place out and it did not disappoint. We had the shrimp taquitos, ribeye melt and butter cake for dessert. Can't wait to go back.
google avatar

Metta T.

Yelp
Everything I read from review is accurate from the moment you step into restaurant. Staff is amazing and Brice's customer service and attentiveness is beyond fabulous! The food was outstanding too, esp the devils eggs was nicely done on the deep frying as it wasn't greasy or over done!
google avatar

Leah D.

Yelp
Brittney (sp?) was a terrific server. She answered all our questions and was very attentive during our meal. We had the asparagus fries, Halibut special, chicken piccata, cioppino and the butter cake. All of the ingredients were fresh and high quality. Portion sizes were as expected. We sat outside in an overcast day but the heaters above kept us extremely comfortable. It wasn't too loud and the restaurant looked very well kept.
google avatar

Andrea M.

Yelp
Two stars only because the drinks were good and service was very friendly. Crowd here is elderly. Food was absolutely terrible to where I had them take back my food and ordered nothing else. I should have been deterred when we walked in and the place smelled of old fish. We sat outside where it was fresher air. The prime rib dip was not tasty. I ordered a burger medium and got a tartare burger. It came with brussels sprouts that were soggy and not nice and crispy like most other places. Our friend ordered the sea bass (clearly a bad choice based on the smell of the place) and it was not good at all. Just wet and not properly seared. Another friend wasn't all that hungry and ordered the chowder and it was thin and also not fresh tasting. What a let down. I was so excited to come here and instead I blew $200 on horrible food and 3 good cocktails. Won't be back- ever.
google avatar

Anne M.

Yelp
What a great lunch! I brought my mom here to celebrate her 78th birthday and she felt so special! Thank you to the staff for asking about the occasion when I made my reservation, for giving her a birthday card and little cake w a candle. She loved all of it! And I didn't even speak of your food yet... we both ordered the Spicy Thai chicken salad. It sounded so good that we were afraid we'd have envy of it if one of us ordered differently and ended up w an "ordinary" dish. It was presented so beautifully and it was super flavorful. We both enjoyed every morsel! We were impressed with your attention to detail. Thank you for heating our coffee cups so that they our coffee stayed warm until we finished the moist, tasty cake! Count on us returning:)
google avatar

Hanaah F.

Yelp
First time here. We didn't make a reservation as it was a weekday and a bit earlier than the dinner rush (around 4:15p). Street parking is available around the restaurant. I'm sure parking is more difficult on the weekends however. We walked over to the restaurant, and the entrance is to your left, where you'll have to walk to the left side of their patio dining area (facing the restaurant). We asked for the wait time for a party of 4, and they were able to seat us right away. Wasn't too busy overall, but it did pick up a bit past 5pm. Staff greeted us and took our drink orders first. Our server was prompt and took our drink orders and meal orders, including starters. The drinks were served pretty quick. They were pretty good non-alcoholic beverages. The starters came out thereafter, but surprisingly, the portions were smaller than I thought. We ordered the tuna tartare and asparagus fries, which were good. The tuna sashimi was well-seasoned. Asparagus fries- there are 6 of them per order. For entreé items, we ordered the chicken piccata, cioppino, aged sirloin, and chilean sea bass. The cioppino wasn't salty here, which was a plus. It was pretty delicious. The other dishes were also pretty good, all well-seasoned. The portions were also fair. Overall, good service here. However, I do think they should be quicker about serving their main entreés. We waited about 50min for our entreés, even though it didn't seem as busy. It seemed like a few other tables were also waiting. Regardless, it was just way too long. Our server actually swung by to inform us that he will check on our orders with their kitchen staff. Then a minute later, I believe one of the managers stopped by to apologize for the delay and asked us if we'd like anything else while we wait. We respectfully declined as we wanted to save room for our entreés. Then we were served our items a little over an hour... at the end of our meal, our server asked if we'd like to enjoy a complimentary dessert, free of charge, due to the long wait. We were too full to jump on that offer. I thought this was professionally handled, so it did not make me upset or anything. They acknowledged there was a problem without being prompted, and wanted to make things right. Thus, the 4 stars overall.
google avatar

Sara-Marie C.

Yelp
Nicks on State!!! Wow, just wowza. I googled best ambiance date night spots and so thankful this spot popped up. We had an unforgettable experience at Nick's! Initially faced with a 90-minute wait for a table, wild, I know but we were determined...we were pleasantly surprised when a high top spot at the bar opened up after just 30 minutes. Claudia and Brad took exceptional care of us; their attentiveness and friendly demeanor made our evening even more enjoyable. It was fun to sit at the bar after all. The romantic and gorgeous ambience set the perfect mood for our date night. Every dish we ordered was absolutely incredible. We started with the fried onion rings, which were perfectly crispy. The buttermilk fried chicken was a standout, and the cheeseburger with mustard coating was a delightful twist on a classic. For dessert, we indulged in the OH SO famous butter cake and an ice cream sundae - both were divine. Words can not explain, the butter cake oh butter cake... Although our total came close to $200, it was worth every penny for the exceptional service, delicious food, and overall experience. Let's not forget, we also had exceptional drinks! Cheers. The area around Nick's is charming, with plenty of public street parking and close proximity to the beach. We can't wait to return!
google avatar

Eric H.

Yelp
Carlsbad has added another restaurant to the neighborhood. With seven locations throughout SoCal, Nick's has become one of the best upscale restaurant chains around. My first experience with Nick's was at the Pasadena location. I was very pleased with my visit, and I've been back several times. My visit to Nick's on State was just as good. This is an amazing addition to state Street. In the past, I've had the Bacon Deviled Eggs, Pan Seared Scottish Salmon and the Prime Rib Dip. All of it, excellent. This time we tried something different. -Corn Chowder w/Potato and Bacon - hearty comfort soup - delicious -Tuna Tartar - perfectly seasoned, with a healthy serving of chips and avocado -4 oz. Petit Fillet with soup and salad - Perhaps the best deal on the menu. -Savory Short Ribs - the meat falls off the bone, I used a fork & knife and didn't get my hands messy - the best ribs I've had. Nick's on State is great; Great ambiance, great food and great service. It's a no brainer.

Lamont P.

Yelp
We enjoy having dinner at this restaurant - the kale salad with chicken is top-notch.
google avatar

Vicky S.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant. I sat outside because it was a nice day. I had the spicy Thai chicken salad (without the chicken) and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The server was attentive and the food was delicious.
google avatar

A L.

Yelp
This restaurant is beautiful, love the interior. It's big with lots of seating inside and outside on the patio and also by the bar. Service was very good. I would make a reservation if you're planning to go on a busy evening. My friend had the Thai salad and said it was very good. I had the blackened fish sandwich which was also good. The fries were a little salty but they were crispy. Overall a good experience and will probably return to try other menu items

Anna R.

Yelp
Alexis was amazing! She recommended all the goods and checked on us constantly. The food was amazing and unique! Alexis recommended the French onion soup and Brussels, and wow! It was a great experience, and we will be coming back!
google avatar

Michael A.

Yelp
First time dining at a Nick's restaurant and it did not disappoint! Nick's on State was a great experience from start to finish. In addition to Carlsbad, Nick's apparently has locations in Belmont Shore, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Del Mar. Before my recent brunch here, I was completely unaware. To eat, I ordered the Prime Rib Dip, priced around $24. To drink, a Harland Hazy IPA. Service was both quick and efficient. I loved the ambience and decor. The food itself was delicious and satisfying. The Hazy IPA was a perfect match. If you find yourself in Carlsbad, this figures to be one of the best brunch spots around. Definitely give this place a try!
google avatar

Mark W.

Yelp
Okay, you have check this place out! I don't know Nick yet, but I look forward to meeting him. This man gets it! This is some of San Diego's finest cuisine. The ribeye sourdough sandwich is a gem, back that up with tomato soup and you have a meal to remember. Even the side salad bistro salad is amazing - it stands up on it's own accord. Sit at the Bar if Claudia is there. She will guide your experience and ensure you have an exceptional time. This is now one of my top 10 joints in San Diego.
google avatar

Holly F.

Yelp
I find myself ordering the same dish every time we come here, why, because it is absolutely delicious! I am a salad eater but this fish sandwich kicks any salad, no matter how good right out the door. Speaking of salad, the bistro salad is also fantastic, perfectly crunchy. The shrimp taquitos and flavorful, I get the sauces on the side. Service is always great. We've sat at the bar and also at a table. The staff does not miss. Odd side note but this place has the best smelling bathroom you will ever experience... just saying.
google avatar

katrina b.

Yelp
Excellent food and service! Every time I go I'm happy with my food and experience. Ambience is awesome too!
google avatar

Tonto N.

Yelp
Went here for the first time. It has been open for awhile but we have not had a chance to try it. The inside is as clean as if it opened today. Wait staff have a very strong work ethic and the service was impeccable. Ate chicken picata and the Scottish salmon dishes. App was a jumbo shrimp taquito plate. Had a alcohol free mule and a glass of Malbec to wash it down. Dessert was a key lime pie ( outstanding). Servings were plentiful, so come hungry. Ambiance is coastal chic. The only drawback which is not their issue is the parking which can be a challenge. Try it you'll like it!!!
google avatar

M. Spencer H.

Yelp
Can't say enough good things about Cody, our waiter, not only was he incredibly attentive without being overbearing, but he remembered very specific cocktail preferences from our party of THIRTEEN. Give this guy a raise! We had an amazing time and the food was fantastic.
google avatar

Jerry S.

Yelp
Best meatloaf on the planet. My wife had the sirloin, she loved that, too. But that meatloaf tho...
google avatar

Michelle S.

Yelp
We love Nick's South of the border so we were here for a soccer tournament and decided to check out Nick's on State. It was delicious. We shared some onion rings and the French onion soup before moving on to our entrees, ribs and chicken strips for the kids and fried chicken and meatloaf for the adults. Everything was delicious and we ate it all. The strawberry lemonades my kids ordered were rimmed with sugar and we topped off the meal with a shared butter cake with berries and ice cream, Perfect Meal! We had a team of 3 headed by server Riley and they were great.

Dave A.

Yelp
Had heard a lot of things about this place, all good. Had NYE dinner and was not disappointed. Everything people told us was spot on. Service was great, food as well. I have had plenty of baby back ribs, all across the country. These were truly fall off the bone like everyone claims. Upscale setting but still reasonable prices for what you get.
google avatar

Bri S.

Yelp
Been here a few times for lunch and dinner, amazing food! The service is usually good, a blonde young lady helped us for lunch on a Sunday. And a darker haired young man with glasses on a Friday I believe. He definitely gave 5 star service! The restaurant is half inside half outside and beautiful all around. Even though you are on a fairly busy road, you don't even notice because the environment within makes up for it. Definitely recommend
google avatar

Mark F.

Yelp
You've got to visit Nick's on State in Carlsbad - it's like finding a hidden treasure chest buried in the sand! I recently dined there, and it felt like hitting the jackpot every time I took a bite. The service is so spot-on it's like the staff has a sixth sense for what you need. They're as friendly and attentive as a golden retriever greeting you at the door after a long day. The ambiance is welcoming, making you feel like you're coming home to a cozy, stylish living room. We dined here to celebrate one of my closest friend's birthdays and boy did the staff deliver. They made Mark and his wife Linda feel like a king and queen and well... ...let me tell you about the food - it's out of this world. Picture this: their prime rib is so tender, it's like cutting through butter with a hot knife. Each bite melts in your mouth, making you wonder if you've just discovered the secret to eternal happiness. The seafood dishes are as fresh as if Poseidon himself delivered them straight from the ocean to your plate. And the cocktails? They're mixed so perfectly that they might as well be crafted by a wizard. One sip, and you'll feel like you've been granted three wishes. And the wine list? It's like having a map to the world's best vineyards right in your hands. Each selection is curated to complement the menu so well, that you'll think the grapes were grown specifically for your meal. The stylish and comfortable setting makes you feel like you're dining in a posh, yet incredibly welcoming, home. The owners, Nick and his team, have really hit the nail on the head with this place. They've created a dining experience that's consistently top-notch, from the food to the service. It's like they've bottled the essence of an unforgettable meal and poured it into every aspect of the restaurant. So, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to enjoy a fantastic meal, make your way to Nick's on State. It's a must-visit spot in Carlsbad. Trust me, you'll leave with your taste buds dancing and a smile as big as a Cheshire cat's. Don't just take my word for it - go experience it yourself and see why everyone is raving about Nick's on State!
google avatar

Megan A.

Yelp
The food is absolutely delicious. I always get the salmon w/spinach & potatoes. I can't change b/c I love it so much. The service is amazing and the inside is cool.
google avatar

Ivan B.

Yelp
A great team of servers with really excellent food! An original Meatloaf that is just fabulous.