Same Same

We sat at the bar so we had great service. The dining area is on the small side. Of course it’s hard to interact with 6 people at the bar, lol. We ordered the whole fish. I think it may have been a special. It was a rock fish, I believe. He had teeth and all!!! We shared it between 3 people. It was hard to know how to approach eating it at first, Ha! But once we dug in it was really good! I definitely swallowed a few small bones though. The cocktails are yummy too. The menu is hilarious with a quote for every drink. I love the plants everywhere! There’s even a small patio with seating as well. It’s a fun place in Carlsbad Village

Restaurant Review: Same Same – A Flavor-Fueled Gem Worth Repeating From the moment we sat down at Same Same, we were treated to a top-tier dining experience – and it all started with our waiter, "Sea-bass". He absolutely killed it with his service. His energy was contagious, his recommendations were spot-on, and his attention to detail made the entire meal feel effortless and fun. He set the tone for what turned out to be an incredible night. The rest of the staff was just as amazing – friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. The whole team operated like a well-oiled machine, making us feel welcome and taken care of from start to finish. Now let’s talk food: an absolute flavor explosion. Every dish was layered with bold, vibrant flavors that hit all the right notes. It’s rare to find a place where each bite keeps you coming back for more, but Same Same nailed it. The bar is equally impressive. It’s a full bar, and the cocktails are seriously next level. The Paloma was refreshingly crisp, perfectly balanced with a zesty citrus pop, while the espresso martini was rich, smooth, and left us wishing we had room for a second (or third). Portions were more than generous – we left with leftovers, which we were more than happy to relive the next day. Bottom line: Same Same is a must-visit. Amazing food, exceptional drinks, and the kind of service – thanks again, Sea-bass! – that turns a great meal into an unforgettable experience.

Don’t be put off by the smallish menu, every single item on it is prepared with care and executed flawlessly. Surprised to find such a gem in a tourist area. Excellent cocktails and NA options. Wish I could come here once a week

Absolutely brilliant; short menu with delicious options. The drinks are a little cheeky and clever with flavor to match. Persian cucumbers are light and refreshing; the chicken sandwich has good spice and crunch. Excited to return and try more items!

Just one of the best spots in the area. Love the drinks and the atmosphere etc. The staff are amazing too! More to add...

great food and drinks located on top of coyote. Colin was an amazing bartender and the chefs were very accommodating to our dietary restrictions as my wife has a gluten intolerance.

Great place, love the vibe. Service was outstanding. Food and drinks were amazing. We did all apps - wonton samosas, larb croquettes, chicken satay with peanut sauce, shrimp ceviche. Highly recommend!

Drinks were amazing! Atmosphere is dark and cozy. Loved this place. 10/10

Service was great on a slow weekday happy hour. Waitress recommended the Holy Shishito drink and I was not disappointed. It's one of those drinks that you can hardly taste the alcohol so it can be dangerous during happy hour! The hot potato plate was probably the best fried potato dish I've ever had. Ask for the NY steak that's off menu! It is cooked to perfection with an amazing and spicy dipping sauce on the side that is 100% worth the money. It's a small restaurant but the ambiance here is perfect for date night!

Called to see if they were open MLK Monday...nothing I saw on Yelp that said otherwise, so called to be sure and make a dinner reservation. Phone rang 5x, then hung up. Twice. Why bother trying again?

Wow this place is awesome! Great service and ambiance. Perfect date night spot to grab a drink or two, maybe three! Also smack in the middle of all the action in DT Carlsbad. Recommend popping in!

Honestly really impressed by this place!! Came for a cute bar vibe with my friend and stayed for the good service and food. We ordered the chicken sandwich, Khao soi, and Korean short ribs to share. All dishes were really tasty and had very different flavors. Those three dishes were perfect to share between two! I think my favorite of the three was the chicken sandwich. We also ordered the lemon sour drink and that was super tasty. A little on the sweet side, but good overall. The servers were all really kind and funny. This place is definitely a nice vibe! I'd recommend coming here!

This place has been on my list to try for quite some time and I was driving back from LA and told my husband I could use a cocktail and I suggested we go here. Parking wasn't bad and we walked in and saw the bar was full and a couple of nice people said they would move down so two bar stools would be together for us. Score! I loved that. The dining room wasn't full but apparently the reservations list was full so that wasn't an option. No worries next time if we bring some friends we shall make a quick reservation. Love all the decor in here and the vibe was fun. The bartenders were all really friendly. I think the manager was helping us out. A nice gentleman with a mustache. We read through the menu and decided to have small plates and some drinks. -Lemon Sour (sake cocktail) 8/10- I love tart drinks and this was nice - Guilty as cin- my husbands pick. He would say 7/10 it was too tart for him but I liked it a lot 9/10 for me Our second drink round: -Sioux City old fashioned 10/10 -Sex work is real work 9.5/10. I think this is their take on a porn star martini. It has carrot too. It was so delish. .5 off bc I thought the glass could be more fun haha. As for the food we had: -Larb lettuce cups -short ribs -wonton samosas -Thai chicken wings. All the food was so tasty. Would genuinely try anything next time. Great vibes, tasty drinks and delicious food + attentive service. What a great Carlsbad gem

I've been wanting to check this out and it did not disappoint! They have some interesting cocktails with great names and great Thai flavors in the food. My favorite drink was the Wendy Peppercorn. We tried the wings, lettuce wraps and a a marinated steak special. I really liked the lettuce wraps and the steak was delicious, it came with some Thai chili chimchurri which was excellent. They have several gluten free options which I appreciate and the ambiance is cool. I would definitely come back again.

This spot is sucha vibe. The decor inside is dim with colorful lights. The service was really nice. We ordered the khao soi noodles with chicken. I would probably order this with a different protein next time as the chicken was just okay. BUT the noodles and broth were incredible. Super tasty. We also ordered the korean short ribs and those were very delicious as well. They came out cold the first time but they brought us a new plate which was way better. Ordered the tangerine, you are my sex machine with tequila instead of mezcal. This wasnt very good. Absolutely no thai tea flavor. I wouldnt get this drink again.

Get the my yammi vice cocktail, super delicious. And try to get there during Happy Hour, house cocktails are $10 vs $16.

Late night review: I loved this Thai spot! I have been to many Thai restaurants, but rarely "fancy ones", and never one with a Thai inspired drink menu. This place has a reputation for its cocktails, and it did not disappoint. My friend and I stopped by this upstairs location at around 9:30pm. Tum Tum 2.0, sex work is real work, and my yammy vice. All of these drinks were absolutely amazing, and definitely had Thai flavorings, must be tried to be believed (and understood). It was very unfortunate that this location closes their kitchen at 9pm, drats we just missed it! I'll definitely be back for drinks and to sample the menu. This location turns into a nightclub, and we loved the DJ. It wasn't overly crowded by 10:45pm, but I'm sure gets busier as it gets later. Overall a really fun spot for a night out. Bonus points to the bartenders who gave us water while enjoying our drinks and refilled.

Beautiful interior located in a shopping restaurant center on the 2nd floor so with a stroller it was a jaunt. Beautiful interior and laid back atmosphere. Service was amazingly kind and fast. Food was so so so good! Loved the Thai wings super crispy good juicy meat. Khao sou perfect spice level. My only suggestion would be to use only chicken breast vs thigh. Drinks were yummy. Would definitely come back

whole lotta shaking going on at SAME SAME. citing "creative differences," they broke up the band. I blame Yoko Ono. the previous kitchen magician moved on to new opportunities, and after several weeks floundering in the doldrums, there's major mojo in the SAME SAME kitchen again. Cisco (Francisco Pieras), late of Brian Malarkey's Herb and Wood in San Diego, is the new kid in town, and I predict he will quickly garner universal acclaim as a rising star in the local food scene. the GOCHUJANG CHICKEN SANDWICH (brioche bun, lettuce, papaya pickle, and mezcal aioli) and the SHRIMP CEVICHE (Thai-style aquachile) with poached shrimp, salsa verde, diced cucumber, avocado, and red onion, are all pretty straightforward -- well conceived and well executed. I rarely order desert, but was out with a friend who was intrigued by the BEIGNETS (French-style doughnut-hole-sized doughnuts) when Sara, our server, suggested them. SAME SAME's arrived hot out of the fryer with sweetened, condensed milk and a sprinkle of toasted coconut, and like our server, they were delightful. during the brief stretch in the doldrums, the LARB CROQUETTES (ground beef, lime aioli, cucumber slice, and crispy, fried basil leaves) were more briquette than croquette but last night, they were absolutely amazing -- a great mix of flavors and textures. I was blessed to be a crash-test dummy for several new dishes under consideration for a new-and-slightly-expanded menu (or as evening specials) -- PORK BELLY SKEWERS, LARB CUPS, and a Thai-style WHOLE FRIED ROCK FISH. all three were off-the-charts delicious and hopefully coming soon to a menu near you. love Cisco, love Mike, love Shawn, love Cory, love Cassey, and in love with Sara. SAME SAME still here and better than ever, with a great vibe and well deserving of MORE than five stars on Yelp and at least one on Michelin.

Come here for the expansive cocktail options and small bites - not for extensive food options. We had a reservation for 6 at six, and were seated immediately. The lighting is perfect with dried flowers hung from the ceiling. Our server was helpful and friendly. She answered our questions, made suggestions, and checked on things when she didn't know. Cocktails are spot on and they do not scrimp on the booze. My dirty martini was just the right amount of dirty! Food options are limited so don't come if you're picky! The smashed potatoes with aioli were a hit, as was the one salad option. The samosas had a good kick and crispiness. The panang curry was good but it was odd to include potatoes. The marinated cucumbers were good but soy heavy. Mixed reviews on the satay - gotta love the spicy peanut sauce to be a fan. They do not serve dessert so plan on another cocktail. Enjoy!

This place is incredible! Perfectly balanced drinks, bomb azz knowledgeable bartenders and servers and the ambiance is freaking so cool!

Y'know, the reason I check in everywhere is so I can remember to write a review later / so it jogs my memory. So glad I did here because Same Same may have been the latest spot to truly blow me away! We're spoiled for choice here, but it's still rare to be pleasantly surprised and satisfied by a new place. I had ventured in on my own in between errands, after a cursory search of Carlsbad for something that would catch my eye. As we know, Carlsbad isn't exactly teeming with ethnic spots, and I was cautiously excited. It was a little hard to find Same Same since it's tucked into a corner on the second level, finally got there after consulting the map several times and almost even called them for directions (I was not alone, heard the bartender/owner giving directions after I finally settled in). The second I walked in, my hopes were lifted even more. What hands down COOL decor!! I got a hearty "welcome in" from who I found out later is one of the owners, and that was cheery after my treasure hunt to locate it! The menu is eclectic and hilarious, and even though it was difficult to choose just one drink (hey, had to drive after), I settled on the Cheezus, after having a fun conversation about which to choose. If this was Harry Potter, it would've gotten an O for Outstanding! Aesthetically pleasing, deliciously creamy, sweet but not cloyingly so-- it tasted like strawberry milk, the new-to-us confection that Asia has been an expert in for forever. Nibbled on the Thai wings, which had some unexpected heat and were incredibly flavorful and sticky in the best way. I forgot how much I'd enjoyed Same Same, and what really put it over the top was how wonderfully friendly everyone was, checking in often but not too much, and happy to chat about the different menu options. Its location in one of Carlsbad's bigger plazas contributed to the hidden gem feel-- I'm so glad North County has such an exciting, unique spot, and I'm already plotting my return!

Incredible meal! Both drinks and everything we ate was excellent! We love Thai food but this had a slightly different flavor than most Thai restaurants we go to- I could taste more lemongrass. Loved the decor too and service was great! We came in early on a Saturday & got sat immediately. Will return!

Where do I start...first, the amazing service made all the difference for us. 2nd, the flexibility of being open to making a totally off the wall whisky concoction made with UBE. Absolutely delicious! Mike was the difference maker for us! Thank you MIKE for bringing a whole different flavor to our pallette! Love this place! Definitely a "Go To" mixologist feel! We WILL be back!

Service was amazing, it was really busy but there was no delay in our food or drink service. I can't stop thinking about the food, it was phenomenal. I just want more people to know about the food, so they can experience what my taste buds experienced tonight. I looked at a lot of previous reviews and the photos are outdated, so I seriously suggest checking their current menu which can be found on their website! Our server tonight was Cassey and she was the absolute coolest. Overall, amazing experience!

Such a cool and unique spot. A little tricky to find, so I had to ask my friend I was meeting. And of course parking is horrible on a Friday night in the village! The food seems very fresh and tasty. I was surprised the menu for food seemed limited. Maybe it is because they wanted to focus on the bar part? But we enjoyed a little bit of everything. The margaritas were refreshing and the waitress was really sweet'

We really like our experience here. We came in on Thursday evening for date night. We had a reservation but there were plenty of seats available. My husband and I really like the ambience, lighting and art around the place. They had specials (Tuna tartare and beef ribs). We ordered them both as well as samosas and Thai chicken wings. Everything came out good and the price was reasonable. We will be back

Stopped in last night for a cocktail and quick bite to eat. The menu is small, but oh my gosh, so yummy. We did the ceviche, potatoes, and chicken sandwich. So, so good. My husband was only going to eat half the sandwich, but said it was to good to save for later. The flavor was so good. After dinner my Uber was arriving and we headed downstairs. I turned around at the bottom of the stairs to a staff member who was looking for me because I'd left my bag. I didn't even realize it. (Thank you all day pool drinks). I can not tell you how thankful I am. It was an expensive designer bag anyway, not to mention my wallet inside pretty much has my entire life in it. Replacing all of this would have been a pain. Thank you so much for looking for me and giving me my bag. We would have come back anyway, as the service and food was great, but that made me a loyal customer.

The decor was slightly overwhelming, and the menu was very limited. We ordered Tangerine You Are My Sex Machine- absolutely disgusting, the first thought that came to mind after 1 sip was smoking cigarettes and eating fish...it didn't taste at all like I was anticipating. The food was delicious, we ordered Khao Soi - amazing, spicy very rich, I couldn't stop eating it. I would have liked some more pickled veggies but overall amazing. Chicken Sandwich- really good flavors, the chicken was cooked well, nice and crispy however, the bun disintegrated because of the sauce Not sure I'd come back

Same Same is the best. It's owned and operated by 3 local gents Shawn, Mike, and Cory. Everyone loves to see bartenders turned owners. The drinks are made well with great names and pop culture loar to go with it. The food is Thai/Asian. Bit of a mix, full of flavor!!!! The ambience is very unique like a tiki bar and tattoo shop had a baby. It's epic. Thanks for doing you guy!

The food, vibe, and service here are amazing. Always a great experience when I visit!

Cute little cocktail bar/restaurant. We got a few shareables and some cocktails. All tasted pretty good well... service was a little slow only because there was only one waitress working, but she did great. Definitely will come back for date night, without our baby!

Best drinks in the area. Great vibe. Friendly bartenders that seem very genuine. We didn't have a bad drink.

Yum. Ribeye was perfect and all the cocktails are so balanced and special. Decorated fun and stays open late.

This was a cute little spot for a Saturday night. The drinks are really good, was kinda bummed they stop serving food right before we got there. There was a dj playing some decent hits. We also were able to catch an interesting drag performance. Overall, enjoyed our visit, and will try to come back to check out the food.

Family did takeout from Same Same in early Nov after visiting Legoland's Christmas event, both wife and I got the curry togo among other appetizers. After consuming my curry an hour later at home, I fell sick. I could not stop vomiting and coming out the other end and had to visit local ER at 4am to be rehydrated and maintain water in my stomach before my body could absorb it. My wife was fine the first night. The next day she finished her leftover curry and within an hour had diarrhea as well. With the number of solid reviews I think it may be a one time fluke with sick staff in the kitchen or something else.

Really rooting for this place. For Carlsbad, this had probably the most flavorful food I've had outside of Campfire. God knows the city needs a healthy dose of spices, and then some. Felt cautious about Thai & Korean inspired food, but some of the items here have potential. The standout was definitely the wonton samosa. Very well spiced massaman, enough sweet to balance it out, and a kick of actual heat that lingers a bit. Crisp shell contrasts the soft potato based filling. Korean shortrib leaned toward a savory, grilled flavor that came off as salty-bitter. I'm not sure ours had the Thai chimichurri that I saw on some other pics, and it wasn't quite the sweeter interpretation of gochujang I'm used to with most Korean restaurants I've visited. I think some sweet would've been a good complement to the flavors there. Khao soi was disappointingly one dimensional, lacking in salt and too heavy on lemongrass. Noodles were fine. Short rib was worth the extra charge, a nice serving of relatively tender cubes. Since the curry base was bland, this was more of a textural experience. Gochujang chicken sandwich was alright. The chicken was generous in portion, tender, and the superior meat that is thigh. I found the combo or proportions of sauces to be too acidic between the gochujang sauce, mezcal aoili, and then the grated & pickled green papaya on top. I really dig the concept, but I think more milk fat and less acid would've made it better. The brioche bun reminded me of cafeteria bread, lacking that chew and shiny golden crust on top. For some reason we got lucky and got to try an off-menu marinated flap steak with Thai chimichurri. Aside from the samosas, these were the highlight. Steak was tender, still a bit rare, good flavor with the marinade and sour-spicy-sweet of the chimichurri. Compliments to the chef on this assumed ode to tiger cry steak, and thanks to the waiter for sharing this one. The ambiance is pretty sweet in my opinion, kinda a dreamy chill. The bathrooms smelled like cinnamon and there's a projection of greenery or something on the wall in the back. Despite how the pictures look, the lighting is not too dim, but also not too bright. No complaints with service, got our orders and drinks in pretty fast. Chill staff. The drinks are apparently created by the same guy, Corey, who was behind Misadventure & Co.'s menu. Definitely a plus.

One of the few truly hip places in Carlsbad, a great place for a younger crowd to feel at home. They have DJs on the weekend and create a fun environment to eat and drink. Servers were great, food was solid.

We got there to late for food but we had a great time and I got the Shitshizo and that was pretty good but my fav was sex work is real work haha it really is a lot of work sheesh! Lol but super chill laid back vibes, they had a lil drag show, which in my opinion wasn't good at all but it was about people having a good time and that's what made it fun! It's pretty small tho but we got there just in time to get a table yeeee

Good food and vibe, but more of a bar with food than a restaurant. We really enjoyed, but not a real sit down place.

Always a great time here. Owner Shawn is often behind the bar and is amazing. Clientele is very welcoming- I mean three separate patrons gave me fist bumps, shook hands and clicked classes with me tonight! Music is loud but who doesn't enjoy yelling when you're having a great time? Great place to celebrate being born!

Came here for birthday. Was not disappointed. Great atmosphere! Service was exceptional and the food so very favorably delicious. The rice was my favorite. The happy hour menu is worth going for. The Thai chicken wings are a yassssss!!

Same Same is anything but. Their cocktails are executed with precision and the food is very flavorful. It's like going on vacation but not leaving the zip code. Service at the bar (anytime I have been here it's only at the bar) is excellent, very attentive and knowledgeable owners and staff.

So...we arrived a half hour before opening and Mike invited us in. We hung out, enjoyed some pre-game sake with us while they set up. The food was absolutely amazing! The tartare is a must as well as the Korean short ribs. The atmosphere was fun and cannot say enough of how great of a time we had. The old fashioned is another must try. Thank you Mike!

Sat at bar. Great drinks and shared plates were all yummy! Staff were attentive and engaging.

Amazing food and super nice staff made for an excellent date night. This is such a great addition to downtown Carlsbad

Went here with a decent size group, there was enough room to walk around and wasn't a horribly long wait to get the attention of a bartender to order a drink. The drink was about average priced for now-a-days. Overall the ambiance was good, spacious enough, average music. I would definitely come here again for a drink.

Yummm! This place surprised me with great food and an interesting cocktail list. Really enjoyed the wontons and the Khao soi.

This place had one of the best ceviches, we ordered this as an appetizer with a few drinks and the food was fresh and the chips were so good as well. Fresh seafood from a bar? I wasn't expecting but definitely coming back for more. Also, the servers were very attentive even though it was quite busy.

Occupying one of the shops next to a Carlsbad sushi favorite, Same Same was not my first choice for dinner out with my beloved wife. But, the decor and atmosphere quickly changed my mind as we sat down to look at the menu. Hanging plants, bundles of dangling flowers, artwork that feels derived from various tattoo sketches, and an overall tiger motif, this place as a fun and eclectic restaurant to eat at. I started with a 40 Thieves cocktail, a spicy blend of Tequila and Chili Oil with a hint of Lemon Juice on the back end. It was very refreshing, not too strong, and a good and tasty start to the night. The wife and I split an order of The Fish & Chips. I have eaten this dish a few hundred times from a few dozen different places and it demands saying that this is easily one of the best renditions of fried fish I've ever had. The breading was light and crispy, the cod was flakey and had a pleasantly oily texture, and the flavor was top notch. Seriously, I think this ranks up there with Harbor Fish South in terms of flavor and enjoyability for me as some of the best in town. Also on the table were an extra serving of the Pecorino Truffle Fries. Sliced thin to almost shoestring thickness, the potatoes themselves are cooked up nice and crispy. The cheese sprinkled on top added a nice, buttery flavoring without being too salty and was just very delightful and tasty altogether. In the end, Same Same was both a delicious dinner and a fun experience to dine at. There's a definite need to come back to try other fare off the menu. With such a great showing in that simple Fish and Chips, that Smoked Brisket Bahn Mi and Banana Pudding HAVE to be just as good!

Really exceptional food and drinks. Stopped by for a quick cocktail, then ended up ordering several drinks and small plates. Loved the potato's and chicken satay. Can't go wrong with any of the drinks. Ask for the off menu "adult Hi-C." A Paloma variation. Great vibes, staff and decor. Cheers!

My wife and I had 2 cocktails each. Each one was meticulously crafted by the two gentlemen behind the bar. Fantastic space, appetizers, and most of all music.

What an awesome spot!! We stumbled upon same same after looking up GF options and were so beyond happy we did! We got the chicken wings, half gem salad, pickles, khao soi, fried rice, holy shishito cocktail and everything was delicious! The owner and his wife were so lovely and adorable with their baby and the spot is GORGEOUS! Love supporting rad local spots!

The place has great music and the bar staff was an amazing experience. Made great little bar bites as well with a good spot in the village of Carlsbad to go to.

Always interested in trying a new spot I was looking forward to checking out Same Same. Good name because it's the same as any other run of the mill bar in Carlsbad. I read in several recent reviews that it is trendy and hip . Nope. Not trendy. Not hip. The Decor is meh. No significant changes since it was Clara's. The music is too loud to talk. But we were forewarned by friends to expect it to be very loud. It was "Country and Western " night and not a Cowboy hat or Country theme to be seen. Just loud Country music. Our drinks were nothing special. Very basic. My husband likes Old Fashions. It was definitely subpar. The bartender was very nice and engaging. Otherwise- nothing new or exciting about this place. I left feeling disappointed.

We were just window shopping in the village shops and this was second level. Just in time for a short beer and back out. Nice.

Very enjoyable small spot w/ and equally small menu but substantial and unique cocktail list. Two of us had the Holy Shishito Marg--excellent. Food wise everything was great and different. Samosas had sweet potato and great sauce. Chicken satay perfect w/ a sauce more than peanuts. Panang currie w/ short rib would do again. Good prices as well.