American Restaurants
Mariah's, 377 Carlsbad Village Dr., 729-6040. Mariahs has apparently been there forever, but serves the best breakfast & brunch in town. Open daily from 7am to 2pm. [David H.]
Jay's Gourmet Restaurant, 2975 Carlsbad Blvd., 720-9688 . Mediterranean-style seafood, pasta & pizza. Casual but good [Cathy].
Neiman's 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, 729-4131. They serve excellent continental food and have a nice seafood selection and a very nice atmosphere, with live music after 10 pm some evenings [Cathy].
Dini's By the Sea Right on the coast is supposed to be very good.
Palomar Runway Cafe (American--right on the runway and sometimes crowded), 2162 Palomar Airport Rd., 431-9150. Basic American diner. I go because of the unusual setting, not for the food. [Dan]
Don's Country Kitchen 2885 Roosevelt St, 729-2274. Classic coffee shop/greasy spoon breakfasts, downtown. Also open lunch [Mary].
Vinaka Coffee House 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. #211 (upstairs) 720-7890. Also in Carlsbad Village Faire. They have the usual coffees/teas/desserts, and good ice cream, too. Families are more comfortable there than other coffee houses in town [Mary]. Vinaka also has wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access [Dan].
Karl Strauss Carlsbad, 5801 Armada Dr., 431-2739. A microbrewery with hearty, excellent food. Located at Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel [Dan]
The Farmer's Market Roosevelt & Carlsbad Dr., 720-9161. on Wednesday afternoons from 2-5 pm [Mary].
Quail's Inn Dinnerhouse. Not in Carlsbad, but in nearby San Marcos at 1035 La Bonita Road, 744-2445. They have a wonderful dining area overlooking Lake San Marcos. They serve American food in an nice setting and have a lunch buffet. [Dan]
Chinese Restaurants
Chin's Szechwan Restaurant 2958 Madison St., 434-7115 A long-standing, good Chinese restaurant in the downtown area. They specialize in "hot" Szechwan meals (but you can order it served "mild"). Crowded at lunch, so go early [Dan].
Seafood Restaurants
Fish House Veracruz, 417 Carlsbad Village Drive, 434-6777 Lots of fresh fish. Excellent seafood, nice atmosphere. Very good, wins lots of "Reader" poll awards. Not fancy, it's pretty much casual dining. It's good food, FRESH fish, nice atmosphere featuring tropical fish tanks. Make reservations if going on a Friday or Saturday or any other "date" night--it's crowded [Cathy]. Giant fish tacos [Dan].
Mexican Restaurants
Fidel's Norte, 3003 Carlsbad Blvd., 729-0903. Mexican [Dan].
La Especial Norte, 664 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 942-1040. On old Highway 101 in Leucadia, a mile or two south. It's a long-established, especially good Mexican restaurant with an extensive menu. It has a funky seashore decoration inside. Good for families. Often crowded in the evening. Arrive early. [Dan].
Tijuana It's way south, but if you're going over the U.S. border to eat, consider Hungry Hiker's Guide to Tijuana Dining [Dan]
Italian Restaurants
Vivace 7100 Four Seasons Point, 603-6800. At Four Seasons Resort Avairia. Definitely upscale and formal. It is located in the Four Seasons Resort and specializes in Northern Italian Cuisine. $$$ [Cathy].
Tuscany Ristorante-Bar-Cafe 6981 El Camino Real #103, 929-8111 In the small shopping plaza at El Camino Real and Aviara Parkway/Alga Road (just NE of La Costa Resort). Very tasty Italian food, not cheap but neither is it ridiculously expensive [Cathy].
Spirito's, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. #208, 720-1132 Italian restaurant in Carlsbad Village Faire that has great pizza, salads, and classic Italian entrees. Casual family restaurant [Mary].
European Restaurants
Armenian Cafe, 3126 Carlsbad Blvd., 720-2233 Traditional european restaruant, outdoor dining near beach [Dan].
Tip Top Meats, 6118 Paseo Del Norte, 438-2620. Landmark German market and restaurant. Very European feel, but not for vegetarians! [Dan] They also have a giant meat counter, a small grocery, and a deli/cheese counter. Tip-top will cut and marinate you order if you call ahead [Cathy].
Cafe Sevilla East of I-5, off Carlsbad Village Dr. Exit, 3050 Pio Pico, 730-7558. They've branched out here from their original Gaslamp Quarter location. Excellent Spanish cuisine, which of course does include some fish/seafood dishes. they're just east of I-5 at Carlsbad Village Drive. 3050 Pio Pico Dr., 730-7558 [Cathy].
Chain Restaurants
Olive Garden (Italian family restaurant), 1884 Marron Rd., 434-1016 [Dan].
Souplantation (salads, pastas, and soups), 1860 Marron Rd., 434-9100 [Dan].
Tony Romas (steak and ribs), 1814 Marron Rd., 720-0700 [Dan].
Claim Jumper, 5958 Ave. Encinas (no that's not a typo :-), 431-1085. Hearty American food, ample portions (take some home) [Dan].
In-N-Out, 5950 Ave. Encinas. Good hamburgers in a retro setting [Dan].
Marie Calendars, 5980 Ave. Encinas, 438-3929. American. (This is where the Heaven's Gate suicide cult from nearby Rancho Santa Fe ate their last meal in 1997.) [Dan].

Other Carlsbad Restaurants on the Web

These restaruants are unrated.

Pizza Port

Nightclubs and Music

Harry Jeremy, local musician (MPEG video and AU audio).
Art House Coffee and Gallery (local music), 2931 Roosevelt St., 730-0270
Coyote Bar and Grill (rock), 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., 729-4695
DiMaria's Restaurant (jazz), 2961 State St., 434-6239
Henry's (piano bar), 264 Carlsbad Village Dr., 729-9244.
Hennessey's Tavern (rock), 2777 Roosevelt St., 729-6951
Káfana Coffee Shop (rock, blues, cybercafe), 3076 Carlsbad Blvd., 729-0074
La Costa Coffee Roasting Co. (live music, cybercafe), 6965-208 El Camino Real, 438-8160
Ocean Squares, gay & lesbian square dancing
Tournament of Champions Lounge, La Costa Resort and Spa, Coast Del Mar Rd., 438-9111

For hotel restaurants, see Lodging information

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