Campfire Gathering Around the Fire: The Restaurant That Helped Redefine Carlsbad Dining
“For thousands of years, people have gathered around a fire to share food, tell stories, and build community. Campfire simply continues that tradition.”
Since opening its doors in 2016, Campfire has become much more than one of Carlsbad’s most celebrated restaurants.
It has become a destination.
A gathering place.
A restaurant that helped transform Carlsbad Village into one of Southern California’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Inspired by the timeless tradition of cooking over an open flame, Campfire celebrates the simple pleasure of sharing exceptional food with family and friends. Every meal reflects California’s incredible farms, fisheries, and seasonal ingredients, prepared with creativity, craftsmanship, and a spirit of adventure.
Although Campfire is not currently a tasting stop on Carlsbad Food Tours, it is one of my favorite restaurants to recommend to guests looking for an unforgettable dining experience after exploring Carlsbad Village.
Meet the Visionaries
John Resnick and Chef Andrew Bachelier
Campfire was born from a shared vision between restaurateur John Resnick and founding Executive Chef Andrew Bachelier.
Together, they imagined a restaurant inspired by one of humanity’s oldest traditions—gathering around a fire.
Rather than creating a formal fine-dining restaurant, they wanted to build a place where guests could reconnect with food, conversation, and one another.
Chef Andrew Bachelier became known for his creative use of live-fire cooking, transforming simple ingredients into unforgettable dishes while celebrating California’s seasonal bounty.
The restaurant quickly gained national recognition, not only for its food but for its warm hospitality and innovative approach to dining.
Today, Campfire continues that tradition under the leadership of Executive Chef Eric Bost, whose thoughtful culinary direction has helped maintain the restaurant’s reputation for excellence while continuing to evolve its seasonal menu.
The Restaurant Story
Inspired by the Great Outdoors
Housed inside a beautifully restored former garage in the heart of Carlsbad Village, Campfire embraces the feeling of gathering outdoors without ever leaving town.
The dining room combines rustic materials, warm wood, open spaces, and an inviting atmosphere that immediately puts guests at ease.
Everything about the restaurant reflects its name.
Cooking over fire.
Sharing meals.
Slowing down.
Connecting with others.
The menu changes throughout the seasons, allowing California’s freshest ingredients to guide each day’s offerings.
It’s thoughtful cooking without pretension.
Signature Dishes
Campfire has become famous for dishes that celebrate live-fire cooking and bold California flavors.
Guest favorites often include:
- Campfire Broccoli
- Charred Brussels Sprouts
- Whole Grilled Fish
- Wood-Fired Octopus
- California Sea Bass
- House-Made Pastas
- Dry-Aged Meats
- The Famous Campfire S’Mores Dessert
Every dish reflects careful technique while allowing exceptional ingredients to shine.
Behind the Scenes
Cooking with Fire
Long before modern kitchens, fire was where every meal began.
Campfire celebrates that ancient tradition through wood-fired cooking techniques that bring depth, texture, and natural flavor to every dish.
Rather than relying on complicated sauces or heavy seasoning, the kitchen allows smoke, flame, and fresh ingredients to do the work.
It’s simple in concept.
Remarkably sophisticated in execution.
Why We Love Them
One of the things I admire most about Campfire is that it helped redefine what people expect when they visit Carlsbad.
For years, visitors came primarily for the beaches.
Today, many come specifically for restaurants like Campfire.
Whenever guests ask me,
“Where should we have dinner tonight?”
Campfire is always near the top of my list.
It represents everything I love about Carlsbad’s evolving culinary scene:
Creative.
Welcoming.
Relaxed.
World-class without feeling intimidating.
Building Carlsbad’s Culinary Reputation
Campfire helped launch a new chapter for Carlsbad Village.
Its success paved the way for additional nationally recognized restaurants, including Jeune et Jolie and Lilo, all part of restaurateur John Resnick’s growing contribution to Carlsbad’s culinary identity.
Together, these restaurants have helped establish Carlsbad as one of California’s most exciting food destinations.
If These Tables Could Talk…
“I’ve celebrated engagements, birthdays, reunions, and first dates. I’ve watched strangers become friends over shared plates and gathered countless families around the warmth of a fire. Every evening reminds me that great meals create lasting memories.”
Cherimarie’s Reflection
One of the things I appreciate most about Campfire is how approachable it feels.
Despite receiving national recognition, it has never lost its welcoming spirit.
The food is extraordinary.
The atmosphere is relaxed.
The experience is unforgettable.
When I recommend Campfire to our guests, I know they’re going to experience one of the restaurants that has helped put Carlsbad on the culinary map.
That’s something our entire community can be proud of.
Then & Now
Then
For generations, cooking over an open fire brought families and communities together.
Meals were shared.
Stories were told.
Connections were made.
Now
Campfire continues that timeless tradition in Carlsbad Village, using live-fire cooking to create memorable dining experiences while celebrating California’s incredible ingredients.
Did You Know?
- Campfire opened in 2016 in a renovated former garage in Carlsbad Village.
- The restaurant was founded by restaurateur John Resnick and founding Executive Chef Andrew Bachelier.
- Today, Executive Chef Eric Bost continues the restaurant’s commitment to seasonal California cuisine.
- Campfire is renowned for its live-fire cooking techniques.
- The restaurant’s famous Campfire S’Mores have become one of Carlsbad’s signature desserts.
- Campfire helped establish Carlsbad Village as a nationally recognized culinary destination.
Restaurant Quick Facts
Cuisine: California Live-Fire Cooking
Opened: 2016
Owner: John Resnick
Founding Executive Chef: Andrew Bachelier
Current Executive Chef: Eric Bost
Location: Carlsbad Village
Known For:
- Live-fire cooking
- Seasonal California cuisine
- Campfire Broccoli
- Charred vegetables
- House-made pastas
- Campfire S’Mores
Carlsbad Food Tours: Featured Recommendation
Reservations: Highly Recommended
Perfect For:
- Food enthusiasts
- Date nights
- Anniversaries
- Celebrations
- Visitors seeking one of Carlsbad’s signature dining experiences
A Seat at the Table
If you could gather around Campfire’s table with anyone—past or present—who would you invite, and what stories would you hope to share?
The oldest tradition in the world isn’t cooking.
It’s gathering.
And Campfire reminds us that some of life’s best conversations still happen around a shared meal.
Our Legacy
Campfire is more than an award-winning restaurant.
It represents a turning point in Carlsbad’s culinary story.
By celebrating live-fire cooking, exceptional California ingredients, and genuine hospitality, Campfire helped redefine what dining in Carlsbad could become.
Its influence extends beyond its menu, inspiring a new generation of restaurants and helping establish Carlsbad Village as one of California’s premier food destinations.
Like the campfires that have gathered people together for thousands of years, its greatest accomplishment isn’t simply the food it serves.
It’s the connections it creates.
Story Connections
This story connects with:
- Jeune et Jolie
- Lilo
- Blue Water Grill
- Gregorio’s Italian Restaurant
- Fresco Cocina
- Carlsbad Village
- Historic Highway 101
- Best Restaurants in Carlsbad
- Carlsbad Food Tours
Explore More Carlsbad Stories
Continue exploring Carlsbad’s remarkable culinary scene:
- Jeune et Jolie – Discover the Michelin-starred French restaurant that helped elevate Carlsbad’s dining reputation.
- Lilo – Experience an intimate tasting menu celebrating California’s coast and seasons.
- Blue Water Grill – Enjoy sustainably sourced seafood inspired by the Pacific Ocean.
- Gregorio’s Italian Restaurant – Learn how food and philanthropy come together through Greg Nelson’s story.
- Carlsbad Village – Explore the walkable downtown where Carlsbad’s culinary renaissance continues.
- Carlsbad Food Tours – Discover the people, places, and flavors that make Carlsbad unforgettable.
Discover Carlsbad with Carlsbad Food Tours
History is best experienced where it happened.
While Campfire isn’t currently a tasting stop on our tour, it’s one of the restaurants I enthusiastically recommend to guests who want to continue exploring Carlsbad’s outstanding culinary scene after their food tour.
Every great restaurant adds another chapter to Carlsbad’s story, and Campfire has written one of its most memorable.
Eat Like a Local. Feel Like a Local.
Collection
Restaurant Storybook
Reading Time
6 minutes
Story Themes
Live-Fire Cooking • California Cuisine • Culinary Innovation • Hospitality • Community • Carlsbad Village