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Local Favorites in Carlsbad “Eat Like a Local”

Carlsbad Food Tours

Carlsbad is known as “The Village by the Sea,” it offers the charm of a European town with the conveniences of a large city including Award-winning restaurants.  It is a small coastal city in northern San Diego County that happens to have some of the best food in San Diego.

The Village is where you will find Carlsbad’s best local cuisine.  This list is in no particular order just some local favorites:

Jeune et Jolie

As a 2021 MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape.  Enjoy a tasty culinary experience made for celebrating.  Focus on the taste and texture of each bite, to truly savor the flavor of the dish.

Local favorite:

Four course meal with wine.  Un, Deux, Tros, Quatre

jeune-jolie menu


Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Seafood

Chef Gaetano Cicciotti serves delicious wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood dishes, and other traditional dishes from his family original recipes.  Chef Cicciotti has also created his own cookbook with all of his recipes, so you can make them at home too.

Local favorites:

Pennette Alla Vodka

short tube pasta in a creamy tomato vodka sauce (add chicken, sausage, or shrimp

Tagliatelle Bolognese

flat noodles in a fresh meat sauce (ground veal, pork and beef meats)

Gnocchi Al Gorgonzola

potato dumplings served with a creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce and walnuts

Tiramisu

Homemade Limoncello

Cicciottis Carlsbad


The Strawberry Shack

The Strawberry Shack specializes in products that are made with fresh California Strawberries.  Strawberry Shakes & Shortcakes to Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberry Marshmallows, Homemade Strawberry Pudding, Strawberry Cannoli’s, Strawberry Pina Colada Dole Whip along with other Strawberry delights.

Local favorites:

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Pina Colada

The Strawberry Shack


Gelato Love

Italian homemade gelato ice cream that comes in many delicious flavors.

Local Favorites:

Stracciatella – Chocolate Chip

a piece of cake covered in snow

vanilla ice cream ball with chocolate sauce and crumbs isolated on white background, top view

 

Double Chocolate Gelato (GF) –

a piece of chocolate cake

chocolate ice cream ball with sauce and crumbs isolated on white background, top view

Bacio – chocolate hazelnut (GF)

Sea Salted Caramel (GF) – 1 Pint

a piece of cake on a table

caramel ice cream with caramel sauce isolated on white background


Froglanders

Froglanders is a family-owned creperie serving authentic sweet and savory crepes, frozen yogurt, fresh smoothies and baba

Local Favorites:

a plate of food with broccoli

Amazing

Nutella, Banana, Fresh Strawberries

Supreme

Brie, Bacon, mozzarella, Spinach, Tomato (Buckwheat GF batter)

Loco

Chicken, Jalapeno, Gouda, Mozzarella, Arugula (Buckwheat GF batter)

Ratatouille

Be The Chef! Select as many topping as you like.

Froglander Menu


Senor Grubby’s

Señor Grubby’s serves Southern California street style award winning Mexican food.

eatgrubbys.com

Local Favorites:

Al Pastor Burrito with cilantro, onions, guacamole and fresh piña 

Grubby’s Famous Street Tacos


Lola’s Mexican Deli

Family owned business since 1943, Lola’s serves fresh and delicious traditional Mexican food.

Local Favorites:

Bean & Cheese Burrito

Chile Relleno Plate

Enchiladas

Lola’s


The Goods

a chocolate covered donut

Artisan Doughnuts crafted with the finest Locally sourced ingredients.

Local Favorites:

Vermont Maple

Chocolate Ganache

Boston Cream

Brown Butter

Nutella Buttercream

The Goods


Park 101

Park 101 has something for everyone. The Garden Pub is a large downstairs area for families and kids while being dog friendly. Originally Park 101 started by being meat centric.

Local Favorites:

Smoked meats:

a piece of cake sitting on top of a wooden table

Pulled Pork

Queso Rib Tacos

smoked ribs, taco sauce, melted mozzarella cheese

Vibe Bowl

dirty rice, house black beans, avocado, chimichurri, pickled red onion, cherry tomatoes, queso fresco, and corn tortillas

Brussel Sprouts

Mac & Cheese

Watermelon Mimosa

Park101 menu

 


Carlsbad Food Tours

Carlsbad Food Tours

Another option if you are looking to try some of Carlsbad’s great restaurants is Carlsbad Food Tours.  It is a 3-hour guided walking tour with food and wine tastings from 6 unique eateries.  You would also learn about Carlsbad’s history, culture, and architecture, while eating your way through the town.  Schedule your tour today at Carlsbad Food Tours

 


Written by:
Cherimarie Poulos
Owner & Founder of Carlsbad Food Tours

Cheri has a strong connection to Carlsbad. One of her daughter’s was Miss Carlsbad 2005. So, she voted herself to be Mrs. Carlsbad. Now the Chief Foodie & Founder of Carlsbad Food Tours! She loves Carlsbad & is happy to share her knowledge of local history and great eateries.  When she is not horseback riding, she is hanging out in Carlsbad doing food tours.
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We offer a 3 hour guided walking tour of the village featuring tastings from local eateries, and insights into Carlsbad’s art, history and architecture.