Mimi & Hank's Guidebook
Carlsbad Food Scene
These are our family's go to places in Carlsbad.
Newest fine dining American steak and seafood eatery. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu with great service.
6 locals raden deze aan
Nick's on State
2742 State StreetNewest fine dining American steak and seafood eatery. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu with great service.
Board & Brew - Carlsbad Village
201 Oak AveTasty sandwiches and salads with good beer.
Hip food hall featuring unique counter-serve spots & craft cocktails, plus a patio & games.
15 locals raden deze aan
Windmill Food Hall
890 Palomar Airport RdHip food hall featuring unique counter-serve spots & craft cocktails, plus a patio & games.
King's Fish House
5625 Paseo Del NorteGreat seafood and cocktails.
Small mom and pop Japanese deli. Roll and poke bowls. Often sells out within two hours of opening. Cash only with a walk-up window for take-out.
8 locals raden deze aan
Yoshino
2913 State StSmall mom and pop Japanese deli. Roll and poke bowls. Often sells out within two hours of opening. Cash only with a walk-up window for take-out.
Low-key restaurant whipping up classic Japanese noodle soups, plus bowls, takoyaki & gyoza.
7 locals raden deze aan
GONZO RAMEN
300 Carlsbad Village DriveLow-key restaurant whipping up classic Japanese noodle soups, plus bowls, takoyaki & gyoza.
Simple inexpensive order-at-the-counter hangout with pastries, sandwiches, espresso & a sizable front patio. Tasty breakfast!
18 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Elysa
3076 Carlsbad BlvdSimple inexpensive order-at-the-counter hangout with pastries, sandwiches, espresso & a sizable front patio. Tasty breakfast!
Eatery with outdoor tables & red banquettes serving twists on classic American fare & unique drinks. Great cocktails and food is solid!
29 locals raden deze aan
The Compass
300 Carlsbad Village DrEatery with outdoor tables & red banquettes serving twists on classic American fare & unique drinks. Great cocktails and food is solid!
Via Vai Cucina Italiana
Authentic Italian with handmade pasta dishes and great service.
Chin's Szechwan - Carlsbad
Great Chinese food never disappoints.
Village Kabob Mediterranean Grill
550 Grand AvenueGood casual Mediterranean Greek
Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe
7110 Avenida EncinasFresh seafood and great fish tacos!
Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad
2833 State StNever disappoints for breakfast/brunch.
Great affordable breakfast with large portions, small butcher and German groceries.
26 locals raden deze aan
Tip Top Meats
6118 Paseo Del NorteGreat affordable breakfast with large portions, small butcher and German groceries.
No frills local unassuming diner with delicious pies, breakfast & lunch, reasonably priced with great service!
7 locals raden deze aan
Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe
950 Tamarack AveNo frills local unassuming diner with delicious pies, breakfast & lunch, reasonably priced with great service!
Upscale, locally owned market providing a gourmet deli, to-go entrees, baked goods & fine wines. We love their sandwiches and salads.
10 locals raden deze aan
Prontos' Gourmet Market
2812 Roosevelt StUpscale, locally owned market providing a gourmet deli, to-go entrees, baked goods & fine wines. We love their sandwiches and salads.
Shoots Fish & Beer
New Maui meets Baja poke and tacos shop with beer on tap.
Pizza Port Carlsbad
571 Carlsbad Village DrLocal casual kid-friendly pizza joint and brewery.
Carruth Cellars Tasting Room
2727 State StGreat local wine tasting and hangout
Beach City Smoothies
594 Carlsbad Village DrLocal smoothie and acai bowl place that we enjoy.
A great homemade ice cream shop with unique and tasty flavors.
35 locals raden deze aan
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
2825 State StA great homemade ice cream shop with unique and tasty flavors.
Lofty Coffee Company
2742 State StreetSpecialty coffee roaster and cafe
Fresh homemade authentic gelato with pure ingredients.
10 locals raden deze aan
GelatoLove (Gaia Gelato)
300 Carlsbad Village DrFresh homemade authentic gelato with pure ingredients.
Award winning specialty California coffee roaster. My favorite is the iced Honey Please the best!
9 locals raden deze aan
Steady State Roasting Co.
2562 State StAward winning specialty California coffee roaster. My favorite is the iced Honey Please the best!
Awesome pastries, copenhagen squares, croissants, coffee cakes, strudels, and more. Delicious!
Carlsbad Danish Bakery
2805 Roosevelt StAwesome pastries, copenhagen squares, croissants, coffee cakes, strudels, and more. Delicious!
Prager Brothers is a craft bakery specialized in high quality artisan breads made with organic grains. They also offer delicious unique pastries and sandwiches. Our go to for fresh baguettes and loafs.
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
Prager Brothers is a craft bakery specialized in high quality artisan breads made with organic grains. They also offer delicious unique pastries and sandwiches. Our go to for fresh baguettes and loafs.
Great homestyle local Mexican food and a neighborhood tradition in the Barrio.
9 locals raden deze aan
Lola's 7 Up Market & Deli
3292 Roosevelt StGreat homestyle local Mexican food and a neighborhood tradition in the Barrio.
Revolution Roasters
Newest small-batch coffee roastery with sandwiches and house-baked treats.
Laid-back pizzeria serving pies, salads, homemade pastas, Neapolitan meatballs & bread pudding. Amazing lasagna and their red sauce is our favorite!!
Roosevelt Pizzeria
3067 Roosevelt StLaid-back pizzeria serving pies, salads, homemade pastas, Neapolitan meatballs & bread pudding. Amazing lasagna and their red sauce is our favorite!!
Sightseeing
Batiquitos-lagune
Easy hiking trail with beautiful scenery.
1,200-acre historic urban cultural park in San Diego. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the San Diego Zoo.
3290 locals raden deze aan
Balboa Park
1,200-acre historic urban cultural park in San Diego. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrBest zoo in the world!
Great spot for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The water is calm and the cove is ecologically protected. There is also a world famous dive site that is located in the La Jolla ecological preserve.
1327 locals raden deze aan
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdGreat spot for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The water is calm and the cove is ecologically protected. There is also a world famous dive site that is located in the La Jolla ecological preserve.
Guided walking tours on weekends at this secluded & meticulously-landscaped park is home to peacocks, bird of paradise & more.
38 locals raden deze aan
Historisch park Leo Carrillo Ranch
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo LnGuided walking tours on weekends at this secluded & meticulously-landscaped park is home to peacocks, bird of paradise & more.
Nice sheltered cove accessible by a long concrete staircase. The water comes up to the bottom of the stairs during high tide, but the area is full of tide pools during low tide. Plenty of parking in the dirt along Coast Highway. Suggest you consult a tide schedule and come during low tide for the best experience. Bring your camera.
Terramar Beach
Nice sheltered cove accessible by a long concrete staircase. The water comes up to the bottom of the stairs during high tide, but the area is full of tide pools during low tide. Plenty of parking in the dirt along Coast Highway. Suggest you consult a tide schedule and come during low tide for the best experience. Bring your camera.
Local aquarium (small) - our favorite place to take visitors to include a day trip to La Jolla.
Birch Aquarium
Local aquarium (small) - our favorite place to take visitors to include a day trip to La Jolla.
Nice place to walk around and eat - farmer's market on Wednesdays.
889 locals raden deze aan
Little Italy
Nice place to walk around and eat - farmer's market on Wednesdays.
Cabrillo National Monument
Best views of San Diego hands down!
Annie's Canyon Trail
2550 Solana Hills TrailGreat beginner and intermediate trails.
Fully guided kayak and snorkeling tours takes you through the Ecological Reserve and along the La Jolla Sea Caves—some of San Diego’s most famous attractions. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park is a marine protected area that’s a famous destination for snorkelers, divers, and kayakers to respectfully explore. The Reserve is home to leopard sharks, Garibaldi (California’s state marine fish!), lush kelp beds, sea lions, and even the occasional pod of dolphins!
109 locals raden deze aan
La Jolla Kayak
2199 Avenida De La PlayaFully guided kayak and snorkeling tours takes you through the Ecological Reserve and along the La Jolla Sea Caves—some of San Diego’s most famous attractions. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park is a marine protected area that’s a famous destination for snorkelers, divers, and kayakers to respectfully explore. The Reserve is home to leopard sharks, Garibaldi (California’s state marine fish!), lush kelp beds, sea lions, and even the occasional pod of dolphins!
Shopping
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteLocal outdoor shopping and quick lunch places.
Outdoor shopping center with upmarket chain retailers and movie theater.
381 locals raden deze aan
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrOutdoor shopping center with upmarket chain retailers and movie theater.
Groceries
Small locally owned natural market and deli for quick produce and last minute grocery items and farm fresh vegetables. Amazing made to order sandwiches!
42 locals raden deze aan
Cream of the Crop
2009 S Coast HwySmall locally owned natural market and deli for quick produce and last minute grocery items and farm fresh vegetables. Amazing made to order sandwiches!
Sprouts Farmers Market
2618 El Camino RealNatural grocery store
Costco Wholesale
1755 Hacienda DrBest Costco in San Diego
Vons
985 Tamarack AveAll the grocery basics
Trader Joe's
2570 Vista WayAsian food/groceries
Most authentic KBBQ in the area (although nothing compares to K-Town in L.A.)
Dae Jang Keum Korean BBQ
7905 Engineer RdMost authentic KBBQ in the area (although nothing compares to K-Town in L.A.)
Our go-to Asian market with food court and Paris Baguette Bakery.
18 locals raden deze aan
Zion Market
7655 Clairemont Mesa BlvdOur go-to Asian market with food court and Paris Baguette Bakery.
Woomiok
3860 Convoy StreetLow-key vibe specializing in beef bone broth & bibimbap.
Experiences
If you like blown Glass artwork you will love this studio! They have many artists in this studio and they all do incredible work. Store with such a great selection you will have a difficult time choosing just one art piece. The owners are amazing and talented just like all the other artists. They have a viewing area so you can watch the artists work. Hands on workshops where you can learn to make your own glass piece. Such a cool experience!
Barrio Glassworks
3060 Roosevelt StreetIf you like blown Glass artwork you will love this studio! They have many artists in this studio and they all do incredible work. Store with such a great selection you will have a difficult time choosing just one art piece. The owners are amazing and talented just like all the other artists. They have a viewing area so you can watch the artists work. Hands on workshops where you can learn to make your own glass piece. Such a cool experience!
A true hidden gem - plan ahead and be sure to make reservations ahead of time! Tour with a lot of information about the surrounding businesses that share in the making of farming oysters and muscles. Learn about the growing process, how to shuck oysters lesson, tasting, and buy the freshest oysters.
7 locals raden deze aan
Carlsbad Aquafarm
4522 Carlsbad BlvdA true hidden gem - plan ahead and be sure to make reservations ahead of time! Tour with a lot of information about the surrounding businesses that share in the making of farming oysters and muscles. Learn about the growing process, how to shuck oysters lesson, tasting, and buy the freshest oysters.
Thursdays 9-1pm. For a change of pace from Carlsbad - make it a day outing and visit the Oceanside Pier and the Top Gun house.
Oceanside Morning Farmers Market
Thursdays 9-1pm. For a change of pace from Carlsbad - make it a day outing and visit the Oceanside Pier and the Top Gun house.
MainStreet Oceanside’s Sunset Market is a weekly food and music street fair. Every Thursday from 5-9 p.m.
109 locals raden deze aan
Oceanside Sunset Market
401 Pier View WayMainStreet Oceanside’s Sunset Market is a weekly food and music street fair. Every Thursday from 5-9 p.m.
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Wednesday Carlsbad Farmer's Market on State Street
Carlsbad State Street Farmer's Market on State Street from Wednesdays from 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. (winter hours)