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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Marcos

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13 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fish House Vera Cruz restaurant
4.4
Awesome(269)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • San Marcos
Booked 14 times today
Seafood Restaurant and Fish Market in San Marcos, CA is part of Old California Restaurant Row. Fish House Vera Cruz is known for its fresh grilled seafood over mesquite charcoal. Offering the largest selection of fresh fish and seafood in North San Diego County. If you live near Escondido, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside and San Diego area, stop in for our Fresh Fish Market for fresh seafood to grill at home. Our restaurant features multiple Salt Water and Fresh Water fish tanks for a beautiful atmosphere. Check out our full bar and patio for happy hour in San Marcos, CA. We offer private dining and events through our Adobe Room and patio for weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, corporate events and more in San Marcos, CA. Come stop in and Eat Lots of Fish!
A photo of Buona Forchetta - San Marcos restaurant
4.3
Awesome(448)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Marcos
Booked 35 times today
Buona Forchetta San Marcos, our fifth location, blends award winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable space. Located in San Marcos’ North City; a cosmopolitan center, that sparks a strong sense of place and pride among the people who call it home. This location boasts beautiful indoor seating, built for comfort with a luxurious touch, as well as a large, shaded patio. Inside, a gilded oven churns out classic creations, while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entrée dishes. Owner Matteo Cattaneo bringing yet another Italian eatery to life for North County residents and visitor
A photo of Ember & Rye restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1234)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Carlsbad
Booked 34 times today
Dine overlooking the 18th green at this Richard Blais steakhouse... of sorts. This delightful collaboration with acclaimed chef and television personality offers delectable steaks and fresh seafood dishes rooted in fine local ingredients, served in a casual, vintage clubhouse setting located at the signature Arnold Palmer designed Aviara Golf Club.
A photo of Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1034)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Carlsbad
Booked 6 times today
Immerse yourself into a refined modern setting featuring Baja-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails composed of mezcal and tequila. Enjoy a show kitchen allowing you to get an inside look behind the scenes bringing Chef's creations to center stage. Locally sourced cuisine with a coastal flair is the cornerstone of this fine dining Baja-inspired experience.
A photo of Mille Fleurs restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2298)
Price: Very Expensive
• French / American • Rancho Santa Fe
Booked 19 times today
**Please note: Patio requests must call the restaurant to confirm availability for patio dining, as availability is very limited due to table spacing.* Nestled in the heart of the historic and charming village of Rancho Santa Fe, just four miles inland from Del Mar, Mille Fleurs offers magnificent California food presentation with extraordinary French flair. The exquisite yet comfortable French country décor with inviting outside patio provides an atmosphere that is gracious, warm and welcoming. Mille Fleurs has received numerous accolades including: "Top 25 in America" from Food & Wine Magazine "Far and away the best restaurant sampled in greater San Diego" quoted in The New York Times as well as "Best French" and "Best of the Best" in San Diego Magazine. Our award winning wine cellar offers over seven hundred choices spanning the globe and varying greatly in price. A mile down the road is the Chino's Family Farm where our chef heads every day to get fresh ingredients.
A photo of Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4619)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Carlsbad
Booked 34 times today
Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse offers authentic Northern Italian cuisine. The location sits across from the Pacific on the historic 101 and has one of the best views in San Diego.Open seven days a week. Signature dishes include Caprese salad with bufallo mozzarella and Heirloom tomatoes, made from scratch stuffed pastas, Cioppino, prime steaks, fresh seafood including a warm or cold fresh seafood tower with oysters, clams, mussels, crab, lobster and jumbo prawn. (items may vary )Private Wine Cellar room available for private parties.For off-site events and parties contact Cater@Vigiluccis.comCatering to the most discerning palates for over 25 years.Vigilucci’s catering team can custom create a unique and memorable menu for celebrating life’s special occasions.
A photo of Green Dragon Tavern & Museum restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1485)
Price: Moderate
• American • Carlsbad
Booked 18 times today
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum is an award-winning eatery in Carlsbad, offering a unique dining experience. With its highly acclaimed menu, featuring Maine lobster rolls, Shepherd's Pie, and more, it's clear why patrons are consistently impressed. Plus, it's not just about the food - it's also a museum, allowing you to explore American history. The rave reviews speak for themselves, with guests calling it 'unique', 'historic', 'entertaining', and 'a great value'.
A photo of Cocina de Barrio Encinitas restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(129)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Encinitas
Booked 27 times today
*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. FloresWelcome to Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Encinitas, CA! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty of tequila and mezcal selections, beer, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Monday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!
A photo of Fresco Cocina restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(400)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Carlsbad
Booked 28 times today
Fresco Cocina is a bustling restaurant located in the heart of Carlsbad Village serving a traditional and contemporary interpretation of Mexican cuisine. Our playfully curated menu rediscovers tradition and offers a selection of shareable plates and main courses all infused with Mexican soul. Fresco Cocina is a haven for those who appreciate bold, bright flavors paired with exemplary wine and artisanal spirits that let the high quality ingredients shine.
A photo of Nick & G's Restaurant restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(938)
Price: Expensive
• American • Rancho Santa Fe
Booked 13 times today
At Nick & G's the good times keep rolling! We bring the taste of Italy to Rancho Santa Fe, serving our community with best-in-class dining, catering, and events. Our restaurant's design showcases a tasteful blend of new and old-world luxury, to reflect the delicate balance of flavors contained in our modern Italian-American cuisine.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • LeslieVIP
    Phoenix / Arizona •14 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Wonderful location over looking the ocean. Fish tacos were amazing. Barbecued chicken salad was a hit as well. Had a table by the glass wall looking out over the bay. Our waitress was so sweet and attentive Definitely will come back.
    More info
    Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
    4.6
  • Laurie
    Orange County •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    It’s important to know that it’s Oaxacan cuisine. It’s different from SoCal traditional Mexican food (which I also love). Everything was excellent and yummy! I had the Agua Santa cocktail- OMG! I ate the tacos de birria - you could choose lamb or beef- and I chose the beef. So flavorful on blue corn tortillas and the beef melted in my mouth! You have to get the table side guacamole made to your liking in front of you! My husband and friends got different moles - all outstanding! We all were getting full and couldn’t stop eating! Even the “smashed” black beans were amazing! Can’t wait to come back! Cool, artsy decor, the owner stops by to check on you - this place has it ALL!
    More info
    Cocina de Barrio EncinitasPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Encinitas
    4.7
  • Dr . SamVIP
    San Diego •30 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Been before and loved it, so we took our brother for his birthday. We ordered multiple appetizers and entrees, sharing all the dishes. Outstanding service (thank you Paolo) and off the charts delicious. The flavors of some the dishes were so brilliant that it's memorable. Try the cheesecake dessert. They make it fresh. Love, love, love.
    More info
    Crudo Ceviche & Oyster BarPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Little Italy
    4.6
  • Kathleen
    Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 25, 2024
    Simply put, one of the best meals I have had the privilege of enjoying! Delightful server, Calvin, was very in tune with the timing of our meal and our needs. The fixed menu was perfect for Christmas Eve, as it kept the meal flowing and decision-making to a minimum. Every course was delectable from the scallop crudo, the creamed mushrooms, and the sea bass, to the date cake with walnut ice cream! Mezcal hibiscus cocktail was creative and tasty, as well! I will definitely be back!
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • GenaVIP
    San Diego •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 24, 2024
    Everything was great for an hitting. Menu selections easy to follow and they were easy to deal with with a sea food allergy
    More info
    The Melting Pot - Gaslamp QuarterPrice: Very Expensive• Fondue• Downtown / Gaslamp
    4.6
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