Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Marcos

17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fish House Vera Cruz restaurant

1. Fish House Vera Cruz

4.3

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • San Marcos

Booked 2 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

2. Buona Forchetta - San Marcos

4.4

Awesome(441)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Marcos

Booked 4 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

3. Jeune et Jolie

4.9

Exceptional(4021)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French • Carlsbad

Booked 18 times today

A culinary experience celebrating the moment, Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape with a 4-course menu offered at $120 per guest. For those looking for a more casual evening, we feature "Le Menu du Bar”, an à la carte offering available for walk-in guests at our bar and lounge.

4. Ember & Rye

4.6

Exceptional(1200)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Carlsbad

Booked 5 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.

5. The Pony Room

4.8

Exceptional(1475)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Rancho Santa Fe

Booked 25 times today

The Pony Room is a favorite among locals and resort guests alike. In addition to an extensive selection of all expressions of agave spirits, it is also home to one of Southern California's most impressive wine and hand-crafted, seasonally inspired signature cocktail lists. The Pony Room serves exceptional, American inspired comfort classics with daily specials.Live Music 7 nights a weekJoin us every Saturday and Sunday for Brunch on our beautiful hacienda inspired terraces from 11am to 2pm.

A photo of Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff restaurant

6. Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff

4.8

Exceptional(9149)

Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Cardiff By The Sea

Booked 23 times today

Pacific Coast Grill's oceanfront venue features unique Pacific Coastal cuisine, an oyster bar, select sushi rolls, and a plethora of seafood choices, delicious steaks and more! There are two levels of dining at the new PCG with every dining seat in the house carefully planned to have an ocean view. There are bars on both levels and a heated outdoor patio and a deck with one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean and the line up at Cardiff Reef. You can watch surfers, kite surfers, dolphins, whales and spectacular sunsets from throughout the restaurant.

A photo of Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara restaurant

7. Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

4.8

Exceptional(1031)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Carlsbad

Booked 7 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 Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse restaurant

8. Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

4.8

Exceptional(4569)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Carlsbad

Booked 23 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.

9. Mille Fleurs

4.8

Exceptional(2276)

Price: Very Expensive

• French / American • Rancho Santa Fe

Booked 5 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 Green Dragon Tavern & Museum restaurant

10. Green Dragon Tavern & Museum

4.7

Exceptional(1471)

Price: Moderate

• American • Carlsbad

Booked 5 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'.

‘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

B
Billvip
San Diego •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
It’s always on point, great food, drinks and the staff are amazing.
More info
Great Maple San DiegoPrice: Moderate• American• Hillcrest
•
4.8
D
Deborah
Vancouver / British Columbia •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had a fantastic meal while visiting from Canada. We had a wonderful outside booth and incredible service. Our table had a sweet card on it wishing us a happy anniversary when we arrived. We started with cocktails (pina colada and mai tai) and shared the gotten sticky ribs and coconut shrimp. We shared the Filet mignon. All of the food was really nicely done. The steak was like butter. We enjoyed a glass of wine with our steak and then, even though we were very full, we shared the key lime pie and were glad we did! I highly recommend this restaurant and its wonderful staff and suggest finishing the night with a photo with Duke, the bronze statue out front.
More info
Duke's La JollaPrice: Moderate• Hawaii Regional Cuisine• La Jolla
•
4.6
G
Geoff
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Do they need another 5 star review? Or another 5 star review from me? It's fabulous as usual. We are fortunate to have this in Carlsbad. Consistent quality, impeccable service. Keep it up!
More info
Jeune et JoliePrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French• Carlsbad
•
4.9
A
Ashley
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
F*ckin amazing nothing compared in San Diego. Get the oxtail Mac and cheese. You can say you been to heaven after eating that masterpiece. A+
More info
Louisiana Purchase SDPrice: Expensive• Creole / Cajun / Southern• North Park
•
4.5
D
Dillonvip
New York City •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
It was a pleasant dining experience. We sat between two heat lamps just outside of the restaurant. The special crudo of the day was refreshing and clean tasting. The two-face tostada was also good. The memorable dish of the night was the risotto. It was creamy but not overly rich and the rice had a good bite to it.
More info
Crudo Ceviche & Oyster BarPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Little Italy
•
4.5

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San Marcos

Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Marcos

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17 restaurants available nearby

1. Fish House Vera Cruz

2. Buona Forchetta - San Marcos

3. Jeune et Jolie

4. Ember & Rye

5. The Pony Room

6. Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff

7. Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

8. Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

9. Mille Fleurs

10. Green Dragon Tavern & Museum

See what locals rave about

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