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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in San Marcos

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30 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7146)
Price: Moderate
• Beer Garden • Escondido
Booked 105 times today
At Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, we endeavor to use as much in-season, locally and organically grown produce as possible. It's about much more than freshness and sustainability. Local, organic food--fresh from local growers to your table--simply tastes better and is better for you. With our expansive gardens, patio seating, 36-tap beer systems and select wines you've got a dining experience to satisfy your--body, mind and soul.
A photo of Campfire restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(5279)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Carlsbad
Booked 88 times today
A New American restaurant and cocktail bar with a focus on market driven live-fire cooking, Campfire is a return to the origins of cooking and hospitality, and celebrates the spirit of the name by creating an environment in which we gather around a fire, create honest food, and share it with friends.
A photo of Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(9227)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Cardiff By The Sea
Booked 115 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 Vintana Wine & Dine restaurant
4.5
Awesome(8236)
Price: Expensive
• American • Escondido
Booked 45 times today
Located on the Penthouse Level of the The Centre at Lexus Escondido, Vintana offers a modern take on California Cuisine and picturesque views of the town and countryside.
A photo of The Pony Room restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1501)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Rancho Santa Fe
Booked 63 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 Ember & Rye restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1240)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Carlsbad
Booked 44 times today
Ember & Rye is a neighborhood gem that offers a delightful blend of fine local ingredients, served in a casual vintage clubhouse setting. Reviewers consistently praise the outstanding service, exceptional food, and beautiful ambiance. As one reviewer puts it, 'phenomenal food, beautiful setting, great service.' It's a perfect spot for a special occasion or a casual dinner with friends.
A photo of Bob’s Steak & Chop House – La Costa restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1703)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Carlsbad
Booked 56 times today
Bob’s Steak & Chop House – La Costa is a nationally renowned steak house specializing in the finest corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef. The menu formula is simple: incredible meat, gigantic shrimp, fabulous salads and decadent desserts. Classic steak house food prepared and presented in a manner that Bon Appétit calls "the kind of fare you"ll want to go back for again and again."Quality and service are two of the main ingredients that make up the culture. Because of the caliber of the product, servers exude a friendly confidence that charges the atmosphere and restaurants with vitality. Award-winning food, educated service and warm, classic décor make dining at Bob's Steak & Chop House an outstanding experience. All Valet parking is complimentary at the resort for Bob's guests!
A photo of King's Fish House - Carlsbad restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4035)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Carlsbad
Booked 78 times today
Established in 2003, King’s Fish House is Carlsbad’s choice for seafood. Located just across from the Carlsbad Premium outlets and LEGOLAND, King’s Fish House features a large selection of fresh oysters, seasonal catches, sushi and live shellfish, including lobster and crab, on a menu that changes daily.We’ve been in restaurants a little while – three generations, to be precise. A long time ago, we embarked on a road trip in search of the ultimate seafood experience. We traveled down highways and byways, pulled up a seat, put on bibs and soaked up the seafood experience: the no-name dishes with unforgettable flavor, the fresh-caught oysters and clams piled high, the hand-lettered specials on ancient chalkboards and the savory simmer of every combination of spices imaginable.Welcome to the House that Seafood Built.Come gather with us, celebrate, relax and enjoy a seafood dining experience of high quality, comfort, service and value.
A photo of Waverly Restaurant & Lounge restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(128)
Price: Expensive
• American • Encinitas
Booked 67 times today
Located in beautiful Cardiff by The Sea, Waverly is a full-service restaurant serving Progressive American cuisine & specialty cocktails with a European influence.Evening Dining Reservation tables will be reserved for 1 hour and 45 minutes for parties of up to 2 and for 2 hours for parties of up to 6.Reservations are weather permitting and may be rescheduled if inclement weather is forecast. You will be contacted by one of our Hospitality Leaders should modifications need to be made to your reservation.*We offer a limited menu happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 5 PM. No reservations needed – first come, first served
A photo of Buona Forchetta Encinitas restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(601)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Encinitas
Booked 43 times today
Buona Forchetta Encinitas, our third location, blends award winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable space. Located in Encinitas, this location boasts a indoor seating as well as an outside patio and a small room for private events. Inside, a gilded oven churns out classic creations, while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entree dishes. Owner Matteo Cattaneo brought the Italian warehouse-style eatery to life.
‘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
  • Robert
    San Diego •4 reviews
    4.0
    Dined today
    Food was not as good as in the past. Service was good, but long delay between appetizers and main course. Pretty empty restaurant for a Friday evening.
    More info
    Vintana Wine & DinePrice: Expensive• American• Escondido
    4.5
  • Virginia
    Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    A perfect dining experience. Brian was our waiter, and he did an excellent job explaining the menu and checking on my food allergies. The meal was delightful and there is no topping that view.
    More info
    The Marine RoomPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• La Jolla
    4.6
  • Lori
    New York City •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    This years annual birthday dinner for our friend took place on the west coast for 2025–and after a great stay in Temecula we opted for The Pacific Grill. It did not disappoint! From its gorgeous beach location in Cardiff to the excellent and unhurried service we were thrilled to have such a perfect evening to cap off a “girls weekend”. Starting with specialty cocktails and an excellent premium wine list we enjoyed the heat lamp warmed beach patio for our meal. The shrimp dumplings in a port wine sauce were amazing to start with—I want to come back and try the chilled appetizers with my husband and family. We enjoyed coconut crab crusted mahi mahi and the seafood pasta dish—the smoky tomato sauce with Thai basil was very flavorful on the pasta and the seafood cooked to perfection. A beautiful birthday dessert of house bread pudding and vanilla bean ice cream and specialty cappuccino and teas capped off the night.
    More info
    Pacific Coast Grill - CardiffPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Cardiff By The Sea
    4.8
  • MayVIP
    San Diego •40 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Good reasonably priced food and good service. Great environment too.
    More info
    Stone Brewing World Bistro & GardensPrice: Moderate• Beer Garden• Escondido
    4.6
  • GabriellaVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Campfire was AMAZING. Everything about the experience from the hostess stand, bar, and table was great. We immediately made plans to come back. We had the oysters, porridge bread, asparagus, octopus, and steak and we can’t wait to come track and try more!
    More info
    CampfirePrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Carlsbad
    4.8
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