Fresco Cocina

4.6

398 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 21, 2024

10:30 PM

Booked 14 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for outdoor dining
Good for groups
Great for creative cocktails

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Traditional Mexican, Contemporary Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–9:30 pm Sat 10:30 am–9:30 pm Sun 10:30 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(442) 333-9321
Website
http://www.frescococina.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.

Location
2858 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008-2901
Neighborhood
Carlsbad
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Brunch at Fresco Cocina!
Multiple dates available
Join us for our special weekend brunch menu every Saturday & Sunday!! 10:30am - 3pm. Drink and Food specials, only served at brunch. Dinner menu available as well. - Food - Acai & Fruit Cocktail Avocado Tostada Banana Pancakes Mole spiced Salmon Hash Crab Benedict Cocina Breakfast Burrito Huevos Rancheros Chilaquiles Omelet Baja Omelet Huevos en Fuego - Drinks - Mimosa Smoky Negroni Blackberry Aperol Spritz Michelada Guava Margarita Bloody Maria Bloody en Fuego La Playa

Offers

Happy Hour
Multiple dates available
Sun - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM,Mon - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM,Wed - Fri - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM,Sat - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Available in our bar and lounge only. Drink specials from $6 and Food specials from $8, everyday from 3pm - 6pm.
Taco Tuesday
Multiple dates available
Tue - 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Join us all day for Taco Tuesday at Fresco Cocina! $5 tacos and $6 draft beer.
All Night Happy Hour
Oct 11, 2024 - Feb 10, 2025
Sun - 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM,Mon - 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM,Wed - Thu - 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday & Monday during football season, enjoy all night happy hour at the bar and lounge.

Popular dishes

Queso Blanco$12.00
roasted poblanos | served with tortilla chips
Cocina Guacamole$15.00
red onion | jalapeño | cilantro | lime
Black Bean Dip$18.00
braised short rib | cured chorizo | tomatoes | cotija
Nachos$18.00
blue corn chips | black beans | queso | aji verde | lime crema | pickled onions
Taquitos$15.00
3 hand rolled chicken tinga or short rib tacos | lettuce | lime crema | avocado salsa | cotija
Loaded Quesadilla$15.00
oaxaca cheese | avocado sauce | chipotle aioli
Charred Octopus$21.00
roasted spiced potatoes | cipollini | chipotle aioli

Tacos & Enchiladas

served as single taco

Crispy Pork Belly Taco$7.00
avocado | pickled onion | aji verde
Short Rib Birria Taco$7.00
oaxaca | cilantro | onion
Carne Asada Taco$9.00
avocado salsa | salsa verde | cilantro | onion
Tinga Taco$7.00
avocado salsa | salsa verde | cilantro | onion
Baja Shrimp Taco$7.00
bravas | citrus slaw | avocado | lime crema
Fish Taco$9.00
local fish | citrus slaw | avocado salsa | pineapple salsa
Portobello Mushroom Taco$7.00
roasted corn relish | grilled chayote | avocado sauce
2 Cheese Enchiladas$22.00
choose red, green or suiza salsa | cilantro | lime crema | onion | rice and beans
2 Chicken Enchiladas$24.00
choose red, green or suiza salsa | cilantro | lime crema | cheese | onion | rice and beans
2 Birria Short Rib Enchiladas$26.00
cheese | cilantro | onion | lime crema | rice and beans
Enchilada Trio$34.00
Choice of: birria, suiza, red or green salsa. Cheese | chicken | short rib | rice and beans

Combinaciones

choose any taco + cheese or chicken enchilada served with side of rice and beans

1 Taco & 1 Enchilada$24.00
2 Taco`s & 1 Enchilada$30.00

Ensaladas y Sopas

add: chicken +$10 | shrimp +$12 | salmon +$14 | carne +$12

Cocina Caesar Salad$16.00
romaine | blue corn crisps | cotija cheese | poblano caesar dressing
Chipotle Avocado$16.00
romaine | avocado | corn black bean salsa | peppers | cherry tomatoes | cotija | tortilla strips chipotle dressing
Kale Quinoa Salad$16.00
garbanzo beans | pepitas | pickled onion | red wine vinaigrette
Vegan Bowl$18.00
rice & beans | sweet peppers | grilled chayote | broccolini | corn relish | avocado sauce
Chicken Tortilla Soup$9.00
shredded chicken | blue corn strips | crema | cilantro
- Cup$9.00
- Bowl$15.00
Soup of the Day$0.00
- MP$0.00

Especiales de la Casa

Cocina Cali Buritto$25.00
carne asada | yuca fries | guacamole | pina pico | lime crema | side of rice and beans
Fajitas Shrimp or Steak$28.00
7oz shrimp or filet minion | onions | peppers | tomatoes | tamari | yuca fries | rice
- Shrimp$28.00
- Steak$38.00
Sancho's Burger$25.00
7oz grassfed | oaxaca cheese | jalapeño bacon jam | chipotle aioli | side of yuca fries
Chipotle Fried Chicken Sandwich$22.00
chipotle aioli | honey | arbol slaw | pickles | yuca fries
Mole Chicken Breast$30.00
panca mole | rice & beans | lemon zest
Chile Relleno$18.00
poblano | short rib | oaxaca | jitomate salsa | rice
Fideo Pasta$19.00
capellini | creamy tomato picante | parsley | cotija | lemon zest | garlic
Mexican Risotto$34.00
pacifico bass | squash blossom | poblano | cotija | portobella
Mole Spiced Salmon$34.00
corn | sweet potato | kale | spicy cilantro yogurt
Prime Skirt Steak$39.00
prime skirt steak | marbled potatoes | cipollini | charred broccolini | herb chimichurri
Roasted Chilean Seabass$44.00
black rice | chayote squash | roasted corn salsa
Veracruz Whole Roasted Red Snapper$44.00
roasted tomatoes | poblano | kale | charred lemon | olives

Sides

Esquites$12.00
grilled corn | cotija | chipotle aioli
Yuca Fries - Chipotle Aioli$10.00
Maduros$10.00
Charred Broccolini$12.00
Roasted Spiced Potatoes$12.00
Rice and Beans$6.00
Refill Chips and Salsa$5.00

What 398 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Fresco Cocina offers a delightful fusion of Mexican and South American flavors in Carlsbad Village. Guests rave about the "impeccable attention to detail" from the staff and the "delicious food," especially the ceviche and mole dishes. The ambiance is "beautifully done" with a spacious, beachy feel, perfect for gatherings.

398 Reviews

M
Michael
VIP
San Diego
42 reviews
5.0
42 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The Service and food were great. Recommend for dining.
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J
Jeff
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had our end of the year dinner with Dr and staff and we all had a great 1st experience there. Our waiter was Amazing did an awesome job was very nice and on top of it. The food and drinks were delicious!
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R
Robin
VIP
San Diego
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I've been to Cocina Fresca several times for lunch and dinner. Obviously if I keep going it must be good. I've gone with my husband and also with gal friends. The food is always amazing and the staff super nice and attentive, but not in your face. All the people I've gone with have ordered different items on the menu and they are all excellently prepared. I highly recommend this restaurant. Plus you will be in the heart of Carlsbad; a great place to walk on the beach or window shop all the fun stores.
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K
Kathy
VIP
Chicago
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The freshest Mexican fare around! Everything is homemade and delicious. Great atmosphere and the portions are huge for the price. A winner!
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M
Mike
VIP
San Diego
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great thanksgiving brunch. The turkey enchiladas were amazing
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B
Betina
San Diego
12 reviews
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
It took a long time to even get water, let alone cocktails. The menu online looked interesting, which is why we went, but once there it had changed to more basic. They at least had the grilled octopus and cocktails were good. Food was just ok and churro cake was dry and plain. We wanted inside seating as it was quite cold outside but they opened most of the doors to the outside tables, so it was cold inside too, requiring us to keep jackets on the entire time. It was overall disappointing, which is a shame since their other restaurant is great.
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J
Joe & Sara
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoyed but we are waiting some veterans discount or promotion for especially celebrating
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C
Claire
Central Coast
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Our server was very pleasant and gets extra points for making sure our water was refilled. Overall, not bad. The special entree was a bit slow to come out but delicious, and my Margarita was tasty and not overly sweet. A little noisy, a little pricey but I would return
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T
TOM
Chicago
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Guacamole & Ceviche were very good, short rib chili relleno was very good. Skinny margaritas were awesome. Matt was our severer he was great made our night very enjoyable. Will definitely be back.
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S
Steven
VIP
New York City
102 reviews
5.0
102 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Great bar. Food was wonderful but kitchen was slow.
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FAQs

Fresco Cocina offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (442) 333-9321.

Fresco Cocina is rated 4.6 stars by 398 OpenTable diners.