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Herb & Sea, Encinitas, CA

Herb & Sea

4.6
4.6
2838 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 51 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Lively
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Blending classic East Coast culinary traditions with a modern Californian sensibility, Herb & Sea is Chef Brian Malarkey’s venerable companion restaurant to the much-loved Herb & Wood in Little Italy. Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tables in town, the concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Located steps from Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, the vibrant space is housed in a 1920’s art deco building that has been restored to its original glory.

Daily operations are helmed by Executive Chef Aidan Owens. The menu includes a mix of raw bar staples, fresh seafood, meat dishes, and roasted vegetables. A variety of pizzas and pastas round out the offerings, alongside dessert and a dedicated kids’ menu.

The spirits program is bright and playful, emphasizing citrus and floral notes that utilize the same ingredients found on the menu. The wine list offers a similar sense of whimsy, highlighting labels meant to complemen

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 704-8300
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Brian Malarkey and Sara Harris
  • Private party facilities
    Herb & Sea’s chic coastal ambiance meets a neighborhood-friendly vibe that can fit events of all shapes and sizes. The concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Come into our home, where we think of it all so that you don't have to.
  • Neighborhood
    Encinitas
  • Cross street
    D Street and 2nd Street
  • Parking details
    Convenient street parking is available. The entrance is located between West D Street and West E Street on the East side. You are more than welcome to call the restaurant, (760) 704-8300, if you have further questions!
  • Public transit
    Encinitas Train Station: 25 E D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Christmas Eve Dinner

    $92.00 per person

    Dec 24, 2024 only
    Gather your family and friends to come celebrate Christmas Eve with us at Herb & Sea! We are excited to offer a pre-fixe menu for all to enjoy. Pricing will be $92 for adults and $37 for children for this year's Holiday dinner. We look forward to celebrating with you and your loved ones this Christmas Eve.
    Christmas Eve Dinner Photo
  • New Year's Eve

    $100.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Gather your family and friends to come celebrate New Years Eve with us at Herb & Sea! We are excited to offer a pre-fixe menu for all to enjoy. Pricing will be $100 for adults and $38 for children for this year's dinner. We look forward to ringing in the new year with you and your loved ones!
    New Year's Eve Photo

What 2,838 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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Californian

  • North San Diego

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Herb & Sea offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious food" and "fantastic service." Guests rave about the "exceptional cocktails" and vibrant atmosphere. Highlights include the Tuna 3-course dinner and imaginative seafood dishes. While some note the "noise level" is high, the restaurant remains a "favorite" for its inspired menu and welcoming staff.

2,838 Reviews
  1. jim

    San Diego

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This a medium there for the first. A birthday event. Everyone loved their food and said they’d return in the future.

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  2. AmyS

    VIP

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here is always exceptional. Can’t wait to go back with a larger group as I never have enough room for all of the dishes I want to try. I’d appreciate some better non-alcoholic options like kombucha.

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  3. Patrick

    VIP

    San Diego

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Disappointing and a little weird this time. Asked waitress about the “pork belly” entree. Had a full discussion about entree vegetable pairings. Ordered the “pork belly.” Later was told the menu was mis-printed and “pork belly” was a pizza. Ordered the “chicken fried” cod and gravy; it was one piece of fried fish “and chips” for $39. Overall, poor experience.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Grant

    VIP

    San Diego

    37 reviews

    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Herb & Sea is one of my favorite restaurants, the food is delicious (especially the Mussel Toast). Ambience is fun and energetic, highly recommend this restaurant.

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  5. Allan

    San Diego

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    amazing meal and service as always at H&S. Date night we got a high-top in the bar and grazed on the excellent starters such as the crude, cebiche, mussel toast, and more. Topping the evening off with the incredible potatoes and filet. Closed the place. We'll be back.

    1 person found this helpful

  6. jeff

    Salt Lake City

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Appetizers were delicious, could have stopped there. Carrots and Lamb meatballs could have been my entree. Cocktails were also really nice, tasteful holiday specials were great. Service was a little slow and this place is just really loud, hard to have a conversation with my dinner guest. It was packed and had good energy though. Entrees good not great, my Halibut was over cooked and tough. I'll probably give it another shot in the near future.

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  7. Jan

    Minneapolis

    15 reviews

    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was excellent but food was way too salty. Not as good as in years past.

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  8. Lili

    VIP

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional food and service! Truly a gem - menu is so creative and every bite is so good and unique and delicious!

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  9. Dave

    San Diego

    323 reviews

    4.0

    323 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Wait people were great - nice accommodation of a soy allergy in our group - manager stopped by to ask about it. Food was good. Ragu was delicious, wife’s fish she said was good.

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  10. Sandrine

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very rich food. I had a stomachache the whole night. Do not get the scallop pasta dish.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Herb & Sea is rated 4.6 stars by 2838 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 51 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Herb & Sea

131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024-3516

Additional information

  • Cross street
    D Street and 2nd Street
  • Neighborhood
    Encinitas
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Convenient street parking is available. The entrance is located between West D Street and West E Street on the East side. You are more than welcome to call the restaurant, (760) 704-8300, if you have further questions!
  • Public transit
    Encinitas Train Station: 25 E D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Brian Malarkey and Sara Harris
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (760) 704-8300
  • Private party facilities
    Herb & Sea’s chic coastal ambiance meets a neighborhood-friendly vibe that can fit events of all shapes and sizes. The concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Come into our home, where we think of it all so that you don't have to.
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