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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Marcos

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17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fish House Vera Cruz restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(283)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • San Marcos
Booked 1 time 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
4.4
Awesome(462)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Marcos
Booked 14 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 Jeune et Jolie restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4142)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French • Carlsbad
Booked 22 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.
A photo of Ember & Rye restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1278)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Carlsbad
Booked 25 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 Wildland restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(37)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Carlsbad
Booked 56 times today
WALK-IN'S ONLY FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.WALK-IN'S AND RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER.Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County, celebrating the creative culture of California by bringing bold ideas to timeless traditions. Night or day, this is a place for the every day. We open daily at 8am, with counter service up until 4:00pm, inviting you all to come in and join us on a first-come, first-serve basis for breakfast and lunch.Reservations are available every evening, and walk in guests are always welcome.Private Dining Room reservations are available for parties of 12-18 guests.
A photo of Pacific Coast Grill - Cardiff restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(9314)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Cardiff By The Sea
Booked 102 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
4.7
Exceptional(1044)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Carlsbad
Booked 3 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(2318)
Price: Very Expensive
• French American • Rancho Santa Fe
Booked 11 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
4.6
Exceptional(1511)
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'.
A photo of Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4641)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Carlsbad
Booked 35 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.
‘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
  • JesusVIP
    San Diego •73 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    I went for a "date night" with my wife. It was a Sunday night after a busy Valentine´s weekend so we experienced the restaurant in a smooth setting. The food was great, steaks cooked as ordered and flavourful. What highlighted the night was Chris our server, attentful, knowledgable and always giving the space, showing up to check on us at the correct time. Highly recommend this for every ocassion.
    More info
    HuntressPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    4.6
  • Angel
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything was really really good. The Cap of Ribeye (med-rare/rare) melts in your mouth. There are 4 different complimentary bread choices, all really good - the biscuits were our favorite. And the sides come in good portions - ie: you could probably split 2 sides of mashed potatos and Brussel sprouts between 2 people. And the service was also really good. Had some good recommendations, and they were very nice. Gave us a hand-signed card for our anniversary by like 12 people on their staff. Only bad thing: if your an ice cream connoisseur, the dessert of cheesecake (best ive ever had) and purple ice cream, the ice cream was freezer burnt, but taste was good. But I mean it was complimentary anyways cause it was our anniversary, so good surprise.
    More info
    Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View CasinoPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Valley Center
    4.9
  • NorikoVIP
    San Diego •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We had a fantastic time at Herb & Wood. Since we were both busy on Valentine’s Day, we decided to celebrate on Saturday instead. From the moment we arrived, everyone at the restaurant greeted us warmly and made us feel truly welcome. Our reservation was at 5 PM, so the restaurant wasn’t too crowded yet, but even as it filled up, the level of attentiveness remained exceptional. Our waiter, Troy, was friendly, knowledgeable, and offered great recommendations. For appetizers, we had the Sicilian Crudo and one of Troy’s suggestions—a warm dinner bread served with butter, honey, and herbs. I don’t remember the exact name, but it was absolutely delicious! For our main courses, my husband had the Iberico Pork, and I had the Roasted Branzino. The Branzino was packed with herbs and flavors—I usually can’t finish a large meal, but I couldn’t stop eating it. We were too full for dessert, though I wish we had saved room! It was our first time at Herb & Wood, but it’s now on our list of favorite restaurants for special occasions.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • DianneVIP
    Tahoe / Reno Area •28 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Shared a bluefin carpaccio followed by a quinoa salad with grilled fresh sea bass. Delicious. Sat at the bar and although the bartender was very busy, we never felt ignored. They had some nice wines by the glass and the Banjuls he suggest did go perfectly with the lemon tart. Highly recommend
    More info
    The FisheryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Pacific Beach
    4.8
  • SteffiVIP
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    The assortment of fresh ceviche, tiraditos and crudo was amazing! Will take multiple visits to get through the fantastic menu! Service was excellent also.
    More info
    Crudo Ceviche & Oyster BarPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Little Italy
    4.8
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