Fresco Cocina

4.5

425 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Lively
Good for groups
Innovative

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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Location
2858 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008-2901
Phone number
(442) 333-9321
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
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Gift card

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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

Private dining

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.

Popular dishes

Casa Margarita$13.00
tequila blanco with our house-made mix skinny
Una Mas$15.00
gin | mango | basil | cucumber | agave
Guava Mojito$14.00
white rum | guava | mint | lime | soda
Chile Mango$15.00
serrano infused tequila | mango | lime | agave
Good Vibes$14.00
tequila blanco | grapefruit | orgeat | lemon | aperol
Tequila Sour$15.00
reposado tequila | aztec chocolate bitters | egg white simple
Eve's Mai Tai$15.00
white rum | orgeat | lime | curacao | dark rum float
Koko Beach$14.00
white rum | coconut | lime | strawberry | pineapple
Old Fashioned$15.00
bourbon | bitters | simple | orange peel

Draft

Local Rotating Tap
see server
Alesmith 394 - Pale Ale - 6%$8.00
Harbor Cruise Kolsch - Kolsch - 4.9%$8.00
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger - Hazy IPA - 7%$9.00
North Coast Laguna Baja - Dark Mexican Lager - 5%$8.00
North Coast Scrimshaw - German Style Lager - 4.5%$8.00
Pacifico - Mexican Lager - 4.4%$8.00
Alpine Duet IPA - IPA - 7%$9.00
Lagunitas IPA$9.00
Coors Light - American Lager - 4.2%$6.00
- Bottle$6.00
Corona - Mexican Lager - 4.0%$6.00
- Bottle$6.00
Topo Chico Seltzer$8.00
Heineken Zero - German Lager - 0.0%$6.00
- Bottle$6.00

White Wine by the Glass

Don Rodolfo, Pinot Grigio, Chile$12.00
Groth, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa$14.00
Ethereo, Albariño, Spain$14.00
Ferrari Carano, Chardonnay, Sonoma$14.00
Arinzano, Rose, Spain$14.00

Red Wine by the Glass

"Llama", Malbec, Argentina$12.00
Numanthia "Termes", Tempranillo, Spain$14.00
Trefethen "Eshcol", Red Blend, Napa$15.00
Eberle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles$15.00
Angeline Pinor Noir, California$14.00
Red Sangria$12.00
- Glass$12.00

Sparkling by the Glass

Freixenet Carta Nevada, Cava, Spain$12.00
- 187ml$12.00
Segura Viudas, Cava, Spain$15.00
- 187ml$15.00

After Dinner

Iced Carrajillo$15.00
tequila reposado | liquor 43 | coffee liqueur | cream
Horchata Martini$15.00
spiced rum | horchata liqueur | kahlua | cream
La Noche Martini$15.00
vanilla vodka | coffee | kahlua | frangelico
Seasonal Rotating Martini$15.00

What 425 people are saying

Fresco Cocina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

North San Diego
Innovative
North San Diego
Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Fresco Cocina offers a vibrant dining experience with "amazing food" and "fantastic service." Guests rave about its inventive Latin fusion menu and creative cocktails. Highlights include the "Peruvian steak fajitas" and "coconut soup." With an "upscale beachy" ambiance and attentive staff, this Carlsbad gem ensures a memorable visit.

425 Reviews

D
Donal
San Diego9 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Exceptional food and cocktails. Your are not rushed. Food items come a little slower than used too but allowed for a very relaxed visit. Michael, the bartender is exceptional and worthy of a bar visit!
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JM
JM2485 VIP
Los Angeles3 reviews
3.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food and drinks were tasty, ambience was modern and inviting. Service was extremely slow (esp for a restaurant not too busy) from the moment we checked in to ordering, getting our food and closing out with our check. Too bad as the place has a lot of potential.
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A
Alex
Orange County4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We got there before our reservation for happy hour margs and guac at the bar - this was a really nice experience to start our date night. Once we went to our table we were treated to a nice meal of mexican cheeseburger and tortilla soup - along with some amazing bean dip that was a gourmet style with pulled pork and in a hot skillet. This food was well done and unique.
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OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Los Angeles4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was delicious. The carne asada was amazing. I drinks were really good, especially the margaritas. I highly recommend this restaurant. Our server Matt was very friendly and knowledgeable. He helped make the evening even more fun.
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OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
San Diego1 review
1.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
We were a party of seven celebrating a birthday and anniversary. Some of the dishes were not cooked thoroughly, coffee was cold, and rice was cold. Waiter tried to make up for the unsatisfactory plates by saying he would comp three desserts. We weren’t even going to order dessert. When the check came, he said that he was only allowed to comp two of the desserts and we’d have to pay for the third dessert. We were charged more than we should’ve been. I definitely would not recommend this place and will not be going back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on March 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Jason was the best server! His recommendations were right on. We were traveling, but will be back our next visit.
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J
Jeanine
San Diego6 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our group had a delicious lunch. Food and service was very good but oh my goodness the music and noise level was really high. Could not talk to friends at the other end of the table.
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J
Jeffery
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Busy valentine’s night at Fresco Cocina but as always an immensely satisfying experience. Highly recommend!
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N
Nathan
Hawaii2 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Our waiter Matt was very friendly and attentive. Valentine’s Day was very busy so expected so delays but overall very good.
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J
JAMIE VIP
New York City9 reviews
2.0
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Was not a great experience. Took nearly an hour to get our entrees after our starters and only after I had to go and ask. When the entrees did arrive we were informed one of them was unavailable so a member of our party had to order something else and wait again while everyone else was eating. Clealry a rough night for service and tainted the whole experience.
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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 4.5 stars by 425 OpenTable diners.

Fresco Cocina does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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