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Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Carlsbad, CA

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

4.6
4.6
290 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 32 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant and unique neighborhood gathering space serves inventive California global fare crafted by renowned Michoacán-born executive chef Moises Hernandez.

Cozy up next to one of our expansive patio’s many firepits and enjoy deliciously prepared dishes, daily happy hour, craft beverages, a glorious sommelier-driven wine list, local beer and live music from some of the area’s top jazz musicians and Black Rail Kitchen + Bar’s very own house band, the E.S.P. Collective.

We are proud to bring our longtime Carlsbad neighbors and newcomers alike diverse dining experiences including Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen and Yelp Top 100 breakfast spot Beach Plum Kitchen.
Stop by, grab a drink and soak in the best of La Costa!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Sun 16:00–20:00 Tue–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00 Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00
  • Phone number
    (760) 931-0020
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Moises Hernandez
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time &amp; offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.
  • Area
    Carlsbad
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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What 290 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Great for outdoor dining

  • North San Diego

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant dining spot in Carlsbad, known for its "delicious food" and "impeccable service." Guests enjoy the "beautiful outdoor patio" with live jazz, making for a memorable experience. The restaurant stands out for its "friendly staff" and "great atmosphere," earning it a reputation as a neighborhood favorite.

290 Reviews
  1. Amy

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The worst part of the experience was the start! I made a reservation for two at 5:30. When I arrived at 5:30 they had seated my friend outside (it’s 50 degrees) telling her the reservation said outside seating. Not true. When I arrived I said I had made a reservation and they said there was no inside available seating. They told me you have to state “inside seating” in the notes of the reservation if you want to sit inside. I did not state inside or outside, I just put table for two, standard seating as that was the option. Black Rail might want to add that on the reservation page. Btw, there were over a dozen empty tables inside and it was 5:30! At this point, we were ready to leave but they miraculously found a table. We stayed, our server was great, the food was decent but as I watched the restaurant over the two hours we were there, it never filled up inside. There were always four to five empty tables. I do not like being lied to or made to feel like I did something wrong which is what this felt like. I will not be returning.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Janelle

    San Diego

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We are regulars at Black Rail and genuinely think it is one of the most underrated restaurants in North County. The food and service are excellent, the price point is better than places in the Village or in La Costa and they have live jazz. What more does one need?

    Is this helpful?

  3. Merrily

    San Diego

    216 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    216 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were a party of 4 dining close to the bar. Server was very nice and professional, he was told of my son's nut allergy and directed my son of what he could and could not order based on his nut allergy. The lamb meatballs were ok, too spicy for my taste, as well as the dipping sauce for the fish and chips. Perhaps you should warn diners re: spicy food on the menu. The best part of our dinner was the semi-freddo dessert, excellent we all enjoyed it.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Walter

    San Diego

    87 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    87 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    The noise in the restaurant was so loud that we could even hear each other talk. Food was limited in choices.

    Is this helpful?

  5. JillC

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great except for the snobby hostesses

    Is this helpful?

  6. jamie

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    great service and nice ambiance . food was delicious

    Is this helpful?

  7. desire

    Tahoe

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on 31 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First I had a delicious cocktail, crispy brussel sprouts that are so yummy, then pasta that was so tasty! Great neighborhood restaurant and has outdoor seating.

    Is this helpful?

  8. DWIGHT

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 20 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and food. A very hands on manager checked on us and made for a great experience

    Is this helpful?

  9. Mike

    Hawaii

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always good quality. Don’t take lamb meatball off menu🙏

    Is this helpful?

  10. Julie

    Phoenix

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 October 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Live music in the bar area was awesome - I had an old fashioned which was made well. The salmon entree was delicious and the pasta was just so-so. My husband ordered the steak and asked for it to be medium and it was brought to him very rare - when he told the server he responded he could "put it back in the oven to heat it more" or something of that nature and my husband was not happy. What made the experience a 3 star was our server -- not that personable and made us feel like we were low on his priorities. We would have ordered more drinks and possibly more food had the service been better. Atmosphere, however, was great!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (760) 931-0020.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 290 OpenTable diners.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar 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.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 32 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009-4149

Additional information

  • Area
    Carlsbad
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Sun 16:00–20:00 Tue–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00 Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Moises Hernandez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (760) 931-0020
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time &amp; offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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