Fresco Cocina is delicious and fun! We hosted a farewell brunch for a wedding weekend there...the buffet was fresh and beautifully displayed --chorizo, eggs, a variety of salsa and toppings, homemade tortillas, fresh fruit and mimosas. The ambiance was sunny, open and chic. Nadia, their event coordinator, pulled this together for us on just a few week's notice. She is very professional, accommodating and creative. Michael and his wait staff made sure our guests had a plenty of food and drinks no matter what time they arrived. The event exceeded our expectations. And we can't wait to go back for dinner the next time we're in town. Thank you Fresco Cociina for the perfect ending to a great wedding weekend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shepherd Tou
Warning: we were also charged $15 per bowl of guacamole without being informed like the previous reviewer. Food was bland and not impressive. Should be better options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Justin Lien
They gave our party’s reservation to another group that walked in and tried to sit us outside in 50 degree weather. They then charged $15 for each bowl of guacamole for the chips without letting us know we would be charged for the guacamole. Would not recommend this restaurant. Mediocre food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Rachel Jacobson Sher
Tequila Thursdays half price margaritas! Matt was such an incredible server , hilarious and adorable! Definitely worth the trip , food is amazing too !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Johnson
Nice, but a bit overpriced. Deck patio was nice
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Charred Octopus, Carne Asada
Pranjali Sharma
This is an upscale but beachy feel Mexican restaurant in Carlsbad. They have parking at the rear and usually there is enough street parking around to not have to drive around too much. We ordered the mole spiced salmon, the prime skirt steak and the picso sour. Everything was delicious, but the best part was that spicy yogurt sauce that the salmon was laid on. They were not stingy on the sauce and I was fashionably licking it off my plate by the end of the meal, lol! The pisco sour was nice but not as good as the one I've had at Q'ero in Encinitas. The server was good, friendly enough without being too overwhelming. All in all, a good evening out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mole
Ricardo Mendez
2 for 1
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kayla welch
Bad experience all around here. 1st waiter told us it was happy hour all night(possibly because we were there for a bday?) the bill comes after we ordered multiple happy hour guac’a because they were cheaper and she said “no you ordered the normal guac” so we paid full price. 24$ for 2 enchiladas and they were below average. Brought the bday girls tacos with 0 toppings just steak and tortilla. Turned off the heaters half way thru dinner so we were freezing. Worst part I paid 18$ for a “cake fee” because I brought my own cake and she brought it to the table still in the box without the candles and not lit. We then lit it ourselves and cut it ourselves. So what did I pay for??
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jeremy and April Gridler
Bean dip with chorizo was kickin
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Michael M
We were a party of 4 and looking for a place that had good food and we could catch up with each other since we had not seen each other for several months. This was our first visit to this restaurant since it changed from Koko Beach, which was a favorite. If you are looking for a nice quiet place to hold a conversation without shouting, this is NOT the place. The music was very loud, everything in the place is a hard surface so the noise level is not at all enjoyable. Even the waitstaff had a hard time hearing us and us them. It restaurant is nicely decorated, but is just a big wide open space with tables.
The waiter was good and took care of us efficiently. The food was just okay. We were expecting a bit more based on reviews and the prices. The drinks were average price, but served in small glasses filled to the brim with ice. Several of the dishes were too spicy and another was way too salty. I did have the chicken tortilla soup and found that to be very good. The fried octopus was way too chewy and not tender at all. So I guess you can tell we were not at all impressed. My rating was so so food, too loud to talk, and expensive. Needless to say, we will not be returning.
This place isn't great and the tacos took so long to order and we ordered 3 different times in our party of 8 that arrived at 3 different times. Don't even think about getting the Queso Blanco. Margaritas we're good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Kristen Mizutani
I grew up in Carlsbad and this was our first time here! We had Matt who was such a vibe!! Totally made our experience great and of course the food was fire. The aguachile was bomb, Chilean sea bass stellar, and he made us a special margarita!!! I even brought my service dog too no problem we sat outside with nice heaters.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shelby Kraft
Came here for the first time to enjoy a date night. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service. Recommend the birria tacos, short rib enchiladas, and skirt steak. Matt was one of the best servers we’ve ever had. Made us feel welcome and took the time to give us all of his recommendations. Promote that guy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathy Krenger
Delicious, fresh ingredients put together for a wonderful meal. Absolutely loved the service…everyone is so nice and truly cared that we were enjoying our evening. Gorgeous, comfortable setting. Highly recommend! Great addition to Carlsbad!
Stop looking for a place to eat and hit up Fresco. Consistently great Mexican grub that locals and out of towners love. The strip steak is definitely the move. Ask for Matt to get the full Fresco experience!
Fresco Cocina is delicious and fun! We hosted a farewell brunch for a wedding weekend there...the buffet was fresh and beautifully displayed --chorizo, eggs, a variety of salsa and toppings, homemade tortillas, fresh fruit and mimosas. The ambiance was sunny, open and chic. Nadia, their event coordinator, pulled this together for us on just a few week's notice. She is very professional, accommodating and creative. Michael and his wait staff made sure our guests had a plenty of food and drinks no matter what time they arrived. The event exceeded our expectations. And we can't wait to go back for dinner the next time we're in town. Thank you Fresco Cociina for the perfect ending to a great wedding weekend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Warning: we were also charged $15 per bowl of guacamole without being informed like the previous reviewer. Food was bland and not impressive. Should be better options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
They gave our party’s reservation to another group that walked in and tried to sit us outside in 50 degree weather. They then charged $15 for each bowl of guacamole for the chips without letting us know we would be charged for the guacamole. Would not recommend this restaurant. Mediocre food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Tequila Thursdays half price margaritas! Matt was such an incredible server , hilarious and adorable! Definitely worth the trip , food is amazing too !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice, but a bit overpriced. Deck patio was nice
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Charred Octopus, Carne Asada
This is an upscale but beachy feel Mexican restaurant in Carlsbad. They have parking at the rear and usually there is enough street parking around to not have to drive around too much. We ordered the mole spiced salmon, the prime skirt steak and the picso sour. Everything was delicious, but the best part was that spicy yogurt sauce that the salmon was laid on. They were not stingy on the sauce and I was fashionably licking it off my plate by the end of the meal, lol! The pisco sour was nice but not as good as the one I've had at Q'ero in Encinitas. The server was good, friendly enough without being too overwhelming. All in all, a good evening out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mole
2 for 1
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bad experience all around here. 1st waiter told us it was happy hour all night(possibly because we were there for a bday?) the bill comes after we ordered multiple happy hour guac’a because they were cheaper and she said “no you ordered the normal guac” so we paid full price. 24$ for 2 enchiladas and they were below average. Brought the bday girls tacos with 0 toppings just steak and tortilla. Turned off the heaters half way thru dinner so we were freezing. Worst part I paid 18$ for a “cake fee” because I brought my own cake and she brought it to the table still in the box without the candles and not lit. We then lit it ourselves and cut it ourselves. So what did I pay for??
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bean dip with chorizo was kickin
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
We were a party of 4 and looking for a place that had good food and we could catch up with each other since we had not seen each other for several months. This was our first visit to this restaurant since it changed from Koko Beach, which was a favorite. If you are looking for a nice quiet place to hold a conversation without shouting, this is NOT the place. The music was very loud, everything in the place is a hard surface so the noise level is not at all enjoyable. Even the waitstaff had a hard time hearing us and us them. It restaurant is nicely decorated, but is just a big wide open space with tables.
The waiter was good and took care of us efficiently. The food was just okay. We were expecting a bit more based on reviews and the prices. The drinks were average price, but served in small glasses filled to the brim with ice. Several of the dishes were too spicy and another was way too salty. I did have the chicken tortilla soup and found that to be very good. The fried octopus was way too chewy and not tender at all. So I guess you can tell we were not at all impressed. My rating was so so food, too loud to talk, and expensive. Needless to say, we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
This place isn't great and the tacos took so long to order and we ordered 3 different times in our party of 8 that arrived at 3 different times. Don't even think about getting the Queso Blanco. Margaritas we're good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
I grew up in Carlsbad and this was our first time here! We had Matt who was such a vibe!! Totally made our experience great and of course the food was fire. The aguachile was bomb, Chilean sea bass stellar, and he made us a special margarita!!! I even brought my service dog too no problem we sat outside with nice heaters.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for the first time to enjoy a date night. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service. Recommend the birria tacos, short rib enchiladas, and skirt steak. Matt was one of the best servers we’ve ever had. Made us feel welcome and took the time to give us all of his recommendations. Promote that guy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious, fresh ingredients put together for a wonderful meal. Absolutely loved the service…everyone is so nice and truly cared that we were enjoying our evening. Gorgeous, comfortable setting. Highly recommend! Great addition to Carlsbad!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charred Octopus, Carne Asada, Chipotle Avocado Salad
Stop looking for a place to eat and hit up Fresco. Consistently great Mexican grub that locals and out of towners love. The strip steak is definitely the move. Ask for Matt to get the full Fresco experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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