Same Same delivers the kind of dining experience that feels both inventive and comforting. From start to finish, everything I ordered was a standout.
I started with the wonton samosa, a playful and delicious fusion that balanced crisp texture with rich, flavorful filling. It was the kind of appetizer that sets the tone for the meal—unique but approachable.
For drinks, the Sioux City Old Fashioned impressed me with its balance. Smooth, well-crafted, and just the right level of boldness—it paired beautifully with both the starter and the main course.
The highlight of the evening was the grilled New York steak. Perfectly cooked to almost blue, very juicy, and seasoned with care, it showed off the kitchen’s skill. The flavors were deep and satisfying, and the preparation respected the cut without overcomplicating it. The Thai chili dipping sauce was phenomenal.
To end the meal, I was lucky enough to try something off-menu: the secret Thai Tea Tiramisu. This dessert was nothing short of brilliant—silky layers with the fragrant sweetness of Thai tea, offering a twist on a classic that I won’t forget.
The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere struck a balance between stylish and relaxed. The music was fun and fit their style. The art was punchy and the added punk twist took me back. Same Same is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to come back—not just for the food, but for the sense that every detail has been thought through.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Highly recommend if you’re in Carlsbad and want a meal that blends creativity, quality, and genuine hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eunsong K
Food’s okayyy , service can really improve lol bartender here literally does order taking. Nothing above & beyond. Idk his name. Mid 40 ..? Doesnt care much about service.
Kao soi - is it really egg noodles or angel’s hair pasta lol I liked cucumber, wontons though Lot of cocktails have spicy complexities which’s interesting to try but beside food & cocktails service kinda ruined all the stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Tanya E.
What a great place!!! I visited after the restaurant was closed, bar & dancing only......All the staff were incredibly responsive, friendly and helpful with drink selections. There's a good mix of friendly people there, no judgmental vibes, everyone having a great time. DJ was jammin' and dance floor was alive. Age range varied but most in their 30-40s. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
taylor C
Service, food, drinks, vibes were immaculate. We had the cucumbers, wings, short rib, and larb, the tangerine mezcal drink, and the old fashioned-all exceeded expectations. Despite living in LA, can’t wait to come back. Loved the enthusiasm and menu knowledge from SeaBass. Only miss is not selling those sick tiger shirts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seth Sonstein
Amazing Drinks and Vibes. You might not expect it but the food is incredible with possibly the best Vegan options in all of North County. NWA behind the bar is an A+. Great for drinks, food or both.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ivan Gonzalez
Place is super small has only 2 bathrooms inside and the DJ was really lame he kept censoring songs blurring out the bad words felt like I was in a middle school dance
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alan Lopez
Awesome Thai restaurant! Same Same doubles as a bar, we went to an 8pm reservation and spilled into the bar/nightclub turnover at 9 pm. The atmosphere and staff were amazing, super vibes and slick. Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and not pushy. The food was insanely fresh and quick. Food came out hot and all the flavors were on point. It’s traditional Thai, with a modern spin. Highly recommend the chicken wings, and the tuna crudo. And since it’s a bar, the drinks are creative and tasty. Sits in upper floor of a Carlsbad shopping center, and kind of hidden in the back. Love this place, well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dario Wood
Definitely check this place out. A hidden gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Stark
Don’t be put off by the smallish menu, every single item on it is prepared with care and executed flawlessly. Surprised to find such a gem in a tourist area. Excellent cocktails and NA options. Wish I could come here once a week
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cross Catanio
great food and drinks located on top of coyote. Colin was an amazing bartender and the chefs were very accommodating to our dietary restrictions as my wife has a gluten intolerance.
Happy hour was great. Got a few appetizers to share and that was delicious! Cool decor inside.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Nancee Hunter
If you think you're getting Thai food, you are not. The cocktails are fancy and not overpriced (for California) but very weak pours and the food is absolutely disgusting -- curry tastes like vinegar and way too much lime in the Tom Kha. Super disappointed. PLEASE don't waste your time/money
UPDATE: not sure how to respond to the restaurant's response but I really warn people not to go there to eat. My goal is not to be crude or rude but the food was truly bad -- far too much vinegar and lime beyond anyone's taste buds. Ick! California is not known for inexpensive anything. The food went straight to the trash, if that is any indication.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bansari Pancholi
Drinks were amazing!
Atmosphere is dark and cozy. Loved this place. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina McBreen
Seriously the best cocktails!! Wendy peppercorn is my fav on the menu !! “Sand lot inspired drink “ very pretty also Mike amazing bar tender ! Hadn’t seen him in almost a year n remembered me talking to him about a business idea I had
Kelly Lawrence
This is absolutely the best Thai restaurant in the area. The tom kha is probably the best I’ve ever eaten. Cocktails are equally good and the service is always great. Highly recommend and they take reservations so you won’t have to wait.
Same Same delivers the kind of dining experience that feels both inventive and comforting. From start to finish, everything I ordered was a standout.
I started with the wonton samosa, a playful and delicious fusion that balanced crisp texture with rich, flavorful filling. It was the kind of appetizer that sets the tone for the meal—unique but approachable.
For drinks, the Sioux City Old Fashioned impressed me with its balance. Smooth, well-crafted, and just the right level of boldness—it paired beautifully with both the starter and the main course.
The highlight of the evening was the grilled New York steak. Perfectly cooked to almost blue, very juicy, and seasoned with care, it showed off the kitchen’s skill. The flavors were deep and satisfying, and the preparation respected the cut without overcomplicating it. The Thai chili dipping sauce was phenomenal.
To end the meal, I was lucky enough to try something off-menu: the secret Thai Tea Tiramisu. This dessert was nothing short of brilliant—silky layers with the fragrant sweetness of Thai tea, offering a twist on a classic that I won’t forget.
The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere struck a balance between stylish and relaxed. The music was fun and fit their style. The art was punchy and the added punk twist took me back. Same Same is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to come back—not just for the food, but for the sense that every detail has been thought through.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Highly recommend if you’re in Carlsbad and want a meal that blends creativity, quality, and genuine hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food’s okayyy , service can really improve lol bartender here literally does order taking. Nothing above & beyond. Idk his name. Mid 40 ..? Doesnt care much about service.
Kao soi - is it really egg noodles or angel’s hair pasta lol
I liked cucumber, wontons though
Lot of cocktails have spicy complexities which’s interesting to try but beside food & cocktails service kinda ruined all the stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
What a great place!!! I visited after the restaurant was closed, bar & dancing only......All the staff were incredibly responsive, friendly and helpful with drink selections. There's a good mix of friendly people there, no judgmental vibes, everyone having a great time. DJ was jammin' and dance floor was alive. Age range varied but most in their 30-40s. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service, food, drinks, vibes were immaculate. We had the cucumbers, wings, short rib, and larb, the tangerine mezcal drink, and the old fashioned-all exceeded expectations. Despite living in LA, can’t wait to come back. Loved the enthusiasm and menu knowledge from SeaBass. Only miss is not selling those sick tiger shirts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing Drinks and Vibes. You might not expect it but the food is incredible with possibly the best Vegan options in all of North County. NWA behind the bar is an A+. Great for drinks, food or both.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Place is super small has only 2 bathrooms inside and the DJ was really lame he kept censoring songs blurring out the bad words felt like I was in a middle school dance
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Awesome Thai restaurant!
Same Same doubles as a bar, we went to an 8pm reservation and spilled into the bar/nightclub turnover at 9 pm.
The atmosphere and staff were amazing, super vibes and slick. Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and not pushy.
The food was insanely fresh and quick. Food came out hot and all the flavors were on point. It’s traditional Thai, with a modern spin.
Highly recommend the chicken wings, and the tuna crudo.
And since it’s a bar, the drinks are creative and tasty.
Sits in upper floor of a Carlsbad shopping center, and kind of hidden in the back.
Love this place, well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Definitely check this place out. A hidden gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t be put off by the smallish menu, every single item on it is prepared with care and executed flawlessly. Surprised to find such a gem in a tourist area. Excellent cocktails and NA options. Wish I could come here once a week
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
great food and drinks located on top of coyote. Colin was an amazing bartender and the chefs were very accommodating to our dietary restrictions as my wife has a gluten intolerance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Happy hour was great. Got a few appetizers to share and that was delicious! Cool decor inside.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
If you think you're getting Thai food, you are not. The cocktails are fancy and not overpriced (for California) but very weak pours and the food is absolutely disgusting -- curry tastes like vinegar and way too much lime in the Tom Kha. Super disappointed. PLEASE don't waste your time/money
UPDATE: not sure how to respond to the restaurant's response but I really warn people not to go there to eat. My goal is not to be crude or rude but the food was truly bad -- far too much vinegar and lime beyond anyone's taste buds. Ick! California is not known for inexpensive anything. The food went straight to the trash, if that is any indication.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Drinks were amazing!
Atmosphere is dark and cozy. Loved this place. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seriously the best cocktails!! Wendy peppercorn is my fav on the menu !! “Sand lot inspired drink “ very pretty also Mike amazing bar tender ! Hadn’t seen him in almost a year n remembered me talking to him about a business idea I had
This is absolutely the best Thai restaurant in the area. The tom kha is probably the best I’ve ever eaten. Cocktails are equally good and the service is always great. Highly recommend and they take reservations so you won’t have to wait.
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