The food at Matsu was incredible. Super innovative without being overwhelmingly experimental, great textures, interesting flavors, all around a hit. The service was top notch. And the manager went above and beyond to adjust the timing for us because we had a crying infant.All around a fantastic experience and I wish them the best in their bid for a Michelin star. For sure as good if not better than many 1 star Michelin restaurants we’ve been to.If I had one minor critique it’s that they were out of one of the wines on their menu, which just means they need to update their inventory more often. On the flip side, they had a great by the glass menu.Overall, a tremendous experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Match Waffle, Tempura, Pine Sorbet, Sable Fish and Mochi
Jacob Widhelm
Every part of our experience was spectacular! We had the omakase with wine pairings, and I don't think it could have been any better. The food was stellar and unique capturing Japanese classics with a San Diego spin, the service staff was welcoming and extremely attentive, and the restauarant is warmly lit and quiet. I will be back, and I recommend this to all food lovers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lachlan MacKinnon
ok, so i agree with pedro, the other 1 star review. the food here is bad. i read pedro's review before coming in and prayed, but deep down I knew he was already right.this place will not be around very long. i really can't imagine anyone going here more than once, given the price:taste ratio.i started thinking it was an experiment set up to see how much people would accept paying for tiny pieces of food if it was labeled a fine dining experience. what else could it be? it is certainly not a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Brian Parker
Do not let the inconspicuous exterior fool you, when you enter Matsu, you immediately realize you are in for a special experience. The dim lighting, Japanese decor, and hand crafted wood tables will hint to the kind of food and service you will receive. I recommend going with the 10 course dinner. It was always a surprise and contrast. Every course was so well thought out, and looked like art on the plate. We also enjoyed their cocktails and sake. The servers are polite, and helpful. They serve new silverware for every course. I can't wait to go back. Big thanks to Chef William Eick, and GM Kim Roxas for the amazing service and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura, Green Tea Sorbet, Scallop
Dan Luong
Great experience with a warm atmosphere. From food to service. It's definitely worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Anna Connell
Came here for a Valentine's Day dinner. The reservation was easy. Finding the place wasn't hard. Parking at 7:30 on a Saturday night was easy. The food, staff, and atmosphere were so unique! It has texture, spice, variety, theme, and unique ingredients. The execution of each dish was perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kory Butler
Matsu is amazing. A must try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Korb
Excellent, top notch food. Impressive in every way, I'm amazed Oceanside has many of this level of restaurants and this one is probably the least talked about, but best.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: A5 Wagyu, Sable Fish and Mochi, Scallop
Sashank Shivakumar
The 10 course vegan omakase was one of our favorite dining experiences in a long time. Each dish seemed carefully thought out, and was presented elegantly. Servers were amicable, and explained each course and what particular ingredients were.Favorites were the sunflower, sunchoke w/tofu sauce, and the blonde miso ice-cream dessert. We did however enjoy every course, and these stood out.Highly recommend, and will come back soon! Definitely deserves more recognition.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
HY C
It is absolutely perfect food. The ingredients are fresh and the workmanship is fine. Every food is exquisite. The environment is elegant. It feels isolated from the world. You just need to enjoy the moment. ??But it is very expensive, with the per capita consumption reaching more than $200...?
I was very excited to come here to have a meal. So much so I reserved the chefs tasting counter sets. Service was excellent. Every staff member was gracious and the manager went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time. Unfortunately the food is just not very good. Every dish with the exception of the sweets were extremely salty with sauces that are way too strong. I often have to try and rescue bites of food by pushing it off to the side to stop it from being drenched by the sauce. Because the sauces themselves do not taste good. The ingredients, particularly the eel, are not particularly of high quality. There are some interesting dishes such as the cabbage gyoza, but ends up tasing just ok as opposed to kinda bad or even terrible. It was quite a let down.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Rivka Roth
Absolutely incredible in every way! We have now been twice in 8 days and are already planning our next visit! The service is OUTSTANDING and on a whole different level than what we usually see in San Diego. The staff is all incredibly knowledgeable, kind, helpful and operate in a way that makes the meal an EXPERIENCE with their coordination and showmanship. The food is DIVINE ART that we literally dream about days after! The chef is world class. A true artist for sure with every meal perfectly balanced, elegant and somehow so beautifully honest in its elegance. If you can’t do the 10 course tasting menu, there’s the a la Carte menu which is super approachable and affordable! 10/10
Cesar Salas
Awesome ambiance. Best bar in Oceanside. Fantastic service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica G
Amazing food and service. By far the best dining experience I've ever had!Dietary restrictions: Called ahead to notify of dietary restrictions. They accommodated my shellfish allergy kindly and without issue.
The food at Matsu was incredible. Super innovative without being overwhelmingly experimental, great textures, interesting flavors, all around a hit. The service was top notch. And the manager went above and beyond to adjust the timing for us because we had a crying infant.All around a fantastic experience and I wish them the best in their bid for a Michelin star. For sure as good if not better than many 1 star Michelin restaurants we’ve been to.If I had one minor critique it’s that they were out of one of the wines on their menu, which just means they need to update their inventory more often. On the flip side, they had a great by the glass menu.Overall, a tremendous experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Match Waffle, Tempura, Pine Sorbet, Sable Fish and Mochi
Every part of our experience was spectacular! We had the omakase with wine pairings, and I don't think it could have been any better. The food was stellar and unique capturing Japanese classics with a San Diego spin, the service staff was welcoming and extremely attentive, and the restauarant is warmly lit and quiet. I will be back, and I recommend this to all food lovers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ok, so i agree with pedro, the other 1 star review. the food here is bad. i read pedro's review before coming in and prayed, but deep down I knew he was already right.this place will not be around very long. i really can't imagine anyone going here more than once, given the price:taste ratio.i started thinking it was an experiment set up to see how much people would accept paying for tiny pieces of food if it was labeled a fine dining experience. what else could it be? it is certainly not a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Do not let the inconspicuous exterior fool you, when you enter Matsu, you immediately realize you are in for a special experience. The dim lighting, Japanese decor, and hand crafted wood tables will hint to the kind of food and service you will receive. I recommend going with the 10 course dinner. It was always a surprise and contrast. Every course was so well thought out, and looked like art on the plate. We also enjoyed their cocktails and sake. The servers are polite, and helpful. They serve new silverware for every course. I can't wait to go back. Big thanks to Chef William Eick, and GM Kim Roxas for the amazing service and hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tempura, Green Tea Sorbet, Scallop
Great experience with a warm atmosphere. From food to service. It's definitely worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Came here for a Valentine's Day dinner. The reservation was easy. Finding the place wasn't hard. Parking at 7:30 on a Saturday night was easy. The food, staff, and atmosphere were so unique! It has texture, spice, variety, theme, and unique ingredients. The execution of each dish was perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matsu is amazing. A must try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent, top notch food. Impressive in every way, I'm amazed Oceanside has many of this level of restaurants and this one is probably the least talked about, but best.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: A5 Wagyu, Sable Fish and Mochi, Scallop
The 10 course vegan omakase was one of our favorite dining experiences in a long time. Each dish seemed carefully thought out, and was presented elegantly. Servers were amicable, and explained each course and what particular ingredients were.Favorites were the sunflower, sunchoke w/tofu sauce, and the blonde miso ice-cream dessert. We did however enjoy every course, and these stood out.Highly recommend, and will come back soon! Definitely deserves more recognition.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is absolutely perfect food. The ingredients are fresh and the workmanship is fine. Every food is exquisite. The environment is elegant. It feels isolated from the world. You just need to enjoy the moment. ??But it is very expensive, with the per capita consumption reaching more than $200...?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I was very excited to come here to have a meal. So much so I reserved the chefs tasting counter sets. Service was excellent. Every staff member was gracious and the manager went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time. Unfortunately the food is just not very good. Every dish with the exception of the sweets were extremely salty with sauces that are way too strong. I often have to try and rescue bites of food by pushing it off to the side to stop it from being drenched by the sauce. Because the sauces themselves do not taste good. The ingredients, particularly the eel, are not particularly of high quality. There are some interesting dishes such as the cabbage gyoza, but ends up tasing just ok as opposed to kinda bad or even terrible. It was quite a let down.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Absolutely incredible in every way! We have now been twice in 8 days and are already planning our next visit! The service is OUTSTANDING and on a whole different level than what we usually see in San Diego. The staff is all incredibly knowledgeable, kind, helpful and operate in a way that makes the meal an EXPERIENCE with their coordination and showmanship. The food is DIVINE ART that we literally dream about days after! The chef is world class. A true artist for sure with every meal perfectly balanced, elegant and somehow so beautifully honest in its elegance. If you can’t do the 10 course tasting menu, there’s the a la Carte menu which is super approachable and affordable! 10/10
Awesome ambiance. Best bar in Oceanside. Fantastic service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and service. By far the best dining experience I've ever had!Dietary restrictions: Called ahead to notify of dietary restrictions. They accommodated my shellfish allergy kindly and without issue.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible experience and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5