Amazing service and food. The staff was very welcoming and the vibes inside were lovely. Will definitely be a new regular spot!

Came here for our anniversary dinner and had such a wonderful experience! Matt was incredibly kind, hospitable, and charismatic, which made the evening extra special. We were even treated to some delicious flan that was truly a 10/10. Thank you for the excellent service, Matt! read more

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The food was so good will be coming back! the staff was very sweet and helped me find everything i wanted. I also loved the atmosphere of the restaurant this is the perfect place for a nice dinner! read more

What? So horrible. An afternoon date turned into the most disappointing meal with my husband (he agrees). It was so bad. The patio seating is loud front eh street, crowded and the people who walk by occasionally are maybe crazy? Sorry let's get to the food. So gross!!! I mean wilted, tepid, gooey, gross. Service was not good either. I'm sorry but they didn't know the menu or whats in the dishes. The whole thing sucked. How does this place not have worse ratings? Maybe if you just go to the bar and drink you'll like that. I can't recommend eating or patio atmosphere. Sorry Fresco Cocina but it was not nice. read more

Anniversary dinner. Great service and the food was amazing. Pulpo Ala Brasa appetizer. We had the Roasted Chilean Seabass and Carne Asada for our entrées. And a few cocktails. The presentation was beautiful read more

Incredible food. Wife and I were eating and I kept remarking that this is Michelin star level. Guess what. The chef that started this worked at a Michelin star restaurant. No wonder. We didn't even get to the mains. The appetizers were already so good. The calamari. The batter coating was great. Crunchy even after hours. Flavored perfectly. Can still taste the calamari. The octopus had this slightly charred taste with a perfectly caramelized sweet honey? sauce. Incredible. The shrimp ceviche sauce was incredibly good, thought the shrimp was just ok. Costco shrimp could be better. But that sauce. I brought my own wine and will do so again next night. By my estimation, at similar prices, the same food at a Michelin one star would get you a quarter of the portions at 50% or 100% premium, with the same quality. I'm really going back the next evening read more

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First time coming here & we were so lucky to have Matt as our server. We were here to celebrate my birthday and he went above & beyond to make our time special. We will definitely be back! Food was amazing! Thank you Matt for a great evening. read more

Food has definitely changed. This was our third and were looking forward to eating there. We were very disappointed with everything. The three meals we ordered were either too salty or plain. Rib eye steak and potatoes were more french fries than meat. It overpowered the meal. Ceviche was plain, too much avocado than fish. The salsa was probably from a can. I've had their salsa before and it was delicious. Unfortunately we are not returning. read more

Everything is delicious! Our server Matt took great care of me and my family. The whole staff was super accommodating to us with our newborn. Beautiful scenery, great music, and the food was other worldly. read more

This restaurant is in a great location, has a very nice atmosphere, and attentive staff. However, both the food and cocktails were well below mediocre. My guava mojito- a house cocktail- was barely drinkable and with a grimace at that. I drank half of the watery, cheapest rum possible, $15 concoction that tasted nothing of guava and only the rubbing alcohol taste of really cheap booze. My $20 ceviche was the blandest I've ever had. It lacked anything for texture, consisting only of fish pieces, a little avocado, and very fine red onion strings. My companion had the vegan bowl, which was pretty good but very small. His coconut margarita was fine but at $15 was served in a 5oz glass, with ice. So, exceptionally little actual drink. Limited food options for a pescatarian who doesn't eat shellfish. Lastly, because it irritated me, they only permit happy hour in the bar, even though the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived and we wanted to sit outside. I was really hoping this was a new go-to but failing at drinks AND food is not optional for me. read more

You all need to come here!! Matt our waiter was AMAZING!! Thank you for an amazing experience and AMAZING Food! Thank you read more

My husband and I came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It's super open and airy (lots of sections that are completely free of doors/windows. We opted to sit outside. Absolutely loved the table top details (reminded me of sea glass), and a lot of mixed materials used through out. I adored my margarita (and this is saying a lot as someone who doesn't drink often because many drinks are just not up to par). My husband really enjoyed his as well! When I tell you we probably talk about this whole fish atleast 1-2 times a week! It was divine! The only critique is I wish it came with some crusty bread or rice to help soak up that delicious sauce and olives! If I had to say anything, our least favorite was the tequeños. We did however really like the avocado salsa it came with! We equally enjoyed finishing our night off with dessert (the sorbet was our fav)! Looking forward to ordering another massive fish for our next visit read more

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The hostess was great and tried to find us seats outside. The service inside(on the patio) was ok. It took a really long time to get margaritas, which tasted great but would've had more if we got the first one sooner. Started with chips, guacamole and homemade salsa which tasted great. Then we got the ceviche. It tasted ok, but smelled so fishy that I couldn't eat another bite. Maybe a one off and maybe bc we showed up close to closing. I was turned off bc of the smell and we decided to go somewhere else to eat dinner. Overall nice ambiance and decor and good drinks read more

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Everything here is sooooo amazing!! We had hibiscus margaritas and Cadillac margaritas with all fresh ingredients that were wonderful. For dinner our group had the birria beef enchiladas, Chicken enchiladas and Chilean seabass. They were all fantastic!! The guac is also amazing I wanted to lick the bowl. The desserts are divine as well. Had the bread pudding and the flan, both were awesome. The service is great as well. Our server was Matt and his energy and knowledge of the menu is tops! He is friendly and engaging makes you feel like you have been coming here for years. This was our second time here and everything on the menu is great, it's all amazing!! We will be coming back again and again!! read more

Took our family including 3 small children which isn't usually ideal in a restaurant setting but they were so accommodating, friendly and helpful. The food was on another level and my husband will probably dream about the flan tonight. We are so pleased and would highly recommend. read more

The burger was fantastic and the pork belly tacos were so flavorful. The charred octopus was ok but we loved the Yucca fries! Great ambiance and service. Definitely recommend read more

Delicious food and the drinks were strong. Friendly service. My fav was the octopus and the yuca fries! They also gave a rooftop you can be seated at from 5:30 pm. Woukd definitely go back. read more

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Love this place! Great service - very welcoming and friendly, delicious food and creative cocktails! The atmosphere and ambiance is very aesthetically pleasing as well. read more

Our experience didn't begin well, truth be told. We walked in at the same time as another family and we both had reservations. Our reservation was for 12 and their reservation was for 12:15. For whatever reason, they sat them first. I should note we were right on time, we were a party of four, and they were a party of three. Then, the hostess asked if we were fine to sit outside in the sun. It's a hard no, thanks. She proceeded to say she'd do a sweep of the tables to see what was available. We were seated outside in the shade, ultimately. It was a really weird interaction and it is unclear why the 12:15 party was sat before us with their pick of a table. Luckily, our server was fantastic and entirely made up for our entry. Our server was Alison and she was 12/10. She was bubbly, kind, and attentive. We tried a couple of cocktails, both of which were great. We also tried the guacamole, ceviche, and birria tacos. Everything was terrific. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the ambiance is really nice. read more

The food and service were excellent, however the music was so loud we could not hear the server or each other!

If you live in the area and haven't been or if you're visiting the area and are looking for the best dinner spot, this is it. From the very beginning I knew it was a special place when their friendly hostess enthusiastically welcomed us in. The restaurant has a classy aesthetic and inviting atmosphere. The music was upbeat and fun, but not so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation. And, it's a block from the beach and they have a heated, covered patio style seating area that's just beautiful. They also have an upstairs patio that overlooks the ocean I mean c'mon! It's not your typical Latin American fare either, they put their own twist on classic dishes making each uniquely delicious. The Peruvian Ceviche was a symphony of fresh seafood, perfectly marinated in citrusy goodness. Each bite was an explosion of flavor, and the accompanying cancha (corn nuts) added the perfect crunchy touch. The Argentinian Empanadas were unlike any I've ever had before. The filling was bursting with juicy ground beef and spices, and the crust was flaky and golden brown. They were definitely a step above the average empanada! The Brazilian Steak was a sight to behold. It was cooked to perfection, sliced thin, and arranged artfully on a bed of chimichurri sauce. It was almost too pretty to eat, but I did! Our server was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. They were also very friendly and attentive, making sure our glasses were always full and our plates cleared promptly. To top it off, the manager came over to chat with us and made us feel like valued guests. It's those little things that make a dining experience truly memorable. If you've gotten this far, what are you doing? Reserve your table already?! Thank you read more

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If you're looking to spend a long time waiting for extremely salty food this is the place for you. As we waited for our food I ordered a Cadillac margarita when it came out it looked very fancy, but think they missed the alcohol portion. After 45 minutes food was served my plate came out cold, my wife's look like the rice had been under a heat lamp for a while, and the kids seemed fine. I had a carne and fish tacos the fish tasted as if it was soaked in salt. The rice was also very salty where you had to wash your mouth with water after a bite. Another item ordered was the lobster enchiladas not worth the money at all. After leaving a zero tip we walked back in to the restaurant to leave one for the server as it wasn't their fault the food took so long and tasted poorly. read more

Great Mexican Food. Loved the Good Vibes cocktail. Matt our waiter was so fun and attentive. Will be back! read more

Fresco Cocina - Good vibes and skinny margaritas - Tacos Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Such a cute restaurant with wonderful food and service. The staff was amazing. My favorite dish was the ceviche. It was very fresh and had a lot or flavor. read more

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Absolutely amazing food and experience! Matt was our waiter and provided excellent service and conversation. Made friends with my son and being right next to legoland was amazing! read more

The food there looks better than it actually tastes. The bean dip was extremely salty. My friend ordered the fajita but it was nothing like a fajita and it was very salty. The sea bass was okay. Nothing spectacular. The service was alright. Nice waitress but again nothing special. The worst thing was the margarita. I think the alcohol must either be fake or they didn't put in. You taste nothing s and you feel nothing. The restaurant looks cool and hip inside. It's nice that they have parking lot. But neither the food or drink was impressive. And probably not worth to give a try if you have never tried. read more

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This place was amazing! The vibe was totally California beach. The food was delicious and fresh- we went for happy hour and really enjoyed the drinks and tacos. The staff was super attentive and friendly. read more

We stayed in Carlsbad and decided to check out this new-er brunch spot in the area. It wasn't too busy and the interior was very aesthetic (definitely brunch appropriate). They provided a free bowl of crispy mole spiced duros, which kind of tasted like a light and crunchy snack with chile powder. - Pabello criollo benedict (braised short rib benedict): The short rib was so tender and there was a lot of meat. It came with a hefty side of rice and beans so this ended up being pretty filling - Plantain pancakes: The plantain flavor is pretty subtle, but I liked how these pancakes weren't too sweet. The hibiscus syrup was super unique and it tasted amazing! - Mole spiced salmon hash: There was a lot more salmon than we were expecting, and it wasn't too dry. The aji verde sauce paired really nicely with the salmon. - Braised short rib street tacos: Same as the short rib benedict, the short rib was really tender. I think of all the dishes we ordered, these tacos were probably the least worth it for the price and portion size. Dishes are a bit on the pricier side, but I'm glad I got the chance to try some interesting brunch items. read more

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beautiful restaurant, with wonderful, friendly service, and the food was spectacular. It was beyond enjoyable experience for our family.

Matt at Fresco Cocina absolutely made our experience. From the moment we sat down, he was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure we had a great meal. His recommendations were spot-on, the timing of everything was perfect, and he struck that rare balance of being present without ever hovering. You can tell he takes pride in his work and wants guests to leave happy. Service like this is what keeps people coming back. If you're dining at Fresco Cocina, ask for Matt--you won't be disappointed. read more

Amazing service and food! Ordered the NEW ribeye fries and chipotle avocado salad. We finished both plates!!! Can't recommend enough!

A Perfect Blend of good food and drinks. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a lively buzz that makes you feel welcome. I started my evening with a cold Pacifico beer. Overall, this restaurant delivers on all fronts: great food, excellent drinks, and an atmosphere that makes you want to always come back. Highly recommended! read more

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My partner and I grabbed a quick bite at Fresco Cocina last Saturday. I do not think I have eaten a better elote in my life. It was creamy and spicy, which paired well with my shrimp taco. I was not impressed by mushroom taco though, however, I must say that aquachille is very generous and perfectly balanced. I loved selection of rum based drinks and would absolutely be back to try all of them! read more

3 stars in my opinion for food, I'll give 5 stars to Zach for the friendly and prompt service. Why 3 stars? First of my chile relleno was a small portion, I think I ate it in 3 bites plus they do their rellenos with no egg. It had a good flavor to it but was served with bland white rice. The Mai tai and house margarita were tasty. The Cali burrito for $25 was a disappointment, it was filled with pina pico so much that it tasted like pineapple and nothing else and was served with bland black beans. The tortilla soup was ok aside from having way too much lime in it. The crispy pork belly taco was not crispy what so ever but had an ok flavor to it, nothing special for such a small taco at $7. The highlights were the kids food surprisingly, the kids cheese burger was good my son really enjoyed it and the chicken tenders was some of the best chicken tenders I've tasted you can tell they batter them in house. Honestly for the price and atmosphere I expected more. The restaurant was super clean and the ambiance was nice. Maybe we'll have to give them another try and get different dishes but on this visit I wasn't impressed by the food. Zach was super cool and he may be the reason we go back. read more

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Great food and service!! Matt was our waiter and was so attentive and patient with our kiddos. Came to the rescue with lemonades when we sat down and our youngest was crying! Guacamole, taquitos, sea bass, short rib enchiladas all delicious. Would definitely return! read more

Incredible food and atmosphere. Drinks were fantastic. Service was prompt and friendly.

Food (5/5 stars): Fresco Cocina is a great spot in Carlsbad for Mexican food! I loved the Short Rib Tacos. The meat was so juicy and flavorful and the chipotle aioli was a nice touch. I just wish the tacos were a bigger because they were so good! Experience (4/5 stars): * Price: pricey * Wait Time: none because we had reservations * Service: awesome! * Parking: their lot is small and street parking can get tough * Ambiance: very beautiful and modern! read more

We had such a great meal with our sons and their friends. It's a beautifully designed space. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back. read more

Excellent food and attentive service. Happy cocktails and appies from 3:00 to 4:00. I definitely recommend the dip trio. The pulled short rub black bean dip is the bomb. read more

Matt was the best! Such delicious and authentic Mexican food. Took such great care of our family for a reunion dinner together, and the food was incredible. Will definitely be back! Lobster enchilada, Chilean sea bass and carne asada were so flavorful and fresh. read more