This place is so good. I have had dinner here 3 times now. Everything is premium. First: Valet Parking only. Then you are greeted by hostesses that treat you like royalty. Then the bar: amazing drinks, selection and service. Then dinner: the waiter was the best I have had. He was so passionate about the food and was able to customize dishes based on desires or dietary restrictions. It is a custom menu every night. Our food was incredible. The place is expensive and worth it. Not crazy expensive, and you get what you pay for, so I would say it is a great experience. Everything far outshines the ambiance, which is clean, dark and somewhat dated. This is a culinary food experience and it is quiet enough to have conversations at the table. read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Market is a beautiful restaurant and has truly blossomed since I last visited! $83-90 set menu: 3 courses. Amuse Bouche pre dessert and hand made caramels included. Our group enjoyed the short ribs, Schnitzel and pork belly, and Halibut entrees. Incredible and highly recommend. Salads, souffle appetizers are beautiful and delicious, desserts are to die for. (the chocolate is amazing) No pics ! Too immersed in the experience. Just try it! read more

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Could not be more disappointed with the new ownership and recent menu changes. I've dined here several times in the past when the restaurant offered a set three-course prix fixe menu, and every experience was outstanding - fresh, thoughtful food, spectacular service, and a true five-star feel. I had dined here for a birthday dinner then referred my work to come here for a work dinner because I was such a fan. Because of these past visits, we enthusiastically recommended this restaurant to my parents and convinced them to drive over two hours to celebrate their anniversary dinner here with us. Unfortunately, tonight's experience fell far short of what this place once was. Upon arrival, we were surprised to see an à la carte menu alongside a much smaller (and more expensive) prix fixe option - which, by the way, does not match what's currently listed on the restaurant's website. Our server also didn't inform us until after we'd decided what to order - with some guests planning to order à la carte and others preferring the prix fixe - that the entire table had to order from the same menu. This was never mentioned upfront and felt like a very strange business decision. She explained that the restaurant was sold to a regular back in September and that changes had just begun rolling out this month. We asked if there was any flexibility to accommodate both menus at the table, and while the server said she'd check with a manager, the answer ultimately came back as a flat no, without a manager ever stopping by to explain or discuss the situation. Given how limited the prix fixe options were, we reluctantly chose to order à la carte. Service throughout the evening was slow and inattentive. We had to ask for bread service, water refills were delayed, and the time between appetizers and entrées was over 25-30 minutes. The food itself was fine, but the overall experience left a bad taste. We even had to ask for the homemade caramels that used to be a thoughtful touch when the check was dropped. Having dined here before, we knew what to expect and this entire night just missed the mark. Overall, we didn't feel taken care of at all, which is especially disappointing when you're spending approx. $400 on a dinner (not including everyone ordering beverages). What was once a true gem now, is just another expensive restaurant. With so many other incredible dining options in San Diego, this restaurant won't be on our list again. Most disappointing of all was that this was meant to be a special anniversary dinner for my parents to celebrate 37 years of marriage. A huge letdown for them having driven 2 hours to get here and for the experience we had. read more

I wasn't going to leave feedback, but since it was requested, I will. I took my girlfriend to the restaurant last night for her birthday. The reservation experience was excellent and so was the service. We arrived a bit early and we were seated promptly. Our waitress was terrific. Now, let's talk about the food. On my last visit, we enjoyed a prix fixe menu. But that's gone, and the prices are much higher, or certainly they seemed to be. We had heard that their soup was terrific and our waitress confirmed that. So we tried the Butternut Squash soup, which at $26 per bowl was expensive. I thought it was just so-so. There was a spice in the soup that I really didn't care for, and I thought they tried to get way too "creative", which in my opinion, detracted from the soup. It was a squash soup that didn't taste much like squash. It was quite busy, and I thought that this was unnecessary and unhelpful. Next up came the Cherrywood Roasted Rack of Lamb at $72 per entree. There were two relatively small pieces of lamb, but it was cooked perfectly and the meat was of a high-quality. While it wasn't a lot of meat, we certainly didn't walk away hungry. Again, there was some spice, I think it was the same one I tasted in my squash soup, that I didn't love. But overall, I enjoyed the meal, even though the seasonings overpowered the natural flavor of the lamb. Again, this was also an issue with the soup. We also had a couple of Manhattans and 2 glasses of wine. The wine was good, but the Manhattan had a funky flavor to it, so you're seeing a common theme where they are trying to get too tricky or "creative". I didn't feel that the dinner quite lived up to my expectations, although I enjoyed it overall. I did receive an Amex credit from Resy, so that brought the price down. I guess the short of it is that we thought the chef was trying to be overly "creative", or "too tricky" was a term that I used at the table, to the detriment of the food, or at least to my taste. Sometimes less is more, and simple can bring out of the flavors of the food. read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - Butternut Squash Soup - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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What a little treasure in Del Mar! The exterior is unimpressive; almost resembles and office building ... however; inside it's a wonderfully intimate feeling restaurant. They offer a Chef's tasting menu ($85 + 4.5% surcharge) which was very nice. It's all based on fresh ingredients so the menu changes often. The tasting menu include a starter, entree, and dessert. I went with the spiced Moroccan lamb and added a supplemental lobster side (+$29). Both were fantastic and I would come back just for the lamb. My wife has the spare ribs which was also amazing; rich thick glaze on the spareribs with potatoes. Vegetables, etc. Desserts were also good with my cheese plate and my wife went with a blueberry crisp with cream. The cocktails were also quite nice and they had a nice spin on a classic Manhattan (with a little cocoa in it). Overall, a lovely evening and we will return to again. My only gripe is the 4.5% surcharge for "increasing labor and business operations expenses". These surcharges just really grind-my-gears. I wish they would just charge me $90 for the Chef's menu and raise the other prices 4.5% as well. I'd happily just pay 4.5% more on the prices of the menu, instead it feels like they try to hide it in the fine print. From my perspective aren't all prices based on "labor and business operations expenses" ... so just adjust the menu price already. Okay, off my the soapbox box :) With that all being said - we will be back for sure! read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - Moroccan Spiced Lamb and a side of lobster with clarified garlic herb butter (super yummy)! - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

A disappointing evening. We ate in the bar and lounge area, which we typically enjoy. At a table along the back wall. Wine service was quick and friendly, a young lady from New Zealand, we learned that when we ordered a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, $19, and shared a few highlights of our several visits there. We tried a well-made regional Bordeaux, also $19. Other wines range from a Riesling for $17 up to a Napa Cabernet for $28 per glass. The wines arrived and then she disappeared. Perhaps a shift change? Another waitress came by about 10 minutes later to take our order. The menu includes nine starters, from salad to a blue cheese soufflé. The menu changes and contains different pasta dishes. The six entrées ranged from cheese ravioli to swordfish to rack of lamb to beef tenderloin, $80. They traditionally serve an Amuse Bouche. Tonight featured a housemade potato chip. salty and spiced, with seafood similar to smoked salmon, Crème fresh, lemon, and caviar on top. (Delicious. Sadly, this turned out to be the best part of the meal.) We've enjoyed the sushi and sashimi menu in the bar previously. The Roll menu includes lobster, ranch, market, crunchy, and others ranging in price from $24 to $35. We had to ask the server for the ingredients of the rolls she didn't have a complete list. So we went with the Tempura lobster roll topped with salmon, avocado, lemon, aïoli and dill, $35. The radiatori pasta ($35) with veal came out in about 15 minutes, and we started sharing. There was a big delay in getting the Sushi - 25 minutes. The waitress apologized and gave us a free glass of wine. There were only two other tables in the bar area being served, one person at the bar, and the main restaurant looked to be half full. The sushi chef near the front door (main kitchen is in the back) didn't look busy. Perhaps our order didn't get submitted properly? It's hard to imagine there could be such delays unless they are short-staffed on Tuesday nights. Or new staff? read more

The Market Restaurant is in a somewhat isolated area in Del Mar just across from the polo fields. Valet parking ($6.00). No place to park on the street. The decor is modern and cozy with a low light level. We had a drink at bar while waiting to be seated. Three staff asked if we wanted a drink. Overall, the service at Market was highly attentive and professional, appropriate to the price level of the restaurant. The only choice is $85 for a 3-course tasting menu. We were brought a tuna and cucumber amuse bouche. The cuisine is best described as California modern. All of the dishes we had were fabulous. Creative, expertly prepared and delicious. Each dish had a protein, an ample amount of vegetables and usually an excellent sauce. Definitely a 5-star culinary level. They have a very extensive wine list but we stayed with wine by the glass and cocktails. I'd like to give this place 5 stars, but the restaurant adds a 4.5% surcharge to all bills. It's clear at the bottom of the menu but this is bad behavior. Make the tasting menu $90 and get rid of the bad optics. Also, there's nowhere to park in the area except for the Market parking lot, yet they still charge $6 for valet parking, and the electronic payment device still suggests a 15% tip. read more

Each bite had so much flavor! You can taste so much of every ingredient cooked together. The thought and decision making behind each dish to form so much taste and texture is astounding. I recommend any meat dish they have on the menu. Because the food is so flavorful, you'll treasure each bite and feel full. The service was also prompt and friendly. The restaurant was dark but relatively still vibing and energetic on a Friday night read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - CABERNET BRAISED PRIME BEEF SHORT RIBS - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

It's over 10 years since I last dined at Market. I chose it for last night's dinner for a holiday celebration for our office. I'm happy to say that the service and food preparation are every bit as good as I had remembered. We chose the tasting menu. One often thinks of tasting menu portion sizes as being small, but all of the portions were full sized. For the appetizer I chose the blue cheese souffle, grouper for the main, and the "creamsicle" for dessert. I highly recommend market for a special dinner. It's definitely on my short list for our upcoming anniversary. read more

Torn between 3 and 4 stars. SERVICE: 5/5. Very attentive, personable. AMBIANCE: 5/5 Beautiful decor and layout. Lovely romantic atmosphere. FOOD: 3/5. Just ok, especially for the price. 1/3 fixed menu item was good, the beet salad. Everything else was lack luster. Overly salted. My opinion is, if you're going to have a prefix, those items should be impeccable. read more

THE BEST RESTAURANT IN SAN DIEGO! Every time my wife and I go, we have an incredible experience. Never had a bad meal here, literally the best restaurant in all of San Diego! Excellent service and ambience! read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - Braised beef short rib! - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

I was very upset. I felt somebody fleeced my pocket. It was over-priced. I ordered yellowtail collar and there was no meat on the collar. The service was adequate. My portion of the bill was $190 for a drink, one order of sushi, and one order of yellow tail collar. What an utter disappointment. I would not recommend this place. read more

I used to go here all the time and now I'm back! There was a time around Covid when the food quality took a nosedive but it's really been on point recently. The drinks are always smooth and strong. The service is always top notch. Now the food is back to standard! I love the changing seasonal menu with fresh ingredients. Their seafood is always fresh and you can't go wrong with their steak! Their hidden surprise are the sashimi offerings at the bar. read more

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Wow, this was one of the best meals in our lives!! We came here for our anniversary and were just stunned by the incredible food! The place has modern decor and romantic with beautiful lightings. The service was just ok (the waiter was not very welcoming or friendly), but honestly, when the food is thiss good, it doesn't matter so much. Appetizers: The complimentary bread included warm corn bread, which was light and delicious. Gorgonzola soufflé: I don't normally like Gorgonzola, but this was incredible - not too heavy, and the texture was so moist and smooth. The peach and cherry salad on the side paired perfectly - the peaches were amazing as well. Yellowtail tartare: super refreshing, light and umami! The fish went really well with the mango salad. The nori crisps were also really delightful and flavorful. Entrees: Braised short ribs: wow... this was extremely tender and the sauce was perfect- very decadent, flavorful, and everything just melts in your mouth. The mashed potato was creamy and smooth, and complemented the beef. Beef tenderloin: super tender and perfectly cooked steak! The outside was crusted perfectly whereas the inside was so juicy and tender. The sauce was a bit salty but the accompanying onion cream tart balanced the dish! The tart was to die for... flaky crunchy crust surrounding the creamy heavenly onions... I could have so many of these. Dessert: Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse: surprisingly not extremely sweet, and the sponge cake was moist and light. Strawberry and cream: strawberries with yuzu panna cotta - super refreshing and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, definitely one of the most memorable dining experiences! From beginning to the end, I felt like everything was crafted and planned so perfectly by the chef. The price is also super reasonable for an upscale restaurant. Will be back for another special occasion! read more

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Hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in all Del Mar. From the service to when you arrive, to the table, servers, ambiance, quality of love and passion of the food from the chief ...... you can taste and experience it in every bite. My partner and I are vegetarians. The couple we went with are all food type lovers and it was truly unbelievable. read more

Market Restaurant & Bar - Custom vegetarian dish made by the chief with the most amazing sauce with mushrooms - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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We have been eating at Market for 10+ years and have always enjoyed the well-executed, if somewhat unimaginative, food in an average ambiance for a nice restaurant. Most recently our highly anticipated anniversary dinner was ruined by an overbearing maitre'd who made several disrespectful statements to us and hurried us through the $350 dinner for two. We will not be retuning nor recommending Market to friends as we have done for years. There are much more creative and vibrant places in the area. read more

The Market is truly a hidden gem in the Del Mar area not far from the race track. The decor is simple but elegant and modern. The food is spectacular, especially the braised short ribs. One of the best meals I've had in San Diego. The Chef's 3 course meal has several choices for the starter, entree, and dessert. Given the quality of the food, the $85 menu is very reasonably priced. Our waiter provided drink recommendations that matched each course we ordered and they were able to provide accommodations for my gluten free diet. I believe the menu changes seasonally so I can't wait to come back to try different dishes! read more

Wow!!!! Valet service, full bar, low lighting, unpretentious, knowledgeable staff, and the most important part......the food!! You pay for all courses- so no sharing! Come hungry! We ordered Bacon salad- beautiful packed egg and the bacon was like European speck. The vinaigrette was light and perfect. Mushroom truffle soup- hubby said it was a tad heavy for him but enjoyed the flavor Beef short ribs - perfect tenderness and complimentary flavors Eggplant Parmesan with truffle tortellini- hubby said he couldn't taste eggplant flavor enough, but he said it was still really good Lemon soufflé- if I only came for this, I would be a happy woman, delicious! The ambiance and the intimate,clean, beautiful setting is what had me. It feels warm and cool at the same time, kind of like putting on icy hot- but in restaurant form! Haha! Enjoy! read more

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All I can say is WOW. Came here from Los Angeles and this place was such top tier. I had the yellowtail tartare, beef medallion and strawberry dessert, and everything was a 10/10. Hubby got the burrata, yellowtail as the main dish and apricot dessert and I can say the same about all of his choices. Also want to give a huge shoutout to my server, Ryan, for taking such great care of us with his amazing hospitality. You are a rockstar and so kind! Highly recommend this place is you'd like incredible food that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. read more

We recently had dinner at Market and noted all the new changes under new management. The ala carte menu was back but the prices were astronomically higher, 50% increase in prices no adjustments to portion size - my lamb was $76 and the beef was $75! On a better note, yuzu dessert was delicious and my cocktail was divine. Sadly this probably won't be our regular special occasion destination with these steep prices. read more

I love this restaurant so much. The soufflés are always to-die-for. The soups like something out of a dream. The sushi, fresh fish, the avocado and grapefruit salad. Chef Carl Schroeder is a genius. read more

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First time back under new ownership. Food was still good but all I can tell that is different is that everything is significantly more expensive. Like 30% more. $30 for a cocktail? $33 for a salad with no protein? Get over yourselves. You're not a steakhouse and this isn't Vegas. Place was not filled on Friday night. Good luck... read more

Nice people.Prices elevated 25% plus, long wait for dinner, food was at best average; certainly not up to Market historical experience. I have been a long standing customer and now looking elsewhere. M read more

I have been to and thoroughly enjoyed 'The Market Restaurant' on Via de la Valle in Del Mar many times. I took my family there for a holiday dining experience in December and we had a good time. BUT, when I met a girlfriend to enjoy the ala carte menu less than a week ago everything was sub par or worse! I ordered a glass of champagne...it was flat so the server brought me another and it actually had bubbles in the glass. Go figure! I ordered a fish dinner (unfortunately not one chicken dish on the menu) the fish was not delicate in the middle but passable, however, as I worked my way to the ends of the piece it was dry and sinewy. I showed it to the server and asked her to show the Chef. I was not asking for a refund of any type I just thought he should see it. I didn't really get any feedback and later the server offered me something else to eat. I was full by then but a nice gesture. So I decided to order a Cosmos. I received a large wine glass with a very dark red, frothy concoction. It was so sour and the texture a bit thick and unpleasant to drink. The server was almost apologetic when she brought it to me and said the bartender was using the actual pomegranate fruit and blending it up. Interesting idea but maybe he should have tested it first? That being said I hope this is not a sign that 'The Market' is going downhill. I love the casual atmosphere...it is no longer formal and people dress accordingly. My husband actually felt overdressed in a sports coat. It's great but now we know! I don't write reviews to make negative comments but this was just SO bad. It's not inexpensive restaurant so I have greater expectations. read more

My boyfriend took me here to celebrate my birthday and I'm extremely glad we came here. This is now hands down my favorite restaurant!! Parking is valet is $6 which is fair compared to other places. We did the $79 per person 3 course menu which was nice because you have a limited selection to choose from. The food was incredible! Everything was cooked to perfection and every element on the dish was necessary to balance each of the flavors. The free jalapeno cornbread bread was to die for. We got three refills. Our server was attentive and amazing. I loved every aspect of being here and I can't wait to come here again for future special occasions! Hers Hamachi Sashimi - 10/10 Pan Seared Petrale Sole - 8.5/10 Green Apple Crepes - 10/10 Bergamot Blazer - 10/10 His Crispy Duck Confit - 9/10 Moroccan Spiced Rack of Lamb - 8.5/10 Pumpkin Sundae - 10/10 read more

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We have dined at Market for many years, and we expected the new ownership to uphold the standards that made the restaurant exceptional. Instead, our recent visit was extremely disappointing. The Wagyu itself was fine, but the sauce was so excessively salty that it overwhelmed the entire dish. The vegetables were also overcooked and heavily seasoned. What made the experience even more frustrating is that there has been no meaningful change or improvement to the dishes, yet the prices have gone up dramatically. And just because the restaurant was mentioned in the Michelin guide does not justify raising prices as if it were a Michelin one-star establishment. Recognition is not a license to inflate costs without delivering comparable quality. Even the atmosphere, which used to feel warm and pleasant, has declined--it was noticeably noisier than usual and lacked the inviting feel it once had. With prices this high, the dining experience should be exceptional--not deteriorating. This visit fell far below expectations, and we are very disappointed. We will not be returning. read more

Came on Christmas Eve with my mom and fiance. Recently lost our dad so it's been a tough year and first without him which is sad and awkward without him to say the very least. The restaurant was top notch though and created a fantastic evening for us. The food was delicious. Everyone liked every course and we all got different things. But the service was a true star. From the valet to the reception, waiters, bussers, food delivery attendants , sommelier, all hands were on deck and there are a lot of hands on deck. A true fine dining experience in San Diego. I found it similar in atmosphere, cooking and decor to Boulevard in SF. Perfect for a special occasion but also reasonable for just a nice dinner without breaking the bank. Will be back. read more

Had the best time celebrating a birthday at this restaurant. Each dish was carefully crafted with attention to detail and so flavorful. The tuna and short rib was a tad bit too salty for me but still very tasty. All made with fresh and local ingredients. $85 a person for appetizer, entree, dessert. Delicious cornbread appetizer and homemade caramels at the end. Amazing dinner. read more

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The place was pretty empty to our surprise. Service was excellent as usual. The prices have gone up significantly. We went with the 3 course menu. Salad was excellent. The main entree, the bass, was salty and not as tender. I say it was good but not great. The dessert - tres leches, was also good but nothing special. After going back home checked the web and saw that ownership was changed. That is sad. Higher prices and just good food won't cut it. read more

Phenomenal food and service, went for a date and everything was delicious and a great environment.

I was severely disappointed when I had dinner on 11/29/25. The two new menus are confusing, expensive & made very difficult as your party must all order if the same menu. Stupid. Prices have risen astronomically as a result & the food is definitely inferior to what it had once been. New ownership has done nothing to enhance a diner's experience. What was once our go to for a lovely dinner out with excellent service as well as food at a reasonable price is now no longer available. Such a shame! Everyone in our party were in complete agreement as to what turned out to be a very disappointing experience. We will not return sadly!! read more

We went on Saturday for my wife's birthday because this has always been her favorite restaurant in the greater San Diego area. The service and the food have traditionally been wonderful, but unfortunately this visit was a different story. While the service remained impeccable, the new two-menu format is a really bad idea. The entire table must order either the three-course prix fixe menu or the à la carte menu, which makes no sense. We ordered from the à la carte menu. I started with a soup that was delicious, and my entrée--the mushroom tortellini--was also delicious, but the portion consisted of only three tortellinis. I left hungry. My wife's entrée wasn't warm enough, and our friend said her dessert was inedible. On top of that, the bill for the four of us was quite expensive compared to what we were used to paying. I know the restaurant is under new management with a new head chef, but please consider returning to how things used to be. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Jim P. read more

I stopped by during their special "breeders cup" menu ($165 per person instead of the normal $89). The breeders cup menu was not available to view ahead of booking, I even called and asked. For nearly double the price, I'd expect some ultra premium menu items. However, the menu was almost entirely the same as their normal menu, just with 1 additional course which was a single bite-sized raw fish dish per person. The food frankly was not excellent, but also not bad to be fair. But to pay double the price for the same experience, I can't help but feel ripped off. And for a place with this prestige/reputation, that's frankly unacceptable. The service was good, no complaints there. read more