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    Ponto Lago

    4.4 (193 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 11:00 AM, 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Ponto Lago Photos

    PONTO LAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Upscale

    Recommended Reviews - Ponto Lago

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    Arepa*
    Annie D.

    Beautiful dining room. Excellent service, you get new silverware with every course. Complimentary arepas were delicious. Wish a Pom was tasted like a pomegranate martini with tequila. It was good but I think I expected something a little more exciting at a higher end restaurant. Lobster taco and chicken enmolda were cooked perfectly. The enchilada the chicken entree came with was my least favorite item. Potatoes tostones are a definite yes. Love the crispy bits and the super interesting flavor profile. Seafood paella didn't have the classic crust as other reviewers mentioned but was a generous portion. The aioli really complimented the rice. Overall the food was tasty but on the saltier side. They validate valet. Although the hostess acknowledged we were here for a birthday the servers didn't really do anything else special for us.

    Brena E.

    This is a bright, pretty restaurant. I ate there three times for breakfast and one time for dinner. The breakfast was four stars. The food was good as was the service, but I thought it had a pretty limited menu for the entrées. Dinner was a five star experience though. As I read through other reviews, Alejandro was also my server and was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, helpful, attentive. He definitely stood out. There was a little amuse bouche, and I loved it so much that I would definitely order it as an appetizer. I ordered the lobster taco and thought it was delicious as was the wine pairing that he suggested.

    Lobster taco

    Wow, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening. The food, service and atmosphere were top notch.

    Complimentary arepas with avocado crema
    Melissa F.

    Delicious baja inspired dinner at the Park Hyatt Aviara Parking Valet parking only. Service/Wait Time/Aesthetic Not busy at all for dinner with quiet music. Really clean layout with an open kitchen. Our server Norma was really very kind and friendly! Food/Drinks They bring you complimentary arepa with avocado crema and it is very tasty! The potatoes tostones were very good- perfectly charred and very flavorful. I also had the Wood Grilled Whole Fish which was a red sea snapper. It was perfectly cooked and butterflied out so there weren't too many bones. The churros are a must, a non skip item. I am aware they are $14 and that seems crazy, but it is the highest quality churro I have ever had. The white cream cheese sauce is the best dipping sauce, with the seasonal fruit compote and spiced mayan chocolate sauce being okay. Overall, I would recommend coming here for a fancier meal if you are staying at the Park Hyatt!

    Passion fruit marg
    Jane S.

    Food was outstanding but the service topped that if it's even possible! They treated us like loyalty even though we were with my toddler who skipped a nap. What a wonderful surprise after a long travel day! We had the ceviche, pork belly app, chicken, and some desserts! What a beautiful spread and exquisitely presented

    18oz Koji Aged Rib Eye* ***
    Clara K.

    Not many hotel restaurants provide top notch meals. This one definitely deserve 5 stars. We had dinner and breakfast twice during our stay. Everything was great including their service. We tried oysters, ceviche, steak, seafood paella, churros, French toast and omelette. Oysters and ceviche were so fresh!!!! Steak was high quality and well cooked with full of flavor. You will enjoy the luxurious ambience and food!

    N. L.

    This restaurant is amazing. First off the service.. as if the staff was there just for you. Alejandro was perfect. Knowledgeable and so friendly. But the food!!! Wow! The ceviche app was the BEST I've ever had. The halibut was grilled to perfection. The desserts.... A wonderful place to go for a special date or just to get out and be pampered. Thank you!

    Whole Snapper
    Rick J.

    Well Ponto Lago has definitely raised its standards over the past 3 years in terms of service. Alejandro from Spain took care of me and made it one of the most memorable dining experiences I had in quite a long time in any restaurant. From the moment i sat down until the check was brought me and my son were treated like royalty. I was blown away. We ordered the blue corn tortillas with guacamole to start. Made to order delicious tasting guacamole with just the right texture and light crunch chips. I do not like really thick crunchy tortilla chips so these mini saucers brought it all home for me. My son ordered the house chicken with mole sauce. He swallowed it up like no tommorow. I had to fork try the mole sauce. Three words: TO DIE FOR. I ordered the whole fish. Yes, steep at $78 but worth every penny. Bar none. I am one of the few customers at Ponto that order it just for me and not to share. Bragging rights? No just the best darn fish on the planet that I am not sharing! Dessert was the unique eclectic pineapple dessert created my a true sweets artist. Incredible. Never seen anything quite like it. Ask for Alejandro!

    David S.

    This restaurant is located within the Park Hyatt hotel in Carlsbad. You have to use valet but they do validate which is a a huge bonus. The restaurant was aesthetically nice and we were quickly greeted by the host who was amazing. She welcomed us and mentioned "you guys are celebrating a birthday..." that was nice to notice and we were offered a corner booth or table. The seating was very comfortable and had a great view of the patio with beautiful backdrops. This was our second time here but the menu has changed over 1 yr which was nice to try new things. My wife got a delicious cocktail which paired nicely with the dinner. First up were the arepas which came as a pair. The presentation was slightly off with them facing towards the server but we fixes that for the photo. Just a small detail. They were just a little salty but were very flavorful. Next was the butter poached lobster taco which was amazing. It had a ton of lobster and the mix of two different tortillas really made it stand out. The potato tostones were one of my favorite things on the menu. They were beautifully seasoned and the cream paired amazing with it. For the mains we got the seafood paella without mussels. The shrimp and mussels were perfectly cooked. However, the rice was crunchy as you would expect for this dish. Just a little too soft to make it a paella. The fish was the opah which was also the local catch of the day. The last dish was the chicken breast which was perfectly cooked and was not dry at all. Packed with flavor and a light crunch on the skin, it was perfect and highly recommend trying it. We were to full for dessert but it would have been nice to have them offer a complimentary dessert for her birthday. Other than that the service was amazing from start to finish. If you're ever in that area or at the Hyatt, go check out this restaurant.

    Arepa

    Amazing dinner! The food was great and I think even better than ember and rye ( other on property restaurant) also our the servers were phenomenal! Alejandro and Oscar were such good hosts. Alejandro was so sweet and explained the food and introduced all the different chefs to my son ( who was so enamored bc he loves the whole restaurant industry). Too notch! Everyone should give it a try even if you don't stay here. Octopus was great. Chicken was also super tasty.

    Angela C.

    A dreamy coastal date-night kind of spot where the oysters are fresh, the chardonnay is Cakebread, and the seafood is as gorgeous as it is flavorful. The ceviche could've used more chips (and a bowl, please!), but the smoky crudo and grilled octopus more than made up for it. Finished with warm churro rolls and dipping sauces that felt like a hug. Fancy without being stuffy. I'll be back--with a date or a dinner-worthy client.

    Half dozen oysters
    Matt H.

    First, my waiter Alejandro was fantastic from start to finish explaining the courses and also assisting with a Spanish wine pairing for the paella. The food was above my expectations and incredibly flavorful. Half dozen of oysters were fresh and delicious with a hibiscus oil. The octopus was cooked to perfection and had an incredible aioli to pair with it. Finishing with the seafood paella for the main course was something new for me and was so packed with flavor I'll need to return just to have again. Incredible service, incredible food, and the ambiance with the open kitchen concept tied it all together. Well done.

    Amy R.

    I've been wanting to try Ponto Lago for a while and when I saw they were doing a local spiny lobster special on Fridays (during lobster season) I could not resist! The service was THE BEST we have experienced in a very long time. Alejandro explained the restaurants concept and development, and even pointed out the chefs and what they each do in the sections of their open kitchen. He offered us some cava for our celebration, which was delicious. When I couldn't decide on a wine, he brought tastes of the ones I was considering. The sunset views here are absolutely amazing (I would imagine during warmer weather they may serve on the outdoor space which would be even more amazing). And I haven't even gotten to the food yet! The little corn cakes and avocado they give as your bread- omg so good. My husband got the dish with 3 kinds of meat and they were all fantastic (especially the flavor on the ribs), my lobster- I have never had a fresher, more perfectly cooked/ textured spiny lobster in my life! The octopus was flavorful and plated beautifully, but it was a little tough. I didn't get a picture of my husband's drink but it was like a pineapple Margarita and was gorgeous! He said it was the best and most balanced cocktail he's ever had. They brought us churros for desert but we were so full they were impossible to finish- but they sure were delicious. This has become our new go-to for a fancy/ celebratory meal in the area.

    Espresso martini

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    14 days ago

    Atmosphere nice. Food was lackluster. Seafood overcooked including the pasta. Service was prompt and courteous.

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    Ponto Lago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ponto Lago

    Do they have any vegan friendly options?

    Yes!

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    Same Same

    Same Same

    4.5
    (262 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    Love Same Same for multiple different situations. Most recently we went here for Happy Hour and it…read moredidn't disappoint! The whole bar is vibey and cute, perfect for happy hour or a fun night out. The drinks were delicious and the food was incredible. The bartender was super attentive and took extra time to help me identify which items were gluten free. I've also been to Same Same multiple times for late night fun! They often have a dj in the back and have even hosted an emo night. I always have fun and the place is usually packed. I'll definitely be back both for late night parties and daytime happy hours and food!

    Same Same, but Different? Not Quite…read more Hiya B.U.M.S., We recently decided to check out Same Same, hoping for an experience that was delightfully different. Our order for the night? The Thai-style New York steak, Khao Soi curry, and larb lettuce cups--all paired with a custom-crafted, half-Cranberry, half-Sprite. Before we even tasted the food, we almost ended up eating next door. The entrances are a bit of a maze, leaving us standing outside having a mini identity crisis about where we actually wanted to dine. Ultimately, we stayed the course and chose Same Same. The Larb Lettuce Cups: As a massive larb fan, I was hyped. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat. My wife officially dubbed it "lackluster." While the ground beef was seasoned and the lettuce was beautifully crisp, when the lettuce is the undisputed star of your larb, it might be time to reevaluate the recipe. The Yellowtail Ceviche: To recover from the larb disappointment, my wife ordered the ceviche. It was a step up, but for a Thai spot, it was missing that signature kick. It really needed a handful of jalapeños to wake it up. In fact, nothing on the table was truly spicy until I deployed their house chili oil. The Khao Soi Curry: This was the absolute hero of the night! It completely saved the meal. It was rich and delicious, and it paired unexpectedly well with our New York steak--even though the kitchen served it well-done instead of our requested medium-rare. As dinner went on, it became pretty clear that this spot might cater a bit more to the happy hour and drinking crowd, especially considering my Cranberry-Sprite mix was arguably the most flavor-packed thing on the table. That said, the service was fantastic. The staff members were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Pro-Tip: If you're ordering more than two items, do not let them seat you at the tiny tables for two. It's a high-stakes game of food Tetris you will not win. On the bright side, they earned major bonus points for boxing up our leftovers for us. Call me old-fashioned, but I feel like every restaurant should still offer that level of hospitality! Overall, I'd say give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a cool atmosphere, but I wouldn't rush off your couch to get there.

    Photos
    Indoor decor
    Indoor decor
    HOT POTATO (fried fingerling potatoes, Thai spicy rub, pickled red onions, and lime aioli)
    HOT POTATO (fried fingerling potatoes, Thai spicy rub, pickled red onions, and lime aioli)
    The guests of honor: it is, after all, National Margarita Day

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    The guests of honor: it is, after all, National Margarita Day
    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge

    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge

    4.3
    (189 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    It's the 1st day of Summer and I wanted to spend a lot of time outdoors soaking up the sunshine…read more What a perrrfect time to finally go to the Tower39 Rooftop Lounge! I wanted to go there for the longest especially for Happy Hour. When I got up there, I was amazed at the ocean views and pleasantly surprised it wasn't crowded during this beauuutiful late afternoon. I picked my spot to sit then stood in line while looking over the front-n-back menu. Everything sounded good but I wanted something fresssh and summery. The friendly staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and helpful in my decision to keep it Summer related. Not too long afterwards, my order came out. Looove the quick service! Both female bartenders were slaying it as soon as the line grew. It was niiice to see the world cup on the t.v. screen. I enjoyed watching it while I ate my yummy food and watched the magical sunset. More people showed up closer to the golden hour. Overall, I had a wonderful experience. Highly recommend this coastal hot spot to the Yelp Community!!

    Great spot, but no service. You have to go up to the bar to order which is a bummer. It would be my…read morego-to spot if they had servers. They recently updated their seating as well, to super comfortable seats. The food was really good as well! We had the shareable fondue, the prosciutto flatbread, the quesadilla, and one of their salads, and the food was delicious! Overall recommend this spot, but really wish they would add service or bring back the QR codes to order from the table. Plus you can't beat that gorgeous view of the beach and palm trees.

    Photos
    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge Seating
    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge Seating
    Tower39 Rooftop Bar
    Tower39 Rooftop Bar
    Tower39 Rooftop High-Table Seating

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    Tower39 Rooftop High-Table Seating
    The Shore Room

    The Shore Room

    4.3
    (105 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$$

    Wanted to find a place that was near the beach, had good food/drinks and could view the sunset…read more This place checked all the boxes. As soon as we came in for the reservation we were seated immediately and got to sit next a fire pit with a great view of Oceanside pier. The server was such a good guy too. Very friendly and very funny. We were deciding what drink to get and he recommended the pineapple suite since it matched my shirt and I'm glad we got it because it was very refreshing. We also got the fish and chips to snack on. The fish was so crispy and yet so soft and adding the lemon and tartar sauce made it even better. The fries were also very crispy, which I loved. We got to enjoy the fire pit and relax while watching the sunset. Would come here again.

    Holy moly. The worst burger in the world award for you! I…read morereally have no other words. With how small the menu is and how expensive, you would expect everything to be great. Why a disaster. The gunk that was in the middle of my overcooked burger oh man. A thick patty overcooked with some yellow slop. Disgusted all day by the fact I had more than one bite. After the first bite I attempted to scrape it all off but that was where I realized it was over before it even started. Maybe 4 total bites. Yuck! That purple ube coconut drink was however divine along with my server Seth! Thank you Seth but maybe get me some better food for 40% tip. That was clearly not enjoyed but you are a nice man. Take care. I will not be back.

    Photos
    Craft Cocktail at The Shore Room
    Craft Cocktail at The Shore Room
    The Shore Room
    Caymus Vineyards 50th Anniversary, Napa Valley, CA 2019

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    Caymus Vineyards 50th Anniversary, Napa Valley, CA 2019
    Ladies Love Outlaws

    Ladies Love Outlaws

    4.3
    (3 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    I'm so glad the Heritage crew decided to utilize this space. Urge had the vision, but not the…read moreexecution to make 101 Proof really shine. They had fantastic bartenders and menu, but the speakeasy concept has been outdated for a while. Now, a Honky Tonk is a very different, good thing. The tunes are something North County has been wanting, but been missing in favor of larger venue DJ's, but the juke box here has been curated with classics. It's far too small to dance unless you're slow or maybe 2 stepping in the corner. The ambiance is dim, relaxed, fun. The drinks are just as good as some of the top bars around, helmed by Wyatt who you may remember from Switchboard and KNVS is a staple in Oceanside. Prices are excellent, staff is great. While you can get a cocktail here, you don't have to. A classic shot and a beer is just as likely to be had here as a stemmed glass proper cocktail. When it's jamming it is near a standing room all the way around. No doorman asking for a password, no re-entry on nights when Heritage are open (Monday is this exception). It's funny to watch South O locals wander in here and realize maybe it's time to stop trying to change places to be like other places and enjoy the experience shown.

    Drinks are solid and served in kitschy mugs or fun appropriate to their name glasses. The…read morebartenders were as good looking as the drinks and knew how to make them, but the ambiance is lacking in a huge way. Cheaply done from the tables to decor and even though we went on a Saturday night the place was slow. Music was also good, but the DJ stopped playing about 20 min after we'd gotten there. That was a bummer. One round and we moved on.

    Photos
    Ladies Love Outlaws
    Mac and cheese with Tri Tip
    Mac and cheese with Tri Tip
    Ladies Love Outlaws

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    Sound by the Sea

    Sound by the Sea

    4.2
    (112 reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $$

    My friend organized a '70s-themed beach party in Oceanside, and we ended up at this cool spot for…read moreappetizers and drinks. This was my second time here, and I love everything about this place. First of all, kudos to the bartender--I forgot her name, but she was incredibly generous and kind. She accidentally forgot my drink and kept apologizing, but I told her it was totally fine since we had a large party. To make up for it, she gave me two shots instead of one and even added a big discount. The ambiance of this place is unique and very artsy. If you're looking for a cool, one-of-a-kind spot to hang out, this is it. There's so much attention to detail throughout--even the restroom door is thoughtfully designed with a modern, creative touch. My friend ordered a variety of cocktails, and everyone enjoyed them. The food was great as well. I ordered the hummus plate, and it was the best I've ever had--so fresh and served in a generous portion. My friends tried the pizza and a few other items from the menu, and everything got a thumbs up. If you're in the area looking for a cool place to hang out or planning a party, this is the spot. I'll definitely be back again soon.

    Oof, I really wanted to like this place. But this wasn't it. They have potential but they're not…read morethere yet. First off, they have a "wait to be seated" sign at their entrance, but it took a while to get anyone to seat us. When we were inside, we noticed there was another entrance and people were just walking in, so "waiting to be seated" was just an option? We ordered a beer and seltzer and it took easily 10-15 minutes to get our drinks. Drinks that were in cans by the way. Music was good, DJs were good, but the whole vibe of the place is kinda everywhere. This lighting in this place needs to be more dimmed. DJs are spinning right in the middle of the room, and there's a clothes rack just chilling against the wall. The baristas are way in the back, and you can't really tell who works there. It took equally as long to get the check as it did to get my drinks. We only had 1 round of drinks. I dunno, waiting for canned drinks just threw me off. I can't imagine how much longer it would have taken to get a mixed cocktail. I only saw one guy mixing drinks and a bunch of women just hanging around. I'm assuming workers that look like they don't work there.

    Photos
    Preparing for the DJ/live music collaboration.
    Preparing for the DJ/live music collaboration.
    Sound by the Sea
    Dean Martini

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    Dean Martini

    Ponto Lago - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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