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Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Carlsbad, CA

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

4.6
4.6
292 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant and unique neighborhood gathering space serves inventive California global fare crafted by renowned Michoacán-born executive chef Moises Hernandez.

Cozy up next to one of our expansive patio’s many firepits and enjoy deliciously prepared dishes, daily happy hour, craft beverages, a glorious sommelier-driven wine list, local beer and live music from some of the area’s top jazz musicians and Black Rail Kitchen + Bar’s very own house band, the E.S.P. Collective.

We are proud to bring our longtime Carlsbad neighbors and newcomers alike diverse dining experiences including Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen and Yelp Top 100 breakfast spot Beach Plum Kitchen.
Stop by, grab a drink and soak in the best of La Costa!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 931-0020
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Moises Hernandez
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time &amp; offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.
  • Neighborhood
    Carlsbad
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 292 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Great for outdoor dining

  • North San Diego

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant dining spot in Carlsbad, known for its "delicious food" and "impeccable service." Guests enjoy the "beautiful outdoor patio" with live jazz, making for a memorable experience. The restaurant stands out for its "friendly staff" and "great atmosphere," earning it a reputation as a neighborhood favorite.

292 Reviews
  1. charles

    San Diego

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful experience, the food was good and the service by Maya was exceptional.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Emmy

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Looks like a good place to only have drinks but not dinner. Food needs to improve, too expensive for what’s it was. Service was ok. Live music was good.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Amy

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The worst part of the experience was the start! I made a reservation for two at 5:30. When I arrived at 5:30 they had seated my friend outside (it’s 50 degrees) telling her the reservation said outside seating. Not true. When I arrived I said I had made a reservation and they said there was no inside available seating. They told me you have to state “inside seating” in the notes of the reservation if you want to sit inside. I did not state inside or outside, I just put table for two, standard seating as that was the option. Black Rail might want to add that on the reservation page. Btw, there were over a dozen empty tables inside and it was 5:30! At this point, we were ready to leave but they miraculously found a table. We stayed, our server was great, the food was decent but as I watched the restaurant over the two hours we were there, it never filled up inside. There were always four to five empty tables. I do not like being lied to or made to feel like I did something wrong which is what this felt like. I will not be returning.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Janelle

    San Diego

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We are regulars at Black Rail and genuinely think it is one of the most underrated restaurants in North County. The food and service are excellent, the price point is better than places in the Village or in La Costa and they have live jazz. What more does one need?

    Is this helpful?

  5. Merrily

    San Diego

    216 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    216 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were a party of 4 dining close to the bar. Server was very nice and professional, he was told of my son's nut allergy and directed my son of what he could and could not order based on his nut allergy. The lamb meatballs were ok, too spicy for my taste, as well as the dipping sauce for the fish and chips. Perhaps you should warn diners re: spicy food on the menu. The best part of our dinner was the semi-freddo dessert, excellent we all enjoyed it.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Walter

    San Diego

    87 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    The noise in the restaurant was so loud that we could even hear each other talk. Food was limited in choices.

    Is this helpful?

  7. JillC

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great except for the snobby hostesses

    Is this helpful?

  8. jamie

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    great service and nice ambiance . food was delicious

    Is this helpful?

  9. desire

    Tahoe

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First I had a delicious cocktail, crispy brussel sprouts that are so yummy, then pasta that was so tasty! Great neighborhood restaurant and has outdoor seating.

    Is this helpful?

  10. DWIGHT

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and food. A very hands on manager checked on us and made for a great experience

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (760) 931-0020.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 292 OpenTable diners.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009-4149

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Carlsbad
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Moises Hernandez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (760) 931-0020
  • Catering
    We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time &amp; offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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