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We came in on a Wednesday evening and the restaurant was pretty packed. We did not have a reservation so we grabbed drinks at the bar and waited about 45 minutes for a table. The hostesses were very friendly and gave us an accurate wait time. The restaurant is very lovely, dim light, and has a really nice romantic vibe. The service was excellent all around. From the hostess to the bartender to the server and food runners. They were all so friendly, welcoming, helpful and they all worked well together to provide seamless and enjoyable experience. The food overall was excellent. Full of flavor, diversity or ingredients and flavors, and the plates were beautifully put together like artwork. We started with the crudo, broccoli and octopus. All three were excellent but our favorite was the tuna. The flavors were excellently paired together and the fish was perfect and very high quality. The broccoli is a stand out as well and packed with flavor. In my opinion it was a bit too much for me so a couple bites were enough but still a delicious starter and large. For our main course we ordered the market fish which was trout and the pork belly. The flavors for both dishes were very unique and overall really highlighted the dishes. With that being said, I felt like the choice of fish missed the mark. In my opinion, the trout really brought the dish down and was a bit more fishy for my liking. The texture of the fish also didn't pair well with the flavors of the dish. I think a sea bass would have been a much better fit. On the other hand, the pork belly was fabulous. Excellent flavor and texture. The Kentucky crest was an excellent cocktail. The ingredients paired very nicely together and it was refreshing. The edelweiss was not my favorite. I didn't feel like the ingredients paired well together and there was an odd overwhelming flavor that kind of ruined the drink for me. Last but not least, the baked Alaska was fantastic. It was perfectly done and the flavors were absolutely delicious. It was the perfect ending to a great dining experience! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal here and would love to return.
This is a late review, but the ambiance is dark, romantic, and perfect for date night. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and were really excited for the experience. We checked in 10 minutes early for our reservation, and the wait leading up to being seated was a little frustrating. We were just trying to grab drinks while we waited, but there were no seats available and no one really acknowledged us. A lot of people were dining at the counter, but we were just trying to order cocktails, so that part felt a little awkward. The drinks we ended up eventually ordering were Flamekeeper and the Kentucky Crest, which were both phenomenal! Once we were finally seated, the service was great. The cornbread was good but leaned pretty heavy on the blood orange. The broccoli is an absolute MUST order. It was crispy but airy, smoky, and honestly one of the best veggie dishes we've had. The pork chop was a tad dry, but everything else was lovely. The cavatelli reminded me more of a pasta salad than a warm pasta dish. Ending with the s'mores was such a fun concept and made for a cute, interactive finale. The heartfelt card signed by staff congratulating our anniversary was so sweet! The complimentary glass of champagne was also a kind gesture, although it came toward the end of dinner, so the timing felt a bit off. Overall, a really beautiful spot with standout cocktails and some great dishes. A few hiccups here and there, but still a memorable anniversary dinner.
Outstanding Dining Experience in Carlsbad! We booked a large group reservation here during our Carlsbad/Legoland trip, and the team was incredibly accommodating from start to finish. The ambiance was absolutely fantastic, delivering a polished, fine-dining experience with very reasonable pricing. The meal was overall delicious, and while there are already plenty of five-star reviews, a few specific details stood out to us: The Starters Excelled: We actually found the creative appetizers and starters to be the absolute highlight of the meal (my favorite was the oysters but everyone had their own!) , even outshining the more expensive entrees (notably the steak which was a little underwhelming, though the fish was good). The Famous Broccoli Lives Up to the Hype: Yes, the roasted broccoli was truly exceptional! Superb Drinks & Kid-Friendly Touches: The craft cocktails were delicious, and we appreciated that they are highly accommodating to families with a dedicated kids' menu. Room for Dessert Improvement: The only miss of the night was the baked Alaska, which we didn't particularly love. I think I would try the Smores and/or head over to the nearby ice cream shop for another local flavor. Overall, it is a wonderful, highly versatile restaurant that we would definitely recommend to anyone visiting the area. We can't wait to return!
Great food and atmosphere, got a few different dishes and was very impressed with all of them. I can see why they are a tough table to get, recommend planning ahead and trying them out.
We made a reservation the day of. Around 6, I looked on open table and saw that the earliest reservation was for 8:15pm. You have to put a credit card on file. We found street parking nearby. I read in other reviews there's a public lot nearby. The cornbread was interesting - it came out on a skillet with with goat cheese and balsamic vinegar. The crudo and broccoli were my favorite. I would get those again. The broccoli was crispy and there was a sweet buttery sauce underneath. The cavatelli was interesting - it comes with a soft poached egg. I'm not sure I would get it again. The market fish was salmon and it was delicious. It was cooked perfectly. Our server Katie was super friendly and let us take our time.
Another great review for this place Definitely lives up to the hype and everything we ate here was delicious but I have to say the broccoli is a standout and def hands down the best I've ever had .. oyster were fresh and well flavored.. shrimp was tasty but on the spicy side.. my steelhead trout was delish. Cocktails were good n classic. Mocktails were overly sweet for my liking Service was prompt Only thing is that the indoor restaurant had poor circulation, we were there around 6pm and it was warm and there was no air even when they opened the windows and bathroom was unkept
Me and my partner came here because my partner wanted to try their charred broccoli. So we got that, the cornbread (waitress said it was a new item), and the market fish trout. The cornbread was easily the best I've ever had -- warm, flavorful, and moist. I don't like cornbread because it's usually dry but my goodness, this cornbread was anything but. It was the best cornbread I've ever had.The broccoli was also the best I've ever had. I'm not a fan of broccoli, but the cooks charred the outside to get such a nice, crispy texture without it tasting burnt. Meanwhile the broccoli stem was cooked to contrast with the crunchy-like bites of the charred head. The market fish trout was good, granted trout was dry and isn't my favorite fish. But I ordered it to pay attention to the other facets of the dish: the puree and mushrooms that accompanied it were the stars. At least the trout skin was crispy. Campfire has a rustic, cabin feel to it (I thought the arrows on the walls were a cool touch). Servers were great and attentive. I'd come back to try other entrees.
Oh, Campfire, I'm glad you're still here and still have a special place in my heart. That said, my last two visits have been underwhelming. I always order the same dishes: the porridge bread, roasted broccoli, and ribeye for two. Since nothing else on the menu particularly interests me, those dishes are generally good--but when I'm spending $250-$300 on dinner for two, I expect the food to be exceptional, and it just hasn't been. I also haven't found the cocktails especially impressive in recent years. Campfire helped bring craft cocktails to Carlsbad, and my husband and I still reminisce about drinks like the roasted beet and charred corn. Unfortunately, the current cocktail menu hasn't made the same impression. Campfire is worth trying if you've never been, but as a local, it's no longer a restaurant I look forward to visiting regularly. These days, I'd probably go about once a year.
I honestly don't even know where to begin with this review other than just wow. I came on a Friday evening with my family and everything we had was simply phenomenal. I love that everything is intended to be shared so you can try a little bit of everything. FOOD REVIEW: * Cornbread - strawberry, basil, goat cheese, balsamic. Absolutely delectable, moist and flavorful with every bite. * Prawn - ember roasted, prickly pear, mezcal, candied habanero. Literally so good, fresh and full of flavor. * Tomato - smoked blue cheese, piquillo pepper, meyer lemon, opal basil. Very fresh and great for summertime but nothing you can't make at home if I'm being honest. * Broccoli - chermoula, lime, peanut. This was unbelievably amazing and not your typical broccoli. I'm sure even those who don't like broccoli would enjoy this. * Crudo yellowfin - aji amarillo, charred avocado, guava. Omg, I loved this and could have eaten the entire plate by myself. The aji was just enough without being overpowering. * Pork belly smoked - stinging nettle, snap pea, wasabi. Once again, another amazing dish. It had that melt in your mouth kind of texture and was so smooth but not spicy. * Octopus - smoked celery root, spanish chorizo, basil chimichurri. Really amazing & tender + it was recommended from our server since "you can't just get good octopus anywhere" and I 100% agree! They have a fairly extensive drink menu as well with lots of delicious options. I will say their espresso martini is especially pleasant and isn't too sweet. There's street parking in the front or a bigger parking lot in the back area. The place is not air conditioned so keep that in mind if visiting during hotter months. I'm not from the area but I'm already dreaming of the next time I can visit.
Recommended by ChatGPT as matching my vibe. Very aesthetically cute and good, friendly service. Great recommendation. It was a fun sampling menu. Recommend the oysters. I am not typically one to get them but they were warmed and well flavored. I liked trying the cornbread but wouldn't get it a second time. It was dessert-like and well flavored and super fresh. The broccoli is a fav I'm told. I'd agree it was good! It was paired with an aioli or some sort of mayo-based sauce. But it was on the heavier side. Not a healthy, lighter side quite like I pictured. Think deep fried. We of course had to try the s'mores. A little disappointed because maybe our coals weren't warm enough but our marshmallow didn't really "cook." Or maybe we were impatient. All in all, would recommend!
Been here three times now and every time it hits. Today, went by myself and sat at the bar, which is self seating and full service. Passed on the drinks because they start at $18, but went for the broccoli appetizer (incredible as always). Decided on getting the grilled market fish today, but everything I've tried there has been incredible and the fish was no exception. Service is always top notch and everyone is very friendly and approachable if you need assistance. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal!
Pricey, dark and may have to work on their available ciders, but their food is top-notch! We came here as a walk-in. A reservation gets you a proper table. Walk-ins usually end up sitting at the communal high top tables. It isn't too bad but a tiny bit uncomfortable for people on the shorter side (like me). The ambiance is fine glamping style so you do want to be just a teeny bit dressed up. Dressing as if you were camping won't quite work in this restaurant. The servers are nice enough but the place is quite loud so you really have to yell to hear each other. My friend and I ordered a bunch of things to share. We got the tomato, the carrot, the broccoli, and the pork belly. I ordered one of their newer ciders but it tasted more like beer than a cider. Among the shareables, the broccoli (which is the most popular) was actually our least favorite. My friend's top choice was the tomato and mine was a very very close tie between the carrot and the pork belly. Those three dishes were unique, absolutely delicious, very different from each other and had a medley of different flavors. The broccoli unfortunately was too oily and felt heavy and single flavor dominant. It wasn't bad but I can't quite see why people aren't about the other clearly superior dishes. We didn't get dessert here because it didn't speak to us. Pricing wise, it is on the pricier side. I guess that is expected for Carlsbad and given who owns this restaurant. Parking is in the public parking lot behind the restaurant.
The service is too notch The food selection is plentiful We had the steak and it was the best You have to try the s'mores all homemade - great! A tad on the expensive side BUT worth it! The decor makes you feel like you are dining at a Campfire setting. Very unique and creative.
1 month ago
Found this gem of a restaurant by luck! I was on a road trip with friend and was getting hungry. We saw this was the next exit and decided to try it on a whim. I was NOT disappointed. The food was fantastic and the wait staff were so informative. read more
2 months ago
I had heard so much about Campfire that I had to make a dedicated trip up to Carlsbad when I was visiting San Diego just to try it. Set a reservation for 5:30 PM on a Wednesday but when I drove by the restaurant around 4:50, there was already a line of customers waiting outside the door prior to opening at 5. There is plenty of street parking available so shouldn't be an issue. Inside gives off a very warm and welcoming vibe, perfect for intimate or large gatherings with friends and family. It is a little warm inside because the doors are always kept open and there is no AC which was rough for me as a Houstonian. All of the staff is very kind and professional. My water was always kept full and any dirty utensils/dishes were promptly replaced. After doing extensive research before coming, I knew I had to try to broccolini but with just me dining, I inquired if the broccolini could be halved portion wise and unfortunately they told me no. But thank god I tried it because it was the best thing I have ever had. It is flash fried, put back together on top of a lime sauce to look like a complete head of broccoli, and topped with peanuts. There's a reason why every table around me was ordering this as well. The market fish was the steelhead trout in miso, black garlic, wild mushrooms and scallions - this was also stellar, not too rich but also not too light. I was worried that Campfire was going to be overhyped but while it is a little on the pricier side, I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone heading to San Diego as it is well worth the detour. read more
Finally was able to check out Campfire at the end of December and was lucky enough that they still has holiday drinks available!. The smoky, wood-fired vibe is incredibly cool and the food absolutely lives up to the hype. Service was amazing The Mele Kalikimaka cocktail was like sipping on a legit mango sticky rice in a glass. For food, the cornbread was excellent because it leaned more savory than sweet, while the pork belly was perfectly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The pork chop was also perfectly cooked, moist and amazing flavor. But the real star was the infamous broccoli--believe the rumors, it is to die for with that perfect char and sauce. If you're in Carlsbad, this place is a must. read more
We've been here a few times now, and every time is consistently great. The service is timely and everyone is so friendly and knowledgeable. We've not had a bad dish here, but some recent standouts have been the cornbread, the carrots, fish and steak. If there's one thing you have to try, it's their broccoli. My husband is firm hater of broccoli, but this changed his life. Presented as a full head of broccoli, each piece is nicely charred by the fire and the accompanying sauce is really what pulls everything together. Do yourself a favor and grab an order (or two). read more
5 months ago
This is my 2nd time going to campfire. We got the cornbread to start off with and it was delicious. We also got the broccoli, pork, shrimp, mushroom cavatelli, ribeye and potatoes and the market fish, which happened to be trout. Everything was delicious. My least favorite was the mushroom cavatelli. We did also get the s'mores for dessert and it was so good!! Ambiance wise, the place looks really nice. The only downside is it can be kinda loud. If the music was a tad bit less, it would've been better. It was kinda hard to hear each other over the loud music. The servers were attentive though and kept coming to check on us. I would definitely go back again! read more
10 months ago
After hearing rave reviews, I'm happy to say it met expectations! This place was super busy even on a Sunday night but we had reservations. We were celebrating my partners birthday and they even had a nice note signed by the staff for us when we sat down. I got wine and my partner got a cocktail (mele kalikimaka). They were happy to let me try a couple reds before I committed to a glass. My partner loved his cocktail that they described as mango sticky rice flavor since it had coconut and mango. For food we got the cornbread, pork belly, broccoli and pork for our main. Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked and not overly salty. Cornbread: more on the savory side which we loved and you can really taste the poblano flavor. It was nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Pork belly: only three pieces :( but perfectly cooked and the kabocha and blackberry were such a nice contrast against the savoriness. Broccoli: we heard so many things about this dish and it was perfection. They apparently roast and then fry it for the perfectly crunchy and soft flavor. The lime dressing the put on top is soooo good. Pork: larger pork chop with a bone. Perfectly cooked even though it was a thicker piece. Super juicy and had the right amount of smokiness. The only mid part was the raw sliced zucchini they put on top. For my partners birthday they also gave a complimentary browned butter blondie with cream cheese frosting. A nice touch. read more
This place is just right down the middle. Not bad, not good, just right down the middle. Except for the prices which are not justified by the food. The charred broccoli head was really good. Ribeye had no taste. Nearly $100 for a ribeye with no taste. Not good. We likely will not return. read more
1 month ago
Wow, what an incredible dining experience! The service was top tier and the food was to die for. Highly recommend for special occasions and celebrations. Very upscale cozy vibe. read more
14 days ago
Every bite and sip was phenomenal. I got the cornbread, quail, prawn, and a king Rama to drink -- can't wait to come back and try everything on the menu! read more
Little brothers birthday meant we must celebrate somewhere and this year we went with Campfire which I have heard a lot about. I will say reading the menu online I was unsure on how many items looked intriguing to order but I can truly say everything we ordered was so good and had incredible flavor. My husband and I loved the pork belly appetizer it literally melted in your mouth it was so good. We ordered everything to share making it so we could have a little bit of everything and we had a great experience. We sat inside towards the back and it was a bit loud and echoey I'd be interested in sitting outside next time we go. read more
My hubby and I came here for my birthday dinner and loved it! The vibe is cozy, warm, and aesthetic-- the perfect spot for a special night out. We shared the ribeye, broccoli, and scalloped bacon potatoes. Everything was cooked perfectly and just the right amount for the two of us. They even surprised me with a complimentary birthday dessert, which was such a sweet touch. We also ordered a baked Alaska which was okay. I regret not getting the s'mores! The only small downside is that the tables are a bit close together, so you can hear other conversations which was a bit awkward. Note there's a parking lot behind the restaurant with a walkway between the buildings. Overall, we'd definitely come back! read more
The moment my friends posted a story from Campfire, our DMs blew up with the same message: "Get the broccoli!!!" Naturally, we didn't. Why? Because when we scrolled through Yelp photos, the broccoli looked like the least exciting thing on the menu and everything else looked amazing. Big mistake. The next day, all 3 of us were talking about how we should've listened. So yeah, I'll be back and this time, that broccoli's happening first thing. Everything else we ordered was fantastic. The food? Delicious. The drinks? Perfectly balanced. And the s'mores dessert? Absolutely adorable, nostalgic, fun, and impossible not to love. tip though: don't sit by the kitchen window. The lighting there is harsh: bright, glaring, and not in a flattering way. We actually asked to move, and it made the whole experience ten times better. Campfire just has that effortlessly fun vibe, laid back but thoughtful, stylish but comfortable. Will def be back next time I'm in the area, broccoli redemption arc pending. read more
1 year ago
I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate my camping friends birthdays at Campfire. Let me tell you this was absolutely an experience for the three of us! I made reservations a week prior to our visit. Thinking it was a Wednesday, it's not going to be busy. This place was pretty much packed by the time we left. We opted to sit indoors. We were seated by the kind hostess and Jasper was our server for the evening. Jasper was great at giving us the run down of the menu. He also gave suggestions as to what went well with certain dishes and what dishes were popular and even shared his favorites. Under the Trailhead category we selected and shared- Olives Cornbread Porridge bread Under the Kindling we selected and shared- Brocccoli (popular) Carrot For the Fire we selected our own dish and had a taste of each Corvina Cavatelli Pork Trail's End (dessert) we shared S'mores Baked Alaska Panda Cotta Drinks Red Rover Flamekeeper Upper East Side (nonalcoholic) Everything was truly an adventure for our taste buds. The smoked flavors with each bite was amazing and a surprise! Never had we thought that smoked flavor with some of the food would be absolutely delicious. The broccoli is a must! I loved the carrots too. Appetizers, sides, main, desserts and drinks delivered with flavors. It was fun trying everything, seeing the presentation and then tasting it all. I have to say it truly was a Campfire adventure. The place has a cozy feel with the warm wood tones, some camping decor and warm lighting. They do have outdoor seating with a fire pit. I would like to sit out there next time. Thank you Campfire for a fun and delicious experience! I would love to return again soon. read more
Campfire Carlsbad is a culinary gem that never stops surprising me. Every visit feels like a new adventure thanks to their hyper-seasonal menu -- ingredients are super fresh, and the chef team led by Executive Chef Eric Bost is wildly talented and endlessly creative, crafting dishes that are both comforting and inventive. What I love most is how the menu evolves with the seasons. It keeps things exciting and makes each return feel like a new discovery. Whether it's spring greens or autumnal root vegetables, the Campfire team knows how to highlight what's best right now while the seasoning is spot on. The ambiance? Stylish yet charming. With a warm, rustic vibe -- both indoors and outdoors -- it's the kind of place that makes you want to linger around... read more
11 months ago
We had dinner at Campfire in Carlsbad for a birthday with a large group and really enjoyed the experience. The space has a great atmosphere with the open kitchen and camp-style décor, and it stayed lively the whole night without feeling too loud. The staff handled our big table really well, and everything came out smoothly. We started with the marinated olives and a couple of the cold dishes. The burrata plate was excellent with the tomatoes and the sauce underneath, and the beet salad had good texture and flavor with the greens and pepitas. The watermelon and cucumber dish was light and refreshing. All of it was plated beautifully but still tasted straightforward. For the mains we shared the broccoli, the halibut, the chicken, and the gnocchi. The broccoli had a deep char and a nice crunch from the topping. The halibut was cooked perfectly and the sauce under it was really good. The chicken was a standout with the smoky flavor and the vegetables on the side. The gnocchi was soft and went well with the greens and shaved cheese. We finished with the cast-iron cornbread and the make-your-own s'mores, which was a fun way to end the night. Both were great and fit the theme of the restaurant. Everything tasted fresh and intentional, and the service made the dinner easy and enjoyable. read more
Been wanting to try this spot. The inside is gorgeous. It's actually a lot larger than it looks from the outside, but I love the indoor / outdoor seating. They even have a fire pit and a teepee. Very on vibe. But the food is so delicious. I don't think you could go wrong with any item. I will say the portions are on the smaller side, but a lot of the items are pretty rich and so flavorful. Would highly recommend the cornbread, carrot app, love the aji sauce with the crudo. Great date night spot. The lighting is a couple more dessert options would be great. Other than that I would already love to go back. All the servers were super nice and helpful as well. read more
2 months ago
Came here at sat at the bar with more than few friends sharing plates and ordering drinks. The team behind the bar is so lovely and everything we ate was SO good. Really lovely experience! read more
3 days ago
26 days ago
Campfire is an awesome restaurant centered around the essence of enjoying food that comes from the soul/spirit of sitting around a camp fire. Before I get into anything else, this was one of my top restaurant experiences ever (thus far). The theming is fantastic. The details in the table set up, the wooden architect, and even the Yeti water thermos makes it truly feel like I'm in the outdoors. The service was A+. Every aspect of it, from entry, to ordering, to receiving dishes, to getting water refills, to getting the check was so thoughtfully performed. It truly made me want to come back. The food was on another level. For starters, I tried the olives. The olives are an acquired taste - it was very salty and had an intense smoky scent. I paired that with the more plan porridge bread that came with charcoal butter. The rye wheat bread rolls were rustic and surprisingly very delicious. Get the roasted broccoli!! They fry and roast the whole broccoli head, cut it into pieces, assemble it whole on top of a bed of sauce. It's quite greasy and not your typical healthy broccoli, but it's the best tasting broccoli I've had at any restaurant. The cavatelli pasta is another must try. The pasta is house made. The tomato sauce was creamy and bright, and paired nicely with each bite of the pasta with crab meat. The garnish added earthiness to the bites. Everything about it was perfect. To end the meal, I had the s'mores. They let you roast the marshmallows on top of a bed of hot charcoal in a mini cast iron. The sugar cookie, chocolate, and marshmallow combination was tasty. Overall, the entire dining experience was fantastic. You bet I'll go back to Carlsbad's just so I can come back to this restaurant. read more
Classy feeling upscale sort of restaurant in the middle of the downtown Carlsbad strip. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly and helpful. Multiple check in how how's the food and constantly filled water glasses. The most unique and highly recommended dish was the $18 broccoli head. I think they said they broiled it then flash fried it. The lime sauce is plentiful and helps balance the slight bitterness of the charred broccoli. It essentially comes out black and resembles vegetables in looks but on second thought probably not healthy. Just a word of warning for small parties ordering this dish. Totally tasty in small portions and probably great for sharing. But eating more than half of a broccoli head, you'll really start to notice the texture and taste is not quite the same level of excitement. Probably perfect for 4 people sharing. The fish dish was delicious, smoked butter corn sauce was rich and added a nice balance. Almost a 5, but the Broccoli both brought the rating up, then back down. read more
24 days ago
1 year ago
We've been wanting to dine here for years and finally made it happen. Great experience overall from the service to food quality and ambiance. Started with the cornbread and prawns. Moved on to the Beets, Carrots and Pork Belly as sides next to the Chicken as the main. Everything was delicious, flavors all worked well together and had a hint of char or smoke. Beet salad was a highlight for me with the pickled golden beets and charred red beets. Finished with a vinaigrette which added a nice acidity. Chicken was perfectly cooked and had a great smoke flavor. Our server Kennedy was great and the support staff was attentive as well. I'd recommend Campfire to anyone looking for a great night out. read more
This was our first time dining in Carlsbad, and Campfire definitely lived up to the hype of being one of the town's most popular spots! We visited at night, and the whole place really comes alive, the energy is high and the atmosphere is incredibly warm and inviting. A heads-up for anyone visiting: the traffic in Carlsbad can be pretty heavy, and parking was a bit of a struggle since it seems like the whole town comes out to eat at night. Give yourself some extra time to find a spot! As for the food, it's not cheap, but the quality is certainly there. Here's the breakdown: * The Standout: The $99 beef was easily the best dish of the night. It was grilled to a perfect medium--unbelievably tender and packed with flavor. * The Mains: The salmon was good, though not necessarily "wow" compared to the beef. * The "Star": We tried their signature charred broccoli, which everyone raves about. To be honest, it was just okay for me just good, but maybe a bit overhyped as the "star of the show." The service was impeccable from start to finish, which really elevated the experience. If you're looking for a solid night out with great vibes and don't mind a bit of a splurge, this is the place. read more
23 days ago
20 days ago
Honestly this place deserves a 5 star review my only issue is cost. Hear me out the atmosphere pretty cool outdoor low light vibe , very personal and social at the same time. The restaurant is clean and adds to the overall experience. The front of the house staff was awesome. Servers seem very friendly good attitude running around making stuff happen. Good knowledge on the menu now let's talk about the menu was so delicious from top to bottom. We started out with several appetizers and a few main course options . We did try a dessert, but the food was so good that we barely had any room left to fit it all in. I will say if you're going to come here the olives, the oysters, broccoli ,steak , and the pork chop are must. The broccoli has a good crisp texture and amazing flavor. The meat was cooked perfectly and the oysters were delicious if they sell the olives in jars, I would've bought 10 although the cost is a little elevated. I do think this place is amazing. Definitely recommend to at least stop by. Try it out unfortunately everything 's expensive nowadays. read more
Campfire is easily one of the most energetic spots in Carlsbad Village. We couldn't snag a reservation online, but swinging by at 5:00 PM on a Monday worked out perfectly. We put our name on the list for a 45-minute wait and spent the time wandering the village, it's a great way to build up an appetite! When we returned, we grabbed pre-dinner drinks at the bar. The bartenders here are true pros--exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer tailored recommendations. That level of training extended to our servers (one of whom was in training) who guided us through the options with genuine enthusiasm. The atmosphere is "upscale California chill" at its finest. We sat at a high-top shared table near the bar, and with the roll-top doors open to the evening air, the energy of the full restaurant felt vibrant rather than crowded. Due to a temporary smoke issue, the wood-fired section of the menu was unavailable (we'll have to come back for the octopus!), but the kitchen didn't skip a beat with the rest of the offerings: * Smoked Olives: A perfect starter. They were so well-seasoned they actually converted the non-olive lover in our group into a believer. * Broccoli Chermoula: If you're skeptical about a vegetable being the star of the show, order this. It's fried, playful, and--quite frankly--freaking amazing. It's a mandatory shareable. * Grilled Carrots: These were simply phenomenal. The combination of the crunch from the hazelnuts, the tang of the feta and dill, and the subtle warmth of the Hungarian pepper made for a beautifully balanced dish. * Cavatelli & Koji-Aged Ribeye: We split these as our mains. The cavatelli with morels and a soft egg was rich and earthy, while the 18oz ribeye with chimichurri was perfectly executed. Sharing these dishes was the ideal amount of food for a group of three. Even without the wood-fired items, the experience was a 10/10. We'll absolutely be back to try that octopus next time! read more
1 year ago
Campfire is one of my absolute favorite spots in Carlsbad, and I've been here more times than I can count. This visit was to celebrate a friend's birthday, and as always, it was top-notch. We split everything, and every single dish was outstanding--the blueberry cornbread, pork belly, broccoli, sea bass, ribeye, and roasted potatoes. My friends had the Kentucky Crest while I went with the Tuscan Night, and both cocktails were excellent. On top of the food and drinks, the service here is always incredible. Everyone really caters to you and treats you like a guest. Water glasses never go empty, the whole staff is polite and accommodating, and when they bring your dishes out they actually describe them to you, which makes the whole experience feel elevated. Campfire nails it every time--great food, great drinks, great service, and a vibe that keeps me coming back. read more
7 months ago
This was one of the best places we ate on our trip. Stefania, the hostess was so sweet and amazing. The food and service was fantastic as well. They explain every dish to you when they bring it out, and the staff were all so kind and knowledgeable. This is a must visit in Carlsbad! read more
I was on a road trip and we had no food to snack on where we were staying our last night, so we decided to venture out to something farm to table inspired after my mom said she wanted that felt like California cuisine. This was the spot that popped up. Now word of warning if you don't want to wait forever make a reservation, especially of you want to sit outside. My mom thought she had, but she must not have finished putting it through, so we got to wander around for over an hour and still had to sit inside or wait longer. If you have a kid with you, or if you have trouble hearing I recommend outside. Its quieter and had a fire pit, tent and more room to move around. The restaurant is open though to the outdoors so you do get the lovely fresh air inside at least. If you enjoy watching chefs do their thing inside might be for you, as they have them on display making magic happen on a plate. The menu being farm to table is seasonal, however they do seem to have some staples that linger. They have a mocktail menu as well, which was appreciated. They even have a kids menu. Our server was super accommodating and knowledgeable of their menu, taking their time to answer any questions. We ordered their yellow fin crudo, cornbread, pork belly, ricotta cavetelli, and fish of the day. For a drink I got the Apri ski. The crudo was so fresh and the flavors supporting it reminded me of a play on Tom ka soup. The corn bread had blueberries, rosemary, and had this smokey flavor. It was one of the best corn breads I've had. So moist to which was great because dry corn bread is like eating dust. The fat on the pork belly was rendered perfectly. Amazing melt in your mouth tender paired with a creamy pure and a play on a pesto. My mom's fish was perfectly cooked basically plated on top of a fancy version of tartar sauce. The pasta was my least favorite. It was a little gummy for me, and didn't give me all the nuances that the other dishes blew me away with. My beverage was balanced and refreshing. I loved the mix of herbal and citrus notes. I called my boyfriend that night and informed him when he comes to this area with me that we have to go here. The food and atmosphere is so very memorable and I can't wait to experience the other culinary creations they come up with. read more
Went here for our anniversary dinner. The staff was so welcoming from the front hostesses to servers - and a friendly note signed by the entire staff. Love this restaurant and its care of ingredients to their dishes and staff. Appetizers are always great from oysters to salads, olives are yummy. Hubby is a carnivore I'm a vegetarian so this restaurant appeals to both! He typically gets the ribeye, this time got the pork chop which he enjoyed- had to take home leftovers. I had the cavatelli pasta, cooked al dente and delicious, I had to take the rest home (had leftovers and saw all the butter, no wonder it was so delicious!!). Ambiance is quiet and lovely, service is over the top! Love this place! read more
The good: romantic atmosphere, unique decor, attentive staff, impeccable service, delicious flavors and textures, creative menu, refreshing drinks, gorgeous plating, a birthday card signed by staff for my partner and complementary birthday treat with candle The bad: too much salt and tajin took away from the natural flavors, super loud could barely hear my partner speaking, and the worst part I became ill at the table with an urgent need for the ladies' room and it lasted into the entire next day read more
Finally got to try Campfire which has been on my bucket list for a while! I came here with my partner for my birthday, and it was a fabulous dinner. When we walked into the restaurant, you could immediately smell some vegetable cooking with a lovely smell. At first I thought it smelled like brussel sprouts, but then I realized of course it is the broccoli. We ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, and with the dessert at the end, and we were way too stuffed by the end. We probably could have done 1 app, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert, but we don't mind taking home leftovers. Broccoli - 10/10 - This is the star of the restaurant, and for good reason! Everyone raves about the broccoli, and you might wonder what's so good about some broccoli? But this was, by far, my favorite dish of the night. It was flavored and seasoned so well! Great texture. Please don't ever take this dish off the menu!! (Btw the server told us the chef changes up the menu every now and then). Pork Belly - 9/10 - We ordered this on recommendation from the server, and it was so soft, so flavorful Cavatelli - 8/10 - My partner loves seafood, so this past was great for him. Market Fish - 7/19 - I debated between the fish vs the pork, and ended up choosing the fish because it was really hot that day, and I wanted something a little lighter. The fish was a good choice. Smores - 8/10 - By the end of our meal, we were so stuffed, I don't think I could have done dessert. But you have to have smores at campfire!! It's part of the experience! So we reluctantly ordered the smores even though we were so full. It was so delicious, the smores are not your average smores. You can roast the smores at your table, and yes the marshmallow can still catch on fire if you're not careful. PARKING When trying to figure out where to park, I read a bunch of reviews and got a lot of mixed signals. Some people said it's impossible to find parking in this area, and others said there was plenty of parking. Turns out, there's a huge parking lot BEHIND Campfire that is shared with the transit station. So yes if you try to park on the street in from of Campfire, you're gonna have a bad time. But if you park right behind Campfire, there's plenty of space. And it's possible to access Campfire from the back, so you don't need to walk around the entire block to get to the front. We will be returning from the broccoli. read more
loved this place! The smell of campfire permeated the streets upon walking from the PURE Project Brewery. In my opinion Pure Project Brewery is the best brewery in Orange county not including Stone. This is a true foodie restaurant. the plates i ordered came out in cast iron skillets. the vibes are lively and spacious. perfect for sharing interesting bites. I had the cornbread and porkbelly appetizers. Both were cooked to perfection. The Cornbread had a nice crunch to the outside and a nice fluffy center. the berry butter added to the sweetness level but over all it was not too sweet. PORK BELLY melts in your mouth. Zach was my excellent server at the bar. Got some good local intel just asking questions about Carlsbad and the local breweries. The iced tea was not to my liking. they brew it with coffee plant leaves. It had an unusual funky aftertaste. I guess if you are a coffee person you may find it interesting. Zach was kind enough to remove the tea from my bill. Will return again someday even though i live 2 hours north. I look forward to trying more dishes. read more
9 months ago
I can not say enough about how good Campfire was! Come to campfire hungry so you can try a little bit of everything you will walk out the right amount of full! We came in during their winter menu and had Hannah as our incredible waitress! She provided ample options for some of her favorite meals, and great mixes and matches for sides and cocktails! We ended up starting with the cornbread with the candied poblano peppers in it and cilantro, butter, and oh my gosh, it was mouthwatering. The bread was still warm out of the oven and the butter was melting into the cornbread. It was so good! The pepper and the cornbread was not too spicy so don't be deterred by that you might get a little bit of heat, but the sweetness helped even it out. We also had the beats, the charred, broccoli, and the pork belly. I could've had two orders of the broccoli and been so happy, but the pork belly was incredible, and the beats were such a great palette cleanser. We finished off with the pork with the casting potatoes, which was such a great combo. The pork was perfectly cooked and had an incredible almost curry, flavored lentils under it with sweet potato and cucumber. It was an incredible amalgamation of flavors. When you're at campfire, you can't miss out on the individual s'mores. It was like having a snickerdoodle s'more with incredible chocolate salted ganache... I wish I could have five more. read more
More info about Campfire
2725 State St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Directions
(760) 637-5121
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http://thisiscampfire.com
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Ask the Community - Campfire
How come Yelp is blocking me from going to your website to see if I could get a reservation for 4 tonight?
They are likely booked. It's a weekend and they are very busy. It's a great restaurant so I would be very surprised you can get a rezy
Do they have a bar to have a cocktail while waiting for your table?
Yes and great drinks to go with it.
"Campfire" is mentioned many times on the website, however I don't see any campfires in any of the pictures, nor any mention in the reviews. Are there fire pits outside? Is seating better inside or out?
There are options for both indoor or out door. There is a fire pit outdoors. It's called campfire because most of the food is cooked over a wood fire. You find out more info on their actual website.
I'm confused. I see photos and comments about this place being dog friendly but then I see others that say they don't. So are you dog friendly or not?
This place is no longer dog friendly.
How is this place for gluten free guests?
They're great! Lots of options and the staff is very knowledgeable.
Can you accommodate a peanut allergy? I see the broccoli dish has peanuts so I would want to ensure I can eat here safely.
The staff is super accommodating to any allergies and will ask prior to your meal if you have any.
For large parties do you have to pay $70 per baby/ kid as well?
Not sure, that seems extremely expensive for a child who won't eat that much. They have a kids menu though...
I see photos of the most recent menus, but don't see the Campfire Feast. Is that not a thing anymore?
Nope, they got rid of it.
Is take out available before 5pm?
Why take the Wax Bean dish off the menu when it's one of the most popular dishes?
Maybe because it's no longer available, seasonal, or the vendor no longer has it for the Restuarant? Many times popular dishes are discontinued just to make room for newer and possibly improved dishes.
What is the Camp Feast that they serve for dinner?
Do they have a corkage fee option? Or do they not allow you to bring your own wine
There is a corkage fee if you don't buy the wine from next door at Carruth.
Are there and Vegan food options?
There are a few vegetarian sides or dishes that can be made vegetarian (egg & dairy) but this would not be a place for a vegan. They would probably go hungry.
Is brunch daily or just on the weekends?
Just on the weekends. There is lunch on the weekdays and it's delicious!
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