Tapas style... very busy and loud. Great service however. Food was pretty amazing. The salad was huge. Bluefin tuna ceviche was great, tortilla a bit too thick and crispy. Octopus cooked amazing, maybe a little too much smoke in it. Overall, a wonderful experience, we went on a Wednesday night and it was crazy busy! We will be back! read more

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I had a reservation for 7 on a Saturday, we waited for about 10 minutes at the front before a hostess showed up. It was windy so I picked up some menus that were flying around in the front seating area. They seated us directly in front of the front door. My seat blocked part of the door. The other door was very squeaky and that got annoying quickly. We had to wait 15 minutes before a waitress came to acknowledge us. The noise level inside was almost unbearable, we were very close to leaving before the waitress arrived. Bluefin Tuna Tartar had pretty good flavor, the talo tortillas tasted burnt. Pulpo was cooked perfectly and the flavors were amazing. Would order again. The Pork Secreto was chewier than expected and the veggies seemed too heavily oiled. The cheesecake was amazing. Not to be missed. read more

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Had a wonderful Girls night out and I am soo glad I checked it out in Solana Beach, love the short rib paella, love the charred carrots and the mushrooms, also love the iberico pork it just melt in my mouth, the staff is soo friendly and the atmosphere is soo inviting. Come check it out. read more

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Awesome new tapas spot located right off the 101 in Solana beach. Solana is starting to get a lot of new restos and this place can hold its own with all of them in the area. Really good cocktails, great small plates and the paella had a nice little citrusy twist. The place is laid out quite nicely too, enjoy! read more

CTZN - Seafood Paella - Basque Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Chef must be in love!!!!! This place is a craaaazy, make-you-ridiculously-happy, big bold flavored, creative and fun eating experience!! We just left CTZN and couldn't get to yelp fast enough to FULLY and ENTHUSIASTICALLY endorse this restaurant! We loved the perfectly prepared patatas bravas; the grilled prawns were magical; we wrestled for the mushrooms:; and nearly required a ciggy after the beautiful toast/goat cheese/honey/espelett/herb appetizer (and we don't smoke). All that before the seafood paella arrived. That was a crazy dinner. I want to go back tomorrow!! I'm currently heading home, inspired to read poetry about food and count prawns in my sleep. Thank you, chefs!!! read more

Finally got a chance to have dinner here and so glad we did! We didn't have reservations but decided to do a walk in. All tables were reserved but they told us the bar and high tops were open seating. We were lucky to find 2 open seats at the bar which was perfect. Service was very friendly and great recommendations on food and drinks. Very lively atmosphere which made it really fun. I had a really nice tempernillo and my bf had a smoky old fashioned, both were great. I did see the cucumber margs going out and those looked really good. We had the mushrooms which were delicious. The tuna tartare was also a big hit. Then we shared the vegetarian paella. Excellent, but could have used a little more asparagus. That was more than enough food for 2 people. Loved this place for food and ambience. Would definitely go back. read more

everyone here including Freddy and chef are incredibly talented and kind. The food is amazing. I'm so happy to have an authentic tapas bar in North County. The basque cheese cake is off the charts read more

CTZN - Basque Near Me - Solana Beach, California

I really wanted to be a fan of this place! To start off, the ambiance needs some work.. we were seated in a corner with little to no lighting and the table lamp in front of us was out of order but even after we asked for a replacement, it barely gave any light. The tables are much higher than the seat I was in which felt disproportionate. The music choice was a bit off... there were cricket noises playing at one point haha The drinks were great, I loved the parmesan on my martini. The Pan Con Tomate (not pictured) didn't deliver with heirloom tomatoes. The Patatas Bravas were very anti-climatic but the $14 caviar add was a complete waste. They should either charge more and add a substantial amount or completely get rid of the option... The Paella was also very lackluster but beautifully presented. For the steep price-point, we've had better and won't be rushing back for food. read more

CTZN - Patatas Brava add Caviar ($14), Say Cheese - Basque Near Me - Solana Beach, California

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Wanted to like the restaurant. The setting was inviting, the menus seemed interesting....then the food. The paella was embarrassingly, small in portion not as advertised for 3-4 people. Rice burnt to a crisp through, nearly impossible to serve from the platter. Oh yea, 45 minutes for the paella to be served. They do not serve iced tea, oh yea coffee at the end of a meal is also nonexistent. They're planning to build a coffee station, soon. Isn't that something to consider when opening a restaurant. read more

TERRIBLE. We were excited to try this place and it was simply awful. The service was SO SLOW, no one ever came to check on us, no one ever asked how the food was (it wasn't good) and I had to flag down a random server to ask for a drink after I waited about half an hour for a drink. The food was also mediocre. The $72 seafood paella was like Spanish rice with 3 prawns, 4-5 clams and a piece of fish. The rice wasn't crispy on the bottom. Our server told us it was "WET PAELLA". What?? We were offered a free dessert since the food was so awful and THEN THEY CHARGED US FOR IT. When we asked our server he kept telling us they gave us something else for free. Oh- they also ran out of sangria at about 7:30pm on a Saturday. We will not return. Awful. read more

This is our second time here! The food is consistently delicious, I love being able to sit outside during warmer months but inside is very pretty and open so it doesn't feel like you are stuffed inside. Try the olives, pan con tomate. Croquetas, kampachi, pulpo, and carrots! read more

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This place is absolutely incredible--we're officially hooked! Every dish has been a hit, from the appetizers to the paellas to the desserts. It's rare to find a spot where the food is this consistently amazing. What really sets it apart, though, is the atmosphere. You can actually relax and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed, which makes the whole experience even better. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, and the beautiful indoor-outdoor setting adds such a special touch. Bonus points for being both kid- and dog-friendly--honestly, it checks every box. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

I wanted to give them a 4 star but couldn't given the misses on the dishes we ordered and the prices. The Patatas Bravas was the most creative and tasty dish we had. I was expecting the standard tapas version and it was far from it. The Con Tomato was very odd. The waiter recommended it and we added the jamon. They should fix it or remove it from the menu. The croquettes were yummy but the serving was surprisingly small for the price. The beets were solid, but the consistency was off. Some were mushy and some were crunchy. DO NOT GET the Avocado dish. It is tasteless guacamole with soggy chips. That has to leave the menu. The trout looked great and had some good flavors but was a little dried out. GO there for the Basque cheesecake. We will go back to try the Paella. I hope they fix the portion to price ratios. read more

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So excited for this new restaurant that had the Grand Opening today. As I was in Solana Beach to go to another place and my friend and I were observing the beauty of the furniture and the look before the final touches...took some pictures and talked to a lady that designs several things for the restaurant and with another gentleman who explained this is a Basque-SoCal fusion. I wanted to be the first one to check in! More coming up soon:) read more

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This restaurant brings a diverse options of food in this area, with its Basque flavor :-) We were in during their soft opening in August. Tried: Saint Sauveur Des Basque Pina-Jamon-Ada Tuna Tartare Carabinero Prawns Croquetas de Pato Calamares Fritos Jambon sec superior Overvall, everything was good, but will skip on the jambon sec and focus on the other cooked dishes next time. The Basque cheesecake is not to be skipped, it has a great texture, not super sweet, melts in your mouth - it was so so so good. They should make an options to purchase it as an entire cake to purchase and take it home for the family. Owners are super friendly, very hardworking, and doesn't appear to skimp on quality. Definitely recommend it. read more

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Such yummy food. Esteban was a great waiter who didn't rush us and was knowledgeable about the dishes. We had Gilda which were spot on, the pulpo was so tender and marinated to perfection then the paella was on point. It was like being in Euskadi. Although I don't think paella is from the region, but I know the other dishes are and can't wait to try more food on the menu. read more

Dined here tonite with my family and we all thought the food, service, and amosphere were all wonderful. We feasted on a variety of dishes large and small. The largest dish, paella with short rib, was delicious and large enough for three. The meat could be cut with your fork and had no fat. The calamari and octopus sides were among the best we've had. Other dishes includes potatoes and croquettes that were also excellent. A creamy basque cheese cake with mango completed this exceptional meal. The wine list is excellent with many regional wines from Spain at very reasonable prices. Service from our server Madeline was warm, friendly and very helpful. She was enthusiastic and took pride in the restaurant and the food. She knew each dish and wine and made great recommendations. Overall CTZN is wonderful addition to our home town of Solana Beach. Can't wait to go back. read more

My friend visiting from out of town recommended this place as she'd dined the night before. She is Vegan so sometimes finds local offerings can be a challenge. I was happy to try CTZN with her for her second night in a row. We had the carrots, salad and pan con tomate. It was all so lovely, pleasantly flavorful and fresh. The carrots had a perfect slight char which wasn't too overwhelming and a hint of spice. The flavor balance was exquisite. The pan con tomate was toasty and refreshing at the same time. The salad had stunning presentation and was also delicious and garnished with gorgeous fresh herbs. Finally, the service we received was splendid. The first available seating area at the time was in the bar and my friend and I never felt forgotten or neglected. I forget our server's name but she was so nice! All these factors make me excited to discover this new restaurant and to return here with my husband. One thing I would like to note is that other reviewers complaining about portions seem to misunderstand the concept of tapas-style. If anyone is unfamiliar with it, a little research can be done to educate... or simply ask your server. The place gets busy, but is lively. The layout is rather open concept so a bit loud, but this did not bother me. Hope anyone who tries this place enjoys it as much as I did. read more

CTZN - Carrots (partially eaten), pan con tomate and salad - Basque Near Me - Solana Beach, California

CTZN, Solana Beach's newest Basque-style restaurant. The space hums with a warm, communal energy. This isn't just a place to eat and socialize though; it's a place to gather and celebrate food. With a selection of pintxos, the small, masterful bites that are the heart of Basque cuisine. The Gilda, a classic skewer of anchovy, olive, and guindilla pepper, was a perfect, briny wake-up call for the palate. The el bulli olive was a revelation--a spherical, liquid olive incapsulated in a delicate membrane that bursts, releasing a powerful, concentrated burst of olive flavor. It's an intense and surprising sensation that completely redefines the familiar taste of an olive. I've had the pleasure of enjoying so many dishes over the few times I've already been to CTZN. Everything from any of the paellas, to the tuna tartar, the grilled chipirones, the calamares fritos, finishing with the decadent mango basque cheesecake.. Beyond the food, the service at CTZN was exceptional. Our servers and bartenders were not only attentive but also incredibly knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu and sharing which of the fantastic signature cocktails paired well the each of the dishes. Their enthusiasm was contagious and truly enhanced our dining experience. read more

Great place for tapas/small plates. Pulpo croquetas Cana de cabra were all fantastic. Can't wait to go back and try the paella.

As big fans of Basque and Spanish cuisine, we were excited to find CTZN - a modernized Basque inspired tapas spot in Solana Beach. We did have a rather long wait upon arrival despite having a reservation but were able to enjoy a few drinks at the bar while waiting. We ordered the gilda, pan con tomate with jamon iberico, cana de cabra, croquetas de pato, grilled prawns, pulpo, patatas bravas, wood fired squid, short rib paella, and wild berry basque cheesecake. Among these, our favorites were the grilled prawn (so flavorful - wish it came with more bread to soak up the sauce), pulpo (so tender), patatas bravas (super crispy hashbrown style), and short rib paella (melt in your mouth short rib was excellent and delicious dish though paella didn't have much of a socarrat). The jamon iberico was the biggest letdown for us -- it tasted as if it had been out for a while and didn't have the beautiful essence that we wished for of bellota. The basque cheesecake was delicious but not quite basque, more NY style - didn't have a burnt top or melty inside. All in all though we thoroughly enjoyed the food and would definitely come back! read more

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Our experience here was about a one star as soon as we got here. Reservation at 7p turned out to be getting seated 30+ minutes later with a confusion in between where we were being ushered to the table from the bar that was ended by realization that the table was still not ready. Once we finally were seated there was just a meek apology maybe? We were all pretty hungry by this time so ordered some starters/pintxo, which took... I don't know... quite awhile again to get to the table. One of the orders was Spanish olives and we had to order bread as an addition. We had to ask for the bread a few times after getting olives and were told they were being toasted. Maybe it sat in the oven too long because to our dismay 2 of the 5 toast came burnt (partially black). We alerted the waitress and her condescending reply was that the bread was "toasted" so do we not want it toasted? We had to explain "see, 2 of them are black and 3 other ones were fine" This type of attitude is perhaps what you would receive from an overworked, careless teenager at Chilis but not at a new trendy restaurant that charges $13 for 2 small coquetas or $25 for cocktails! Other dishes we had were duck coquetas, prawns, short rib paella, ny strip, guacamole and talo. The paella, prawns, and steak were good but not worth the price and service. The potatoes that came with the steak were so salty that all five of us were shocked at how salty it was. When we told the waitress, she once again justified that it was salt cured etc as if that salt bomb was in anyway palatable. There are tastes that are personal preferences and then there's this - simply unpalatable. We suggested that she taste it if she didn't believe it but it didn't matter because at this restaurant, they are always right and we are wrong. Anyway, she did bring us a pan con tomate instead and that was fine. Overall, CTZN is a restaurant with small portions, but big inconsistency, big prices, and bigger attitude. read more

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I love tapas and was really excited to try this place. We made reservations and were seated promptly. Cute place but despite the restaurant being empty when we got there, we were seated by the kitchen door. Tried the cocktails and they were great. They don't have beers and my husband settled for wine which was ok. We started with the patata brava, con tomate and the salad which were all really good. And then it was disappointing- the vegetable paella was bland.no flavor and no salt with barely any vegetables. My husband got the chicken dish and it wasn't cooked well. It wasn't a busy night and was very disappointed with the entrees. Service was great with Kai and that got me to a four rating from a 3.5 rating. read more

This place was happening! Pretty busy on a Tuesday, we had a reservation. Service was excellent. Cocktails were unique and tasty, and strong!! They had a great selection on the menu with some smaller tapas plates and some regular entrees and bigger plates. We had the patatas Bravas of course and they were excellent, the sauce with them a bit of sauce, very flavorful. Duck croquettes - my friend liked them but I have a texture issue and when the meat and everything is pureed it's hard for me. I learned croquettes were not for me in Spain. Cana de cabra toast - fig and cheese-decent flavors but just ok. Fall salad was good and that squash in it was killer! Short rib paella - short ribs were perfect, melted apart. The rice had an interesting flavor I couldn't place but it was like a smoke or a miso which I don't care for so it really threw me. I've had paella before but not with this flavor. The mixed berry cheesecake was ok- the cheese texture was a little off for me and didn't get much of the berries. Overall, fun place and good food. read more

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Had an amazing dinner at CTZN in Solana Beach! We ordered the Pan Con Tomate with Iberico ham, Patatas Bravas, Grilled Prawns, Pulpo, Trucha a La Navarra, and Basque Cheesecake, along with a Verde San Sebastian Old Fashioned and a Citrus Fruit Spicy Mocktail. Every dish was very tasty and perfectly cooked -- from the tender octopus to the flavorful trout and creamy, caramelized cheesecake. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were balanced and creative without being over the top. Great service and stylish atmosphere too. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for elevated Basque-inspired dining in North County! read more

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Great food, service and atmosphere. Chef Jesse is passionate about what he does and that passion shows in the flavor and creativity of his dishes. Great spot. read more

Celebrated my birthday here this year and wish I had gone to a restaurant I knew would deliver unlike CTZN. Definitely felt like I fell for the hype after checking this spot out. They claim to specialize in Basque food but didn't see too many Basque items on the menu, just stereotypical Spanish tapas and pinxtos with a mid paella and no soccorat at the bottom of the pan. Cocktails were good but everything felt a bit overpriced for what it actually was. In the restaurant's defense, the day I visited, multiple servers called out apparently which was the explanation we got when it took half an hour to get our drinks and 45 mins to see food hit our table. I'd recommend this spot maybe for a happy hour if they have it because the ambience and cocktails are good, but this felt like an above average restaurant pretending to be fine dining. read more

CTZN delivers an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The staff's warmth and attentiveness immediately set the tone, while the kitchen's culinary artistry and the bar's skillful precision shine in every bite and sip. The décor is comfortable yet elegant, creating a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a memorable meal. Owners Karine and Willy are passionate about not only great food but also culture, making guests feel both comfortable and inspired. Special thanks to Aaron, whose professionalism, knowledge, and kindness made the evening seamless. CTZN is more than a restaurant. It's an experience you'll remember long after the final bite! read more

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good food . arrived at a quiet time ; 20 minutes early for a 5:30 table and we were seated ( party of 2) at a tiny table and the larger booths weren't occupied by the time we were finished eating. Also made a note that there was a Birthday on the reservation and there was no acknowledgment of that . Good food , good wine . Service was ok . We would visit again to sample more of the menu , but will be on guard for customer service read more

Unfortunately, I was not impressed by this restaurant. Although our server was nice, the service was so slow. We waited almost 30 minutes to get our drinks. We ordered the patatas bravas and octopus for appetizers. The octopus was good but the patatas bravas were honestly horrible. They had no flavor and they were not the traditional ones / they were like hashbrowns. For an entree we ordered the vegetarian paella which was a good size (one is big enough for a whole group) but again, lacked depth and flavor. I like that it had a lot of vegetables on top but I didn't think it was overall that good. We were going to order more for the table but decided that it wasn't worth spending more money on food that I didn't think was that great. Also, we were sat outside and it was super bright lighting, which affected the ambiance. I feel bad writing this review but hopefully it helps them make improvements to their menu. read more

Great service, we were seated immediately and the server was on it. The cocktails were not the best (it was a weekday and it's a new place so might still be figuring out the bar). The old fashioned was all bitters, my cocktail had a questionable flavor profile. The patatas bravas and the basque cake were the best we have ever had!! A must order. I had the El Bulli olive and was able to forgive the $6 price because it was good. I don't have anything to compare it to though so don't take my word for it. We were very disappointed in the sea food pallela, it was mushy, very low on any flavor or seasoning and the fish was overcooked. Might have been a one off but we didn't eat much of it. Overall good ambiance, food and service. We would recommend it! read more

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Been to Spain multiple times and this upscale tapas place captured the tastes perfectly (with a little extra SoCal flavor kick!). Brought a group of artist friends and we loved every single one of Chef Matthew's creations. Glad we snagged a reservation on a Friday night cuz it was packed! Despite that, the food came out in a steady flow paired with super unique cocktails!! Everything was fresh, tasty, and picture perfect. Highly recommend the duck croquettes, octopus, patatas bravas, short rib paella, and basque cheesecake. All tastes were perfectly balanced with nothing too sweet, salty, nor spicy. We were so impressed!! Still dreaming about all the flavors. Be sure to snag your table soon cuz with the upscale energetic vibe, excellent food, easy parking, and a block near the beach, this is becoming one of the hottest spots in SoCal. Run don't walk!!!! read more

CTZN - Short rib paella, patatas bravas, prawns, octopus, apple tart, basque cheesecake, charcuterie - Basque Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Vibes are there fam Food brought me back to Spain, and it was actually better than the food in Spain. Believe me bro. Cocktails were spot on! We'll be back Service was unmatched, it was like a well oiled machine! Esteban and Ella were great! Treated like a VIP Make sure you order the "Cana de Cabra Toast" CHEFS KISS read more

A wonderful dining experience. Great food in a delightful setting. Our server was Esteban and he was knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. We've been to Spain and the food was authentic. This was truly a great venue for dinner and we will definitely be back! read more

I love the concept of bringing Basque/Spanish food to North County as my family is from Spain. Regarding the food, the croquettes and squid were solid. Gilda peppers were too tiny. Wish they would bring bread by default with our jamon and tapas order. I'd pass on mushrooms. Basque cheesecake tasted great but the presentation was sloppy. Excited to try more dishes. Service wise, we ordered drinks, tapas, and entrees together assuming things would come out staggered with the drinks first, then a few tapas at a time etc. It ended up that most of the food came out at once and then we had to ask about the drinks which came out later. I'd recommend staggering your order to force correct spacing/timing between drink and dishes. In terms of atmosphere, on the patio, the overhead light bars are way too bright and cool hued, almost fluorescent. It feels like you are under a spot light. For dinner, it would be great to switch to the non-light strips with warmer bulbs dimmed, and maybe a small light at the table for ambience. I'm excited to try CTZN again in the future and just leaving the feedback in hopes it's even better next time! read more

We went on a Saturday and had such a wonderful time that I'm still smiling thinking about it! We ordered six tapas, and every single one was a hit. The tuna tartar was so fresh and flavorful, and the chips it came with were addictively good. The beef paella? Perfection--perfectly cooked, so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The drink menu is next-level. Our bartender, Freddy, is a true artist and one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. I told him the flavors I liked, and he whipped up a completely custom drink for me--so good, I immediately ordered a second without even asking what was in it! My husband tried the Say Cheese cocktail, and wow... it was unlike anything I've ever tasted--fun, creative, and absolutely delicious. Even our teenager was treated like a VIP, with Freddy crafting her a gorgeous, colorful mocktail that she adored. The atmosphere is perfect--beautiful location with a refreshing ocean breeze. Parking is a dream: a free covered garage plus plenty of street parking. Even though the place was full, the noise level was perfect; we could actually talk without shouting. We sat at a table, but the bar area looked super inviting, too. CTZN is a refreshing, one-of-a-kind experience. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Run, don't walk--this place is a must! read more

Everyone at our table got food poisoning after eating here this past Saturday. We have all been sick for the entire week. It's likely either e-coli or salmonella. I'll know soon from testing and report back. Service was also bad - esp the hostess. read more

We were excited to try this new restaurant since it has been getting such rave reviews and we were not disappointed. We went for dinner on Saturday night and the restaurant was full so I would recommend making a reservation. We sat on the side patio which was a bit removed from the buzz of the restaurant but the seats were very comfortable. They seemed a little short staffed but our waitress compensated very well for that. To start we had the Pulpo (octopus) and it was probably the best octopus I have ever had. We then had the prawns which were served in the most flavorful sauce with plenty of delicious bread for dipping. We had the tomato bread that was also so flavorful. For entree (there were three of us) we shared the braised short rib paella and it was delicious, just bursting with flavor. The wine selection was excellent but the cocktails were a bit overpriced. My husband ordered a plain old fashioned and it was $28. The decor inside was a combination of Spain and Morocco and the vibe was lively but relaxed. Can't wait to go back to try everytning on their menu! read more

The snapper paella was bland and full of bones. Questionable. I talked to the manager and he was rude and unprofessional. Stay away. read more

All food was enjoyable, except their main feature the paella. Even though it is basque and not Spanish, my understanding is they typically both use the same Spanish short grain rice like bomba with saffron. The seafood was on a base of some dark small and fairly tasteless grain, a huge disappointment. I think basque is also known for combining seafood, chicken and maybe sausage or ham, creating a mix of flavors. They don't have a combined dish like that. They sell it as a fifty minute prep time(presumably to slowly infuse the rice with a broth) I reject that as the result is nothing like that process. Paella should be the result of a fabulous process with the rice base being the essential foundation. read more