Docent Brewing

4.7 (108 reviews)

Brewpubs, Sandwiches, Tacos

Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Docent Brewing - Kimchi Reuben - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - Make the trip down south to Carlsbad Docents it's worth it - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - Docent bowl - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Docent Brewing - A new place in Carlsbad - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Docent Brewing Popular Dishes

Smash Burger

3 Photos17 Reviews

Fried Chicken Sandwich

4 Photos7 Reviews

Docent Bowl

4 Photos3 Reviews

Docent Brewing menu photos

Menu photo 1 Docent Brewing Carlsbad, CA

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DOCENT BREWING ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

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Outside

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Moderate noise

Outdoor seating

Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Docent Brewing

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Megan S.

I was with a big group so we all got to try a few food items and everything was good and flavors were unique. Good selection of beer, N.A. options and a couple wine options. You order everything at the counter and it went fairly quick but there seemed to always be a line. It wasn't a problem for us but hopefully they have more than one register for busy days. It's a cute place that used to be a house so there's indoor/outdoor seating. Dog friendly and since there aren't TVs people were actually talking which is nice. Lots of seating options for different size groups

Tina S.

Tuck away on state street on the south side is this cool local brewery. Once an older home now a nice place to hangout and grab some food and a beer or cider. It was early afternoon and not very busy. We found a table outside on the patio. You order food and beverages at the bar. I was a little disappointed no one greeted us upon entering and advised what the protocol was, but we figured it out. I had one of there IPA's and it was pretty good. I also tried the birria taco. It had a crisp cheese shell which was good, the meat was tender, but no birria consume/sauce. The verde taco was delicious! Same crispy cheese shell, both tacos topped with onions and cilantro. Overall a very nice place with good food and beverages.

Elisa G.

This is a very cute brewery in Carlsbad and they have some healthy snack options but nothing gluten free as far as beer . They allow dogs and it's a great hang with lots of space and comfy couches! They also have an outdoor area so it's good for large parties.

Smashburger, sesame chicken salad, grilled cheese

Stephanie B.

Nice, casual spot to enjoy some drinks, food, and live music! We went on a Friday and they had live music, which was a nice touch. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly. They also have food, which was pretty good. We got the grilled cheese with fries, smash burger with tots, and sesame chicken salad. The smash burger was good, but I could've ate two. The grilled cheese had a punch to it with the mix of cheeses. Fries were crispy and well seasoned. The salad felt like it came from a package and wasn't our favorite. My husband enjoyed the beers and the laid back atmosphere.

Stephanie C.

A good brewery to go to while pregnant since they have some non-alcoholic options :-) The non-alcoholic IPA was really good. My husband tried four different beers and enjoyed them all. The food was just as tasty. The smash burger was SO good. One of the best I've ever had. The fried chicken sandwich and french fries were also 10/10. The staff was chill and friendly, and the ambiance was nice and relaxed with a mixture of friend groups, dates and families. Would love to come back soon.

Kelly B.

Super cute house that's turned into a tasting room, beers were delicious and they have a variety of options that aren't beer and NA options as well, didn't try the food but it looked delicious

Felina V.

Docent Brewing in Carlsbad is an excellent choice for a beer and a bite. Their patio seating is expansive and dog friendly. Service is always friendly, even when they're busy. I'll surely be back time and time again. Thanks, Docent!

Pete S.

I grew to love this brewery and have made this place in my top 3 must breweries to visit in OC. No, you won't find the frat bros here from Golden Road nor will you find hopheads from Monkish. Rather you'll find beer geeks that loves a multi variety of beers, delicious take on your food, and impeccable service. Inside this new location, there's an indoor as well as an outdoor section. Wood interior reminds me of a cabin and the outdoor patio benches along with single stall clean bathrooms gives out a hint of camping. I had their wheat beer, Luna, really solid loads of flavor. Uncle bert i thought was just okay, I usually drink their super tonic for a stout. You pretty much can find all styles here. For the food we had their smashburger which amazingly tasted like a big mac but much much better. It has a lighter bun with non of those preformed patties. We also got the docent bowl (kind of like a take on Korean bowl) with pork belly, brown rice, kimchi pickles. You have to give your number and you get a text and pick up towards the back. Sort of just like their SJC location setup. We were a little tired that night and wished we could've drank more. But you'll find me here at their OG location I'm sure soon!

Anna C.

Docent is pretty decent! Cute, minimalist cabin vibe. Tried their nitro beer and N/A Mexican lager (Capacity, canned) - both were good. Food is okay, but definitely not what you come here for.

Steve C.

Great place downtown nice patio and dog friendly. Walk up service at bar for drinks. (No servers) Will def return

Daniel N.

Food, Service, Ambiance This place is an absolute hidden gem in Carlsbad Village--hands down one of the best breweries around! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was perfect: cozy yet spacious indoor seating with that cool barrel wall and tap list, plus a chill outdoor patio that's dog-friendly and great for sunny days. The ambiance is welcoming and laid-back, like a spot you'd want to linger at for hours. The beer is outstanding--approachable, balanced, and seriously high-quality. We loved the Pillow Fight IPA (hoppy but not over the top) and the lighter Oh session ale--both super drinkable and full of flavor. They clearly take pride in crafting artisan brews that aren't just trendy, but genuinely excellent. And the food? Way better than your average brewery grub. The Smash Burger was juicy perfection, the Fried Chicken Sandwich had incredible crunch and flavor, and even the sides like the arugula salad felt fresh and thoughtful. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and everything pairs amazingly with the beers. Service was top-tier--friendly, knowledgeable staff who were happy to chat about the brews and make recommendations without being pushy. Felt like locals welcoming friends. If you're in Carlsbad or North County and love craft beer with seriously good eats in a relaxed, community-focused spot, do yourself a favor and check out Docent Brewing at 3060 State St. We're already planning our next visit--five stars all the way! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a standout brewery experience. Rating: (5)

Kris G.

Docent Brewing is a fun small spot just a bit off the main popular area in Carlsbad Village about a half block south from Carlsbad village Drive. It is in a renovated old house. They kept the living room vibe in the front with some lounge areas. Have a handful of tables and the bar inside and a back deck with 3 tables and the backyard. The bathrooms and kitchen are at the far end of the yard. And between the main house and their "ADU" is the patio with picnic tables. It is dog friendly so definitely a win there. It is very popular. I have only been here a handful of times, but all of the times since spring have been very busy and we have even had to unfortunately choose other places because we couldn't find a table spot to eat on other potential visits. Even when it rains it's busy! That is a great testimonial for the vibe, the drinks and the food. A little "watch out", a part of its popularity is with families..... which inherent bad. However on a number of times there a lot of the ones I have seen like to use this place like their private backyard. So just be aware there may be children running around, unattended screaming and touching you, your dog, and your table while their parents sip their beer and are oblivious or act like they feel that they and the kids are entitled to disturb others. The last time I went I had the chicken sandwich. It is a piece of fried chicken with hot honey, house dill pickles on a challah bun. Has a good crunch. Both the fries and the tots are really tasty as well. My BF has the Korean Reuben. He really liked that the the pastrami had crispy bits. Instead of sauerkraut, the sandwich has kimchi. He said that it added a level of deliciousness you don't find in normal Reuben's.

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Sea N.

1 month ago

Quick service, great food. There are no TV's around. It feels much more like a lounge than restaurant and a needed change up in environment.

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Celina C.

Elite 26

176

9 months ago

The food was great, their cider was delicious (I don't drink beer), and the atmosphere was excellent. Even though it was raining, the place was still packed. I can imagine it's even more fun to hang out there on a sunny day. read more

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Yvette A.

Elite 26

185

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1 year ago

Went with some friends. It's a cute hidden gem. Cute back patio. Food was really good and reasonably priced. Gummy loved the beer but downside is they do not have non alcohol drinks other than water. Service was really good and friendly. Will go back just bring my own non alcohol beverage next time. read more

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Danielle H.

Elite 19

649

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702

10 months ago

Haven't wrote a review in a minute but their smash burger brought me to top contender for a fav. First time visit trying to find an easy spot to go with kids & got in trouble for our kids breaking the rules a few times but still a great outdoor space. Kids are wild. I'll be back. read more

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Mary C.

10 months ago

Amazing food for a brewery. Great variety in their beer selection. I love coming here. It's always nice and quiet on weeknights, which is the only time I've ever gone. Both dog and baby friendly atmosphere. They don't have an area to change your baby (or if they did it was in the out of order stall.) read more

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Benjamin G.

186

5 months ago

Newer brewery on the scene, definitely worth a visit here. Deliciously crafted brews, great indoor/outdoor atmosphere, and friendly staff. They don't make sours and rarely a hazy, but they had a barleywine and a barrel-aged imp. stout on tap. I was very impressed by my flight of strong ales: DIPA, trippel Belgian, brown ale, and imperial stout. The food menu looked good (though I didn't try anything), I'll be back to tuck into their Korean spin on a Reuben. read more

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Sam E.

8 months ago

Best patio's Enjoyment guaranteed Double Nickels to go Tap list includes wine and guest brewers! Community Spirit read more

Docent Brewing - Mural says it all - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - Just Eat. Order here - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - Pups and kiddos here - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Becky F.

Elite 26

219

1 year ago

New place we wanted to try. I had the pineapple cider and hubby had an IPA. We both really liked our drink. It's a cute little brewery. There is a little seating inside and more out back. They have cornhole on the side. Service at the bar was good and they cleaned the tables pretty quick when people left. It's great because it's pet friendly. We will definitely come back to try the food. read more

Docent Brewing - IPA - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - Pineapple cider - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Jes M.

254

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3576

1 year ago

Get here early cause it gets packed. I wanted to sit in the patio but no tables were available. The food was incredible and the beer as well. I highly recommend the al pastor chicken with the New Zealand IPA. The spicy cucumbers are also very good. The staff constantly checked on the table to make sure everything was good. This brewery needs to add a sign on the exterior building because you can't tell it's a brewery from the outside. read more

Docent Brewing - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Katelyn G.

5 months ago

Great beer, music, and vibes! Very chill place to hang out. Food is great too. 10/10 recommend! read more

Docent Brewing - Great beer, food, music, and vibes! 10/10 recommend! - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Erin E.

1 year ago

When a place this good is only 900ft from your apartment you almost don't want to tell others about it, keep it a local gem. But here I am spreading the good word. My bf and I got a hazy IPA and a lager that were both delicious, along with the smash burger (sorry no pic we were hungry). The burgers were classic smash style and hit the spot. The tots on the side had a perfect crispy fry. I got the wonton salad as my side and it was so good and fresh. Loved the dressing. Service was great and everyone was nice. The overall vibe is very chill. I kinda love that there are no TVs. It's the perfect brewery to catch up with friends or maybe bring some games to play. Seems family friendly during the day and I loved the wooden interior. read more

Docent Brewing - Half pint and full pint - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Heather R.

Elite 26

317

583

1 year ago

New brewery in the village, staff is friendly. Food and drinks are food. Weekends it gets busy with A LOT of kids- pet friendly, outdoor and some indoor seating. Very cozy and fun place. read more

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K H.

6 months ago

We stopped by on a Sunday evening about an hour before closing for dinner and a couple beers. The interior was so nice, and we enjoyed our meal. The burger and asian salad were delicious and the beers were tasty. We will definitely return. read more

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Terry W.

1 year ago

We were not looking for drinks but food for dinner. But we found this place on Yelp and when we got there, we realized it was more of a place to drink than eat. But we still got dinner there and we are glad we did. The food is great. I highly recommend eating here, even if you don't get drinks read more

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Faith D.

Elite 19

158

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845

1 year ago

New favorite brewery in Carlsbad! Pin this now. They nailed it! Ambiance, vibe, IPAs and Stouts, and food! The tater tots are definitely worth mentioning because they were the crunchiest and most flavorful tots I have ever had. The cheese quesadilla had the best melted, stretchy cheese and green salsa for dipping. The smashburger was very satisfying and they were wonderful to accommodate putting all the toppings on the side. Mmmmmm! It was family friendly, quiet, and chill. Clean and well designed. I could go there every day. My only suggestion is having a few umbrellas available for those sunny days or for the beach-goer who needs less sun. I imagine they'll get some - they've only been open approximately 6 months. Loved that they were open for lunch and into the early evening. read more

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Jeong P.

Elite 26

346

676

2359

1 year ago

This is my kind of place. A great selection of tasty brews, friendly service, a cozy interior and a large attractive patio for the whole family to enjoy. My only regret was that I stopped by after lunch and didn't get a chance to try their burger, which looked legitimately delicious. Next time I'm in the area, I will be back. read more

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Filip T.

7 months ago

The place is amazing. The food is outstanding, and the service is sweet and caring! The beer is another level. Love the fam vibe! David and Sam are crushing it!! read more

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Kurt B.

4 months ago

Docent has a cool back patio. I finally tried this place. Good vibe and friendly staff. I had 2 IPAs and no complaints. Plus 90s hip hop was on, so that's a plus for me. read more

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Gavin A.

7 months ago

We had our staff appreciation party at Docent a couple weeks ago. They gave us an awesome space to hang out and made us feel welcome. The food & beers were amazing and recommend this spot to anyone looking to host a large gathering! Thank you Docent read more

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Dr. Tim G.

236

101

10 months ago

Great beer and wonderful food highly recommended stop for a good time. Miss the Rube I must say.

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Kathy M.

4 months ago

The food was interesting, yummy, and everyone loved it. Offering wine at a Brewery was so good and the beer was awesome also. Cute vibe in Carlsbad!! read more

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Bev S.

10 months ago

Our new favorite brewery in North County! The atmosphere is very relaxing and chill and the beers were phenomenal. We have yet to try the food, but it looks absolutely amazing as we saw plates go by! read more

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Jim E.

Elite 25

218

848

1763

1 year ago

Back at our favorite tap house on the West Coast. Always several amazing IPAs here toucan count on. But today we got something equally as good. The Birria & Verde Pork tacos. Yes, they were good before but now they have upgraded to incredible. (House made roasted Verde sauce is ridiculously tasty). 6 stars on that! read more

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Lorena T.

10 months ago

Awesome brewery! So glad they are dog friendly. Great drinks and food. Very friendly and loved the atmosphere.

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Tom R.

1 year ago

Food and beer are both solid but beer prices are strangely high. $9 for a pint of 6.5% IPA is wild. $4 for a 4oz taster. I guess rent must be expensive in Carlsbad village. read more

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Megan B.

2 years ago

Stumbled upon this hidden gem today! They're still getting use to the kinks of opening but oh my goodness! The staff was so friendly and kind. We loveeed our food! i will be back to try the whole menu ! Very good quality! They had plenty of beers to choose from and the restaurant was super homey and warm. They also had a back area outside that was much bigger than it looks! read more

Docent Brewing - in the front door - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - fried chicken sandwich - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - out in the back - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Docent Brewing - inside - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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CaeLynn B.

1 year ago

This place is absolutely incredible, all three locations even. Their food is amazing and top tier same with the crafted beers. It's my boyfriends and i's favorite hangout and date night spot. Love the vibe and esthetics. Staff is always great and attentive. read more

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David S.

190

1 year ago

The best pastrami sandwich on the planet and in the world of tasty IPAs, this place has the balls to brew one of the best stouts ever. One glass of Tonic and you will happily go to your grave without ever drinking a Guinness again. read more

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Wendy M.

103

339

2 years ago

Kindercare kind-of-bar. Lots of kids running around, while parents enjoying their drinks. The place is beautifully done. No non-alcoholic options besides water except bombacha. Burger was really good, although kinda pricey. No dessert options. read more

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Thom C.

1 year ago

Excellent food, not your average pub grub. House pickled vegetables and kimchi are worth a special trip. Good beer. Excellent service all around. A mercifully cool breeze, fresh off the ocean. read more

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A W.

145

1 year ago

My new favorite place! Casual, great beer, the fried chicken hot honey sandwich and fries are a revelation! I've brought two of my foodiest friends here and they both agreed- absolutely a hidden gem- get yourself here!!! read more

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Joel O.

2 years ago

It was sooo great . A real Neighborhood Vibe and then some !!! Brought a friend a week later, he loved it as well . I'm definitely coming back . read more

Docent Brewing - Loved sitting at the bar and trying a couple new beers from Docent Brewery , and two Tacos - really really good. - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Christine L.

7 months ago

The service is fast and everyone is super nice! Food is delicious and all the drink options are plenty! I don't love the dogs allowed inside because it's a small space but I still love it and go as much as possible! :) read more

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Thomas P.

2 years ago

Great west coast IPAs and atmosphere. It's like a remodeled home with an open floor plan and a wonderful dog friendly backyard. We order three different tacos. There were all birria style but, the verde taco was the best. read more

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Jeff M.

1 year ago

Proper smash burger - soft bun, onion jam, double patty and cheese. Good beer and super friendly staff as well

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C C.

1 year ago

So good. The smash burger is awesome. Got the bbq coleslaw as a side which was also great. Very nice buildout and friendly service. Definitely coming back! read more

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Minh D.

1 year ago

Ambiance was great. Just a relaxed spot with good beer in a nicely tucked away part of town. Feels remote but close enough to the action. Lots of outdoor seating and room. read more

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Rick I.

7 months ago

Great vibe but woefully understaffed. There's 150 people here and 1 bartender with an attitude.

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Steven ..

1 year ago

Sam is the best!!! Also this should be a restaurant for how good the food is. Get the smash burger!!!

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Vanessa M.

125

1 year ago

Service was terrible! Don't waste your time or money! The Staff was rude, did not greet us, provide a menu, or explain the food/drink options. Luckily the patron sitting next to us let us borrow his menu so we could finally order. The food was bland and drinks were overpriced. read more

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Page 2 of 3

3060 State St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Directions
Visit Website
http://www.docentbrewing.com

Hours

What time does Docent Brewing open?

Docent Brewing opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Docent Brewing close?

Docent Brewing closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.Docent Brewing closes at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue, Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PMWed-Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Docent Brewing take credit cards?

Yes, Docent Brewing takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Docent Brewing serve alcohol?

Yes, Docent Brewing serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Docent Brewing allow dogs?

Yes, Docent Brewing allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Docent Brewing have bike parking?

Yes, Docent Brewing has bike parking.

Does Docent Brewing have outdoor seating?

Yes, Docent Brewing has outdoor seating options.

Does Docent Brewing have parking?

Yes, Docent Brewing has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Docent Brewing have free WiFi?

Yes, Docent Brewing has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Docent Brewing

Is there a phone number for this location?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Is this place dog friendly?

Yes, the side and back patio are perfect for dogs

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Miguel's Cocina

If you are craving a great cheese sauce with chips, or are craving really good but junky Mexican…read moreFood, this is the place. When I say Junky, it's not that it tastes bad. It's just not the kind of Mexican restaurant where the veggies are organic and they are not using seed oils. And it works if you've got young kids in tow because the staff is nothing but friendly. I would say it's a very family friendly restaurant perfect for that little strip of Chick Filet, In and Out area of the 101 in Carlsbad. Funny. I am sure Chick Filet is not spelled that way .... but I've never eaten there, and don't really pay attention to fast food restaurants. In and Out is delicious too, but when I got to the bottom of the fries and it said they clearly use seed oils.... I was done. I understand that America is poisoning us ..... so I can't really applaud Miguel. But I also understand that many of us have young kids and less money. It's more about the gathering or being comfortable going for a meal. So it's definitely an option for many people. Plus we're stressed so comfort food is a nice break. I did not go for a salad. I did not go for things not fried. So I would say Miguels is good for a break from eating healthy. Not to deny yourself. Just not to do it as a regular thing. One last thing: My 3 year old grandson ordered fruit. Hmmm..... With gusto, garlic and gratitude, Chef Marian San Diego Foodies Carlsbad Foodies

We visited this restaurant for the first time while celebrating our wedding anniversary. The…read morewaitress was genuinely friendly and attentive, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, the food did not meet expectations. I ordered a chicken taco with a cheese enchilada, while my husband went with two crunchy chicken tacos. His tacos were disappointing--overloaded with onions and what seemed like a messy combination of ingredients--and lacked appeal or good flavor. Despite asking for a simpler, standard version, the second attempt still tasted off. My chicken enchilada seemed microwaved and lacking freshness, and the taco was soggy and overloaded. We left feeling quite disappointed. Sadly, we both felt unwell afterward; my husband especially had a rough evening, vomitting throughout. While the service was friendly and the restaurant was clean, the subpar quality of food means we probably won't return. It was an unfortunate experience, especially after such a special occasion.

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Interior

Sangria, Strawberry margarita, chips, queso and salsa

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Happy hour all night!!!!

Pure Project - Carlsbad

Locally owned & operated

Free WiFi

I've been to slot of breweries in my 20 years of drinking lol…read more This place had automatic good vibes as soon as u walk in The service was great the bartender even let me sample 4 different ipa beers so I could find the right one Haven't tried the food but I'll let u know Try there double hazy ipa I only needed one I was feeling pretty nice

We were visiting family and we were driving by and saw a brewery sign so had to stop. It can be a…read morebit difficult to find parking but found one a few streets away. When you walk in the place was busy and people were enjoying a beer. It is not a large place but there are tables inside and outside. We were greeted right away and asked for some recommendations. We decided on a flight so we could try a few different styles. We found a spot where we could see outside and enjoy all the sights. The beers were good they have many available to go. We sat next to a couple with an older dog who were very friendly.

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Señor Grubby's

I had a yummy vegan taco plate! They have two vegan taco options, nopales and vegan choriqueso…read more(chorizo and cheese). The nopales were very unique and had an interesting slightly fruity flavor but I think I preferred the choriqueso. I got rice and refried beans as my side, both of which were also delicious. However I think there was some mixup and I'm pretty sure they accidentally put real cheese on my beans. When I ordered, I clearly heard the guy tell the kitchen that my plate was to be "all vegan including the cheese" but it seems like what happened was they put vegan cheese on my tacos but real cheese on the beans. Love that they are clearly making an effort to have the menu be vegan friendly but there seem to be some kinks to work out. Overall though I really liked the food here and I would come back! Everyone who interacted with us was very friendly and we enjoyed the outside seating.

We didn't have time for a sit-down restaurant for breakfast, and were in the CV area, so we tried…read moreSeñor Grubby's. My wife said she'd never really liked anything she got there, but I said let's give them another try. Counter service was meh. No personality. No greeting. Just took the order and sent us on our way. Her attitude seemingly got worse after I didn't tip. (I do NOT tip at a counter place where I do all the refills and bus my own table.) We got their a 8:30 and they had to put the coffee out because we ordered it. All the bar stools in the front were all upside down on the tables. I'm sure we could have pulled them down, but come-on. It's 8:30 on a Sunday morning. Put your damn chairs down. My wife ordered the Al Pastor scramble served American style (hash browns & toast). The portion was small (no WAY that was three eggs), and the al pastor meat pieces were lacking flavor. The hash browns were barely cooked. She said, "this is what I was talking about." $17 or so. I ordered the breakfast burrito allegedly with chicken fried steak in it. $17 for JUST a burrito with no sides. I tasted no evidence of CFS, but I did taste some sausage gravy. It was a generously sized burrito. I will also add that their salsas go from NO heat (fresca) to super heat. Nothing in the middle. And one of the hot salsas was just yuck. (The one with all the pepper flakes in it.) The other tasted OK. They had carrots & jalapeños at the salsa bar, but tiny cups to put them in, so... Anyway... I like the surf and turf here, but everything else just seems meh. In a town with so much good Mexican food, I'll go elsewhere. The drive-through around the corner would have been cheaper and tastier.

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Craft Coast Beer & Tacos

This place in San Marcos is CRAFTed and curated to perfection. We used to come here when it was…read moreRip Current. Even though that closed this place was a nice surprise in its venue takeover. You order at the Bar counter for your Brew & for the tacos. The food is made at their permanent fixture food truck outside. The tacos are amazing and generously portioned. The Birria was my favorite! Carne asada was good too. The staffers are nice and ready to serve. There is high communal and individual table top seating inside and sports playing on the TV. Picnic Bench tables out on the front patio are & close to the food truck. It's pretty busy but worth the little wait for your tacos to be done. So sip sip while you wait for the buzzer to go off! Looking forward to our next visits here.

The tacos were delicious as can be, the birria tacos had me go for seconds as they were that good…read morealone! The workers there were super friendly and chill and when asking about their in house beers they were not hesitant to see what you like and give you a beverage to the best of your liking! The lighting inside is just right for day or night as it allows natural lighting in during the day with the garage door style windows and when it's night time the interior lights are not over powering to brighten up the place! If you all have not tried the "local motion" i HIGHLY recommend it if you like a great IPA! If you are looking for a great place with good vibes and a perfect place to kick back to eat tacos and have a beer or two i definitely recommend craft coast in San Marcos!

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Inside seating

Polo asada taco and birria mulita

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Ranch Water and Seastar

Shorehouse Kitchen

If you're looking for a dog-friendly brunch spot in Carlsbad, this is it! They have an awesome dog…read moremenu, which made the experience even better for us and our pups. The goat cheese burger was honestly one of my favorite meals I've had in a long time--so flavorful and perfectly cooked. The fries were also outstanding: super crispy and delicious. Great food, welcoming atmosphere, and a perfect place to bring your dog. We'll definitely be back!

This place has hit the spot 3 times now! Located by the train station in Carlsbad, you can come…read morehere for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a VERY early dinner. The menu is a variety and everything we've tried has tasted so fresh! My only qualm was recently ordering a soda water with lime for $4.50, although they're free refills I thought this was very expensive. The service has always been fast and friendly when it comes to seating, ordering and food delivery, as they are always quite busy it's appreciated that it's always been a short wait with a smile! The outdoor seating is covered and quaint, there's indoor seating, a coffee shop and a restroom. The parking in village parking nearby, but we've never had an issue!

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Beach Bowl

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Maple fried chicken sandwich with hash brown

Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe

We came for the pie but the rest of the food was delicious as well. The California Benedict was…read morespectacular and the home fries were beautifully crispy and perfectly seasoned. The number of pie options was the thing we were most excited about and they had all four of the ones we wanted to try. The staff were friendly and attentive and made our visit great. We will definitely visit again the next time we're in Carlsbad.

plenty of seating, friendly service, and a huge menu. We tried the ribeye, steak salad, pot pie,…read morepecan roll, and strawberry rhubarb crisp. The ribeye was my favorite thin cut but seasoned perfectly. The pot pie was a little salty for me, and the desserts were just alright. Overall, great prices and awesome service. The food was good, just not really my style.

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A rose by any other name is still a rose... You may quote me... lol.

The Tamarack Beach Club Sandwich and a side of fries

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Tortillas

Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Carlsbad

We came in for a late dinner while in the area. I've had it bookmarked for a while so it was…read moreserendipitous that we happened to be in Vista for a birthday party just around the corner. The restaurant is small, cozy, welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. It isn't well suited for larger parties as most tables are tables for 2 unless tables are pushed together. They do have patio seating and heaters outside, but it didn't appeal to me being so close to the street/loud traffic. Gabriel checked us in, seated us, took our order, served our food and waited on us for majority of our visit, I would give him 10 stars just on his impeccable service. The food though? The food was AMAZING!! Everything we ordered was the best we have ever had anywhere. The buns were very kawaii (and we ordered ever single one to try). The fillings were savory, but we also loved their seasonal panda bun with ube filling while the kids preferred the nutella bunny. Best chicken karaage we've had by far, the coating almost tasted like it was rolled in kinako powder. The ramen broth was "chef's kiss" with so much flavors, the crab rangoon were jumbo and the filling was delicious, but the chicken katsu was also the best we have had anywhere (including Hawaii). The breading was just top tier crunchy while the chicken was thick and juicy. There isn't one bad thing I could say about this place, from the service to the food, I would make the drive out here again. Super duper, highly recommend, don't sleep on this little place, you'll regret it!

Okay, I found out Harumama Ramen + Sushi was in my neighborhood so I had to check it out. I wanted…read moreto see if it's the same as another one I've been to about 20 minutes away. Since I'm a lover of information, I looked up "Harumama". It's a combination of two words: the Korean word haru, which means "day," and "mama". Together, it translates to "mom's daily food". The name reflects the restaurant's mission to serve dishes prepared with the same love, care, and attention that a mother gives to her family's everyday meals. How lovely is that?! Anyhow, I was able to find street parking and walked into a clean dining space with a nice atmosphere. It wasn't too busy. Again, the staff was very attentive and provided stellar service. My food came out pretty fast. I loooved how my Drunken Noodles had the right amount of chicken and peanuts. Overall, another fun flavorful time. I'm still a Harumama fan. I can't wait to try more dishes. I highly recommend this location to the Yelp Community!!

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Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Great service and food! We were nearby at the Museum of Making Music and decided to stop here for…read morelunch. It was a Saturday afternoon and we were able to sit right away at some high tops near the bar. I ordered a burger and my husband got the wings. We loved the food! He also got a flight of 4 beers to give everything a try since we are visiting and have never been here. The burger was pretty big and very flavorful, I left feeling very full. It also came with fries that were seasoned well and weren't soggy. We came back at the end of our trip to get a case of the beer to bring home with us, that's how much my husband liked it. Everyone we interacted with on both days were very nice and helpful! This was a great place and I thought the prices were pretty good.

We visited on Wednesday after spending the day at Legoland. I purposely held off on writing this…read morereview because I wanted to see if I'd feel differently after having some time to reflect. Unfortunately, after thinking it over, I still feel the same way. Our family decided to come to Karl Strauss Brewery for dinner since it was close by. We were looking forward to relaxing and enjoying a meal after a fun day at the park. When we arrived, the hostess was very friendly and got us seated quickly, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, that's where our positive experience ended. The restaurant was extremely busy, and it took quite a while before our server came to greet us. We were able to order waters, but even those took a long time to arrive. After another long wait, we finally ordered our appetizers. Our original server, who I believe said her name was Noemi or Naomi, came across as overwhelmed, stressed, and like she didn't enjoy her job. While I understand restaurants get busy, her attitude made us feel like we were an inconvenience. She wasn't very attentive, especially to our kids, who had been at Legoland all day and were extremely hungry. She never came back to take their food order, and we found ourselves waiting longer and longer without any communication. Eventually, another server took over our table. She was incredibly kind, friendly, and apologetic. We explained that we had already been waiting a long time and just wanted to place our food order to go so we could get our hungry kids back to the hotel. She handled the situation professionally and did her best to help, which we truly appreciated. If you're dining with young children, I'd keep in mind that service may not be the best fit if your family needs an attentive server or timely service. Waiting extended periods without updates can be especially difficult for tired, hungry kids. It's disappointing because the restaurant itself seemed nice, and the hostess and second server were both wonderful. Unfortunately, the experience with our original server left a bad impression. While I understand busy nights happen, the lack of attentiveness and communication made for a frustrating experience, and because of that, I don't think we'll be returning.

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View from the open patio area

Beer-Brined Pork Chops

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Fish and Chips

Pelly's Fish Market & Café

Popular spot at a strip mall with lots of parking space. It gets pretty crowded with plenty of…read morepeople coming in but the fresh seafood is worth the wait. We love the taco combo as you can try a shrimp taco and a fish taco. The meats are very tender and flavorful and filling. Surprisingly, they also have a sashimi platter with lots of pieces which is worth the price but the rice as a side dish is kind of pricy.... Just cook your own rice if possible.

3.5 stars Stopped by…read morePelly's Fish Market & Cafe for lunch on a Monday afternoon. There was a decent weekday crowd, with the restaurant about 60% occupied when we arrived. Ordered the Small Boston White Clam Chowder ($6.99), 3 Piece Fish & Chips with fries ($21.99), and the Sea Bass Plate ($25.99) which came with two sides - opted for Spanish rice and black beans. The clam chowder was just okay and nothing particularly special. The sea bass with garlic butter was a little bland and definitely needed some hot sauce or tartar sauce for extra flavor. The Spanish rice also tasted like it had been sitting out for a while and was a little dry. I did appreciate that the black beans came topped with some cheese and were served in a little tostada bowl - a nice touch. The fish and chips were hands down the best thing we ordered. The fish had a super crispy batter and the fries were crispy as well. Definitely the standout of the meal. Pelly's is located in a shared plaza with Ralphs, so there are plenty of parking spaces available. Both indoor and outdoor seating and it's a counter-service setup where you order at the counter and they'll bring the food out to your table.

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Sashimi Tray

Aura Gardens

Best place ever, food is bomb. Service is great and fast. They never have you waiting. Everyone…read moreworks so hard. We will definitely be coming back

So delightful!! Tried the maple bacon eggs benedict & protein toast & both were great. Large…read moreportions, very filling. The maple bacon on the eggs benedict really elevated it & the dish may have converted me into a breakfast person. The toast was LOADED & so deliciously flavored. An unexpected standout was the tallow biscuit! I didn't know how delicious a biscuit could be. We loved it so much we took one to go. We went on a Sunday morning so there was a line, but it moved very quickly & service was quick! The decor inside is also quirky & cute & gives a sweet ambiance. Will definitely return when in the area.

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Stella Jean's Ice Cream

I love Stella Jean! I go to the Carlsbad location often and see that their menu changes with…read moredifferent seasonal options but they always offer a variety of vegan options! As a matcha lover, their new matcha + pandan birthday cake flavor hit the spot. Extra points for the vegan waffle cone. Sampled the POG too and it tasted like a Hawaiian summer.

Tonight, I'll be dreaming of the ube pandesal ice cream that I had today. Ube has become the thing…read morein the last couple of years, but it's been around. It's not always executed deliciously, but Stella Jean delivered this product and then some! The pandesal and toffee add some sweetness, savoriness and crunch. No wonder it is its number 1 item. Was able to try other items like the banana turon and butter pecan. I can't wait to order more. It's part of the cottages off Roosevelt Street. Parking comes and goes but it gets busy. Still worth trying after some frustration finding a spot. It's part of a cute little section with plenty of seating.

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(D) Matcha + Pandan Birthday Cake (v)

Guava Cream Cheese

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Creme Fraiche Clementine Cake / Ube Pandesal Toffee

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Briley D.

158

8 months ago

The humans seem to specialize in beer drinking and noted this spot had some tasty IPAs. I really enjoyed the cozy spot which reminded me of lodges up in big bear. Best part is my options to be fully employed have expanded to include the prospect of bartending as I was told I would do great! look at me already being so good at it!! Drag your humans here after exploring Carlsbad Village for a refreshing beer and maybe you too can get a pup bartending job offer if you are as lucky as me!! read more

Nickey P.

5 months ago

Living nearby, I'm lucky to have this place as my go-to. it's definitely my top pick in the area!

Docent Brewing - brewpubs - Updated August 2026

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2 Docent Brewing reviews that are not currently recommended

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

Docent Brewing - brewpubs - Updated August 2026

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