Amazing experience! Highly recommend for a special occasion. Love that Carlsbad has become a culinary destination! read more

See all

Lilo was beyond scrumptious, creative tastings. It was a captivating magical experience. From the moment you arrive , literally stepping through the outdoor entrance to having an end of dinning tea service relaxing by the fire pit. I didn't want it to end. The courses are all prepared like a work of art and the flavor and quality was off the charts stellar. The customer service was intimate and friendly. I felt like I had a private dining experience. The staff knew our names and the timing of all the dishes and drinks were perfectly in sync. Each drink and each dish came with a story and/ or a detailed description which made me appreciate the lengths to make the dish and the creative genius behind it. We loved all the courses served I highly recommend sitting at the counter, you get an amazing view of the chefs preparing each course. Our sommelier Kaitlyn (unsure of spelling) was amazing and a wealth of information. She explained how the drinks complimented each dish She would go into the history of the wineries/ bev company. Truly fascinating . She was so helpful and patient when I kept asking for her to repeat information. When you complete your tasting you are escorted to the patio and fire pit to relax. Kaitlyn brought us a tea service, with personalized thank you cards. I actually felt disappointed the evening was coming to a close. The owner John greeted us and made us feel so welcomed. We enjoyed his vintage music system. The vinyl albums and tapes being played were appealing and familiar to me. I'm usually the person complaining about weird New Age/ electronic (i don't know what it is music) I hear at several dining spots The staff are all 10 Stars. The menu had a great variety Our party of 4 found every plate delicious. The scallops were my favorite and the side of freshly baked bread served with the Maine lobster was out of this world. Anyway I can go on and on. I highly recommend Lilo I encourage you to engage with the friendly staff They are happy you are there and it shines through with everything they present you. read more

See all

Excellent food, service in atmosphere. We did the chef's table. Non-alcohol and alcoholic pairing were excellent We go back in a heartbeat. Highly recommend. read more

Memorable experience. Having dinner here was a total experience from the moment we entered to the moment we walked out. Delicious food, inviting atmosphere with beautiful lighting and decoration. Attentive informed staff and incredible chefs. Can't wait to go back. read more

Lilo - Appetizers - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

The experience at this 1-star Michelin restaurant was phenomenal. I anticipate they will receive more stars in the future. The dining experience begins outside in their courtyard area. The ambiance is amazing. Plenty of heaters to keep you warm set at just the right temp. You are given a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and the small bites begin. At this point too then decide if you want to do a drink pairing or order a standalone cocktail or wine. I went with the wine/saki pairing. They then move you inside. I sat at the counter. Here the remainder courses are served. Ambiance inside is also chic and you can see everything happening in the kitchen. Service remained impeccable throughout. My favorite was the caviar over ice cream with the white truffle (white truffle is added charge). The A5 wagyu is also amazing. After the last dessert course, they take you outside for some tea which concludes the evening. I can't wait to return. read more

See all

The ambiance was lovely -- the restaurant has a clean, modern design that feels both inviting and elegant. Service was excellent: friendly, professional, and attentive throughout. My favorite dishes were the scallops and the adorable little brioche bread. The ice cream with caviar was a surprising highlight -- I wasn't expecting that combo to work, but it was delicious. Great job on that creative twist! I was a bit disappointed with the main entrée. The American wagyu was on the chewy side, I think Japanese wagyu would've been a better choice for a Michelin-star experience. Desserts also fell short of expectations. The financier was just okay, and the stroopwafel didn't stand out -- overall, the dessert course felt underwhelming. That said, it was still a very nice dining experience overall, and I'd recommend giving this place a try. read more

See all

Unbelievable food and experience but I cannot recommend this place because they use seed oils on all their food and are unable to make exceptions. It's hard to believe that a restaurant of this caliber would even use seed oils in the first place bc they are so just so bad for people, especially when so many restaurants in our area are now avoiding all seed oils as part of the health movement we are starting to see. Hopefully posts like this will make restaurants change. I hope so. read more

We were so excited to eat at this restaurant since our first Michelin starred experience was at their sister restaurant Jeune et Jolie (so amazing!) LILO did not disappoint. It lived up to the hype that we created in our minds and blew it away. From the beginning of the experience entering the restaurant and sitting in the beautiful courtyard to enjoy the assortment of amuse bouche to the very last dessert bite, the staff here created the most amazing atmosphere. Our captain Andrew was phenomenal and did a great job setting the night and explained all our alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings. Coco, who created the pairings is literally visionary. I don't normally drink or even get mocktails but since we were celebrating our recent marriage and my husband's birthday, I opted for the non-alcoholic pairing. One of the best culinary decisions I've ever made. Even my husband said some of my pairing options were blowing his alcoholic pairings away. Pastry chef Maddie was the sweetest person and put so much thought in every single dish, from the butter in the brioche to the sourcing of the rice in the desserts. Every single dessert was fabulous and hit all the right notes. The banana/rice dessert was such perfection that the alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairing was honestly not necessary. We can't wait to come back to mark another life celebration! read more

See all

Celebrated our anniversary at Lilo, what an amazing dining journey! We started in the garden with a five-bite course, then moved inside, where the chefs prepared each dish in front of us and thoughtfully explained the ingredients. After eight courses of incredible savory dishes and desserts, we returned to the garden for tea. Lilo is truly a wonderful restaurant and for a brand-new spot, earning a Michelin star is well deserved. read more

See all

I had very high hopes for an exquisite dining experience at Lilo for my birthday, but unfortunately, I was very disappointed. First of all, they fraudulently added extra tip to our bill. They require full payment upfront with included 20% gratuity to book your reservation. However, we opted to bring our own wine bottle for a corkage fee and also upgraded one of our dishes with truffle. The corkage fee was $100 and the truffle was $30. They also added an automatic 20% gratuity ($26) plus tax ($12.09) so the total was $168.09. I checked my credit card later and they ended up charging me $208.09. Why would I add an extra $40 on tip when gratuity was already added? For a fine dining establishment/Michelin star restaurant, this is incredibly unprofessional. The food honestly wasn't that great either. I kept on waiting for that wow moment, but the dishes kept falling short. The meal started with some small bites in the outside patio, which actually was a nice touch to the start of the evening. The presentation was visually appealing, but did not follow through with taste. The Santa Barbara sea urchin dish was overpowered by the butternut squash, so you couldn't really taste the sea urchin. The Rock crab dish looked beautiful, but all you could taste is lime/sour notes and missed the sweet umami flavor of the rock crab. The littleneck clam dish just tasted like tomato ice. They had a tempura dish that was awful. When you bit into the tempura fried vegetable, it just filled your mouth with oil and I almost wanted to gag. It wasn't that crispy and just way too oily. I actually took one bite and stopped eating the whole dish. The server came by and asked what was wrong and I gave her my honest opinion so they tried to make another dish for me which still tasted bad. The Waygu felt a little undercooked because it felt like your were just eating a big piece of fat. I felt like they needed to render out the fat a little bit more to bring out the flavor. The way you dishes where they offered the truffle supplement, but the truffle tasted like dirt. The waiter said that the truffles were from South America or Peru, but it didn't have that typical truffle flavor. The one dish that I did like was the caviar with ice cream. Very unique flavors. All the other dishes were just unmemorable. The service was good, and everyone working was very attentive, but the overall experience just left something to be desired. read more

See all

This fine dining addition to the San Diego food scene is incredible! We went to Lilo during just their second week being open, and they were already firing on all cylinders. We began the dinner outside in the patio on a cool night, but were warmed by the heaters, the large fire pit, and the blankets provided. The welcome staff was friendly attentive, and very helpful. With a concept as unique as this to the area, it was great to have so many great personalities to ask questions to. Upon arrival, they gave us the most delicious welcome drink that opened our palettes. As the welcome bites arrived, we got excited for our special night to come. After those are finished, we were escorted inside for the rest of our dinner. We were fortunate to be seated at one of the four-tops in the kitchen which makes for a fun, unique and immersive experience. I won't go into too much detail, but every dish that came out was thoughtfully explained, delicious, and well executed. If we had any questions about the preparation, ingredients, or how the dish was created, the chef's or the servers were happy to answer and thorough in their thoughtful response. Each of us had the different drink pairings, from the non-alcoholic, to the light Goldilocks, to the full alcohol. Even though I did not participate in the pairings, it seemed that the non-alcoholic and full were the most well received. After dinner, we were treated to a tea service out by the fire pit, which was an excellent way to end an incredible dinner. This was special occasion for our group, and the Lilo team made it an unforgettable night for all of us. I can't wait to see what more they do at this amazing spot. They're very well deserving if their first Michelin star they just received, but I'm sure they'll be getting many more accolades in the future. read more

See all

Hands down the best restaurants in San Diego. Creative, delicious, and precise. Such a delightful experience. read more

See all

Finally made it to Lilo, the restaurant that earned a Michelin star in record time - and wow, it was beyond amazing! From the welcome drink and appetizers in the courtyard I, to sitting at the counter watching the chefs work their magic ，and ending back in the garden with dessert and tea -- every moment felt thoughtfully designed and beautifully paced. Each dish came with a detailed introduction, service was warm and attentive, and the presentation was pure art. Three courses in particular completely blew us away -creative, delicious, and unforgettable. Honestly, Lilo feels way above one Michelin star. Definitely a place l'd come back to again! read more

See all

Absolutely phenomenal, hands down the very best dining experience my wife and I have had ever, let alone anywhere in San Diego. We have been all over the globe and have had some great food no doubt, this was of another caliber, unbeatable service, the ambiance and creative indoor/outdoor dining component was executed exceptionally well! Took my wife out for her birthday and they did not fall short of making the occasion extra special. read more

Underwhelming for the price I really wanted to like Lilo, especially given all the hype, but the experience fell short across the board. The prices are on par with serious fine-dining restaurants, yet the execution simply isn't there. The dishes looked nice but lacked depth of flavor, and a few plates felt more like concepts than actual enjoyable food. For what they charge, you expect precision, consistency, and something memorable -- none of which really came through. Service was polite but disconnected, and the pacing felt off, making the whole meal feel longer than it needed to be. Not a terrible restaurant, but definitely not worth the premium pricing. With a bit more refinement and attention to detail, they could get there -- but right now, it's mostly style without enough substance. read more

An absolutely fantastic experience overall...with food so good it made the few rough edges stand out more than they normally would. The dishes themselves were spectacular. However, two courses were served in bowls that turned spoon-to-ceramic contact into an ASMR experience no one asked for...think nails on a chalkboard. Minor, but oddly distracting when you're trying to savor greatness. I also made the rookie mistake of ordering the non-alcoholic pairing without realizing it was nearly half the price of the tasting menu for seven polite sips. I genuinely appreciated the passion and craftsmanship--some of these drinks take weeks to prepare--but in the end, I would've much rather redirected that budget toward more food. I worried I was missing out...turns out, not really. Safe to skip. The final drink was so sweet I had to send it back, yet it still appeared on the bill, which was a bit of a letdown--especially since I then ordered (and paid for) another drink. A tiny smudge on an otherwise shiny experience. Minor, nerdy notes: * The ice cream course would benefit from a non-metal utensil--the spoon subtly changed the flavor and pulled focus from the dish. * The wooden spoon with the caviar looked great, but its flavor and texture were louder than the caviar itself. Mother-of-pearl would keep the elegance without stealing the spotlight. All that said, the food was truly exceptional and the experience memorable. These are nitpicks born from how close this was to perfection...and I'd happily return. The highlight of the evening was meeting David, who expertly prepared our proteins over live coals with absolute precision. The steak had a phenomenal crust while landing perfectly at medium, while the lobster carried a gentle smokiness and remained incredibly tender and delicate, never overcooked. Beyond the technique, David radiated genuine passion and pride in his craft...something you don't see nearly often enough, and it elevated the entire experience. read more

There aren't enough reviews so I wanted to throw another 5 stars in, but the reviews they do have are so eloquently written that I don't feel the need to write anything lengthy. I'll add quick thoughts: I've been twice in the past 6 weeks. They changed the menu slightly between visits, keeping my favorites but adding in some amazing new bites. The uni atop sweet potato served outside was one of my favorites on the second visit but that wasn't part of the first. I ordered the Monte Carlo off the a la carte drink menu, and their take on this drink was better than the traditional. Tequila instead of whiskey, with miso caramel which was explained to us but I can't remember the steps to make it. Something more complicated than I could make with my makeshift cocktail bar at home. My favorite flavor combination was the caviar ice cream. Here's a hot tip: you can ask for duplicates of your favorite dishes! I asked for an extra caviar ice cream to eat outside by the fire. The alcoholic drink that comes with the pairing that's served last, is my favorite off that menu. It has cream on top, is made with that same caramel miso, and is served in a draaja. I finished this one before the dessert came out, and they slyly replaced my empty glass with a new one. So sly that someone at my table asked how my empty glass magically refilled itself. Every last detail has been planned. Even the glassware is chosen with intention, and the staff is prepared to explain even the smallest touches. The first shift arrives at 7am to start prepping (restaurant opens at 5pm), the dinner shift arrives at 1pm to continue what the morning shift started. This is an incredible experience and I will be back. read more

All of the glowing reviews about Lilo are absolutely accurate. From start to finish, everything was phenomenal -- the food, the staff, and the service. The chefs were not only talented but also incredibly sweet and memorable, which made the entire dining experience feel special. The cod was hands down the best I've ever had, perfectly prepared and full of flavor. The lobster and wagyu were also outstanding -- absolutely unforgettable dishes. And the banana dessert? Truly the best dessert I've ever had in my life. Everything was phenomenal! Lilo is a rare gem. The ambiance and music were also great, and I can't wait to come back. read more

See all

Truly a masterpiece. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, you are fully immersed in the Lilo experience. My partner and I had such a phenomenal time for our anniversary dinner. Thank you to all the staff and thank you for the kind letter! read more

See all

Good food, great presentation. The first couple courses are served outside in the courtyard which could be OK except the set up is awkward and all the chairs are uncomfortable. Could use better/more waitstaff although the restaurant is so small I'm not sure there would be room. read more

We live nearby and went to Jeune et Jolie before they got their Michelin star, and coincidentally did the same thing at Lilo. Everything was immaculate and impeccable. What makes each course special is that it's a cohesive experience, making fluid use of their outdoor and indoor spaces. The staff rotates taking the time to explain the dishes, and they're watching to make sure you have everything you need. We went for my husband's 39th birthday and it was our favorite dining experience. The menu was seafood-focused, fresh, and flavorful. Every bite is a flavor bomb hitting different, bright notes. Props to the owners for their meaningful naming conventions for all 4 restaurants. We're already looking forward to the next time. Until then, congrats Lilo team on your star! So well-deserved. read more

See all

Very nice ambiance, awesome service, the food was good. They were very accommodating to everyone's food allergies/preferences. Only wished they would have accommodated for 5 guests at the counter (could have sat at a corner). Will return to try other seasonal dishes in the springtime! Thank you for a wonderful experience!!! read more

See all

What an amazing experience. Won't give any spoilers but the reception from arrival to departure was just next level. Been to many a Michelin star restaurant including Addison but the experience here beat most all of them. Definitely a must visit for a top notch culinary experience. read more

See all

Absolutely amazing. Have been fortunate enough to go to all the Michelin starred restaurants in Los Angeles and I would put Lido up there with any of them. And yes that includes the 3 starred Michelin restaurants. The food is spectacular and the service is impeccable. Outside and inside seating for different courses is a great touch as well. Kudos to Chef Eric Bost and his team. Well on your way to additional stars. read more

A stunning experience, creative thoughtful and delicious. Service is exemplary. I give 4 stars instead of 5 because the desserts were just way too sweet. Every savory dish was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I still highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Service, ambiance, and presentation was amazing. Food was inconsistent as some dishes were over seasoned while other dishes were over seasoned. Out of maybe 4 amuse bouche and 8 dishes (5 savory, 3 sweet), i thought 2 or 3 were 'worthy.' The verbal descriptions for each dish were so complicated that it was a speed presentation by each chef. I know that is sort of the norm for michelin and/or prixe fixe menus, but even for this category, it was fast. Lastly, there was a lot of upselling happening. We were asked 5 times before our 4th dish if we wanted a bottle of wine or more to drink despite our glasses still partially full. Then there was the elaborate story on white truffles. What is funny is every time they asked about drinks, they never offered a menu and the initial glass of wine we ordered never showed up until we inquired about it after some wait. Is it worth trying...sure. Is it worth going back to...nope. read more

Lilo deserves its star. I don't see how it can be 2. I don't know if it wants that but if it's goal is great food, happy dinners, interesting pairings (with or without alcohol) than I appreciate what they are trying to achieve and bravo. (4.5 out of 5) read more

Thank you so much for the experience! Love the regional ingredients. The managers and staff were terrific. I've been here several days ago, and to my surprise they've already changed one course on the menu, and personally I like the new one even more. Overall it felt choreographed and they took care of every detail. Looking forward to the next visit! read more

Lilo - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

If you get a chance to be in one of the 22 seats at Lilo, you will be in for a culinary treat in an inviting, serene environment. Be prepared for 2 1/2-3 hours of non-stop courses and beverages from a highly-attentive staff while you watch it all go down just a few feet in front of you. Not only was the food incredible, but the experience was personalized for us with outstanding service. John Resnick was super approachable and friendly, and made sure we were well-taken care of all evening. One of the highlights of the evening isn't even listed on the menu. The very first drink we were given to begin our meal was a refreshing, clear, tomato drink with cocktail ice unlike anything we'd ever tasted. Our top three favorite courses without question were the scallops, ice cream with caviar (who knew?!), and the banana rice dessert (almost licked the bowl). Another standout distinction was the use of coffee oil, almond oil, matcha oil, and banana oil on various courses. These were absolutely delicious cherries on top of their respective dishes. We were stuffed by the time the night was over, and were served a lovely white tea service to end the evening. Lilo is a very strong, welcome addition to San Diego's restaurant scene, and I hope you can enjoy it soon. Thank you to the team for a fantastic evening! read more

See all

LILO is more than just the latest in San Diego's fine dining its is an extraordinary dining experience. With Chef Eric Bost and restauranteur John Resnick at the helm, each of the 12 courses is an explosion of flavors and surprises, crafted and presented with precision and creativity. The entire experience is elevated by the restaurant's unique design. From the patio to the circular dining area which surrounds the chef's and prep stations the space and staff create a circular or wave-like feeling of enthusiasm. At the entrance we were warmly welcomed by the charming and attentive maitres'd, Aubrey, who set the tone for the evening. We began on the zen-like patio with an anticipatory view into the main dining room. Kind wait staff presented small, delicious bites of little neck clams, big eye tuna paired with beef tartare, A caviar tartelette and a scrumptious role of Iberico ham plus the most refreshing tomato-based drink I've ever tasted. After our little bites we were seated inside overlooking the chefs and work stations. What followed was a parade of 9 more unique and unforgettable courses, each more beautiful and delicious than the last. I can't decide if it was the scallop roasted in brown butter and bone marrow broth or the turbot with Koji, sabayon, and get this.. coffee oil that blew my mind. But then they doubled down with an ice cream topped with caviar and house pressed almond oil. The surprises of delight continued, and the engaging staff made the evening even more memorable. I won't spoil the rest because you'll want to make a reservation soon but one last note about the blackened banana desert, it may just make you write rhapsodic about LiLo just like me. I am going back in June for my birthday! Join me!! read more

Excellent! Hands down, the best Michelin-starred restaurant experience in the area. You won't be disappointed.

4.5 stars if I could! Food and presentation was amazing. We split a drink pairing and the flavor profiles matching the food was perfect. A couple smaller details that caused me to knock off half a star. Some women were given a stool to put their purse on outside, but I was not and was just holding my purse. They gave us our first round of bites and took the plates away and we had to flag someone down to get water bc it was never offered. They ask when you book if you're celebrating anything, and then what we were celebrating was never acknowledged- so why ask? We bought the drink pairing when we booked, and then we had to tell the sommelier that we had booked it bc she had no idea so that was unorganized. How they do separate cocktails is a little strange too. You have to select it in the beginning, and they bring it out based on when it'll fit best with the course you're having. But if you have the drink pairing, you don't know yet whether you're going to want another cocktail or not. They also were trying to upsell us on truffles in the middle of the meal and it just felt off putting. They said it was $30 and we did add it and then when we went to pay realized it was $30 per person plus 20% on top of that, which is not how it was sold to us when they said it was a low price of $30 to add. The other weird thing is we saw others having tea service outside at the end of the meal, but we didn't get to do that. They gave us our envelope inside and walked us out and said bye and that was it. I feel weird that we didn't get the last step that others did. Overall the food was really good, just had to knock a half a star off for some logistics/service. read more

This place blew my mind. As a professional Chef i was extremely impressed. The food and service was amazing. The dance in the kitchen was memorizing. No yes Chef BS. Can't wait to comeback. Extremely accommodating for gluten allergy. No corners cut. read more

See all

Food is good. But too much. I think they are trying to justify their fixed price menu approach with stuffing people. Less is sometimes more. I liked the food better than Jeune et Jolie. Dishes were good with the exception of the dry aged meat. That was chewy. They could have cut off the feet of the bird they served. We had their goldilocke wine pairing. The none alcoholic drinks had all a similar taste. I guess they limit what you can do there. Looks like some of the staff from J et J got transferred. The music is too loud. The staff does for this chain typical monologue about what they about to feed you, but you can't understand anything, so just nod and smile, so they get over with it. One last note: what's up with the staff uniforms? They look like 1980 Soviet Union. I would fresh those up quickly. read more

WOW! We've been to a lot of tasting menus. Other than at an omakase, we've never been THAT close to the kitchen. Really a unique experience. Whether you book a table or chefs counter you'll be close to the action. Everyone was super friendly. Love the garden space as well. A great place to start and end your meal. read more

Lilo is incredible, and we are so grateful to have a place of this quality right in the neighborhood. Every bite we had was very very good, so picking the highlights is basically choosing the A+'s over the A's. The clear standout was almond and orange blossom ice cream with caviar, almond oil, and aged celery root--it was absolutely incredible and unlike anything I've ever tasted before, and it's going on my list of best things I've ever tasted. Maddy, the pastry chef, is incredibly talented. In addition to the ice cream, her banana dessert was also a standout. The tarts we ate outside before the meal started things out incredibly strong, and other highlights were the lobster with chili, the scallop dish, and the turbot. Again, though, not a mediocre (let alone bad) dish in the meal. The service overall was incredible, starting with Aubrey at the front of the house who welcomed us and closed the meal for us. Everyone made us feel incredibly welcome. Their consistent way of serving every dish and drink (I won't spoil it) also made the experience memorable and unique. We've been fortunate to eat at a number of the best restaurants in the world, and Lilo is right up there with the best of the best. read more

Best restaurant in San Diego at the moment. No contest. Betting the Over for their Michelin Star. Wifey said, "feels like we're in a Chef's Table episode but with better music." read more

Truly exceptional. Outstanding service from start to finish. Wonderful presentation of the food. The restaurant itself is absolutely charming. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing food. Really cool table side service when a bartender would explain the drink while mixing/pouring it, and same chefs with finishing touches to dishes table side. Cutting edge ingredients. Goldie locks drink pairing was fantastic with very high-end liquors and wines. Amazing music taste in the restaurant (I was a music major) and it's a perfect volume where you feel like other guests can't listen in on your conversation. It truly feels like the most fancy a restaurant can get, but doesn't feel snobby. Amazing wait staff and cooks/chefs. They were all very knowledgeable, professional, and kind. I hope to see it get it's second star soon :) read more

The new best in SD! Incredible experience. From the design of the space, to the level of service, to the plates that all push and explore while still offering lots of pleasant satisfying umami, to the beverage pairings, to the music choice and volume, it all comes together to create a one of kind night out. John, the chef and their team have truly created something special and San Diego is lucky to have something of this caliber. These guys deserve Michelin recognition. Bravo. We'll be back. read more