I've walked past this place plenty of times and finally decided after work to stop in, was around 7:30pm and was greeted by Micah, he was so kind and so easy to talk to. Helped me try a few wines and landed on the draft sparkling, which paired really nicely with my food. The kitchen is definitely on top of the products that come out and have high standards for their food. I left very happy with my experience, especially with the bar being filled with other kind folks, who loved to chat! Overall, the Merenda was a beautiful space, ambience was lovely. This is going to be my hidden gem that i bring my friends to and officially part of my boyfriend and I's date night list! Thank you Micah & see you soon!! read more

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My first time visiting this wine bar, it was very beautiful. The whole design is so nice! 1. Bartender was great, very friendly and kind 2. Food was OK, the pasta had an interesting flavor and it was very greasy. The potatoes could have used more seasoning. The duck liver, well i don't like duck or liver but i wanted to try it. I am interested in trying the other options. 3. I wasn't a fan of the white wine I had, so I will be trying the other types of wine they have. Overall good dining experience! read more

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Top-notch service every time we've come here I don't drink but my friends do you but I keep coming back for one thing and that is the beet salad that they make I've included those photos here hands-down it's my favorite item on the menu five out of five stars. The olives are very good. If you don't like I bet you would like these. pasta con la 'nduja - 4/5 stars Very flavorful hand cut pasta, spicy pomodoro sauce. The ''nduja just adds that spicy kick you need in this dish. Will be returning again. read more

Merenda - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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A GEM- came on wine down Wednesday where there was no corkage. Found a bright Slovenian "orange" wine to enjoy with out happy hour bites. If we lived closer, we'd be here all the time. read more

Suggest when you serve a shared dish for a table of 4, provide 4 slices of the bread accompaniment, not 3 - even if there's a slight up charge. I asked for a fourth piece and was charged $4 for a side of 3 pcs. While the meal was good otherwise, customers remember things like this when they think about returning. read more

Soo... I really wanted to like this place. I was honestly rooting for them. I'm not a wine snob, and their wine menu was totally fine... but don't come here hungry. We had a 6:30 reservation on a slow night (even the staff mentioned it), so the atmosphere was nice, quiet, and we got a great table. Off to a good start. Wine was good too. From the beginning though, the menu felt confusing. It gave "wine bar with light snacks," but not quite, and definitely not a full dinner spot either. And they never really commit to either. For example- instead of a standard charcuterie board, they offer separate meat and cheese boards, each around $25, with no option to combine them. I've literally never seen that before. Even when I lived in France, a mixed board was always the default. Here, if you want both? That'll be $50... plus $4 for bread. At that point I'm thinking okay well the entrees must be amazing. We ordered a gem salad with the meat board and bread. Fine, fresh, but kind of off flavor-wise. Then we moved on to entrees. The dinner menu was already pretty limited: 3 pasta/grain options and 2 "meat" options (chicken and mussels... which I'm not doing) But then comes the subplot: they were out of half the menu. First, they were out of the wine I originally ordered--whatever. Then we overhear the table next to us being told they're out of one of the three pasta dishes. Okay... not ideal, but still manageable. We order two pastas (lamb and tagliatelle). Five minutes later, the server comes back "so sorry, we're out of the lamb pasta." At this point, that leaves my friend with... chicken or mussels. We ask for a minute to look again, and the server says okay--then immediately follows it with, "your tagliatelle is on the way." ...what? Why would you fire one entrée when the other person at the table literally has nothing coming? Now I'm about to get hot food while my friend just sits there. If we'd known they were down to basically two options, we would've just closed out and gone somewhere else. So instead, we shared the pasta and made a plan to go get a snack somewhere else... after dinner. Like, I can't make this up. And the pasta was Honestly the most mid pasta I've ever had. The noodles were homemade .. poorly. The sauce tasted like tomato juice with red pepper flakes. Think spicy Spaghetti O's. Meanwhile, this is all happening while the table next to us is told they're now out of the salad they ordered. So at this point, they're out of 1 of 2 salads and 2 of 3 pasta dishes by like 7:30, just as the dinner crowd is starting to come in. I was genuinely confused what people were supposed to order. Also overheard the table next to us struggling with allergies and options, and their experience seemed just as chaotic but not my story to tell. Overall, I'm just confused. How do you run out of half your menu on a slow Tuesday before dinner service even ramps up? If you're going to be a snacky wine bar, lean into that. Do great boards, small plates, etc, but don't charge $50 for meat and cheese with pickled green beans and $4 bread and then barely have entrees available. Service-wise, our server was nice, but one person covering the whole floor clearly wasn't working, especially with everything going on in the kitchen. At the end of the day, it's not that deep. If you want a glass of wine and to sit and yap, this place works. Just... eat beforehand. read more

Merenda - The one surviving pasta dish - tagliatelle - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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We just heard of this place. Added it to our restaurant bucket list. Drove from La Jolla to check it out. Love the interior design--it's very my style. I love orange wines, and they have a good section. I had one from Italy--very refreshing, crisp and semi dry. Meat & cheese board--all of the contents were delicious/flavorful and felt extremely natural and healthy. Good, really knowledgeable service. PS: also really cute bathrooms! We will come back. read more

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The wine is always amazing, food is delicious and elevated but also not like anything else you can get in Oceanside, service is fantastic (HUGE shout out to Katie and the general manager - incredibly welcoming and top notch service), ambiance is chill and chic with a European vibe, but best of all is the happy hour can't be beat. Affordable glasses of wine and the best meat and cheese plate I've ever had. Will come back over and over again, thrilled to have this place in South O! read more

Merenda - Happy hour menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

All-around awesome! Merenda's wine, food, service and atmosphere fuse together exceptionally. It's a great addition to the neighborhood. The experience reminded me of a casual evening in a European tapas bar. I visited on a mellow Thursday evening and enjoyed a couple glasses of wine paired with a Tinned Fish Plate, Beet Confit Salad and buttered baguette. While somewhat simply prepared, everything was top notch and packed with complementary flavors. I sat at the bar and chatted with Connor and Phil who gave me an abundance of food and drink recommendations, introduced me to new white and orange wines. I also appreciated how they shared the story and vision for Merenda. Even though it was my first visit, I felt overly welcome like a regular patron there. Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend you stop by Merenda and experience it for yourself. Pro Tip: For my tastes, the house made hot sauce packs next level heat! Try with caution. read more

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What a joy Merenda is! I always have the best time when I go in. I highly recommend the olives to start. The chilled red is divine with the rolls. This place is already a 10/10 but it would be an 11/10 if the trout rillet came back. I dream about that dish. Anyways, take your family, friends, and lovers to Merenda - you won't be disappointed! read more

We tried Merenda last night in spite of stormy weather. We were welcomed warmly and were introduced to the ambiance of the restaurant by Katie who turned out to be a fountain of knowledge. She is a star! We tried several wines and felt the Syrah was the best. We had lots of the appetizers and loved the simple bread and butter. Rosemary scented walnuts, and the cheese board, and the speck were standouts. The Ouzi pockets were fantastic as was the lamb tartare. But for me, the treat of the night was the 'Ndjua pasta dish. So delicious! The evening flew by and I can't wait to go again! read more

ZERO STARS! I walked in to check in for my reservation on time and they kept doing everything else (chatting, checking on other tables, walked past us like we weren't there standing waiting) did everything but give me a table. The beanie hairy guy and the bald guy both were so RUDE. My suspicion is they didn't want to seat us because we had 2 little ones with us. I called the restaurant prior to booking and the young lady confirmed they were family friendly. Its OK though I didnt even want to dine in at this little random cheap restaurant I just went in because of my Resy credit with amex and it being the closest restaurant to me. read more

Cute little spot located right off the 101 in South O. Sampled quite a bit if the menu and nearly everything was prepared nicely and tastes unique. The selection of natural wines is amazing and the ambiance is solid. Service was a bit in the slow side, but they were slammed! Totally returning here read more

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Absolutely divine. The service was warm, genuine, and a bit quirky. The sips and bites were familiar yet unique. The vibe was immaculate, designed perfectly to draw attention yet make it feel like it's just normal to be surrounded by beauty. I know it's a bit vague, but I can't quite put into words the feelings Merenda invokes. Come and stay a while. read more

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Amazing food and absolutely great service!! Our server knows in and out of the food and wine menu and provided us excellent knowledge and recommendations. read more

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Great little place for sittin' and sippin' some great wines at a reasonable price for the quality. I sat at the bar and selected a nice biodiverse white, partnered with a selection of olives, cheese, and bread. The interior was very cute--they've created a nice, inviting atmosphere right there on PCH in South O. They sell wines by the bottle, but don't expect the usual big vineyard names--they have curated a nice selection of wines with an apparent focus on biodiversity. Love to come back on a rainy evening and just linger here with friends. read more

Merenda - Bread, cheese, olives. Perfect! - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary here last night an WOW! I don't even know where to begin, the food, the atmosphere & staff were just incredible. Connor you were an absolute super star, your knowledge was impressive and your service is 100/10 you really made our evening! Aaron thank you for being so kind and a combination of you and Connor the service was unmatched! The wine, spectacular and the food, the food... I woke up thinking about it and wanting round 2 of pasta at 7am! This place is beautifully curated and beyond aesthetically pleasing a real cosy cool collected place that just was everything I love wrapped up in one. We honestly can't thank you enough for the wonderful evening we had, it really was such a fabulous anniversary celebration you took real good care of us and your passion for meranda shines through, keep it up! Hopefully we can come again next time we're over from across the pond read more

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What a charming place! This has become a semi regular girls night option and I love getting to come so often. The happy hour wines are always delicious and the happy hour cheese and meat plate is a great value. I love the pastas I've had here and the greek pocket things are so yummy. Everyone I've met who works here has been a delight and both helpful and friendly. And of course you can't not mention how beautiful this place is! Its decorated fabulously but, perhaps more importantly, the lighting is perfect. I love an ambient light and this place brings it. read more

What a lovely, lovely South Oceanside gem. We had planned on meeting friends for dinner, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, my wife and I instead found ourselves alone for an impromptu date night. We decided to try Merenda during their first Tuesday evening opening. It had been recommended to us by friends who had visited during happy hour. I admit that when I first looked at the menu, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and was a bit worried that I'd be getting small bites that left me unsatisfied, and I would need to hit In-N-Out on the way home. The experience we had, however, was absolutely delightful and fulfilling. We're already planning our next trip back for happy hour. The ambience is quite lovely, as it's the first dedicated restaurant in that space and thus was custom built and designed. The serving pieces are also made for them by a local craftsman, which just adds to the charm. Our server was warm, friendly, exceptionally knowledgable, and checked in often - but not too often - so that we felt cared for but not rushed. As my wife put it "it's like we're back in Europe and are able to enjoy a leisurely dinner." There were around 6-7 other small groups of 2-4 people dining around us, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was lively enough to make it feel fun not overbearing. As for the wine, we asked for an orange wine, and it turns out they actually had 4 on the menu (impressive). The one that was finally recommneded turned out to be just what we'd hoped for. The way the wine is priced is simple - they sell it at retail (what you'd pay at a wine shop) so that you can grab it and go. If you'd like to have it with your meal, they simply add the standard $15 corkage fee. We had a lovely full bottle of wine for under $40 total. We selected something from each section of the menu. First, the bread and butter are a must-try. I've included photos of the Tin Fish Plate (Sardines), the Beet Confit Salad, the La Scalda 'Nduja, and the Duck Liver Paté. We rounded it out with comté cheese and giardiniera. Needless to say, there was no room left for dessert, and we wound up taking enough home for a second meal (sorry doggies, this is all ours and we're not sharing). If you are looking for a cozy dinner spot that offers something a bit unique, I'd definitely give Merenda a try. We'll be back - next time for happy hour! read more

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Okay I am sooooo happy this gem opened up to enjoy snacks and wine with friends. They have a little bottle shop and their bites (although a little pricier than other tapas/wine bars near by) were such high quality and the wine selection (and wine cocktails) were a great selection and servers were so helpful! The place is designed with great care and I love the artwork and overall vibe. Def a nice date night or girls night spot! Los (Carlos) was a wonderful server. read more

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Love Merenda, wine Wednesday is a thing! Cool wines, good prices and great service. Music is also pretty nice. If you want a good vibe with good wine, this is it. read more

The ambiance, decoration, and service was incredible at this spot. We got a reservation for 5 on a Sunday, but ended up getting seated right away around 4 since we were early. The waitress was quick about taking our orders and checked in multiple times to make sure we were okay. We each got a glass of red which we liked. I took off a star because the total ended up being $40 with tip! I thought that was pretty overpriced for the half glasses of wine with no food or appetizers. We probably won't be returning but it's a great spot regardless read more

Merenda - Glasses of Red - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

First let's start with the decor and ambience. Perfectly lit and curated throughout. This place is perfect for intimate and also lively dinners with a loved one or small group. I cannot say enough about how cozy and luxurious this place makes me feel. The food equally matches it in taste. Great for sharing and excellent quality! read more

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Doesn't look like it would be vibey from the outside- but walk inside and it's great! Warm feeling, great use of small space and the nice staff greeted us right away. We ordered lots of things - Gouda (amazing), Duck, Potatoes cooked in pork fat (sauce was to die for) and some savory pastry thing (can't remember the name). I don't think it matters what we ordered since the menu changes but it all was delicious. Price point seemed very fair. Not cheap- not too crazy expensive. We had two very attentive servers (Carlos was one- very good at his job) who would interchange in a nice flow. I would recommend this restaurant for sure! Also- I'm gonna say, they have the coolest bathroom trash can I've seen in a restaurant. I took a picture because I need to find one for my house. :) read more

Merenda - I mean- how cool is this trash can and I've literally never noticed a restaurant trash can before unless it's a problem lol - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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The restaurant itself is lovely (reminds me of NY bars). The wine choices by glass were limited but their wine cocktail was great. The menu changes and I ordered: rockfish carpaccio, sardine toasts, pasta, ravioli. My favorite was the pasta (the noodles were so good+sauce). The sardine toast is VERY fishy. Small portions which is expected at a wine bar. read more

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Loved the vibe, food, wine and service! I was initially a little worried because the food menu is small. But for what they do, they do it very well. The chef's plate (charcuterie) was fantastic - finely shaved meats and delicious cheeses. Beet confit salad was lovely - beets and fennel, oranges, yogurt, mint, pistachio. Friends loved the chilled mussels, calabrian sausage spread, pasta of the day. Really great addition to the Oceanside food scene! read more

This place was also suggested from a friend. Got sat right away , we actually asked if we can sit at the bar and they did. Super nice and friendly. The place was Nicely lit. Very welcoming and warm. Got to try half of the menu and it did not disappoint. The bartender and the kitchen was so great everything was a fully over the top experience. I will def say to try the rock fish with peach and vanilla And the duck rillettes prob one of my favorites. The whole staff here were so friendly and welcoming. read more

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What a nice surprise. This carefully curated wine bar is such a great addition to Oceanside. At the moment of entry, the staff was warm, accommodating and focused on ensuring we had a good experience. We went around 4:30 on a Saturday and although we didn't have reservations, they found a space for us with a time limit to accommodate a later arrival with a reservation. This worked perfect for us. Our server introduced us to a new Austrian white wine we had never had and we decided to have a bottle. With only a $15 corkage fee, we felt this was a great deal. We paired our wine with a salmon rillette and a crudo as well as some off-menu smoked Gouda. Everything was excellent. Go visit, we'll see you there! read more

Merenda - Main restaurant - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I'm so excited for this modern wine bar in Oceanside. It's so well done inside! Will definitely be back. Overall I would give them a 4.5/5 Vibe 5/5 - super cute decor and perfect vibe for a happy hour with friends or a date night. The tile work is A+ Wine / Drinks 5/5- recommend the Sangiovese by the glass. I also loved their phony Negroni mocktail. Food 4/5 - The cold plates were really good. The pork and apples were awesome, as was the crudo and smoked trout. The noodle dish was just ok. The cheese came out just casually on a plate- nothing special, just cheese. Price 4/5 - on par with what I would expect Service 4/5- one of our dishes went to the wrong table but they are new so assuming it was just a miss up! The owner was so nice as was the manager. read more

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Great for wine, the food menu looks amazing but what comes out needs some love. Dry short rib dish and some items are stellar while others are well under something I would serve on the menu given how they come out. read more

So happy we tried this place. Such a cute atmosphere and super nice staff. Very knowledgeable owner and bartender plus great F and B. Definitely will be back. read more

This place is a vibe! I visited this place with my wife and in laws and definitely scored some major points. We visited on a Saturday night in November and the place was packed (which is always a good sign if you ask me). The low-intervention wines were full of flavor, but also light and enjoyable. The staff was very knowledgeable and also patient with those of us who didn't know much about wine. The food really stood out as well. The small plates were fresh with complex tastes that really provided a unique experience. Our favorites were the nuts, seasonal crudo, and the pork & apples. I should also mention that the ambiance significantly added to the experience. It was hip without being pretentious. I felt like I was a cute wine bar that the locals don't share with tourists in Madrid or Milan. This is a great place if you want to impress a date or your in-laws. We'll be coming back! read more

Merenda - Pork & Apples - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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The service was very welcoming, friendly and helpful in navigating the food and wine menus. We enjoyed the wines and tapas, even the bread and butter= hot loaf with deliciously seasoned butter. And the ambiance was nice, music was classy and when an elderly customer came in and requested the music to be lowered a little they totally accommodated her and I thought that was really sweet. We'll be back, especially for no-corkage fee Wednesdays read more

Super cute vibe inside the restaurant! They have so many fun bottles of wine for a really reasonable price. The cheese and meat board was big enough for more than 2 people to share. I would definitely come back here with my girlfriends to share a bottle of wine and snacks. The server was great and I actually appreciate they gave us some space to just chat and enjoy the ambiance. read more

Outstanding food & service! Very charming place, cool vibes & music. I do have to emphasize on the food: sardine toast, mezza plates, cheese, dessert etc. All tapas style, love the concept & flavors! Very friendly atmosphere, we felt very welcomed. Thanks guys! read more

The wine was great and the server was able to recommend some things as well as give tastings. The food was overpriced and not good. The scallops were edible but the rockfish carpaccio was very much not. I know they are a new restaurant and probably figuring out their menu but the food felt pompous and over fluffed instead of just tasty. Vibe was nice, they did a good job decorating. read more

One of the best new spots in Oceanside. My wife and I have been here 6+ times, and, every time impresses more than the last. Definitely a great experience. The Quiche is next level! Wow. A wine and elevated food experience. Beautiful place. Amazing service. read more

Merenda - Daily Pasta Special - Wine Bars Near Me - Oceanside, California

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It's a culinary visit to virtual Rome! After returning from Rome just a few weeks ago, the atmosphere, fine choices of cuisine and the exceptional wine selection transported us right back to Italy! We loved the prompt service and the hosts were so friendly and knowledgeable about their menu and were able to recommend a fine choice of wines, in fact we had to buy a bottle! We look forward to exploring the rest of the menu! Benvenuto! read more

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Was really excited to try Merenda. It has a great setting and very cute inside. Service was good. The menu items sounded great, but some ingredients were questionable. We ordered the duck pate, a cheese and meat board, lamb tarar, and rockfish carpacio - with 3/4 having an unusual taste. Citrus was way too overpowering on the rockfish and pomegranates in the lamb tartar was an odd texture and citrus added an odd flavor. I would try again, but would just do the wine and the chef's cheese/meat board rather than any of the other plates. read more

When you walk in you are captivated by the bistro's adorable touches and then the warmth of the staff makes it even more impressive. The happy hour is my weekly hangout spot. Yummy plates for $12 and wines on tap for $10 a glass! What a deal for the overall experience! Phil is a great leader to this place and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend you try a few things and get a chance to feel like you escaped for the afternoon. read more