This place never ceases to amaze me. Food absolutely delicious. Cocktails and margaritas done just right. Customer service-on point. Kylie is seriously the BEST. She served us in the bar area and she's super friendly and efficient. So glad we had her again. However, there were other nice & kind helpers that brought other food & dessert out and cleared our table. These employees really add to the wonderful dining experience. The vibe in this place is warm but lively, makes you just want to hang out. We missed the salsa class that was going to start in 45 minutes which they have every Saturday night. They cleared out some of the tables in the bar area to accommodate it. So cool they have these events. We'll be back! read more

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Storytime. Unfortunately, not the best in terms of service. Around late August, I had an 8:30 PM reservation for my partner for his birthday & they had closed the restaurant. We didn't understand why if we had a reservation. A lovely elderly woman also tried to enter, as she was confused as well. So, she tried to enter with us as we had to go to the back door & wave someone to get their attention. They let us in, but told us they closed due to slow traffic ... Again, that doesn't make sense & they didn't think to check the reservation list? Luckily, the elder was doing all the talking & they seemed irritated that they had to seat us, when it isn't our fault they closed early with a reservation. We got the aguachile + pork dishes. Food came out, it was good, but service ruined it honestly. The white blonde bartender also was rudist one out of all of them ... She didn't want to serve us drinks even though my partner turned 21, I had my ID, & the elderly woman wanted to pay for us. She also got offended that we asked for a birthday dessert, but they don't do any complimentary dessert. She said it was a 'ridiculous' request. Even though they closed the restaurant on us & it was my partner's birthday ... Overall, I wouldn't come back here. If these are the people who represent the chef ... especially the bartender ... I have no words for this restaurant. Since everything was closed, no live music, no other customers, no real way to feel the environment. Never coming back ! read more

I came early and waited for my friends. I ordered a fish taco and wood fire oysters. Chose the Chicha Morada non-alcoholic drink and it was good. I also enjoyed the Baja fish taco. The Birria Chimichanga bites were delicious! If you come for happy hour try that. The service was great! We were seating outdoors. It was ok until the sun hit our seating area. I'm sure it would be great to dine outside when it's cooler in the evening. Now, if it's too hot outside, you can choose to dine in inside the restaurant. Parking in this area gets full quickly. read more

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I would like to start by saying, the staff was great. They all seemed relaxed. The service, is not what you would call efficient, but I loved how personal and friendly everyone was. I would give them 4 stars on the service. Where it fell short to me, was the food. They weren't bad but certainly not great. It's challenging for sure, given the number of fantastic little taco shacks in San Diego. It's a family friendly spot. I would consider returning with a group of not-so-adventurous eaters, given the proximity and atmosphere. read more

Conchinita pibil family platter definitely serves 3 people. It comes with a big dish of rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas. We definitely over ordered! Pisco sour is still delicious. Service was great. Sangria had too much cinnamon. That was the only complaint from the table. read more

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The place is so nice, we had a date night here and did not regret it. I love how big, open, and clean the place was. The food was delicious and freshly made. I loved how well-seasoned everything was and even though we were full, we had to get dessert, it was such a generous amount much of it, that we had to pack it up to take home. We'll be back to enjoy another meal here soon. read more

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Had a nice meal at Nomada. Recently taken over from another Mexican restaurant. The decor was not changed but is a nice Mexican decor. Started with a couple of Cadillac Margaritas which were quite good. The chips and salsa were somewhat different with the chips being dusted wish some sort of spice. The salsa was quite good. Between us we had the Chicken Mole and Enchiladas plate. I found the mole to be quite tasty with the right amount of spice. The chicken was thighs (much better than breasts) and were very tender. The mole was served with white rice, not Mexican rice, and flour tortillas. (Given a choice of corn or flour). The flour tortillas are made in house and were very good. The enchiladas were also quite good. One with the mole sauce and one with roja. Service was prompt and friendly. Overall, a nice meal. read more

Nómada - Chicken mole with rice and flour tortillas. - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Wagyu birria tacos were amazing! Great customer service and delicious crafty cocktails. Can't wait to go back when the DJ is there! Perfect for date night and girls night read more

since late January, way too many of the family's eating out experiences have been epic failures. NOMADA was no exception. the allure of spending a hundred bucks on food that compares poorly with dinner at Taco Bell is lost on me. we ate here on a Sunday evening so maybe the regular kitchen staff had the night off after the busy weekend and the dishwashers were doing the cooking. the nineteen-year-old ordered an appetizer for the table. I was less than jumping up and down excited by the prospect of trying their BIRRIA CHIMICHANGA BITES (chili braised beef rolled in flour tortillas and fried with salsa macha aioli and consommé for dipping). fortunately, as my wife's fond of reminding me, I'm wrong most of the time. a knock-off of the Southwest Egg Rolls ubitiquious at chain restaurants since the mid-eighties, the mini-chimi's were derivative but tasty. the consommé was way too French (clean, clear, and boring as hell) and would have been better left rustic. nobody at my house has nut allergies, but be aware that macha typically includes peanuts which should have been disclosed on the menu. still, the overall dish was tasty enough to earn a second star. that they arrived hot from the fryer was a contributing factor. everything went steeply downhill from there. my POZOLE (a chili broth soup with pork and hominy) arrived at room temperature and the flavor was muddled and weak. the kitchen neglected to include the bolillo (roll) listed on the menu. cilantro, included with the rest of the adds (Mexican OREGANO, diced WHITE ONION, and a LIME slice) was dry and papery and looked like it was leftover from Cinco de Mayo (and it's March already). doubt the veracity of that statement? look at my photograph. cilantro's supposed to add an herbaceous freshness but mine was nearly as dry as the oregano. the wife unit's CHICKEN ENCHILADAS with Mexican crema and black mole and bean and rice sides was another dismal failure. nothing was warmer than room temperature. the beans (and I LOVE beans) were completely without flavor. the rice was neither rinsed (or fried in a bit of lard before cooking, my preference) and was sat on her plate in a gloppy, starchy lump. like the rest of the dinner (except for the mini-chimi's), the OVEN-ROASTED LOCAL CATCH (sea bream) with roasted veggies, salsa fresca, rice and beans was another room temperature mess. the restaurant is lovely. except that they failed to catch the kitchen's innumerable missteps, the front of the house was attentive and for the most part professional. however, the kitchen staff needs to be marched up the temple steps so their still beating hearts can be carved out with an obsidian blade. all the entrees arrived at room temperature and under-seasoned. my request for salt, devolved into serious drama and I don't remember EVER adding additional salt to a restaurant dish. confidence is high NOMADA's fat-free, under seasoned recipes were cooked up by a cardiologist and not a professional chef. the dishes we tried were poorly designed and even more poorly executed. I nearly never write a restaurant review for less than 3 stars (almost eighty percent of mine are 4 and 5 stars) that's not a national fast-food chain. This place is the exception: 2 stars rounded up from 1.1. if it's not, NOMADA should be Spanish for never again. learn from our mistake: for the love of all things delicious, resist the urge to eat here sober. have a margarita or three before moving beyond the chips and salsa. read more

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Found this place off of yelp after searching for nearby "cocktails" Very clean and fantastic ambience to enjoy authenticate Mexican food. This is an hidden area located deep in Carlsbad. I am so glad we found this little gem! The inside reminds me of an old town in San Diego but way better. We sat indoors and requested to sit facing window to see the view. The chips and salsa are very good. Not your average chips. They are seasoned with a tiny hint of spice. Ordered an espresso martini and my friend had a pisco sour. Really tasty! That espresso martini was one of a kind. Sweet enough to make me forget I actually had alcohol in it. On this visit, we shared cajeta pancakes and the birria bowl with flour tortillas. The chile braised beef melted in your mouth. The pancakes. Oh my!!!! Fluffy, moist and drizzled with cajeta (creamy caramel sauce mixed with warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Topped with sliced blackberries and strawberries. Our server, Kylie, was great. Not only did she serve us with so much attentiveness, she helped us when we did not know what to decide on. She was great. Prompt, professional, yet still super fun! To end our visit, we were served tres leches. It was ok. I wanted the flan but there was not any made at the time. I would definitely come back here to try other items on the menu. read more

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Glad to see this place has opened again this time with a new name and new food. Food was so tasty and the service was amazing. Chef Alex Carballo stopped by our table. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his ideas for the restaurant. I am looking forward to them adding the musical talent and also the weekend brunch. Will definitely be back! read more

Nómada - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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My husband absolutely loved this place. It looks very nice and upscale and love the outdoor area. It was absolutely freezing inside we had to ask them to turn off the AC. Birria flauta app was amazing. We split the pork dish. It was ok. I wish they had a regular carnitas dish on the menu. Service was great. I would like to return to try more items before I make up my mind. read more

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Elevated Mexican food and then some! Ambience, food, and service was perfection. The mole was one of the best I've had! Perfect for a date night or casual dinner with friends! read more

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Came here to eat dinner after a long hot humid day at Legoland. We were definitely not dressed up like everyone around us but all the staff were so welcoming. I would definitely come here again if we are in the area. Food was great, the atmosphere was very nice. Everyone was dressed business casual but if you go after a long day at Legoland and are exhausted, I hope you have a great experience like we did. read more

Amazing. Drinks? awesome, service? Amazing, music? Perfect! Will come back for sure!!

Super cute spot tucked away in La Costa. They've got indoor and outdoor seating and bars, so there's plenty of space! We went on a Saturday night and got seated quickly. The cocktail list looked so good, but we decided on some wine from Mexico because we've been dying to try some from down there. The cab merlot blend was nice and great body. We got the birria bites and they were really good. Great flavor, comes out super hot. They're kinda like egg rolls filled with birria and cheese with a salsa aoli. We got the carne Asad plate and the fish taco and prime ribeye taco. The plate is plenty of food. Good quality meat. The tacos were good but idk if a $17 taco is something I'd regularly do. Overall we had a great time. And they had a salsa dancing class that Saturday night! It was really cool to watch and you could easily just join in. read more

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So far we've been here twice for lunch and it's pretty much VIP for us. Never too busy service is pretty quick and free chips and salsa! I will say it's not spicy but I'm not a huge fan of spicy. The food is pretty good! I love the pozole and the tortillas are good. Beans and rice are not the main character read more

Nómada - Birria bowl - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This took the place of Alejandras. They may even still be the same owner as my debit said Alejandras on my statement. I had the queso birria, chili braised beef, cilantro, onions, consomme and cheese. Exceptional. I had the Granizados drink which was an expresso martini slushie of sorts with shaved chocolate. OMG. I would come back just for this drink alone. Staff was amazing. Seems that they are still in the soft opening phase so hours are limited. But so far I'm loving what I'm experiencing. Go check it out. You won't be dissapointed. read more

Came without reservations for dinner and we were able to sit in their patio area. We've been here a few times under the old ownership and never saw the patio this lively or even used. This place is a vibe and we loved it. Our server was friendly and attentive. Food came out fairly quickly except for my dish which lagged several minutes behind the rest of my party...good thing my margarita was delicious. Good flavors throughout and entire party was content and stuffed. Will definitely be back. read more

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(Visited 2026-Jan-10, during their soft opening.) Does San Diego need another fine-dining Mexican restaurant? It's a pretty big space, and was packed already, so sure, why not! The plates are very generous, and perhaps a bit "underdescribed" on the menu. So Pibil Pork seemed a bit steep at $29, but it comes with pickled onions, rice, tortillas, excellent carrots, veggies.. and it's a lot of tender Pork. If you're getting apps and dessert, you'll probably be taking some of the plate home and getting two meals out of it. It was really good. Shrimp Agua Chile was more like a shrimp ceviche, more wet than creamy. I get that they're all different, but it was heavy on onion. Tacos were well-stuffed -- San Diego style, not street tacos, which helps explain the $9 each. Birria was great. Our server was really kind and helpful, enjoyed our whole visit there. Note that they don't do anything special for Birthday reservations.. no birthday candle in our dessert or treats. The Flan ($8) was still delicious and a pretty good deal. The cocktails are pricey, as is the norm now (a perfect Pisco Sour $16, Debutante $17) but made really well. It's their soft-open, so I'll be a little easy on the wonky delivery timing.. my date's tacos came out long before mine, and sometimes the staff didn't know what table they were bringing things for, and would shop them around for the right party. Any stars I'd take away, I'd have to give right back for the SALSA. It was awesome, and they let us taste them all, from mild to wild. Really fresh, unique and varied. They could open just a chips and salsa bar and I'd be there. There is a surprise 3% Credit Card surcharge (not cool), and the charge shows up as "Alejandra's Carlsbad", the place that used to be here. read more

Came for Happy Hour, service from Heather was great, food was terrific! My favorite was the fish ceviche! Beautiful restaurant. Definitely recommend! read more

Nómada - Queso Birria Taco - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

So bummed that our experience was as disappointing as it was. We started with chips and salsa and the aguachile. The salsa was essentially just blended tomatoes, maybe some onion, possibly lime, but it was so plain that we were genuinely surprised it was being served. The aguachile was even worse. The shrimp were only butterflied into large, floppy pieces, so we ended up cutting them ourselves just to make them manageable. Trying to scoop that texture onto a tortilla chip was not enjoyable. Hoping to turn things around, we ordered guacamole. Unfortunately, it was just mashed avocado with maybe salt and the faintest hint of onion. No depth, no balance, nothing memorable. For mains, I ordered the birria bowl, which was actually flavorful and the one redeeming part of the meal. My husband got the taco sampler, and the only taco that stood out at all was the birria. When my birria bowl arrived, it came as a bowl of shredded meat with a separate plate of toppings, including a random pile of dried herbs that looked like oregano. When I asked our server what it was for, he said, "to put on stuff." We honestly laughed because we thought he was joking. But he wasn't. It was surprising that he couldn't explain something that was on the plate. Having traveled throughout Mexico and growing up in San Diego, I've never been served a random pile of dried seasoning like that without context. Toward the end of our meal, there was live music. I have no issue with live music at all, but this was so loud that my husband and I had to raise our voices just to talk across a two-top table. It completely took away from the experience. Overall, everything felt poorly managed. The staff seemed undertrained, and aside from the birria, the food was below par. This location has so much potential, and I'd love to see it succeed. The neighborhood doesn't need an overworked or complicated menu, it needs simple, flavorful Mexican staples done really well. Right now, it feels like it's missing that mark. There's a big opportunity to bring in dishes people usually have to go out of their way for, while still keeping things approachable and consistent. Without that shift, it may be hard for this spot to last. read more

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It was great the first time and just so so the second time. Kind of expensive which I don't mind if the food is consistently good. Not sure I'll go back. read more

Our server Carlos truly made our entire night unforgettable. From the moment we sat down, his energy, attentiveness, and professionalism were on another level. He did not just serve our table, he curated an experience. Every recommendation he made was spot on, and his drink pairings elevated the meal in such a thoughtful way. The birria tacos were incredible, flavorful, rich, and perfectly prepared, and the oysters were absolutely amazing. You can tell Carlos genuinely knows and loves the menu because everything he suggested was outstanding. He anticipated our needs before we even had to ask and made us feel completely taken care of the whole time. Beyond the food and drinks, he went above and beyond in a way you rarely see. He was warm, engaging, and made the evening feel special rather than just another dinner reservation. The restaurant itself is stunning. The fire features and lush plants create a beautiful, inviting atmosphere, but Carlos is what truly set this experience apart. Exceptional service like his is the reason people come back. He is a huge asset to the restaurant, and we cannot wait to return because of him. read more

Nómada - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

We loved the ambience, the service was excellent and the food was great! This is an upscale Mexican food menu. So not your typical selections but we all thought it was great! read more

We revisited Nomada again last nite and I am happy to say the food and service was great...we sat at the bar and had a wonderful experience. Chef Alex went the extra mile and my wife and I really appreciated that. read more

The staff worked really hard and had a good attitude. This is a relatively new ownership of this venue and their business is growing and their staff really should be commended for the teamwork that they played in handling a very busy lunch crowd. The bartender Danny really hustled to make sure the drinks got out there to the customers, the food was delicious and appropriate sizes for the pricing. read more

Go check out this new Carlsbad gem! It is the perfect place for a date night or girls night. It's both upscale/modern and romantic/intimate. The live music is an added bonus when they have it. The cocktails are stellar and creative. The food is also really good and they have vegan options which is always step 1 for a five star review from me. This place is truly stunning inside and out - the lighted countertops really blew me away. read more

There are so many great things about this new restaurant. The atmosphere and ambience is incredible, so beautiful and just very Mexican rustic. It's absolutely gorgeous. The greenery, the outdoor space, the indoor space...it's all beautiful. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the outdoor bar was closed so we sat at the indoor bar which is lighted from below and looks like a salt cave. It's really pretty. We ordered appetizers and cocktails and beer. Our bartender was Tim and he was incredible! He explained the menu, explained the ingredients, any questions we had, and any additional request that we had he went over and beyond to fulfill them. He was so friendly, chatted with us, and really made us feel at home. He can read a room! We ordered the Laguna, which was absolutely delicious and refreshing, gin forward. They brought chips and salsa to us which consisted of seasoned chips and a Smokey salsa that were absolutely delicious. I want to take all of that home! We ordered the fruit stand, the queso Fundo, no chorizo, and the fish ceviche. The fruit stand was so good, different and wonderful. It was refreshing and a little hint of spice and the coconut was so good. The jicama was a wonderful crunchy surprise! The queso Fundo came topped with a green creamy salsa That was a little spicy, but the zucchini and corn and vegetables were just absolutely so good, paired with the homemade tortillas (we ordered the half-and-half) and it was just phenomenal. I'm going to dream about that! The fish ceviche was good, but did not blow my mind. We both thought it was just a hint to fishy. However, we did demolish it. I think next time we wanna order the shrimp and see what that's all about, but really I had my eye on the AguaChile, which is not on the lunch menu. However, Tim did offer to get it for us, we declined. Overall, our experience was absolutely five stars, and we think this might be our new Sunday to hang out. It was just such a wonderful atmosphere and the food was great. The drinks were great. It was definitely worth the trek from N. O'side and We're so happy that we spent our Sunday afternoon at Nomada. read more

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Recommend their Friday happy hour. We wanted a patio seat out front but it was full and instead sat at a high top in the bar area inside. However, we were pleasantly surprised - Tim, the bartender, was enthusiastic, responsive, and made great cocktails! The large windows out the backside kept the place light and provided a good view. Will certainly return! read more

Went with another couple to check out the restaurant. I want to start with the good, the ambiance is outstanding. Absolutely beautiful inside and out. Unfortunately the food was the worst part and the service was not great either. Enchiladas has no flavor and were as boring and dry as can be. The prawn starter had to be sent back due to the texture of the prawn. I mean $25 bucks for 4 mid size prawns (it was the PACIFIC CHILLED PRAWNS app.) with a mushy texture is not ok by a long shot. The tasted and felt like they had been sitting in water for days after being cooked? The elote was ok but again the price for the amount was off. Its corn.... The Carne Asada plate was the best of the dinners but it was lacking. Will not be back anytime soon :( read more

I don't leave Yelp reviews often, but we were really impressed with our dinner here last night. First, the margaritas were excellent. We also ordered the kids chicken quesadilla which is usually pretty mediocre at most places, but this one was surprisingly good and packed with shredded chicken breast. Both of our kids loved it. My husband and I shared the ribeye make your own tacos for a family of four and it was fantastic. The ribeye was cooked perfectly and incredibly flavorful! The tortillas were delicious, the rice was great, and while the beans were slightly under seasoned they were still good. We didn't try a lot of the menu, but the ribeye tacos alone were enough to make us want to come back. I would say the portion is probably perfect for about three people. My husband and I demolished most of it and our older son still managed to grab some steak too. Overall we were really impressed and will definitely be back. read more

Parking is easy in a big shared lot. Wow the location is beautiful, loved the view of the hill! Inside is decorated beautifully, outside & inside. The bar is also very chic looking. Happy hour deals are great, I got a traditional margarita which was tasty as well as the birria taco which was one of the best I've ever had. The Paloma is yummy & has a strong cinnamon flavor. I also got the tuna crudo which was very spicy & decent in taste. Service was fine. Will definitely be back. read more

Nomada is what happens when the old Crazy Burro gets a major upgrade -- and it delivers. Food was excellent all around. Happy hour bites are on point, crudo tostada, great tacos, pozole, and chicken tortilla soup. Cocktails are a standout -- don't miss the frozen espresso martini. Inviting space, live music, and a great vibe. Cheers to Sean and the team -- don't miss out on this spot! read more

Chef Alex is truly amazing-- not only at creating incredibly delicious and unique meals, but the atmosphere he creates is top notch. I went to Nómada last week with a party of 8 for my birthday, and every single one of us thought the food was delicious, perfectly spiced and unique. The mocktails were divine (try the blue corn one!) and overall we had such an elevated and wonderful time - with amazing service! I highly recommend Nómada and look forward to returning. read more

We went for the first time last night. Here's my honest review. Atmosphere was very chill in the front patio bar area. Very cool spot for gathering with friends. Would love to have live music out in the front if the can. We are at the bar inside. We ordered a classic margarita and another drink. Very strong drinks. Good! We got the elote and the duck taco trio. I liked the elote my husband did not. We both that the trio tacos were Just ok. Lacked flavor. Then we ordered the Caesar salad bc the waitress said it was really good. The portions were great! The salad was just ok. Not great at all. Lacked flavor. Not enough dressing and again not enough flavor. The DJ came on and he was ok..but it was early. Overall it was packed and has a lot of potential if they can get the food right. Great for a happy hour or watching sports but I really hope the improve the food. read more

This place is delicious. New ownership. I love how everything looks so clean organized .the food was delicious. The service was excellent, and we also got recommended to go visit them for happy hour which we will be back. read more

Plenty of parking. Great views. Walking thru courtyard is a trip thru fantasy. Our server, Shawn, was fantastic. Arrived during happy hour and the menu was amazing with great choices and price. Food is fresh and presentation is lovely. Most tender octopus taco!!!!! Ever! Flan... perfect!!!!! Love this place! read more

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So glad this location finally has Nómada. The food is fantastic, as are the craft cocktails. The food was flavorful but not too spicy. I would highly recommend giving this place a try. I hope they grow and fill the void needed by this area. If you had the same bad experiences I did with Alejandra's, please give it another try. Totally new and so much better. Peter was our server and took great care of us. The GM, Eddie, checked in with us and wanted feedback on our experience. read more

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Horrible service. Had multiple waiters walk past our table before getting even our drink order down. Multiple tables sat AFTER us and were waited on before the table my friend and I were at at. (Yes all tables that got service before us were white. While we were poc) Unfortunately was a 0/10 hour experience. Beautiful restaurant. Horrible service. read more