2 Best Restaurants in North County and Around, California

Campfire

$$$

Paying tribute to community around the campfire, it’s all about connecting here, both with the cool crowd and with the distinctive cocktail and dinner menus. Throughout the restaurant, subtle hints of the camping theme—canvas-backed booths, servers in flannels, leather menus branded with the Campfire log—are visible, but it’s the food that will leave you setting up camp, as chefs work their magic behind glass walls grilling, roasting, and smoking almost every dish including the oysters warmed over coals. The fire-roasted cabbage has a crunch, and the smoked brisket with coffee rub delivers with polenta and pickled tomatoes. Topping off the meal are tableside mini-Dutch ovens of hot coals for DIY s’mores with vanilla marshmallows, graham cookies, salted caramel, and chocolate ganache.

2725 State St., Carlsbad, California, 92008, USA
760-637–5121
Known For
  • smoky cocktails
  • wood-fired American fare
  • innovative seasonal menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch

Ranch 45 Local Provisions

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Get ready for savory perfection with a concept built around locally sourced ingredients from ranchers, fishermen, and farmers who are dedicated to their harvest and sharing the beauty of their bounty. While the all-day breakfasts are a hit, it’s what’s between the bread that matters, like Brandt beef patty burgers, smoked tri trip sandwiches, and beef sliders with house-made chips. Order at the counter for breakfast and lunch, or take it up a notch after 4 pm with full-service dinners offering dry-aged Brand beef with Chino Farms greens. The Chef’s daily Brand Beef Tasting menu is what keeps customers loyal. If you fall in love with a cut, simply order any dry-aged steak from the onsite butcher with a bottle of wine from the in-house market.

512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
858-461--0092
Known For
  • no corkage fee when purchasing wine from their shop
  • chef’s daily Brand Beef Tasting menu
  • locally sourced everything
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon. and Tues.