Market Restaurant and Bar Review

The BEST gourmet experience in San Diego County. Portions are generous enough that you won't leave hungry.

Simply the best restaurant in San Diego. Frequently changed creative menu, always top notch service, reasonable volume level and food that always tastes as good as you hope it does when you select it from the menu.

This is a great date-night restaurant in a quiet, off the beaten path, location. In fact the restaurant didn't really look special to us from the outside. However, once inside we found staff that were all highly professional and focused on the guests. The appetizers and entrees were perfectly prepared and elegantly presented. The kitchen offered a nice amuse bouche between courses which was great. We only wish we had room for the dessert. We will be back.

For the price, I had high expectations. Don't get me wrong, this place is very nice, but don't expect the sushi to be top notch. The chef sent out some sample food which was delicious. I enjoyed the ambiance. I'll have to try this restaurant again.

Great food with a local flavor. Great ambience and a good variety of seafood

If you are looking for sophistication in San Diego, this is where it goes. A cuisine with Asian and European scents that follow the formation of cuisto! A Lebanese sommelier who masters French as much as wine, on the fingertips! In short, we do not hesitate! Enjoy ...

Fantastic food and service. Creative. One of the best restaurants in San Diego

This restaurant hovers in the stratosphere! This was our first time here courtesy of a birthday gift certificate for my wife from her son. He has great taste. It is a very impressive restaurant inside....just the right amount of lighting. We had a fantastic time. Lisa and Joe looked after us and our meals were as good as it gets. We loved being spoilt !

This is the Best Restaurant in town by Far. The quality of the dishes, the service and the consistency of quality throughout the years is pretty incredible. This is my personal favorite... Highly recommended

The food is incredible here. But the prices are a bit more than you'll pay for similar quality elsewhere. A bit too crowded to be called romantic.

Outstanding food and service, you can't go wrong here. Hosted a dinner for 16 people in the private dining space and the staff was very attentive and accommodating. Mike, the general manager (I think that was his name...this was several weeks ago) went above and beyond with his staff to satisfy our many requests! Many of our group commented that the food was excellent; my dishes were outstanding. Thank you!

The food at Market is unbelievable...that s not an exaggeration. The drinks/cocktails are great. The service is impeccable, and staff are really friendly.

It was wonderful. The food was fabulous, the service was great and it was a very nice experience. Can't wait to have dinner there again!

Sushi chef is disrespectful to women. Assaulted someone very close to me. Probably should be in jail.

I would crawl from the shore for the braised short-ribs here. You just cannot get a poor meal at Market. Five more stars on top of these five still wouldn't do justice for this wonderful restaurant. I highly recommend it!

Best restaurant in San Diego, hands down. Amazing flavor combinations, great service. Only restaurant in San Diego that compares to the best restaurants in New York or San Francisco.

Off the beaten path, but worth the walk. I'll be back. Lovely and fun

Food was good sat in lounge server pushy valet was extremely good

Awesome! If I had time for only one dinner in the area this is the place I would choose. Yum!

SPECTACULAR: Have the blue cheese souffle and then the short ribs.......but everything is terrific. We've been coming once/year since they opened as we visit with friends here and it's our favorite restaurant in the area. Service is wonderful and restaurant is relaxing even though busy. Dale had the salmon and loved it. What a pleasure

This place has gone down hill. It used to be one of my favorite fine dining establishments and now it's likely the last. Service is excellent but the quality of fish, veggies etc seemed terrible. Maybe we caught them on an off night?

Look at the signs when you enter. Valet parking only. Not sure if there's parking around the corner.

I've had this restaurant bookmarked for years now and I'm glad we finally visited Market Restaurant.
Stopped by here during Restaurant Week.

We were greeted right as we walked in and the front hostess kindly opened the door and welcomed us. What a great gesture.
Next, a few other ladies were at the podium and they too greeted us and we checked in. They quickly sat us at our table.

The ambiance was very nice but I will say that the restaurant was a bit chilly so room temperature was not comfortable. I even noticed that others had their jackets on. Our server was very nice and detailed. You can tell he loves his job and has passion for it. Great service from the water till our dessert.

Food:
SHRIMP & CHORIZO CHOWDER
BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN & PICKLED BEETS
MISO ROASTED COD & EGG NOODLES

Then 2 desserts.

All I'm going to say is that everything was delicious. The flavors were bursting in my mouth and I loved every bite of my meal. The balance of ingredients complimented our dishes so well. We ate everything on our plate.

Definitely will return again so I can taste their dinner menu.
A very charming and welcoming restaurant in Del Mar.

Hands down, the best food in all of San Diego. This restaurant is better than Napa Valley restaurants! There is nothing in North County San Diego that comes anywhere close in caliber to this food!!!

The ambiance is whatever. Food was great and fresh. Chef came to ask how was the food, best customer service ever.

Great value

Mike was incredible.....

Ordered food to go for my birthday and was excellent! Thank you for an excellent meal.

They don't recycle???

I had a great chat with a Market employee in Encinitas, and we happened to be at a environmentally-friendly restaurant, which sparked a fun conversation about how restaurants are becoming more conscious about the products they use, such as cups, straws, etc.

Later I learned that this person works at Market, which I was planning to go for dinner in the near future as I heard great things, until he mentioned his frustration and generally sadness that the restaurant doesn't recycle.

I was shocked, as it's a wine bar I asked what they do with the empty wine bottles, and this person said they just throw them in the trash with everything else, such as food.

Really?!? How hard is it to recycle? Shame on whoever is responsible for letting this happen. You can do much better, and I really hope you do.

Until that day comes, I will not be a guest of such a place.

Very good food. We sat inside, currently at 25% capacity, they appeared to be taking a lot of precaution, and the food was excellent as usual.

Holy smokes! What a treat. Exquisite food and the chef sent out a couple small bite appetizers that were amazing. Fancier than I am used to but no one seemed to judge or notice the tennis shoes I nervously hid under the table.

Delicious! Classy spot, great for special occasions

Perhaps one of the most amazing dinners I have ever had. Chef is imaginative, truly special dishes that serve up that magic mix of non-pretention taste with genuine surprise/ingenuity of invention! Truly deserving of a Michelin Star. Service is superb. Best food in San Diego by far.

Pricey... But the service matched, and so did the food. If you want a great dining experience and able to pay, it's a winner!

Amazing food it is art the service was friendly and fantastic if you are in Del Mar you have to eat there worth every person penny we can't wait to go again

Wow! I rarely go to Market, so it s been awhile. I went here with some friends for San Diego Restaurant week. What a great restaurant! $60 menu for three courses this week. The quality of the food was worth every penny. I had an amazing More

The best restaurant in LA/SD in terms of location, food quality, service, bread, menu variety wine list, and value. People say this place is super expensive when appetizers are $13-18 and mains vary $26-50 with most around $34-38. Appropriate prices should be 40's-60's. Located 5 Minutes off the highway and next to RSF, with $5 valet parking the location is supreme.

The food here truly is UNDER priced, each dish envelops your pallet with exquisite, distinct flavors coupled with excellent portion size. The menu is always evolving and the master chef employs an excellent job of creating seasonal dishes. Anyone who dines in LA(Mastros, Chianina, BOA, TAO, 71&Above etc) or fine restaurants abroad will deeply appreciate the price/quality here.
After eating at the top restaurants(Michelin star) in England, Paris, and (arguably the best in) Rome I would only eat at Aroma in Rome over the Market(and it is 1.5-3X as expensive). And that's because I'm dining while overlooking the Coliseum.

Which brings me to the view, which you do give up, however the interior and atmosphere is pleasant and trendy yet classical at the same time. It has a youth element to it but feels like old money simultaneously. Patrons young and old alike dine- alleviating the lack of vibrance that just having 70+ olds occupying a restaurant brings, which occurs frequently in and near The Ranch.



Unless you're keen on a steakhouse, sushi experience or requiring a view; there really is no reason to eat at any other place in SD. When I am visiting my parents here I aim to go 2-3 times per week. I wish I lived in SD so I could eat here twice per week.

If you are visiting or have not attended, this is the one place to eat in San Diego and really all of SoCal.

Outstanding food, staff, and ambiance. We had the tasting menu and were blown away. I'd highly recommend Market for date night or special occasions.

Upscale Californian restaurant between del Mar and rancho Santa Fe. Food is pretty good and well plated. Not sure it's worth the price.

Awesome flavors and creative menu. Hat's off to the chef!

Incredible food and a great dining experience. Everything was delicious. Shrimp coated halibut, beef spare ribs, sushi, and desserts were wonderful, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive.

Carl Shroeder is the man! I have been here a few times now and I can attest to the consistent perfection. I am always amazed at the flavor pairings that this place puts out; ingredients I never would think go together harmonize like a beautiful symphony in my mouth. The incredible staff produces the best service you could expect and really compliments the whole experience. This is, in my opinion, the best restaurant in San Diego and true culinary adventure into Carl Shroeders tasty mind. Thank you all, I will see you again shortly!

Awesome atmosphere and excellent wine selection. Top line menu and services.

The food is amazing. Great flavour pallette. Every bite is delicious!

One of my favorite restaurants in the world. We've been 4 or 5 times and only one experience wasn't as good as the others, and the only reason was the server wasn't as personable and knowledgeable as the other ones we've had. However, when prompted she was better. The host stand and valet are always so welcoming. Once you make a res they keep your info for the next time you return.

If you are there early enough, you get a nice view of the polo fields. Don't worry later diners, the food is to die for and the need for a view will be negated with your first sip of a cocktail or bite of your amuse bouche. Order whatever you want, you won't be disappointed. I'd hate to say order the local yellowtail tartare and stone crab with the burrata cheese and heirloom tomato salad to start, followed by the lobster if they have it on special, when your heart may be leaning towards the blue cheese souffle and local peach salad, followed by the cast iron grilled prime beef tenderloin because all amaze your taste buds. I think I've been through the entire dessert menu- I can't help, it's a meal that you are happy to get up and walk 3 miles to burn off.

My wife and I go here to celebrate special occasions. Excellent food and service.

Incredible fresh and beautifully presented. Portions are petite therefore a starter isn't overwhelming. The wine selection is impressive if you are entertaining. Most definitely will return again. Perfect for entertaining clients.

I love EVERYTHING about this place. The food and service was amazing, I did not want my night to end! You can really tell the cooks love what they do in the kitchen, it comes out in the food! You can also tell the server cares so much about every detail. There is a certain excitement in the room, because everyone knows you are in for a memorable experience. I will be back as often as possible.

One of best in North county and San Diego. I dine out a lot and it is always great for my guests and companions too.

One of my favorite 3 restaurants in San Diego. Chef/Co-owner Carl Schroeder continues to outdo himself every night in the kitchen and creates a superb and welcoming atmosphere. The food variety and quality here are top notch and hard to top.

Totally awesome sharable experience from begining to end. Our waiter, Spencer, couldn't have been better. We decided to have a gender reveal for our grandchild and Spencer went above and beyond to make this evening a special and memorable one. From the grapefruit salad which was outstanding followed by the short ribs that litterally metled in your mouth to the delicious cheese cake everything was top shelf. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks for an evening that we will never forget. Dr. Herb Hughes - Alexandria, VA

WOW. What a great restaurant. Everything we tried was simply delicious. The hamachi salad was one of my favorites as was my entree. The ribeye cap steak was prepared perfectly and the sauce was even better. I will say the addition of the lobster tail was the only thing we had that I didn't see the value in. We are definitely going back to try more. We also had the grouper which is prepared in a very unique way and was very good as well.

Excellent food and great wine selections. Beautiful presentation and a nice elegant atmosphere.
You can easily drop some coin here, but the food is worth the price.

I am fortunate to eat out 4 to 5 times per week and I was a chef for 7 years. Market is, by far, the best, most consistent, restaurant in all of San Diego. Full menu is available in the more casual bar area. The regular bar server, Amy, is one of the best in the industry. Bring your wallet and try the soup.

We had the tasting menu with the wine pairing, which was fabulous! The flavors of the foods were highlighted beautifully by the wines. The service and atmosphere were also perfect.

The food, drinks, and service are top-knotch. It s expensive, but perfect for a special occasion!

Excellent food. Excellent service! What else can I say!!

Out of the way location but still drew a good crowd. Ate at the bar without a reservation. Service was friendly if a bit hurried. It was a busy bar after all. Asian fusion food from the American perspective. Interesting. The fish and meats were done perfectly. The duck had great flavor in the reduction. The shrimp crusted fish was missing something in the flavor. Maybe a ponzu dipping sauce or similar might put it over the top. Very good food in general.

Great food, make a reservation. Perfect for adults only.

Combines the best chef with great management and the best servers in town. Top notch.

Chef Carl s Market restaurant will treat you to the best gastronomical experiences you will ever have. His dishes, by themselves, are a work of art. You would want to take pictures. His flavor combinations will blow your mind. You would think that putting different types of foods together would be a disaster, but Chef Carl and his kitchen staff always make them work out beautifully. His menu changes every other week and I look forward to trying something new each time I go there. One of his signature dishes, the wine braised short ribs, you will never get tired of. The rich, but not heavy, flavor of the meat is so succulent, it melts in your mouth. I love the way Chef Carl can cater to your allergies so well, that you would never know anything was missing from the dish.
His whole staff are so welcoming and kind. The hostess(s) greet you by name with smiles and friendliness. The waiters, waitresses and food servers are very knowledgeable and have a way of explaining each dish in delicious detail. Even though this is an upscale restaurant, there is full respect but no snobbishness. The managers, Shane, Antoine and Alex (Sommelier) will come to your table to chit chat, make sure you all your needs are taken care of and make you feel welcome. Even the busboys are courteous and friendly. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for amazing food, friendly staff and an upscale atmosphere.

Amazing food and service! One of the best meals I've had in a long time.

Such a reliable place for high end food and drinks. A breadth of wine options, food is consistently amazing. It can feel both casual (in the bar) and fancy (in the restaurant). Great service always.

Went here for restaurant week - great everything. Food was all great, from the appetizers to the dessert, nothing failed to impress. Parking is all valet (free) which is nice and I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Took my wife for a special dinner, and again I was pleased by the menu and the quality of the service.
It is one of my favorite places to eat.

Excellence in execution! Atmosphere was great but the food, sumply amazing. It doesn't get much better than this!

Food: 5
Decor: 4
Service: 5

One of the best meals I've ever had and probably my favorite restaurant in the world. The food was amazing.

Having had this place as a bookmark for nearly 3 years, I knew I had to drop by for dinner on a Socal roadtrip since it was so highly rated on both Zagat. My gf and I were both full from lunch, so we only opted for a starter, entree, and dessert, even though the tasting menu looked amazing.

1. Amuse
~Pretty good.

2. CRISPY DUCK CONFIT & ORGANIC FIGS 15.60

~Delicious. Figs, grapes, and duck worked beautifully together.

3. CABERNET BRAISED PRIME BEEF SHORTRIBS 34.95

~Delicious. Shortribs were cooked perfectly, and the corn succotash was delicious.

4. MARKET BAR, 8.95
Kit-kat bar with chocolate, peanut butter, caramel popcorn, and sliced bananas
~Pretty good, although it was really rich. Everything worked well together, although I think berries would have been better than bananas to cut through the richness, and I wish the popcorn were crunchier.

5. Chocolate cake with caramel ganache and chocolate ice cream on top of pistachios
~Pretty good.

Service was excellent. Fresh bread, including corn bread. Free valet.

Only problem was our server didn't mention they were offering us a complimentary dessert to celebrate our early anniversary, so we had two chocolate desserts (Market bars + chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake and caramel ganache).

They also use a decent amount of sugar in all their dishes, but luckily I have a sweet tooth.