Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

4.3

321 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 19 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for outdoor dining
Lively

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant and unique neighborhood gathering space serves inventive California global fare crafted by renowned Michoacán-born executive chef Moises Hernandez.

Cozy up next to one of our expansive patio’s many firepits and enjoy deliciously prepared dishes, daily happy hour, craft beverages, a glorious sommelier-driven wine list, local beer and live music from some of the area’s top jazz musicians and Black Rail Kitchen + Bar’s very own house band, the E.S.P. Collective.

We are proud to bring our longtime Carlsbad neighbors and newcomers alike diverse dining experiences including Black Rail Kitchen + Bar, Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen and Yelp Top 100 breakfast spot Beach Plum Kitchen.
Stop by, grab a drink and soak in the best of La Costa!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(760) 931-0020
Website
https://blackrailkitchen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Chef Moises Hernandez
Catering
We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time & offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
Private party facilities
Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.

Location
6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009-4149
Neighborhood
Carlsbad
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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What 321 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious food," "great service," and a "wonderful atmosphere." The live jazz music and beautiful patio seating add charm. While some seating areas may impact music enjoyment, the "upscale bar food and drinks" consistently impress. Ideal for casual meetings, happy hour, and relaxed evenings.

321 Reviews

J
Jasmine
VIP
San Diego
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our hostess was wonderful. We arrived early and she said there were two seats available in the back bar until our table was ready. Our waiter was pleasant and took time explaining the specials. I chose the lamb shank which was prepared just right to medium. We had a xylophone and guitarist play jazz music! A great Valentine dinner!!
Is this helpful?
R
Ruben
San Diego
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The ambience was wonderful, great atmosphere. The layout and decor is eye catching and the service was top notch. The drinks were made perfectly and the food was delicious. Definitely will be revisiting again.
Is this helpful?
T
Thomas
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Matt and the rest of the staff were all great. Thank you for the wonderful experience for our 34 Valentines together.
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g
gary
San Diego
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great ambience. Staff was all friendly and professional, but service was slow and they were visibly overwhelmed. Cocktails were good. Food was a joke. The $15 Brussels sprouts were dunked in a deep fryer and thrown on a plate. Pork chop, which was highly recommended, was ok. It was a tender, juicy cut, but not executed very well. The apple chutney overwhelmed the dish and the chop needed a harder sear. The gravy saved it. The crèm brûlée had notes of authenticity, and it tasted pretty good, but like everything else it just seemed a bit thrown together and lacked any soul. All said, it’s not difficult to have a pleasant experience when someone puts a ton of cash into a very cool buildout, but the food was overpriced and disappointing.
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D
Deanna
Seattle
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The live jazz here is wonderful! And so are the winemaker dinners.
Is this helpful?
j
joe
Los Angeles
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
great meal, great table, beautiful music very accomodating
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
VIP
San Diego
35 reviews
4.0
35 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
First time there. We had been to an associated restaurant (next door) "The Tin Leaf", many times. Part of the reason we went was to hear their live musicians. The place is large and only the tables in the immediate location where they play can hear them. So if that is important, let them know that when you make a reservation
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
VIP
San Diego
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food! Nicole our server was fabulous ! Piano was fun!
Is this helpful?
W
Weston
VIP
San Diego
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Choice seating is key. Otherwise you will be in an uncomfortable flat vertical backed booth, and the jazz will echo off the ceiling. Best to reserve the c shaped booths that face the jazz musicians. You can also end up in another totally different section of restaurant that has bright lighting and no way to hear live jazz, so again ask for booths facing jazz trio. Outside seating isn’t bad, if you have a pet, it’s a solid option but not ambiance or music of course. Food is tasty but some portions are on the smaller side, drinks are average, service is solid.
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N
Nandita
San Diego
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Drinks were decent but the menu items were not great! The restaurant wasn’t even full but the host was reluctant to give us a booth . The service could definitely be a bit warmer.
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FAQs

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (760) 931-0020.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is rated 4.3 stars by 321 OpenTable diners.

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 19 times today

Order delivery or takeout

6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009-4149

Additional information

Neighborhood
Carlsbad
Hours of operation
Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Moises Hernandez
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://blackrailkitchen.com/
Phone number
(760) 931-0020
Catering
We offer a variety of catering services, including pick up, drop off, and full-service. Let our catering team show you how easy it is to impress your guests with our menu! We pride ourselves on being on time every time & offer amazing food to meet every budget.<br />Please visit freshkitchenhospitality.com/catering for more info or to submit an inquiry.
Private party facilities
Whether you’re planning a company meeting, dinner party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or holiday party we are able to meet your every need. We offer a mix of private and semi-private dining opportunities. We can provide personalized menus, table decor, audio-visual equipment, and more. Email samantha@blackrailkitchen.com for more information.

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card

Menu

What 321 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Black Rail Kitchen + Bar restaurant rated?

Does Black Rail Kitchen + Bar offer gift cards?

Is Black Rail Kitchen + Bar currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card