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Herb & Sea, Encinitas, CA

Herb & Sea

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Visa Dining Collection

4.6
4.6
2944 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 45 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Lively
Blending classic East Coast culinary traditions with a modern Californian sensibility, Herb & Sea is Chef Brian Malarkey’s venerable companion restaurant to the much-loved Herb & Wood in Little Italy. Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tables in town, the concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Located steps from Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, the vibrant space is housed in a 1920’s art deco building that has been restored to its original glory.

Daily operations are helmed by Executive Chef Aidan Owens. The menu includes a mix of raw bar staples, fresh seafood, meat dishes, and roasted vegetables. A variety of pizzas and pastas round out the offerings, alongside dessert and a dedicated kids’ menu.

The spirits program is bright and playful, emphasizing citrus and floral notes that utilize the same ingredients found on the menu. The wine list offers a similar sense of whimsy, highlighting labels meant to complemen

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Brian Malarkey and Sara Harris
  • Private party facilities
    Herb & Sea’s chic coastal ambiance meets a neighborhood-friendly vibe that can fit events of all shapes and sizes. The concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Come into our home, where we think of it all so that you don't have to.
  • Neighborhood
    Encinitas
  • Cross street
    D Street and 2nd Street
  • Parking details
    Convenient street parking is available. The entrance is located between West D Street and West E Street on the East side. You are more than welcome to call the restaurant, (760) 704-8300, if you have further questions!
  • Public transit
    Encinitas Train Station: 25 E D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Easter Brunch

    $68.00 per person

    Apr 20, 2025 only
    Gather your family and friendsto join us at Herb & Sea for a pre-fixe brunch for the Easter Holiday. Pricing will be $68 for a 3 course brunch experience. We are looking forward to hosting your Easter holiday!
  • Mother's Day Brunch

    $68.00 per person

    May 11, 2025 only
    Celebrate your mom at Herb & Sea! We are offering a pre-fixe brunch menu to spoil your mom on her special day. The pricing for the menu will be $68 per person. We are excited to host you and your loved ones on this holiday.
  • WILDCOAST Dinner

    $120.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Apr 6, 2025 only
    Join us for an unforgettable evening in support of ocean conservation at this year’s WILDCOAST Dinner. Chefs Aidan Owens, Drew Deckman, and Davin Waite are coming together for a four-course, family-style feast spotlighting locally sourced seafood, paired with wines from Niner Winery, tequila from Solento, and brews from Pure Project. Kick off the night on the Moonlight Deck with welcome cocktails and bites from each chef before diving into an interactive, open-air dining experience—where the chefs will be cooking live, bringing the flavors of the sea to life. 100% of ticket profits directly fund WILDCOAST’s mission to protect our planet’s most critical ecosystems. Ticket price includes beverages, taxes, and fees.

What 2,944 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Herb & Sea, located in Encinitas, promises a vibrant dining experience with a menu that creatively supports local fishermen and farms. Guests consistently praise their "impeccable service" and "delicious mussel toast." While some diners noted noise levels and slow service, the atmosphere is lively, making it a "great place to gather with friends and family." The restaurant's commitment to fresh, local ingredients, paired with its energetic vibe, creates a memorable visit.
2,944 Reviews
  1. Olga

    San Antonio2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved all the food and drinks! Definitely recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  2. M VIP

    Portland6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was good for the most part. Some of their staple items are gone, which is too bad. The noise level is awful inside. We couldn’t hear our server, let alone have a discussion at the table.

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  3. Caroline

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious! We loved the corner seat we were given and the food was amazing especially to the mussel toast...what a brilliant idea!

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  4. Rex & Catherine

    San Diego9 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Been to 2 other restaurants with the same owners. The others were much better! Uncomfortably loud! Food was too spicy and full of canola oil! We will not be back! 

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  5. Carol

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved everything about this restaurant. Our dinners were fabulous. Service was impeccable, but friendly. We loved it even more when we learned that the chef orders directly from and supports our local fishermen, and vegetables are from our local farms and vegetable gardens.

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  6. Jack

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had the best waitress. She was so nice, friendly and knowledgeable. We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary here and will definitely be back

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  7. Cecil

    Phoenix4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Disappointing. The bone marrow was amazing and setup what I thought would be a great meal. The mains were too busy and out of balance. Filet was salty, carrots were over sauced and smokiness of the pork combated with a riata that was too sour. Overall, the price of the meal was out of step with the service and product delivered. It’s a nice place with friendly people, our meal was likely just a miss.

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  8. Janis

    Sacramento42 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Mulvaney's eclectic style was prominent. The Roasted Carrots veggie was incredible, topped with pistachios and fresh herbs. Our favorite dish was the Barramundi Ristoto. The fish had a crispy well well-seasoned skin layer, and the cook was perfect, leaving it moist in the middle. The level of spice with the risotto left me pleasantly surprised. The Gnocchi was layer with pesto. A generous portion but a single note for flavor. It would have been better to share as an appetizer and not the main. The Tuscan Ragu was tasty and a large portion. Our server Tosh was very attentive and really knew the menu and ingredients within each dish.

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  9. Don VIP

    San Diego22 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 17, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Miss the crab linguini. Service pretty slow last night. Pork brisket was very good, but over all not firing on all cylinders compared to first few years.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was fabulous! Generously portioned food. The halibut and swordfish were wonderful. Highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Herb & Sea is rated 4.6 stars by 2944 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. North San Diego
  5. Encinitas

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 45 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Herb & Sea

131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024-3516

Additional information

  • Cross street
    D Street and 2nd Street
  • Neighborhood
    Encinitas
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Convenient street parking is available. The entrance is located between West D Street and West E Street on the East side. You are more than welcome to call the restaurant, (760) 704-8300, if you have further questions!
  • Public transit
    Encinitas Train Station: 25 E D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Brian Malarkey and Sara Harris
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Herb & Sea’s chic coastal ambiance meets a neighborhood-friendly vibe that can fit events of all shapes and sizes. The concept shines with a menu that focuses on simple, clean, bright flavors. Come into our home, where we think of it all so that you don't have to.
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