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Herb & Sea, Encinitas, CA

Herb & Sea

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Visa Dining Collection

4.6 (3021)
$30 and under
Californian
131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024-3516

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 54 times today

About this restaurant

  • 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

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

What 3,021 people are saying

Herb & Sea reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North San Diego

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Herb & Sea offers a lively dining experience with "incredible" seafood, creative dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere. Highlights include the mussel toast, "perfectly cooked" fish, and "fun cocktails." While some guests find the environment noisy, the "excellent service" and innovative menu make it a favorite for special occasions and happy hours.
3,021 Reviews
  1. Raquel VIP

    San Diego11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great options for apps and raw bar- we did the trout dip, oysters, and beef carpaccio. The house made hot sauce is delicious. All were amazing. The tuna entree was great but the caviar hoe cake was next level amazing. Loved it! I wish there would have been more of a selection with white fish and meat aside from the filet but the side orders were all amazing. The snow peas, corn, carrots, and potatoes were delish! Thanks again, Herb & Sea, and AJ!!!! It was a great birthday dinner. 🎈

    Is this helpful?

  2. Andrea

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious drinks, amazing appetizers and entrees. Can’t wait to come back.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Liz

    Coastal North Carolina1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    First time at Herb and Sea. Food was absolutely delicious! Wish I could recall the exact names of what we ate. The lamb meatballs, as an appetizer, were fabulous, surrounded by a perfect sauce. Peas were our vegetable and the Shrimp Pasta our entree. Enough food to split! Service was perfect. Only negative was the noise factor. Sounds were bouncing off the walls, making it difficult to hear conversations.

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  4. Deana VIP

    Las Vegas11 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I guess my expectations were too high. The ceviche that they pushed every table to order was the worst I've ever had. Completely lacking flavor, a bit fishy, and heavy. The mussles toast was great, beef carpaccio was great, potatoes were very greasy and flavorless, carrots were good, cavatelli pasta was ok-ish. Dessert was the olive oil cake which was extremely uneventful and seemed like it came from a box, had barely any toppings and was served in a bread plate for $15. For $200 for 2 people with no drinks, I was not impressed at all.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Emily VIP

    Orange County8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. Delicious offerings and unique seafood and other dishes. I would lower the music a bit with a loud crowd and cavernous space.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Will

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great. Super interesting menu which was delicious and staff very nice

    Is this helpful?

  7. Steve

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a great Father’s Day dinner at Herb and Sea! The carpaccio and baked oysters with Bone Marrow we a great start and you can’t beat the fresh seafood. I highly recommend the H&S Old Fashion

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  8. Debra

    San Diego15 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    We have dined there several times and thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, this time the experience was different. The food was excellent, service started out great but declined after our appetizer was served. Our main course came approximately 20 minutes after we had finished our appetizer which was very unusual and we had to go to the staff to ask when the main course was coming? We had a reservation when the restaurant opened so it wasn't as if the restaurant was full yet or we came in during a "rush". It was a very unusual experience as other tables who came in after us were served their entire meal and getting ready to leave before we received our main course.

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  9. Lauren

    San Diego1 review

    1.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Extremely mediocre food and absurdly expensive. Brought my family here for Father’s Day and they were disappointed

    Is this helpful?

  10. Nicole VIP

    Utah49 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great. Seared yellowtail was incredible. Sadly they ran out of the collar special. Not much for vegetarians in entrees but lots of sides .

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Herb & Sea is rated 4.6 stars by 3021 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 54 times today
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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