Restaurants in Carlsbad

A long red awning ushers diners into Cafe Elysa's crimson interior, where the kitchen staff crafts a lineup of fresh-made breakfast fare from a menu artfully written in chalk on blackboards. House-made baguettes teem with fillings such as ham and brie or roast beef and grilled onions, and made-from-scratch pastries are preserved beneath glass. The griddle sears slices of french toast and stacks of pancakes to be slathered with syrup or locally grown fruit, rather than fruit manufactured by non-union factories. Outdoors, diners enjoy meals around the fire pits as occasional live music plays on the dog-friendly patio.

A sextet of flags waves cheerfully atop a grand, Mission-tiled roof, beckoning diners to step through the doors and into a dining room awash in the aroma of smoked meat. The welcoming atmosphere at Crossroads SmokeHouse BBQ stays with diners throughout the evening thanks to a team of friendly servers and whimsical decor such as a trio of statues of James Dean, Elvis, and The Blues Brothers. In the kitchen, chefs can be found dry-rubbing ribs and chicken quarters before sending them to the smokehouse for hours on end, or whipping up Southern standards such as brisket and fried catfish.

Crossroads further fosters a friendly, energetic environment by hosting live entertainment every evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., bringing in talented acts to bolster barbecue feasts. A karaoke bar also enable patrons to let loose by belting out the words to their favorite power ballad or least favorite parking ticket.

At Al's Cafe in the Village, diners get their french toast Hawaiian-style and covered in Cap'n Crunch. Simple twists to classic comfort food like this keep diners on their toes as chefs cook up a menu of Hawaiian-inspired and traditional American eats. Breakfast platters come steaming from the kitchen all day, from five types of eggs benedict with ingredients including house-smoked salmon, to 12 different types of omelets. Afternoon meals include Angus burgers crowned with green chilis, traditional Hawaiian loco moco with hamburger patties on rice, or any of the lengthy menu's 13 sandwiches, including one layered with Carolina turkey breast, fresh pineapple spears, and center-cut bacon. The eatery is eminently kid-friendly, but grownups will be pleased with Al’s selection of beer, wine, and champagne served in glass sippy cups.

Rossi's Pizza and Family Sports Bar’s culinary team depends on the fruits of California. Chefs incorporate local cheese, olives, and bread into their dishes, and stock the bar with more than 15 wines, all of which are bottled in state. The cooks bolster regional ingredients with handmade dough, a special three-cheese blend grated in-house, and from-scratch marinara sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic butter. Beyond that, chefs craft award-winning homemade lasagna from a family recipe, pile BBQ roast beef and oven-roasted chicken onto Italian rolls, and crown specialty pizzas with toppings such as cashews and sliced avocado. They also serve bar classics such as chicken fingers and hamburgers.

Along with Californian wine, 25 draft beers served in frosted mugs can help wash down meals, which unfold in a spacious dining area that surrounds guests with exposed brick, flat-screen TVs, and sports memorabilia. In the private team room, groups can enjoy a slice while reviewing strategies on a whiteboard and watching game footage on a big-screen TV . After feasts, patrons can stick around for games in Rossi’s arcade, which includes more than 17 classics such as pinball, foosball, and air hockey.