5
- 4.9Food
- 5.0Service
- 4.9Ambience
- 4.6Value
Noise • Moderate
20262025
From the OpenTable editors: The team behind acclaimed Carlsbad restaurants Jeune et Jolie and Campfire have added this intimate, 22-seat tasting menu restaurant housed in a former boogie board factory that's the most ambitious yet. Star chef Eric Bost takes inspiration from the Southern California coast for his menus that include thoughtful dishes like spot prawns served with a sauce made of sea buckthorn, lime leaf, serrano pepper, and gooseberries. Everything is well thought out here, down to the drink pairings that offer standout wine, nonalcoholic beverages, or a mixed option, too.
Executive chef: Eric Bost
USD 330.00 per person
Prepaid
1 - 4 people
USD 330.00 per person
Prepaid
1 - 4 people
USD 450.00 per person
Prepaid
1 - 4 people
Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.
OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at Lilo.
5
Noise • Moderate
San Diego
Best Overall
San Diego
Best Food
San Diego
Best Service
San Diego
Best Ambience
San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Californian
North San Diego
Best Overall
North San Diego
Best Food
North San Diego
Best Service
North San Diego
Best Ambience
North San Diego
Best Value
North San Diego
Innovative
North San Diego
Great for fine wines
North San Diego
Good for special occasions
North San Diego
Californian
Katie
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley4 reviews
Dined on 1 November 2026
Is this helpful?
Linda Gold
San Diego41 reviews
Dined on 31 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Ben Gold
Los Angeles6 reviews
Dined on 31 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Nichol
Orange County3 reviews
Dined on 30 October 2026
Is this helpful?
George
Los Angeles12 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Mark Gold
San Diego49 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Laura Gold
San Diego34 reviews
Dined on 27 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Brian Gold
San Diego16 reviews
Dined on 25 October 2026
Is this helpful?
Mona Gold
San Diego52 reviews
Dined on 23 October 2026
Is this helpful?
David Gold
Orange County5 reviews
Dined on 23 October 2026
Is this helpful?
6 October 2026
Lilo was ranked No. 5 on Yelp’s Best New Restaurants 2026 list and received a Red Star, Star Wine List’s top award in its California Wine Bars & Wine Restaurants category. The article also highlights praise for its service, atmosphere, cooking, and California-focused wine program.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune
29 September 2026
Lilo in Carlsbad ranked fifth on Yelp’s list of the 25 best new restaurants of 2026 and received a Michelin star two months after opening. Its three-part dining experience includes small bites, dishes served around the chef’s counter, and tea by a fire pit; a Yelp reviewer praised the food and attention to detail.
Published in New York Post
8 July 2026
Lilo wine director Savannah Riedler won the Michelin Guide’s 2026 California Sommelier of the Year award. She built the restaurant’s wine list of more than 350 selections, emphasizing small California producers.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune
25 June 2026
The dining scene in California is in the spotlight once again with the recent announcement of this year’s MICHELIN Star and Bib Gourmand honorees. Explore all of the OpenTable restaurants who have received this prestigious designation and book a table to go congratulate them in person!
Published by OpenTable
24 June 2026
Lilo’s wine director, Savannah Riedler, discusses the restaurant’s California-focused wine list, which highlights small producers and pairs with Chef Eric Bost’s contemporary Californian cuisine. Riedler received the 2026 MICHELIN Guide California Sommelier Award.
Published in MICHELIN Guide
24 June 2026
Lilo wine director Savannah Riedler won the 2026 Michelin Sommelier Award for California. She moved back to San Diego last year to join the restaurant’s opening team.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune
23 June 2026
The 24-seat Lilo in Carlsbad earned a Michelin star in 2025, just 10 weeks after opening. It is led by restaurateur John Resnick and executive chef and partner Eric Bost.
Published in The Press Democrat
18 June 2026
Lilo in Carlsbad was named the best new restaurant in America in Robb Report’s 2026 ranking. The 24-seat tasting counter opened in 2025 and earned a Michelin star soon after opening.
Published in New York Post
17 June 2026
Robb Report named Lilo the No. 1 new restaurant in America, praising its California-focused tasting menu, warm service, and thoughtful drinks. The 24-seat Carlsbad restaurant earned a Michelin star weeks after opening in 2025.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune
Yes, Lilo begins and ends service in a lovely outdoor courtyard/zen garden, and many guests describe enjoying initial bites and the final tea service outside.
Smart casual is the guide, think polished but relaxed; many guests treat Lilo as a special-occasion spot and dress up a touch for anniversaries and celebrations.
Yes, Lilo is a Michelin‑starred restaurant, holding one MICHELIN Star (awarded in 2025 and retained in 2026).
Yes, Lilo is frequently chosen for anniversaries and special occasions, with guests praising the courtyard, the chef’s‑counter intimacy, thoughtful beverage pairings, and attentive service.
Tuesday evenings are a lovely pick, reviewers who visited on a Tuesday enjoyed an early reservation, the courtyard welcome, and a smooth tasting experience.
How FAQ content is generated