Lilo

Lilo

Delicious as F*ck
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About
My Take
Our Take

Lilo seats a small room built around an open kitchen in Carlsbad — the best seats at the counter — and cooks a single tasting menu that changes with the seasons, a few blocks from the water.

The star came in the restaurant's first summer and held, with the national lists close behind. Single-menu rooms usually protect the concept at the food's expense. Lilo's cooking would hold up anywhere, which is why the room works.

The Spot
Lilo sits along the Carlsbad coastline, built around a 24-seat chef's counter where a multi-course tasting menu unfolds in a single seating. The menu draws on the California coast and shorelines elsewhere in the world, framed as a lively, immersive experience tied to that theme.

Michelin has awarded Lilo one star in both the 2025 and 2026 guides. Robb Report named it to its Best New Restaurants list both years, and The New York Times included it on The Restaurant List in 2025. It has also been named to the Eater 38 and reviewed by The Infatuation, building a reputation for its service and atmosphere alongside the cooking.
THE FACTS
Delicious as F*ck
AWARDMichelin Guide One Star2025–2026
AWARDThe New York Times The Restaurant List2025
AWARDRobb Report Best New Restaurants2025–2026
CRITICCovered by Eater
CRITICCovered by Ranch & Coast
CRITICCovered by San Diego Magazine
CRITICCovered by The Infatuation
RATINGS4.9 stars across 96 reviews2 sources
The Regulars
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Your Rating
City

San Diego

Neighborhood

Carlsbad

Price

$$$$

Cuisine

Japanese

Chef

Owner

Michelin One Star 2026
Recognition
NYT Restaurant List 2025
Recognition