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Matsu

Name: Matsu
Address: 626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA, United States, 92054
Telephone: (760) 681-6152
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.6

Visa Dining Collection

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Innovative
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

Matsu follows a new light in modern Japanese cooking while paying homage to centuries-old tradition. We honor the philosophies behind the culture and its cuisine while expressing the local terroir and what grows naturally around us. The menu is our study of pristine, simple ingredients, the overall experience a balance, providing a sense of omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality.

We currently offer a 10 course tasting menu that constantly is changing with the seasons and availability, featuring a wide variety of seafood and vegetables, a few meat courses, and desserts. We also have a la carte and vegan options available as well, and walk in guests are welcome to join us either at our bar, or if tables are available for the evening. With advance notice, we are happy to adjust the menu to accommodate most dietary restrictions. A5 Wagyu can be added for an additional $55 per person.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: William Eick

From the OpenTable editors: Head to this serene spot for innovative Japanese fare from pop-up darling and Thrillist San Diego best chef award-winner William Eick. Dig into elegant, beautifully plated dishes that could include sakana with banana curry or ebi tempura in an intimate, dimly lit dining room. Toast with a glass of sake or one of the restaurant’s inventive cocktails like a kelp-infused gin sour.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Creative Japanese, American, Contemporary Asian
Hours of operation
Mon, Thu–Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(760) 681-6152
Website
http://eatatmatsu.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Please contact info@eatmatsu.com for any buyout or private event inquiries.

Location
626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054
Neighborhood
Oceanside
Cross street
Corner of Wisconsin St and Tremont St
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Japanese Wines Night
$375.00 per person
Prepaid
Aug 12, 2025 only
6 Course pairing dinner featuring the wine from Japanese vineyards, ending with a dessert paired with Japanese whisky
10 Course Tasting Menu
$225.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Join the Matsu team for a 10-course tasting menu. Dietary restrictions and certain allergies cannot be accommodated without advance notice. Whole table participation is required. *We cannot accommodate gluten allergies at this time. **We ask that you do not make multiple reservations with the intent to be seated together, as we cannot accommodate parties larger than 6. CANCELLATION POLICY: Our intention is to provide our guests an intimate dining experience born of rigorous culinary techniques and attentive service. Therefore, no-shows and last minutes cancellations have a notable impact on our ability to serve our guests to our standards. Therefore, all purchases are final and nonrefundable.
Chef's Counter Tasting Menu
$285.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Join the Matsu team for an 11-course tasting menu. Dietary restrictions and certain allergies cannot be accommodated without advance notice. The 11-course tasting menu price per-person is $285, with the addition of applicable taxes and gratuity. Whole table participation is required. *We cannot accommodate gluten allergies at this time. **We ask that you do not make multiple reservations with the intent to be seated together, as we cannot accommodate parties larger than 2.

What 108 people are saying

Matsu 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
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
North San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Matsu offers an "exquisite dining experience" with a "10-course tasting menu" that captivates with "innovative Japanese flavors." Guests appreciate the "wonderful service" and "beautiful presentation" of dishes. While some express concern about portion sizes and pricing, the quality of food and "spot-on pairings" make it a "culinary treasure worth visiting."

108 Reviews

T
Timothy VIP
San Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went with the set menu and very pleased with the innovative dishes. Highly recommend.
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B
Brian VIP
San Diego7 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful date night experience for our table of 4. The 10-course tasting menu was exquisite. Favorite dishes include the acorn “cookie” with Camembert, the lobster course, and the pork. Beautiful decor and dining space. Elite service. Highly recommended.
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C
Chris VIP
Orange County8 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Restaurant Review: Matsu – A Hidden Gem Worth the Journey Last Saturday evening, my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Matsu in Oceanside, and it was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, the experience was thoughtful, refined, and memorable. Matsu offers a tasting menu that is both innovative and deeply rooted in Japanese culinary tradition. Each course was beautifully presented and layered with flavor—clearly the work of a passionate and creative kitchen. The wine and sake pairings were spot-on, enhancing each dish in unexpected and delightful ways. The staff at Matsu deserve special mention. They were not only attentive and professional, but also remarkably knowledgeable about both the ingredients and the pairings, offering insight into each course without ever interrupting the flow of the evening. While Matsu is tucked away in a less-traveled part of Oceanside, don’t let the location deter you. This is the kind of experience that’s well worth the drive—a restaurant that would likely be a massive hit in any major metro area, but instead offers a more intimate and serene setting for those willing to seek it out. In short, Matsu is a culinary treasure that delivers on all fronts: food, service, ambiance, and a sense of discovery. We’ll definitely be returning.
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C
Chitra
Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review
5.0
Dined on June 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dining at Matsu was a fabulous and elevated experience. I was dining alone so I got there early at 4.30, so it enabled me to enjoy leisurely without a too many exuberant happy diners. My server Coltrane, was well versed in the seasonal menu and was very happy to share all succinct facts plus the details of ingredients, primarily perhaps I was v curious too. Mr. William Eick, the lead creator force at Matsu was quietly present and observant. I would now return most eagerly to enjoy the next seasons’ offerings at Matsu.
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s
shaneon VIP
San Diego5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Sophisticated food, New York City ambiance, wonderful staff. The chef greeted us and helped wait on us (we thought he was the host). Very immersive experience. Definitely, upgrade your wine pairing, and the 10 course meal did not disappoint. Very expensive, but we enjoyed it immensely.
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P
Phyllis
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Matsu prepares absolutely fantastic and unique dishes. The presentation is wonderful, with added flowers and herbs. The flavors in each entree are very complex and always exciting. It is a plus that all the ingredients are local. I most appreciated many refills of hot water to keep my tea hot and flavorful. The service was wonderful, with special care for every detail. We are also grateful that the cost is of the meal is below what would be expected of such. a quality meal. We especially thank our server, Cole Train. Thank you for a delightful evening.
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D
Deven
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
2.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
food was strictly ok. not worth 700 very disappointing
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D
Dr . Benjamin S . VIP
San Diego8 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were absolutely blown away by the chef tasting menu as well as the 1000 star service we received! I cannot believe they do not have a Michelin Star or 3. The flavors of every dish was amazing. The details of the preparation was a great way to dine and experience at the same time. We will definitely be coming back as this spot has this our top three in Oceanside! Thank you all again for a fantastic dining experience! See you soon!
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C
Cecelia
Orlando / Central Florida East5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Every course was fantastic! Our server couldn’t have been more gracious and made us feel so welcomed. Can’t wait to come back!
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C
Christine VIP
New York City6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely fantastic! Great service and amazing food. A really lovely experience on all fronts.
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FAQs

Matsu is rated 4.6 stars by 108 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Additional information

Cross street
Corner of Wisconsin St and Tremont St
Neighborhood
Oceanside
Hours of operation
Mon, Thu–Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Creative Japanese, American, Contemporary Asian
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://eatatmatsu.com/
Phone number
(760) 681-6152
Private party facilities
Please contact info@eatmatsu.com for any buyout or private event inquiries.

Matsu

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

Japanese Wines Night

10 Course Tasting Menu

Chef's Counter Tasting Menu

Menu

What 108 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Matsu restaurant rated?

Is Matsu currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information