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Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad

4.6 (53)
$30 and under
Mexican
5980 Avd Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Great for happy hour
  • Lively
Miguel's Cocina is a Mexican restaurant and cantina. One of the primary tenets of this eatery is authenticity. If it can't be ordered south of the border, it's not on Miguel's menu. The restaurant itself opened in 1982 with a few classic recipes and has been consistently growing and expanding ever since. The kitchen staff at Miguel's cocina make almost everything in the restaurant by hand from scratch, including tortillas, salsas and colorful corn chips.Popular starters, or antijidos as the are known on the menu, include the ahi tuna ceviche, carinta flautas and crispy fried calamari with a house jalapaño white sauce. Entrées are straightforward traditional dishes made with premium ingredients. Diners will find dishes like pork belly quesadillas, steak burritos and even gorditas made with griddled masa and filled with chorizos, potatoes, cilantro, onion, cotija cheese, cabbage and lime crema.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Traditional Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Formal Attire
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Carlsbad
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

What 53 people are saying

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad 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
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Good for groups

  • North San Diego

    Good for groups

  • North San Diego

    Lively

  • North San Diego

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Miguel's Cocina in Carlsbad offers a "festive atmosphere" with standout chips, salsa, and queso dip. Known for "great service," the enchiladas suizas and pollo asado burrito are crowd favorites. While some found certain dishes lacking, the "amazing bar" and "delicious margaritas" make it a popular local choice.
53 Reviews
  1. Scott

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Miguel’s is always good, any location. The best Mexican sit down restaurants serve chips and salsa when you’re seated. Miguel’s serves every patron chips, salsa and QUESO DIP!

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  2. Marilyn VIP

    San Diego236 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had great service but were disappointed in the food. Two of us ordered the chicken tostada grande. There was very little chicken on it but piled high with lettuce!! It was more like a lettuce salad than a tostada. Very disappointing. The margarita was awful too. Way too much ice and very lemony with no taste whatsoever of tequila. We eat here a lot and this is the first time we had bad meals.

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  3. Cindy

    San Diego7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Festive atmosphere, amazing queso dip with chips, and drinks. Took my out of town relatives here for dinner. Meal did not disappoint them. Highly recommend reservations for the weekends. Loved that they had our table ready!

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  4. Nancy VIP

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience we celebrated Mother's Day and they were so accomodating! We love going to Miguel's

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  5. Meghan

    San Diego1 review

    1.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Chorizo eggs were horrible burnt and server was no where to be found

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  6. Dominic

    San Diego16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good food and drinks! Service was on point. Had a party of 8 and enjoyed our time.

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  7. Frank VIP

    San Diego20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really good food and very nice service. Kayla was very welcoming and attentive. The enchiladas suizas were great, as were the rolled taquitos. The pollo asado burrito and tostada salad were excellent too. Everyone in my group was happy. Prices were decent and the restaurant was clean and hopping. A bit loud. But not to the point you couldn’t talk. The chips and salsa were delicious too and refilled. They came with queso too which was a nice touch. Easy to work around allergies here as well.

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  8. RITA

    Orange County15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful evening, great food and excellent service! This is one of our favorite places.

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  9. Alicia

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a fantastic time at Miguel’s Cocina enjoying the weekend with my sisters. The food was delicious. The Margaritas were great!

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  10. Nelson

    Orange County4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Overall 4 out 5 stars. Service was ok, could have been much better. I oiled go back as it was a good value. Their chips and dip complimentary appetizer was really good!

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FAQs

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (760) 759-1843.

Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad is rated 4.6 stars by 53 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. Carlsbad

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for Miguel's Cocina - Carlsbad

5980 Avd Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Carlsbad
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Traditional Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Formal Attire
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
  • Delivery & takeout
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