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Lilo
New American
The evening starts outside on a heated patio, then moves to a counter wrapped around the open kitchen, which is about as much warning as you get that Lilo is an event. This Michelin-starred tasting menu in Carlsbad runs through New American cooking built on Japanese kinmedai, California abalone, and wagyu, with a James Beard semifinalist behind the stoves. The New York Times put it on their restaurant list, and you can see why once the orgeat ice cream arrives.
Five honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- Michelin Guide 1 Star
- Wine Enthusiast Top 50 New Restaurants
- The New York Times The Restaurant List
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in San Diego
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: California · Eric Bost
One number, weighted & current 92
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
Tasting menu only. The dishes change too often to put on record.
Nearby in the record closest first
- Jeune et Jolie Nouvelle French Eat · 92
- Campfire Fire-Forward American Eat · 69
- Lofty Coffee Eat · 66
- Same Same Thai Cocktail Bar Drink · 65
- The Green Room Stay · 74
- Tanner’s Prime Burgers American Eat · 79
- Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub Sushi Eat · 42
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