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05/22/2026
The night’s not over yet ✨Meet us for one last round at Black Rail. Last Hour Happy Hour now every Friday + Saturday night starting at 9 PM 🍸
Late-night cocktails, shareable bites, and the perfect excuse to stay out a little longer.
Featured here:
-Black Rail Sangria
-Lamb Meatballs
- The El Camino
Plus much more on our happy hour menu. We’ll see you tonight 🌙
05/22/2026
Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
The unofficial start of summer is here, set to cocktails, dinner, and two evenings of live music with Jenessa Noland and Adam Wolff.
Saturday, 5/23: Jenessa Noland
Sunday, 5/24: Adam Wolff
Reservations recommended.
05/20/2026
Our seasonal mango cheesecake reflects the quiet care behind our desserts, featuring farm to table ingredients, ripe mango, Chantilly cream, fresh mint, mango coulis, and a delicate crumble. Bright, refined, and thoughtfully finished.
05/16/2026
A richer table for the weekend.
Tenderloin fusilli with broccolini, red peppers, shallots, parmesan, and a creamy veal sauce.
Pair it with Chalk Hill Pinot Noir, or finish with mango cheesecake and blood orange sorbet.
Tonight, Saturday, May 16, John Opferkuch + Ian Harland Duo join us from 6:30–8:30 PM.
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 17, E.S.P. Jazz Collective performs from 6–8 PM.
Dinner, wine, and live jazz for the weekend.
Reservations recommended.
05/15/2026
Stepping into the weekend with live jazz.
Saturday, May 16
John Opferkuch + Ian Harland Duo
6:30–8:30 PM
Sunday, May 17
E.S.P. Jazz Collective
6–8 PM
Dinner, cocktails, and a weekend set to jazz.
05/13/2026
Golden butter cake
seasonal berries, chantilly cream
Our dessert selection shifts with the season, bringing a lighter, ingredient-driven approach to the end of the table.
A softer finish after dinner, made for a glass of bubbles and something sweet.
05/09/2026
The table is set for Saturday.
A chilled martini, live jazz with Michael Till, and tonight’s special from Chef Moises: wild-caught Costa Rican swordfish with roasted sunchokes, artichokes, shallots, spinach, and caper beurre blanc.
Reservations recommended.
05/08/2026
The weekend arrives with music.
Saturday, May 9, Michael Till joins us for an evening of live jazz.
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, Jenessa Noland featuring Ben Gottesman performs from 5–7 PM.
Dinner, jazz, and a Sunday beautifully set.
Reservations highly recommended.
05/06/2026
Moroccan braised lamb meatballs, one of our most beloved entrée plates.
Made with fine lamb, harissa, gluten-free panko, feta, braised pepper sauce, herbed basmati rice, mint salad, and olives, it’s warm, generous, and full of layered flavor.
A house favorite Chef Moises is especially proud of, beautifully paired with the Thacher “Constant Variable” Rhône Blend from Paso Robles.
05/02/2026
This weekend: house-made fusilli tossed in creamy pesto with spring vegetables and braised short rib, finished with parmesan, Fresno chili, and fresh herbs.
Pair it with Chalk Hill Pinot Noir: smooth and velvety, with notes of pomegranate, black cherry, vanilla, and baking spice.
Tonight’s music lineup:
Albert Hurtado, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Dinner, cocktails, and live music, all evening.
05/01/2026
Live music sets the tone for the weekend at Black Rail.
Saturday, 5/2: Albert Hurtado
Sunday, 5/3: E.S.P. Jazz Collective
Summer music schedule: 6:30–8:30 PM
Saturday evening begins with Albert Hurtado, whose sound blends jazz, blues and pop.
Sunday brings E.S.P. Jazz Collective back with a full trio sound, moving through keys, upright bass and drums with classic standards, improvisation and a contemporary jazz feel.
Each Sunday, E.S.P. Jazz Collective will host a jam session after the first set, with the exception of Mother’s Day.
Dinner, cocktails and live music, all weekend.
04/25/2026
A glass poured, the evening beginning, and handmade fusilli primavera with wild-caught shrimp at the center.
The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and citrus-led with a clean mineral finish.
Tonight with Jenessa Noland
Tomorrow evening, Adam Wolff closes the weekend.
04/24/2026
A weekend of live sound.
Jenessa Noland tomorrow, joined by Kat Shoemaker, an evening shaped by rhythm, presence, and improvisation.
On Sunday, Adam Wolf closes the weekend.
04/22/2026
One of our newest additions, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich brings just the right kick. Panko-crusted boneless chicken dipped in Nashville hot sauce, layered with cilantro-buttermilk coleslaw and house pickles on a brioche bun, served with Belgian-style fries. Pair it with a crisp cocktail and ease into the evening.
04/18/2026
Start the weekend with us with our halibut feature, served over creamy polenta with haricot vert and a fresh mango salsa. Pair it with J Vineyards Pinot Gris, bright, crisp, and aromatic with notes of pear, white peach, lemon, lime, and jasmine.
Live jazz tonight with John Opferkuch, joined by Duncan Moore on drums and Gunnar Biggs on bass.
E.S.P. Jazz Collective returns Sunday.
04/11/2026
Tonight’s special for the weekend by Chef Moises: NZ lamb chops over farm-to-table seasonal spring vegetables with cabernet reduction. Suggested pairing: Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon, though Pinot Noir is also a beautiful choice.
Also on tonight’s menu: spicy sausage white bean & kale soup and scallops with sweet corn purée.
Live jazz with Michael Till from 6–8 PM.
04/10/2026
Join us this Saturday from 6–8 PM for live music with Michael Till. A longtime presence in the San Diego jazz scene, Michael studied jazz and classical music at University of California, San Diego and has performed in a wide range of settings, from modern jazz ensembles to traditional New Orleans-style bands. He’ll be joined by bassist Jeremy Eikam for a set of classic jazz standards.
04/08/2026
Tonight’s feature: Grilled Beef Tenderloin.
Grass-fed, all-natural beef with mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms, and red wine reduction.
A warm, rich plate for Whiskey Wednesday.
04/06/2026
Join us this Thursday for a five-course wine dinner featuring curated pairings from Bezel, plus a special pour from Cakebread Cellars to close the evening. 🍷
Only a few seats remain- reserve now before they’re gone!
Arrival at 6 PM | Dinner begins at 6:30 PM $89* per person
To reserve, please call the restaurant during regular business hours at 760-931-0020 or email [email protected]
04/04/2026
Settle into the weekend with Chef Moises’ sea bass special for the evening: grilled local sea bass over spinach with sugar snap peas, shallots, and a vivid pea purée, finished with white truffle oil.
The menu pairing is Mar de Frades Albariño, fresh and vibrant with notes of wild flowers, eucalyptus, mint, and tropical fruit. The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc is another beautiful option alongside the sea bass and spring vegetables.
Live jazz this evening by Albert Hurtado.
04/01/2026
A curated Easter Brunch at Black Rail.
Featuring Stuffed French Toast, Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Prime Rib French Dip, Moroccan Braised Lamb Meatballs, and Hearth Oven-Baked Salmon, alongside hand-crafted cocktails, wines by the glass, and reserve whiskey selections.
Sunday, April 5 | 10am – 3pm
Reservations are highly recommended.
Visit our website for the full menu. 🐣
03/28/2026
This evening’s special from Chef Moises features beef tenderloin over housemade fusilli with roasted leeks, red bell pepper, broccolini, garlic, and a beef demi cream sauce, just right for a night of live music with Lester Abrams.
03/27/2026
This Saturday, March 28, Lester Abrams plays Black Rail from 6–8 PM.
Known for “Blind Man” with L.A. Carnival, Abrams is a songwriter, arranger, and producer whose work helped shape the Doobie Brothers’ Minute by Minute era. He co-wrote “Minute by Minute” and arranged “What a Fool Believes,” the Grammy-winning classic that earned Record of the Year at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards. The Minute by Minute album also received Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
Reservations are highly recommended.
03/25/2026
Golden, crisp, and layered with intention.
Blackened salmon with citrus slaw and lemon caper aioli on a warm baguette, served with your choice of little gem salad or Belgian-style fries.
An easy afternoon, done well.
03/21/2026
Tonight’s special
Butterflied branzino, marinated in fresh herbs and finished with a summer vinaigrette of tomato, olives, parsley, capers, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
Paired with Mar de Frades Albariño — fresh, vibrant, and layered with notes of wildflowers, eucalyptus, mint, and tropical fruit.
Live jazz tonight at 6 PM with John Opferkuch.
Address
6981 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA
92009
To get to the restaurant at El Camino Real in Carlsbad via public transport, you can take the bus that stops at the nearby station. Alternatively, if you're driving, follow the route along El Camino Real until you reach your destination. Parking is available near the establishment but may be limited depending on the time of day or day of the week.
Opening Hours
| Tuesday |
4pm - 9pm |
| Wednesday |
4pm - 9pm |
| Thursday |
4pm - 9pm |
| Friday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Saturday |
4pm - 10pm |
| Sunday |
4pm - 9pm |
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What people say
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a must-visit restaurant located on El Camino Real in Carlsbad. This restaurant offers a unique dining experience with its Southern California cuisine, craft cocktails, boutique wines, and local craft beers. The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and welcoming, making it perfect for any occasion.
One of the most exciting events at Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is Mystery Wine Wednesday during the month of May. Guests can enjoy a delicious mystery bottle of wine carefully selected by the in-house sommelier that will be revealed at the table! Additionally, Tuesdays just got happier at Black Rail Kitchen + Bar with all night happy hour restaurant-wide.
For special occasions like Mother's Day or a 5-course pairing dinner with Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, Black Rail Kitchen + Bar has got you covered. Their chef Moises Hernandez curates a tasting menu that pairs perfectly with their selection of wines and cocktails.
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar has also been nominated for The Best of North County in multiple categories including Best Bar, Date Nite, Outdoor Dining, and Specialty Cocktails. This recognition speaks to the quality of their food and drinks as well as their exceptional service.
Overall, Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Carlsbad.
