Blending classic East Coast culinary traditions with a modern Californian sensibility, Herb & Sea is Chef Brian Malarkey's companion restaurant to the much-loved Herb & Wood in Little Italy. The restaurant has quickly become one of the most sought-after tables in town, with a menu that celebrates simple, clean, and bright flavors.
The menu is overseen by the exemplary Executive Chef Sara Harris. Our space mirrors our staff's warm and welcoming hospitality; its art deco elements matched with cozy touches. Sara's menu showcases the familiar and bold, offering fresh seafood and cherished classics such as handmade pizza and pasta.
The menu is overseen by the exemplary Executive Chef Sara Harris. Our space mirrors our staff's warm and welcoming hospitality; its art deco elements matched with cozy touches. Sara's menu showcases the familiar and bold, offering fresh seafood and cherished classics such as handmade pizza and pasta.
Services
This restaurant is dedicated to the memories of our youth & the sea salt & sand dusted sheets that brought strange comfort & hard-won rest at the end of long summer days. Chef Brian Malarkey has created 15 wildly successful restaurants across the United States. He serves as the Partner of four concepts in Southern California, including Herb & Wood, , Herb & Sea, Animae, and Herb & Ranch.
Our dinner menu includes a mix of raw bar classics, fresh seafood and steak, and full-flavored roasted vegetables. Our handmade pizzas and pastas are topped with veggies and herbs handpicked at the farmer's market this morning. Charmingly nostalgic desserts round out the menu, with offerings like strawberry angel food cake and butterscotch budino.
Looking for a space for your private event? We got you covered! Occupying a 6,500 square foot 1920's art deco building, Herb & Sea's chic coastal ambiance meets a neighborhood-friendly vibe that can fit events of all shapes and sizes. Our new Moonlight Deck can host your outdoor party, day or night.
Reviews (21)
Florian S.
Jan 30, 2022
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Brenda S.
Jan 20, 2022
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I came here for the first time for my birthday celebration on Tuesday and I absolutely loved this place, that I already want to come back this weekend and take all my friends and family. We ordered 3 appetizers and they were...
-Hamachi Crudo: I have been on a Crudo kick for months now, and this one did not disappoint! The citrusy juice on top of the fish was so light and decadent. All the flavors blended so well. It was absolute perfection. I will forsure be getting this every time I come here!
-tomatoes & burrata: need I say more? The most perfect pair and so simple yet satisfying. The ingredients
-Hamachi Crudo: I have been on a Crudo kick for months now, and this one did not disappoint! The citrusy juice on top of the fish was so light and decadent. All the flavors blended so well. It was absolute perfection. I will forsure be getting this every time I come here!
-tomatoes & burrata: need I say more? The most perfect pair and so simple yet satisfying. The ingredients
Barbara Abbott
Jan 16, 2022
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Went with family. The oysters with bone marrow delicious but higher expectations on other items. The margarita pizza had scant basil leaves - maybe 5 small pieces scattered here and there - and none of the large fresh chunks of fresh mozzarella I look forward to on that style pizza. Carrot appetizer - The carrots were overcooked and drowning in a too-rich white cream sauce.
Pasta items were average tasting. Salmon was good. Maybe stick to seafood selections. Many of the neighborhood stores were closed when we went (Wednesday evening around 7) and that was another disappointment.
Ambiance of the
Pasta items were average tasting. Salmon was good. Maybe stick to seafood selections. Many of the neighborhood stores were closed when we went (Wednesday evening around 7) and that was another disappointment.
Ambiance of the
Anne F.
Jan 11, 2022
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What a *treat*! I came here on a date for their New Years Eve dinner and had a wonderful evening. It's right on the 101 so we were able to peek the beach at D Street and browse some of the shops nearby before our reservation. Parking wasn't a challenge, but it has been visiting the area previously (especially in the summer)- plan some extra time just in case or take the Coaster. The Coaster train station is nearby.
Service was fantastic from the time we walked in the door. Everyone was personable and we felt well taken care of.
The menu was prefixed since it was a holiday $90 for
Service was fantastic from the time we walked in the door. Everyone was personable and we felt well taken care of.
The menu was prefixed since it was a holiday $90 for
Luis Gutierrez Prieto
Jan 10, 2022
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Mila A.
Jan 08, 2022
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Shana S.
Jan 08, 2022
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Iconastop
Jan 07, 2022
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Flavor bonanza! Best meal I've had in a loooong time. Started with the arugula salad with beets, smoked salmon and goat cheese. The smoked salmon was delicious and the combination of flavors was fantastic! For entree I had the grilled salmon with Greek yogurt and pomegranate relish. Salmon was a large portion and cooked to perfection. Again, flavors galore! For a side we had baby carrots with cashew relish, Aleppo yogurt and pesto topping. They were tender and wildly yummy. The waiter offered great suggestions and the menu offers very creative varieties. Wish we had room for desserts. They
Liz M.
Jan 04, 2022
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Been here twice for dinner and both times they consistently delivered on fresh, creative dishes. Linguine with crab is delicious, with generous tender sweet shreds of crab and also I think sea grass herb- a must try! Oysters (I tend to favor those from the Pacific Northwest) were super fresh and accoutrements were perfect compliment)
The Shrimp toasts are another must-try as they were unexpectedly addicting! The shrimp is mixed with something magical and then toasted/embedded as one with the toast then rested on a creamy herby sauce and topped with fresh cilantro and bits of heat from red chilis
The Shrimp toasts are another must-try as they were unexpectedly addicting! The shrimp is mixed with something magical and then toasted/embedded as one with the toast then rested on a creamy herby sauce and topped with fresh cilantro and bits of heat from red chilis
Jason
Jan 02, 2022
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Rebecca Steiner
Dec 20, 2021
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Super trendy, lovely decorations/atmosphere. Went at 5:15pm on a Tuesday and there was nobody there. By 6 nearly all tables were taken. The prices are high, but it is seafood and fancy... so that is to be expected. Only 3 beers on the menu, but a very wide range of wine and fancy cocktails. Burrata was acceptable, but bread not cut into a small pieces and cheese was tough. Seems like a place to spend a special occasion if you love seafood, but not a place to frequent regularly.
Michell M.
Nov 26, 2021
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I just went there with 9 people for thanksgiving menu brunch. We spent almost 1,000dollars for 9 of us.
The service and atmosphere were exceptional as always.
The food tasted great but all dish were not hot! All side dishes, gravy were kinda colder than room temperature.Only my fish dish was a little warm.
My pumpkin soup was room temperature. I feel disappointed of the chef and kitchen manager that let the food out without checking the temperature. I will go back for their regular menu. I love their crudo and local salad. but never again on Thanksgiving day.
The service and atmosphere were exceptional as always.
The food tasted great but all dish were not hot! All side dishes, gravy were kinda colder than room temperature.Only my fish dish was a little warm.
My pumpkin soup was room temperature. I feel disappointed of the chef and kitchen manager that let the food out without checking the temperature. I will go back for their regular menu. I love their crudo and local salad. but never again on Thanksgiving day.
Norbert K.
Nov 22, 2021
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We met a friend for Sunday brunch and had a nice table on the outdoor patio. Service was exceptional. For brunch we had:
* BLAT -- This BLT with avocado on brioche toast is a large sandwich, certainly large enough to share.
* Sausage Hash -- Delightful Fennel sausage is combined with brocolini and red onions and served with six nicely seasoned smashed potatoes, topped with a sunny side egg.
* Crab Avocado Louie Toast -- Of our three dishes, this one was a disappointment and not worth the price. There was little crab meat, and the sieved egg was not a full egg.
I ordered a spicy
* BLAT -- This BLT with avocado on brioche toast is a large sandwich, certainly large enough to share.
* Sausage Hash -- Delightful Fennel sausage is combined with brocolini and red onions and served with six nicely seasoned smashed potatoes, topped with a sunny side egg.
* Crab Avocado Louie Toast -- Of our three dishes, this one was a disappointment and not worth the price. There was little crab meat, and the sieved egg was not a full egg.
I ordered a spicy
Q. D.
Nov 20, 2021
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Pretty disappointed with the quality of food. Ever since they opened indoor seating, I don't think the kitchen staff can handle the rush. The food isn't consistent. We had the burrata, bone marrow with oysters, Broccolini, crab & linguine with the veggie pizza and carrot cake.
The crab linguine was the biggest disappointment. Lack of salt and something was off. The burrata lacked seasoning and felt like something was missing.
The crab linguine was the biggest disappointment. Lack of salt and something was off. The burrata lacked seasoning and felt like something was missing.
Stephanie M.
Oct 24, 2021
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Overall a very nice experience. There are 4 different vibes at this restaurant, the bar area (more bustling and energy + high table seating), the kitchen area (if you like to have a view on the action in the kitchen), a more intimate setting all the way to the right (sunset-ish lighting +cozier feel), and the terrasse outside (beachy). The service is very attentive without feeling rushed. Salmon, pork chop, and linguine + crab were all satisfying. Gem salad is very nice, clams have a pleasant zip of heat to them, and tuna tartare was solid. Then for dessert the lava cake was rich and warm. My only
Patricia Misyak-Peters
Oct 21, 2021
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Saleen D.
Sep 22, 2021
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My friends & I came here for a celebration & had a great time! Located in the heart of Encinitas, just minutes from the beach.
Friendly, attentive customer service. Delicious food & drinks!
Shrimp Toast: This appetizer was to die for! So tasty that we had to order more for the table.
Linguini & Crab: This is a hearty dish. Generous portions of crab. I do wish that that there was more flavor to the sauce.
Lava Cake: How they presented this dessert was like an art! The drizzling of the chocolate sauce though. Thick, moist, cake with a nice balance of the vanilla gelato
Friendly, attentive customer service. Delicious food & drinks!
Shrimp Toast: This appetizer was to die for! So tasty that we had to order more for the table.
Linguini & Crab: This is a hearty dish. Generous portions of crab. I do wish that that there was more flavor to the sauce.
Lava Cake: How they presented this dessert was like an art! The drizzling of the chocolate sauce though. Thick, moist, cake with a nice balance of the vanilla gelato
Mimi A.
Sep 20, 2021
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David Y.
May 25, 2021
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After striking out a number of times pre pandemic, had a chance to stop in as the town started to reopen with a vengeance. The reservation was late, but it wasn't a problem as this spot was doing some hopping business on a Friday evening. For starters, the location is great with lots of big windows to get a glance of the coastal goings on. Inside, the decorations are excellent with great accoutrements adding to the great atmosphere.
The evening started out with a bang with solid cocktails for a varied palette, but what was a homerun, were the appetizers. I'm very careful with oysters
The evening started out with a bang with solid cocktails for a varied palette, but what was a homerun, were the appetizers. I'm very careful with oysters
Kim A.
May 24, 2021
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I would give this place more stars if I could. We had walked by this place earlier in the week. We come to Encinitas annually and hadn't seen this before so we checked it out. Friend made a reservation on the patio for dinner. We were seated promptly and very well taken care of by Robbie. I especially appreciated his passion and knowledge of the various dishes/drinks that were ordered.
Appetizers. We tried the shrimp cocktail, artichoke and octopus, and burrata. Everything had a very unique flavor profile and everything was amazing. The saffron aioli on the octopus dish was a mind blower
Appetizers. We tried the shrimp cocktail, artichoke and octopus, and burrata. Everything had a very unique flavor profile and everything was amazing. The saffron aioli on the octopus dish was a mind blower
Christina Hills
Mar 30, 2021
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This was our first time at Herb & Sea and I could not believe how much fun we had there. The first thing we noticed was how well the staff was trained. Not only the waiters and waitresses, but the bus boys were excellent too. That comes from good management! And we appreciate excellent customer service
What drew us here were the excellent cocktails. I had my usual Aperol Spritz
And my husband had the Fizz & Flutter, the Fire & Nice, and the Jaguar & Jungle. All were excellent. My daughter had 2 mock tails and both were good.
You basically can't go wrong with any of the drinks. All excellent
What drew us here were the excellent cocktails. I had my usual Aperol Spritz
And my husband had the Fizz & Flutter, the Fire & Nice, and the Jaguar & Jungle. All were excellent. My daughter had 2 mock tails and both were good.
You basically can't go wrong with any of the drinks. All excellent
