Nick's on State

2742 State St Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
+1 760-696-3593
$$$ American restaurant
(678 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Nick's on State in Carlsbad offers a refined take on classic American dining set against a thoughtfully designed space that balances indoor warmth with inviting outdoor seating. Located on State Street, it serves as a versatile spot for both casual dinners and relaxed special occasions.

The atmosphere here is quietly stylish yet approachable, with plenty of natural light and heaters that make the outdoor patio comfortable well into the evening. This balance makes it ideal for those who want to enjoy a relaxed meal without the fuss, whether it’s a weeknight or a weekend dinner.

The menu leans heavily into approachable, comforting dishes that feel both familiar and carefully executed. Signature choices like the San Francisco Cioppino showcase fresh seafood from the regional coast, while the Fried Chicken Steak with mashed potatoes channels classic diner appeal with a polished touch. Starters like crispy asparagus fries with parmesan and buttermilk ranch highlight the kitchen’s knack for elevating simple snacks, and the warm butter cake with ice cream rounds out meals on a satisfying note.

Nick's on State also lends itself well to those who appreciate a thoughtfully curated wine list and creative cocktails, including options like the Black and Blue Mojito and Cucumber Collins. The service tends to reflect local hospitality values — attentive, personable, and experienced, which helps navigate busy nights smoothly.

This spot suits diners who want a quietly vibrant setting without the pretension, locals gathering after work, couples looking for a comfortable dinner with a view, or small groups who enjoy a mix of seafood, hearty mains, and fresh salads. Given its location and style, early evenings or weekend dinners provide the best balance of atmosphere and energy.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

678 Reviews
Marissa Lara Bor

03 Jan 2026

Fabulous place! Excellent Service! Great food! My husband has been here before, but this was my first time. The ambiance was beautiful inside or outside. We sat outside and the heaters were the perfect temperature. We got the spinach dip, which was so good, for entrées we got the baby back ribs,which were huge, and sea bass, perfect pint of food. Our server Gracie, was so attentive! Water always filled, specials were mentioned. HIGHLY recommend

Peter Eskuche, AIA Eskuche Design Group

12 Dec 2025

Unique and beautiful space with food that measures up! Sea Bass amoung the best ever, great soup as well as great cocktails. Do not miss it!

Tara Hipolito

10 Dec 2025

Colby had some really good dinner suggestions. So personable and enjoyable conversations. Excellent service. The atmosphere and views were exquisite. The bartender's drinks were tasty. He was extremely busy and handling that bar incredibly. It was almost unbelievable the number of cocktails that were being made.

Derek McCoy

02 Dec 2025

Nicks on State is an excellent choice! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and ambiance. There was a little extended wait time with available seats but the staff was really nice and "on it"! This is what a professional wait crew looks like. I think they must have gathered some of the best of the best in the city. So starting with the Ambiance and entrance and atmosphere, the Aesthetics were super nice including classic , rich wood everywhere, a large high hanger type ceiling which was really nice and gave an open feel. The food selections and choices were excellent and cooked 2 perfection! Oh and don't forget to try the butter cake or affogato if you like coffee...amazing. Great job Nick's we will return!!!

ForOurDog

28 Nov 2025

Two very traditional but different entrees. Our meatloaf a d potatoes was excellent. Great flavor, we were disappointed they could not make the meal gluten-free, there is no reason to add a wheat product to bind the meat. The veggies were fresh and cooked to perfection Our shrimp meal was overcooked and disappointing. Yes, the flavor was great, but the actual shrimp were TOUGH, check out that curl. Thankfully the heavy-poured drinks made up for the shrimp.

Stacy Smith

24 Oct 2025

Great food! One of my favorite dishes of San Diego is their fried chicken comfort food. It's high quality, and they have other high quality comfort food amongst other traditional more fancy dishes. It's non experimental, so you get what you expect and not any crazy fusion or hot pepper laced surprises. Nice bar area. It's about impossible to get in on a Friday or Saturday without a reservation.

Tim Yargeau

17 Oct 2025

5 Stars all the way. What a perfect date night spot. Modern and refreshing, upscale American would what I’d call this cuisine. I was going to go for the Prime Rib dip, but opted for the Rib Eye Melt on sourdough with melted Swiss, red wine onions and mustard bacon sauce. Wow! Service was great as expected. I’d love to see a happy hour menu. Keep it up!

Erica “Just Making Stops”

13 Sep 2025

Great service! Good food. If you go here, leave room for dessert and get the butter cake. It's amazing. Lemon cake was just ok for us. Had fried chicken, burger and prime rib sandwich, all were good.

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