What is it? An all-day cafe, bakery and bar that turns from casual counter service in the daytime to a bustling full-service dinner spot in the evening. Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, Wildland is all about fresh pastas, rotisserie chicken and wood-fired pizzas.
Why we love it: The menu seemingly has something for everyone here. Pasta dishes like the mafaldine seem so simple, yet are bursting with flavor. Pizzas are a shareable size with toppings like nduja spicy spreadable salami, cured egg yolk and maitake mushrooms. Meat and seafood dishes are another option, but look no further than the rotisserie chicken that’s served with a spicy chili oil and garlic toum sauce.
Time Out tip: Mornings look completely different than evenings here, where the day starts out with croissants and lattes, moves toward salads and sandwiches, and ends with a fully packed dining room where drinks are flowing over multi-course dinners. We suggest dropping by to experience Wildland at different mealtimes to get a taste of it all. The team behind Wildland also has two other popular concepts nearby: Campfire and Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie.
Address: 2598 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Opening hours: Daily 8am–9pm
Expect to pay: At dinner, plan to order an item from each section of the menu to try, amounting to around $100 per person, with cocktails another $15 each.