MARKET Restaurant + Bar

SeafoodOwner Verified

About

MARKET Restaurant + Bar, one of San Diego's most celebrated dining rooms, serves dinner at 3702 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014. Founded in 2006 by Culinary Institute of America graduate Carl Schroeder, the restaurant operated for nearly two decades under his leadership before new owners Monica and Bernd Brust took over in September 2025, pledging to preserve the farm-to-table philosophy and retain the core kitchen team. Chef de cuisine John Thompson, who has been with Schroeder since the Arterra days and helped open MARKET from day one, continues to lead the kitchen. Flower Child at Flower Hill Promenade sits nearby on the same Via De La Valle corridor for a lighter, fast-casual bite before or after a MARKET dinner reservation. Schroeder himself was a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef and was named California Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 2004. The Michelin Guide recognizes MARKET for its product-driven approach, and San Diego Magazine named it Best Restaurant in Del Mar. The menu changes daily based on what local farms and fishermen deliver, a commitment that earned the restaurant features in Bon Appétit, Gourmet, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. Signature dishes over the years have included miso-glazed cod with shrimp dumplings, blue cheese soufflé with anise-orange marmalade, pan-seared crab cakes, braised short ribs, and a sushi program that regulars consider one of Del Mar's best. The award-winning wine list spans boutique California wineries alongside international selections, and the craft cocktail menu rotates seasonally to feature local fruit. The dining room is dark, elegant, and intimate without pretense, and valet parking is available. The MARKET Restaurant + Bar Cookbook, co-authored with food writer Maria Desiderata Montana, contains 140 recipes adapted from the daily-changing menu and is available at the restaurant and local bookstores. Diners heading west toward the coast after dinner will find Pacifica Del Mar offering another acclaimed seafood-forward dining experience with ocean views. Reservations are required, and the restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5 PM, closed Mondays.