Social Profile: 
✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
Named after the pine tree, a symbol of resilience and renewal, Matsu reflects nature’s rhythm through intentional design, minimalism, and a deep respect for both past and place. It is not a replica of Japan, but a quiet homage intimate, evolving, and unmistakably of this terroir. Matsu was born an intimate culinary sanctuary that reinterprets Japanese tradition through the lens of Southern California’s natural bounty. Matsu is not merely a restaurant; it is a reflection of thoughtful evolution. Each detail is an expression of intentionality. This is Japanese cuisine, yes but seen through the terroir of California; articulated with restraint, clarity, and soul.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: (760) 681-6152
Website: http://eatatmatsu.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
MATSU
626 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054 · [email protected] | +1 760 681 6152 · Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. © 2023 Matsu LLC.
Matsu 松 (@eatmatsu) · Oceanside, CA – Instagram
Matsu, located in Oceanside, California, is an intimate culinary sanctuary that reinterprets Japanese tradition through the lens of Southern California’s …
Matsu Restaurant – Oceanside, CA | OpenTable
Book now at Matsu in Oceanside, CA. Explore menu, see photos and read 167 reviews: “Made it in for Tsuki night and had maybe the best meal I will ever have …
Reviews
Ken Potter
We met Chef William at the Oceanside Seafood Market Sunday. He was very approachable & answered multiple questions even though he was in the middle of cooking for their monthly Chef demo. My wife and I decided then and there we’d visit Matsu the following Thursday to experience his restaurant.
We were greeted and waited on by Coltrain, a gem of a human being and very passionate about food, service and especially Matsu. The bartender (sorry, I don’t remember your name) was amazing. Hands down the best mocktails we’ve ever had. Chef William took the time to come to our table to welcome us and make some suggestions. Every dish was spectacular. I won’t go into detail. (See photos) Bottom line: Matsu checks all the boxes. Amazing service. Tremendous food. Perfect presentation. A wonderful experience for the senses.
We will definitely be back.
… moreWe were greeted and waited on by Coltrain, a gem of a human being and very passionate about food, service and especially Matsu. The bartender (sorry, I don’t remember your name) was amazing. Hands down the best mocktails we’ve ever had. Chef William took the time to come to our table to welcome us and make some suggestions. Every dish was spectacular. I won’t go into detail. (See photos) Bottom line: Matsu checks all the boxes. Amazing service. Tremendous food. Perfect presentation. A wonderful experience for the senses.
We will definitely be back.
Wandering in Paradise
One of the best meals of my life. If you are a lover of fine dining, I couldn’t recommend more. We ordered the 10-course tasting menu and every course was a 10/10. Loved them all, the lobster chowder, shrimp tempura, sheepshead, and incredible desserts. The dish ware was immaculate, and the overall ambiance is stunning. You can see, feel, and taste that everything is done with purpose. We ordered the Fuji, koi, and kitsune cocktails and loved them. The waitstaff and bartender were superb, very warm and extremely knowledgeable. They are able to accommodate dietary restrictions. Couldn’t recommend more!
… moreA Ingram
Chef William and his team did such a beautiful job with everything from start to finish. The service is impeccable, the food is ambitious and creative. The tasting menu and wine pairing for the evening starts strong and ends stronger. Thank you, everyone for the lovely evening.
… moreCassidy Chaney
From the moment we stepped into Matsu, the ambiance is effortlessly approachable yet distinctly elevated. The atmosphere draws on the Japanese-influenced minimalism, with a focus on natural elements that create an inviting space.
We experienced the 10 course menu, where each dish was a brilliant balance of Japanese flavors, crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Every bite was thoughtfully curated, and each course was a testament to the Chef’s attention to detail.
Complimenting the wonderful food was the exceptional staff. They were knowledgeable and passionate, offering insights into the flavor profiles, ingredients, and inspirations for each dish.
Our overall dining experience was nothing short of magical, and it’s one we look forward to repeating.
… moreWe experienced the 10 course menu, where each dish was a brilliant balance of Japanese flavors, crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Every bite was thoughtfully curated, and each course was a testament to the Chef’s attention to detail.
Complimenting the wonderful food was the exceptional staff. They were knowledgeable and passionate, offering insights into the flavor profiles, ingredients, and inspirations for each dish.
Our overall dining experience was nothing short of magical, and it’s one we look forward to repeating.
Marc Brown
I planned to propose to my girlfriend on our Caribbean cruise near the end of December. An ill timed head cold ruined my plan.
Before we made it back to San Diego, I plotted on a new venue to pop the question. Miraculously, Matsu had availability on NYE.
I surprised my gf, a huge foodie, with the reservation. To my delight, it was on her list of restaurants in the area she wanted to try.
I contacted the staff ahead of our reservation and coordinated a flower delivery. The food was delicious, we were stuffed in a good way by the end of courses.
One of the servers brought out the flowers on cue and I asked the love of my life to marry me… she ugly cried and SAID YES!
Apparently we were their first proposal. The staff was super accommodating and the GM even recorded the proposal from her stand.
I highly recommend this restaurant if you love Japanese food or want to taste it done well.
… moreBefore we made it back to San Diego, I plotted on a new venue to pop the question. Miraculously, Matsu had availability on NYE.
I surprised my gf, a huge foodie, with the reservation. To my delight, it was on her list of restaurants in the area she wanted to try.
I contacted the staff ahead of our reservation and coordinated a flower delivery. The food was delicious, we were stuffed in a good way by the end of courses.
One of the servers brought out the flowers on cue and I asked the love of my life to marry me… she ugly cried and SAID YES!
Apparently we were their first proposal. The staff was super accommodating and the GM even recorded the proposal from her stand.
I highly recommend this restaurant if you love Japanese food or want to taste it done well.
Arman Fathi
Just had my Valentine’s Day dinner with my lady and oh my, let me just tell you the privilege of the journey we were able to experience. Everything was so deeply thought out, every combination of wine pairing and food, the impeccable presentation by the staff, the warm hospitality all throughout, and one dish even did a real life Ratatouille moment by putting me into tears, reminding me of one of my mom‘s creations from when I was very young. It is extraordinarily rare, even unheard of, that I am moved so much from a meal that I’m humbled at the privilege of life and experiencing the sensation of taste on this level. Truly a gift and a privilege and an honor to witness culinary cuisine of this caliber. I don’t even wanna point out any specific dishes, it was just worth the life experience, if you’re on the fence, don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime meal. Luckily, we live close by so I’ll definitely be frequenting this again.
… moreBrian Parker
Do not let the inconspicuous exterior fool you, when you enter Matsu, you immediately realize you are in for a special experience. The dim lighting, Japanese decor, and hand crafted wood tables will hint to the kind of food and service you will receive. I recommend going with the 10 course dinner. It was always a surprise and contrast. Every course was so well thought out, and looked like art on the plate. We also enjoyed their cocktails and sake. The servers are polite, and helpful. They serve new silverware for every course. I can’t wait to go back. Big thanks to Chef William Eick, and GM Kim Roxas for the amazing service and hospitality.
… moreS. L. von Winckelmann
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Matsu with my son and husband. We had an extraordinary culinary experience with their 10-course menu. Each course was a delightful surprise.
The progression of the courses was masterfully curated, starting with light and bright flavors that gradually transitioned to deeper and richer ones. Every dish was not only delicious but also intriguing, with flavor profiles that were both beautiful and thought-provoking. We found ourselves savoring unique flavor combinations that we had never experienced before.
It truly was an honor to sample Chef William’s food and experience his remarkable talent for crafting dishes that challenged and delighted our palates. Additionally, the service we experienced went above and beyond. If you’re looking for a place to explore new culinary horizons and enjoy delicious food, Matsu is an excellent choice.
… moreThe progression of the courses was masterfully curated, starting with light and bright flavors that gradually transitioned to deeper and richer ones. Every dish was not only delicious but also intriguing, with flavor profiles that were both beautiful and thought-provoking. We found ourselves savoring unique flavor combinations that we had never experienced before.
It truly was an honor to sample Chef William’s food and experience his remarkable talent for crafting dishes that challenged and delighted our palates. Additionally, the service we experienced went above and beyond. If you’re looking for a place to explore new culinary horizons and enjoy delicious food, Matsu is an excellent choice.
Gabrielle Corsun
**A Culinary Disappointment: A Review of Matsu**
In a world where dining out is as much about the experience as it is about the food, Matsu offers a study in contrast. The service is nothing short of exceptional, and yet, tragically, the cuisine falls spectacularly short. If I could recommend this place based on service alone, it would be a no-brainer. Particularly the female staff member, who seemed to channel a certain “magic” into the evening. But while service may be paramount, for me, it’s the food that dictates the success of a meal—and this is where Matsu crumbles under the weight of its own ambition.
The 10-course tasting menu (with an additional wagyu pairing) & two “chef specials” felt more like clickbait than a thoughtfully curated dining experience. Beautifully presented, each dish arrived with an elaborate explanation, hinting at the promise of something exceptional. The reality, however, was anything but. As a result, I found myself gagging on four of the courses and abandoning the others, while my partner—who can usually eat anything without complaint—managed to finish only three of the 13 servings.
In conclusion, Matsu is a tragic case of style over substance. The service and atmosphere are worthy of praise, but when the food fails on such a fundamental level, there’s little else to recommend. The promise of creativity and innovation in the kitchen falls flat, leaving diners with little more than beautiful plates and a lingering sense of regret. This is a dining experience best forgotten.
… moreIn a world where dining out is as much about the experience as it is about the food, Matsu offers a study in contrast. The service is nothing short of exceptional, and yet, tragically, the cuisine falls spectacularly short. If I could recommend this place based on service alone, it would be a no-brainer. Particularly the female staff member, who seemed to channel a certain “magic” into the evening. But while service may be paramount, for me, it’s the food that dictates the success of a meal—and this is where Matsu crumbles under the weight of its own ambition.
The 10-course tasting menu (with an additional wagyu pairing) & two “chef specials” felt more like clickbait than a thoughtfully curated dining experience. Beautifully presented, each dish arrived with an elaborate explanation, hinting at the promise of something exceptional. The reality, however, was anything but. As a result, I found myself gagging on four of the courses and abandoning the others, while my partner—who can usually eat anything without complaint—managed to finish only three of the 13 servings.
In conclusion, Matsu is a tragic case of style over substance. The service and atmosphere are worthy of praise, but when the food fails on such a fundamental level, there’s little else to recommend. The promise of creativity and innovation in the kitchen falls flat, leaving diners with little more than beautiful plates and a lingering sense of regret. This is a dining experience best forgotten.
jenny cox
My daughter booked this lovely restaurant. On arrival, we were greeted very warmly, seated promptly, and our waiter was delightful. He explained the menu briefly and left us to peruse. We were given a complimentary glass of sparkling white wine, which is a very good touch. The plates were beautifully presented, and again, we were given a more in-depth explanation of each dish. Many of the waiting staff were French, Italian, and Spanish. Being a linguist, my daughter Rosey delighted them in conversing perfectly in their respective languages. It’s definitely worth a return visit. Thank you.
… more