The two-story, New Orleans–style building has been a visual landmark in North Park for decades, its wrought-iron balcony and European flair standing apart from the surrounding blocks. From 2006 to 2019, it was home to Urban Solace, a restaurant widely credited with helping ignite North Park’s modern dining boom. Since its closure, the space has remained dormant, making Bacari’s arrival both a symbolic and practical revival for the neighborhood.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2008, Bacari draws inspiration from traditional Venetian bacari—casual wine bars centered around small plates, social dining, and relaxed late-night energy. The group now operates eight locations across Southern California, but North Park marks its first expansion outside the Los Angeles area, a move the owners say was intentional rather than opportunistic.
Bacari’s North Park location will span roughly 4,000 square feet indoors, complemented by a plant-filled patio that adds significant outdoor seating. While the group maintains a recognizable aesthetic across its restaurants, each location is tailored to its setting. In North Park, that means leaning into an Old World, European feel with layered textures, vintage rugs, patterned upholstery, and subtle Mexican-inspired tile and stonework that reflect the neighborhood’s eclectic character.
The menu will feature Bacari staples familiar to longtime fans, built around shareable, Mediterranean-influenced Italian dishes. Expect house-baked bread, house-cured olives, seafood-forward cold plates like crudo and ceviche, and a rotating selection of hot dishes ranging from lamb hummus and shawarma-style tacos to grilled meats, pork belly, and a signature burger. The food is designed to encourage lingering rather than rushed dining, paired with an extensive wine, cocktail, and beer program.
Brunch will also play a central role in the North Park location, with offerings that balance indulgence and accessibility. Dishes like French toast made with house-baked brioche or challah, egg-based pizzas, chilaquiles, kale-forward salads, and California staples like avocado toast will anchor the daytime menu, alongside bellinis and mimosas that nod to Bacari’s Venetian roots.
Even before opening its first San Diego doors, Bacari has committed to a second local outpost. The group has signed a lease in Carlsbad Village, taking over the former Paon Restaurant and Wine Bar space, with plans to open in late summer or early fall. The move positions Bacari to capture both the urban energy of North Park and the coastal dining scene of North County, signaling a broader strategy rather than a single-location test.
Carlsbad Village has become one of San Diego County’s most competitive dining corridors, with high foot traffic, rising rents, and a steady influx of new concepts. Bacari’s entry adds another design-driven, wine-focused restaurant to the mix, one with a proven track record in similarly dense and nightlife-oriented neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
While additional San Diego locations have not been formally announced, the group has not been shy about its interest in further expansion, with Encinitas, Leucadia, and Little Italy all cited as potential future targets. For now, the focus remains on February 9, when Bacari officially opens at 3823 30th Street, restoring one of North Park’s most storied buildings to its place as a neighborhood gathering spot once again.
Originally published on February 3, 2026. Photos by Jakob Layman.
