Does your crew love s’mores in all their gooey wonderfulness? We’ve found creative chefs who will satisfy that s’mores craving year-round––no camping trip (or campfire) required. From graham cracker crusted French toast and bonfire pancakes to homemade marshmallow cubes and molten s’mores, read on for 15 local spots that put an artful spin on this treasured treat.
S'mores French Toast
First of all, this morning eatery is a local favorite and with seven locations around San Diego, you're sure to find one near you. Moreover, their s'mores French toast helped put them on the map. For one thing, they take a thick slice of brioche bread and grill it with crumbled graham crackers, toast marshmallows on top, then drizzle it with chocolate sauce. Good to know that the serving size is large, so half-pints can share a dish.
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: French toast dish, $12
Breakfast Republic
Go here to find your San Diego location.
S'mores Sundae at Local Tap House & Kitchen
Notably, you'll find a decadent s'mores dessert sundae at this North County hot spot. In fact, everyone will want to grab a spoon and dig into this salted caramel gelato, topped with coconut graham cracker, dark chocolate and burnt marshmallows. For dinner, little ones love the mac n' cheese and there are many yummy appetizers for the grown-ups.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-Midnight.; Sat., 9 a.m.-Midnight; Sun., 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: S'mores sundae, $10
Local Tap House & Kitchen
308 S. Coast Hwy
Oceanside, Ca
760-547-1469
Online: localtaphouse.com
Bonfire Pancakes at Farmer's Bottega
Have a hankering for a summer campsite breakfast? Surely if you're in the Mission Hills area, this farm-to-table eatery is a good go-to. Especially, their bonfire pancakes. What's not to love about fluffy pancakes topped with toasted marshmallows, chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbles?
Breakfast hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: three pancakes, $10
Mission Hills
Farmer's Bottega Restaurant
860 W. Washington St.
San Diego, Ca
619-458-9929
Online: farmersbottega.com
S'mores Dessert at Ignite Bistro & Wine
Quickly order this s'mores dessert, because it sells like hotcakes. Your littles will be happy campers watching their pizza cook in the oven, then topping off dinner with this melt-in-your-mouth dessert. Even more, Fido can join the fun on the outdoor patio.
Hours: Mon., Tues. & Weds., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri., 11:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $8
Ignite Bistro & Wine
6996 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, Ca
760-438-7800
Online: ignitecarlsbad.com
S'mores over a Hot Flame at Campfire Restaurant
This Carlsbad restaurant has a teepee, fire pits and a cool campy vibe. Roast marshmallows over a cast iron bowl filled with embers from the kitchen fire. Mix in house made salted caramel chocolate and fresh graham crackers and you have gooey goodness close to home. Good to know: they only serve s'mores dessert at dinner time.
Read our full review of Campfire restaurant here.
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. & Sun. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 11:30-1:00 a.m.; Mon. 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Campfire Restaurant
2725 State St.
Carlsbad, Ca
760-637-5121
Online: thisiscampfire.com
Table S'mores at Stella Public House
Seriously, what's more fun than roasting s'mores at the table? Stella's provides the marshmallows, Hershey's chocolate, graham crackers, skewers and fire. You provide the fun. A good place to take the littles for lunch.
Hours: Daily, 4-10 p.m.
Cost: S'mores, $6 for two people
Stella Public House
250 North City Dr., Suite 3
San Marcos, Ca
760-798-8350
Online: stellapublichouse.com
S'more Puffle at Boba Bar
Indeed, if you eat at Kula Revolving Sushi Bar (or close by) off Convoy Street, then a stop-by the Boba Bar for a s'mores puffle is a must. It's especially good with its vanilla custard, graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey's chocolate sauce, all in a chocolate-filled puffle. Truly decadent and delicious.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-Midnight; Sun., 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cost: S'more puffle, about $10
Boba Bar and Desserts
4619 Convoy St.
San Diego, Ca
858-226-3903
Molten S'mores at the Melting Pot
We love eateries where dining with your hands is encouraged, which is why The Melting Pot tops our list. A decadently warm pot of milk chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers arrive at the table. Couple that with strawberries, bananas, brownies, Rice Krispie treats, cheesecake and cherries dipped in this rich fondue and you may not go back to the traditional s'more ever again. Come for dinner first, or just come for dessert.
Hours: Check website
Cost: Fondue, $9.50 per person
The Melting Pot
8980 University Center Ln.
San Diego, Ca
858-638-1700
Online: themeltingpot.com
S'mores Cupcake at a la Yola
If you want a grab n' go s'mores fix in cupcake form, then the pairing of this moist chocolate ganache with the meringue cupcake is a must. In fact, the cake part tastes like graham crackers. Buy this (not too sweet) treat from this family-owned small business and you'll be a happy camper.
For more delicious cupcakes in San Diego click here.
10450 Friars Rd., Suite S
San Diego, Ca
619-708-5088
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $3.50 per cupcake
Online: cupcakesalayola.com
1339 Poway Rd.
Poway, Ca
858-668-7234
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Order S'mores from Mallow and Mallow
Even though this local company doesn't have a storefront, ordering these homemade s'mores is worth it. Yep, that's right: think freshly-made small batches. From the marshmallows and chocolate to the graham crackers, it's all local. We say ordering these for yourself (or as a gift) is a sweet treat you won't forget.
Mallow and Mallow
Online: mallowmallow.com
Caramel S'mores Cookie at the Cravory
Caramel is the perfect topper on this gourmet s'mores cookie. This delightful dessert has a graham cracker dough that's dipped in marshmallow, with Oreo cookie and caramel on top. It's a delicious s'mores fix with a twist.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: S'mores cookie, $4
Bressi Ranch
The Cravory
2675 Gateway Rd., Ste .103
Carlsbad, Ca
442-325-1737
Online: thecravory.com
S’More Cupcake at Sprinkles
Anyone who's ever chowed down a Sprinkles cupcake will not be surprised that this insanely delicious dessert made our list. The S’More cupcake comes out yearly for a short time and believe us, you don't want to miss out. In demand, this decadent Belgian chocolate cake is filled with a gooey ganache center, set upon a graham-cracker crust with a toasted marshmallow top. You and your little one will feel as if you’re roasting marshmallows by the campfire with every bite.
When it's available: (Check website for 2018)
Cost: $3.75 per cupcake
8855 Villa La Jolla Dr.
La Jolla, Ca
858-457-3800
Online: sprinkles/lajolla
Warm S'mores Doughnut at The Goods
Known for her yummy cinnamon rolls at Cafe Topes in Carlsbad, Jacquie recently opened small batch donut shop 'The Goods' in The Village. Cooking up fresh donuts with locally sourced ingredients is her specialty. For one thing, we think the s'mores donut, still warm to the touch, is as 'good' as it gets.
Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (or until sold out)
Cost: donuts, about $3 each
The Goods
2965 State St.
Carlsbad, Ca
760-994-0458
Online: thegoodscarlsbad.com
S'more Ice Cream Cone at Handel's
You'll usually find a line at this ice cream shop (even in the winter). The s'mores ice cream is exquisite! It's comprised of graham cracker ice cream filled with marshmallow and chunks of chocolate, all piled high on their scrumptious cones. Good to know: their ice cream flavors rotate, so be sure to check if it's available before you get fired up.
Handel's Ice Cream
90 N. Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, Ca
760-230-6948
Online: handelsicecream.com
S'mores at Rancho Bernardo Inn
Take a holiday staycation at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Little explorers can sleep in an animal tent set up in your room and delight in the s’mores kit you can bring to the nightly fire pits around the property.
Cost: From $169/night
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92128
888-976-4417
Online: ranchobernardoinn.com
Do you know of a fabulous s’mores dish? Share with us in the comments below.
-–Nikki Walsh
