Amor y Magia, a Latin American-inspired restaurant from the team behind Same Same and Good Enough Cocktail Club, is getting ready to open in Carlsbad at 505 Oak Avenue, Suite C.
The company’s new location is set to open next to Little Victory Wine Bar in mid-June 2026, according to San Diego Magazine. Shawn Seaman, Mike Mayaudon, and Ryan Mencik spent the past two years developing the concept, which blends influences from Filipino, Venezuelan, Mexican, and broader Latin American cuisine. Initial operating hours are expected to run Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The culinary direction at Amor y Magia pulls from the founders’ personal backgrounds and childhood food experiences. Mencik’s Filipino heritage and Mayaudon’s Venezuelan roots helped shape many of the dishes, while San Diego’s proximity to Mexico also influenced the menu. The team says the restaurant aims to balance traditional flavors with experimentation and modern presentation. Communal dining will play a major role in the concept, with the menu centered around shared plates.
Menu items are expected to include fish crudo, ceviche made with seafood sourced from local fishermen, salads, and side dishes inspired by Latin American cuisine. Specific dishes mentioned include elote, pão de queijo with Oaxacan cheese, garlic aioli, and chives, along with tajadas topped with nata and queso llanero. The restaurant plans to offer around seven or eight starters and entrée options at launch.
The restaurant’s design is described as Gothic and Spanish Revival-inspired, with most seating located on a covered outdoor patio that accommodates approximately 60 customers. Inside, the space will feature a 12-seat bar and a four-seat chef’s counter. This will be an excellent landing space for Amor y Magia, considering downtown Carlsbad’s growing restaurant scene and steady foot traffic.
Amor y Magia could also mark the beginning of broader plans for the ownership group. According to Shawn Seaman via San Diego Magazine, the team hopes to eventually create multiple venues with different concepts and atmospheres under the same hospitality umbrella.
