Courtnie Clemens
Very cool venue and not your average Indian. cuisine (you won’t find a masala and you won’t care). Amazing food, but make a reservation this place gets booked up. You could try showing up at opening also to get a seat at the bar. I would recommend the coconut rice, eggplant, roti with vegan sauce and chicken thigh skewers. I also tried the nasi goreng which was beautifully plated and had lots of depth of flavor. If you are lucky you might get to meet the owner, Simran. Street parking out front.
Joshua Selig
Overall dining at Dija Mara was a good experience. Every dish I ordered had nice presentation and was tasty.
I think most dishes could have been better balanced, as most had a single dominant flavor. (Fish sauce, coconut, etc)
Despite the restaurant being not very crowded, I waited 30-40 mins for the first dish to arrive after ordering.
Elizabeth Cooper
I will start off this review by saying that our group thought the food here was excellent. Everything we tried came out hot and the flavors were unique and delicious.
Where this place became a 3 star review was in the timing of the plates. We were told when we sat down that the items would come out as they were made and we were fine with that. However, in our group of six, two people did not receive any of their food items for literally an hour and forty minutes. Not only had the rest of us already finished eating, but the restaurant was close to closing when they received their food. The three items that were delayed were prawns, long beans, and a side of rice. A cup of rice took almost two hours to arrive.
The staff were friendly, the food was tasty, but the speed and awkwardness of waiting for simple food items made this a “not again” option for group dining.
Claudia Voss
The food is great. Cozy little place that's very popular so make reservations or you most likely won't get a table, we saw multiple people being rejected. Definitely recommend the pork belly and beef tartare. My only complaint is that the charred broccolinni was intensely over-charred... a few bites in and I quite literally felt like I had just smoked a cigarrette. You can see how black it looks in the photos. If the chefs read reviews, I'd urge them not to char it so much. It's not a great feeling for food to make you feel like you have just smoked, especially if you don't actually smoke! Everything else was top notch though, and we will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu.
Carolina Tolentino
Found this place because we were looking for a place that had vegetarian options for my son. Enjoyed everything we ordered! We had the grilled Roti with vegetarian curry sauce, tofu rendang, pork belly skewers, charred eggplant, coconut rice, prawn crackers, and green papaya salad. We didn't have a reservation and waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Glad we waited instead of going somewhere else.
jmlcamacho
Was very excited to try this place per the Michelin Guide, but was wary because we tried the Chef's other restaurant Hoxton Manor in San Diego. It took a bit to get a reservation, but still the staffing level seems to not keep up with this high demand. It took time to even get our order in while the restaurant was half empty.
As for food, we couldn't get through the meal because of the spice level of 2 of the dishes. It was as if they were trying to mask other flavors. However, this also happened at the other restaurant so I believe this is just this chefs style. I've took 2 different people to these experiences and both were just as disappointed as me.
Aiko Marsi
It was difficult to imagine paying what we were going to, but the lack of Indonesian restaurants and the shear deliciousness of each dish, and libation, awards them our full endorsement!
If you're dining in Oceanside, go! So good. We can recommend the Dija Hangover (with anything bubbly - I had the Lychee mimosa) and both the Gado Gado and the hanger steak and eggs with the Dija Monkey.
alex p
Great food. Honestly one of the best spots in San Diego. Always make a point to come visit once every couple months. Their egg plant is fire. So is there short rib rendang. Great natural wine selection.
Emma Bardin
This place is amazing! We went on opening night and everything - yes everything - that we ordered was perfection. The owner personally came to our table and recommended foods based on our preference: pork belly satay, fried rice, lamb satay, ceviche, and fried octopus. Also, we ordered drinks, the ingredients for which are made in house! Seriously, down to them dehydrating the grapefruit garnishing the drinks. I had a paloma - highly recommend as it was just enough tang without being too sweet. We also enjoyed the pinor noir and cabernet franc. This restaurant is my newest obsession for original and tasty food! If you're looking for food that is unique (there is NO place even close to this in Oceanside), enjoyable, and presented in a lively and friendly atmosphere, Dija Mara is the place to go!
Andria Firtel
The food is absolutely amazing, every single plate was absolute perfection. Hands down the best restaurant in Oceanside. Dija Mara offers Oceanside residents a completely different dining experience, no other restaurants provide the culinary skill like the chef at this restaurant does. Our new regular spot.
Sandra Lee
This was our first time here and we enjoyed our eating adventure so much! Fun, cool ambience and the menu is just so enticing. We three ate: the Laksa, mie goreng (sp?), and the 24
Hr pork belly--dee-licious. We also tried two desserts: pandan bread pudding and strawberry semifreddo with black sesame meringue. Wow! You will love this place
Erick Altona
Great Indonesian fusion. Not traditional Indo cuisine but all of its best flavor components melded with the chef's deft hand at preparation. The octopus skewers were tender with just the right amount of grill, not the usual chewy texture that I expect from octopus. All the dishes were well balanced and savory, as Indonesian food should be.
Teri Rider
This relatively new addition to the Oceanside restaurant scene is now in the top 5 on my list. More to try, but Dija Mara will without a doubt remain. Topping the ambiance and brilliant menu, The owners and staff are warm and invite you to join them in their creation of 5-star cuisine. The chef is creative and skilled and so far besides the grilled octopus (best I've ever had) I try something new each time I visit. Plenty of vegetarian/vegan options, too, which is sometimes hard to satisfy.
Paul Whitbeck
This place is amazing. Great service...friendly chill atmosphere. And the flavors are off the chart good. Possible the best Pork Ribs I’ve ever had. A new fav for my wife and I. O’side adds another winner to the list.
John Sam Evans
One of my favorite restaurants! Very unique food, and I try something new each time....and am NEVER disappointed! Simran makes an incredible hand-made passion fruit soft drink! The place has a great vibe! - I drive down from Huntington Beach, just to eat here!
Taylor Lemme
Best service. Best food. Best atmosphere.
My new "go to" in all of North County San Diego.
P.s. They are very accommodating to a vegan diet. Try the Gado gado (vegan style). You will not be disappointed!
Heidi Eigenberger
Just opened for Brunch SAT and SUN 11-2. We tried the Ricotta Tartine (to die for), Eggplant Breakfast Bowl (super yummy with a fried egg and feta cheese), Bahn Mi, and finished with a French Toast! So light and fluffy and delish! Cocktails are awesome for brunch, Lychee Mimosa and Breakfast in Bed with muddled berries, agave wine, and topped with prosecco and fresh mint! 10/10 will be back!
Aaron Null
Had about half the menu, and nothing came close to disappointing. Everything was perfectly cooked, and the flavors are fantastic - true to the ingredients, lots of asian heat and spice to enjoy. Prices are super affordable, and the creative drink options that work around not having a liquor license make for a fabulous time. Staff is fantastic too. This is the kind of one-of-a-kind local joint w great unique vision that deserves support! GO!
Rena Wallenius
It’s hard to find laksa on any menu, a Malaysian specialty. Dija Mara did it superbly. I think the food is outstanding, the drinks less so but overall gets five stars for food excellent service and fun atmosphere.
Mary Lodwick Pennock Striker
So excited to go to a sneak peek! Loved it! Great cocktails, great vibe and great food! Thanks Rob and Simran!! Well done �
Krista Warren
Great vibe, unique and wonderful food, great customer service - this place is a treat! Don't miss out on the dessert xo
Patti Miller
An absolute must! The best food and service experienced in years!!!
Rich Northrop
I had a pleasant dining experience with food of the most exquisite flavors. For this reason I highly recommend going to Dija Mara. Ryan is simple put, an artist of the highest caliber.
Louise Burt
Such creative food. Absolutely in love with this place. Craft cocktails are addictive
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