North County’s iconic windmill is turning again, signaling the arrival of The Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad. Over a year in the making, the project transformed the former venue, a Danish-style restaurant and food hall, into a 12,000-square-foot dining and entertainment hub that can be viewed from Interstate 5.
Owner James Markham has filled the space with 14 food vendors, which represent already-established restaurants as well as first permanent ventures from farmer’s market favorites. Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa is well-represented by Cross Street Chicken & Beer, Bing Haus Desserts, and Friend’s House, a Korean eatery, while Carlsbad’s El Puerto and Notorious Burgers have launched annexes here. The roster is rounded out by Bread & Cheese Eatery, The Fry Fix, Mesteeso Brazilian Coffee Co., The Poke Stand, and Thai Style. Opening soon will be Doughballs Pizza, run by Markham himself, District 1 Pho, and RJ’s Sizzlin’ Steer, a steakhouse from Murrieta that will be housed inside the windmill tower.
Mesteeso and El Puerto get breakfast started at 7 a.m. daily while the remaining vendors open at 11 a.m. There are arcade games throughout the food hall, which was designed by local firm Design X, as well as communal seating areas, from a quiet library to a pop-art gallery, that can also be rented for private events. A central cocktail bar serves a menu of drinks by beverage director Jesse Ross (Sycamore Den, Bivouac Ciderworks). The spacious outdoor picnic areas hold more games and will host various types of entertainment and education, from yoga and painting classic to live music, line dancing, and pop-ups featuring local artisans.
Markham told Eater that he’s planning to develop another food hall in the Southern California area.