San Diego, California’s Best Seafood Restaurants Everyone Is Talking About
California’s coastal location and culinary scene make it a standout destination for seafood lovers. San Diego is a home to a wide range of restaurants that highlight fresh catches, bold flavors, and local ingredients.
From casual taco spots to upscale dining rooms overlooking the ocean, these ten seafood restaurants capture the essence of San Diego’s food culture.
Each offers its own take on the region’s bounty, with menus that celebrate everything from daily catches to carefully crafted classics. These are the places where seafood takes center stage.
1. The Fish Market
Right on the waterfront, this place lets you pick your fish from the actual market downstairs before heading upstairs to eat. Talk about fresh!
Families love the casual atmosphere and kids menu, while seafood lovers appreciate the daily catches brought in by local fishermen. The view of the bay makes every meal feel special.
Their grilled swordfish and clam chowder have fans coming back week after week, and the prices won’t empty your wallet either.
2. Water Grill San Diego
Located in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, Water Grill brings a touch of class without the stuffiness. Their oyster bar features over a dozen varieties daily, each one perfectly shucked and ready to slurp.
The menu changes based on what’s swimming in the ocean that day. Chefs here know their way around a fish fillet, creating dishes that let the natural flavors shine through.
Date night? This spot delivers romance and incredible food in equal measure.
3. Ironside Fish & Oyster
Little Italy’s hottest seafood spot combines industrial design with coastal cooking. The raw bar practically glows with fresh shellfish, and the patio offers primo people-watching opportunities.
I tried their lobster roll last summer and nearly cried tears of joy. Seriously, it was that good. The butter-toasted bun cradled chunks of sweet lobster meat that tasted like the ocean in the best way possible.
Brunch here means crab cake benedicts and bottomless possibilities for a perfect weekend morning.
4. Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Point Loma’s hidden treasure serves up creative twists on classic seafood dishes. The name alone makes you smile, and the food keeps that grin going strong.
Chef prepares everything with local ingredients and a dash of imagination. Expect unexpected flavor combinations that somehow work perfectly together, like their famous fish collar or octopus tacos.
Small plates encourage sharing, making this an ideal spot for groups who can’t decide on just one dish to order.
5. El Pescador Fish Market
La Jolla locals guard this secret like treasure, but the word’s getting out. This no-frills market and eatery focuses on one thing: ridiculously fresh fish prepared simply and perfectly.
Counter service keeps things moving fast, and the prices feel like a time machine back to the 1990s. Order at the window, grab a picnic table, and prepare for some serious flavor.
Their fish tacos have developed a cult following among surfers and tourists alike.
6. The Fishery
Pacific Beach’s sustainable seafood champion operates both a market and restaurant under one roof. You can buy fish to cook at home or let their kitchen handle the work for you.
Everything comes from responsible sources, so your conscience stays as clean as your plate. The staff knows their stuff and happily explains where each fish was caught and how to prepare it.
Regulars rave about the cioppino, a tomato-based seafood stew that warms you from the inside out on foggy coastal evenings.
7. Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine
Modern coastal cooking reaches new heights at this Gaslamp favorite. The chefs treat seafood like edible art, plating dishes that look almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Their sustainable approach means invasive lionfish actually appears on the menu, turning an environmental problem into a delicious solution. How’s that for eating with purpose?
Special occasions deserve special places, and this restaurant delivers memorable meals that guests talk about for months afterward. Reserve ahead because tables disappear quickly.
8. Herb & Sea
Encinitas scores big with this Mediterranean-inspired seafood haven. Fresh herbs grow right outside the kitchen, finding their way into nearly every dish on the menu.
The whole roasted fish arrives at your table looking restaurant-magazine ready, complete with lemon and aromatic herbs. Flavors transport you straight to the Greek islands without the jet lag.
Outdoor seating lets you soak up the California sunshine while enjoying some of the coastline’s finest catches prepared with care.
9. George’s At The Cove
Perched above La Jolla Cove, George’s has been wowing diners for decades. Three levels offer different vibes, from casual rooftop to fancy dining room, but all share those jaw-dropping ocean views.
Award-winning chefs create California cuisine that highlights local seafood in inventive ways. The tasting menu takes you on a culinary journey you won’t forget anytime soon.
Sunset reservations book up fast, so plan ahead if you want that golden-hour magic with your meal.
10. Mitch’s Seafood
Point Loma’s laid-back seafood shack proves fancy isn’t always better. Plastic chairs and paper plates can’t diminish the quality of their incredibly fresh catches and famous fish tacos.
Family-owned and operated, Mitch’s keeps things simple and affordable. The fishermen literally dock their boats nearby, delivering the day’s haul straight to the kitchen.
Grab a spot on the patio, order the grilled fish plate, and watch boats cruise by while you enjoy honest, delicious seafood done right.