50 Best Seafood Restaurants near Lemon Grove

“I ordered shrimp and cata's tacos 🌮.. the shrimp was good but the spices hide the shrimp flavor and it's in a fried cheese ( a bit heavy)

The Cata's taco 🌮 was too fishy to me! I took 1 bite and couldn't eat it

My friend liked her fish tacos!“

“Pleasantly surprised by this place. First time trying it as I’m looking to make 2023 a year I explore new food places. This was my first new place of the year and I’m glad I found them! Friendly people and don’t be fooled by the small frontage. Hole in the wall places are the best. I also liked their happy hour menu….I was there for lunch but will be going back for happy hours and dinners😃“

“me fascina el pozole y aquí en este lugar esta súper bien 150% bueno y claro que lo recomiendo.. muy buen servicio.“

“Best fish and chips I’ve had in San Diego. Clean and friendly but don’t order too much as their fish is very big. Best french fries ever! If I just wanted french fries that would be my stop.“

“Delicious ceviche! It was so good, especially served with fresh avocado and a bag of crispy tostadas. The ceviche was amazing and perfect for sharing we ordered the medium tray for $75 and it was more than enough for the family. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and the ladies were so friendly and welcoming. I called about an hour ahead, and they prepared everything fresh for us. My family absolutely loved it, and I will definitely be coming back!“

“Awesome and friendly service and great food“

“On July 8, 2025 my family & I finally made it to Ironside. It was so much more than I could have imagined. Back story...My brother had been raving about this great restaurant called Ironside w/fresh oysters, great champagne, and incredible cocktails since Sept of 22. My family and I live in AK, and he was so excited to share it with us. We tried to visit each other often, but somehow by the end of every trip to CA, after cramming in as much as we could, my family would head back to AK and my brother and I would promise each other we would make it to Ironside on my next visit. For us though, sadly there wouldn't be a "next visit" with my brother. In the early morning hours of May 22, 2025, I lost my brother (and friends) in a plane crash in San Diego. When something like this happens, there is so much that goes through your head. Amongst thousands of other things, you constantly think about the memories you wont get to make, and the experiences you will never get to have w/your favorite person/people. You lose them daily, again, and again, and again w/each experience the person doesn't get to be a part of... and a visit to one of his favorite restaurants, would just be another example of something we wouldn't get to do with my brother... Fast forward to July of 2025. We traveled back to CA to attend his and several of our friends memorial services. Before heading back to AK, my husband, kids, my cousin, and I decided that we couldn't leave again without trying Ironside. It took hours to get us there emotionally, but we pulled ourselves together, and even came prepped with my brother's favorite menu and drink items to try. He had fantastic taste, so we knew we would enjoy his suggestions! We arrived, put our names on the list, and after about a 15 minute wait we were led us to our seats. We were quickly greeted by our server who gave us our menus/drink menus and said she would be back right away to take our order.... So far so good. We were holding ourselves together, but still wearing sunglasses indoors, much like someone does when they have been crying for a month and a half. Although we had rehearsed what we were ordering, the moment my cousin and I tried to order his favorite drinks water began pouring from our faces. It wasn't a loud dramatic cry, just grief bubbling up like a gieser that couldn't be stopped This was NOT what we wanted. We didn't want to explain ourselves, and we certainly weren't ready to use the words died, or plane crash.... but we did it. We told her why we were there, and she was nothing short of amazing. She and her coworker (a gentleman) treated my family with unwavering kindness and compassion. They listened to why we were there, gave us additional suggestions, wrote down my brothers favorite items, and checked on us often. They asked questions about us, about my brother, they listened, and we all laughed through our tears. They weren't uncomfortable with our grief or pain, and they didn't make US feel uncomfortable for feeling what we were feeling outloud, and in public. When we were ready to go, I asked them if I could buy one of each of the cups from my brother's two favorite drinks. The gentleman told me they didn't sell them, but after checking with a manager, they brought them back to me, boxed up, and told me they wanted us to have them. They also gave us one of their old plates that says "Ironside". It has a small chip over the letter d... and my brother's name starts with a D. I like to believe it was him, telling us he was with us for our dinner after all. We tried everything my brother loved! Just as he suggested, it was all amazing. The food was delicious, the drinks were complex and perfectly balanced, and the service... the service was nothing short of healing. I know this review isn't just about the food. This place is a triple threat. The food was great, the drinks were amazing, and the people are incredible. The people helped my family through one of the hardest days o“

“This is a great stop to make if you are looking for some awesome fish tacos. It is off the beaten path of downtown SD, but worth the trip. Very small seating area and you may have to wait, but worth it! Nice staff and service.“

“So good! I visited solo on a Friday night and was immediately seated at the bar. Went for the tasting menu which was a very healthy amount of food - 7 small dishes total, served in 4 courses. Everything down to the salad was amazing, and the main course included an excellent grilled swordfish and maybe the best patatas bravas I've ever had.

Service was excellent, started out with a cocktail and moved on to a really nice vinho verde to pair with the main course. All in all one of the highlights of my time in San Diego - would absolutely return if I'm ever back in town!“

“Best barbecue ribs in the city!!!!!!“

“Bryan Z and crew hooked it up for us. Great guidance on the menu and truly remarkable service with a great sense of humor and ability to engage in my banter. Food was awesome with great presentation and quick service. Easy recommend for any celebration dinner or even if you are just looking for a high end dinner.“

“Their fries were amazing. There were 4 of us, 2 like seafood and 2 did not- perfect place to go with affordable prices. Burger was juicy and the secret sauce to go with burger- delicious. There service was friendly and gave great recommendations“

“We were a party of five at your Le Mesa location on 3/22/26 and I believe our server's name was Diana. Our experience was absolutely fantastic! The food was superb, the facility was spotless and every member of the staff that interacted with was professional, helpful and friendly. Diana was fantastic! She has the perfect balance of friendly efficiency, light humor to match our personalities and spot on timing to check in with us. We can't wait to visit again! Thank you.“

“Great place, great food, service is excellent, everybody is having a good time and it shows, this place is a must in SD, whether you go as a couple or with friends, definitely recommended!!!“

“Super delicious we love everything there !! Great food great service!!💯⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The tacos here are hands down the best I’ve ever had!! The guy working at the front was extremely patient with us and explained everything multiple times until we understood. We really loved our experience here! Both food and service are outstanding!“

“Wonderful ambiance and even our great VP of the US came to eat there. Compliments 👏 🙌 Sashimi and homemade ice cream 😊“

“Wow, such great food and awesome service! Had the lobster roll and it was quality lobster and overflowing with actual meat. Everything was delicious.“

“Amidst the vibrant pulse of downtown San Diego, WaterGrill at 615 J St stands as a beacon of culinary excellence and undeniable charm. On a recent evening, my plans shifted from Italian discontent to the familiar embrace of WaterGrill, a venue that never ceases to impress. The transition was seamless and steeped in relief as we were greeted with the warmest of welcomes and guided to a cozy booth tucked away in the back—a perfect setting for what was to unfold. The service, led by the incomparable Nesha, was nothing short of spectacular. Her effortless candor and keen attention to our dining experience crafted an atmosphere that felt both intimate and celebratory. As a seasoned mortgage broker, I've developed a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for seamless execution—qualities that WaterGrill embodies with finesse. The culinary journey was highlighted by the sublime Chilean Sea Bass and a perfectly seared Filet Mignon, each dish speaking volumes of the skill behind the scenes. The surprise dessert, a sweet gesture orchestrated with style by Nesha, was the cherry on top of an already delightful evening. WaterGrill is not just a restaurant; it’s a study in class, atmosphere, and the art of hospitality. For anyone looking to create core memories around fine dining, this establishment comes highly recommended. The dedication to excellence here mirrors the precision we prize in the mortgage industry, making every visit a reaffirmation of why WaterGrill is a staple in our culinary repertoire.“

“My bartender Jayden has been nothing but amazing. He’s been super kind and helpful. Food was good I got the soft shell crab taco and it was great bite. Atmosphere was good and very much got lucky to come at a chill time this place is usually poppin. I will be coming back again.“

“2nd visit and again food and service were great. only complaint was they cleared my dessert when I wasn't finished without asking. took that as hint to leave.“

“This was the BEST sushi we have ever had. The entire experience was so wonderful. We left feeling relaxed and happy. Highly recommend this place and the staff were all fantastic and very attentive.“

“The food was delicious. Had the carne asada fries, shared between 3 people and was still full. Their salsa is really good. Had the churros..... yum. The birria burrito was good, but I prefer it in tacos. Just a preference thing, but I had to try it for the first time and my belly was happy. Will be back soon“

“Very good and excellent service in the food is great“

“Best Mariscos Delivery service no cap !!“

“Although it is a food truck in a parking lot, I have it 5 stars for atmosphere because it is what is expected. nothing more, nothing less. The food never disappoints, and they go above and beyond to make sure you get and like what you order. Have been back and will be back again and again.“

“A hole in the wall serving affordable fish tacos, you can't beat that. Quick service, delicious menu items. Restaurant is small, if you prefer a larger setting they have a restaurant a block away. I prefer this location, food is delicious and the prices are lower. My go to are the fish tacos, campechana cocktail and the Tamarindo michelada.“

“Everyone in our house used to like poke. After we found Poke Chop, we LOVE poke! They have so many options of fish and sauces and toppings. I’ve never found as big of a selection. My daughter would eat here every day if I’d let her. There aren’t many places in Hillcrest where a family of 3 can get dinner for around $30, and be totally stuffed, and not feel blah afterwards. The fish is always really fresh. The only thing that could make it better is if they added mango, mmmmm. We try to eat there as much as possible because it will be a very sad day if they close. (It’s a reality in the Hillcrest restaurant business ☹️).“

“Delicious!!! Line was long but well worth the wait. First time but definitely not my last. Great Customer service as well.“

“All of the five star reviews are well warranted. If you can only try one thing you MUST TRY THE AHI CEVICHE. I’m telling you. Everything else is a 8 or a 9 but that is a 10/10 all the time, every time. My grandmother ever did the wide eyes when she tasted it haha“

“We have been HUGE a huge fan of a local crawfish restaurant for as long as they have been open, and have gone frequently over the years. Recently we have been looking to try some of the other crawfish places around. Not only did the Boxing Crab have flavorful sauces to choose from, top quality freshness, the best cooked crawfish we have had in a restaurant, (even better than our regular spot), and their service was wonderful! We now have a new GoTo! We will recommend them again and again!“

“Straight 🔥 and delicious recommend for everyone“

“This place was definitely a 10/10?✨“

“We walked into this restaurant around 6 pm on a Sunday. Didn't seem that busy, but that's hard to tell sometimes. When we walked in, the person running the desk just looked at us without saying anything. She wasn't otherwise occupied--just standing behind the desk waiting for people to come in. I said: "Hello. We're a party of 2." Her reply? "Do you have a reservation?" Her tone of voice was a bit condescending, as if we had some nerve to walk in without a reservation. When I told her we didn't, she said: "Well then you have to wait." I asked what the wait was and was told 10-15 minutes so they could get "caught up." Other guests received similar treatment. One guest noted several empty tables and suggested they increase staffing. She replied: "It's out of our control, sir." I think this person could benefit from coaching and training on being more hospitable. I noticed a few people walking out. For one, people who have reservations usually state that when they check-in. You don't have to grill people who did you the honor of choosing your restaurant. The greeter's first job is to make people feel welcome. They're the first point of contact and they set the tone for the restaurant. After we were seated, our dining experience turned around. The server, Carlos, was very friendly and efficient. He was also very knowledgeable about the menu and wines available. The food was delicious and presented well. It was also served hot. I'm glad we didn't walk out or let the sour greeting spoil our evening. I had to deduct a star for that. I should have deducted more than one, but the food was so good, they get four.“

“Great seafood and service. And the view of the small lake is really nice. If the weather is nice, be sure to sit outside - the tables by the lake make for a really enjoyable experience.

The menu is all pretty good, but the swordfish is a favorite of mine.“

“Celebrated good friends’ birthdays on Fish and Chips night! Fun times with good food and great friends! 👍🏼😊🌻“

“clamato is really good. buy some beer at liquor store next door and mix 💣. food is really good, big portions.“

“I had the catfish and fries with cornbread it was simply amazing it was so good nice and hot fresh I'll definitely be back again and I will recommend this restaurant to all of my family and friends“

“Andrea helped so much with ordering our food! We are a family of 4 traveling from AZ. We stopped here for our itinerary because of the view and shops! We had the best fish and chips here! We ordered the family style spicy fish and chips and fried pickles with calamari 😍 so good!!! Will bring coming back, thank you!!!“

“Really good food. Extremely attentive staff. Thank you for a wonderful 40th Anniversary dinner!“

“We love Parma Cucina!! The food is authentic and they treat everyone like family! Bellissimo!🇮🇹❤️“

“The food is soooo good, big portions and excellent service.“

“Great time and great food as always!“

“Service is great. Food is awesome, we even had to order more of the garlic noodles to go!“

“me encanto🥰mega recomendados kilos place..y rl servicio genial!“

“Outstanding food at a small local restaurant. Really enjoyed the crab boil with my wife. Great prices and great food. Give them a try you won’t regret it! Friendly service too. Overall great experience!“

“My favorite French spot in town!“

“My experience at Surf & Soul Spot was absolutely exceptional! The fish and chips were incredibly delicious, fresh, and perfectly cooked. The shrimp was equally amazing, full of flavor and prepared to perfection!

If you're looking for delicious, crispy fried fish without the traditional beer batter, this is definitely the place to go! The quality of the food truly exceeded my expectations.

I highly recommend Surf and Soul Spot to anyone craving delicious seafood and a satisfying dining experience. I'll definitely be coming back for more!“

“The Super breakfast burro was as big as my forearm !!! The best way to start your day!��“

“the food is SO tasty, welcoming honey atmosphere, wonderful service in an intimate setting.“