50 Best Seafood Restaurants in San Diego

“Freshly caught options. Minimal seating- but something opens up by the time your meal is done. Highly recommend.“

“We recently tried The Fishery - it was delicious! Great atmosphere and the service is great! The portions are decent. The food is excellent!!“

“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.“

“Came in solo around 6:30pm and was able to grab a seat at the bar. They have a rotational menu based on locally sourced ingredient availability. Ordered the daily oysters (which were fantastic) and the grilled sea bass.

The service here is probably some of the most friendly/best I’ve experienced before. My sea bass was undercooked & the bartender went to check with the chef. She confirmed that was the case and asked to make sure I’d like them to remake it. While waiting, the hostess also came over to apologize and checked in to see if I needed anything else. The new fish came back much better, however I felt like the sauce was a little too salty and acidic to my taste (both times). Based on my experience I feel like they are the type of business to make things right if you are not satisfied

Looking at other reviews I think this would be a great place for drinks & apps.

Overall beautiful place, great service and would probably recommend going for oyster hour 4pm-5pm to ease the hefty price tag“

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

“Awesome everything was very fresh and delicious“

“Wonderful place for a special occasion. The food was delicious. Everything we ordered was good. I like that they will split the soup or salad order between the two of you so you don't have too. Of course it's a bit pricey however the portions are large. The birthday recognition was top notch. They had decorated the table with rose pedals and a card. And the birthday special dessert was delicious and plenty to share. This will definitely be in the rotation for fancy special occasion dinners.“

“Place is beyond the hidden gem call. Great service, friendly and courteous staff with an epic view of iconic OB Pier surf/sunset All time hidden gem in San Diego“

“Highlight meal of our trip. The tuna poke bowl was the best ever. I also had amazingly fresh shucked oysters. We cannot wait to visit Pacific Beach again for another lunch at Nico’s!“

“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!!💯⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Been here twice and will come back again. Definitely recommend“

“We just got off the plane and wants some local fish tacos. This total hit the spot and checked all the boxes. The food was delicious. We wished we had something like this back home in NYC, Queens.

I think we have to go back on taco Tuesday and Thursday 1.25 oysters.“

“This is a must visit when in San Diego! The best food! Everyone is kind that works here and even with waiting once an hour and a half in line I was not disappointed. Highly recommend Oscar's of Emerald in SD🥰“

“My wife and I decided to hit this fun restaurant up for the last night of our honeymoon here in San Diego. It was busy and the hardest part of our experience was just the parking. We eventually found a spot and got it. We decided to sit at the bar instead of waiting for a table for two which was not a bad idea. The bar tender was super friendly and helpful. While we don’t drink alcohol or anything it was a nice place to sit for our dinner. We decided to order the Halibut fish and chips and the Pescado rolled tacos. They were great! The sauces for both the rolled tacos and the fish and chips were the bomb. Idk what the red sauce was for my rolled tacos but it was amazing. Over all we lover the place and would visit again if we come back to town. The only negative about the place is the fish smell but it’s worth it as A you get great fresh fish (seafood) and B you can’t smell it after 5 minutes of being in the restaurant anyways. Over all 5/5 for us!“

“Delicious food that's brought to your table. Clean but small restaurant. $40 for four tacos and one non-alcoholic drink. Individual tacos are stuffed with ingredients and very filling. Friendly staff. Parking is very difficult to find.“

“JTB. EXELENTE. DEL MAR A SUMESA“

“I was a bit taken aback when the server recommended the Beurre Blanc Noodles with crab. Who goes to a place that specializes in raw fish and orders noodles?!? Me, that's who, and I was not at all disappointed. That was seriously one of the best dishes I have had this year! And they have about 10 different types of ceviche, all a bit different. We only tried three of them and will definitely be back for more. I could not recommend this place any more highly--delicious!“

“Absolutely delicious fish and chips !!! No notes. I’ve been all over and my standards are high and the fries were so crispy and fresh as was the fish. All the right condiments and served cold (ketchup, hot sauce, vinegar, lemons, tartar sauce)👏 Decently priced for the portion size and the customer service was great, he was kind and attentive.
Ambiance/seating/mask signs/barriers are all a little strange but there are a few tables outside. It’s giving hole in the wall and my belly is happy 😋 I plan to go back again and will get it to go which is what they seem to be encouraging.“

“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.“

“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“

“LOVED THE FOOD!! We had catfish, it was excellent. I'm excited to go back. Loved the casual indoor-outdoor atmosphere!
Second visit. We had the calamari and fish and chips. The calamari was very chewy and the fish and chips were just ok.“

“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“

“I really liked their crab cocktail and their shrimp platter“

“I loved this taco spot! The birria tacos were delicious, and I enjoyed having an IPA with it. I absolutely loved the vibe in here with the walls painted in murals. Cool ambience. The service was great as well. Definitely a taco place to check out.“

“We had a lovely brunch celebrating my birthday. Our server Cyana couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. You can't beat the view and ambience on the deck - wonderful breeze that kept us very comfortable. The food was delicious - would definitely recommend the weekend brunc!“

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

“This was our 1st anniversary in November, 1991. This is the first booth inside the door, our favorite. In the several years before meeting Patti, I had taken more than a few dates to Baci’s. Why go there? The food, the service, the personal interaction with staff. Talking to the owner once, I discovered he was neighbors with my roommates brother. We left San Diego in 1992 but winter there since retiring and visit Baci’s every year. So happy they’re still going strong.“

“Awesome seafood and fantastic views of San Diego! Wait staff is very good!“

“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.“

“decent seafood views are qorth the prices“

“The lobster 🦞 roll was great. My husband ordered that one.
I went for the fish and chips. The fis was crunchy and dry. Perfect in every bite.
They don't have any Aguas frescas without alcohol, but they looked great.
I do recommend this place.“

“George, the manager of top notch and very hospitable. The food is second to none with an amazing view at the bay. I highly recommend the calamari strips in the macadamia mahi. 🤤🐙🐟🐟“

“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.“

“Great food and even better service. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. What really stood out, though, was the service, Mel, the manager, went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of and genuinely happy with our experience. You can tell they care about both the food and the customers. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend this spot.“

“As a professional DJ, photographer, and videographer, I love working at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. The panoramic views of San Diego Bay provide a stunning backdrop for wedding photos and videos, and the natural light enhances every image. DJs will appreciate the superior acoustics. The staff is always helpful and accommodating, making the experience seamless for vendors and bringing the couple’s vision to life effortlessly.“

“Dining and sight-seeing... Delicious and Beautiful“

“The place was busy so naturally the wait was a little bit longer than usual. We got sat and served in a timely matter and the food was absolutely delicious! This was our second visit and the food hit just as good as the first time. Will be coming back when in the area again.“

“Food was absolutely delish!! Crab Cakes were great and Key Lime Pie was fire! Genuinely top 10 pies I’ve ever had. Thanks 🙏“

“We got fish tacos so tasty so crispy .
Agua Chile tasted like spicy fresh ceviche. Also got surf and turf taco which was really good. The food was so good. I will definitely come back worth it. Service good food good vibes good. Located in the parking lot of target North Park . No bathroom. Get free seafood soup while you wait for your order. Just ask.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Great time and great food as always!“

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

“Had lunch with my sister. Great food and portions. Kyle our waiter was friendly and attentive.“

“The sushi is amazing...baked salmon roll and Philly rolls are my go to!“

“My favorite restaurant of boiling crab 🦀 🥵“

“Delicious food and drinks. Great staff, very comfortable bar seating. Also has tables and chairs if you prefer. Sometimes live music that anyone could enjoy and never too loud. Conveniently located on the first floor in the heart of the mall and not in the fast food court.“

“Stopped by Ferchaladas Birria & Mariscos and really enjoyed it. We tried the birria tacos and the octopus. The birria tacos were really good, but the octopus was definitely my favorite. It was cooked perfectly and full of flavor.

The place has a great local vibe, and the food was fresh and came out quickly. Just a heads up, they only accept cash or Venmo, so come prepared. Parking can be a little difficult depending on the time of day, but it's definitely worth it once you try the food.

We'll definitely be back to try more from the menu!“