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.“

“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!“

“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“

“Awesome everything was very fresh and delicious“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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“

“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!“

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

“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!!!“

“This place is THE BEST. I’ve been coming here since 2017. The owner is truly the nicest guy you will ever meet. The fish is always fresh. The fried zucchini is always to die for. It’s obviously not the healthiest thing, but for fish and chips 12/10“

“JTB. EXELENTE. DEL MAR A SUMESA“

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

“decent seafood views are qorth the prices“

“We came here this Labor Day weekend, and this was our second time eating here. We’re from Tucson, AZ, and these tacos are a must whenever we’re in San Diego! 🌮

The tacos are so unique, different from your typical tacos, and packed with so much flavor. My partner and I decided to order all four different kinds of Mahi Mahi tacos so we could try them all, and honestly, they were all delicious! We also ordered the shrimp, and it was SO good! 🍤

The price is a little on the higher side, but honestly, it’s so worth it. The food is delicious, the flavors are amazing, and we’ll definitely be back again!“

“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!“

“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🥰“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

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

“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. 🤤🐙🐟🐟“

“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.“

“Enjoyed OCK so much! Celebrating a dear friends Bday with Brunch... Shout outs to Kiana, Erica, Sarah. Vicky and Zac! They took great care of us! Luau is back in June! Parking Garage and 4hr validation! Can't wait to go back. If you haven't been for a while go check them out you won't be disappointed!!! Sooooo enjoyable!“

“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.“

“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.“

“We really loved it, there was something on the menu for everyone(even the non sea food eater) Food was great, as well as prices. Best butter dips we had so far. We had, fired oyster basket, tenders basket, fried calamari, king crab boil bag, and then a snow crab boil bag.“

“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.“

“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 ☹️).“

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

“Almost a 5 star. Reservation was at 8:30pm. Showed up 2 minutes late. Was escorted to table in middle of floor. I l saw premium tables with ocean view and live fire. We asked if it was an up charge. The seater said no and took us to premium table. Waiter approached and asked if we wanted any drinks off of menu, we said water for now. He brought water, we then asked for 1 alcoholic drink, he continued to ask for appetizer which we were ready, right after we told him what appetizer we wanted, he then asked what entree we wanted. A little thrown off, luckily we knew what we wanted. He came out 2 minutes later and told us they were out of oysters. I am not familiar with the restaurant business but I felt like the source for oysters was right in front of me considering I had an ocean view. Due to the rush in orders, I question the availability in oysters. I know they were trying to close kitchen, but I was a paying customer who had to deal with Labor Day traffic. I’m sorry I was a little last minute.“

“Good restaurant, delicious food. I recommend everyone to try it“

“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“

“Vero italiano a San Diego!!! Posto easy ma molto accogliente e curato; Personale super accogliente ed amichevole; Cibo super buono e davvero italiano Consigliata la focaccia di loro produzione e spettacolare spaghetto alla pescatora!! Top A presto“

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

“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“

“young lady in the front was very helpful which was awsome because it was my 1st poke experience and I was alone. I am def going back.“

“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!!!“