San Diego, California and fresh seafood go hand-in-hand, or fishing-boat-to-mouth. Real Food Traveler’s Hospitality Editor, Ron Stern, recently visited the seaside city and returned with his list of top seafood restaurants to try. 

Save this article to Pinterest! Clockwise, Point Loma exterior, Crab & Avocado Toast at Mitch’s Seafood, interior Water Grill, and

5 Fantastic San Diego Seafood Restaurants

San Diego’s seafood options are as abundant as the fish in the sea. With its mild climate, sparkling blue waters and glorious beaches, this coastal city lures travelers by the millions hungry for a culinary sea adventure. From fast casual to fine dining, you can enjoy some of the freshest catches the Pacific Ocean has to offer.

Depending upon the season, local waters are teeming with snapper, crab, white seabass, California yellowtail and halibut. While restaurants prefer to source locally, extending the boundaries to the coast of Baja, Alaska, and the east coast offers a wide variety of options that makes this city a seafood lover’s dream.

Here, in no particular order are some samplings of the area’s most popular eateries.

The Fish Market, San Diego

The iconic Fish Market restaurant and seafood market is nestled right next to the water’s edge and adjacent to the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum.

Overlooking San Diego Bay, this beloved locale serves some of the freshest fish around in a family-friendly atmosphere. The distinctive, red-trimmed exterior houses the restaurant portion downstairs while upstairs is their “Top of the Market” fine dining and private events venue.

With incredible bayfront views, we were seated in a room that extended out over the water with floor-to-ceiling windows. Our host, Suzanne Fish, if you can believe it, brought dish after mouth-watering dish while explaining the owner’s vision. “We serve fresh fish, simply prepared in a clean and comfortable environment with superior service and knowledge.” Each server undergoes a 3-week intensive training program that starts in their retail, on-site market so that they become intimately familiar with their products.

The Fish Market also owns its own processing facilities and uses a “drop buoy” one-line method. This, she says, ensures a fish that “tastes better and cleaner.” To prove the point, she brought out some beautiful large sea scallops. Looking almost translucent, they are prepared without preservatives, common with many others.

Hovering to await my reaction, after my first bite I was, forgive the pun, hooked. They tasted sweet and light, almost like candy. I quickly gobbled up the rest while eyeing a sense of satisfaction on her face.

Scallops from The Fish Market.

Very much a family-owned operation, you can enjoy oysters from Chesapeake Bay, fresh, hot catches such as halibut, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, New England clam chowder, and scratch-made desserts.  Genuine and unpretentious, this was some of the best seafood I have ever had. I vowed to make an annual trip back to San Diego to revisit this culinary epiphany.

Mitch’s Seafood, San Diego (Point Loma)

It’s hard to resist a watery eatery whose slogan is “Local fish from local fisherman.” The small white-washed hangout overlooks the fishing fleet of Driscoll Wharf on San Diego Bay. This was exactly the sort of place that drew me in like a hungry halibut seeking an anchovy.

I arrived just before the 11am opening and wasn’t sure if I wanted breakfast or lunch. Looking over the various colored chalkboard menus, my choice was a twist on the traditional breakfast–crab and avocado toast. Simple and delicious, with very little pretense, one squirt of lemon was all it required to satisfy my ocean “itch.”

Mitch’s buys direct from local fisherman (most on a first-name basis) and provides them to restaurants and the public alike. They specialize in seasonal and sustainable catches from the local fleet such rockfish, bluefin tuna, opah, lobster, and others.

Seated on their outside deck watching the fishing boats clean their sea-to-table treasures was too much for my will power. Even though I’d just finished breakfast 10 minutes before, I decided it was time for lunch and ordered some grilled yellowfin tuna with house-made limeade. The tender meat was perfectly seasoned and mouth-pleasingly divine.

Yellow Fin Tuna from Mitch’s Seafood.

As the customer lines stretched along the side of the building, I figured I must have stumbled upon a Point Loma secret. Matt, my unofficial seafood concierge told me that people fly into nearby San Diego Airport and quickly migrate via car service to Mitch’s. Memories like this apparently last a lifetime.

Hungry for more? See where to stay in nearby Newport Beach.

Point Loma Seafoods, San Diego (Point Loma)

In business for more than 60 years, Point Loma Seafoods is a family-run fish market, restaurant and processing facility. Their smoked fish is still prepared the old-fashioned way, slow cooked for 8-12 hours over hickory wood.

Sourcing from around the world, including local, their high standards ensures only the freshest fish makes it to their display cases. During the high season, you can find yellowtail, spiny lobster, white sea bass, swordfish, and bluefin tuna. Regulars come by after work to bring home and bake, grill, or barbeque.

The menu includes tasty recipes and sandwiches prepared fresh daily. Entrees include lightly breaded and fried Alaskan cod, crabcakes with Kelly’s “special recipe,” and Eastern Bluepoint Oysters. Sushi rolls remain a favorite as are the seafood cocktails and fish, shrimp and squid tacos.

Seating is available both in front and upstairs. The latter affords grand views of the San Diego skyline and is the ideal spot to relax while taking in the sunshine and soft ocean breezes.

Enjoy the views of San Diego from the back of Point Loma.

El Pescador Fish Market, La Jolla

Serving some of the freshest fish available for more than 40 years, El Pescador is located in the heart of picturesque La Jolla. Sourcing from local and other providers, the concept here is customer-friendly and delectable. You see it, you order it, they cook it.

The place was buzzing upon my lunch arrival. The green exterior stood out along the roadway making it easy to find. A good part of the interior design features large showcases filled with scores of fresh fish. The vibe is casual with a concrete floor, wooden chairs and tables, and large windows allowing for ample light.

The seafood display counter at El Pescador Fish Market.

The story here began in 1974 when a young surfer and his friend constructed a display case that they supplied with fish in the small town of Del Mar. One of their first meals offered was a seafood cocktail and lemonade for just one dollar. After making a splash in the local market, they ultimately opened the La Jolla location, and the public has beaten a path to their door.

Some of the most popular items includes a Baja fish sandwich, fish tacos, and a seafood burrito. They start with a flour tortilla then pack it with yogurt, spinach, black beans, grilled red onions, black beans and jalapeños.

A Seafood Burrito at El Pescador Fish Market.

Just a short drive from downtown San Diego, El Pescador is close to some breathtaking beaches, shopping, and site seeing. If you’re on a seafood quest like me, this is a must destination.

Hungry for more? Read about 48 hours in Pacific Beach.

Water Grill, San Diego

The downtown “Gaslamp Quarter” is where you will find the Water Grill and their modern flair to seafood dining. The large, two-story space is impressive in its own right with some eye-catching décor.

I took some time to admire some of the interesting design elements. These included a metal fish sculpture, dark hardwood floors, open beam ceilings, and plush leather seating. One of the more unusual features was an entire wall comprised of oyster shells! “That took many hours of cleaning, I can tell you,” exclaimed my server with a broad smile.

At Water Grill, see the dramatic oyster shell wall.

Fresh deliveries arrive several times per week allowing for a large assortment of regular and seasonal items. Normally, you can find 10 fin fish and a raw bar featuring 12-18 oysters from both coasts.

Chilled shellfish selections include Florida stone crab claws, Peruvian bay scallops Long Island littleneck clams, wild Mexican shrimp, North American hard shell lobster and Barents Sea red king crab.

Salivating after surveying the menu, I ordered a shrimp cocktail and some New England clam chowder with applewood bacon. Both were spot-on wonderful. For my entrée, I went with their seasonal Wild Ross Chilean Sea Bass with butternut squash gnocchi and sage brown butter. If you are fortunate to visit when this one is on the menu, don’t pass it up. Moist, tender, and flavorful, I savored every bite as if it was my last.

Clam chowder, sea bass, and shrimp cocktail from Water Grill.

Water Grill has locations throughout Southern California as well as Seattle, Denver, and Las Vegas. Together with their sister restaurant, King’s Fish House, their food is accessible even if you don’t happen to live near the ocean.

If I had a choice, and lived in San Diego, fresh seafood would be on my plate every day. Whether you have a taste for saltwater fish, mollusks, crustaceans, oysters, or caviar, you can satisfy your deep-sea desires at any of these five restaurants. As for me, I’m already looking into flights for a return visit.

–Story and images, where noted, by Ron Stern, “The Global Gumshoe” and RFT’s Hospitality Editor

Please note: Ron was hosted for portions of his visit however, as is Real Food Traveler’s policy, our opinions and impressions are always our own.