7 of the Best Restaurants on the Beach in San Diego
San Diego is known for surf, sun and beautiful weather. The city also has a fresh and exciting restaurant scene. Some of the best eating experiences are located on the beach in San Diego. Cocktails and seafood just seem to taste better with a side of ocean breeze. The wide variety of food choices available in San Diego restaurants on the beach include burgers, ceviche, steak, tacos, vegan bowls, and much more. The featured restaurants are located in the Ocean Beach, Mission Bay, Harbor Island, and Pacific Beach areas. From high-end to grab-and-go, here are seven of the best San Diego restaurants on the beach.
Acapulco Bay Seafood
3231 Mission BlvdSan Diego, CA 92109
(858) 352-6301
Located in the Mission Bay area close to Belmont Park, this casual Mexican restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining. The menu offers everything from street tacos to ceviche. With a wide selection of beer available on tap as well as additional choices in the bottle, you are bound to find one of your favorite brews to accompany this fresh Mexican fare. Wine, White Claw, and cocktails are also available. Save room for dessert because they offer flan, Mexican rice pudding with coconut, cajeta churros, and sweetened fried plantains with your choice of sweetened condensed milk, strawberry jam, or cajeta.
Hodad’s Ocean Beach
5010 Newport Ave., San Diego, CA 92107
(691) 224-4623
Burgers and beer on a beach? If those three things take you to your happy place, then I have great news for you…Hodad’s serves the “world’s best burgers” and they brew their own CRAFT BEER, on the beach. Availability may change, but some of the craft beer offerings are Boss Brew Kölsch, Hodaddy Hefeweizen, Surf Punk Baja Lager, Throwback Brown, and Hesher Hazy IPA. This uber-casual and inexpensive restaurant serves specialty burgers, sandwiches, sides, and vegan options. You know a place is good, legendary even, when it has lasted over 50 years.
Island Prime/C Level
880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 298-6802
For an upscale vibe, try this steakhouse on Harbor Island. This deluxe, over-the-water dining experience features an impressive menu and “Insta” worthy views of the city skyline. The menu includes such delicacies as seared scallops, striped sea bass, rack of lamb, filet mignon, and steak au poivre. They offer an impressive wine and cocktail selection. The dessert menu includes seven different items such as Potted Brownie Banana Split and Vanilla Ginger Creme Brulee. If you love the location, but want something a bit more casual, try the C Level restaurant. It is also located at this site and offers a more casual menu.
Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach
5083 Santa Monica Ave., 1B, San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 255-8497
Award winning tacos, salads, and sandwiches are on offer at this mid-range restaurant. The location at Mission Hills, which has the same menu for the Ocean Beach location, was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Favorites from Triple D include the sea bass taco, halibut sandwich, and cioppino. But don’t miss the butter bourbon jalapeño lime mussels or the “Track Taco”, which won Tacotopia in 2016. Additional menu items include chilled seafood cocktails and sashimi. Fresh seafood is also available for purchase. You know a restaurant is serious about seafood when they have a Seafood Market on the premises.
La Perlita
3735 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 246-6986
This is a gem that you don’t want to miss, especially if you are looking for an authentic “Mom and Pop” place. You won’t find a fancy website or a slick ad campaign, but you will find burritos, tacos, tostadas, tortas, taquitos, and more are on the menu of this Mission Bay restaurant. Bring an appetite because the portions are large and the food is full of authentic Mexican flavor.
Pacific Beach Fish Shop
1775 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 483-4746
If you are serious about seafood, then this is the place for you. First, you pick your fish, then you pick your marinade, and lastly, you pick your style. Fresh fish dishes are made to order and cater to your taste preferences. Seafood can be prepared as a taco, sandwich, salad, or a plate dinner. Here’s the inside scoop: you can’t go wrong with the taco. They were named as having one of the best fish tacos in San Diego by the Thrillist. Award winning food prepared just the way you like it. What are you waiting for?
The Portside Pier
3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 686-6200
Here is a bonus suggestion in case you can’t decide on a single restaurant. You may want to consider this over-the-water dining destination. The Portside Pier houses a selection of restaurants and dining options. Here you will find the Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar, Miguel’s Cocina, Ketch Grill and Taps, and Portside Coffee and Gelato.
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