6 of the Absolute Best Seafood Restaurants in San Diego
San Diego’s coastal location makes it the perfect scene for always fresh seafood! Whether you love your seafood seared, sautéed, smoked, grilled, or raw, these restaurants have excellent selections that will make your mouth water. Even if you don’t have time to dine in, most restaurants on the list below offer takeout services. So without further ado, here are some of the best seafood restaurants in San Diego.
Ironside Fish & Oyster
1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
(619) 269-3033
Ironside Fish & Oyster has indoor and outdoor seating on a truly lovely patio. Based on the menu and the amazing reviews, it’s a great spot to get seafood in San Diego. They have happy hour from Monday to Friday if you want to sample the menu at prices that are a total steal. Some popular dishes are crab cake, lobster rolls, octopus a la plancha, fresh oysters, and fish with chips. You can also eat whole Maine lobsters and pick them directly from the tank! White, red, rose and sparkling are the types of wine available.
C Level Lounge
880 Harbour Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
(619) 298-6802
C Level Lounge has a beautiful bay view and award-winning cuisines. In fact C Level Lounge is on our list for best restaurant’s with a view in all of San Diego! There are two seafood restaurants at the location, but this one stands out for many reasons. Their service is fantastic, and you can enjoy a three-course dinner featuring all your favorites. Their famous lobster mac and cheese, salmon poke, or Hawaiian Ahi Tuna are good choices. The dessert is also worth the calories, and you should not skip it. The dark chocolate orange cheesecake will make your taste buds sing. They can also prepare vegetarian and gluten-free meals upon request. They don’t have the most vibrant drinks menu, but you won’t lack something to accompany your meal.
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill
3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
(619) 497-0914
Blue Water is known for its award-winning tacos and fresh, local seafood. The menu focus is fish; they carefully prepare each menu item to enhance the fish’s natural flavors. Every fish taco, sandwich, or dinner plate is fresh. They catch the fish themselves or buy from local fishermen. You can order your food with wine or beer. They even have a seafood market where you can buy almost all kinds of fish when you want to prepare it at home. The kid’s menu is available if you are bringing the whole family. Preparation methods differ; they have grilled and non-grilled options on the menu. Try the smoked fish or the grilled shrimp!
Submarine Crab
4647 Convoy St #101b, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
(858) 987-0333
The Submarine Crab has reinvented how you consume seafood, especially crawfish. They have a full menu with unique sides and fresh seafood main dishes. The fantastic food and the welcoming environment here creates a unique and lovely experience. There are different categories on the menu depending on how the dishes are prepared. All seafood boil combos come with sausages, corn, and potatoes. The grilled seafood will come on a sizzling hot plate. Beverages, appetizers, and dessert choices are aplenty. Try the seafood casserole or grilled oysters. The seafood hot pot is the best choice when you want to taste different things on the menu at once!
Water Grill San Diego
615 J St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
(619) 717-6992
The Water Grill experience includes beautiful patio or indoor private dining, and a delicious, flavorful menu. The wild Alaskan Halibut is one of the seasonal dishes you might find on the menu. The dining area does have limited capacity, but their food is worth it. They also can hold parties and private events at their multi-purpose event space. The private dining menu has a buffet option for dinner and lunch. Freshly-made cocktails are available together with a few bartenders’ special drinks. Do not leave before trying the lobster roll, king crab, or shrimp scampi!
The Fish Market San Diego
750 N Harbour Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
(619) 232 3474
The Fish Market will serve you the freshest catches from waters near, far, and everywhere else. They are committed to making quality meals and offering impeccable services. They have multiple restaurants across the country. Each location has an oyster bar and a retail market. Their retail market has all the food you see on the menu. You can buy a box of ready-to-eat salmon or fresh fish you can prepare at home. They even offer some cooking tips when you ask their experts. The grilled fish is what makes them famous. But you can also find other favorites on the menu like baked oyster Rockefeller, lobster, and crab. If you’re looking for a place to go for a romantic dinner, The Fish Market should be on your list.
For more information on where to eat and drink in San Diego, visit our city page!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 24, 2022 and last updated on April 25, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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