The Best Seafood Restaurants in San Diego

Situated in the Grande Colonial Hotel, diners immediately notice the chic decor as they walk into NINE-TEN. Offering an elegant dining experience, this beloved local restaurant focuses on its evolving seasonal cuisine, created from the freshest local ingredients. Changing their menu daily, NINE-TEN brings in various local fish selections to highlight the “bounty of the sea.” The staff at this establishment is well-educated in food and wine, and special prix fixe menus are available to those interested in matching wines. Some examples of classic seafood dishes served here include Thai lobster salad, grilled octopus, Maine sea scallops, Baja striped bass, and king salmon.

For those searching for the best seafood in San Diego, The Fishery is the place to go. Located in a mid-century warehouse, this premier seafood market and restaurant has it all. Known for their open kitchen and flavor-forward dishes created by Chef Paul Arias, the menu here is highly driven by the market and seasonal changes. For those looking to share a range of dishes, featured small plates include oysters, calamari, ceviche, clams bordelaise, steamed mussels, and crabcakes. With more than a handful of sushi options also available, diners can choose the type of experience they'd like to have. Larger entrees include everything from local swordfish to seared Pacific albacore. Their “Tuesday Tasting” menu changes weekly based on local fruit, vegetables, and the daily catch.

From its warehouse setting, Ironside Fish & Oyster serves up plenty of fresh seafood fare, as well as unique cocktails. Diners appreciate the chic yet quirky decor, which focuses on nautical accents. Their raw bar is one of the best in the city, featuring oysters, ceviche, chilled Maine lobster, and peel 'n' eat shrimp, as well as a variety of platters. When it comes to the main event, seafood lovers are certainly spoiled for choice. Their whole Maine lobster dish is always a crowd-pleaser, as well as their unique whole fish and a la carte plates. Dishing up octopus puttanesca pasta, a lobster roll, a whole branzino, and more, there's plenty to choose from. Vegetarian dishes are also available, as well as an extensive beer and wine selection.

Addison Restaurant is fine dining at its best, offering various set menus and wine pairings for those looking for an exquisite meal. Often referred to as San Diego's most acclaimed fine dining establishment, this is the perfect place to celebrate an extra special event — or to simply sample some of the best seafood in the city. While the multi-course menu and experience change with the seasons, diners can also anticipate intense, yet simple flavors, masterfully presented. For example, their spring menu features dishes such as smoked salmon rillette, sake-cured kampachi, caramelized sablefish, and coquilles St. Jacques.

Elegant yet cozy, Solate Ristorante focuses on fresh Italian fare. Located in a Spanish Revival building in Liberty Station, this well-loved restaurant earned San Diego Magazine's “Best Italian Restaurant” designation for 2016 and 2017. They also won four awards for 2018, including Best Chef, Best Italian Restaurant, Best Service, and Best Wine List. Staff at this family-owned and -operated restaurant encourage a fun, immersive experience, but they're also serious about their food and all of their diners' experiences. Diners can relax in the lounge, bar, or on one of two outdoor patios. Wild fish is a core component of their menu, featured in dishes such as spaghetto allo scoglio, which highlights ingredients such as black mussels, manila clams, and wild shrimp. The catch of the day is also a fan favorite.

Stylish and creative, Barbusa is an Italian eatery known for their Sicilian fare and Pop Art decor. Owned and operated by the Busalacchi family, this modern eatery offers authentic Sicilian cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. The exposed brick is inviting, while the unique art pieces add pops of vibrancy and color. Dishing up artisan pizza, handcrafted cocktails, and seafood-centric dishes, diners can choose from menu items such as salmon lox, pistachio-crusted salmon, or clam linguine. Tables of two to four diners shouldn't miss their seafood platter, which includes lobster, shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams, and more.

Pueblo is an incredibly unique, bright and airy Mexican restaurant that features coastal cuisine and wine. With two bars and rooftop seating in addition to a colorful dining area, diners will instantly feel welcomed and relaxed. Rooted in Baja's colorful culinary traditions, Pueblo's menu highlights authentic techniques and local ingredients. Both their lunch and dinner menus are fairly extensive, featuring dozens of small and large plates. Be sure to sample their seafood enchiladas or 1.5-pound whole market fish, and on Tuesdays, stop in for specially priced seafood tacos and pints.

For those looking for a true one-of-a-kind dining experience, in addition to the best seafood in San Diego, Herringbone La Jolla serves inventive dishes in a renovated warehouse from the 1930s. Whimsical and romantic, diners can sample unique dishes from their brunch, lunch, or dinner menus. With an oyster bar, along with wine pairings, this is the perfect start to any seafood lover's evening. Sample dishes include Baja stone crab, tuna carpaccio, and curried mussels. Whether live performers or featured specials, there's something happening every day of the week.

Intimate and classic, this French-inspired eatery highlights seasonal ingredients in a contemporary setting. Recognized as a leading authority on fine wine, the founder of the WineSeller & Brasserie, Gary Parker, proudly features more than 2,500 labels. While wine is a core focus at this award-winning brasserie, their food is also of the highest quality. Diners can start with a classic escargot dish, followed by options such as diver scallops, Scottish salmon, or the fish of the day. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available, all of which celebrate the freshest local produce.

Serving up innovative seafood and sushi dishes, the Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub is a cozy, yet funky space. Although diners can expect a relaxed atmosphere, the Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub serves sophisticated, high-end dishes. As they like to say, their approach focuses on "local fisherman, local growers, and chef selections." Highlighting the treasures of the sea, diners can choose from dozens of options, including spicy squid, fish skin crips, and spicy scallop carpaccio. As a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, they also serve inari sushi, avocado rolls, teriyaki tofu, and much more.

THE LOT is a high-end Mediterranean restaurant located in an exciting entertainment hub, which serves up some of the best seafood in San Deigo. Developed and created for the local seaside community, this eatery focuses on La Jolla's unique culture, weather, people, and food — all of which get celebrated at THE LOT. Seafood lovers can choose from a wide selection of dishes, starting with the "build your own crisp salmon taco," and followed by roasted miso black cod or fish of the day, served with gnocchi and a selection of vegetables.

This New American restaurant offers a wide range of seafood options, as well as a popular daily happy hour. Located in Misson Hills, Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar is a "mash-up of sorts," created based on the owner's experiences and influences. The large, open interior offers the perfect place to unwind after a busy day or week. Their menu features a wide range of dishes, including clam chowder, mahi-mahi fish tacos, steamed mussels, and pan-roasted salmon. Specials include weekly Wednesday oyster offerings.

Although Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is a fine dining steakhouse, they're not shy of seafood and shellfish. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, featuring large windows that flood the restaurant with natural light and creating the perfect place to celebrate with loved ones. Diners can choose from one of many sharing plates, including their shrimp tasting, shellfish plateau (featuring crab claws, jump shrimp, and Alaskan king crab legs), charred octopus, and more. Be sure to order a side of the lobster mashed potatoes alongside the Chilean sea bass.

Known for their Californian fare, this upscale eatery has been serving seafood lovers for more than three decades. Today, Dobson's Bar & Restaurant is a San Diego landmark, considered a hidden treasure in the heart of downtown. For those looking to grab a light bite, various mussel options are available, as well as salad nicoise and a soul-warming fish sandwich. Diners looking for something more substantial shouldn't miss out on the seafood gratine, featuring clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster served in a spicy white wine sauce.

Located in the La Valencia Hotel, THE MED offers diners an innovative menu and top-of-the-line service. While focusing on California coastal cuisine, each seasonal seafood dish is also influenced by Spanish flavors and techniques. Whether brunch, lunch, and dinner, diners can relax in THE MED's sophisticated dining room or on their iconic ocean-view terrace. A three-course tasting menu is available outside of their a la carte menu, which features everything from bacon-wrapped trout to their famous wagyu beef, lobster, and king crab leg surf and turf dish.

As the name suggests, this bistro highlights traditional French cuisine. With its classic bistro setting, as well as sidewalk seating, Et Voila! Bistro serves up brunch and dinner, as well as a happy hour menu. Their menu is well-executed, featuring salmon roulade, various mussel dishes, caviar, Alaskan halibut, and so much more. A separate vegetarian and vegan menu is also available. During their happy hour, a wide range of seafood plates and cocktails are on special.