San Diego
The Lobster Roll at Ironside Is Still the Conversation Piece
San Diego's seafood scene runs deeper than fish tacos — though those matter too. You're dealing with a city that shares a border with Baja, imports sustainable catches from boats docked in Point Loma, and still argues about where the high tide hits hardest at The Marine Room. This isn't New England. The raw bars here sit next to ceviche counters. The best spots understand that coastal dining in San Diego means Mexican beer matters as much as the oyster varietal.
What separates the good from the essential: respect for the fish, not the Instagram grid. You want grilled over fried at the counter-service joints. You want a kitchen that knows when to stop messing with a scallop. And you want a place that understands the difference between a post-beach stop and a dress-code anniversary.
The candidates below clear that bar. Some require reservations and long pants. Others take your order at a window and hand you a number. All of them treat the ocean like it matters.
Best for:Anniversary dinners with a viewPost-surf fuelImpressing out-of-townersRaw bar puristsCounter-service reliability
Local Tip
High tide at The Marine Room happens around 6-7pm in winter — book accordingly if you want waves crashing against the glass. For the rest, parking in Little Italy and Pacific Beach is a disaster after 5pm; arrive early or Uber in.
Editor's Picks
Where to start
- 01
Ironside Fish & Oyster
$$$Ironside Fish & Oyster
Little Italy
“A seafood restaurant that actually respects its fish”
$$$ · Restaurants · 7.4
The lobster roll is decadent without being heavy, the raw bar is as good as advertised, and the giant shark jaw is exactly the kind of Instagram bait Little Italy does well. Reviewers keep mentioning how attentive the service is — even when they only planned to grab oysters and a drink, they stayed for more courses. Outdoor seating books fast; walk-ins get lucky sometimes.
30venues · Sorted by relevance
Common questions
FAQ
What's the best seafood restaurant in San Diego for a special occasion?
The Marine Room in La Jolla — waves crash against the windows at high tide, they've been doing French-inspired seafood since 1941, and the dress code keeps it serious. Worth the splurge.
Where can I get good fish tacos that aren't fried?
Fish 101 in Encinitas. Grilled, not fried, with a slaw that actually adds something. Sustainable sourcing, counter-service, no pretense. Oscar's in Pacific Beach also does solid work at happy hour ($2.50 fish tacos).
Do San Diego seafood restaurants have good raw bars?
Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy runs one of the city's best raw bars — oysters are excellent, and the giant shark jaw installation is peak SD. Bay Park Fish Company also does oysters well if you're further north.
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