Is Cherryfish good for a date night or special occasion?

Absolutely—the vibe here is designed for both. The atmosphere strikes a balance between polished and laid-back, with modern aesthetics and thoughtful details that make it feel special without being stuffy. Grab a reservation, order the uni and butterfly roll, and let the chef-owner Marcus's vision do the work.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

Cherryfish takes reservations, and we'd recommend booking one—especially if you're coming on a weekend or bringing a group. That said, they do accommodate walk-ins when there's room, but don't count on it during peak hours.

What should I order first?

Start with the miso shishitos and lobster gyoza, then move into the uni and butterfly roll if raw fish is your thing. The cocktails and sake selection are solid openers too, so don't skip the drinks menu.

Are there good vegetarian options?

Yes—they've got vegetarian options on the menu, which is a strength here. It's not an afterthought either; the kitchen takes it seriously, so you won't feel like you're eating around the meat crowd.

Can I bring my dog or sit outside?

They have outdoor seating in Pacific Beach, which is perfect for the weather and vibe. Dog policies can vary, so call ahead if you're planning to bring your pup and want to sit outside.

What's the dress code like?

Keep it casual—this is Pacific Beach, not a black-tie situation. Flip-flops to dinner is totally the move here. It's the kind of spot where you can look nice without overdoing it.

Do they do takeout or delivery?

Yeah, they offer both takeout and delivery, so you can grab Cherryfish at home. For the full experience though, dining in lets you appreciate the ambience and chat with the team.

Cherryfish — Sushi in Pacific Beach, San Diego

“Cherryfish brings chef-driven fusion sushi to Pacific Beach, trading the neighborhood's casual poke-bowl-and-California-roll routine for composed plates where uni gets serious attention.”

While The Fishery operates as a working fish market and Tajima focuses on ramen fundamentals, Cherryfish is playing a different game entirely — this is a date-night spot where the chef-owner Marcus works the room and the menu leans into presentations that feel more Hayes Valley than Garnet Avenue. The **butterfly roll** and **lobster gyoza** show up repeatedly in early reviews, not as afterthoughts but as anchors of a menu that's clearly trying to elevate what "sushi in PB" can mean.

The **uni** gets called out specifically for quality, which matters — plenty of spots this close to the boardwalk serve sea urchin that tastes like it's been sitting too long. Here it's treated as a feature ingredient, not a checkbox. The **miso shishitos** work as a starter that bridges the gap between Japanese technique and California farmers-market sourcing, blistered and salty in a way that pairs well with sake or one of the cocktails the bar's clearly putting effort into.

This is a reservation spot, not a walk-in-after-surfing spot. The vibe skews modern and composed — reviews mention "thoughtfully curated" and "perfect balance between modern and cozy," which translates to: you're not showing up in sandy boardshorts. Outdoor seating gives you a quieter alternative to the Garnet Avenue foot traffic, and the vegetarian options suggest the kitchen's willing to build dishes that aren't just "hold the fish."

It opened recently, so service is still finding its rhythm — one review mentions missing salt on edamame and "missing a tradition," which likely means some expected sushi-bar rituals aren't locked in yet. But when the chef's walking the floor and engaging with tables, that's often a sign the place will tighten up quickly. For now, Cherryfish occupies a lane PB doesn't have a lot of: Japanese fusion that takes itself seriously without feeling uptight about it.

Cherryfish

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