Encinitas Fish Shop

What separates Encinitas Fish Shop from the neighborhood's bars and taquerias isn't just the menu — it's the ritual. You walk up to the counter, choose your fish (red snapper, sea bass, whatever's running), then decide how you want it. That counter-service, build-your-own logic is the whole point, and it's why this spot has become a legitimate neighborhood staple on South Coast Hwy 101 rather than just a pit stop off the 5.

The red snapper is worth anchoring your visit around — lightly crisp outside, genuinely flaky inside, seasoned to let the fish do the talking instead of burying it. The coconut shrimp is the kind of thing you order for the table and then quietly regret not getting your own order of. Clam chowder and oyster shooters round out the menu for anyone who wants to go full coastal without overthinking it.

The outdoor seating faces the energy of the street and is legitimately dog-friendly, which along with the counter format makes this the default post-beach move for Encinitas locals. Half laid-back bar, half casual seafood counter — it's an easy place to land after a long afternoon at the shore.

A few honest notes: the fish and chips portions have drawn some complaints about size relative to price, so if you're a filet-forward person, go in knowing that. The coleslaw, though — vinegar-based and actually fresh — is one of those supporting-cast details that earns its place on the plate. Beer and wine available, takeout and delivery if you'd rather eat on the sand. Parking along Coast Hwy 101 can be a hunt on weekends, so get there early or plan to circle.