Summer is the season of seafood, yielding the most delicious flavors. It’s no surprise that the west coast, with one of the richest sources of marine life in its backyard, has some of the best seafood in the country. Now is the time to celebrate the best of California’s regional bounty by combining locally grown produce with the catch of the day. We’ve fished around to find the very best seafood spots in California. So, whether you’re looking for a causal marina dock or an upscale dining room with white tablecloths, this list has your covered!
Casual Bites:
Andria’s Seafood Restaurant
Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Fish Market is located at the Ventura Harbor Village and is well known for its fish and chips, homemade clam chowder, and casual atmosphere. This simple eatery with a view has been voted Ventura’s “Best Seafood Restaurant” year after year. Get your bib ready for sourdough bread bowls that are brimming with clam chowder piled with Dungeness crab meat.
Fish Camp
Perfect for a casual family dinner or for friends on the go, Fish Camp does all things fish right with an extensive fresh menu. Fish Camp was opened with the goal of bringing a new and innovative way of eating seafood to their diners and they definitely delivered. This quick-service restaurant offers over 700 customizable combinations satisfying even the pickiest of eaters with its fabulous coastal cuisine.
Killer Shrimp
Killer Shrimp talks a big shrimp game! And they must deliver because loyal customers line up to enjoy the freshest shrimp cooked in the Killer Shrimp spicy sauce. Built on its signature peel n’ eat shrimp reputation, it has expanded its menu to include mouth-watering fresh seafood, steaks, salads, soups, desserts and signature cocktails. The family-owned business operates five full-service, casual dining restaurants in Marina del Rey, Hermosa Beach, San Francisco, and The Mermaid Hermosa Beach.
Pacific Catch
Pacific Catch is a legendary West Coast fish house that delivers sustainably sourced seafood with a unique mix of bold flavors and signature items. This modern-casual restaurant takes inspiration from many diverse cultures and cuisines, offering poke, signature bowls with sushi and Fresh Catch items.
Sushi Confidential
Sushi Randy, owner of Sushi Confidential, is dedicated to sustainable fishing has amplified what it means to enjoy sushi in the Bay Area. Creating tasty combinations and edible art, Sushi Confidential is turning heads and wowing diners with delicious, beautiful fare in a dynamic atmosphere for a truly unique dining experience.
Sushi Hana
Sushi Hana is a family-run sushi bar and restaurant, and it’s one of Sonoma County’s original Japanese restaurants established in 1987. Conveniently located in Downtown Sebastopol, it serves the freshest sushi possible and it’s constantly adding new creations to the menu.
Sweetfin
This fine-casual restaurant takes all the familiar flavors of sushi and puts them in an easy to eat, portable, customizable and affordable bowl. Its fresh, healthy, and delicious food is gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian friendly. The “pole to bowl” attitude means Sweetfin aims to use the highest-quality sourcing and most sustainable raw fish.
Sit-downs With A View:
22nd Street Landing Seafood
Nestled in the heart of Cabrillo Marina, this upscale restaurant provides captivating views of the marina, which often features fishing boats delivering their daily catch. While known for its wood-grilled fish and steaks, like potato-crusted salmon, wild shrimp scampi fettuccini, and bacon wrapped filet mignon, its lobster bisque and New England clam chowder have been favorites over the years. This award-winning waterfront restaurant is not to be overlooked.
Blue Ocean Sushi Bar
Dive into Blue Ocean Sushi Bar to experience the delectable flavors of the ocean mixed with traditions of the past. This sushi bar incorporates the traditional robata grill, a centuries-old grill used by Japanese fishermen while sailing. Today, its chefs attentively grill over the same hardwood charcoal to maintain precise temperatures, bringing a truly memorable dining experience to its patrons. You can also find the freshest and finest sushi, sashimi and specialty sushi rolls on the menu.
Cannonball
Cannonball’s sushi is delivered with a splash! This trendy and upscale rooftop space delivers stunning ocean views with delicious, inventive sushi inspired by Pacific Rim. Soak up the essence of the beach while sipping on refreshing craft cocktails and enjoying thoughtfully made California cuisine.
Lure Fish House
This family-owned restaurant features the freshest locally caught seafood, organically grown local produce, and wines from local vineyards. Enjoy a full bar with specialty cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruit juices, and a raw bar serving a variety of fresh oysters. Lure’s seasonally focused menu offers an array of classics like mussels, fish tacos, chowders, ceviche, lobster, organic salads, and simply seared fish served with delicious sides.
Petrossian West Hollywood
Petrossian is an upscale French café and market internationally known for its caviar and culinary creativity. For nearly 20 years, this Parisian restaurant has offered elegant bites and delicious indulgences that have delighted Southern California by bringing a bit the famous charm of the City of Lights.
Scoma’s Restaurant
Situated in a prime spot on Fisherman’s Wharf, Scoma’s has become an iconic restaurant since 1965. Priding itself on its “Pier to Plate” menu, the restaurant has provided the freshest, most sustainable and delicious local seafood by maintaining a relationship with local fishermen since its opening. If you’re lucky, you can watch fishing boats pull up to the restaurant and get a glimpse of that day’s catch before it is artfully served. Classic favorites include the “Lazy Man’s” Cioppino, Fresh Dungeness Crab, World Famous Clam Chowder, Prawns Annuzzi, and a wide variety of pastas and seasonal selections. Head here for a classic San Francisco seafood experience!
The Fish Hopper
Providing spectacular views of Monterey Bay, The Fish Hopper is located on the historic Cannery Row and housed in what used to be a sardine cannery building. Today, The Fish Hopper is a world-class dining experience providing a one-of-a-kind culinary experience with beautiful ocean views that enhance the ambiance.
The Tides Wharf
The Tides Wharf is one of the most popular restaurants on the Northern California coast. The unbelievable views cannot be matched anywhere else on the Sonoma Coast. Specializing in fresh seafood and American cuisine, the extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are certain to please a wide range of palates. Head here if you’re looking to celebrate an anniversary, or impress someone on a special date.
Waterbar
Waterbar provides panoramic views of the bay including the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and the San Francisco skyline. This excellent bar pulls double duty as a great place to indulge in seafood. It has become San Francisco’s foremost seafood restaurant as it continues to set new standards of sustainability, variety and excellence. This stylish seafood spot is constantly updating its menus as seasons change, but you can always count on its phenomenal oysters, shellfish towers and grilled salmon.
Fish House Vera Cruz
Fish House Vera Cruz is a seafood institution. Established in 1979 in the historic Old California Restaurant Row, it was quickly recognized for serving the freshest seafood in San Diego County. Its secret? Grilling the fish of the day over a mesquite charcoal grill that helps bring out the natural flavors of each fillet. Make it a full meal with a bowl of delicious Boston clam chowder, or a Vera Cruz shrimp cocktail.
