Restaurants | DiningAndCooking.com
A cooked crab served on a white plate with a breaded fried item on top, accompanied by a lemon wedge. Salt and pepper shakers are visible in the background near a waterfront setting.
In Oyster Houses

Best Seafood Restaurants on the West Coast

The West Coast has a great variety of seafood restaurants that showcase fish from the Pacific Ocean, from the fish counters of San Diego to the oyster bars of Seattle. We’ll reveal a selection of the best restaurants you can visit on the West Coast according to Eater!

Fishing with Dynamite – Manhattan Beach, California

Three scallop shells on ice, each topped with seafood, grapefruit, herbs, and sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge in a metal dish. A menu and toothpick are visible in the background.Aaron Haase – Google Reviews

Standout dishes at the Manhattan Beach restaurant called ‘Fishing with Dynamite’ include Peruvian scallops, Maryland-style crab cakes, and key lime pie for dessert. Chef Davide LeFevre prepares this seafood-focused menu, featuring fresh ingredients and refined preparations, making it one of the area’s standout seafood restaurants. Raw bar dishes make up half the menu in the restaurant.

The Fishery – San Diego, California

A seafood restaurant interior with customers at the bar, people dining, staff behind the counter, and a display case filled with fresh seafood. Mounted fish decorations are visible on the walls.Dennis Ho – Google Reviews

When dining at ‘The Fishery,’ you’ll notice a combination of a seafood market and a seasonal menu crafted from the fresh catch arriving in the kitchen. Standout dishes in one of San Diego seafood restaurants include the swordfish chop, whole fried fish, and the seasonal catch of the day. You’ll know the fish is fresh, as the menu changes frequently based on what has been caught. TripAdvisor user Frankee11 commented: “The sea bass was excellent, and more than I could eat. The crab bucatini was very good too.”

Mitch’s Seafood – San Diego, California

People wait in line outside a beige harbor-side building with blue trim, labeled “Fisherman’s Wharf.” A man walks on the dock in front, and there is water beneath the wooden walkway. The sky is overcast.David Hill – Google Reviews

‘Mitch Seafood’ in San Diego sources its fish from the waters off Southern California and Northern Baja. Customers often note that ordering the grilled fish of the day or the fisherman’s stew is a sure bet at one of these seafood restaurants. The restaurant’s location, right at the Point Loma sportfishing dock, reflects its reputation for freshness. TripAdvisor user IndieBajan remarked: “When I entered, I quickly learned that you do not need white tablecloths or fancy décor to enjoy seriously good seafood.”

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company – Santa Barbara, California

A cooked crab served on a white plate with a breaded fried item on top, accompanied by a lemon wedge. Salt and pepper shakers are visible in the background near a waterfront setting.Your Highness Travel – Google Reviews

‘Santa Barbara Shellfish Company’ has been selling locally caught shellfish and fish since 1980, with the crab, lobster roll, clam linguine, and uni, when available, being the most sought-after dishes. In its early days, this place is one of the seafood restaurants in Santa Barbara that was a seafood buying station and did not serve diners on-site. TripAdvisor user Alice L mentioned: “The onion rings, shrimps and scallops pasta were good! And the location beside the sea is awesome.”

Brophy Bros. – Santa Bárbara, California

A white bowl filled with linguine pasta, shrimp, diced tomatoes, herbs, and a lemon wedge sits on a wooden table.Mark W – Google Reviews

‘Brophy Bros.’ specializes in unfussy seafood and offers marina views to its diners. This harbor institution has been a part of life for Californians since 1986, spanning three generations of the family that runs it, and millions of people order clam chowder, garlic-baked clams, oysters, and fish and chips when they walk through its doors of one of these seafood restaurants.

Passionfish – Pacific Grove, California

A whole cooked fish with white flesh is served on a white plate with dark sauce and a side of grains, carrots, and pickled vegetables on a wooden table.Bonnie – Google Reviews

‘Passionfish’ restaurant has earned the respect of Pacific Grove, California residents for its extensive selection of responsibly sourced seafood and its adherence to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch standards. The menu at one of these seafood restaurants can vary based on the fish available. This establishment has been operating in the seafood sector for more than 25 years since Cindy and Ted Walter founded it. TripAdvisor user Rihrih noted: “It’s where simplicity’s meet sophistication, I truly enjoyed my dinner.”

Sotto Mare – San Francisco, California

A busy seafood diner with a fisherman statue, mounted fish, and a Giants flag. People are eating at the long counter and tables, while staff work behind the counter and in the dining area.Jean Tsou – Google Reviews

Few people in San Francisco are unfamiliar with ‘Sotto Mare’ restaurant. Its signature dish is the seafood stew known as cioppino. ‘Bon Appétit’ magazine listed as one of the seafood restaurants among the top destinations for this specific dish in 2026. The cioppino is the most popular choice among customers, and despite the restaurant’s widespread renown, it retains its authentic atmosphere.

Anchor Oyster Bar – San Francisco, California

A bowl of seafood stew with mussels in tomato broth, topped with two slices of toasted bread and garnished with herbs.Hanson Quan – Google Reviews

The ‘Anchor Oyster Bar’ in San Francisco has been open since 1977, standing out for its cioppino, oysters, crab cakes, and clam chowder. Although this is one of the tiny neighborhood seafood restaurants that has a small dining area, that didn’t stop it from being named one of the Eater SF’s essential restaurants in 2026. TripAdvisor user Tim K opined: “I cannot say enough good things about the quality of the food here. This is a must-visit spot for seafood.”

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe to Cheapism and get exclusive tips, top deals, and money-saving ideas sent directly to you.

Hog Island Oyster Co. – San Francisco, California

Large sign reads “Hog Island Oyster Co.” above a restaurant entrance, with people dining inside at tables and a bright window in the background.Jennifer Cleary – Google Reviews

‘Hog Island Oyster’ has a direct link to shellfish harvesting due to its proximity to the oyster beds in Tomales Bay, so it is no surprise that their mixed-dozen oyster platters and clam chowder stand out. One of these seafood restaurants operates a farming system spanning over 160 acres in Tomales Bay, with an additional 90 acres in Humboldt Bay to supply its daily offerings.

Jacqueline – Portland, Oregon

Two pieces of sashimi-style fish topped with fresh herbs and microgreens, served in a shallow bowl with light broth and green oil drizzles.Andrew Siegel – Google Reviews

Dishes featuring oysters, as well as options like whole fish or seafood entrées, are excellent choices at the restaurant ‘Jacqueline’ in Portland, Oregon. This establishment is one of the city’s defining seafood restaurants, working directly with oyster farmers to offer a menu that incorporates daily catches from the Pacific Northwest. TripAdvisor user Dale S commented: “The $1 oysters during happy hour are not only a fantastic deal, but the quality of the oyster is great.”

Flying Fish Company LLC – Portland, Oregon

A plate with smoked fish, bread slices, and sides of sour cream, mustard, and fruit compote sits on a metal table. In the background, there are fried foods and a bowl of soup.Karen Shaw – Google Reviews

The seafood market, oyster bar, and casual restaurant are the pillars that make up the ‘Flying Fish’ restaurant. Travelers often stop by one of these seafood restaurants to try rotating selection of oysters or the fish and chips without having to sit down for a formal dinner. This business operates on a counter-service model, where you place your food and drink order at the front before grabbing a seat.

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar – Portland, Oregon

Street view of Dan & Louis Oyster Bar with green awning, outdoor seating under a white tent, string lights, and a historic brick building in an urban setting on a sunny day.Shannon Glass – Google Reviews

‘Dan & Louis’ first opened its doors in 1907 and has remained under the ownership of the same family for five generations. Standout dishes at this Portland, Oregon establishment include oysters, oyster stew, cioppino, and the catch of the day. Many customers are drawn to the one of these seafood restaurants because of the historic, eclectic nautical design, featuring worn knotty pine walls and detailed ship models in the interior. TripAdvisor user Der_blaue_reiter remarked: “The restaurant has a very good menu for oysters, especially fish dishes and a good selection of beer and wine.”

RockCreek Seafood & Spirits – Seattle, Washington

A grilled fish fillet topped with chopped vegetables and herbs sits on a white plate, garnished with cilantro and served over a root vegetable.Ben Silvka – Google Reviews

One of the reasons ‘Seattle Met’ described ‘RockCreek Seafood & Spirits’ as “the whole package” is that they source high-quality seafood from fisheries further afield. One of these seafood restaurants offers an unusually wide variety of oyster preparations; standouts include the ‘Baked Barron Point Oysters’ with Nueske’s bacon and ‘Pastis Baked Oysters’ featuring a blend of toasted fennel, garlic, parsley, lemon, shallot, and pastis butter, among other dishes.

The Walrus and The Carpenter – Seattle, Washington

Two men in a restaurant kitchen shucking oysters behind a counter covered with ice and oysters; pots, pans, and shelves with bottles are seen in the background.Brendon Keelan – Google Reviews

One of Seattle’s most famous seafood destinations is ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter,’ which has long stood out for its inventive, seasonal small plates, dating back to when the venue was known as ‘Renee Erickson’s Ballard Oyster Bar.’ Customer favorites include a selection of oysters and grilled sardines. TripAdvisor user ElleMeno mentioned: “The food and drinks are sublime, and while you’re inside, you will feel like floating in lukewarm water.”

Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar – Seattle, Washington

Two plates of seafood: one with steamed mussels and clams, the other with crab legs and a crab shell filled with sauce, both garnished with herbs. A lemon half and a metal bucket are also on the wooden table.Xie Si – Google Reviews

With over a century of history, few restaurants have as direct a link to Washington shellfish as ‘Taylor Shellfish Farms,’ which has served an immeasurable amount of oysters. When dining at the restaurant, order a mixed oyster selection and compare Kumamotos, Olympias, and other local varieties to enjoy the different flavors.

Ray’s Boathouse – Seattle, Washington

Two soft shell tacos filled with grilled chicken, pickled onions, greens, and sauce are served with a side of yellow tortilla chips on a white plate.Lane Kuhlman – Google Reviews

The cornerstone of ‘Ray’s Boathouse’ is its ability to combine Pacific Northwest seafood with one of the West Coast’s finest settings, featuring views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Dishes such as wild king salmon, halibut, sablefish, and dungeness crab are the most popular orders at the restaurant. TripAdvisor A.M. commented: “This is the best seafood dinner I had in Seattle, waterfront seating, professional service, fresh food, and good portions.”

Conclusion

A woman with long dark hair in a white shirt holds food with chopsticks near her eye, sitting at a table with several small dishes and a bowl of noodles in a warmly lit restaurant.OSPAN ALI – unsplash

If you are a seafood lover, few restaurants serve dishes as delicious as those featured in this West Coast list. From old-school spots like ‘Dan & Louis,’ and casual eateries like ‘Santa Barbara Shellfish,’ to a place to splurge, like ‘Jacqueline,’ any of these restaurants will leave you thoroughly satisfied.

Related Posts

Dining and Cooking