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Two fried fish tacos.
Baja fish tacos.
TJ Oyster Bar

Where to Find the Finest Fish Tacos in San Diego

From Baja-style to smoked fish and more

by Candice Woo and Mario A. Cortez Updated
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Baja fish tacos.
| TJ Oyster Bar
by Candice Woo and Mario A. Cortez Updated

While the California burrito has deep local roots and some may consider it one of the city’s calling cards, the fish taco is arguably the most iconic of all San Diego dishes. Said to have first been served in Ensenada, fish tacos are staples at mariscos trucks as well as at sit-down spots offering Mexican-style seafood; many other area restaurants have also adopted the fish taco to due its overwhelming popularity.

You’re never too far from a great fish taco in San Diego, and this list highlights some local standouts.

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Shootz Fish & Beer

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Tucked inside Bottlecraft’s Oceanside outpost, this casual counter from the owners of Wrench & Rodent serves up a streamlined menu of tacos and poke showcasing sustainable seafood. The fish taco pairs fresh market catch with cabbage slaw, Shootz sauce, pickled veggies, cilantro, habanero carrots, and cotija cheese.

602 S Tremont St Unit 101, Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 696-3524
(760) 696-3524
A dining room with a fast-casual counter. Shootz Fish & Beer

George's at the Cove

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This might be the fanciest entry on the list but where else can you enjoy a fish taco with such a stunning ocean view? The lunch menu at George’s Ocean Terrace has a great rendition of the classic made with local rockfish.

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-4244
(858) 454-4244
Ocean view at George’s Ocean Terrace
Ocean view at George’s Ocean Terrace
George’s at the Cove

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El Pescador Fish Market

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Only the freshest local seafood passes through El Pescador’s kitchen and onto your tortilla. This longtime La Jolla restaurant and seafood market’s take on the fish taco is simple but elegant, with perfectly grilled local fish topped with a cabbage salad. The burritos include local yellowtail, squid, and sea bass as filling options.

634 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-2526
(858) 456-2526
El Pescador Fish Market

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El Viejon Seafood

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Staying true to Baja form, its Ensenada style fish tacos don’t miss, even with the house flour tortilla and crispy cheese upgrade. The smoked fish taco and the manolarga — a mashup taco bringing together birria and octopus — also rank high on a strong line-up. A veggie-friendly version of the Ensenada taco is available too, with battered cauliflower pinch-hitting for the fish fillet.

4619 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 737-9192
(858) 737-9192

Oscars Mexican Seafood

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With two Pacific Beach locations and a Hillcrest outpost, Oscar’s is a popular hangout for casual seafood. Its smoked fish tacos topped with cabbage, avocado and cheese are a standout but the house take on the classic fried and grilled fish tacos are also worth a bite.

746 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 412-4009
(858) 412-4009

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Puesto Mission Valley

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The beer used to batter the local line-caught fish in Puesto’s fish taco, which is served in the Baja style with shredded cabbage and crema, is brewed on-site in the Mexican restaurant group’s own cerveceria.

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 333-2167
(619) 333-2167
The entryway of a restaurant. Jose Israel

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City Tacos

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While many opt for the borrego or Mexicali tacos, the pescado and Veracruzano tacos should be on your radar for your next visit to City Tacos. The first places a golden fried strip of mahi mahi alongside the usual toppings and habanero strawberries while the Veracruzano takes inspiration from its colonial port namesake, tossing a filet in sauteed olives and garlic.

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 296-2303
(619) 296-2303

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Karina's Ceviches & More

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This sized-down, walk-up location featured a welcoming shaded patio and offers a condensed menu that includes the all-time classic Baja-style taco along with grilled fish tacos. Looking for something a bit different? The mariscos experts also offer a seared ahi tuna taco. 

3731 India St B, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 255-5900
(619) 255-5900
Karina’s

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Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill

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Known for being a go-to spot for casual seafood, Blue Water’s extensive menu includes tacos stuffed with a variety of fish including red snapper, yellowtail tuna, mahi mahi, and swordfish, seasoned with house chipotle sauce and topped with standard garnishes. Headed to Ocean Beach? Find a sister location just blocks away from shore.

3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 497-0914
(619) 497-0914

Mi Gusto Es

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This popular food truck continues to deliver some of the most honest and, most importantly, delicious mariscos in all San Diego. There is not a bad item on the menu, so take your pick from battered fish, smoked marlin, gobernador, and seafood medley tacos, to name a few. And while this is a fish taco list, we do have to recommend the aguachile tostadas as a refreshing option in the summertime.

4425 Home Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
Mi Gusto Es mariscos seafood truck
Mi Gusto Es Facebook

La 57

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The long lines don’t lie, this South Park mariscos truck makes some of the best fish and mariscos tacos around. Pick up a Baja trio with a classic battered fish taco, a smoked marlin taco and a shrimp taco to sample a bit of everything. The seafood mix taco throws all the marine proteins on a tortilla — white fish, octopus, mussel and marlin — seasoned with savory salsa maggi.

3030 Grape Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 703-7121
(619) 703-7121

Mitch's Seafood

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Fish tacos packed with local seafood and a pour of your favorite IPA is as San Diego as it gets. This casual spot by the water offers a grilled fish taco featuring the catch of the day, while the beer-battered taco features wild cod. Looking to take home some of the seafood featured on the menu? Mitch’s co-owner Mitch Connell is also a partner in TunaVille Market and Grocery, located just down the way at Driscoll’s Wharf.

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 222-8787
(619) 222-8787

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The Taco Stand

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While the rich carne asada and juicy adobada are two of the local chain’s calling cards, don’t sleep on the fish tacos. The Baja-style tacos top a battered fish filet with the usual fixings: fresh cabbage, pico, cilantro and the house chipotle crema. Wanna go bigger? Get the pescado burrito, loading all these ingredients into a large flour tortilla.

645 B St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 546-0570
(619) 546-0570
The Taco Stand

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TJ Oyster Bar

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A South Bay institution, TJ Oyster Bar has been wrapping fish tacos and serving oysters for almost 20 years. A Baja-style vibe and quality ingredients continue to bring customers into this revered mariscos stop. While the original location is packed almost every day, a bigger location nearby has more than enough space for everyone looking to put away a few tacos and micheladas.

4410 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902
(619) 434-4780
(619) 434-4780
Tj Oyster Bar

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Mariscos Los Cuates

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Founded by a father-and-son team hailing from Sinaloa — Mexico’s seafood capital — the staff at Los Cuates knows a thing or two about what goes into a stellar fish taco. Specials and lunch plates offer a good chance to sample some of the house tacos along with a small bowl of fresh ceviche. The taco perron, a cheesy taco topped with smoked marlin and spicy shrimp, is a must. 

217 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 816-5042
(619) 816-5042
Yelp

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Mariscos El FIli, La Carreta

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As a longtime fixture on Broadway in Chula Vista, this truck draws in mariscos connoisseurs and locals to get their fix of fish tacos and more. While the standard grilled and battered fish tacos are solid choices, the chicharron de pargo taco — with flaky chunks of fried Pacific snapper — and the pescado ajillo taco topped with white fish sauteed in a garlic and onion sauce are two of the standout hits. 

652 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

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Shootz Fish & Beer

602 S Tremont St Unit 101, Oceanside, CA 92054

Tucked inside Bottlecraft’s Oceanside outpost, this casual counter from the owners of Wrench & Rodent serves up a streamlined menu of tacos and poke showcasing sustainable seafood. The fish taco pairs fresh market catch with cabbage slaw, Shootz sauce, pickled veggies, cilantro, habanero carrots, and cotija cheese.

602 S Tremont St Unit 101, Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 696-3524
(760) 696-3524
A dining room with a fast-casual counter. Shootz Fish & Beer

George's at the Cove

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

This might be the fanciest entry on the list but where else can you enjoy a fish taco with such a stunning ocean view? The lunch menu at George’s Ocean Terrace has a great rendition of the classic made with local rockfish.

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-4244
(858) 454-4244
Ocean view at George’s Ocean Terrace
Ocean view at George’s Ocean Terrace
George’s at the Cove

El Pescador Fish Market

634 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Only the freshest local seafood passes through El Pescador’s kitchen and onto your tortilla. This longtime La Jolla restaurant and seafood market’s take on the fish taco is simple but elegant, with perfectly grilled local fish topped with a cabbage salad. The burritos include local yellowtail, squid, and sea bass as filling options.

634 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-2526
(858) 456-2526
El Pescador Fish Market

El Viejon Seafood

4619 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

Staying true to Baja form, its Ensenada style fish tacos don’t miss, even with the house flour tortilla and crispy cheese upgrade. The smoked fish taco and the manolarga — a mashup taco bringing together birria and octopus — also rank high on a strong line-up. A veggie-friendly version of the Ensenada taco is available too, with battered cauliflower pinch-hitting for the fish fillet.

4619 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 737-9192
(858) 737-9192

Oscars Mexican Seafood

746 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109

With two Pacific Beach locations and a Hillcrest outpost, Oscar’s is a popular hangout for casual seafood. Its smoked fish tacos topped with cabbage, avocado and cheese are a standout but the house take on the classic fried and grilled fish tacos are also worth a bite.

746 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 412-4009
(858) 412-4009

Puesto Mission Valley

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

The beer used to batter the local line-caught fish in Puesto’s fish taco, which is served in the Baja style with shredded cabbage and crema, is brewed on-site in the Mexican restaurant group’s own cerveceria.

5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 333-2167
(619) 333-2167
The entryway of a restaurant. Jose Israel

City Tacos

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

While many opt for the borrego or Mexicali tacos, the pescado and Veracruzano tacos should be on your radar for your next visit to City Tacos. The first places a golden fried strip of mahi mahi alongside the usual toppings and habanero strawberries while the Veracruzano takes inspiration from its colonial port namesake, tossing a filet in sauteed olives and garlic.

3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 296-2303
(619) 296-2303

Karina's Ceviches & More

3731 India St B, San Diego, CA 92103

This sized-down, walk-up location featured a welcoming shaded patio and offers a condensed menu that includes the all-time classic Baja-style taco along with grilled fish tacos. Looking for something a bit different? The mariscos experts also offer a seared ahi tuna taco. 

3731 India St B, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 255-5900
(619) 255-5900
Karina’s

Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill

3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

Known for being a go-to spot for casual seafood, Blue Water’s extensive menu includes tacos stuffed with a variety of fish including red snapper, yellowtail tuna, mahi mahi, and swordfish, seasoned with house chipotle sauce and topped with standard garnishes. Headed to Ocean Beach? Find a sister location just blocks away from shore.

3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 497-0914
(619) 497-0914

Mi Gusto Es

4425 Home Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

This popular food truck continues to deliver some of the most honest and, most importantly, delicious mariscos in all San Diego. There is not a bad item on the menu, so take your pick from battered fish, smoked marlin, gobernador, and seafood medley tacos, to name a few. And while this is a fish taco list, we do have to recommend the aguachile tostadas as a refreshing option in the summertime.

4425 Home Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
Mi Gusto Es mariscos seafood truck
Mi Gusto Es Facebook

La 57

3030 Grape Street, San Diego, CA 92102

The long lines don’t lie, this South Park mariscos truck makes some of the best fish and mariscos tacos around. Pick up a Baja trio with a classic battered fish taco, a smoked marlin taco and a shrimp taco to sample a bit of everything. The seafood mix taco throws all the marine proteins on a tortilla — white fish, octopus, mussel and marlin — seasoned with savory salsa maggi.

3030 Grape Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 703-7121
(619) 703-7121

Mitch's Seafood

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106

Fish tacos packed with local seafood and a pour of your favorite IPA is as San Diego as it gets. This casual spot by the water offers a grilled fish taco featuring the catch of the day, while the beer-battered taco features wild cod. Looking to take home some of the seafood featured on the menu? Mitch’s co-owner Mitch Connell is also a partner in TunaVille Market and Grocery, located just down the way at Driscoll’s Wharf.

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 222-8787
(619) 222-8787

The Taco Stand

645 B St, San Diego, CA 92101

While the rich carne asada and juicy adobada are two of the local chain’s calling cards, don’t sleep on the fish tacos. The Baja-style tacos top a battered fish filet with the usual fixings: fresh cabbage, pico, cilantro and the house chipotle crema. Wanna go bigger? Get the pescado burrito, loading all these ingredients into a large flour tortilla.

645 B St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 546-0570
(619) 546-0570
The Taco Stand

TJ Oyster Bar

4410 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902

A South Bay institution, TJ Oyster Bar has been wrapping fish tacos and serving oysters for almost 20 years. A Baja-style vibe and quality ingredients continue to bring customers into this revered mariscos stop. While the original location is packed almost every day, a bigger location nearby has more than enough space for everyone looking to put away a few tacos and micheladas.

4410 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902
(619) 434-4780
(619) 434-4780
Tj Oyster Bar

Mariscos Los Cuates

217 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Founded by a father-and-son team hailing from Sinaloa — Mexico’s seafood capital — the staff at Los Cuates knows a thing or two about what goes into a stellar fish taco. Specials and lunch plates offer a good chance to sample some of the house tacos along with a small bowl of fresh ceviche. The taco perron, a cheesy taco topped with smoked marlin and spicy shrimp, is a must. 

217 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 816-5042
(619) 816-5042
Yelp

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Mariscos El FIli, La Carreta

652 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

As a longtime fixture on Broadway in Chula Vista, this truck draws in mariscos connoisseurs and locals to get their fix of fish tacos and more. While the standard grilled and battered fish tacos are solid choices, the chicharron de pargo taco — with flaky chunks of fried Pacific snapper — and the pescado ajillo taco topped with white fish sauteed in a garlic and onion sauce are two of the standout hits. 

652 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

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