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Serea outdoor dining terrace — Serea at the Hotel Del Coronado.

19 Stellar Spots for Waterfront Dining in San Diego

Gear up for summer by exploring breezy ocean view restaurants offering everything from seafood to steaks, sushi, and tacos.

by Helen I. Hwang May 19, 2022, 9:22am PDT

If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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Serea at the Hotel Del Coronado.

by Helen I. Hwang May 19, 2022, 9:22am PDT

If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

As warmer weather sets in for the summer, this is an ideal time to explore the range of waterfront restaurants that San Diego has to offer. The reality is, San Diegans are lucky enough to enjoy seaside dining year-round thanks to mild Southern California temperatures, and with more than 70 miles of ocean coastlines and a handful of harbors around town, it’s easy to find breathtaking views.

Spanning Imperial Beach to Oceanside and offering everything from beachside casual to elegant fine dining, these 19 standout spots near the water are cooking up everything from tacos and seafood to pasta and steaks. If you’re looking more suggestions on where to dine with a view, check out Eater’s guide to 13 Enticing Rooftops for Eating and Drinking in San Diego.

Note: map points are not ranked.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Valle Restaurant

Celebrity chef Roberto Alcocer launched his first U.S. restaurant along the Oceanside waterfront after phenomenal success at his acclaimed Malva restaurant in Mexico. Valle offers favorites like tartara (wagyu with fresh uni), betabel nixtamal (coal-roasted beet), and chocolate de metate (decadent chocolate ganache dessert topped with a gold leaf).

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201 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Visit Website

Outdoor dining table with food at Valle Restaurant — Valle Restaurant.

Also featured in:

Seek Out These Outdoor Dining Spots in San Diego

Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

Owner Roberto Vigilucci arrived in San Diego in the 1980s and fell in love with the city but craved Italian cuisine from his native Milan. His restaurant across from Cardiff State Beach offers ocean vistas as well as Nebraska grass-fed steaks, wet-aged for 40 days, and a seafood tower with generous portions of lobsters, clams, oysters, and mussels.

Open in Google Maps

3878 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Visit Website

Seafood dish with Nebraska prime ribeye and filet — Seafood dish and steaks at Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse.

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VAGA Restaurant & Bar

Overlooking South Ponto Beach, Vaga’s dining patio provides sweeping views of a quiet shoreline. Al pastor pork belly with grilled pineapple-pickled daikon and dan-dan noodles with salsa macha are some of the creative dishes from consulting chef and Top Chef alum Claudette Zepeda.

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2100 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

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VAGA French toast covered with figs — VAGA French toast covered with figs at VAGA Restaurant & Bar.

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Pacific Coast Grill

With stunning views overlooking Cardiff State Beach, diners get a great vantage point to watch surfers and sea life. In addition to the main restaurant level, there’s an upstairs dining patio for a more spectacular view. The smoky lobster and shrimp chowder and scrumptious filet mignon sliders stuffed with crispy onion strings are must-tries.

Open in Google Maps

2526 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

Visit Website

Filet mignon sliders with truffle fries and lobster and shrimp chowder — Filet mignon sliders with truffle fries and lobster and shrimp chowder at Pacific Coast Grill.

Las Olas

The Mexican eatery has been a mainstay along Highway 101 and Cardiff State Beach for three decades, serving made-to-order beachside tacos and cheerful margaritas with idyllic views of the shimmering Pacific and golden sunsets. Wash down the popular Baja-style battered fish tacos and carnitas tacos with the spicy Chile N’ Pina margarita.

Open in Google Maps

2655 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

Visit Website

Battered fish tacos — Las Olas.

Also featured in:

18 Waterfront Restaurants in San Diego

Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar

Very few upscale restaurants give diners an option to eat al fresco on the beach, as Poseidon does. Request a table on the terrace to listen to the soothing sounds of rolling waves. Customers have unfettered views of the sparkling ocean, even at night when the spotlights on the beach are illuminated. Dig into favorites like pistachio-crusted salmon and lemon-pepper Chilean sea bass.

Open in Google Maps

1670 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Visit Website

Dining terrace by the beach — Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar.

Monarch Ocean Pub

There are only good vibes at the pub perched high above Del Mar. One entire wall of windows opens to an incredible view of the endless ocean. To set the mood, every evening at sunset the bartender rings a bell, stands atop the bar, and reads a daily poem he wrote while toasting diners. Try the butter-poached lobster and wild shrimp on a toasted brioche bun with the dragonfruit margarita, rimmed with black lava salt.

Open in Google Maps

1555 Camino Del Mar Suite 322, Del Mar, CA 92014

Visit Website

Lobster and wild shrimp roll — Lobster and wild shrimp roll at Monarch Ocean Pub.

Brockton Villa Restaurant

The historic former residence turned cafe overlooks La Jolla Cove so diners can observe and listen to barking seals in their natural habitat. The Coast Toast is their version of French toast with a souffled center, flavored with orange curacao and Tahitian vanilla. The carnitas chilaquiles with steamed scrambled eggs and slow-cooked pork is another favorite.

Open in Google Maps

1235 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Coast Toast - French toast with souffle in the center — Coast toast at Brockton Villa Restaurant.

Also featured in:

18 Waterfront Restaurants in San Diego

Blue Ocean / Harumama - La Jolla

The combination of Harumama’s cutesy character buns with Blue Ocean’s fresh sashimi makes this joint venture a winning combination. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer diners a 180-degree view of La Jolla’s shoreline, replete with seals and seabirds resting comfortably side by side. Try the pork pig buns, nine-course Blue Ocean omakase box, or Nutella-stuffed bunny buns for dessert.

Open in Google Maps

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Sashimi and sushi in an omakase box — Blue Ocean / Harumama - La Jolla.

George's at the Cove

With multiple levels of dining available, all with equally arresting views, patrons can dive into California coastal cuisine from settings that range from more formal to rooftop casual. Renowned chef Trey Foshee’s specialties include George’s Famous Soup with smoked chicken and black beans, mussels mariniere with crème fraiche and leeks, and spaghetti and clams.

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Cocktail on the rooftop terrace — George’s at the Cove.

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JRDN Restaurant

This sea-level restaurant sits next to the Pacific Beach boardwalk with views of the ocean and Cape Cod-style cottages right on the historic Crystal Pier. Anchoring the Tower23 Hotel, this steak and seafood specialist serves up customer favorites like steamed mussels with chorizo and ahi tuna nachos with mango and sriracha aioli.

Open in Google Maps

723 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Steamed mussels with chorizo — Steamed mussels with chorizo at JRDN Restaurant.

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Cannonball

High above the Mission Beach boardwalk sits an outdoor rooftop restaurant with unparalleled views of the Pacific. Diners might spot dolphins frolicking in the glistening waters while delving into a robust sushi menu, including the popular lobster sushi roll. Pair it with the Sunny & 75 cocktail, made with guava and sparkling wine.

3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Lobster sushi roll — Lobster sushi roll at Cannonball.

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C Level Lounge

Looking out onto the city skyline and Coronado Island, this relaxed restaurant serves up dishes like lobster and fontina BLT made with whitefish salad, and an ahi, crab, and avocado stack. There’s also a dizzying array of cocktails with an emphasis on local distilleries like Cutwater Spirits.

Open in Google Maps

880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Lobster and Fontina BLT, poke bowl, black bramble cocktail, and ahi crab and avocado stack — Black bramble cocktail with lobster and fontina BLT, poke bowl, and ahi stack at C Level Lounge.

Mitch's Seafood

Located in a working fishing harbor, this friendly restaurant features fish caught in local waters off San Diego or Northern Baja. Customer favorites include grilled fish tacos, grilled octopus with Romesco sauce, and beer-battered fish and chips.

Open in Google Maps

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106

Visit Website

Mitch’s Seafood — Mitch’s Seafood.

Portside Pier

Downtown San Diego got a boost with this $25-million waterfront project that offers several few dining options under one roof. Visitors will find a brewery, a rooftop cocktail bar, gelato, Mexican cuisine, and seafood. Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar is the most notable for Brig’s Famous Fish Tacos or oysters, raw or grilled, along with a draft beer from their very own Ketch Brewing.

Open in Google Maps

1360 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Front of Brigantine at Portside Pier — Portside Pier.

Also featured in:

18 Waterfront Restaurants in San Diego

Bali Hai Restaurant

The iconic Shelter Island establishment sits in a Polynesian-style circular “hut” so patrons can enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego Bay. Built in 1953 and inspired by Clark Gable’s film, The Bounty, a tiki motif inspires the dishes and drinks here. Favorite items include wok-fried sea bass, poke, and the mighty strong Bali Hai Mai Tai that’s so popular it merits its own electronic tally counter. Over 2,745,000 sold to date and counting.

2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bali Hai Restaurant (@balihairestaurant)

Also featured in:

Il Fornaio Coronado

This Tuscan restaurant aims to transport a slice of Italy to San Diego’s waterfront. Almost everything, from ingredients to pasta makers, is imported from Europe, including the tomatoes they use. Fresh pasta and pizza dough are made onsite every day. Try the Paccheri Alla Vodka, tubular pasta covered in scrumptious vodka tomato sauce, or the Pizza Cristina with Italian prosciutto, mushrooms, and white truffle oil.

Open in Google Maps

1333 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118

Visit Website

Paccheri Alla Vodka — Il Fornaio Coronado.

Also featured in:

Serea Coastal Cuisine

The anchor restaurant of the legendary Hotel Del Coronado offers gorgeous views of palm trees lining the lively esplanade next to Coronado Beach. Helmed by acclaimed chef Jojo Ruiz, standout specialties include wood-grilled whole fish deboned tableside and the Serea Mezze, a hummus platter with whipped cheese, and house-made pita bread.

Open in Google Maps

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

Visit Website

Wood-grilled whole fish — Wood-grilled whole fish at Serea Coastal Cuisine.

Also featured in:

SEA180

This seaside restaurant sits at the ground level of the Pier South Resort in Imperial Beach, the most southwesterly beach town in the U.S. where diners can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Try the popular Sea180 Double Cheeseburger with bacon jam or the seafood platter, available on the weekends, along with the spicy mango tango margarita.

Open in Google Maps

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Visit Website

Spicy mango tango margarita — Spicy mango tango margarita at SEA180.

Also featured in:

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Valle Restaurant

201 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Celebrity chef Roberto Alcocer launched his first U.S. restaurant along the Oceanside waterfront after phenomenal success at his acclaimed Malva restaurant in Mexico. Valle offers favorites like tartara (wagyu with fresh uni), betabel nixtamal (coal-roasted beet), and chocolate de metate (decadent chocolate ganache dessert topped with a gold leaf).

Open in Google Maps

201 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Visit Website

Outdoor dining table with food at Valle Restaurant — Valle Restaurant.

Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

3878 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Owner Roberto Vigilucci arrived in San Diego in the 1980s and fell in love with the city but craved Italian cuisine from his native Milan. His restaurant across from Cardiff State Beach offers ocean vistas as well as Nebraska grass-fed steaks, wet-aged for 40 days, and a seafood tower with generous portions of lobsters, clams, oysters, and mussels.

Open in Google Maps

3878 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Visit Website

Seafood dish with Nebraska prime ribeye and filet — Seafood dish and steaks at Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse.

VAGA Restaurant & Bar

2100 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Overlooking South Ponto Beach, Vaga’s dining patio provides sweeping views of a quiet shoreline. Al pastor pork belly with grilled pineapple-pickled daikon and dan-dan noodles with salsa macha are some of the creative dishes from consulting chef and Top Chef alum Claudette Zepeda.

Open in Google Maps

2100 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Visit Website

VAGA French toast covered with figs — VAGA French toast covered with figs at VAGA Restaurant & Bar.

Pacific Coast Grill

2526 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

With stunning views overlooking Cardiff State Beach, diners get a great vantage point to watch surfers and sea life. In addition to the main restaurant level, there’s an upstairs dining patio for a more spectacular view. The smoky lobster and shrimp chowder and scrumptious filet mignon sliders stuffed with crispy onion strings are must-tries.

Open in Google Maps

2526 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

Visit Website

Filet mignon sliders with truffle fries and lobster and shrimp chowder — Filet mignon sliders with truffle fries and lobster and shrimp chowder at Pacific Coast Grill.

Las Olas

2655 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

The Mexican eatery has been a mainstay along Highway 101 and Cardiff State Beach for three decades, serving made-to-order beachside tacos and cheerful margaritas with idyllic views of the shimmering Pacific and golden sunsets. Wash down the popular Baja-style battered fish tacos and carnitas tacos with the spicy Chile N’ Pina margarita.

Open in Google Maps

2655 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007

Visit Website

Battered fish tacos — Las Olas.

Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar

1670 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Very few upscale restaurants give diners an option to eat al fresco on the beach, as Poseidon does. Request a table on the terrace to listen to the soothing sounds of rolling waves. Customers have unfettered views of the sparkling ocean, even at night when the spotlights on the beach are illuminated. Dig into favorites like pistachio-crusted salmon and lemon-pepper Chilean sea bass.

Open in Google Maps

1670 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Visit Website

Dining terrace by the beach — Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar.

Monarch Ocean Pub

1555 Camino Del Mar Suite 322, Del Mar, CA 92014

There are only good vibes at the pub perched high above Del Mar. One entire wall of windows opens to an incredible view of the endless ocean. To set the mood, every evening at sunset the bartender rings a bell, stands atop the bar, and reads a daily poem he wrote while toasting diners. Try the butter-poached lobster and wild shrimp on a toasted brioche bun with the dragonfruit margarita, rimmed with black lava salt.

Open in Google Maps

1555 Camino Del Mar Suite 322, Del Mar, CA 92014

Visit Website

Lobster and wild shrimp roll — Lobster and wild shrimp roll at Monarch Ocean Pub.

Brockton Villa Restaurant

1235 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

The historic former residence turned cafe overlooks La Jolla Cove so diners can observe and listen to barking seals in their natural habitat. The Coast Toast is their version of French toast with a souffled center, flavored with orange curacao and Tahitian vanilla. The carnitas chilaquiles with steamed scrambled eggs and slow-cooked pork is another favorite.

Open in Google Maps

1235 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Coast Toast - French toast with souffle in the center — Coast toast at Brockton Villa Restaurant.

Blue Ocean / Harumama - La Jolla

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

The combination of Harumama’s cutesy character buns with Blue Ocean’s fresh sashimi makes this joint venture a winning combination. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer diners a 180-degree view of La Jolla’s shoreline, replete with seals and seabirds resting comfortably side by side. Try the pork pig buns, nine-course Blue Ocean omakase box, or Nutella-stuffed bunny buns for dessert.

Open in Google Maps

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Sashimi and sushi in an omakase box — Blue Ocean / Harumama - La Jolla.

George's at the Cove

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

With multiple levels of dining available, all with equally arresting views, patrons can dive into California coastal cuisine from settings that range from more formal to rooftop casual. Renowned chef Trey Foshee’s specialties include George’s Famous Soup with smoked chicken and black beans, mussels mariniere with crème fraiche and leeks, and spaghetti and clams.

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Visit Website

Cocktail on the rooftop terrace — George’s at the Cove.

JRDN Restaurant

723 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109

This sea-level restaurant sits next to the Pacific Beach boardwalk with views of the ocean and Cape Cod-style cottages right on the historic Crystal Pier. Anchoring the Tower23 Hotel, this steak and seafood specialist serves up customer favorites like steamed mussels with chorizo and ahi tuna nachos with mango and sriracha aioli.

Open in Google Maps

723 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Steamed mussels with chorizo — Steamed mussels with chorizo at JRDN Restaurant.

Cannonball

3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109

High above the Mission Beach boardwalk sits an outdoor rooftop restaurant with unparalleled views of the Pacific. Diners might spot dolphins frolicking in the glistening waters while delving into a robust sushi menu, including the popular lobster sushi roll. Pair it with the Sunny & 75 cocktail, made with guava and sparkling wine.

3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109

Visit Website

Lobster sushi roll — Lobster sushi roll at Cannonball.

C Level Lounge

880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Looking out onto the city skyline and Coronado Island, this relaxed restaurant serves up dishes like lobster and fontina BLT made with whitefish salad, and an ahi, crab, and avocado stack. There’s also a dizzying array of cocktails with an emphasis on local distilleries like Cutwater Spirits.

Open in Google Maps

880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Lobster and Fontina BLT, poke bowl, black bramble cocktail, and ahi crab and avocado stack — Black bramble cocktail with lobster and fontina BLT, poke bowl, and ahi stack at C Level Lounge.

Mitch's Seafood

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106

Located in a working fishing harbor, this friendly restaurant features fish caught in local waters off San Diego or Northern Baja. Customer favorites include grilled fish tacos, grilled octopus with Romesco sauce, and beer-battered fish and chips.

Open in Google Maps

1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106

Visit Website

Mitch’s Seafood — Mitch’s Seafood.

Portside Pier

1360 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Downtown San Diego got a boost with this $25-million waterfront project that offers several few dining options under one roof. Visitors will find a brewery, a rooftop cocktail bar, gelato, Mexican cuisine, and seafood. Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar is the most notable for Brig’s Famous Fish Tacos or oysters, raw or grilled, along with a draft beer from their very own Ketch Brewing.

Open in Google Maps

1360 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Front of Brigantine at Portside Pier — Portside Pier.

Related Maps

Bali Hai Restaurant

2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

The iconic Shelter Island establishment sits in a Polynesian-style circular “hut” so patrons can enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego Bay. Built in 1953 and inspired by Clark Gable’s film, The Bounty, a tiki motif inspires the dishes and drinks here. Favorite items include wok-fried sea bass, poke, and the mighty strong Bali Hai Mai Tai that’s so popular it merits its own electronic tally counter. Over 2,745,000 sold to date and counting.

2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bali Hai Restaurant (@balihairestaurant)

Il Fornaio Coronado

1333 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118

This Tuscan restaurant aims to transport a slice of Italy to San Diego’s waterfront. Almost everything, from ingredients to pasta makers, is imported from Europe, including the tomatoes they use. Fresh pasta and pizza dough are made onsite every day. Try the Paccheri Alla Vodka, tubular pasta covered in scrumptious vodka tomato sauce, or the Pizza Cristina with Italian prosciutto, mushrooms, and white truffle oil.

Open in Google Maps

1333 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118

Visit Website

Paccheri Alla Vodka — Il Fornaio Coronado.

Serea Coastal Cuisine

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

The anchor restaurant of the legendary Hotel Del Coronado offers gorgeous views of palm trees lining the lively esplanade next to Coronado Beach. Helmed by acclaimed chef Jojo Ruiz, standout specialties include wood-grilled whole fish deboned tableside and the Serea Mezze, a hummus platter with whipped cheese, and house-made pita bread.

Open in Google Maps

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

Visit Website

Wood-grilled whole fish — Wood-grilled whole fish at Serea Coastal Cuisine.

SEA180

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

This seaside restaurant sits at the ground level of the Pier South Resort in Imperial Beach, the most southwesterly beach town in the U.S. where diners can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Try the popular Sea180 Double Cheeseburger with bacon jam or the seafood platter, available on the weekends, along with the spicy mango tango margarita.

Open in Google Maps

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Visit Website

Spicy mango tango margarita — Spicy mango tango margarita at SEA180.

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