The Fish Market — Restaurant in San Diego

It’s Comic Con weekend in San Diego and we decided to stay in the downtown area for lunch. The Fish Market Restaurant sits on San Diego harbor, next to the USS Midway aircraft carrier with indoor and outdoor seatings. The parking lot is relative small and all the spaces were taken. So, we had to do the valet parking. The Fish Market is known for fresh local catch and fresh seafood. By the entrance, they have an actual seafood counter at the front as you walk in and customers buy catch of the day as well as other fresh seafood. The restaurant is spacious and has two stories. The main floor is casual dining with wood tables and the more upscale version of the restaurant upstairs is for fine dining (food is more expensive but better ambiance). There is a bar in the main lobby. We were seated outside downstairs in the glass closed deck with a beautiful view to the activities on the harbor. There were sailboats, jet skies, cruise ships, party boats and people fishing next to the restaurant. Fish Market has a Comic Con menu and restaurant has a pirates theme for the Comic Con weekend. Hostess dressed up as pirate to greet us at the hostess station and the restaurant entry area was decorated with the pirates theme as well.

This restaurant offers fresh caught fish and supports the locally caught fresh seafood movement. We ordered the New England clam chowder and salt & pepper calamari as appetizers. The soup was rich, thick and creamy with plenty of clams. The calamari was tasty, small portion, with two dipping sauces, sweet chili and shot sauce, and had a heavy handed batter. For the main dishes, we had the popular Dungeness crab cioppino which came with a plethora of fresh seafood: Dungeness crab, calamari, mussels, clams, and linguine in a savory tomato based marinara sauce. There were two pieces of crispy, toasted bread on the side of the dish which we used to soak up the marinara sauce. We had the options to have the crab shelled or with shell. Serving size was generous and we had leftovers to take home. The service was prompt and efficient with one exception….waitstaff didn’t give us the complimentary sourdough bread and whipped butter and we were disappointed and reported this to their night manager. She said she will look into this situation and call us back but we have not yet heard back from Fish Market. We lowered the rating for the unsatisfactory customer service.

Outside seating for the full Fish Market experience is a must. Food was delicious and at a tolerable high price point for seafood (make no mistake, it is still expensive to have seafood during this high inflation economic landscape). For a family of 4, our bill came to $200 plus tips, plus service charge and plus valet parking. After lunch, we strolled around the bay and checked out the famous statue of a sailor kissing a young lady upon return from the war and the Bob Hope honorary status garden and the marina. Valet parking attendant gave us discount when we showed him our itemized receipt from Fish Market. For the fantastic scenic views on the waterfront and good food, we probably will visit the restaurant again and hope that they will serve us the complimentary bread. Next time, we will request for the secret “golden” chowder which is half Manhattan/half New England. Also, we will request for the secret Duckets Bucket, a mix of...

The Fish Market San Diego

Nestled along the picturesque waterfront of San Diego, The Fish Market is a beacon for seafood enthusiasts seeking a memorable dining experience. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in the inviting aroma of fresh seafood, and the lively atmosphere sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering The Fish Market is its bustling ambiance. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses blend harmoniously with the sizzle of grills and the gentle hum of conversation. The restaurant's layout is spacious yet intimate, with ample seating options both indoors and outdoors, offering stunning views of the harbor.

One of the highlights of The Fish Market is undoubtedly its commitment to freshness. As you peruse the extensive menu, you're greeted with a tantalizing array of seafood delights, ranging from succulent lobster and crab to plump oysters and delicate fish fillets. Each dish is meticulously prepared with the highest quality ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible, ensuring that every bite bursts with flavor.

For those craving a classic seafood experience, the raw bar is a must-visit. Here, you can indulge in an assortment of freshly shucked oysters, served with zesty mignonette sauce and tangy cocktail sauce. The seafood towers are also a showstopper, piled high with a bounty of shrimp, crab legs, and other oceanic treasures, perfect for sharing among friends or indulging solo.

If you prefer your seafood cooked to perfection, the grill and sauté stations deliver in spades. Whether you're craving a juicy grilled salmon fillet, a decadent lobster tail, or a hearty cioppino brimming with clams, mussels, and shrimp, the skilled chefs at The Fish Market ensure that each dish is cooked to perfection, with flavors that dance on the palate.

No seafood feast would be complete without the perfect accompaniments, and The Fish Market does not disappoint in this regard. From buttery garlic mashed potatoes to crisp, garden-fresh salads, each side dish is thoughtfully crafted to complement the main course, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors.

To elevate your dining experience even further, be sure to explore The Fish Market's extensive wine and cocktail menu. Whether you're in the mood for a crisp Chardonnay to pair with your seafood platter or a handcrafted cocktail to sip as you watch the sunset over the harbor, the knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide you to the perfect libation.

In addition to its outstanding cuisine, The Fish Market is also renowned for its impeccable service. From the moment you're greeted at the door to the final farewell, the staff exude warmth and professionalism, ensuring that every aspect of your dining experience exceeds expectations.

In conclusion, The Fish Market San Diego is a seafood lover's paradise, offering a delectable array of fresh seafood, impeccable service, and a vibrant waterfront ambiance. Whether you're a local looking for a new favorite haunt or a visitor seeking a taste of the ocean's bounty, a visit to The Fish Market is sure to...

★☆☆☆☆ – 20 Years of Loyalty Destroyed in One Night

I’ve been coming to The Fish Market San Diego (and Del Mar) for over 20 years. I’ve sent friends, family, business clients—always bragging about the Canadian rockfish and the legacy this restaurant held. But this recent visit? Hands down the worst dining experience I’ve had in over two decades.

We hit traffic on the 5 and arrived a little late, but that didn’t excuse what followed.

Our server, Dulce, was friendly but completely missed the mark on almost everything we ordered. Here’s just the short version of how bad it got: • I ordered a bottle of sparkling, a bottle of still, two Diet Pepsis (light ice), and a plate of limes. → What showed up? Regular Pepsi, lemons—not limes—and none of it right the first time. • We requested extra butter with the bread. Got none. Asked again with clear instructions for extra extra butter and more bread. Still nothing. • When the entrées came, it went from frustrating to downright unacceptable: • My Canadian rockfish was rubbery, overcooked, and tasted like canned cat food. • The au gratin potatoes were sour, the white rice was bottom-tier, and the vegetables were mush. • One of our elderly guests was given the wrong entrée and sides. The plate runner tried to fix it, but the kitchen couldn’t keep up—the whole back of house was clearly overwhelmed.

I finally had to bring over the manager, James, who to his credit, was calm, respectful, and professional. He did his best to handle it, and even brought out a small birthday dessert for our guest. But no amount of courtesy can cover up how far this place has fallen.

When it came time to pay, we reminded Dulce that we had an account and gift cards tied to the Fish Market, gifted to us by a friend who loved the old menu. She failed to pass that info to James. Only after we flagged it again did James say he’d take a photo of the account number and apply the points later. Hopefully in good faith, he does.

James also claimed that since the Brigantine takeover in early 2025, the quality has not changed. Sorry, but I’m not buying it. As a businessman myself, I know exactly what’s happening—cutting corners and maximizing profit. The result? A San Diego staple reduced to a tourist trap.

What’s worse? We were there to celebrate. But we ended up finishing the night somewhere else just to salvage the mood.

Final thoughts: This used to be a proud, iconic seafood spot. Now? It’s a shell of what it once was. You can’t charge premium prices and serve bottom-shelf execution. If you’re going to water down the quality, be honest about it. Don’t insult your regulars and pretend it’s still the same kitchen.

A gift card won’t fix this. A professional manager can’t hide it. And Dulce’s service—while well-meaning—was simply not up to standard.

This is no longer the restaurant you remember....