Pacific Beach is often defined by boardwalk energy and lively nights on Garnet Avenue, but the food scene there has much improved over the last few decades. I live just up the hill in La Jolla and eat in PB often—more than we used to because there’s more choice—so I’ve happily witnessed the evolution.
When we first published this list of the best Pacific Beach restaurants, it was short because there wasn’t much to note. Today, our guide highlights the places we return to most, including long-standing local legends, everyday neighborhood essentials, oceanfront dining, and reservation-worthy restaurants that define the PB dining scene now.
The Local Legends
These Pacific Beach restaurants have reputations known well beyond the neighborhood. They’re the ones you see San Diegans in-the-know mention in online forums. If you want to eat like a Pacific Beach local, start here.
Rocky’s Crown Pub
This is the burger purist’s sanctuary. If you ask a San Diego resident where to find the best burger in the city, the answer is frequently Rocky’s.
For nearly 50 years, this 21+ dive bar has maintained a cult-like following by doing one thing with absolute perfection. There are no truffle aiolis, no brioche buns, and absolutely no nonsense.
What to Order
You order a 1/3 lb or a 1/2 lb burger, with or without cheese. That’s it. The patties are hand-formed daily and griddled to a perfect medium, served on a sesame bun that absorbs just enough juice to hold it all together. Fries are extra. Pair it with a stiff drink from the bar.
Insider Tip
Historically a “cash-only” spot, they finally now accept credit cards.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 3786 Ingraham St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 273-9140
- Website: rockyburgers.com
Kono’s Surf Club Cafe
If you see a line wrapping around the block near Crystal Pier, it’s for Kono’s (don’t worry, it moves quickly). Since 1991, this spot has served massive breakfast burritos and egg plates at prices that seem stuck in the past. We’re talking about a $10 breakfast with a million-dollar view.
What to Order
Many regulars order the big breakfast plates like Big Breakfast #2, but if you’re visiting for the first time, get the breakfast burrito — specifically the #3. It has eggs, bacon, potatoes, and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla. It’s huge, I can barely eat half.
Take your breakfast outside and find a place to sit. Eating your eggs while watching surfers shoot the pier is a quintessential PB experience.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 704 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 483-1669
- Website: konoscafe.com
Local Hack
If the line is too daunting, drive five minutes inland to Konito’s Cafe (1730 Garnet Ave) in the strip mall by VONS. It’s owned by the same family, serves the exact same menu, but rarely has a wait. There’s no ocean view here, though.
Pacific Beach Fish Shop
Opened in 2010, the Fish Shop quickly graduated from a new spot to a neighborhood anchor. It strikes the perfect balance for PB: high-quality seafood served in a totally unpretentious, dog-friendly environment. My dog loves it here.
The menu is a choose-your-own-adventure. Start by picking your fish (from local Halibut to Diver Scallops), then pick your marinade and your style (taco, sandwich, or plate).
What to Order
The TKO Taco is popular with grilled mahi-mahi marinated in their signature sweet and spicy sauce, topped with tropical salsa.
Insider Tip
Thursday night is $1.25 Oyster Night. Get there early (before 5 p.m.) or be prepared to wait. It is one of the most popular happy hour specials in the zip code.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 1775 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 483-1008
- Website: thefishshops.com
Oscar’s Mexican Seafood (Emerald Street Flagship)
This is one of the best places in San Diego for fish tacos. Note that Oscar’s original location on Turquoise Street permanently closed due to a lease dispute. The landlord is opening a copycat taco shop in that space. The real Oscar’s with the recipes we know and love is now consolidated into their newly remodeled flagship on Emerald Street.
What to Order
The Smoked Fish Taco is essential eating for many. Unlike the battered fish found elsewhere, this uses smoked marlin that has a savory, almost bacon-like richness, with pickled onions and creamy sauce. I actually prefer the grilled octopus or the surf-and-turf tacos, though.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 746 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 412-4009
- Website: oscarsmexicanseafood.com
Broken Yolk Cafe (The Original)
Before it became a massive chain stretching across the Southwest, the Broken Yolk was just a humble Garnet Avenue diner founded in 1979. This specific location is the original, and for many locals, it holds a special place in history as the ultimate spot for hangover cures and massive portions. When I was a student at UCSD, this was our post-party breakfast spot.
While it may not be as chef-driven as the newer brunch spots, it delivers reliable, heavy-hitting comfort food that has stood the test of time. Kids love it, too.
What to Order
The Tiki Toast (Hawaiian sweet bread French toast) is a sugary classic. If you are feeling competitive, ask about the Iron Man/BYC Challenge, which is a dozen-egg omelet served on a 15-inch pizza pan that has defeated thousands of challengers (including some people I know).
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 1851 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 270-9655
- Website: thebrokenyolkcafe.com
More Neighborhood Essentials
These are the everyday Pacific Beach restaurants that don’t fit neatly into another box, other than we are so glad you’re here.
Nico’s Fish Market
Nico’s is a newer place to eat in Pacific Beach, but it has the soul of an old-school fishmonger and is located steps from Crystal Pier. Owner Nico Gibbons operates the FV Winnebago, meaning the catch of the day was likely caught by him or his friends. It is also a fish market, as the name implies.
What to Order
The Poke Bowl is popular, largely thanks to the Lily Sauce, a bright, citrus-based aioli that pairs perfectly with the fresh tuna. Also, check the chalkboard for the Catch of the Day burrito.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 745 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 352-6432
- Website: nicosfishmarket.com
Square Pizza Co.
Pacific Beach has plenty of pizza, but Square Pizza Co. carved out its niche with authentic Detroit-style pizza. The crust is thick and airy with that signature frico edge of caramelized, crispy cheese that forms against the rectangular steel pan. They also offer thin-crust pies and house-made cannoli, but Detroit-style pizza, named after famous car brands, is the reason people come.
What to Order
My family typically gets the Pontiac, which has pepperoni that curls up to perfect little cups on top of the housemade marinara and cheese.
Insider Tip
You can order a gluten-free thin crust cut into squares and take-and-bake if you want to eat later. Parking is also not great during busy times in PB. We call ahead for pick-up.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 4508 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 412-4469
- Website: squarepizzaco.com
More PB Pizza: Prince Street Pizza
Prince Street Pizza recently opened in Pacific Beach. I’ve been to the original in NYC’s SoHo many times as an NYU parent, so I was curious how this location would compare. We’ve ordered from the PB shop and liked it, but I don’t think it has the same allure as the New York location (yet). I’ll keep updating this as it settles into the neighborhood.
Birriería & Taquería La Huasteca
While most San Diego taco shops offer a little bit of everything, La Huasteca on Turquoise Street does one thing exceptionally well: birria. They serve both the beef (res) version, which has become wildly popular in the U.S., and the traditional lamb (borrego) version tied to their San Luis Potosí roots. The consommé here is deep, rich, and built for dipping, which is exactly what you want when those crispy, cheese-loaded quesabirria tacos hit the table.
What to Order
If it’s your first time, start with one beef quesabirria and one lamb quesabirria so you can taste the difference. I think the lamb is earthier and less heavy than the beef. We do this with their family meals for two (one of each). If it’s just you, get birria in a bowl with tortillas on the side so you can build your own tacos.
Insider Tip
The parking lot is tiny, and spaces are tight. Save yourself the stress and park on Turquoise or a nearby side street, then walk over. We usually order ahead, and one person picks up while the other circles the block so we do not deal with parking. Also, this is a very heavy meal so plan your day accordingly.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 865 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 203-3902
- Website: birrieriaandtaquerialahuasteca.site
Oceanfront & Rooftop Views
With the beach comes view-driven dining, and a few Pacific Beach restaurants actually deliver on both the food and the scenery.
JRDN (Tower23 Hotel)
If you want a more elevated meal with a true beachfront view, choose JRDN. Located inside the modern Tower23 Hotel, it’s the most upscale Pacific Beach restaurant on the boardwalk. Expect California coastal cuisine with a raw bar menu, prime steaks, and seasonal sides. Plus, we like people-watching here when the sun is out (and sometimes even when it’s not). It’s the main restaurant for hotel guests.
What to Order
We often meet friends here for handcrafted cocktails and bites, and order a lot of sharables from the raw bar, like a crudo or tartare with tuna, hamachi, or similar.
Insider Tip
Try for a table on the patio along the boardwalk for the best sunset views and people watching. Bring layers because it can get breezy and you will also need sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, etc.)
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 723 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 270-2323
- Website: t23hotel.com/jrdn
See also: Best Hotels in Pacific Beach
World Famous
World Famous is a Pacific Beach local legend with an ocean view close to the border of Mission Beach. It is casual and deeply tied to the boardwalk culture. It is not polished like JRDN, but that is the appeal. This is where you go for big portions, sunset views, and a lively bar scene that feels unmistakably PB. I have enjoyed many a fun boozy brunch here over the years.
What to Order
The lobster tacos are the signature item and still the most-ordered on the menu. The lobster bisque is another long-time favorite. For breakfast or brunch, the eggs Benedict options are genuinely good and pair well with a Bloody Mary or mimosa.
Insider Tip
Request boardwalk-facing patio or window seating for sunset or prime weekend brunch energy.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 711 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 272-3100
- Website: worldfamouspb.com
Pueblo
Quieter yet agave-focused, Pueblo offers a sanctuary from the boardwalk activity. Located a few blocks inland from Garnet and the beach, this Baja-Med restaurant features a stunning rooftop deck that catches the ocean breeze without the foot traffic noise.
Trust me, it would not survive in this location if it weren’t good. The lighter, fresher dishes pair perfectly with their extensive tequila and mezcal list.
What to Order
My family can’t get past the Puerto Nuevo lobster, perhaps because we have spent a lot of time eating in Rosarito. I can also recommend the seafood chile rellenos, catch of the day, and guacamole. My friends like the skinny margaritas (I go for the real thing).
Insider Tip
There isn’t bountiful seating on the rooftop, which has an ocean view. My confession is that I didn’t even know they had a rooftop the first few times we went. The ground-level patio seating is nice, too.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 877 Hornblend St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 412-3312
- Website: pueblopb.com
Reservation-Worthy Pacific Beach Restaurants
These are sit-down venues with elevated menus, perfect for groups or a night out. Still, leave the coat and tie behind as your jeans are fine. We are a fairly casual city and this is a very casual beach town.
The Fishery (Top Pick)
My family and I have been going to The Fishery for decades now and were not surprised when it received a Michelin Guide mention. This restaurant and fish market combo is housed inside a restored mid-century warehouse with some outdoor patio tables.
If I’m having a daytime party, I’ll often order the poached salmon platter from the fish market’s catering menu. They also make my favorite ceviche in town, which you’ll find on ice inside the deli case. They also serve lunch and weekend brunch.
What to Order
In all the years we’ve been coming, there genuinely hasn’t been a single dish we’ve ordered that we wouldn’t eat again. The seafood tower is the best shareable order because it lets you sample multiple shellfish with mindblowing freshness and minimal preparation. The sushi, poke, and clam chowder are also family favorites.
Insider Tip
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but the market is open. The smoked fish is from the deli case is one of my favorite ways to add something unexpected to a cheese or charcuterie board.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 5040 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 272-9985
- Website: thefishery.com
Sushi Ota (Top Pick)
Sushi Ota is the ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” experience. Located in a nondescript strip mall next to a car dealership and a 7-Eleven, it defies all logic by serving what I think is the best sushi in San Diego. You’ll notice a strong Japanese presence in the dining room, which is usually a very good sign. What you won’t see though is the ocean.
What to Order
Chef Ota (now retired, but his legacy remains) set a standard for amazing Edomae-style sushi that few can match. The Uni is pristine, the rice is perfectly vinegared, and the service is traditional.
Insider Tip
I highly suggest making a reservation via OpenTable otherwise, it’s usually difficult to get in (and also hard to get someone by phone sometimes). If you can, sit at the sushi bar and order the Omakase to get the day’s best cuts. They share a parking lot with other businesses, but there’s additional parking in the back.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 4529 Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 270-5670
- Website: sushi-ota.com
Costa Brava
You can take a trip to San Sebastián without a flight. Costa Brava is a rustic, brick-walled gem on Garnet Avenue that has served authentic Spanish cuisine for over two decades. It’s a fun venue for groups because you can order pitchers of sangria and fill the table with tapas.
What to Order
The Patatas Bravas (spicy potatoes) and Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) are a must for starters. The paella is excellent if you can wait for it and have enough people to eat it.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 1653 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 273-1218
- Website: costabravasd.com
The Pata Negra Market
A few doors down is their Spanish market, which is one of my favorite places in PB to shop for charcuterie and cheese board items.
Ambrogio15 – Modern Trattoria & Gourmet Pizza
Ambrogio15 brings Milanese style to Pacific Beach with its signature paper-thin, crispy pizzas. This is a lighter alternative to the doughier Neapolitan style more common in San Diego. Many of their ingredients are actually sourced directly from Italy.
The mostly Italian wine list is much more robust than you’d expect for the neighborhood and is part of why people go. It sits in an unexpected pocket near apartments and small businesses, the kind of place you’d miss completely if you weren’t looking for it.
What to Order
This is my husband’s favorite pizza in the area, and we order the Hannibal Lecter, which is basically a fancy meat-lovers pizza. All of the salads are good. If you want a greatest hits of imported Italian ingredients, order the Burratina e Prosciutto because it comes with aged prosciutto, burrata cheese from Puglia, olives, cherry tomatoes, and the famous focaccia.
Insider Tip
This is an excellent choice for gluten-free diets because they can make their focaccias and pizzas gluten-free. Like Birriería & Taquería La Huasteca, Turquoise parking is challenging, though Ambrogio15 does have a very small (and difficult to navigate) parking lot.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 926 Turquoise St, Suite H, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: (858) 291-8650
- Website: ambrogiopacificbeach.com
See also: Top Things to Do in Pacific Beach
Darlene Horn also originally contributed to this article. She is a San Diego-based freelance writer and designer who has contributed to Zagat San Diego, BizBash, Mission Publishing Group, Nescafé, and Active.com.
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