Where to Find The Best Fish Tacos: San Diego

Fish tacos are an essential part of San Diego's cuisine—just like hot dogs are to Coney Island, fish tacos are to San Diego. Ask any local for a go-to street food recipe, and you’ll often hear shredded cabbage placed atop freshly caught crispy fish, a scoop of pico de gallo, several slices of avocado, and a squirt of fresh lime, wrapped inside a hard shell. If that doesn’t make your mouth water, we don’t know what will.

Whether you like your tacos fried or grilled, soft or hard shelled, they're always delicious regardless. Wondering where to go for a feast? We’ve compiled a list of places that serve the best fish tacos in San Diego—buen provecho!

Where to Get the Best Fish Tacos in La Jolla

George’s at the Cove

Location: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Are you in the mood for a crispy fish taco but need to impress your date big-time? George’s At The Cove in La Jolla will do the trick. The award-winning three-level restaurant is considered the region’s best rooftop dining establishment. 

Reserve a table at the Ocean Terrace, which overlooks the Pacific, and order the best fish tacos in La Jolla. Picture yellowfin tuna with delicious, California-grown avocados, and corn nuts prepared by one of San Diego’s best chefs—is that divine or what?

The Taco Stand 

Location: 621 Pearl Street, La Jolla

If you’re new to San Diego’s neighborhoods, you should know that there are very few places you see consistently queued up. At The Taco Stand, hardly a day goes by without lines of customers waiting to get a bite out of the deliciously crispy taco shells. 

Handmade corn tortillas, quality meats, and the best seafood tacos money can buy—all of these are found at The Taco Stand. A local favorite is the Camaron Spicy Grilled Shrimp taco drenched in cheese, avocado, cabbage, and chipotle sauce. The Grilled Pescado (Mahi Mahi) is love at first bite, with cilantro, onions, tomatoes, and avocado adding just the right touch.

Puesto 

Location: 1026 Wall Street, La Jolla

It’s hard to compete with Puesto when it comes to the best seafood tacos in San Diego. Grilled shrimp, carne asada, chicken al pastor, salmon—you name it, Puesto makes them exactly how you like it. The award-winning restaurant is owned by a family of first-generation Mexican Americans—the kitchen is fueled with authentic flavors passed down through generations.

Puesto’s Tamarindo Shrimp is a finger-licking fusion of crispy shrimp, chile sauce, classic guacamole, and cilantro. If you want to go for the signature dish, opt for the bread and butter—the Baja Fish. Given that this is SoCal, enjoy the best tacos in La Jolla in the outdoor area.

Delicious Fish Tacos in Pacific Beach

Rubio’s

Location: 910 Grand Avenue, San Diego

While Rubio's has become a household name, we couldn't list San Diego's best fish taco spots without acknowledging the history of this well-known chain. The history of Rubio’s begins with founder Ralph Rubio. While on spring break, Rubio and a group of his friends traveled to Mexico, where he discovered fish tacos from a local vendor. The concoction of flavors had him totally smitten, so he decided to open his own fish taco shop in Pacific Beach. From there, his concept took off, expanding to more than 200 franchises all over the country.

Rubio’s Fish Taco Especial and Wild Alaska Salmon Taco are cooked to perfection with fresh guacamole, cheese, mild salsa, and cabbage. Upon tasting the warm, stone-ground corn tortilla taco, you’ll never stop telling your friends about the original Rubio’s in Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach Fish Shop

Location: 1775 Garnet Avenue, San Diego

Add Pacific Beach Fish Shop to your San Diego itinerary and you’ll be hooked for life. A local and tourist favorite, the seafood taco spot has a diverse menu that lets you build your own. This means you get to choose your fish, marinade, and prepare it whichever way you fancy— taco, salad, plate, or sandwich. 

If you’re not feeling particularly creative, order the award-winning TKO taco for an explosion of flavors. The grilled mahi-mahi is marinated in signature seasonings and topped with tropical mango salsa—we don’t know about you, but the thought alone is making us drool. 

The Top Spots for Fish Tacos in Ocean Beach

Wonderland Ocean Pub

Location: 5083 Santa Monica Avenue, San Diego

Renowned for hospitality and killer fish tacos, Wonderland Ocean Pub is one of California’s iconic eateries. According to the general manager of the bar and grill, the secret to great tacos is having fresh fish delivered daily. Add a bit of cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro, and white sauce to that fresh catch; it’s time you savor the signature Fresh Fish Taco, served on a crispy char-grilled tortilla with melted cheese on top. If you’re craving lobster tacos, you’ll find the best ones right here.

South Beach Bar and Grille 

Location: 5059 Newport Avenue, San Diego

Nestled in the heart of Ocean Beach, South Beach Bar and Grille is a beachfront eatery with arguably the best fish tacos in San Diego. This must-visit spot is home to the world-famous Mahi fish taco—visitors flock by the thousands. The Baja, calamari, lobster, and fried shrimp tacos are just as appetizing as the signature dish. Grab a seat at the wooden bar and watch the waves crash as you satisfy your cravings with one of the best fish tacos in Ocean Beach.

Incredible Fish Tacos in Mission Hills

Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop

Location: 1810 West Washington Street, San Diego

Gourmet tacos may sound odd, but add fish and they totally live up to the hype. Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop, commonly referred to as Lucha Libre, is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant serving the best fish tacos in Mission Hills. Take your pick between blackened Mahi or shrimp and enjoy the fusion of jack cheese, pico de gallo, cabbage, and serrano sauce. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the Undefeated Seafood Taco—it’s the best you’ll ever have in San Diego. 

Where to Get Delicious Fish Tacos in Mission Beach

Taco Surf

Location: 4657 Mission Boulevard, San Diego

Proudly serving the tastiest Mexican food in San Diego, Taco Surf personifies the Baja coast and the food that comes along with it. Walk through a metal screen door covered in old surf stickers and enter a taco paradise with entirely customizable foods. 

Taco Surf’s fried fish soft taco prepared with pescado, fresh pico, cheese, and guac is a slice of heaven served with lime and salsa. Another customer-favorite is the Baja fish taco, which is breaded white fish topped with cabbage, pico, guacamole, and the signature Baja sauce. Once you take a bite, you’re going to constantly ‘taco bout’ how it’s the best fish taco in Mission Beach.