El Pescador Fish Market & Restaurant

We go for the Yellowtail Collar which is incredible just like ordering Hamachi Kama at a Japanese restaurant. It’s supposed to be the best part of the fish. We broil it until the skin is crisp and the inside is cooked through. You can also grill it. El Pescador is the best Fish Market in my opinion. When I lived in La Jolla I went to the smaller restaurant and I am so happy they now have ample seating and a larger selection of fresh fish! I am never disappointed. I have also tried the Cod sandwich and it is to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to go to a casual spot for lunch in La Jolla.

Amazing salmon scallops service atmosphere beer selection tuna poky and grilled octopus. Thoroughly recommended

Had a great meal here!
Service was friendly and fast. Seafood is so fresh.
Ordered:
Sandwiches: salmon, ahi, swordfish, and bass. All big and delicious. Doesn’t come with sides.
Halibut plate served with a fresh salad and rice.
Oysters (so fresh and tasty)
Kids shrimp plate with grilled shrimp and rice.
The only criticism I have (and it’s really not a good one) is that there was limited options for my 4 year old. But really that’s his fault for being picky.
We loved it.

Came to this place bc the reviews are solid. While there is no denying that the fish is fresh, it was just okay in terms of flavor. I ordered a teriyaki salmon fillet over a bed of greens. For $ 15, it was a sizable piece of fish. My husband ordered the halibut sandwich, which was also quite large. The sandwich didn’t come with any chips and the salad didn’t have any bread. Both our fish happened to be bland, with very little seasoning. The sides were also minimal. The interior of the space was quite large though and very nice. The staff was attentive and helpful. We will go back and give it another shot, perhaps just a bland fish day.

Years ago, we feel in love with a fish market/​restaurant in the San Diego area and we’re hoping to find something again. This place met our expectations. The service was great, the seafood was amazing and it says something when the local fire department stops buy to pick something to eat. We also observed was appeared to be locals picking up a phone in order. We went for the full plate meal, and may go back before we leave for lunch and have the sandwich option.

Ordered the mussels and was thrilled when the bowl came. There must have been at least 20 mussels in there and most of them were the biggest mussels I have ever seen. So meaty! The broth was super tasty and there was a crusty sourdough roll to sop it up. Went there hungry and left full and happy.

First time here. Very fresh And Very tasty
Combo salad has excellent crab And shrimp.
The sea base burro was terrific. May have to come tomorrow…
Ambience is varied and welcoming :-)

Wow. what a great place!
Had the shrimp and yellowtail burrito and I must say it was the best seafood burrito I have ever eaten. highly recommend El Pescador if you are looking for very good seafood and a very cool relaxed atmosphere… plus they have a free parking lot. very rare in La Jolla

A rock solid fish restaurant with dishes that rival fine dining in the heart of La Jolla. Their winning combination includes top shelf fish and service with a smile — every time.
El Pescador is a San Diego classic, serving fresh and delicious seafood with preparations that you will love at a price point that does not bite. The menu is flexible enough that you can select from their seafood display and have it prepared as a plate, salad, taco or burrito. Just place your order, find a table and enjoy one of the best meals available in La Jolla. You can not go wrong, everything on the menu is fantastic with plenty of clean eating options.
The casual hip ambiance of their new location makes El Pescador an ideal stop during happy hour or a casual date. I have never been disappointed and have been a customer for nearly 30 years.

Man, did this place change for the better when they moved! It uses to be cramped/​crowded and the service used to be rather rude. But the beautiful new space is open, bright and spacious. And everything you could need is readily available, from utensils to ice water (plain and flavored with fruit), all things you would have to fight to the counter to ask for.
The service today was very friendly and efficient. I ordered the thresher shark sandwich with Cajun seasoning and avocados. It was amazing. The shark has a steak-​like consistency, and the Cajun seasoning complimented the flavor of the meat perfectly. Even the roll was great, being soft enough to not smash the sandwich when biting into it, but crunchy on the outside.
El Pescador is on the pricy side but you really get what you pay for.

Great place if you are looking for oysters, seafood salads, and sandwiches!
We stopped here for a quick bite before a movie. It was packed and we had to hover for a table, which is always a good sign.
We shared the ceviche and el pescador salad and loved both! The ceviche wasn’t too acidic and well priced! And while most seafood salads load up with other goods to hide that they skimped on the actual seafood, this one was loaded with the goods!
I will definitely come back when I need my seafood fix!

Got the Pescador salad and a small cup of california chowder.
A nice refreshing respite from the mega taco run I’ve been on. Salad was packed with an assortment of seafood, from dungeness crab to shrimp, to smoked salmon, among others. Opting for the avocado slices definitely provided an extra layer of texture and flavor to the dish.
Simply good. Worth returning for other menu items.

Simplicity at its best. One of my favorite places to eat when we’re visiting San Diego. I don’t think you can go wrong here in terms of the fish sandwiches. My favorites are halibut with lemon butter or the sea bass with olive oil/​garlic. The last time I was there, they didn’t have halibut, so I got the swordfish with lemon butter, which was equally amazing. The fish is always seasoned perfectly and never dry/​overcooked. It comes on a fresh torta roll with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Just thinking about the lemon butter is making my mouth water. Even though the sandwich doesn’t come with sides, I think it’s worth every penny.
Their new location is great! It feels so much more spacious, modern, and clean, although we typically take our sandwiches to-​go and picnic at The Cliffs.

WOW!!! This place is killer (Sorry Guy)!!! Visiting from one coastline to the other we were dying to get seafood. This place is no joke, most of there seafood is local, some shipped in, but all of it fresh!!!
My wife and I split 2 sandwiches, the Yellowfin and the Halibut, tender, flaky, fresh with absolutely no fishy taste, just clean fish taste!!!
I noted that one person states they need more seating??? I don’t see how, or where without blocking customers. I love the long high top tables as you get to meet new people while breaking bread. Totally awesome!!!
We wish Baltimore had a fish /​seafood restaurant and market like this!!!
We’ll be back, guaranteed!!!

I’d actually give it 3.5 stars but Unilocal doesn’t let you give half stars: P
Yes, this place has super fresh fish/​seafood (you can order off their menu or buy fresh fish/​seafood by the pound to take home and cook yourself); probably the best you can find in San Diego. They offer a variety of fish options as a sandwich, salad or plate. They also have tacos and other appetizers like clam chowder and ceviche.
But unfortunately a few things hold me back from giving it 4 or 5 stars:
— The parking is terrible (mostly street parking in a busy part of La Jolla; they have a small parking lot but often it’s full).
— Overpriced food ($ 15 for a halibut salad with 4 small pieces of fish, $ 12 for a sandwich that doesn’t come with any sides).
— Not enough seats (the place is small with 30 – 40 seats). The multiple times I’ve been there, I’m standing around stalking people as they finish their meals hoping to grab their table before someone else does. It’s also very annoying because people will try to save tables even before they place an order or the rest of their party gets there.
— The food takes a while to come out (most orders take 15 – 20 minutes but longer if it’s the lunch or dinner rush).
The food is tasty but given the steep prices and difficult seating situation, I wouldn’t come here on a regular basis.

This is one of my favorite places to get seafood in sd. The new building is a huge improvement from the small little market they were at before.
Fish plates are always good. You can get a salad, plate, burrito, sandwhich or fish tacos. They also have fresh seafood to buy to take home and cook yourself.
–clam chowder: has good flavor but is more on the watery side which I actually prefer. There aren’t a ton of clam pieces in it. But overall a tasty clam chowder.
–cioppino: this cioppino had huge chunks of fish. It is possible to get full off of a bowl of cioppino. Other than that didn’t notice any other seafood in the cioppino.
Ambiance: I like the modern décor. It is a lot more spacious than the other place, but during lunch and dinner it is still difficult to find a place to sit.
–street parking only– :(

The fish is so fresh! They were out of the poke (SAD!) so we opted for the ceviche. Just enough kick and accompanied by tortilla chips. Chowder was good but standard. Also tried the swordfish sandwich which was tasty. The bread had a nice chew.
I would definitely come back here for lunch/​dinner. Casual atmosphere and some good selections for wine/​beer if you are in the mood for that.

I love the new place. Larger, airy and spacious. They have a few small tables set near the window for groups of 4 or less and two large community tables with high chairs in the center. Parking isn’t too tricky even on busy days, but seating inside can be a premium if you are looking to dine in (especially during the lunch hour rush). The menu is still the same, with daily specials written on the board. It might be considered a bit pricey given the amount of food you get, but the fish is so fresh and delicious; this is what you’re paying for! They have a beautiful display of all the selection of fish (cuts and whole), shellfish, mollusks, etc. that you can take home to cook yourself. Every time I stare at it, I go into a seafood trance. At the other end of the restaurant there’s a menu for the selection of wine and craft beers that they have to choose from, pretty decent choices and prices. This is one of my favorite places for quick and amazing seafood

Great food with awesome selection. My only gripe was they overcooked my son’s salmon. Other than that, everything was perfect. Pricey, but worth it.

Walking through the doors you will be greeted by an assortment of seafood behind the counter. The restaurant shares a small corner to an array of seafood to take home, which does not interrupt the modern design of the restaurant. As for the food, it easily matches the ambiance that is set.

First off if you’re a seafood foodie… You have to check this place out. Great place to get seafood! They have so much selection on fish.
Came at a perfect time before it started getting busy for dinner. It is self seating and you just walk to the register to order. They have two separate registers as well. One to order food the other to order beverages/​alcohol. The food quality was great — my favorite was the sashimi and ceviche. Prices are reasonable since they are seafood don’t be expecting it to be dirt cheap, lol. To make it short, sweet, and to the point this place is a must try!

We were really excited to try this place, based on the awesome reviews and pictures on Unilocal.It definitely didn’t live up to the hype, and was sadly overpriced. I wouldn’t say this place is awful, but we wouldn’t bother coming back.
Seating – huge mess. It’s a free-​for-​all, and you have to awkwardly hover to try to get a table. We gave up and sat outside.
Wait time for food – much longer than expected. We had a simple order, so it shouldn’t have taken long. But we sat outside for a good while, wondering whether they just didn’t check outside when bringing out food. Nope, turns out their service is just slow.
Cioppino – too little seafood, too much vinegar. I usually LOVE cioppino and was looking forward to this more than anything. I couldn’t stomach more than a few spoonfuls.
Octopus and halibut salads– the preparation of the seafood itself was fine, but there was too little for what we paid for. And the salad was nothing special, just a typical salad in a bag you get from the grocery store.
We finished our dinner feeling hungry and wishing we’d gone with one of our other options… Good thing there’s a decent yogurt place down the street at least?

So glad they moved. They used to be across the street in a really tiny place. Now their place is big and actually pretty nicely decorated. The big windows bring in lots of sunlight so it’s super nice sitting by the window. Parking isn’t all that good but there’s plenty of street parking. Just make sure to avoid the traffic jam. Line moves pretty quickly and there’s plenty of seating. Tried the sea bass sandwich this time. Feels like their portions got a little but smaller but still really good so wont complain. The prices are on the steeper side so don’t freak out but you get what you paid for. Definitely try it once!

3.5 stars. Note: Besides the menu on the overhead board above the ordering counter, they have a paper menu with a much more extensive food selection. I wish I knew this before ordering. With that said, we ordered the clam chowder and the fish tacos. The clam chowder had great flavor, but it didn’t come with anything. A piece of bread would have been nice. The fish tacos (2 pieces) were decent. The pieces of fish were good sized, but the tacos could have used more sauce/​flavor.
The place was a crowded so may be difficult to find a seat.

As my foodie adventures continue if have to say once agin, I am blown away. Kind of came here on a whim with a friend who had been wanting to go for a long time O-​M-​G thank goodness we did.
I ordered the house yellowtail fish sandwich and my friend got the teriyaki salmon plate. Both were listed on the speciality board that’s above the cashier. Boy we were not disappointed! My sandwich was delicious and the fish cooked perfectly. Juicy, tender, and flakey. I’m not sure what kind of bread it came on but I got it with avocado and it went perfectly with the (tartar?) sauce, lettuce, and red onions. So simple yet so amazing. My friend’s salmon was also cooked to perfection. Nice caramelized crunch on the outside yet flakey and tender on the inside. It came with rice (she got brown) and some grilled veggies on the side. So bomb!
Inside was nice and clean. Menus are available in a basket next to the cashier. You can probably order any fish you like as a sandwich, plate, or burrito. They will take the food to your table. You can also buy fresh fish as they have a small fish market style set up to the left of where you pay.
Definitely coming back to try everything

My wallet took a hurting after coming here but you are getting exactly what you are expecting: Fresh Quality Seafood and that ain’t cheap.
Pretty good Selection. I had about 15 orders (between 3 of us)
And my notable favorites were the Scallops (grilled or sautéed) and the Big Jumbo Shrimp. Like seriously those babies were AMAZING. The Seabass and Octopus were also quite wonderful.
Oysters: good, not the best I’ve had nor a great selection but it got the job done. Cioppino and clam chowder were nothing to brag about and I give em an «ehhhh ok, sure, whatever».
This place gets packed midday and on.
Portions are average, what did you expect it’s seafood!
So yes my wallet took a massive beating but I left beyond stuffed and my Seafood Rx was met with great satisfaction.
Will be back!

Unilocal highlight said taco but reviews said don’t get taco, get sandwich. Grrrr. Got tacos anyway… and a sandwich. They were both decent, but both lacked flavor. So much so that I wondered if maybe I missed out on some sort of sauce included in the restaurant or on the tables (I got my food to go and ate it about 10 minutes later). The fish was all good, but it was just too bland. I got a good variety of things because I had really high hopes for this place, but unfortunately, nothing measured up… not even close.
I’ll be back one day to give them another chance.

Ever since I moved to SD, I’ve been on the hunt for fresh fish markets and places to eat oysters and sashimi. This place has it all! When you walk in, it’s like you’re in an actual market, giving this joint a more local feel, like you know you’re in San Diego. The staff keeps this place clean of the bad fishy smell. It’s a good place to take someone visiting from inland.
The way you order your char-​grilled seafood is in the form of a torta (sandwich), salad, or a plate. I really like the sandwiches. Every fish listed comes with a description of the sauces used for it, and if you know me, you know i LOVE my sauces. For example, the local Sea Bass is flavored with lemon and garlic, the Idaho Rainbow Trout in lemon butter, and the Yellowtail in House Marinade. I love me a good fish and sauce pairing!
You can add avocado to your sandwiches which is something I highly recommend. The seared tuna is seared perfectly and melts in your mouth. The clam chowder isn’t phenomenal but a great addition to a sandwich.
FRESH FOOD: The oysters were so juicy and sweet. It comes with their special mignonette sauce. A good mignonette sauce isn’t something you will find at cheaper oyster places. For a half dozen, its $ 11.95, double the price you pay for dollar oysters at happy hour locations but I don’t mind paying that price. We also tried the sashimi plate which comes with seaweed salad, a biiiiig plus for me!
The only con is that the price of the fish here is a little pricier than other SD fish markets.

One star each for amazing décor, service, taste and quality, and minus one for prices being a little high compared to other San Diego fish markets. It’s La Jolla though and they just remodeled to this location so I get it.
Nevertheless, I really LOVED going here with my family because the vibe is so comfy and the food tasted so fresh and delicious. I had tuna sashimi and the scallops plate with rice, salad and grilled jalapeños/​onion, both were fantastic. Mr Man ordered fish tacos and two Allagash’s and we were both so happy with our meals.
Our table also shared a whole grilled octopus and it was divineeeee!!! They also let you bring your own wine for a $ 10 corkage which is reasonable for a nice place so that was really cool. We all loved our dishes and I can’t wait to return here!

Solid place to come when you are craving fresh fish. Note: if you want the FRESHEST of the fresh, just ask one of the workers which is the freshest and they’ll tell you what was caught that day or most recently.
Seating can be hard if you come during a busy time. Keep your eyes out for any patrons that are wrapping up their meal so you can quickly snatch their table/​seats.
Pick your fish. If you want something meatier, pick the swordfish – I do recommend if that’s what you’re craving. But really, anything you pick will be delicious. It’s perfectly cooked. Lightly seasoned to complement (and not overpower) the freshness of the fish.
Decide if you want it with just a salad, as a sandwich or in a plate. You can’t go wrong with any choice. If you choose the salad, add an avocado (even though there’s an additional fee)!
Finally pick a beer or wine to go with your fish and ENJOY!
I also tried the CEVICHE and the SASHIMI. Of course they were both fresh. However, I think if I’m coming to El Pescador, I’d rather stick with the main meal. these appetizers didn’t add much to my dining experience.

After frolicking through the tide pools, a friend and I came to Pescadero for a late lunch. We beat the unexpected 3pm rush and had our choice of seats.
We ordered the fish tacos and a salmon burger. I enjoyed the nice breeze and the citrusy water during our pretty short wait time for food. My salmon burger was pleasant and I loved the toasted bun. The salmon itself was flavorful and substantial. The fish taco of the day was snapper. Not my favorite, but with the extra avocado, still a tasty treat. The snapper was a bit bland, but the remaining components of the taco were fulfilling. The taco took skill to eat due to the large size, but that’s always a plus in my book.
The restaurant was very clean and open, and the bathroom smelled great. Our server was good and the guy behind the counter was quite helpful. I would eat the salmon burger again and try another taco option.

YUM. Who could hate a sandwich that has locally caught seafood that is freshly prepared in a delicious garlic sauce? NOBODY. My boyfriend and I dropped by on a Tuesday night and ordered about $ 60 worth of food for us and his family. Which… was more than enough for 5 people. We were hungry. The food was absolutely delicious and it was nice that they had a seating area for the people that are waiting for their food.
My only complaint is that I waited for about 5 – 10 minutes extra because of the miscommunication that happened behind the counter. My food was ready to go and just sitting there but they didn’t realize until I asked. It got pretty busy after I got there so I don’t blame them for that mishap. I’ll definitely be back!

Why is there too much to choose from! I swear I spent a whole 10 mins just reviewing their extensive menu not knowing what to order. I asked for recommendations and all sounded good but honestly didn’t help because now I want more!!!
So I finally decided on a Combo sandwich (Crab and Shrimp on toasted sourdough) for $ 14. We were in a party of 9. I was one of the first people to order and one of the last people to get my order, which was odd. It wasn’t busy as we arrived at 830p on a weeknight. Anyways, my food finally arrived. The portion was good (for me), but if you’re someone who likes to grub, then this may not be a good portion for you.
I understand they moved into a bigger space, and I really like the restaurant. Lots of tables and seating — even for large parties! The bathrooms are super clean too.
Great place to stop in if you’re in the Bird Rock area.

This place has yet to disappoint me. I have now eaten at El Pescador at least a half dozen times, and each time I am impressed. I have had food both to eat in and take out.
You cannot go wrong whether you set yourself up with some apps, or go with one of the entrees. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, almost every fish you can imagine can be grilled to perfection and slapped between the appropriate bread. If you want a little bit more of a meal, you can get a plate with some fresh veggies and white rice. I strongly recommend the halibut. It is so light and tasty!
Last night, I ordered the El Pescador salad togo. I had a long day, and after watching the Republican Circus/​Debate, I just wanted something quick to bring back and eat. The salad is one of the pricier items ($ 17.95), but could honestly feed two people with a typical Cali appetite. I was almost able to kill it myself, and this was my first meal since breakfast. The variety of seafood makes this dish so fabulous. Bay shrimp, Large Shrimp, Jumbo Crab, Dungeness crab and the best smoked salmon you can find, all piled high on a bed of fresh greens. I recommend getting the vinaigrette (the norm) with it. They also have beer and wine, or flavored water if you just want a free water with your meal.
The only thing I have tried that was lackluster was the Ceviche. This is not to say that it is bad, because it absolutely was not. There is just better around. This is a great place to go and a good showcase if you want to show off a good place to eat to out of towners. Parking sucks, but it sucks everywhere. Park a few blocks south and walk. It is good for you.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes to the freshest seafood there is.
I’m so glad my friend told me about this place! The only thing she didn’t tell me was that the kitchen opened at 11. I mean I guess that’s lunch time but I was a tourist, how was I suppose to know. There was no signs either. Lol.
I got the ahi tuna tacos, the halibut rice plate, crab sandwich and the clam chowder. First the tacos, wow! I’ve never had ahi tuna tacos before. I mean every bite was dripping with juice from the tuna. I wasn’t too excited about the sauce though. It didn’t really stand out too much. I mean the fish stole the show lol. The halibut with rice and grilled veggies are a must! I mean it was so delicious. The halibut on its own was flakey and melts in your mouth! I definitely wanted more. The clam chowder was sooooo good! There was a clam in every bite! I would pass on the crab sandwich though. It was just meh.
I would go here for their fresh catches! Then watch then grill it and brought out to your table. But man there were way too man testosterone at this place. Lol no female workers at all!

This is one of my favorite recommendations to give when out of towners come to visit. Thankfully, they’ve expanded their little business so there’s a lot more seating and there’s even a parking lot, although their lot is still somewhat small.
My favorite item hands down is definitely the dungeoness crab sandwich with avocado (an extra dollar charge). I’ve gotten it without the avocado and it is just not the same. It definitely adds a creamier texture to the sandwich. You can even get the bread toasted. So with a crunchy exterior, shredded crab and creamy interior, you just can’t go wrong. It’s also really tasty with some hot sauce on it.
I’ve also tried their clam chowder, which comes in a bread bowl. It’s not the best clam chowder I’ve had, but it’s pretty decent. Their ceviche is also pretty darn tasty. I’ve heard their fish is pretty fresh and I’m hoping to try another one of their dishes next time I come!

I can’t believe I’m just finding out about El Pescador now! This place is just steps away from my favorite pilates studio and I must have passed it a zillion times in the last year.
Fresh seafood at incredible prices — around $ 10 – 13 for filet sandwiches and a few bucks more for fresh fish/​crab/​shrimp on top of a big salad. Can’t beat that value for dinner and it’s delicious! They even have Dungeness crab which is hard to find in Southern California.
Last night, I ate the swordfish sandwich ($ 11) and it was hands down the best fish sandwich I have ever had. The fish was as fresh as it gets, delicately cooked so as to maintain a moist and flaky state. The mayo-​based sauce added even more flavor to the gently seasoned filet. It’s served on a torta roll, which I was told was toasted but it was actually cold. Still the fish inside was so darn good it almost didn’t matter. El Pescador, please toast the bun next time – it will make it so much better!
The location is beautiful, with incandescent bulbs in a rustic modern setting. There’s a long communal wood table, which is where I had my first experience last night.
My friend ordered steamed clams that we shared and she also enjoyed the cioppino which she said is her favorite thing there. I didn’t care for the soup but certainly appreciated how fresh the vegetables and big chunks of fish were.
We both had food envy eyeing our neighbors’ incredible fresh crab salads (I’m getting that next time!) and hearty clam chowder (ditto!).
Even the self-​serve «tap» water was delicious! It tasted clean and filtered and with fresh lemons.
There were tons of fresh, raw seafood in the display case including scallops, octopus (tako) and more! This place is like Point Loma Seafood but smaller, and with a non-​tourist feel and a gorgeous dining room. Plus I thought the food was much better!
El Pescador, please toast my bread and I’ll give you a fifth star!