Top 10 Must-Visit Seafood Restaurants in Los Angeles

This Boston import brought its signature tinned fish obsession and New England sensibility to the Sunset Strip, creating an instant hit with LA's seafood lovers. The Saltie Lobster Roll is the crown jewel—generous, buttery, and served with house-made chips that you'll be thinking about for days. The sleek, nautical-inspired interior with white subway tiles and navy accents creates an upscale-casual vibe that's perfect for everything from date nights to catching up with friends. Don't sleep on their impressive selection of premium tinned seafood from around the world.

This West Hollywood tribute to New England seafood shacks nails the East Coast aesthetic while sourcing impeccable West Coast ingredients. The New England Clam Chowder is the real deal—creamy, briny, and loaded with tender clams that would make a Bostonian weep with nostalgia. The retro nautical decor and marble-topped bar create a timeless atmosphere that works equally well for solo dining at the counter or celebratory group dinners. Their daily changing fish selection ensures there's always something new to try alongside the classics.

This East Hollywood newcomer has quickly become the neighborhood's go-to for exceptional oysters and natural wines in an intimate, industrial-chic setting. Their rotating oyster selection is curated with serious knowledge, and the Uni Toast—creamy, briny, and luxurious—has achieved cult status among local foodies. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious despite the quality, making it perfect for casual dates or catching up with friends over a bottle of something interesting. The compact space fills up fast, so reservations are highly recommended.

Perched along PCH with stunning ocean views, this Malibu staple has been serving some of the best fish and chips on the coast for decades from its no-frills outdoor setup. The Fish and Chips here are revelatory—perfectly crispy batter giving way to flaky, fresh fish that tastes like the ocean it came from. Don't expect tablecloths or waiters; you order at the counter, grab your tray, and find a picnic table with million-dollar views. It's casual California coastal dining at its most authentic, beloved by surfers, families, and anyone who appreciates quality over pretense.

This Manhattan Beach hotspot brings East Coast seafood shack vibes to the South Bay with seriously elevated execution and a killer oyster program. The Lobster Roll—served Connecticut-style with warm butter or Maine-style with mayo—is perfection on a bun and worth the drive alone. The nautical-chic interior and energetic bar scene make it ideal for groups of friends or post-beach dining, while the creative cocktail menu keeps things lively well into the evening. Arrive early or prepare to wait, especially on weekends when beach crowds descend.

This San Pedro institution is less a restaurant and more a Southern California experience, with sprawling waterfront seating and portions designed to feed small armies. Their famous Shrimp Tray—a mountain of seasoned shrimp with all the fixings—is the dish that's launched a thousand Instagram posts and kept families coming back for generations. Yes, it's touristy, and yes, you'll likely wait, but there's something undeniably fun about cracking crabs with ocean views while seagulls circle overhead. Perfect for large groups, families with kids, or anyone who believes more is more.

Chef Michael Cimarusti's Michelin-starred temple of seafood is where LA's culinary elite go for transcendent tasting menus that read like oceanic poetry. The ever-changing menu showcases the finest sustainable seafood, but the Santa Barbara Spot Prawn preparation (when in season) is the stuff of legend. This is special occasion dining at its finest—intimate, refined, and unforgettable, with impeccable service that makes you feel like royalty. Reservations are essential and should be made weeks in advance for this bucket-list experience.

Part fish market, part no-frills restaurant, this Downtown gem is where locals come for seriously fresh seafood without the markup. You can buy fish to take home or have them cook it right there—their fried whole fish with rice and beans is criminally underrated and absurdly satisfying. The utilitarian setting isn't fancy, but that's precisely the point; this is honest, delicious seafood at prices that seem frozen in time. Come hungry, come early, and prepare for portions that'll leave you taking home leftovers.

This Mexican seafood gem has taken LA by storm with its innovative Baja-inspired ceviches and impossibly fresh coastal flavors. The namesake Holbox Aguachile—a vibrant, spicy raw preparation that's as beautiful as it is delicious—is what put this spot on every food lover's radar. The casual, contemporary space with its open kitchen and lively energy makes it ideal for date nights or dining with adventurous friends who appreciate bold flavors. Despite the modest price point, the quality rivals restaurants charging twice as much.

This downtown institution has been the gold standard for upscale seafood dining in LA for years, drawing power lunchers and special occasion diners alike. The crudo bar is legendary, showcasing the freshest fish prepared with precision, while their signature Cioppino remains a staple that regulars order time and again. The elegant dining room with dark wood accents and crisp white tablecloths creates an old-school fine dining atmosphere perfect for business meetings or romantic dinners. Don't skip the oyster selection—their daily rotation features some of the West Coast's finest.