Bright colors and beautiful decor create an inviting space with both indoor and outdoor seating, including a cozy patio with heaters and cover. Atmosphere feels authentic and relaxing, suitable for casual dining with fresh air and friendly energy. A standout feature is the fantastic salsa bar offering a range of heat levels.
Lunch includes custom orders like the fish burrito not listed on the menu. California burritos appear as a popular choice for midday meals.
Fish tacos come fried to perfection with high quality ingredients and tasty salsas. Shrimp tacos feature a roasted poblano pepper layer that stands out.
"The seafood tacos here are fresh, perfectly cooked, and amazing."
"This lunch spot's tacos are amazing, especially the crunchy beef."
Good to know
Taco Time Cantina offers unique taco options not available anywhere else.
The chef makes everything daily from scratch with over 20 years of experience.
Expect a 2% credit card surcharge not listed on the menu.
Fish market and restaurant combine with fresh seafood display behind a glass counter. Outdoor patio lined with cacti offers a relaxed coastal vibe and spacious seating options. The atmosphere feels buzzy and inviting, drawing people who appreciate fresh fish and casual dining.
Fresh seafood stands out for a quick lunch here. The spot serves simple, fast meals focused on quality fish.
Offers freshest seafood with consistently high quality. Features a true fish market atmosphere combined with a restaurant serving standout items like the best fish sandwich and fish burrito.
"The seafood here is so fresh and delicious."
"The swordfish sandwich at this Lunch Spot is excellent."
Good to know
El Pescador Fish Market operates on a first come, first serve basis; no reservations accepted.
Expect long lines on Saturday afternoons, especially during peak hours.
Parking can be challenging; consider arriving early to secure a spot.
Small sushi restaurant with authentic atmosphere and subtle Japanese decor creates a quiet, intimate vibe. Space feels comfortable and unpretentious, with an open front allowing fresh air inside. Fish quality stands out as exceptionally fresh and high-grade.
Lunch hours stay calm with no crowd. Offers lunch options suitable for a quick meal.
Fish comes extremely fresh, almost like it was just caught, with high quality cuts like Hon maguro and hamachi. Sushi includes shrimp and uni with innovative sauces and beautiful presentation.
"The seafood here is so fresh, it tastes like it was just caught."
"This Lunch Spot's nigiri is so fresh, it melts in your mouth."
Good to know
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, due to limited seating.
Omakase is available Monday through Thursday with 24 hours advance reservations.
Parking is available nearby, but can be limited during peak hours.
Indoor and outdoor seating offer a relaxed yet elegant Thai style with patio heaters for comfort. The space features clean lines and inviting decor, including a wooden bench with heart pillows. Atmosphere feels pleasant and well maintained, blending beauty with a calm vibe.
Lunch specials offer great value with generous portions. Options like the panang curry and eggplant tofu come highly recommended and taste delicious.
Fish dishes come pre-cut for easy eating and include options like whole fish pad cha and Tom Kha fish. Shrimp Pad see-ew offers a medium spicy level around 3 to 4.
"The lunch specials here have generous portions for the price."
"The seafood here is delicious, especially the whole fish."
Good to know
The lunch special offers generous portions at a great price.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available on the menu.
Happy hour specials for food and drink are offered.
Open-air Mediterranean restaurant offers breathtaking ocean views and an elevated patio that reduces street noise. Live music sets a classy beach town vibe with a vibrant atmosphere that feels both lively and welcoming.
Lunch offers a wide variety of menu options including crab cake, Chilean seabass, and burger. Service adds to the experience with attentive waitstaff.
Oysters come grilled or raw and are consistently delicious. The menu features seafood stew, shrimp tacos, and a whole grilled branzino, all fresh and flavorful.
"The seafood here is amazing and so affordable."
"This lunch spot's meatballs were outstanding, perfectly paired with sauce."
Good to know
Happy hour offers great prices on drinks and appetizers.
The happy hour menu is available upon request from the staff.
Parking is generally easy, but can be difficult during peak hours.
Cozy converted building with indoor and outdoor seating including a heated shaded patio creates a homey vibe. Numerous sports screens and live music add casual energy. The atmosphere feels low-energy and relaxed, attracting those who enjoy a quiet spot for drinks and games.
Offers a relaxed and easy lunch experience with a lovely atmosphere.
Shrimp burger comes with crispy fries. Fish tacos and fish and chips stand out with lemon pepper aioli and chipotle aioli. Bruschetta also adds a nice touch to the seafood options.
"I enjoyed the battered fried fish and chips."
"The beer selection here is really great."
Good to know
Half-off burgers are available on Tuesdays.
Happy hour offers daily specials, including half-price sliders.
Parking is plentiful near the restaurant.
Restaurant offers a relaxed beachy vibe with authentic Mexican energy and lively music that keeps noise levels comfortable for conversation. Interior features stunning, detailed decor and a spacious, dog-friendly patio. Atmosphere suits both family outings and date nights, blending cleanliness with uplifting design.
Offers a relaxed atmosphere suitable for lunch. Serves meals that fit both casual and special occasions during midday.
Fresh seafood stands out with real Mexican flavors. The zarandeado fish cooks perfectly, highlighting the quality and care in preparation.
"The seafood here is served by attentive and friendly staff."
"This Lunch Spot's food tasted so fresh and well-prepared."
Good to know
Reservations are recommended due to high demand, especially on weekends.
Parking is limited; expect challenges finding street parking nearby.
The restaurant has a dog-friendly patio for outdoor dining.
Restaurant offers ocean and beach views with semi-outdoor patio seating that creates a cozy and warm atmosphere. The vibe is laid-back and pet-friendly, attracting those who enjoy relaxing meals with scenic surroundings.
Lunch offers delicious Thai food with quick seating. The spot suits a casual midday meal.
Seafood dishes feature fresh ingredients with shrimp that comes out perfectly crispy. Fried fish is also crispy and pairs well with fried rice or pineapple fried rice.
"This lunch spot's duck noodles and summer rolls are recommended."
"The seafood here is so fresh and perfectly crispy."
Good to know
Happy hour runs all week long with discounted drinks and appetizers.
Street parking is available, but can be hard to find.
Reservations are not required, and seating is often available immediately for lunch.
Bar and grill with ocean views and an indoor-outdoor second story creates a lively, cozy atmosphere. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and popular, while multiple sports TVs show several games simultaneously. The place fills up and gets loud, especially later in the evening.
Generous portions and a warm, charming setting make lunch here enjoyable. It suits family trips and casual work outings with a reliable, comfortable vibe.
Fish tacos stand out with their blackened seasoning and bold flavor. The fish and chips come highly recommended and deliver a delicious, crispy experience.
"I found the beer battered cod to be delicious."
"The Lunch Spot's service was friendly and excellent."
Good to know
Parking at The Spot can be challenging.
They have Trivia Night on Tuesdays.
Happy Hour gives $3 off appetizers.
Small space with about six booths inside and a few tables outside creates an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Warm lighting and tasteful decor blend traditional Chinese elements with modern style, making it a quiet, vibey spot. Popular and often busy, it draws diners who appreciate consistent quality and generous portions.
Lunch offers excellent portion sizes and affordable prices compared to dinner. The Kung Pao Scallops lunch includes soup and appetizers with attentive and helpful staff.
Shrimp dishes stand out with options like honey walnut shrimp and ku ting shrimp drawing praise. Seafood fried rice and crispy wontons add variety, though shrimp can sometimes be overcooked.
"The Kung Pao Scallops lunch here was excellent."
"I found the Chinese food here to be the best in San Diego."
Good to know
Reservations are not accepted due to the small size of the restaurant.
Expect to wait for a table during busy dinner hours, especially on weekends.
Lunch prices are lower than dinner prices, providing a more affordable option.
Small, cozy café with laid-back beachy vibe and broad menu featuring healthy, flavorful options including vegetarian and vegan dishes. Seating includes metal chairs indoors and outdoor tables, though outdoor seating can be unstable. Offers outlets and wifi for working in a casual setting.
Extensive menu covers both breakfast and lunch options. Offers solid choices for takeout and casual dining with latte selections.
Shrimp comes cured perfectly and appears even in unexpected dishes like a vegetarian wrap. The menu offers a broad selection including various seafood options alongside other items.
"This lunch spot's food is fresh, delicious, and a great value."
"The seafood here is so fresh, the shrimp was cured perfectly."
Good to know
Fresheria offers an extensive menu with breakfast and lunch options.
The prices are reasonable, especially for the large portion sizes.
Expect a variety of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
Outdoor seating offers ocean views with heaters and umbrellas for comfort. The atmosphere is lively and noisy with live guitar music and football highlights playing. Large, dog-friendly bar and fun, colorful vibe attract a diverse crowd.
Lunch here offers immediate seating on the patio with a beautiful ocean view from up the hill. The 3-6 PM happy hour works well for a late lunch or early dinner.
Shrimp tacos stand out with rich flavor and are highly praised. Fish tacos come out excellent, and the shrimp ceviche offers plenty of shrimp and good taste. The Shrimp Nachos also get a solid recommendation.
"The seafood tacos here are flavorful and really good."
"I loved watching the world go by from this lunch spot's patio."
Good to know
Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 PM with discounted drinks and snacks.
Discounted tacos are available until 7:00 PM.
A surcharge fee applies when paying with a credit card.