A Guide to Seafood in LA

Fresh seafood is a big deal in Los Angeles. It’s part of the culture all throughout coastal Cali, but we think LA has some of the best seafood restaurants on the coast, bar none. 

As hardcore foodies in LA, we’re always looking for the best place to get the freshest seafood in the city, whether we’re talking about fresh fish, high-quality clams, or some spicy cajuncrab cakes. Whatever it is, we want it, and we want the best possible dining experience. That’s just how FoodGod does it.

We're here to guide you if you’re looking for great seafood in the LA area. From lobster rolls to calamari, we’ve scoured the city to find the best of the best and shared the results with you below.

Order From the Raw Bar

A raw bar serves cold, raw seafood and is a staple at LA fish markets and seafood restaurants. You can expect a raw bar to offer some delicious oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels in different shapes and sizes. Looking at all of it might be overwhelming at first, but you’re in for a treat if you’re willing to give it a try.

Look for Maine Lobster

Some of the restaurants we listed above are best known for their lobster, and Maine lobster is the creme de la creme of this beloved form of seafood. Maine lobster is sweet, succulent, and the perfect match for tons of butter. Don't pass it up if you can find a spot in LA, whether it’s a steakhouse or fish market, selling or serving Maine lobster.

Pair Your Meal With the Right Drink

Food and wine pairings are a big deal, but it’s easy to forget how much the right drink can enhance a meal. When it comes to seafood, drink pairings should be at the top of your priority list. 

Here’s a little guide to help you get the best possible experience:

• Drink a well-made G&T with fresh fish, whether it’s salmon, tuna, or tilapia.
  
• If you have lobster, a Mai Tai is a terrific drink option. The sweetness of the cocktail brings out the best in the rich, buttery lobster.
  
• The classic Bloody Mary and shrimp combination is a no-brainer. When you’ve got incredible grilled shrimp on your plate, the only thing that can make it better is a Bloody Mary with some extra kick to it.
  
• When enjoying a fine dining experience, ask for a wine recommendation. Upscale restaurants keep specific wines stocked that are meant to pair perfectly with different items on the menu. Choosing the wrong wine can lead to some weird combinations of flavors, but the right wine can make your meal come to life.

Order the Specialty

Every seafood restaurant is different, and no one does everything perfectly. You might get incredible king crab legs at one spot and delicious lobster risotto at another, but not vice versa. Wherever you go, look for the dish the restaurant is known for. This is especially true when it comes to seafood since freshness and the quality of ingredients can make or break the meal.

Crudo e Nudo

This creative raw bar is at 2724 Main Street in Santa Monica, and it’s the perfect place to satisfy your cravings for caviar or chow down at an insanely good oyster bar. Created by a chef, musician, and hospitality specialist, Crudo e Nudo pairs their next-level shellfish with carefully-selected wines.

Fishing With Dynamite

Fishing With Dynamite is probably best known for their unbelievable Peruvian scallops served in the half shell, but they have more to offer than just scallops. Amazing swordfish, crab cakes that taste like they came straight out of a Maryland diner by the Atlantic, and some insanely good squash rolls make Fishing With Dynamite worth a try for visitors and locals alike.

This Manhattan Beach eatery is located at 1148 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, California.

Mel’s Fish Shack

Mel’s brings comfort food, and we love to see it (and taste it). They’ve got the hush puppies, the collard greens, and the macaroni and cheese, but they’ve also got deep-fried fish that’ll make your eyes pop out of your head.

Mel's is a big winner if you want something in LA with some Southern soul. They’re located at 4524 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA.

Providence

Providence is it if you want a fine dining experience instead of just some tasty takeout. This is where you’ll find unparalleled plating and presentation with crazy, and we mean crazy, attention to detail. Go for the Alaskan King salmon or the A5 Wagyu steak with chard-stuffed morel mushrooms, then stay for the house-made Ecuadorian dark chocolate.

Bear in mind before you go: Providence is a prix fixe restaurant with a base cost of $295 per person and $125 for an additional wine pairing. We highly recommend grabbing a table ahead of time and preparing to have your mind blown.

Providence is at 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038.

Holbox

Holbox is where you’ll find some of LA's best and most inventive ceviche. They’re also the creators of some of the city’s best fish tacos, which come full of seared scallops. It’s love at first bite.

One of our favorites on the Holbox menu is the pulpo en su tinta taco, which is filled with crispy fried octopus soaked in calamari ink. We guarantee that it’s like nothing you’ve ever tried before.

Holbox is at 3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Found Oyster

This spot has some crazy condensed bisque, which they use to make their signature lobster rolls. Dip the rolls in the sauce, and you’ll experience something we don’t have words to describe (at least not here…). You can also grab amazing peel-your-own shrimp, scallop tostadas, and a glass of wine selected by the chefs to pair with your meal.

Found Oyster has another claim to fame: they serve natural wines. If you’re not into the trend yet, it’s one bandwagon we recommend hopping on.

This seafood spot is located at 4880 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant

The name says it all. Here, you can find what we think is the best stir-fried lobster in the LA area. It’s seafood with a signature Vietnamese-Chinese flair, and their house-made basil sauce, served with lobster tail or clams, will bring your taste buds back to life if they’ve been stuck in a rut.

This isn’t the most luxurious seafood restaurant LA has to offer — they’re located in a strip mall. Don’t judge a book by its cover, though. You'll be blown away if you give Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant a chance.

Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant is located at 4501 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770.

Newport Seafood

Newport Seafood is a win if you want a quick bite or have a big group with a big appetite. Located in the San Gabriel Valley, they’ve got some of the best whole lobster in the area.

After your plate gets to your table, you might feel overwhelmed — it’s often at least a few pounds of lobster. 

That’s why we recommend going to Newport Seafood when you want to share a bite with some friends. Order some whole lobster, split it between a couple of people, and you’ve got a good time on your hands.

Newport Seafood is located at 518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776.

Neptune’s Net

Located along the Pacific Coast Highway, Neptune’s Net is the place for some fresh seafood on your way from the beach. Their fried fish filet is a knockout, especially when you’re worn out and hungry after catching some waves. 

If you want to end up in a food coma feeling amazing, grab the fried or grilled mahi-mahi, chill in Neptune’s laid-back outdoor seating area, and enjoy.

Neptune’s Net is in Malibu at 42505 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265.

Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar

If you’re looking for mouthwatering mussels, Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar in Pasadena knocks it out of the park. They’ve got a relaxed bar, an open kitchen, and a classic Italian menu featuring lasagna, fried calamari, fried green beans, and jumbo shrimp.

We stopped at Gale’s and had mussels, sangria, and a cappuccino to wrap up dinner. It was perfect.

Gale’s is at 452 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105.

Los Angeles: Good Times and Good Seafood

LA is an incredible place to experience some of the world's best seafood. The ingredients are as fresh as possible, with the Pacific Coast right next door. Thanks to LA’s flair for culinary experimentation, there’s a good chance that you’ll experience flavors you never imagined could work so well together.

When you’re in LA next, pay a visit to as many of the seafood restaurants ranked above as possible.