From oyster towers in Downtown LA to lobster rolls on the Santa Monica Pier, here are the best seafood restaurants in Los Angeles right now; ranked, fact-checked, and worth every bite.
Los Angeles doesn’t get enough credit as a seafood city. The ocean is right there; and so is some of the finest sustainable, chef-driven, raw-bar-forward seafood in the country.
Whether you’re chasing the city’s most revered oyster program, a legendary lobster roll with a Pacific view, or Hawaiian-style poke made with sushi-grade fish, LA delivers. Here are the best seafood restaurants in Los Angeles worth reserving a table — or standing in line — for right now.
1. Water Grill — Downtown LA
Water Grill has been serving seafood in Downtown Los Angeles since 1989, and it remains the city’s gold-standard seafood destination — an institution known for a menu that changes daily, with fish arriving boat-to-table within hours from their exclusive distribution operation. The raw bar anchors the experience, rotating through 10 to 12 oyster varieties daily. Housed in the Art Deco PacMutual Building with carved ceilings, brass doors, and marble walls, it has been called an “institution” by the Los Angeles Times. Book early. Dress sharp.
📍 544 S Grand Ave, Downtown LA
2. The Lobster — Santa Monica
Originally opened in 1923, The Lobster has been serving Santa Monica for over a century — an internationally recognized dining destination as much a part of Santa Monica’s history as the pier itself. The restaurant earned the Michelin Plate Award in 2019 and again in 2025, with a menu driven by celebrity chef Govind Armstrong and 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. This is not a casual lobster shack — it’s fine coastal dining with one of the best views in the city.
📍 1602 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica
3. Broad Street Oyster Co. — Grand Central Market, Downtown LA
If the oyster and lobster roll renaissance has a spiritual home in LA, it’s Broad Street Oyster Co. Located inside Grand Central Market, this counter-service spot punches well above its square footage with New England-style lobster rolls, fried oysters, clam chowder, and towering raw seafood platters. The vibe is unpretentious; the product is serious.
📍 317 S Broadway (Grand Central Market), Downtown LA
4. Fish Hopper — Redondo Beach
When locals want straightforward fish and chips done right, plus solid oysters and coastal classics without the Westside price tag, Fish Hopper in Redondo Beach delivers. It’s the kind of no-nonsense seafood spot that earns its regulars and keeps them.
📍 Redondo Beach
5. Poke-Poke — Multiple Locations
Hawaiian-style poke has become a staple of the LA food landscape, and Poke-Poke earns its spot on this list by committing to high-quality, sushi-grade fish. The bowls are fresh, customizable, and among the most consistent in the city. Multiple locations make it an easy call whenever the craving hits.
📍 Multiple LA locations
6. The Oyster Bar — Santa Monica
Oysters, clams, sushi, and ocean views make The Oyster Bar in Santa Monica a reliable destination for both locals and visitors who want direct access to fresh shellfish in a room that earns its name. Straightforward, well-executed, and hard to argue with.
📍 Santa Monica
7. Holy Basil — Downtown LA / Atwater Village
Holy Basil operates at 718 S Los Angeles St in DTLA and at 3170 Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village. It is a Bangkok street food concept — not a traditional seafood restaurant — but seafood specialties do appear on the menu, including Bangkok crab fried rice made with Dungeness crab. Worth visiting for bold Thai-seafood crossover dishes, but categorize it correctly.
📍 718 S Los Angeles St, DTLA | 3170 Glendale Blvd, Atwater Village
FAQ
What is the best seafood restaurant in Los Angeles?
Water Grill in Downtown LA is widely considered the city’s top seafood destination. Open since 1989, it offers a daily-changing menu, a raw bar rotating through 10–12 oyster varieties, and boat-to-table freshness that few restaurants in the city can match.
Where can I get lobster rolls in Los Angeles?
Broad Street Oyster Co. at Grand Central Market is the go-to for New England-style lobster rolls in DTLA. The Lobster in Santa Monica also serves lobster in several preparations with panoramic Pacific Ocean views.
Are there seafood restaurants with ocean views in LA?
Yes. The Lobster in Santa Monica sits at the top of the Santa Monica Pier with 180-degree views of the Pacific. The Oyster Bar in Santa Monica also offers ocean-facing dining.
Where can I get fresh oysters in Los Angeles?
Water Grill Downtown is the benchmark, rotating through 10–12 oyster varieties daily. Broad Street Oyster Co. and The Oyster Bar in Santa Monica are also strong options.
Is Salt Air Venice still open?
No. Salt Air on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice is permanently closed as of 2026. Several online lists still include it — verify any restaurant guide before making a reservation.
What is the oldest seafood restaurant in Los Angeles?
The Lobster in Santa Monica, established in 1923, is among the oldest continuously operating seafood restaurants in the city with over a century of history.
