The 12 Best Fish Tacos in San Diego for Every Occasion

From cheap eats to fancy fish tacos with a view.

By darlene horn

Published on 04/01/2021 at 11:10 PM

Editor’s note: Dining restrictions are changing often and without much warning due to the COVID pandemic. We recommend double-checking the hours and dining options available at any establishment prior to your visit. If you’re in craving fish tacos, there’s no shortage of places offering their own takes around San Diego. Although the delicacy originated in Baja California, fish tacos made their way to San Diego where they are beloved by locals as well as out-of-towners looking for flaky fish nestled inside a soft tortilla. While the question of who serves the best fish tacos in San Diego is a controversial subject to say the least, we broke it down into 12 manageable categories to help you find a fish taco that suits your needs:

Best Fusion Fish Taco: God Save The Cuisine

Visit Facebook for schedule
As mentioned, fish tacos are a Baja California creation, but what if they originated in England? That’s what God Save the Cuisine, a local food truck specializing in British cuisine, aims to achieve with its version. The fish and chips taco is what you’ll want to order. It’s like the name suggests: local-beer-battered fish with thick-cut fries tossed in salt and malt vinegar served in a pliable tortilla. Check their Facebook page for the truck’s schedule.

The Most Iconic Fish Taco: Rubio’s

Multiple locations
The story of Rubio’s is the stuff of legends and it begins with founder Ralph Rubio. While on spring break from San Diego State University, Rubio and a bunch of friends traveled to San Felipe, Mexico, where he discovered fish tacos from a small vendor. He was smitten with the concoction and in 1986, opened his first shop in Pacific Beach. From there, his concept took off, expanding to more than 200 franchises in four states. While Ralph Rubio is no longer the CEO, you can still taste the original fish taco at all locations.

Best Fancy Fish Taco: George’s at the Cove

La Jolla
Just being in the exclusive La Jolla neighborhood places this restaurant in the fancy category. The menu features swanky modern California cuisine as well as an amazing fish taco that includes yellowfin tuna with California-grown avocado and corn nuts. The item is only found on the starter portion of the dinner menu.

Fish Tacos with the Best Tortilla: Galaxy Taco

La Jolla
Tortillas usually play second fiddle to the filling but trust us when we say the tortillas at Galaxy Tacos are in a category of their own. The secret is landrace corn, an ancient variety shipped from Oaxaca, Mexico. From there, Galaxy cooks and grinds it daily, creating a naturally indigo-hued tortilla free of lard or wheat. Featured in all of Galaxy’s tacos, it shines in the Baja-fried fish taco which features chile lime crema, avocado mousse, cabbage, and pico de gallo.

Best Variety of Fish Tacos: Fish Shop

Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Encinitas
With eight varieties of fish to choose from, including a seasonal catch plus the option to deep fry or grill (which also includes a choice of eight different marinades), Fish Shop has endless combinations of fish tacos. Go with your gut or ask for suggestions if you’re indecisive on where to begin.

Best Beer-Battered Fish Tacos: Coronado Brewing Company

Coronado, Imperial Beach
Beer is kind of a big deal in San Diego with breweries seemingly in every neighborhood. If your love for beer extends to beer-battered fish tacos, look no further than Coronado Brewing Company. The brewery’s restaurant incorporates its own Seacoast Pilsner into its batter, producing a crispy, light-as-air cocoon surrounding each cod filet. Every taco is dressed with tartar sauce, cotija cheese, pico and cabbage.

Best Fish Tacos with a View: Tin Fish

Imperial Beach
You’ll have to travel south of Downtown San Diego to Tin Fish’s Imperial Beach location for unobstructed views of the ocean. The casual eatery, located on the pier, has plenty of outdoor dining options ranging from benches to tables. As for fish tacos, choose from grilled or fried fish tacos with salmon, swordfish, mahi-mahi, or cod.

Best Bang for Your Buck Fish Taco: TJ Oyster Bar

Bonita, Chula Vista
South Bay’s oldie but goodie has slowly increased the prices over the years for its basic fish taco, but it still ranks high on best bang for buck based on size and taste. The price of $2.75 per taco crammed with chunky fried filets topped with tomato, mayo, and cabbage means you can order your fill without breaking the bank.

Best Fish Taco from a Truck: Kikos Place Seafood

Mission Valley
Fish taco aficionados can find this mobile eatery parked along Mission Center Road next to a gas station. Their claim to fame are their San Felipe-style seafood specialities and for fish tacos that means loads of flavor packed into every savory bite.

Best Fish Tacos Available 24/7: Coxitan

Multiple locations
When the fish taco craving hits in the middle of the night, know that Coxitan is always open. Locations in Clairemont, Mira Mesa, Encinitas, and Poway mean you’ll never be far from freshly fried fish tacos topped with shredded cabbage and white sauce no matter what time it is.

Best Rule-Breaking Fish Taco: City Tacos

Multiple locations
If you’re looking for your basic fish taco at City Tacos, their pescado taco hits all the notes- battered fish with cabbage, onion, tomato, and its house chipotle aioli. For something different, order the Veracruz mahi. Ingredients like green olives, capers, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and a white wine sauce topping a grilled filet promise you’ll look at fish tacos differently.

Fish Tacos with an Amazing Cocktail Menu: Lola 55

East Village
The usual beer and fish taco combo pales in comparison to the cocktail menu at Downtown San Diego’s Lola 55. The Baja-style fish taco featuring local fish with a chorizo-tomato vinaigrette, frisee, pickled serranos, and purple basil is a taste sensation by itself. You can’t go wrong pairing the taco with the requisite house margarita featuring Lola 55’s grapefruit cordial and Espolòn tequila, or any of the cocktails that incorporates the restaurant’s housemade agua frescas. A fine selection of beers and non-alcoholic beverages are also available.Sign up here for our daily San Diego email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.

Darlene Horn grew up in South Bay San Diego eating paletas at Oasis Ice Cream. You can find her perusing frozen food confections when she isn’t playing with her dog, Doctor. Find her on Twitter as @DarleneEats.

San Diego

How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in San Diego

Check out female-led dance programs, pop up markets, beer dinners, and more events this March.

By michelle harris

Published on 03/03/2023 at 09:48

Photo by Bianca Quirino Photography l Courtesy of Simplemente Chingona

Women have played a huge part shaping San Diego into the city it is today. In celebration of Women’s History Month, there are a variety of events across the city that commemorate women’s contributions to our community and culture. Home to the Women’s Museum of California, which hosts events throughout the year, be sure to check out all the ways to support and honor women this month. From art exhibits to dance performances, pop-up markets and yoga, check out the best events to celebrate Women’s History Month in San Diego:

Photo courtesy of The San Diego Museum of Art

Discover works from overlooked women artists

Ongoing through November 7, 2023
Balboa Park
The San Diego Museum of Art currently has 20 modern and contemporary works of art on display from women who unjustly didn’t receive the same amount of fame as their male contemporaries. The museum’s Modern Women exhibit is your chance to see work from artists like Elaine de Kooning and Lee Krasner, who were overshadowed by artist husbands Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock but whose work has long deserved its own moment in the spotlight. The collection showcases pieces that range from acrylic paintings to photography, inviting us into an untapped artistic sphere.
Cost: $20

Practice Sun Salutations while supporting a good cause

Saturday, March 4, 10 am to 11 am
Pacific Beach
Make a difference in the lives of teen girls of colour while taking a yoga class at Kate Sessions Park. Organized by local nonprofit One Love Movement, all donations for the event go towards college scholarships for girls of the DETOUR F.A.N.C.Y. Expo & Leadership Academy, a mentorship program that promotes equity and inclusion in higher education for girls of colour. All while enjoying stunning views of Mission Bay.
Cost: Donation-based

Shop local women-owned businesses

Sunday, March 5, 1 pm to 5 pm
Middletown
What better way to celebrate the women in your community than by supporting their local businesses? The Women’s History Month Market, located in the FEMX Quarters venue, is a pop up market you don’t want to miss. The market will feature over 35 vendors from women artisans and you’ll find uniquely crafted sunglasses, jewellery, clothing, and more. The family-friendly (and pet-friendly) event will also include food and music.
Cost: Free

Drink beer crafted by female brewers on International Women’s Day

Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Escondido
Women were the original brewers of ale, after all, so it only makes sense to honour our past and present beer connoisseurs with dinner and brews. Located at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Stone International Women’s Day Beer Dinner features three courses, each paired with a tasty beer specially brewed by a team of women at Stone Brewery. The event is part of a larger global celebration for International Women’s Day, where brewers all over the world brew a speciality beer that supports The Pink Boots Society, a non profit that empowers women and non-binary people in the beer industry through scholarships and education. Grab your tickets while you can! 21+
Cost: $50-$70

Attend an exhibition celebrating female and non-binary artists

Saturday, March 11, 5:00 pm
Barrio Logan
Head over to the entertainment and community venue Corazon del Barrio and show your support to female and non-binary artists, whose art and music will be featured in the Diosa Art Show. Around 40 artists are on the bill at this all-ages event.
Cost: Free

Drink some pints for the pups

Saturday, March 11, 12 pm to 4 pm
Carmel Mountain
If you need another excuse to down some brews, Second Chance Beer Company is hosting its first ever Ladies & Pups Market for Women’s History Month. The brewery, which holds various events throughout the year, donates a percentage of its sales to animal rescue organizations in California and Arizona. The dog-friendly market will include pop ups from women-owned businesses such as Bold Bouquet, Wet Nose Pottery, and No, You Sit! Treats. For the occasion, Second Chance will serve Fistful of Gummies – Berry Edition, a rendition of their fruited sour beer created in collaboration with Pink Boots Society, an organization that supports women and non-binary individuals in the beer industry.
Cost: Free

Photo courtesy of Women's Museum of California — Photo courtesy of Women’s Museum of California

Attend a ceremony at the Women’s Museum of California

Saturday, March 18, 11 am to 1 pm
Rolando
Perhaps San Diego’s largest Women’s History Month event, the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes local women for their achievements in the community. The annual event, which takes place at Joan B. Kroc Theatre, is a project of the Women’s Museum of California, a museum dedicated to educating the public about women’s contributions through history with exhibits, programs, and events. Over 100 women have been inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame since the program was founded in 2001, and this year’s class includes notable women like activist Norma Chávez-Peterson and Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. The event includes a VIP brunch followed by the Induction Ceremony. Be sure to purchase tickets early to secure your spot.
Cost: $20-$150

Join a community of local women and get inspired

Monday, March 20, 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Miramar
The Women’s Speaker Series at Alesmith Brewing Company is a monthly community gathering where local women come together to support one another in achieving professional and personal goals. The event includes a social hour followed by a selected speaker. For this month, the Women’s Speaker Series features career coach and small business owner Laura Bashore, who will share her insight on how you can advance your career or business. Make sure to reserve your spot before attending!
Cost: Free

Come hear about the roles San Diego women played during World War II

Tuesday, March 21, 1 pm to 3 pm
Mission Valley
In the early 20th century, many women were not allowed or expected to be the breadwinners for their households, but things suddenly changed with the United States’ entry into World War II. Here’s your chance to learn about the real experiences of women who lived through WWll and how they navigated through it all. Presented by Oasis San Diego, head over to Mission Valley Library to attend this in-person event.
Cost: Free

Photo by Carly Topazio l Courtesy of The Rosin Box Project

Attend a ballet program choreographed entirely by women

Thursday, March 23 – Saturday, March 25 & Monday, March 27, 7:30 pm
Liberty Station
Experience not one but three world premiere ballet performances at The Rosin Box Project, a contemporary ballet company that works to redefine the concept of dance and how it’s experienced for both artists and audiences. To coincide with Women’s History Month, TRBP is kicking off its 2023 season with Empower, a female-led ballet program choreographed by TRBO Residents Lauren Flower, Bethany Green, and Carly Topazio. The program, which takes place at Light Box Theater, offers a fresh take on dance by pushing the boundaries of traditional ballet. Your ticket includes a post-show reception.
Cost: $45

Hear music by a little-known female early 20th-century composer

Friday, March 24, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
Balboa Park
While you may not be familiar with composer Alice Barnett Stevenson, she played an integral part in San Diego’s music scene during the early 1900s. Stevenson was an active member of various music organizations at the time, and she composed art songs for voice and piano and performed at schools all over the country. Her home became a hub for local recitals from visiting musicians, and was also where the San Diego Symphony was founded. This month, you can hear her compositions performed live for the first time in nearly 100 years at the San Diego History Center. Selected works by Stevenson will be performed by musical scholar Katina Mitchell and pianist Yewon Lee. Be sure to reserve tickets ahead of time.
Cost: $25-$40

Listen to Black San Diego women discuss important community issues

Saturday, March 25, 12 pm to 4 pm
Valencia Park
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Friends of Malcolm X Library are hosting Ain’t I a Woman, an event featuring Black women who will be speaking about their professions and discussing the challenges faced within the workplace and the community while offering suggestions on how to further enhance and embrace equality. The event includes a Q&A panel discussion, door prizes, free raffles, as well as music, poetry, and dance. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your spot early.
Cost: Free event. Lunch purchase is $15.

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Michelle Harris is an Editorial Assistant at Thrillist. Over the years her writing has also appeared in Atlas Obscura, Mental Floss, and Audubon Magazine. When she’s not busy typing, she enjoys hiking, road trips, and cooking vegan food.