Many Pismo Beach seafood restaurants claim to have the best, most fresh fish around, but it’s hard to tell where to find the actual best. Below, we detail some of the Pismo Beach fresh seafood restaurants known specifically for their oysters and clams. Use this list to guide you during your trip to find the best seafood during your visit.
Splash Cafe
Splash Café has been a staple of Pismo Beach since 1989. While their décor and ambiance may seem casual and beachy, their seafood is very gourmet. Splash Café is known primarily for their clam chowder. It has been featured in national publications many times, and even won awards.
While we can’t reveal their secret, they do share that a lot of the chowder’s taste comes from the fact that they utilize three different types of clams. Other favorites on the menu in Splash Café are fresh salmon tacos and crispy fish and chips. Have a little sweet tooth after dinner? Splash Café is also a full service bakery!
Pismo Fish and Chips
If you are a fan of fried fish, then Pismo Fish and Chips is right up your alley. While many people may associate fried fish with poor quality seafood, Pismo Fish and Chips does it differently. Their fried options use the freshest of fish, so their menu items always taste fresh and delicious. Looking for oysters? Pismo Fish and Chips offers both fresh and fried oysters on their menu, in addition to a wide variety of other fish, like shark and swordfish. Pismo Fish and Chips has been a staple of the area since 1963, and has been a family business since day one.
Oyster Loft
Oyster Loft is one of Pismo Beach’s more upscale seafood restaurants. Oyster Loft utilizes all local and freshly caught seafood that is prepared each day. One of the features on the menu are the fresh Pismo Beach oysters. The type of oyster changes daily, as the chef chooses the best oysters on the market for each day. Because of this, you know you are getting the highest quality oysters possible. In addition to oysters, the menu has a wide variety of other cooked and raw fish to offer. The scallop carpaccio is a popular example of a raw fish menu item.
Cracked Crab
While the ambiance and décor are casual and beachy, the seafood is fresh and high-quality. The menu for the Cracked Crab changes daily based on the seafood available, making sure every menu item is fresh from the local ships. This allows the chef to choose only the best fish for his restaurant and create the menu around what is available that day.
Some common favorites are crab cocktail, steamed clams, Alaskan King Crab, and Maine Lobster Tail. No matter what day you go, you are sure to find the freshest, most delicious seafood prepared in new and interesting ways.
Plan Your Adventure
If you are staying at one of the beautiful Pismo Beach rentals, you are sure to have a memorable meal at any of these fine establishments mentioned above. Choose the restaurant that most fits your personal preferences, or try them all!
Wooly’s Beach Bar and Grill
Wooly’s Beach Bar and Grill is another casual eatery that offers Pismo Beach fresh seafood. One of the most popular items on the menu here are the Chowder Fries. These waffle fries are topped with fresh clam chowder, cheese, bacon, and green onions for a delicious treat any time of the day. If you’re interested in something a little healthier, Wooly’s Beach Bar and Grill also offers fresh steamed clams cooked in white wine and herbs.
SeaVenture
On the third floor of the Sea Venture Beach Hotel is a luxurious seafood restaurant with stunning panoramic views of the ocean. Chef Steven Smeets uses fresh seafood and locally sourced produce to create his contemporary coastal cuisine. His menu, inspired by the surrounding local wine country, features delightful pairings and interesting flavors for a unique and one-of-a-kind experience. One of the freshest and most delightful things on the menu is called The Sea Venture. This entrée is a combination of shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, fish, sausage, rice, and tomato fume.
