The Fish Market

The Fish Market is a waterfront seafood restaurant at 750 N Harbor Dr on San Diego's Embarcadero, California, with views over San Diego Bay. The building combines two experiences: a casual ground-floor restaurant and fish counter, and the upstairs Top of the Market dining room, which is the more formal and expensive option. The cuisine is seafood, and the concept is tied to a fresh-fish retail and wholesale heritage, so the menu emphasises grilled fresh fish chosen from a changing selection. Clam chowder is a signature starter, and the sushi bar offers rolls and nigiri for diners who prefer raw preparations. There is no Michelin recognition to cite, but the upstairs room is the city's traditional choice for a celebration meal with a harbour outlook. The downstairs space is noisy, family-friendly and informal, with tables near the water, and ordering is relaxed; the upstairs room is quieter, with table service, a more polished dress standard and a fuller wine list. Beverage options include a seafood-oriented wine list, local beers and cocktails. Prices vary by floor: the main restaurant runs about $25-50 per person, while Top of the Market is in the higher bracket. Reservations are recommended for Top of the Market, particularly at sunset and on weekends, and can be booked online; booking a week or more ahead is prudent for holidays and cruise-ship days. The downstairs side is usually first come, first served. The Embarcadero location puts the restaurant close to the Maritime Museum, the USS Midway, and the harbour walking path, so it fits naturally into a day of waterfront sightseeing. Paid parking is available nearby, and trolley and bus services reach the area. Hours vary, so the restaurant's website should be checked.