Dining outside with a bib strapped around your neck while noshing on fresh crab legs and crawfish is the epitome of summer. Or how about devouring a lobster feast with a drizzle of warm butter? Maybe Fish ‘n Chips with a tangy tartar sauce is more your style. Hungry yet? Then head to one of these Southern California seafood shacks and order up your favorite dish.
- Fisherman’s Outlet – Los Angeles
yelp/Eric s.
yelp/lyla d. This is the kind of place only locals know about. You’ll often find a huge line out the door, so you know this spot must be good. Pictured here: the Charbroiled Seafood Sampler.
- Star Crab – Riverside
yelp/ydk
yelp/yd k. You know when you see butcher paper on the table instead of a tablecloth that things are about to get messy. Looks like you’ll definitely need a bib for this tasty seafood shack.
- Lobster West – Ecinitas
yelp/heather s.
yelp/chrissi o. It’s not very often that we Southern Californians get to experience a taste of New England without leaving home. Thankfully we have Lobster West serving up fresh Maine lobster rolls that are beyond delicious.
- Harbor Fish and Chips – Oceanside
yelp/keith y.
yelp/jeremy m. Since 1969, this family-owned restaurant has been serving up the best Fish ‘N Chips in San Diego County. What’s better than the fish ’n chips? Perhaps the location right on the water with an epic harbor view.
- Chez Jay – Santa Monica
yelp/chez jay
yelp/sandy k. This is a legendary seafood joint in Santa Monica that completely captures the classic seafood shack you see in old movies. An upscale dive that is a blast to experience whenever you’re in Santa Monica. Make sure to order the clams!
- Neptune’s Net – Malibu
yelp/ashley ta’nique
yelp/chezy y. Fresh steamed lobster on a paper plate!! Nothing fancy about it, but it sure is delicious.
- Catalina Fish Kitchen and Seafood Deli – Costa Mesa
yelp/jay o.
yelp/tianna m. Catalina Fish Kitchen is a great destination for a seafood feast. If you’re stumped on what to order at this gem in Costa Mesa, go for the shrimp ceviche – it’s one of their specialities.
- The Boiling Crab – Alhambra
yelp/alan n.
yelp/jeff b. Don’t wear anything fancy at this seafood shack as the meal is designed to be messy. Put on that bib and dig in with your hands for a crab feast to-die-for.
- Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market and Patio Cafe
yelp/sophia p.
yelp/jeff h.
yelp/tyler b. Fresh is the name of the game here. A line like this doesn’t lie. People are lined out the door for good reason; not only is the seafood fresh, but the location and outdoor patio are hard to beat.
- Captain Kidd’s Fish Market – Redondo Beach
yelp/dino d.
yelp/terry k. Look at those claws! You can dig into these bad babies along King Harbor in Redondo Beach.
There’s something about a seafood shack that screams of summer. Any favorite spots in Southern California that didn’t make the list? We all have our favorites, so let us know in the comments which seafood shack is your destination of choice.
yelp/Eric s.
yelp/lyla d.
This is the kind of place only locals know about. You’ll often find a huge line out the door, so you know this spot must be good. Pictured here: the Charbroiled Seafood Sampler.
yelp/ydk
yelp/yd k.
You know when you see butcher paper on the table instead of a tablecloth that things are about to get messy. Looks like you’ll definitely need a bib for this tasty seafood shack.
yelp/heather s.
yelp/chrissi o.
It’s not very often that we Southern Californians get to experience a taste of New England without leaving home. Thankfully we have Lobster West serving up fresh Maine lobster rolls that are beyond delicious.
yelp/keith y.
yelp/jeremy m.
Since 1969, this family-owned restaurant has been serving up the best Fish ‘N Chips in San Diego County. What’s better than the fish ’n chips? Perhaps the location right on the water with an epic harbor view.
yelp/chez jay
yelp/sandy k.
This is a legendary seafood joint in Santa Monica that completely captures the classic seafood shack you see in old movies. An upscale dive that is a blast to experience whenever you’re in Santa Monica. Make sure to order the clams!
yelp/ashley ta’nique
yelp/chezy y.
Fresh steamed lobster on a paper plate!! Nothing fancy about it, but it sure is delicious.
yelp/jay o.
yelp/tianna m.
Catalina Fish Kitchen is a great destination for a seafood feast. If you’re stumped on what to order at this gem in Costa Mesa, go for the shrimp ceviche – it’s one of their specialities.
yelp/alan n.
yelp/jeff b.
Don’t wear anything fancy at this seafood shack as the meal is designed to be messy. Put on that bib and dig in with your hands for a crab feast to-die-for.
yelp/sophia p.
yelp/jeff h.
yelp/tyler b.
Fresh is the name of the game here. A line like this doesn’t lie. People are lined out the door for good reason; not only is the seafood fresh, but the location and outdoor patio are hard to beat.
yelp/dino d.
yelp/terry k.
Look at those claws! You can dig into these bad babies along King Harbor in Redondo Beach.
You won’t find fancy white tablecloths at these casual eateries. If you’re looking for a seafood restaurant that’s more upscale, then head over to this list of SoCal seafood restaurants that are perfect for a night of fine dining.
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