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Pacific Beach · $$ · Ranked in 2 lists
Last updated
The Fishery is a Pacific Beach spot ranked #3 of 5 in our Best Poke in San Diego list, scoring 88/100 in our Best Seafood Restaurants in San Diego. Order the poke bowl with market fish. The only poke in the county sourced from an actual fish market.
We scored The Fishery 88/100 in our full editorial review.
Read the full The Fishery reviewThe Fishery sits in Pacific Beach — coastal San Diego, 15 minutes northwest of downtown between Mission Beach and La Jolla. The area is known for the 3-mile Ocean Front Walk boardwalk, Crystal Pier, beach bars along Garnet Avenue, and beginner-friendly surf, and the feel is young, loud, and casual — the closest thing San Diego has to a permanent spring break. Parking: Free street parking, but circling is normal after 10 AM on summer weekends; paid lots near Crystal Pier.
Explore Pacific BeachOn our Best Poke in San Diego list, The Fishery lands at #3 of 5, just behind Pokéwan (87/100) and ahead of Pacific Catch (83/100). Poke One Fish Two Fish holds #1 with 88/100, so the gap is 2 points. It also appears on 1 other list in our San Diego coverage.
See the full Best Poke in San Diego rankingThe Fishery scores 86/100 against a best poke in san diego field that averages 85.4, running from 83 at the bottom to 88 at the top. That puts it 0.6 points above the category average and ahead of 2 of the 4 other places we scored. It lands 3rd of 5, and the category leader is 2 points clear.
Judged criterion by criterion, The Fishery separates itself most on atmosphere (84/100 versus a 73.2 category average). Its softest showing is value at 76, 8 points under the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for atmosphere, not for a clean sweep of every category.
| Criterion | The Fishery | Category avg. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taste | 91 | 89.2 | +1.8 |
| Consistency | 88 | 88.8 | -0.8 |
| Value | 76 | 84 | -8 |
| Atmosphere | 84 | 73.2 | +10.8 |
| Uniqueness | 88 | 80.4 | +7.6 |
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best poke in san diego.
Pacific Beach is dense enough that The Fishery rarely needs to be a standalone trip. We have scored at least six other ranked spots in the same neighborhood, so it is easy to stack a visit with Sushi Ota (93/100 in our best sushi in san diego list) or Rocky's Crown Pub (90/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
93/100 · #1 in best sushi in san diego · $80–180
90/100 · #2 in best burgers in san diego · $12–15
90/100 · #2 in best fish tacos in san diego · $10
89/100 · #2 in best breakfast burritos in san diego · $10–12
89/100 · #3 in best tiki bars in san diego · $15–19
88/100 · #7 in best sushi in san diego · $50–90
Yes, if you are in the neighborhood or nearby.
The Fishery scores 86/100 in our Best Poke in San Diego list (#3 of 5). It is strongest on taste (91) and consistency (88). The only poke in the county sourced from an actual fish market.
Skip it if value matters most to you — that is its weakest category (76/100).
The Fishery is a good fit for poke and seafood restaurants. Because it ranks #3 on our best poke in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in Pacific Beach rather than build a day around a long cross-town drive. Check live hours and availability before leaving, especially for a weekend visit.
Best tactical tip: Ask what came in that morning and order that instead of the standard bowl.
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Score 86/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Poke bowl with market fish · $18–26
The Fishery has operated as a wholesale seafood market since 1983, and the restaurant benefits directly. Poke uses whatever is freshest, which makes it the most variable and often the best bowl in town.
Local tip: Ask what came in that morning and order that instead of the standard bowl.
Score 88/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Local catch of the day · $$
The Fishery has been supplying San Diego restaurants for decades, and eating there means eating the same fish those kitchens buy. The room is plain and the cooking is straightforward, which is exactly the right call for very fresh fish.
Local tip: Ask what came in that morning; the printed menu lags the actual catch.
Scored with our ranking methodology — poke, seafood.
Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.