Seafood$$embarcaderoSat 08:00-15:00
Open-air fishermen-run seafood market on Harbor Lane at Tuna Harbor, Saturdays 8am to 1pm; tuna, halibut, prawns, sea urchin from local hook-and-line boats.
Order: Local yellowfin tuna loin, opah, spot prawns
Why locals love it: A Saturday-only fisherman-to-public dock market behind Seaport Village, rotating 70-plus local species sold direct from the boats.
Tip: Arrive by 09:00 for the best sashimi-grade tuna; the cutting station portions whole fish on the spot.
Japanese sushi$$north-park
Soichi Sushi is a michelin-starred omakase counter in a converted university heights bungalow with no signage and a twelve-seat bar, easy to walk past.
Order: Chef's omakase, the kanpachi nigiri
Why locals love it: A Michelin-starred omakase counter in a converted University Heights bungalow with no signage and a twelve-seat bar, easy to walk past.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead for the omakase; the a la carte counter takes walk-ins around 17:30 most weeknights.
Japanese$$$$pacific-beach
Sushi Ota in San Diego is Yukito Ota's Mission Bay Drive room since 1990, the strip-mall sushi counter that has trained more San Diego sushi chefs than any.
Signature: Omakase, Uni nigiri, Kanpachi sashimi
Order: The omakase, ordered by sitting at the counter and asking the chef directly.
Tip: Book the counter, not the dining room. The strip-mall location is intentional; ignore the parking lot and step inside.
Japanese$$$old-town
Sushi Tadokoro in San Diego is Mitsui Tadokoro's Old Town omakase counter, the long-running Michelin Guide-listed Japanese kitchen with traditional.
Signature: Omakase, Toro sashimi, Tempura
Order: The omakase nigiri course; the toro sashimi with grated wasabi made tableside.
Tip: Reservations strongly recommended; the counter seats twelve and books out a week ahead.
Seafood$$$little-italy
Ironside Fish and Oyster in San Diego is the Little Italy raw bar from Consortium Holdings, an India Street room with a piranha-skull installation and a wide.
Signature: Oyster tower, Connecticut lobster roll, Whole grilled branzino
Order: Connecticut-style lobster roll, hot with butter; the oyster tower to share.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar runs $2 oysters Mon-Fri 3-5pm; the back patio gets sun until 7pm.