A San Diego Guide | Seafood & Brews
Thanks to a vibrant craft brewery scene, we can now combine two of our favorite things when visiting San Diego: seafood & beer. Guided by foodie and San Diego local, Danielle Mettee-Befu, we hit up the hot spots.
Breakfast
Because seafood and beer is better for lunch and dinner. And sometimes you need to recharge with healthy food and coffee. Think of it as a culinary marathon, people.
The Mad Beet | 933 Garnet Avenue | Beyoncai Bowl (acai, peanut butter, strawberries, banana, granola, honey)
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters | Multiple Locations | La Jolla boasts the original Bird Rock Roasters (and included in our La Jolla guide), but due to their popularity, you can now enjoy a Trophy Wife or Sugar Daddy at a number of locations around San Diego.
Lunch
Catalina Offshore Products | 5202 Lovelock Street | A wholesale fish market that’s open to the public. You’ll think you’re lost when driving here due to it’s location among the warehouses, but the fish is fresh and will make you want to go home and cook a delicious meal immediately. Or, you can do what we did and get some uni (sea urchin) to go and continue on your seafood and brewery binge.
Ballast Point Brewery | 5401 Linda Vista Road | Take your uni to the Ballast Point Tasting Room and Home Brewing Mart and try three 4oz flights for $5. If you like spice, try the Thai Chili Wahoo. It’s compliments the sweet, creamy uni well.
The Fish Shop | 1775 Garnet Avenue | This is one of those places that you’ll dream about after leaving San Diego, and consider returning just to eat here again. What dishes are going to make you salivate in your dreams? The Shrimp Ceviche (has just the right amount of heat and generous avocado chunks) and the TKO Tacos. Otherwise, follow their easy 3 step process (1. Fish, 2. Marinade, 3. Style) to create your own perfect dish. Add an order of oysters to round out the meal.
Dinner
For dinner we head to North Park, San Diego’s hipster neighborhood. Bonus: it has great shopping, the best (or worst) activity after a couple of beers.
Mike Hess Brewery | 3812 Grim Avenue | Located in an industrial building with functioning beer vats in the front, come here for a drink and a board game before dinner - they have a stack of games behind the bar.
Underbelly | 750 W Fir Street #101 | Okay, this isn't seafood, but it's really good ramen. Add the beef dumplings to your dish for the full experience.
Modern Times Flavordome | 3000 Upas Street | Next door to Underbelly is the Modern Times Flavordome. Floppy disks cover the walls, old lampshades cover the ceiling. You are transported back to the 90's and earlier at this hip brewery. Try one of their flavored sour beers.
Alternate Dinner Option in North Park
Waypoint Public | 3794 30th Street | If you want to stay true to the seafood and beer theme, skip Underbelly and swap in Waypoint Public. They serve California-style cuisine and boast plentiful beer on tap.
Where to Shop
Pigment | 3801 30th Street | The cutest gifts arranged in ombre. Think jewelry, books, plants, stationary, water bottles, decor. Bonus: They have a photobooth!
Verbatim Books | 3793 30th Street | Get your indie book fix at Verbatim Books.
In Collaboration With
Huge thanks to our local guide, Danielle Mettee-Befu, for showing us around her hometown of San Diego. Cheers!
