Anthony's Fish Grotto

(619) 232-5103

1360 N Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101 32.719383 -117.173118

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Core - Columbia, Central, Central San Diego

GOFISHANTHONYS.COM

Years in business

Established in 1946

Hours:

daily 11am-10pm

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.18.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Historic Setting, View Dining, Business Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Seafood

Other Locations:

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Anthony's Fish Grotto

Featured Review

Amy Eddo

Contributor

In Short – Panoramic views of San Diego Bay procure fresh-catch cravings at this long established waterfront eatery. An all encompassing coastal atmosphere, the dining room extends over the water's edge and bayside windows add to guests' enjoyment of seafood favorites. Weather permitting, dine on the patio; salty air pairs nicely with a steaming cup of chowder, a range of fish-fry items or fusion specialties such as the crispy California roll with avocado, crab and crispy panko crust. – – – –

Editor's Tips

Where to sit:
It's no secret that bay front windows provide breathtaking views. These seats are worth the wait, so enjoy an appetizer at the bar in the meantime.
Save Money:
Dine for lunch and enjoy the same menu entrees at the half price.
Parking:
Metered parking is typically full and surrounding pay lots are expensive, but might be worth the additional cost.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a fun and great place to come down to get grab a bite to eat with the family.”
  2. “This restaurant has rather tacky decor, so don't go here if you're hoping for good ambiance.”
atmosphere
100.0% positive
  1. “nice view, poor food”
  2. “you are hoping for good ambiance”
  3. “the atmosphere and food were great”
food quality
85.29000282287598% positive
  1. “My boyfriend ordered fish tacos and they were delicious, I ordered the Kabob (recommended by our waitress) and each item was delicious and cooked to the perfect texture.”
  2. “The food was very good, the service was excellent, the menu had a wide variety of items to choose f.”
  3. “and fresh bread was included.”
  4. “i had the anthony 's fresh catch special for$ 20”
  5. “had the Anthony's fresh catch special for $20 and it tasted like frozen fish and not fresh at all.”
  6. “each item was delicious and cooked to the perfect texture”
  7. “great food!”
  8. “The food is good, but by no means outstanding.”
  9. “quick food and great clam chowder”
  10. “Shrimp had too much breading, scallop was not fresh, and clam strips were much more rubbery than normal.”
  11. “found the service to be exceptional the waiters and waitress were friendly and attentive, the food was great, some of the best sea food”
  12. “the seafood is fresh and excellently prepared.”
  13. “The grotto continues this tradition of good hearty food while having a g.”
  14. “Anthony's is where people end up who don't know the great places to get fresh fish in San Diego.”
  15. “this is a casual fast food, just perfect for a quick lunch or dinner while sight-seeing in san diego”
  16. “scallop was not fresh, and.”
  17. “a side of rice pilaf was a good match”
  18. “nice view, poor food”
  19. “the new england clam chowder was decent”
  20. “the cole slaw was also delicious”
  21. “The food was mediocre to bad.”
  22. “The fish is always fresh and they serve an amazing sun dried t.”
  23. “the rice pilaf was not really liked by my friends”
  24. “the food was mediocre to bad.”
  25. “the fried platter is not very good.”
  26. “the food is good, but by no means outstanding.”
  27. “This is right on the harbor, and has fresh fish every day.”
  28. “Nothing seemed fresh and not surprizingly tasted frozen.”
  29. “Anthony's Fish Grotto is a local chain of seafood restaurant that prides itself on its hometown origins, length of service, and fresh catches.”
  30. “The New England clam chowder was decent but they ran out of sourdough bowls.”
  31. “the atmosphere and food were great”
  32. “Great food.”
  33. “The seafood is fresh.”
  34. “anthony 's fish grotto is a local chain of seafood restaurant that, length of service, and fresh catches.”
  35. “The rice pilaf wasn't really liked by my friends but the cole slaw was also delicious.”
  36. “it tasted like frozen fish and not fresh at all”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was very good, the service was excellent, the menu had a wide variety of items to choose f.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “highly recommend this place!”
  2. “i went for lunch and was not disappointed.”
  3. “This is a fun and great place to come down to get grab a bite to eat with the family.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Anthony's Fish Grotto is a local chain of seafood restaurant that prides itself on its hometown origins, length of service, and fresh catches.”
  2. “My boyfriend ordered fish tacos and they were delicious, I ordered the Kabob (recommended by our waitress) and each item was delicious and cooked to the perfect texture.”
  3. “actually cannot complain about the service my waitress was excellent.”
  4. “Anthony's is where people end up who don't know the great places to get fresh fish in San Diego.”
  5. “The food was very good, the service was excellent, the menu had a wide variety of items to choose f.”
  6. “my waitress was excellent”
  7. “the service was great and fast.”
  8. “anthony 's fish grotto is a local chain of seafood restaurant that, length of service, and fresh catches.”
  9. “found the service to be exceptional the waiters and waitress were friendly and attentive, the food was great, some of the best sea food”
  10. “i had great service.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “the wait for a good seat, even on a slow night, is long and tedious.”
  2. “The wait for a good seat, even on a slow night, is long and tedious.”
  3. “this is a casual fast food, just perfect for a quick lunch or dinner while sight-seeing in san diego”
  4. “quick food and great clam chowder”
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/08/11

you'll wish you went somewhere else

by luigi14 at Citysearch

The place is expensive, outdated and serves very mediocre fare. Skip this toursit trap and pick another waterfront spot.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/06/10

Great fish tacos!

by Stever65 at Citysearch

They are a little pricey but talk about some good fish tacos. Their food is really good and the view is fantastic I just wish they were a little bit more affordable. It seems like you are paying for the view.

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/01/09

Nice View, Poor Food

by OAT at Citysearch

Being a resident of San Diego for many years, I tend to stay away from tourist spots but I was invited to have lunch there .

The view in the dining area is second to none but the entrance and the dining room itself have the feel of a bargain casino from the 80s.The food is not much better. Nothing seemed fresh and not surprizingly tasted frozen. Everything on our plates was fried and breaded.

Presentation on the plate also was also stuck in the 80s. Sadly enough, unjustified prices on the menu are more for the view than for the quality - or lack of it - of the food. Stay away or just have a drink for the view and eat elsewhere. San Diego has so much better to offer.

  • Pros: View
  • Cons: Dated settings, food quality
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/02/09

Four star prices......

Contributor at Citysearch

I would definately not recommend Anthony's. Being originally from Monterey area in CA and now in Tucson my wife and I thought we would try this place out on a recent visit to SD. To start the restaurant looks like an OLD Las Vegas buffet. The prices are way over the top for the quality of the food. Truly four star prices at a one or two star quality level. The New England clam chowder was decent but they ran out of sourdough bowls. I had the Anthony's fresh catch special for $20 and it tasted like frozen fish and not fresh at all. My wife had the battered shrimp platter for $25 and only got 9 pieces of shrimp. The food presentation looked like a ren year old placed it on the plate. I actually cannot complain about the service my waitress was excellent.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/19/08

Great FOOD!!

by awdreviewer at Citysearch

My friends and I were visiting from out of town and walked to this place (near our hotel). We ordered the calamari for appetizer and it was delicious and cooked to perfection! My boyfriend ordered fish tacos and they were delicious, I ordered the Kabob (recommended by our waitress) and each item was delicious and cooked to the perfect texture. The rice pilaf wasn't really liked by my friends but the cole slaw was also delicious. HIGHLY Recommend this place!!

  • Pros: food, beautiful view
  • Cons: rice pilaf

The Details on Anthony's Fish Grotto

Place Categories:

  • great casual fast food
  • great service
  • not good fried platter
  • fresh bread
  • nice view
  • recommended place
  • good match
  • not fresh frozen fish
  • not liked rice pilaf
  • not disappointed lunch
  • great hearty food
  • fresh fish
  • excellent waitress
  • attentive waiters
  • great place
  • not fresh scallop
  • best outdoor eatery
  • fresh nothing
  • not very good fried platter
  • definately not recommend anthony
  • good seat
  • amazing sun
  • best sea food
  • good ambiance
  • fresh catches
  • perfect texture
  • fresh seafood
  • decent new england clam chowder
  • mediocre food
  • not really liked rice pilaf
  • delicious cole slaw
  • excellent service
  • fresh catch special
Advertisement

Lists In San Diego

Recent Reviews In San Diego

2 Star Rating: Below Average

Dick's Last Resort

345 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Manhattan Of La Jolla

7766 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA

Advertisement