Each year, from the Saturday before the first Wednesday in October until the Wednesday after March 15, recreational divers with a California Department of Fish & Wildlife Spiny Lobster Report Card and a valid recreational fishing license are permitted to catch spiny lobsters in San Diego County. Unlike their East Coast counterpart, Maine lobsters, California and Baja's spiny lobsters are known for their firm, sweet, and delicate tail meat, with no large claws.
While recreational divers can start gathering lobsters immediately, commercial fishing begins on Wednesday, October 2, meaning most restaurants will feature fresh spiny lobster starting then and continuing throughout the season into 2025.
From La Jolla to Oceanside, seafood lovers can look forward to savoring the signature flavors of California spiny lobster. Here's a roundup of some of the best places to indulge in this seasonal delicacy across San Diego:
While recreational divers can start gathering lobsters immediately, commercial fishing begins on Wednesday, October 2, meaning most restaurants will feature fresh spiny lobster starting then and continuing throughout the season into 2025.
From La Jolla to Oceanside, seafood lovers can look forward to savoring the signature flavors of California spiny lobster. Here's a roundup of some of the best places to indulge in this seasonal delicacy across San Diego:
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| Mitch's Lobsterman's Stew |
Mitch's Seafood, Point Loma - A San Diego favorite, Mitch’s Seafood sources its spiny lobsters straight from local fishermen at the adjacent docks. Offering half or full lobsters "Puerto Nuevo style" - fried a la plancha and served with tortillas, pico de gallo, elote-seasoned corn, and slaw - it’s as fresh as it gets. Mitch’s will also feature a Lobsterman’s Stew with a half lobster added to their signature fisherman's stew, which we sampled last year for the first time. It's AMAZING!
Tunaville Market & Grocery, Point Loma - San Diego seafood icon Tommy Gomes, who is the award-wining host of The Fishmonger television series on the Outdoor Channel, will sell the season's freshest lobster catch at his seafood market located on Driscolls Wharf in Point Loma. For seafood aficionados, this is the best place to get your spiny lobster fresh off the boat, as well as tons of other seafood and products.
Cellar Hand, Hillcrest - At this Hillcrest hotspot, Executive Chef Logan Kendall will prepare spiny lobster sourced directly from Tommy Gomes. Last year, Kendall's dish of lobster a la plancha with boursin butter, watercress, pickled pear, and lemon oil was a standout.
Top of the Market (Downtown) & The Fish Market, Downtown & Del Mar - These sister restaurants will feature spiny lobster all season long. Known for their signature Puerto Nuevo-style preparation, they will also offer spiny lobster as an add-on in dishes like cioppino. Both locations promise an exceptional dining experience with breathtaking views.
Las Olas, Cardiff - This iconic Mexican restaurant will celebrate lobster season with a whole spiny lobster served Puerto Nuevo-style, complemented by guacamole, salsa fresca, tortillas, and melted butter.
Catalina Offshore Products, Morena District - For those looking to prepare spiny lobster at home, this retail seafood market is a go-to destination, supplying top-quality lobsters to San Diego's best restaurants.
San Diego’s spiny lobster season runs until March 19, 2025, but the local supply often runs out early. Be sure to call ahead to your chosen restaurant or store to confirm availability before heading out. If we’ve missed any of your favorite spiny lobster spots, feel free to email us at [email protected], and we'll update this guide accordingly.
Tunaville Market & Grocery, Point Loma - San Diego seafood icon Tommy Gomes, who is the award-wining host of The Fishmonger television series on the Outdoor Channel, will sell the season's freshest lobster catch at his seafood market located on Driscolls Wharf in Point Loma. For seafood aficionados, this is the best place to get your spiny lobster fresh off the boat, as well as tons of other seafood and products.
Cellar Hand, Hillcrest - At this Hillcrest hotspot, Executive Chef Logan Kendall will prepare spiny lobster sourced directly from Tommy Gomes. Last year, Kendall's dish of lobster a la plancha with boursin butter, watercress, pickled pear, and lemon oil was a standout.
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| A Cowboy Star lobster special |
Cowboy Star, East Village - Chef Victor Jimenez will once again feature spiny lobster specials, with previous dishes including lobster with sauce Americaine and grilled mandarin.
Top of the Market (Downtown) & The Fish Market, Downtown & Del Mar - These sister restaurants will feature spiny lobster all season long. Known for their signature Puerto Nuevo-style preparation, they will also offer spiny lobster as an add-on in dishes like cioppino. Both locations promise an exceptional dining experience with breathtaking views.
Trattoria Cori Pastificio, North Park - World Pasta Champion Chef Accursio Lota will bring Italian flair to spiny lobster with fresh pasta creations, celebrating local ingredients and seasonal flavors.
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| Solare does it Italian-style |
Solare Ristorante, Point Loma - This Italian gem in Liberty Station will feature preparations such as house-made fettuccine with spiny lobster, cherry tomatoes, and basil, along with whole grilled spiny lobster served with basil butter and roasted vegetables.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, Downtown - At the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market on Saturdays, from 8am to 1pm, expect live local spiny lobsters at unbeatable off-the-boat prices, with market stands grilling up delicious spiny lobster dishes on-site.
The Fishery, Pacific Beach - Executive Chef Elliott Townsend will showcase spiny lobster in a variety of preparations. Last year, he served the crustacean with Chino Farms corn butter, Jimmy Nardello peppers, garlic and Karanchi chili crips. The menu at this PB mainstay changes weekly, so there’s always something new to try.
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| Matsu's preparation |
Matsu, Oceanside - Oceanside's modern Japanese fine dining restaurant will incorporate spiny lobster into its Chef William Eick's tasting menu, featuring unique pairings like spiny lobster with banana curry and krill caramel.
Las Olas, Cardiff - This iconic Mexican restaurant will celebrate lobster season with a whole spiny lobster served Puerto Nuevo-style, complemented by guacamole, salsa fresca, tortillas, and melted butter.
El Pescador Fish Market, La Jolla - This seafood market and restaurant has a consistent supply of spiny lobster throughout the season, available live for purchase or in various prepared dishes.
Ortega's Mexican Bistro, Hillcrest - This family-owned restaurant specializes in Puerto Nuevo-style lobster, hell they damn near built the town. Drawing from generations of expertise in preparing Baja-style seafood, expect the fresh catch featured in the traditional way.
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| The Red Door's spiny lobster risotto |
The Red Door, Mission Hills - Chef Luciano Cibelli will offer Italian-inspired spiny lobster dishes, including lobster atop risotto - perfect for fans of rich, comforting flavors.
King's Fish House, Mission Valley & Carlsbad - Known for their fresh seafood, "the house that seafood built" will once again feature spiny-tail lobster on their menu for the season. King's is owned by the same company that operates Water Grill and Lou & Mickey's in downtown San Diego.
Stake Chophouse & Bar, Coronado - This high-end steakhouse is doing a limited availability special with local lobsters. Last season's spiny lobster special featured mole-spiced lobster with Red Kuro squash puree. This year, expect a similarly creative and luxurious dish.
Point Loma Seafoods, Point Loma - With tanks full of fresh local spiny lobster, this seafood market will also serve lobster dishes in their casual dining space.
Catalina Offshore Products, Morena District - For those looking to prepare spiny lobster at home, this retail seafood market is a go-to destination, supplying top-quality lobsters to San Diego's best restaurants.
San Diego’s spiny lobster season runs until March 19, 2025, but the local supply often runs out early. Be sure to call ahead to your chosen restaurant or store to confirm availability before heading out. If we’ve missed any of your favorite spiny lobster spots, feel free to email us at [email protected], and we'll update this guide accordingly.
Originally published on October 3, 2024.
