Point Loma's Shelter Island has been missing something since 2023. That's when health inspectors shut down Fiddler's Green, the nautical restaurant at 2760 Shelter Island Drive that had served the marina crowd for close to three decades. The building sat dark for over a year. Locals noticed. And now, a $4.5 million project called The Boatyard is bringing it back to life with a team that reads like a San Diego restaurant all-star roster.
The Team Behind It
Executive Chef Jason McLeod isn't new to San Diego. He helped shape Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy, cooked at Born & Raised, and worked the line at Morning Glory. The man has a Michelin star on his resume. General Manager Chris Wood ran front-of-house at TRUST Restaurant Group and managed Ironside alongside McLeod. The two already know how to work together, which matters more than most people realize in a restaurant opening.
McLeod recently led a two-day intensive with the team to lock down labor timelines, service style, and back-of-house buildout. Wood has been onboarding new investors and mapping staff training. City permits and historical reviews slowed things down, but the ownership group says the delays gave them time to sharpen their plan.
What to Expect
The concept is what they're calling a "Blue Collar Yacht Club." Wood-fired steak and Point Loma seafood in a setting that feels refined but not stuffy. There's a hidden speakeasy tucked behind a harbor-side entrance. The dining room faces the marina. And the design leans into the building's nautical bones rather than covering them up.
The Boatyard is projecting a summer 2026 opening at 2760 Shelter Island Drive, right in the heart of Point Loma's waterfront strip. If you're staying at Humphreys Half Moon Inn or Island Palms Hotel & Marina, it'll be within walking distance. Same goes for anyone heading to Humphreys Concerts by the Bay this summer.
Why Shelter Island Needs This
Shelter Island still has Bali Hai Restaurant, which draws over 3,500 Google reviews and remains one of the most recognizable restaurants in San Diego. Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar holds it down on the classic side. Ketch Grill and Taps is solid for a casual waterfront lunch. And Fathom Bistro, Bait, and Tackle is the kind of place you tell out-of-towners about because nobody believes a bait shop can serve food that good.
But the Fiddler's Green closure left a hole. The Boatyard fills it with a concept that matches the neighborhood's identity: boats, water, good food, no pretense. The speakeasy adds something Shelter Island hasn't had before. And McLeod's track record suggests the kitchen will deliver.
We'll update the Point Loma dining page when The Boatyard confirms its opening date. In the meantime, check the full Point Loma community page for more on what's happening across the peninsula.
