Pacific Beach has earned its reputation as a place where you can grab cheap tacos at midnight or nurse a hangover with a breakfast burrito the size of your forearm. But something is shifting on these salt-crusted streets. JRDN Restaurant set the tone years ago at TOWER23 Hotel, and Enoteca Adriano proved that Roman-forward cuisine could thrive blocks from the boardwalk. Now, Cherryfish is raising the bar even further — and the rest of Pacific Beach's dining scene is paying attention.
What Cherryfish Brings to Pacific Beach
Located at 966 Felspar Street in a space that previously housed a burger joint, Cherryfish is the passion project of Marcus Twilegar, a San Diego native with deep ties to the city's fishing community. The 2,800-square-foot dining room pairs an artsy, Tokyo-inspired aesthetic with a menu built around charcoal-grilled fish, seared tuna, swordfish, Australian Wagyu strip steak, and six distinct sushi rolls. The outdoor patio adds another 1,000 square feet of seating — perfect for that Pacific Beach evening air rolling off Mission Bay.
A Menu That Matches the Ambition
Starters range from miso soup and edamame to tsukemono made with microfarmed vegetables. The showstopper is a 16-ounce charcoal-grilled Wagyu strip steak that justifies the price tag. For those who prefer lighter fare, the sushi rolls showcase fish sourced directly from San Diego waters. Wine, sake, and draft beer round out a beverage program designed for long, unhurried dinners. Cherryfish is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m., and reservations through OpenTable are strongly recommended.
Pacific Beach's Dining Scene Is Growing Up
Cherryfish joins a wave of elevated Pacific Beach restaurants that are reshaping the neighborhood's culinary identity. Hideaway Pacific Beach brought a polished surf-inspired concept to Mission Boulevard. Oceana Coastal Kitchen made waterfront dining feel less touristy and more intentional. The Fishery, with new ownership and a new chef, has been reborn. Meanwhile, Nico's Fish Market finally secured a permanent home. The days when Pacific Beach was strictly a casual-dining neighborhood are fading fast.
How It Compares Across San Diego's Coastal Communities
If you've been exploring the upscale dining options in La Jolla or the refined restaurant row taking shape in Coronado, Cherryfish slots right into that conversation — but with a distinctly PB edge. There's no pretension, no dress code, no stuffy atmosphere. It's serious food served in a neighborhood that still lets you wear flip-flops to dinner. And for visitors staying at Pacific Terrace Hotel or The Dana on Mission Bay, Cherryfish gives Pacific Beach a genuine destination restaurant worth building an evening around.
Cherryfish is open at 966 Felspar Street in Pacific Beach. Walk-ins are welcome but tables fill up quickly on weekends. For more on what's happening across Pacific Beach's dining and drink scene, keep checking back on San Diego Lineup's Pacific Beach community page.
