Santa Monica Seafood is a retail fish market and restaurant at 1000 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Seafood operates as both a retail counter and a sit-down restaurant. At the counter, you buy fresh whole fish, fillets, shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, and oysters by the pound or piece to take home and cook. At the restaurant section, you order prepared dishes like fish tacos, ceviche, grilled fish plates, and seafood cocktails to eat on-site or take away. The market sources from local suppliers, so what is in stock changes with the season and what boats bring in each day.

The location is accessible by car and public transit, with parking available nearby on Wilshire Boulevard. Hours vary by day and season, so calling ahead before your visit is worth doing. The market is typically closed on major holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • Santa Monica Seafood has a retail counter where you buy raw seafood to cook at home, and a restaurant section where you order cooked dishes to eat there or take away.
  • The market is located at 1000 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica and accepts cash and card payments at both sections.
  • You can purchase whole fish, fillets, shellfish, and prepared items, with prices varying by species and current market rates.
  • Staff at the retail counter can clean and fillet whole fish while you wait, usually at no extra charge.
  • Availability of specific fish and shellfish changes throughout the year based on what local suppliers bring in, so calling ahead to ask about a particular species is a good idea.

What you can buy at the retail counter

The retail counter sells fresh fish and shellfish priced per pound or per piece. Common fish include salmon, halibut, sea bass, snapper, and other white fish varieties. Shellfish options include shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, and oysters. You can buy whole fish or fillets, depending on what you plan to cook and how much preparation you want to do at home.

Staff at the counter can clean and fillet fish while you wait. This service is typically included in the price, though confirming this when you order is worth doing. If you are unsure how to prepare a particular fish, staff can offer suggestions on cooking methods and portion sizes.

Prices at the retail counter vary based on the type of seafood, whether you buy it whole or filleted, and the current market rate for that species. Prices change daily or weekly depending on supply and demand. Calling ahead can help you understand what to expect to pay for a specific item.

Restaurant section and prepared dishes

The restaurant side serves cooked seafood ready to eat. The menu includes fish tacos, ceviche, grilled fish plates, seafood cocktails, and other prepared items. You can sit at tables in the restaurant to eat, or order to take away. The restaurant menu changes based on what seafood is available that day, so the options you see one week may differ the next week.

Prices for prepared dishes are higher than the cost of raw fish at the retail counter, as they include preparation, cooking, and service. If you are budget-conscious, buying raw fish at the counter and cooking it at home costs less than ordering prepared food at the restaurant.

Location, hours, and how to visit

Santa Monica Seafood is at 1000 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. The address is in an area with public parking nearby, including street parking and paid lots. The market is accessible by car and by public transit, with bus stops in the neighborhood.

Hours of operation vary by day and season. Seafood markets sometimes adjust hours based on supply availability or staffing needs. Calling ahead or checking their current hours before visiting ensures you do not arrive when they are closed. The market is typically closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

When you visit, you can go directly to the retail counter if you want to buy raw seafood, or head to the restaurant section if you want to order prepared food. Both sections are in the same location, so you can browse the counter and then decide whether to cook at home or eat there.

Payment methods and pricing structure

Santa Monica Seafood accepts cash and card payments at both the retail counter and the restaurant. Some payment methods may have minimum purchase amounts, so asking about this when you arrive is worth doing. Both sections handle payment at their respective counters.

Retail seafood is priced per pound or per item. A whole fish costs less per pound than a fillet of the same species, since filleting removes weight. Prepared dishes at the restaurant have fixed prices listed on the menu. Prices change based on market rates and availability, so what you paid last month may not be what you pay this month.

Seasonal availability and what to expect

The specific fish and shellfish available at Santa Monica Seafood changes throughout the year. Some species are in season during certain months, and local suppliers bring in different catches depending on the time of year. Summer may bring different options than winter, and spring and fall have their own seasonal species.

If you are looking for a specific type of fish, calling ahead to ask whether it is currently in stock is the fastest way to find out. Staff can tell you what is available that day and suggest alternatives if your first choice is not in. Calling also lets you ask about pricing for a particular species before you visit.

Shellfish availability also varies by season. Some oysters and clams are better in certain months, and crab season has specific opening and closing dates. Staff at the counter can explain what is in season and recommend what is fresh that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order seafood in advance?

Many fish markets take advance orders for specific items, especially for whole fish or large quantities. Call Santa Monica Seafood to ask whether they can set aside particular fish or shellfish for you to pick up on a specific day. This is useful if you are planning a dinner party or want to make sure a particular species is available.

Do they clean and fillet fish while I wait?

Yes. Staff at the retail counter can clean whole fish and cut fillets while you watch. This service is usually included in the price of the fish, though confirming this when you order is worth doing.

What is the difference between the retail counter and the restaurant?

The retail counter sells raw seafood that you take home and cook yourself. The restaurant section cooks seafood and serves it as prepared dishes that you can eat there or take away. Prices are lower at the retail counter because you are doing the cooking.

Is parking available near the market?

Santa Monica Seafood is located on Wilshire Boulevard in an area with public parking nearby. Street parking and paid lots are available in the neighborhood, though availability varies by time of day and day of the week.

What should I do if I cannot find a specific type of fish?

Call ahead to ask whether a particular species is in stock. If it is not available, staff can suggest similar fish that are fresh that day, or tell you when that species is typically in season and might be available again.