Seafood in Palo Alto

Palo Alto's eastern edge is tidal marsh and the Baylands, but the city has never had a fishing harbor or a waterfront restaurant row. Seafood here comes in three forms. There are two restaurants built around fish, one formal and one casual. There are sushi counters, which are a seafood category of their own. And there are the many restaurants where fish shares the menu, from Cantonese lobster to Greek grilled fish and Baja fish tacos.

Every restaurant named below was confirmed as operating in October 2026 through its own website or a verified page in our business directory. Some older guides still list seafood places that have closed or moved. The Fish Market's website now shows only its San Diego area restaurants. The Almanac reported that Cook's Seafood in Menlo Park shut both of its locations in 2026 after 98 years.

What to know about seafood here

• Dungeness crab. The Bay Area's signature shellfish. California's commercial season usually opens in late fall or winter, though openings are often delayed. Fresh crab on a menu is a winter treat.
• Salmon. California's salmon fishery has been closed or tightly limited in recent years, so much of the salmon on local menus comes from Alaska, Scotland or farms. Ask where it is from if that matters to you.
• Sustainability. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program rates fish by how they are caught or farmed. Pacific Catch builds its brand around sustainable seafood.
• Market price. Lobster, crab and whole fish are often listed at market price, which changes daily. Ask before you order.
• Raw fish. Sushi, crudo and ceviche are not cooked with heat. Pregnant diners and people with weakened immune systems are often advised to avoid them.

Where to find it

Stanford Shopping Center has the most seafood in one place, with Pacific Catch, Sushi Roku and Fleming's a short walk apart. El Camino Real in south Palo Alto has THE SEA beside Dinah's Garden Hotel. INDO is a little farther north. Downtown has Evvia on Emerson Street, The Patio and Tai Pan on Waverley Street (call ahead to confirm hours). California Avenue has Jin Sho. Sancho's is on Middlefield Road in Midtown.

Seafood-first restaurants

THE SEA by Alexander's Steakhouse, 4269 El Camino Real

THE SEA calls itself a seafood dining destination. Its website credits chef Pratik Mungre with cooking that blends contemporary technique with Japanese influences. It also serves Japanese A5 wagyu. It is open for dinner only: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, until 8 p.m. on Monday, until 9 p.m. on Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. A three-course Sunday prix fixe is listed at $85. Reservations go through SevenRooms. The site lists closures on major holidays, so check before a holiday dinner.

Pacific Catch, 711 Stanford Shopping Center

Pacific Catch is a California seafood chain that markets itself as ocean friendly and focused on sustainable seafood. The Palo Alto restaurant opened in January 2020 and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Its Aloha Hour runs 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 3 to 5 p.m. on weekends. It takes bookings online. The chain also has a Mountain View restaurant.

Sushi

Sushi Roku at Stanford Shopping Center serves contemporary sushi that mixes traditional technique with ingredients from Latin America and Europe, plus hot and cold appetizers and entrées. Jin Sho on California Avenue groups its fish by family, from tuna and yellowtail to silver-skinned fish, shellfish and roe. It offers an eight-piece sushi omakase. It takes reservations only by phone during business hours. Our Japanese food guide covers more sushi counters and omakase downtown.

Seafood on other menus

Tai Pan, 560 Waverley Street

Tai Pan serves Hong Kong-style Cantonese food. Its chef's lobster and crab specialties are a focus, along with shrimp, abalone and clay pot dishes. The dim sum menu runs to more than 80 items, many with shrimp or other seafood. Whole seafood dishes suit a group dinner. Its website has not been updated recently and still shows pandemic-era notices, so call ahead before planning a meal around it. See our Chinese food guide.

Evvia, 420 Emerson Street

Evvia cooks Greek food with California produce, meat and seafood, much of it over a wood-fired grill. Seafood plays a large part, as it does in coastal Greek cooking. It is listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Our Mediterranean guide covers it with the other Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern restaurants in town.

Sundance the Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino Real

Sundance is a steakhouse first, but its seafood list includes Pacific swordfish, Scottish salmon, Alaskan halibut, Chilean sea bass, a lobster tail and diver scallops. It suits a table split between steak and fish.

INDO Restaurant & Lounge, 3295 El Camino Real

INDO serves Indonesian and Southeast Asian plates. Seafood on its menu includes Dungeness crab cakes, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and gulai prawns in red coconut curry.

Casual fish: Sancho's and The Patio

Sancho's Taqueria in Midtown is built around Baja-style fish tacos, with shrimp dishes, ceviche and shrimp cocktail on the side. Tuesdays bring taco deals. Downtown, The Patio lists fish and chips, Baja fish tacos and calamari on its pub menu. Fleming's also lists seafood on its dinner menu; our steakhouse guide has details.

Dietary notes

• Shellfish allergies. Shellfish turns up in sauces, stocks and fried foods. Tell your server and ask about shared fryers.
• Pescatarian. Every restaurant on this page has fish dishes. Sushi bars and Pacific Catch have the longest fish lists.
• Gluten. Battered fish, tempura and soy sauce contain wheat. Grilled fish is usually the safer choice.
• Mercury. Swordfish and some tuna are higher in mercury. Health agencies advise pregnant diners and young children to limit them.

Timing and booking

1. Book THE SEA ahead for weekends and Sunday prix fixe.
2. Use Aloha Hour. Pacific Catch's afternoon specials run daily from 3 p.m.
3. Go in winter for crab. Dungeness crab is fresh only after the season opens.
4. Call Jin Sho during business hours. It does not take reservations by voicemail.

For seafood by the water

For fish with an ocean view, drive over the hills to the coast. Our Half Moon Bay guide covers the harbor and beaches. The Monterey and Carmel guide covers a longer trip south. In San Francisco, you can browse Bay Area food tours and check each tour's stops before you book.

Frequently asked questions