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Hours
Sun
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Seafood, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
CUISINES
Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
1,038 reviews
Excellent
602
Very good
283
Average
92
Poor
34
Terrible
27
LakesiderToronto
Toronto275 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
The seafood on the menu, including several fresh fish and oyster dishes, was all well-prepared and the table service was friendly and casual. We liked the industrial-conversion atmosphere of the place as well with the high ceilings, exposed beams and vintage brick walls. It was busy with a good mix of conversations and music filling the room. The cocktail list had some creative mixes as well. Overall, reasonably good value and fun.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PickyLuxe
Singapore123 contributions
June 2021 • family
This place is one of the better dining experiences in San Diego. Al fresco dining, perfectly executed food - recommend the scallops and fingerling potatoes - good service, reasonably priced. Please order the bread - it is like a dense orange cake served with whipped butter.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald H
Reno3419 contributions
Apr 2021 • couples
Dined Alfresco for Lunch at Ironside. Located in the Little Italy section of San Diego, you will not go wrong here for great seafood.
Rachel, our server, was both professional and charming. Service was very attentive.
The Oysters here are great ( we enjoyed our Sweet Petites from BC). Creamy Clam Chowder is served with a dense, delicious Cheddar Biscuit. Mussels braised in Coconut milk and Fish and Chips were also outstanding.
We highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to another visit.
A side note: Salt and Straw, a wonderful ice cream shop is right next door..... don’t miss it!!
Written 8 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Verde
San Diego25 contributions
July 2021 • couples
If you plan to walk-in just be prepared to be tricked by the hostesses telling you they will get a table in 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes waiting and not receiving any sms we asked how much time more. They mentioned another 20 min. After 20 min they mentioned another 15 min.
We saw some tables being occupied by usual guests without any booking.
It took us 2 hours to have a table.
If you order oysters I recommend you to check each of them.
There are much better oyster restaurants in San Diego that respect customers and hostesses do not fool.
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmigoArturoArturo
San Diego66 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Hoped to have a nice lunch in Little Italy, but we totally blew it with our choice of Ironside. There is nothing positive I can say about it. Ordered the lobster roll and fish and chips. When I checked the reviews, I was amazed that there were so many good reviews. Lobster roll was terrible, with very little lobster,no pieces, just finely minced, held together by a lot of breading---very chewy and gummy.. Fish & chips was overcooked, very dry. Food was pricey, but would have been okay if edible. Maybe if we had been drinking (a lot) it would have tasted better! Seems like Ironside is more of a bar that serves some bad bar food, rather than a restaurant. Very poor service, not friendly or efficient at all. Staff all seemed disgruntled. It took 3 staff people before someone stopped to give us a table when we entered and restaurant was almost empty. This is one place where I will not be returning. It doesn't deserve a second chance.
Written 28 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kirbyfredstpaul
Saint Paul228 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
We’ve been to this place many times, and been happy. The last two visits, however, were disappointing. I will write about tonite’s dinner. Waitress described the Albacore Tuna as quality tuna served rare. She delivered the plate and I discovered it was cooked fully medium, and clearly overdone. Waited and waited. But waitress did not return to ck on us. Finally flagged down a staff to complain and sent my tuna back,,, they returned shortly, with a piece of tuna that was rare on outer edges but cold in the middle. V disappointing, waitress never returned to ask how the replacement was. Later had to flag down waitress to ask for check. She was simply not attentive to us during dinner. Partner had fish and chips, described as very adequate.
This place has fallen gf its mark on both food and service. Twice in a row we’ve been disappointed. How very sad. There are better places in Little Italy to dine. I’d pass on this place
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nalacalli
Phoenix41 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
Great location in Little Italy with many places to choose and we chose poorly.
We waited for 2 hours based on the hype and came away disappointed. Prior to eating here we had some grilled artichokes from the Farmers Table that we’re the best thing ever. Should have stayed there.
Back to Ironside. The Clam Chowder was good. Bit into something that make me cough for 20 minutes. Biscuit was okay. Not my thing.
Oyster Rockefeller’s were burned tasting and overcooked oysters. Maybe we just ordered the wrong foods but would not recommend.
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jacqui4040
11 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
This is a beautiful restaurant in a prime location with amazing food. Everything we had was stellar! We had some raw oysters during their happy hour (only $1 each), a lobster roll which was mind blowing and fish and chips which weee top notch. Staff was extremely friendly and attentive even though it was super busy.
Written 3 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connector38238669737
6 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
This place was overhyped. We ordered two fish and chips for lunch and there was a little fish and a whole lot of chips. Taste was rather average and ordinary. And at 18 bucks a pop we didn’t think we got the value with such a small piece of fish. And what’s with no ketchup for the potatoes? I know they want to be southern California hip but really?
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rendon
San Diego79 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
Maybe they have decided that they are too good to serve everyone fairly. But today, my friend and I stood outside waiting for a table as other folks who checked in after us were seated. I even made a joke and said maybe it's because I'm brown and asian. We waited over 30 mins until I finally approached the host to kindly remind her that we are waiting, the same hosts who stared at us the whole time as if we weren't good enough to sit at one of the 16 empty tables. She told us we would be called first as soon as a table was available. I counted as each party left, there were 16... yet in the middle of a pandemic, we were seated right next to a table of 6 people.
If the issue is not wanting to seat customers during happy hour because we weren't good enough for their $1 sand filled oysters, I would have understood a fabricated explanation, except after being seated we had to wait 15 more mins to be acknowledge by the staff and only then were we able to get water and given their "exceptional seafood menu". Happy hour ends at 5. We came at 4 and didnt get to order until 4:56.
The food is mediocre. The service is abysmal. Dreadful and unfair. They made us feel unwelcome as if ignoring us would just keep us away. It was my first time here and it will be my last. If you want great seafood accompanied by decent service, I recommend other places like Tom Ham's, Lionfish or Brigantine.
Written 21 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chasinUpstateNewYork
Romulus703 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
San Diego has Grown UP in the last 44 years, no surprise.
Ironside Fish & Oyster was exactly what we were looking for (except it was loud), a great place to enjoy excellent seafood and a reasonably close walk from our hotel.
We started with a 12-oyster flight of their current six (maybe they had more choices, and maybe I could have eaten another dozen or so myself, but why be piggy>). All were excellent, fresh, chilled properly and clean. And DELICIOUS, the fun of tasting different varieties is that they each carry their "terrior" if that is an appropriate word for the littoral environment from which they different oysters are harvested. IF you only know oysters from one region, I recommend you find a good place to sample different varieties.
We shared a bowl of their excellent New England style Clam Chowder, and really a dozen oysters and a bowl of chowder could have been dinner.
We both chose the "fish special", she took the the Thresher and I choose the Wahoo. Hers came with a very good veggie base, mine with a white bean cassoulet. The Thrsher was better fish, I thought but my cassoulet a better accompaniment. Really both were excellent.
White wine (Chardonnay & Gruner Veltliner) were good and we were too full to even consider dessert.
Service was good. We made a reservation 15 minutes before we got there, and were seated promptly. Things slowed down a bit then, but really no complaints.
It was LOUD inside, we asked if we could sit outside but were told that the empty tables were reserved.
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
concettah667
Los Angeles405 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
A friend recommended this place. We stopped in for lunch when we arrived. Halibut was amazing as was the fish and chips for lunch. The malt vinegar sauce was a perfect compliment.
We stopped in for dinner our last night here, because we were saving the best for last. Wow- just wow. We caught the tail end of happy hour and scored on drinks, a house salad and one of the best clam chowders. Theirs was made with bacon. How could anyone go wrong with bacon, right? yum The halibut entire for dinner came with mussels, almonds, rapini, and all was drizzled with a lemon sauce that was absolutely the best I've ever had. My daughter had the yellow tail - equally delicious. We just had to have dessert. The tirami su was HUGE. I wanted to lick the bowl clean. The lemon verene was dusted with home made graham cracker crumbs and literally melted in our mouths. Service was spectacular. This is our new favorite spot in San Diego. Highly recommend.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bellingham_WAEater
47 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
As a chef for many years in the business, I must say that the Opah I had the other day was absolutely fabulous. Grilled with a lemon beurre blanc was simple and etherial. $36 for a six ounce portion with nothing but a sunchoke side seems a little high. But, if that is what one has to pay to eat transportive food……
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EmptyCanvas
55 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
The restaurant itself is very nice, industrial, San Diego casual with lots of outside seating and mostly open to the outside even for inside seating. The raw bar options are excellent but the meal options are just OK. Given how pricy everything on the menu is, recommend you splurge on the raw bar where you will get your money’s worth.
Pros: Nice building, good place to people watch, lots of raw bar options. Ceviche was excellent
Cons: Fish meal portions are very small. Lobster roll was not very good (they use shredded lobster which is a major disappointment if you had a lobster roll in New England). Very expensive.
Written 18 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minnesotans4
Saint Paul3119 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
We took an Uber from the Gaslamp District to this restaurant. Even though our driver lived in Little Italy, he had to drive around several times until he located the restaurant. I mentioned this to the hostess and she stated that she hears this a lot and that the small black sign can not be seen from the street. The large building looks like an industrial warehouse. Initially, we were seated outside but we asked if there was an indoor table. We took the high top table otherwise there would have been a 30 minute wait. These tables were very close to neighboring tables so people had to squeeze between the tables. There was a small wooden seat that was attached to allow a person to “swing” in and out from the table…very uncomfortable.
I ordered the mushroom Campanella which had pieces of scallops, Brussels sprouts, pasta, mushrooms and cream. It was really rich and I just couldn’t eat it.
My husband enjoyed his bowl of clam chowder.
Eating here was not enjoyable due to the uncomfortable seating and crowding, and not a fan of the menu items.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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