San Diego's coastal location makes it a perfect place to fill up on fresh fish. From fancy restaurants with stunning views, to laid-back spots where the locals like to chow down, there couldn’t be a better place to satisfy a craving for seafood.

Mille Fleurs
6009 Paseo Delicias
858-756-3085
Dinner for two, before wine, about $130

The best food to be found in this part of California is served at Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe, about 18 miles north of La Jolla. It is situated in a brick courtyard with a Spanish tiled fountain and a giant Chinese elm tree; food is served both indoors and out, and the dining rooms are tastefully decorated with liberal use of Portuguese tiles. The menu changes very frequently, and some items are new every day. Although the offerings are not exclusively fish and seafood, Chef Martin Woesle always provides an ample selection of exquisite seafood. Signature dishes for the restaurant include an olive crusted wild stripped bass with mussels, braised fennel and tomatoes with a saffron sauce and Broken Arrow Ranch antelope loin with chanterelle mushrooms, spaetzle and cacao in a juniper berry sauce. Try the starter of squab breast with foie grass, and finish with one of the knockout dessert creations such as passion fruit creme brulee. The wine list is every bit as impressive as the food, and you needn’t hesitate to rely on the wine steward’s recommendations. In fact, one of Mille Fleurs' most notable qualities is the helpful and unobtrusive service you'll surely receive.

Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar
875 Prospect
858-551-5252
Dinner for two, without wine, about $100

La Jolla locals and visitors flock to Roppongi, a stunning restaurant that combines Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, and Indian culinary traditions with a touch of Californian to produce food that is both original and extraordinarily artful. Fish and seafood are the stars, with perfectly executed versions of mahi mahi served with pineapple salsa and Mongolian grilled shrimp. Roppongi’s popularity is based in part on the fact that the menu also offers a wide range of dishes for those who don’t fancy seafood, including meats like a grilled filet mignon and excellent vegetarian preparations. There's also an impressive selection of tapas-style dishes for starters or as a multi-accented dinner that will satisfy the most eclectic and demanding tastes (try the rock shrimp and fennel tempura, braised beef short ribs, and the Mongolian shredded duck quesadilla with spicy Asian guacamole). Everything tastes fresh, and even hearty combinations are done with a delicate touch. For an unusually seductive dessert, try the Tahitian bananas served over vanilla gelato. The wine list is extensive and excellent, and the staff is well trained and helpful.

Tutto Mare
4365 Executive Drive
858-597-1188
Dinner for two, before wine, about $110

Tutto Mare is a very popular Italian-accented seafood restaurant that attracts a well-heeled and trendy crowd not just because it is itself hip and trendy, but for its superb cooking as well. In an attractive room exuding an aura of power, dining tables are arranged along an arc that overlooks the open kitchen. Whether you come for the signature spaghettini Tutto Mare with clams, mussels, langoustine, and mixed fish, the seared ahi tuna, the grilled swordfish with prawns, the ravioli stuffed with smoked salmon, or just a simple lobster salad dressed with a drizzle of the finest olive oil, the food will not disappoint. Meat-eaters will find a similarly excellent selection including dishes such as grilled pork chops in a red wine reduction, and well-executed versions of the familiar Italian chicken and veal specialties. And the pizzas are first-rate as well. Start with one of the best Caesar salads you’ll ever encounter, and if you can still handle dessert, go for the profiteroles. The wine list, appropriately Californian and Italian, offers some particularly nice Orvieto and Barbaresco labels at reasonably inflated prices.

Cafe Pacifica
2414 San Diego Avenue
619-291-6666
Dinner for two, before wine, about $85

Cafe Pacifica is a cozy and inviting restaurant in the city’s Old Town neighborhood. It’s located in a simple adobe cottage that’s been extended and brightened and filled with colorful decorative motifs. It serves an unparalleled selection of abalone preparations and a "simply grilled" white sea bass or other daily fresh catches. In season, several varieties of oysters are offered raw or grilled. One non-seafood standout is the Maple Leaf duck breast and leg braised on a citrus-gnger sauce and served over dried cranberries, Israeli couscous, and grilled baby boc choy over a curry-maple sauce. Dessert is a must, especially the rich creme brulee served with sliced strawberries, or better yet, the sampler of fresh berries, key lime pie with ginger snap crust, and a small creme brulee. The California wine selection is quite right for this style of food. Service is friendly, and dining can be as leisurely as you prefer.