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15 Must-Try Restaurants in Pacifica, CA

must-try pacifica restaurants ca
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Pacifica, CA, is the most panoramic coastal town in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to its beautiful coastline, breathtaking views, rolling hills, rocky bluffs, and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, the city also boasts a bustling food scene.

If you’re looking for your next food adventure, here are 15 must-try Pacifica restaurants offering diverse cuisines and menus, including a few culinary gems tucked away into the valleys.

a platter of oysters served in pacifica restaurants

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1. Nick's Seafood Restaurant

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Nick’s is one of the best Pacifica restaurants with a view of the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re craving fresh seafood, this is the place to go to. Their extensive menu is sure to have at least one of your cravings. The bar and lounge is open daily for cocktails and appetizers. And on weekends, diners get to listen and dance to live music.

Must-Try:

  1. Seared Sea Scallops – Rosemary cream sauce, mashed potato, and vegetables du jour.
  2. Filet of Petrale Sole – Doré grilled in an egg batter or almondine in a lemon butter sauce.
  3. Fettuccine Angelina – Sauteed chicken with mushrooms, spinach, peas, and baby
    tomatoes in cream sauce. Can be prepared without chicken.

Reviews:

“My parents and I love going here when we visit my aunt and uncle who live in Pacifica. They have great food and service.”
– Robin Glick

Restaurant Information:

a pokebowl with salmon in pacifica restaurants

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2. Puerto 27

Puerto 27 is known for serving traditional Latin American dishes with a modern twist. Their mouthwatering menu features brunch items, small plates, sandwiches, fish and seafood entrees, beef, poultry, vegetarian entrees, salads, causas, and cevicheria.

One of the popular dog-friendly restaurants Pacifica locals and tourists love, Puerto 27 offers 12 outdoor tables for fur parents while enjoying the gorgeous view of Linda Mar Beach.

Must-Try:

  1. Churrasco a lo Pobre – Grilled NY steak, Tacu-Tacu, plantain, sunny egg, encebollado, and chimichurri.
  2. Pescado a lo Macho – Crispy fried whole branzino, creamy ají amarillo seafood stew, shellfish, green peas, and jasmine rice.
  3. Parihuela – Seafood bouillabaisse, crab legs, fish, clams, mussels, scallops, calamari, shrimp, ají panca, tomato, and garlic bread.

Reviews:

“Came to Pacifica for the weekend saw it was a Peruvian food place so we had to try food was delicious. We sat outside with ocean view. And out waiter Porfirio was super helpful and helping us on deciding what to order. Great place.”
– Fabian De La Torre

Restaurant Information:

steak served with fries, dips and sides in pacifica restaurants

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3. Moonraker

Situated inside the Lighthouse Hotel in Pacifica, Moonraker serves a large selection of fresh seafood, including Dungeness crab, chef’s selection of oysters, and ahi poke while diners enjoy the excellent view of the beach from floor to ceiling windows.

Other menu options include pot roast, steak, chicken parmesan, and vegetarian tagine. Gluten-free offerings are available as well, such as crispy calamari and coconut prawns.

Must-Try:

  1. Pappardelle Bolognese – Porcini and tomato braised pork, herb pappardelle, and rosemary parmesan.
  2. Slow Cooked Pot Roast – Served with roasted fall vegetables, hand-cut bacon, and mashed potatoes in date cabernet sauce.
  3. Jumbo Coconut Prawns – Served with mashed potatoes and petite Frisée salad in pineapple guava sauce.

Reviews:

“Fantastic food and great customer service. They had a live pianist playing classics, which just wrapped up the ambiance and provided a special kind of elegance. The view was absolutely breathtaking from the table, and I didn’t want my meal or drink to end! Good food, good drinks, stunning views, and wonderful service. Wrapped up my visit in Pacifica wonderfully.”
– A Jones

Restaurant Information:

chocolate cup cakes with frosting in pacifica restaurants

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4. Mazzetti’s Bakery

This family-owned bakery is an absolute Bay Area staple for almost 50 years. Mazzetti’s is known to offer the finest baked goods in Pacifica, made with only the freshest ingredients and no preservatives.

Mazzetti’s specializes in cakes for all occasions. Other specialties include French and Danish pastries, breads, rolls, croissants, donuts, muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies.

Must-Try:

  1. Derby Cake – Fresh strawberries and bananas with scratch-made whipped cream frosting.
  2. Chocolate Coconut Cupcake – Chocolate cupcake, chocolate fudge filling, and vanilla buttercream frosting rolled in coconut shavings.
  3. Smash Cake – Vanilla cake, chocolate fudge filling, and multi-colored sprinkles on the sides.

Reviews:

“This has been a Pacifica gem for years. Gorgeous cakes, pastries, donuts, cookies and bread. Just a few of my favorite things! Love this place.”
– Jenna J G

Restaurant Information:

roast pork with vegetables and fried rice in pacifica restaurants

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5. Gorilla Barbecue

Gorilla Barbeque is one of the best restaurants in Pacifica to go to for tender, juicy BBQ.

This BBQ joint is popular among locals and visitors alike for its big portions, great take-out service, and unique train car storefront. Patrons rave about their epic ribs, brisket, and chicken served with the best barbeque sauce in town.

Must-Try:

  1. Sandwich Combo – Pulled pork, chicken, or hot links, 1 side, and BBQ sauce.
  2. 2 Meat Combo – 2 meats, 2 sides, beans and rice, cornbread, and BBQ sauce.
  3. 3 Meat Combo – 3 meats, 2 sides, beans and rice, cornbread, and BBQ sauce.

Reviews:

“Delicious pulled pork lunch combo. Quick and friendly staff. Definitely will go again next time I’m in Pacifica.”
– Lindsey Delgado

Restaurant Information:

beef taco serving in pacifica restaurants

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6. La Playa Taqueria

La Playa Taqueria offers the best tacos, burritos, tamales, and more in a relaxed, casual setting. Choose from their fine selection of wines and beers to complement your meal.

The restaurant also offers gluten-free, low-fat, and vegan options.

Must-Try:

  1. Steak & Prawns – Broiled skirt steak with your choice of sauteed, fried, or garlic prawns.
  2. Snapper Veracruz – Fresh snapper filet sauteed in a tomato-based sauce with green olives, chiles, capers, green onions, and garlic.
  3. Chile Relleno – A fire-roasted pasilla chile filled with jack cheese, then fried in a fluffy egg batter and topped with tomato sauce, sour cream, and guacamole.

Reviews:

“Amazing margaritas, loved the nachos. super close to the beach, only wish they were open later. definitely come here when you’re in Pacifica!”
– Graham Clark

Restaurant Information:

a table filled with teapots and pastries in pacifica restaurants

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7. Lovey's Tea Shoppe

Lovey’s is a quirky, old-fashioned tea shop that serves delightful finger sandwiches, scones, crumpets, loose-leaf tea, and British dishes for tea service and parties.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon in the company of your friends while enjoying delicious snacks and desserts over tea.

Must-Try:

  1. Daily Salad and Tea – Organic spring greens topped with salad. Served with dressing, crackers, and your choice of iced or hot tea.
  2. Scone and Tea – One warm scone served with clotted cream, raspberry preserves, and your choice of tea.
  3. Tea Tray for One – One tea sandwich selection and one warm scone served with clotted cream, raspberry preserves, and your choice of iced or hot tea.

Reviews:

“My first time in Pacifica, and I love it! People are so friendly the shop was only open for the workshop, but a nice lady let me and my boyfriend come in and we purchase some of the tea. I can’t wait to go back very nice place.”
– Stella Gonzalez

Restaurant Information:

burger with fries in pacifica restaurants

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8. Breakers

This bustling waterfront spot serving classic American breakfast, brunch, and lunch offerings is a favorite among locals. The food is always fresh and delicious in this cozy and family-friendly restaurant.

Patrons are all praises to the staff, including the owner Steve, for their excellent service and friendliness. The restaurant also offers good vegetarian selections and gluten-free options.

Must-Try:

  1. Monte Cristo – Sliced ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese on sourdough, dipped in egg and grilled, then dusted with powdered sugar. Served with hash browns.
  2. California Burger – Avocado, jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and onions.
  3. Applewood BLT – Bacon, lettuce, and tomato with mayo on toasted multigrain bread.

Reviews:

“Great food in a great location. Me and my wife go here every time we stay in Pacifica.”
– Marquis Byrd

Restaurant Information:

fish and chips and some side dishes in pacifica restaurants

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9. Camelot Fish & Chips

A quaint pub-style spot that serves authentic English fish and chips, along with other delectable offerings, like fried clams and oysters.

Must-Try:

  1. The Camelot – Comes with one piece of fish, 3 shrimps, 3 scallops, and 3 oysters with your choice of 1 side. Served with chips.
  2. Oyster and Chips – A basket of 7 breaded oysters with chips.
  3. Krabbycakes and Chips – 2 imitation snowcrab meat Krabbycake patties with chips.

Reviews:

“A Pacifica tradition and the standard for big, fresh battered deep fried fish. I love it without and with tartar sauce.”
– Michael A. Fain

Restaurant Information:

a bowl of dumplings in pacifica restaurants

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10. Tam’s Cuisine of China

Tam’s Cuisine of China has served exceptional Chinese dishes in Pacifica for over 16 years. This restaurant boasts an extensive menu featuring more than 275 lunch and dinner choices.

Locals and visitors return for the delicious food, friendly service, and large family-style dining that all add up to a fantastic culinary experience.

Must-Try:

  1. Szechuan Shrimp (Hot) – Served with zucchini, white onions, bamboo shoots, and bell peppers.
  2. Scallops in Black Bean Sauce – Served with bell peppers, celery, and onions.
  3. Beef in Black Bean Sauce – Served with bell peppers, celery, and onions.

Reviews:

“Hidden gem in Pacifica. Classic Chinese restaurant where the food surprisingly shines. Every dish we ordered was well seasoned. This place was worth the drive over from The City.”
– Tony Timtiman

Restaurant Information:

a platter of sliced meat with sauce in pacifica restaurants

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11. A Grape in the Fog

This charming wine bar is the perfect place to relax with friends, celebrate the best of coastal living, and share amazing boutique wines from around the world.

They feature a constantly changing wine menu, available by the glass, flight, or bottle. Whatever wine you choose, be sure to enjoy it with cheese or charcuterie plates from their small plate menu.

Must-Try:

  1. “The Don” Featuring Mori Jack Cheese – A savory tart with cheese and seasonal veggies.
  2. Gaucho Chicken – Natural chicken with onions, red bell pepper, and tomato sauce.
  3. Spicy Beef – Slow-cooked ribs in hot chile sauce with chipotle pepper.

Reviews:

“I love going to A Grape In the Fog!!! The cheese boards are amazing and the wine flights are a great deal! I do their wine club too and it is awesome to have this right in Pacifica!”
– Adrienne Schaal

Restaurant Information:

a croissant sandwich with tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce in pacifica restaurants

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12. Colombo's Delicatessen

This old-school, family-run Italian sandwich shop and deli has been a staple in Pacifica since 1986. Come here for delicious Italian-themed sandwiches, cold salads, chips, coffee, and drinks.

Must-Try:

  1. Roast Beef Bomb – House-cooked roast beef, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, onions, lettuce, oil, and vinegar on a sourdough roll.
  2. Hobb’s Gobbler – Smoked turkey, Havarti cheese, mayo, wasabi mustard, lettuce, and tomato on Dutch crunch.
  3. Philadelphia Hoagie – Cotto salami, provolone cheese, genoa salami, prosciutto, oil, oregano, crushed red pepper, onion, lettuce, and tomato on a sweet French roll.

Reviews:

“Absolutely the best sandwich I have had in years. Yesterday was my first time there. Every time I travel to anywhere near Pacifica I will drop in!”
– Terry

Restaurant Information:

a plate of taco with sides and a glass of beer in pacifica restaurants

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13. El Toro Loco

A long-time neighborhood favorite, this laid-back locale is the first Peruvian restaurant in Pacifica.

El Toro Loco is known for serving a delicious fusion of homestyle Mexican, Peruvian, and Latin American cuisine in a comfortable and inviting setting.

Must-Try:

  1. Cebiche de Pescado – The Peruvian sushi. Fish fillet cut up in small pieces mixed in lime juice, garlic Peruvian ajies, and herbs. Topped with a layer of sliced red onions.
  2. Choros a la Chalaca – New Zealand farmed mussels served with a tangy mix of onions, corn, and roasted red pepper harbor style.
  3. Tallarin Saltado de Carne – Pasta, beef strips sautéed with onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes cooked in vinegar soy sauce.

Reviews:

“This is such a good place it’s family owned and they work so hard food is great and they have not jack up the price on everything either yuca fries are the best if your driving though Pacifica I recommend to stop by ohh and the shrimp Diablo is the best too.”
– Bandit Adair

Restaurant Information:

banh mi sandwich served in pacifica restaurants

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14. Dinosaurs Vietnamese Sandwiches

Dinosaurs is a Filipino-International grocery known for its delicious Vietnamese cuisine and refreshing drinks. If you’re craving Banh Mi, you must visit this spot. It’s every sandwich lover’s paradise!

Must-Try:

  1. The Special – Slow roasted pork, fancy pork loaf, and pork pate. Pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, jalapenos, and mayo on a French baguette.
  2. Pork & Shrimp Spring Rolls – Grilled lemongrass pork with shrimp. Lettuce, cucumber, green apple, cilantro, mint, and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper.
  3. Roasted Portobello – Salt and pepper seasoned portobello mushroom with vegenaise. Pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, jalapenos, and mayo on a French baguette.

Reviews:

“My favorite place for a vegan Bánh Mì, the first place we stop in Pacifica before we hit the beach. This sandwich takes me back to childhood. I disagree with the haters, the fried tofu shred is awesome and growing up Viet I like it in my sandwich as a garnish.”
– Alexandria Maisoka

Restaurant Information:

a collection of wines in pacifica restaurants

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15. Table Wine

This is the place to get quality table wines and beers that you can enjoy every day of the week and not just on special occasions.

Table Wine features a vast range of down-to-earth wines from all around the world, most of which cost less than $25! There’s no other place in Pacifica that offers wines of exceptional value and quality.

Must-Try:

  1. J. Mourat Blanc Collection – A blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay from 20-year-old vines. Light gold in color, displaying aromas of green orchard fruits, lanolin and white flowers.
  2. Liquore della Sirene – Handcrafted by a single infusion of botanicals, love, and Lake Garda vibe, and made only with natural ingredients without compromising flavor.
  3. Giocato Pinot Grigio – A smooth, medium-bodied, and pleasingly warm white wine made from grapes hand-selected from some of the best sites along the Italian border in Slovenia. Its flavor is reminiscent of ripe pears and the blossoms of acacia and apricot.

Reviews:

“Love this place so much! I stop by here almost every time I’m in Pacifica. The owners are extremely helpful and great at helping you find exactly the wine you’re looking for and pairing wines with your meals and are fun to chat with. Their selection is so good that sometimes I’ll go in, grab something random and cheap off the shelf based on *whims* and I know I’ll always come away with something delicious. Queer-owned and fabulous.”
– Sarah Blake

Restaurant Information:

must-try pacifica restaurants ca

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Wrap Up

There you have it – Pacifica’s 15 best restaurants worth trying when you’re in the area!

If you have any questions about practically anything in this beautiful town, we are just one phone call away. Give us a call today at (650) 629-9898 or send us an email teamtapper@gmail.com for inquiries or to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our list of must-try restaurants includes some of the best seafood restaurants in Pacifica: Nick’s Seafood Restaurant, Moonraker, and Puerto 27.

The culinary scene in Pacifica is diverse and includes Peruvian, traditional Latin American, British, Chinese, Italian, and, of course, classic American dishes.

Yes, Moonraker and La Playa Taqueria are two of the restaurants that offer vegetarian and vegan options.

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