We had the lobster roll (hot)- amazing perfect seasoned and delicious. Lobster Mac and cheese- more perfect lobster and a wonderful creamy cheese sauce perfect with the lobster. Clam chowder- WAS AMAZING! Everyone says they have the best clam chowder this clam chowder is delicious. Fresh sourdough rolls were perfect. Key lime cheesecake Very good. We took it to go but the restaurant is very nice and the staff is very friendly. read more

Had an amazing lunch here. Service was phenomenal. Oysters were super fresh. My little one have never had oysters before and liked the sauce it came with. Came with a tiny Tabasco which is my favorite hot sauce ever. Complimentary sourdough rolls were incredible with butter. Fish & chips best I've ever had. Fresh fish in delicious batter. Clam chowder delicious. Calamari also great! Ambiance was great! Indoor and outdoor seating. Parking was also easy. read more

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I have to admit we chose this place because it shares the same name as our granddaughter..lol! However, they did not disappoint. Pretty easy to find off the freeway. Parking lot dedicated to the restaurant which was nice. Although they accept walk-in's and have a full-service bar you probably should make reservations most especially on the weekends. They have a few seats inside and nice heated seating on the patio. We were greeted by smiling hosts. As we waited for our table, I watched the interaction between the hosts, servers, bartenders and the manager. It seemed upbeat and cheerful which was very nice to see. As busy as they were with takeout orders and the constant in and out of servers from the kitchen no one seemed stressed and that is a true testament of a great establishment. We requested patio seating. I wanted that fresh Pismo air. We ordered a cup of clam chowder each to start. It was everything it needed to be. Creamy, hearty and warmed the soul going down. Then for our entree we decided to share an order of oysters Rockefeller, a salad with Italian dressing and an order of fish and chips since it comes with 3 pieces of fish. Oysters were on the smaller side but yummy, nonetheless. Salad was fresh and the palate cleanser needed. The fish and chips were crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. We were pretty content. Our server was very attentive and made sure we were not in need of a thing and that we were pleased with everything we ordered. We'll be back! read more

Mini trip to beat the heat from Sacramento ! First visit and won't be our last We stop by for lunch and was craving for some seafood! Customer service was attentive, thanks you Mrs.Connie for such great hospitality Everything we order were fresh and delicious from the oyster , clam chowder , fish with chips and cioppino (wow love the smoke of fresh seafood that fill he bowl) Oh the complimentary sourdough roll was nice and warm! Will have to swing back next time we are in Pismo read more

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Visiting Pismo for the long holiday and family brought us here for dinner the first night we were there. They frequent this place often and love it. We had about a 15 minute wait for a table, which you will expect in a small beach town! Love the special board up front that tells you the fresh offerings for the day. The sourdough rolls served when we sat were warm and tuggy and so good...we went through two baskets! We started with a bowl of clam chowder, which we always get when up in this area. Everyone advertises their "award winning chowder" and Ada's was good although a bit thick. There were chunks of potatoes and a few pieces of clam but overall a decent bowl! Daughter also ordered a side of the roasted Brussel sprouts, which I felt were a tad overdone with the roasting. We decided to share a meal and tried the Pismo Halibut and was not disappointed at all. It was so fresh and good and cooked perfectly. I did ask for capers to be added because it was served with a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce which was a perfect addition to the fish. The veggies served were al dente zucchini and yellow squash and they were huge pieces! I'm sorry I didn't get a photo but between the talking and laughing and catching up...the meal went without photos this time around. Definitely recommend...good place to eat! read more

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My mom and I were visiting Pismo for a quick Mother Daughter Getaway. Since we're were only in the area for two nights, I wanted one dinner to be something special but not "fancy". Ada's fit that vibe perfectly. They offer indoor seating as well as a large heated patio. We opted to sit inside in a sweet little corner of the dining room. They also have a small bar area off to the left as you walkin. It was totally packed with what seemed like locals. Super fun vibe in there as folk watched the World Cup game. The dining room is simple but very comfortable and modern with large windows looking out towards the ocean but not quite an ocean view as it's several blocks from the beach but still walking distance if you need to take a stroll after dining. Let me give a HUGE shout out to our server Rhonda. She was OUTSTANDING!! It's clear she loves her customers and her job. What a gem. Now to the food. As always, my eyes are bigger than my stomach but I really wanted to try as much as I could. We started off with a glass of sparkling rose for mom and a Sauvignon Blanc for me. Both were good. Fresh Sourdough Rolls - complementary and were good. Would be great dipped in clam chowder if we'd have ordered some. Grilled Artichoke - these were just okay. Leaves weren't as meaty as I'd hoped but the aioli was delicious. Comes with melted butter too but we stuck with the aioli and grilled lemon squeezes. Halibut Special - mom got this and it was tasty however some parts were a little dry. She also said her rice pilaf and steamed zucchinis were cold. That was a little disappointing, but didn't stop her from eating them. The halibut was under a really light sauce that I think was butter and white wine which the rice pilaf soaked up perfectly. If you didn't want rice pilaf they had other options like brown rice or au gratin potatoes. Scallops - I got these. It came with the same sauce as the halibut, and I also opted for the rice, pilaf and zucchini, and oddly mine were both pretty hot. The scallops were cooked perfectly. They were sweet and succulent. Four come to a plate, which is plenty. Our meal came out quickly in the service as I said was outstanding. I definitely come back to try some other things on the menu. read more

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Fourth time here and delicious as always. My wife had a cup of the clam chowder - wonderful. No wonder they win awards for this. I had three oysters from Chesapeake Bay. They were beautiful. Our mains were Sand Dabs and Scallops. Both were perfectly prepared. The included vegetables were yellow zucchini perfectly al dente and perfectly seasoned. In short, the food was, as always, amazing. But, the food was not the "star of the show." That would be Rhonda, our server. Rhonda is fabulously personable, incredibly competent, knowledgable about everything on the menu, and more than willing to make your evening the best dining experience ever. Every time we come to the Central Coast, where we lived for 30+ years, Ada's is our first choice for dinner. read more

I am a Chowder aficionado thanks to my Dad. Ada's chowder may be one of my favorites. Full of clams and definitely not watered down. Being a lover of Sand dabs I immediately ordered that when I noticed them on the menu. The sauce with them is good but I should have gone with my instincts and ordered the sauce on the side as it took over the plate. The top layer of the Au-Grau tin potatoes was fantastic but the bottom incorporated the sand dab sauce. The Vegetable medley of Squash and zucchini went back to the dishwasher only because that's not my thing. But is any restaurant vegetable medley ? Overall I would definitely order it again with a few changes. I sat at the bar and the service was excellent as well as the hostess that checked me in. read more

Ada’s Fish House - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

When in Pismo, eat seafood! I was craving clam chowder and a lobster roll and Ada's delivered! Well, I don't know if they actually deliver takeout, but I was glad they were open till 9:30pm on a weeknight so I could get my seafood fix after work and a workout. The bartender/server welcomed me in and seated me in the dining area. I already knew what I wanted so he put in my order as soon as I sat. The interior has a nostalgic charm, great for a date night. Executive chef and owner, Douglas MacMillan, fuses recipes from his mother, Ada Rosa's, hometown of Bonito, Italy and New England cuisine where his father is from. Although the "award winning" clam chowder didn't blow me away, it was delicious, creamy, not too salty and had clams in each spoonful. The Brussels Sprouts was one of the best I've had though. The sprouts were perfectly fried, not greasy, bacon was crispy, the dried cherries were subtle, goat cheese was evenly sprinkled on top and the balsamic reduction was well balanced. I had no problem eating the whole appetizer myself. The lobster roll came with big chunks of Maine lobster, topped with a big claw and nestled in a soft yet toasted New England roll. I asked for butter instead of it being dressed, so it was pretty plain, which was perfect for me because all I wanted to taste was the lobster with a little butter. I've had one too many lobster rolls with more mayo than I prefer. The fries it came with were also thick and fried perfectly with a light sprinkle of salt. I washed it all down with a nice glass of Chardonnay and was very satisfied with my last meal here. I would definitely come back to Ada's when in Pismo! read more

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I recommend the seafood pasta and steamed clams as it's fresh and filled with seafood. I would skip the scallops but these two are a must! We were out of town and celebrating two birthdays but there was no celebrations with our servers. They have reserved parking for people who dine in. Also heard their clam chowder is amazing read more

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We always make a point to visit Ada's when we come to California. This was the first time we've sat inside but the outdoor patio is my favorite. Service was great, the food was great! Try the Banana Mai Tai...yummy. read more

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We LOVE Ada's. It's a must visit for us when in Pismo. In fact when we decide where to stay and what beach we go to, we specifically go to Pismo for Ada's. The fish is fresh, oysters are clean and spectacular especially with the paired chimichurri. Drinks are strong and the servers are stronger! I have yet to have something on the menu i haven't been blown away by. read more

Ada’s Fish House - Oysters on the Half - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

It was pretty busy on a Friday night but we were able to grab seats at the bar without waiting. But I would suggest making a reservation or giving yourself extra time. I got the lobster roll which had large chunks of meat but I would have like some old bay seasoning or something on it We got the artichoke appetizer which was huge and delicious read more

Ada’s Fish House - Fish special Of the day - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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Ada's is a restaurant that we've been hitting up the last couple of times that we were in the Pismo beach area. We were searching for our favorite clam chowder. We ordered the clam chowder, brussel sprouts and fish tacos. Our favorite was definitely the brussel sprouts - the dried cherries and cheese made it so tasty! Hubby thought the chowder was too peppery...I thought it was pretty good, but not my most favorite. They give you some sourdough bread as something to munch on, but we wished that we could order more sourdough bread for the soup! Service was wonderful and the outside area was so cute! Perfect for our date night. read more

If you're looking for great seafood in the Pismo area, Ada's does a great job with a variety of preparations. Even during the off-season, they can get busy for dinners so make a reservation, especially if you have a larger group. The patio is dog friendly and they have a private parking lot. We started the meal with a half dozen fresh oysters which were cleaned well and served with some Tabasco, an herby vinegar, and lemons. Fresh warm bread and butter were also provided to start the meal. We got the steamed clams which were absolutely delicious. Done with a classic garlicky white sauce, the clams were fresh with no unpleasant fishy smells or tastes. The seafood pasta is the reason we return to Ada's year after year. There's a huge assortment of seafood included and all of the individual ingredients are well cooked unlike most seafood pastas. The mussels were small and very mild in flavor, almost tasting like clams. A flaky white fish as well as a more meaty fish were also included and weren't overcooked. The creamy rose sauce is flavorful and rich without overwhelming the various ingredients Service is friendly and they have a wide selection of drinks available. read more

Ada’s Fish House - Seafood Pasta - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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Sorry, the lobster roll was meh, for $32. Maybe because I got it warm with (tasteless) butter? The roll was the best part. Lobster also tasteless, rubbery. I had asked how much do people love it on a scale of 1 to 10, "9.8". I think not. I also ordered the salad as my side which the server wrote down, and she noted the dressing, and it came with fries. Big difference. I didn't want to sit while my husband ate so I didn't say anything. Why bother. Husband had fish tacos and said they were good. read more

Expensive but solid spot. Best clam chowder I've ever had hands down. So well seasoned, creamy, piping hot, but best of all it was insanely loaded! So many clams, potatoes and more. I would recommend dipping the complimentary sour dough in that. The grilled artichoke was something I've never had before and it was interesting! Really enjoyed the lemon aioli it came with but it was otherwise quite plain on its own. We shared some oysters as well but those were mediocre; a bit too watery, really small, and not the best mouthfeel. The salsa it came with was also way too punchy and took away from the oysters I feel. For entrees, we had the cioppino and scallops. The cioppino was very flavorful and they definitely did not skimp on the seafood! Scallops were solid too. Service was 10/10 excellent. Our waiter was really conversational and friendly. We were sat outside and it took awhile to get our check, as I think the workers spend most of their time inside the restaurant. It was gloomy when we visited but the heated lamps overhead kept us nice and warm. read more

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Glad to have returned to Pismo area to try Ada's Fish again after first having during covid when they had temp outside setup. Told that now it's a permanent outdoor patio, but we sat inside this time:) Had the sand dabs for the first time at that time, which started my family's love of sand dabs since, eating it from Monterey to SB, wherever we go, lol. Since we wanted to relive the first sand dabs, we got 2 orders for lunch! Great fish and the rice pilaf was superbly good with it. Kid loved his fries. Couldn't get 3 for 3 of us, so I went ahead and ended up trying lobster roll since I haven't had one in probably a decade or more. My mistake for picking a lobster instead of fish entree. Had good lobster pieces, but not much flavor, even pouring on the butter. The bread was good, but lobster just didn't pack much flavor for me. Maybe I was supposed to get it cold dressed version instead of hot with butter? Not sure, guess I'm just not a lobster roll person, since I remember the last one I had long ago also left me kind of disappointed. Anyway, that's me, I should have gotten a fish sandwich or fish tacos or something. Side salad with vinegrette dressing was nice. There was plenty of sand dabs, so I got to enjoy the fish and rice pilaf. Actually, I ended up loving the squash/zucchini that came with it! I mean, I ate all of them since wife didn't eat it. In fact, I was loving it when the same veggies came out for dinner at Vista Steak & Seafood and ate that up too, lol! I think it's best to stick to the namesake "fish" from Ada's Fish~ read more

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This place was delicious, the service was good, loved this place. Got the cooked oysters, crab cake, and lobster roll. Everything was delicious. Definitely recommend this place. read more

TL; DR - friendly service, dog friendly patio seating, food is delicious, ask for a second serving of their bread! Made reservations here for lunch on a Monday, which wasn't needed since we got there at opening. But if you plan to come for dinner, reservations are the way to go! We planned to walk in on a Saturday night and the wait was 1.5 hours long. We had our pup with us so we were seated on the patio. It was a bit chilly so they turned on the heaters. Plenty of space between tables so no need to worry if your pup might encroach on another table. Their complementary bread basket was warm sourdough rolls served with butter. THE BEST! Would order everything we got again: Clam chowder was creamy, thick, and packed full of clams and potatoes. Fish and chips were crispy, lightly battered and still moist. Seafood Pasta had lots of seafood with linguini in a red cream sauce. They have their own parking lot; parking also available on street. Service was friendly and quick! read more

Ada’s Fish House - Seafood pasta - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Service is great, food is really good. Will go back soon to try everything on the menu, Halibut and clam chowder were excellent read more

Food was amazing, from the appetizers to the calamari! Best clam chowder and seafood pasta ever! Service was great as well. Our waitress made sure we had everything we need. Food also came out very fast. The inside is casual and cozy. Outside is very spacious and relaxing! read more

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This place is seriously hella good! I was a little skeptical, thinking this may be a tourist trap, but the quality of the foods were amazing and the pricing is actually really reasonable. Came here right when they opened on a Friday lunch. We got seated in their dog friendly outdoor patio (yes their patio is dog friendly!). I brought our little fur baby with us. I tried the cioppino, husband got clam chowder and shrimp salad. They provided fresh sourdough bread as starters - so good! I also got a paloma drink which came in a big pint glass, didn't expect that! Cocktails usually come in a smaller glass so you're definitely getting bang for your buck here. The cioppino might be the best I've had in recent memory, if not the best. The seafood was fresh (probably sourced from the ocean in central coast). The flavors were on point. Everything was amazing! There were 2 gigantic scallops in there, I don't think I've had scallops that massive! The clam chowder was also delicious. My husband enjoyed the fresh shrimp on his salad. Overall, we were very happy with the meal and would totally be back! Another plus, service was super friendly and attentive. 10/10! read more

Had a great dinner last night.. Service was over the top. Rhonda was amazing great experience. read more

Great for lunch! We stopped by Ada's Fish House on a Monday afternoon and got seated right away on the spacious patio. The ambiance was casual and pleasant. For drinks, I got an unsweetened Iced Tea, which was predictably good. We ordered a half dozen raw Oysters, which were nice and fresh, and came with a tasty herby mignonette. We also got the Brussel Sprouts, Fried Calamari, and Steamed Mussels. I was obsessed with the Brussel Sprouts! These were perfectly crispy, and I loved the dried cherries along with the balsamic glaze. The Fried Calamari was also awesome and came with two different creamy sauces. We also loved the Steamed Mussels and their flavorful garlic tomato broth. Our server was super friendly and everything came out quickly. Definitely worth the visit! read more

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Great atmosphere. Great service. And very affordable considering its proximity to the water. I sat in the bar area (no waiting) and ordered the fish and chips. Waitress was perfect. Food was delicious. Will definitely go back. read more

I came here because they were rumored to have the best clam chowder. Well, it was pretty good, notable for a distinctively flavored broth unlike anything I'd had before, and which worked quite well. On my usual scale for rating clam chowders, quantity and tenderness of clams, it rated pretty good though not at the top. With it I had a plate of sand dabs, the distinctive local fish, three firm fillets, also with an unusual dark sauce on it, somewhat less successful. Extremely friendly and fairly attentive service. read more

We were going to take my sister to the Cracked Crab but thought to ask her advice as she is a long time local. She said Ada's was better and a superior value. Since she was joining us, we went with her recommendation. When on the Central Coast always go with the locals. They know. Ada's offers three very nice dining options. And since we actually ate there twice in two days (once on the patio with my sister's dog and the next night inside), I can honestly say that they all offer an exceptional dining experience. The patio is nicely sheltered and comfortable and the interior seating is spacious and not cramped at all. There is also seating in the cocktail area next to the window up front. This could be the best option of the three if there are two in your party and you like sitting at a high table with a view. Over our two meals, we sampled the fresh halibut, the sand dabs, the fish tacos, the scallops and the seafood pasta. We also had the clam chowder both nights (it is exceptional). If you happen to order the au gratin potatoes, please be warned that they are a little overly rich. As much as I loved them, I could only consume a third of what was on the plate. You could make a case for just ordering them by themselves. All dishes were delicious and well prepared. The sand dabs, which are a personal favorite of mine, were as good as it gets. Our servers, Ella on the first visit and Rhonda on the second, were both exceptional in their own special way. This leads me to believe that while they were both well trained, they were hired for their individual personalities and not simply their ability to do what they're told. This always makes for the best dining experience. read more

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Came here on a quick weekend day trip. Ended up ordering the burger and fries with soda. Was beefy but it felt just meh average burger. Not sure if I'd order that again. Soda was flat. Oysters were good and fresh. Fairly good amount of sea based selection Service was good. And the place was humming and they have indoor and covered outdoor seating. Overall, nothing much to say other than ok. read more

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May 30, 2026 and after look at cars at the 40th anniversary of the Pismo beach car show it was time for some great seafood. The sand dabs were delicious!! And I did enjoy a cocktail with raspberry liquor. Pictures posted for both! Attentive and knowledgeable staff! read more

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We were greeted with a warm simile from the hostess and informed of a short wait even with many tables open. Our dog was welcomed with a fresh bowl of water and some treats and became instant best friends with the food runner. Summer sunshine glinting through the shade sails as I enjoyed my white Sangria. The patio was pleasant with various table sizes. Slightly slow service but it gave us time to experience a lull in the conversation and get lost in the moment to enjoy each other's company. The food came and was absolutely delicious! I have the coppino. It was full of fish which made the price slightly more tolerable. Nothing beats fresh seafood by the beach. read more

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All was excellent!!! We dined here based on a very quick yelp search . Not disappointed the least! The meal was plentiful. The clam chowder was maybe the best I've ever eaten! Our server was attentive, & polite. Next time we're driving through Pismo it'll surely be a spot to return to! read more

Came in on a Thursday night and it was one of the few places open past 8pm. Sat at the bar ordered the crab cakes, Brussel sprouts and a bowl of clam chowder to share. Our server Liz and bartender Jasmine were top tier! Food was amazing and the price the lobster roll was filled. Didn't take any pictures we are for sure coming back soon read more

It was our last night in Pismo 1/17 and we decided to order and pick up some we wanted to stay in our hotel room. Hubby said the place was jam packed! But service was great and they had all the food clearly labeled. Everything traveled well since we took it to go. I ordered the scallops, veggies and potatoes au gratin and shrimp cocktail. Hubby ordered lobster Mac and cheese, lobster roll with fries and a bread pudding. Everyone was DELICIOUS and fresh. Ambiance was casual and the restaurant was very clean. If ever in Pismo- try this place! You will NOT be disappointed! read more

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Delish! One of us ordered the fish and chips and it was the best batter I've ever tasted it. The fries were perfectly crisp. I ordered the crabcakes and there were lumps of crab. All the sauces that accompanied everything were delicious. Service was excellent. The fish was so fresh I highly recommend if you're driving through Pismo Beach to pull over and make this a stop on your trip. Nice and clean lots of parking. A+ read more

Chowder was fantastic. Loved the Brussels. Had the Halibut special and it was delicious. Our waitress was top notch and sent our dining experience over the top. read more

Food is always solid. Love the chowder and the lobster roll. Artichoke as a starter is delicious. I always come here when I come to pismo. Service could be a bitttt better to give a solid 5 stars. read more

I spent a decade in Boston and I know clam chowder. I've spent the last week in Pismo Beach and have tried the locations that claim they have the best clam chowder in PB. I was disappointed. Ada's delivers. A++ Excellent taste, texture and the most tender clams. Seasoning was perfect. Also had the seafood pasta- also a fabulous meal. Service was prompt and friendly. Great dining experience. read more

This is a really nice spot for a meal. I had the fish & chips and my husband had the shrimp. The fish & chips were not that good because the breading on the fish was soggy and greasy. It seemed as if it wasn't cooked thoroughly because of the mushiness of the breading. I have it on good authority that the shrimp was delicious and cooked perfectly. The shrimp were large and plentiful and plated quite nicely. We shared fried calamari, which was very good. Service was very good. The waitress was friendly and informative. She checked on us without being intrusive. The restaurant is casual but still nice enough for a more formal celebration. There is a parking lot. We arrived early enough to get street parking in front of the restaurant. read more

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We went for lunch and ordered lobster&mac&cheese, shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, and kids menu. Alexis was friendly and quick about service. Clam chowder was very good and i love it. Shrimp cocktail sauce was fantastic. Mac&cheese was too thick and felt too much cheese i think. In total $92 including tips. read more

Ada’s Fish House - Lobster Mac-N-Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California