Ironside continues to be a family favorite of ours - it offers a very cool, trendy deep sea aesthetic with a friendly and welcoming staff from the hostess stand, bartenders, and waiters. We tend to be quite regular here - whenever we find ourselves downtown or in the Little Italy area. We often take the trolley, but every so often we'll drive. Be prepared for this area to be busy, so parking can be tricky to find unless you opt for paid parking nearby. Each time, we're seated without a reservation (and sometimes as a family of 4) and it's been fun to bounce around their dining rooms as each spot has its own experience. This time, we snagged their bench seats right at the front. It's an open air concept, which I love, because I can enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant, yet outside a bit. My husband and I enjoy their menu and appreciate how it changes up regularly. Every visit necessitates oysters on the half shell, a ceviche, and a shared main. Cocktails continue to be on point, no notes. You cannot go wrong with any of their seafood - always so fresh and flavorful. We've had their seafood platters before - those are often changing up seasonally. It's a great way to try a little of everything if it's your first time or you're wanting to share. See for yourself why Ironside is a gem in downtown SD. read more

One of the coolest places to grab some seafood, Ironside goes all out on the nautical theme with their interior and design. The New England Clam Chowder was creamy and the perfect start to the meal. The biscuit was good too, however it would have been better had it been served hot. The oysters rockefeller were also creamy, savory, and very tasty. It's a little weird how they serve it on a tray built for 6 but they only give 4. The Smoked Cod Toast I'd have to say was the most disappointing dish of the meal. It's basically an eggs benedict with fish on top. However I didn't get any smoky/fish taste and so the hollaindaise sauce overpowered the whole dish. The Rockfish Ceviche was very fresh and light. It goes very well with the basic saltine crackers. But the best dish of the night was definitely the Charred Octopus. So much flavor from the sauce and the olive tapenade, this is a must get. For dessert we got the banana pudding which was served tableside. They come out with a huge container and scoop it in front of you. While very good, I do wish it was a bit colder. Overall it was a great and fun meal that you should check out! read more

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very friendly service. staff were really kind and constantly made sure to acknowledge our anniversary. they gave us a very nice menu with our anniversary on it as well as gave us a very nice dessert. the restaurant itself is very pretty, but it is in a very busy area with difficult to get parking. at night, there are a lot of candles so the ambiance is very romantic. the food was also pretty good. the octopus was very tender and the red snapper was paired very nicely with the assortment of sauces. i would skip the uni pasta and the burrata appetizer. i feel like the uni pasta had a small amount of pasta considering the price tag. the peaches and burrata was good but there was not enough burrata for my liking. otherwise it was a very nice place, would definitely go if you have a birthday: anniversary! read more

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Great spot in the heart of little Italy! The food is decent, the seafood is good quality, great ambiance during happy hour and a good place to take out of towners. read more

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Second time i've been to Ironside and it was a pleasant experience. We started off the night with a few cocktails. Every cocktail I order here is great and is crafted great! I loved my drink. The food is outstanding if you're opting for fresh seafood either cooked or raw, they've got you covered I got the lobster roll - something i've gotten before and enjoy. I don't know how they do it but the malt vinegar fries are to die for! We also got the octopus, the mussels, and bread. These were all AMAZING. Highlight of the night had to have been the mussels! We also got the big platter. The assortment of oysters, with the smoked dip, to the ceviche, to the crudo, to the shrimp! It was all good! The shrimp had to have been the highlight of the platter. Sweet, slight taste of old bay, I wish I had more! The service and decor are also quite nice. The servers check on you quite often, and the shipwreck/octopus themed restaurant is a nice touch. If you're in Little Italy and are craving a seafood feast, stop by! read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

We had a reservation for 3 at 7:30 And we were sat outside But we waited a bit longer before any water or drinks order was asked We finally had a server take drink order and we order some apps And then Carlos came to our table and made sure we were good. We had more food the order and he bought out another drink But as we knew it he sent over a banana pudding For free which was nice He apologized for being short staffed and wanted Send us a dessert Carlos was so great at his service but he was inside and outside With a good attitude too I was happy to see this I go back just to see Carlos read more

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Visited SD for the weekend and found this spot on TikTok. My goodnesssss 10/10!! We found some seats at the bar and were taken care of quickly. Bar staff were fun and friendly. We shared the following; -lobster roll w/ malt vinegar fries (LITERALLY TOO GOOD!) -fried rice w/ jammy eggs (BOMB) -oyster mushrooms (3/10 - a bit rubbery) Drinks -ghostwriter -ISFO I'll definitely be back. Like perf dim lighting and vibe. read more

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* catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date Pretty much everyone I asked and every online resource recommended this place so obviously had to check it out while I was in town after a work trip. I was able to be seated pretty quickly for a table of 1 with an online reservation (I was surprised they even took tables of 1 online!) but the restaurant was definitely busy and there were lots of groups there as well. The restaurant is very dark and moody in the best way with some very cool decor. Had a really delicious dinner ordering various small bite plates! Started with a variety of oysters and a gin cocktail, then had the seasonal crudo, and ended with bone marrow with tuna tartare and smoked trout roe with toast and I was stuffed! Everything was very fresh and delicious! read more

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Had a lovely solo lunch here this week. I had the option of sitting at the bar or a table, and I opted for a table. They put me at a cute little booth near the front so I could watch people coming and going- I really enjoy the indoor/outdoor vibe with the big windows. The place is really well decorated and there is plenty to look at. I enjoyed my ice tea with plentiful refills, and the lobster roll. The bun was perfectly toasted and buttered, and the crunchy onions provided a nice texture. The lobster meat itself was great and sizable pieces. I loved the malt fries on the side- they reminded me of salt and vinegar chips. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Menu - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Some colleagues and I hit up happy hour while in town for a conference and it did not disappoint. $1 oysters, $5 apps, and $10 cocktails - say less! We tried so many things and really liked everything. Thankfully, one of my friends got the lobster roll and French fries because the fries are incredible!!!! I'll definitely order them next time. Also, the restaurant is beautiful and cool, and our server was so friendly and helpful! I'd recommend having a reservation because it's popular! read more

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Being allergic to clams/shellfish/things in shells I never had ironside top of my list, but Im so glad we finally made a reservation. Very cool theming and ambiance, super nice servers, everything was great. I had the biscuit that came with the clam chowder, the flavor was there and it was buttery, but I wish it was served warm. The charred octopus had such good flavor! The tapenade brought the whole dish together. It was my favorite octopus I've had in a little while. Rock fish ceviche had a good burst of citrus and I love that it comes with saltines. The table side banana pudding lasted us three nights, it was so much dessert! I loved the deconstructed idea, but being table side I felt like that made it more room temp vs being cold from the fridge. The texture was there though and it tasted like real banana vs that fake banana flavor. This was a great dinner and I'm glad I gave it a shot even though I can't really eat much on the menu! read more

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If you're in Little Italy in San Diego and are not looking for something Italian but rather some delicious seafood, then Ironside is the place! Especially during their $1.00 oyster special price times. It was a bit busy but what restaurant with $1.00 priced oysters won't be? Their oysters are well worth the wait and the clam chowder fries are a must. So is the Tiny Tini at only $8.00 during happy hour. You'd think the word tiny in the name would mean just a sample size but it was generous tiny and well made. Sidewalk seating was very comfortable in the near perfect San Diego weather in late June and despite the wait for our order it was lovely being outdoors enjoying the people watching. The restrooms are a bit too dark for my liking, but they were clean and well stocked. read more

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The decor at Ironside looks fantastic after the renovations, and the atmosphere made for a great night. Carlos took excellent care of our table. He was attentive, quick, personable, and especially knowledgeable about wine. We started with a Sancerre for the ceviche and crudo, then switched to a Cabernet Franc with the mussels. It was full-bodied but still soft on the palate and paired beautifully. His attention to detail made the experience feel special, and I'm looking forward to coming back!! read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Bar area - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Parking 2/5 -It's almost always going to be hard to find street parking anywhere in Little Italy. Service 5/5 -I had a reservation and was seated quickly, waitstaff was friendly and ready to answer any questions about the menu. They also informed me their menu changes every day. Attentive and thorough service :-) Food 4/5 -Clam chowder $11, decent chowder with some fried bacon bits in there. Delicious cheddar biscuit, it was dense and flaky and smelled amazing. -Uni pasta $38, I expected more immersion between Uni and pasta than just having the two pieces of Uni on top. The base with crema and chili felt underwhelming to me, this dish just did not impress me. The portion size and quality also do not suffice the price, I would not order again. -Hiramasa collar $19, the grilled yellowtail collar was juicy, tender and flavorful. It tasted smokey and bright(with squeeze of lemon), each bite was addicting. -Lobster roll $38, the bread was insanely buttery in the best way and they did not skimp on the lobster filling at all. Loved the hint of vinegar coming through the fries, crispy, no notes. I would recommend this dish the most. Ambiance 5/5 -Lively mixed dining and bar environment, medium level of music, interior design is tastefully done like most other consortium holdings restaurants. I loved the post card they give out with the bill. read more

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Nice. This restaurant was a vibe. It seems to be the place to go for oysters. That's what every other table had. I went with sea bass and oyster mushrooms. I sipped on a daiquiri, as well, because why not. My waiter was great. Loved it all. read more

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Heard about this place for so long and finally got to try it when I went as part of a bachelorette. The space is actually pretty large inside. We got seated right around our reservation time. For food we got the "bigger" platter which comes with a bunch of seafood (oysters, shrimp, chopped tuna, rockfish ceviche, smoked swordfish dip and crudo) and accompaniments including dips, crackers, etc. Also ordered the charred octopus, fried rice and fries. All the seafood tasted really fresh and the platter was a great variety to try a bunch of things. My favorite was the the ceviche and the swordfish dip. Nothing was overly salty either. Fried rice tasted really decadent but it was yummy. Fries were thinner cut and crispy. The only slight letdown was the octopus. Kind of chewy and a small size for the price. Drinks did take a bit to come out but it was really busy. We were able to get a couple rounds of drinks and they gave us a couple free drinks to celebrate the bachelorette. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - "bigger" platter - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for my birthday celebration and Ironside delivered! Highlights: - clam chowder (10/10) -lobster roll w/ fries (10/10) -oysters (10/10) -uni pasta (8/10) -rock crab tostada (7.5/10) -yellowtail collar (5/10) The servers were attention and kept asking if anything was good. Love the hanging Cthulhu and the gaslit candle on the table! read more

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The inside of this restaurant displays many exciting decorations. There is a giant squid chandelier , boats, a dockside and many more. It is nice and exquisite inside. I had the following below: *Local Bluefin Tuna : 4/5 - It tasted very fresh. This was more sashimi dripped in olive oil and has a splash of sea salt and chives. You can really taste the salt explode in your mouth with a hint of lime. It was good and refreshing. *Chowder Fries : 4/5 - I have never seen clam chowder fries but honestly was pretty tasty. The fries were more like seasoned fries, very crispy and soft. The clam chowder tasted good as well. *Lobster roll : 4/5 - Honestly it was a nice solid lobster roll. I was really surprised on the bread they have used for this. It was more a texas toast, buttered on each side. The lobster tastes fresh, the shallots were a nice addition on top. It also comes with a side of fries which were very crispy and soft. *Octopus Cocktail: 2/5 - Its made for 2 people. I thought it would taste good with the mango and jalapeno extract but man that spice leaves a mark in your throat. Key lime tequila was good as a had a key lime foam on top. Mezcal was nice and smokey. *Blue drink: 5/5 - Tasty, sweet, and the ice cream on top was a very nice addition on top. The drink was pretty much like a very sweet mai tai, enjoyed it. Apparently this place is going through some company changes because online there is no menu available. I have dropped it in the pictures below to get a better idea of whats available here. Although it is mostly seafood, not all of it is. It's a solid dinner for seafood lovers. The service was exceptional. On a side note I will say management needs to do something about the restrooms situation. I don't mind all gender restrooms, but its a concern when I can see the person next to me in the other stall. Its a huge glass mirror and underneath the mirror is a huge sink where you can wash your hands. There is a space between the mirror and sink where if someone needs to do their #2 they can actually see the other person. Not very private and somewhat concerning. read more

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I really enjoyed stopping in for a pre beach brunch! We wanted something light and both had been craving oysters. The service was great and we got seated immediately despite it being friday and peak lunch. The area we sat at, cooks counter, was cool and had great decor. Everything here was very on brand and I honestly loved it. The oysters were tasty, fresh, and pretty small medium in size. The octopus was amazing, cooked perfectly and had the right bite to it, it honestly didn't even need the accompaniments because of how well it was cooked. Mocktail was definitely different but fun to try! I'd definitely return to Ironside. read more

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Great place for my Birthday Dinner! Our group of 5 had reservations to celebrate my 30th birthday. I had been looking for a resturant that looked like it offered good quality sea food and had a nice night out vibe. The new remodel of this place gave us just that and the food was amazing! We ordered a little bit of everything. Oysters, octopus, mussels, tuna toast & drinks. Wow, the flavors that made up each dish really made us want to keep eating and sharing everything. My favorite items were the octopus and mussels. The octupus was tender and not chewy ! And the mussles came in a chunky sauce that was amazing. One piece of bread was not enough to really enjoy the plate. The drinks were good and complimented our food well. My menu was also personalized and they gave our table a personalized dessert in celebration of my birthday. We enjoyed our experience so much. The only thing that made this review a 4 star was the service. It was a very busy evening and we would loose our waitress for long periods. With that being said. When she would return, she was always very polite and attentive to anything we needed. read more

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For being a city by the ocean, its surprisingly difficult to find a place that shucks a good oyster. Ironsides has never disappointed in any regard, service and food always hit no matter what I get. read more

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I'd rate the food a 4.5/5 and the service a 2/5. From the host stand to our waiter, the front-of-house experience unfortunately didn't match the quality of the food. We were originally told there would be a 20-minute wait, which we were totally fine with, so we walked around the neighborhood to pass the time. However, it ended up being well over 45 minutes before we were seated at the bar. We didn't request bar seating, and it was frustrating to see open seats available the entire time along with plenty of open tables. That said, the food was excellent. Happy hour started while we were there and the $1 oysters were fantastic. The only item I'd skip next time would be the mussels they were just okay compared to everything else, which was truly 5/5. Overall, great food, but the service and hosting experience really needs improvement. read more

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Tried Ironside Fish & Oyster while in Little Italy, and overall it was a good experience, we came for apps. The location is right in the heart of everything, so it was pretty busy, but we were actually seated pretty fast for being a walk-in, which I appreciated. The food itself was really good. The sweet potatoes were honestly some of the best I've had, and it was my first time trying bone marrow here, definitely a new experience, but I actually enjoyed it. I also tried the octopus, which was cooked really well and tasted great, but the texture just wasn't for me personally. Service was okay. Our server didn't check on us much, but to be fair we were seated outside and it was really busy, so it's understandable. Overall, everything was delicious and I'm glad I tried it, but it's probably not somewhere I'd go out of my way to come back to. Still worth checking out if you're in the area though if you want a small bite! read more

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Have not been since remodel and new chef / menu. Happy to say still one of my favorite "date night" restaurants in San Diego (dad / daughter date this time) We had the bread (delicious, a hint of citrus in the loaf I think) and the main lobster cocktail to start - lobster was semi-hands on to get to claws to make it interactive. Perhaps a dip or preparation with the tamale would have improved? Mains were catch of the day (halibut and ahi) plus sides. Fish was simply grilled but cooked perfectly, asparagus was a standout side as cooked perfectly crisp with a nice char topped with an amazing green goddess sauce. Mushrooms were surprisingly large portion. Frites were perfect as frites could be. The ambiance is the same as I remember but the place feels a bit more elegant with updated lighting, table side lanterns. and a bit more "swank" to banquettes and brass / wood molding. Service was prompt and fun. All in all everything it has always been as a SD institution. Note to Somm / Bev Mgr: You CLEARLY have an issue with Chardonnay, and I respect that statement (a quirk shared across CH restaurants, try finding vodka or ketchup at C&C). I would only say that if you have an issue with Chardonnay and only have one by glass and one by bottle on the list, it should be French and not CA. (Maybe a Chablis or Pouilly Fuisse by the glass and a 1er cru by bottle?) Seems like if you're going to be bold and snub Chardonnay (at a fish / seafood establishment no less) you should fully commit to your boldness and not pussyfoot with a CA bottle to appease those looking for something assembling a butter bomb (to be fair, the glass selection was an unoaked stainless steel variety) Besides, if you went French you wouldn't even have to have the word "Chardonnay" on your wine list :) PS: I went by the glass with 1er cru champagne and a morgon which was perfect with the grilled halibut and stood up to the asparagus. You're the best, love your establishment and I will be back read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

OpenTable just told me I've been to Ironside twenty-seven times. Honestly, that seems low. Get the oysters, obviously. The lobster roll is the reason I keep coming back. And the malt vinegar powder on the fries? Completely unnecessary and yet somehow very essential. One time they let me pick my own lobster. A true moment of beautiful chaos. See you on visit twenty-eight. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Fantastic! We sat directly where one of the three kitchens is. Direct access to watching them cook over actual coals was just so much fun. It was great entertainment to see people making masterpieces. The clam chowder was just as good as we had expected. I also got the red snapper and it was a very well done fish. I don't think it was worth the price of it, but it was a very delicious fish. read more

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Last minute Valentine's Day Resy on Open Table (thanks Chase Exclusive Tables)! Super busy but were sat within 15 minutes after check-in. Sampled the Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and the Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc and ended up with the Chardonnay. Friendly service, love the nautical decor and the servers' striped uniforms. Def plays well into the theme. Got a nice hot cup of clam chowder, served with their deliciously warm and shiny biscuit. Tabasco, Shishito, and Habanero sauce served on the side. This was followed by their octopus à la plancha, with a the chorizo served as a sort of corned beef with olives with harissa aioli. Def a solid dish. Entree was the lobster roll, which we subbed the fries for a delicious salad with balsamic and fruit. They kindly split the roll for us without asking and the fried shallots were a nice crunch and flavor that added to the buttery lobster and the herby filling. Brioche bun was also toasted and buttery. 10/10 on this. All in all a great experience for a last-minute V day lunch in Little Italy. Also love their chef's counter where you can watch all the food prep and a good HH during the week for oyster lovers. read more

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Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy never disappoints, and this visit was no exception. It wasn't our first time here, and it certainly won't be our last. The atmosphere is vibrant and beautifully designed, making it the perfect spot for a memorable dining experience in San Diego. What truly stood out was the exceptional service. Michael took great care of our table--attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming throughout the entire meal. Emma also deserves special recognition; she has one of the best personalities I've ever encountered in a restaurant setting. Her energy and warmth instantly elevate the experience, and she absolutely belongs on the welcoming team. Together, they made our visit feel personal and unforgettable. We'll definitely be back. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Once upon a time this was my favorite CH restaurant in SD. Over time it's just become a place to go for oysters. I was hopeful after the renovation and addition of the grill that it'd wow me but it's just average food. Service can be good or not good depending on when you visit or where you sit. I'd only recommend it if you can get a bar seat for some oysters. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Crab tostada - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

First time at Ironside Oyster in Little Italy, and we will definitely be back. Made reservations for Happy Hour timing on OpenTable. Food: We ended up going during their Happy Hour (3-6pm M-F) and got a dozen $1 oysters, in addition to their Happy Hour ceviche, a bowl of clam chowder, and the new Slab salad. All items came out fresh and delicious, with the clam chowder taking the cake. Each spoonful had multiple pieces of clam, with rich creamy notes throughout. Pro tip- try their bottled salsa which is brewed without vinegar by a local company. It's honestly so addicting and we ended up buying two bottles to take home. Service: Mikey, our waiter, made us feel right and home and we never felt rushed or judged for having asked so many questions. He even surprised us with a birthday dessert with our name printed into the top! He honestly made our visit so memorable and we can't wait to return. Ambiance: Spacious, indoor and outdoor seating both with different benefits. Honestly, there is not a bad seat here as indoor has very wooden, regal feeling whereas outdoors has your chill San Diego vibe with lots of dog watching. read more

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We were invited back by manager Zoe and they definitely won us back. Our waitress Amber was awesome and her recommendations were spot on! All the dishes we tried were amazing! We had oysters, mussels, smoked black cod toast, charred octopus, and crudo. So much great flavor! Oh and the bread! So fluffy and yummy! Cheers to Chef Nico for the delicious creations. Wonderful dinner. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Quite the well situated venue in Little Italy that brings you all the fresh flavors and creative cocktails. Happy hour menu and outdoor seating is perfect on a relaxing afternoon. It's a busy spot and recommend reservations. Come hungry, everything is delicious! read more

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Ironside Fish & Oyster was an overall okay experience for our group dinner. We had a party of seven, and before being seated we were required to agree to the restaurant's policy: automatic gratuity for groups over six and a required average spend of $70 per person. While I understand large-party policies, being asked to formally agree to a spending minimum before sitting down felt a bit off-putting. That said, we had reservations, were hungry, and it was too late to pivot elsewhere, so we went along with it. We ordered the large seafood tower, which is meant to feed 6-8 people. Seafood towers are always fun and visually impressive, though crab legs are inevitably a bit of a hassle to eat--but that's just the nature of the dish. Everyone also ordered individual entrées afterward. To be honest, I don't even clearly remember what I personally ordered, which probably says the most about the experience. Nothing was bad, but nothing stood out as particularly memorable either. Overall, Ironside delivered a decent meal and a fine group dining experience, but between the upfront spending requirements and the lack of standout dishes, it ended up feeling just average rather than exceptional. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

The vibe here is so good . My top pick is the clam Chowder. It's creamy, rich and delicious. Changing crackers to scone is genius idea. Oysters are good. The drink menus is so special. Service is Okk read more

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This review is for their Happy Hour (Mon-Fri 3-5pm)! A perfect happy hours for a girl's evening out! We sat at the row of high tables and it was perfect for chatting and enjoying the pretty decor. We ordered some oysters and shrimp to start off since it does take a while to arrive during happy hour (understandably with the volume of orders. While we waited, we enjoyed the clam chowder and the $5 ceviche tostada which were both very tasty! My friend got a huge spritz and I got a rum cocktail called the Cobbler; they were both $3 off for happy hour! The oysters of the day were on the smaller size but that's actually my preference and we ordered another round of oysters before being full! Geena was our server and she was so nice and checked up on us the perfect amount of times despite it being so busy Pro tip: be careful of any broken shell pieces when eating the oysters because they are shucking so many so fast that a few pieces may slip through :')) read more

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Happy Hour Review, downgrade. Ironside HAD my favorite happy hour. It's slightly less happy but still a solid good time. $1 oysters can't be beat unless they are so small. It's happy hour and a great deal but I wouldn't pay $3 for some of them or even $1 for the tiny ones they sometimes serve. The $1 dollar peel and eat shrimp are THE way to go. Forget the oysters and go all in Shrimp. There have been quite a few changes since last visit. No more $5 clam chowder n biscuit. Honestly I don't blame them for "giving away" best sellers in this economy. It's still beautiful And very busy so no complaints here. read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Happy Hour Oysters $1 - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Went here with some childhood friends today to celebrate me getting married. I haven't been to Ironside in quite some time, but have been a longtime customer. The OG chef came back and this has made all the difference. They treated our party amazing and provided excellent customer service. My friends were so impressed and loved it. Everything we had was on point, bread, lobster roll, clam chowder, uni pasta, and cocktails. This is an amazing place to celebrate with friends for a special occasion. The remodel is immaculate! read more

Ironside Fish & Oyster - Ironside Bread - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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My husband and I went here for our 8 year wedding anniversary and we couldn't have been happier! Seafood selection was excellent: so many different types of oysters we enjoyed the baked oysters and oysters with garlic sauce; chilled lobster was sweet, loved the tuna toast! Our go to is always the char grilled octopus there is a brand new list of signature cocktails and if you like a martini would recommend their special cocktail that came with 3 oysters! what really blew us away was that they printed a custom menu with our names and a special dessert! Service was excellent our servers always checked in on us and cleared the tables right away and topped of our water and made sure we had drinks flowing. They gave us a small champagne to start off the night. What a lovely touch and we will be sure to come back. One of our favorite restaurants in little Italy. Make a reservation because on a Sat night the wait was up to 3 hours... read more

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We come here every time we visit San Diego. Reservations are highly recommended because they get busy. Although they do take walk-ins the wait times can be harsh. You can do like is and walk and shop in Little Italy (Ironside is located right on the main street) but its better to plan ahead. Their menu changes daily. Yes. Daily. All seafood is fresh and locally sourced, yum! Their space is beautiful! The only problem I have is with the restrooms. The ones on the right of the hallways have shared sinks with the neighboring stalls. A modern concept possibly but weird for me. Stick to the left! Food is Amazing! Staff has always been nice, although some of the gals that check you in can be a tiny bit pretentious- never mind them. Food is great and worth the wait. Must try! read more

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The restaurant is crowded so I recommend getting a reservation. The inside is really cute. Very aquatic themed. The bathroom is a little awkward though in that you share a sink with the neighboring bathroom. This allows some visibility into the other room unfortunately. Tried the martini service and white negroni. The white negroni surprised me. I think I prefer the white negroni over the classic. The martini service comes with 3 oysters, olives and pickles. The pickles have a kick. Reminds me of horseradish. Everything paired well with the martini. Would definitely get it again. For food, the best thing I tried was the clam chowder and lobster roll. The bread the chowder comes with was tasty. Firm yet soft. But if you happen to get the lobster roll, take a piece of that bread and dip it into the chowder. It was the best bite. Buttery crispy pillowy bread in a luscious chowder. Yum. The lobster roll was also probably the best I've had in a while. I also tried the crab bucatini. This was probably the most disappointing. It lacked seasoning and didn't have enough sauce for the bite which made it rather dry. Service was great. Super friendly. Was very attentive. read more

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