The place is idyllic, it's worth stopping just for the views. Service is friendly and fast. We had fish tacos and it was extra fresh and tasty. Good portion and affordable. I would just suggest swapping the soft tortillas for regular as they break with the juice. read more

Mersea's - Fish tacos without cheese - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

I came here for dinner and their view was nice as they are on the pier. You can park on the pier but you have to pay. You have to order all your food up front. The service was nice. A lot of the employees were younger aged. They also let you order right until the closing time so you can still stay a bit after they close. It was pretty cold next to the water outside but some of their tables have heaters. The food was alright. I ordered the fish and chips. I usually get a side of some sort of vegetables with it so it was a bit unexpected when I didn't get any. I ordered a side of vegetables for $4 which had decent portions. There was a good amount of fries and fish though. Their clam chowder was alright. read more

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Came here while camping near by for a quick dinner after spending all day at the beach. We came 30 mins before closing and were worried they might not take us, but they gladly took our order and pointed us towards the outdoor seating on the pier. Great views of the bay, sounds of sea lions barking, and the ocean. The patio had plenty of seats but you can tell it gets packed. We got fish and chips, shrimp and chimps, calamari and chips, and a bread bowl. All great & we'll definitely be back. Minus 1 star for the seats in the back, where we were sat, being next to the fish gutting station for the pier... brutal smell but what can you do. Worth it regardless read more

When it comes to seafood on the Central Coast, Mersea's Seafood Restaurant -- located at the end of the Harford Pier in Avila Beach -- is hard to beat. The stunning coastline and crystal-clear water make it one of the most beautiful dining spots in the area. The food was excellent, and the service was friendly, quick, and attentive. We enjoyed the New England clam chowder, crab cakes, and calamari sandwich. The flavors were fresh, the cooking was perfect, and the presentation was terrific. Unfortunately, the meal was ruined by one major issue: flies. It felt like we were eating in a horse barn on a hot summer day. Swarms of flies were everywhere, landing on tables, food, and people. We weren't the only ones complaining -- every table around us was visibly frustrated by the constant swarm of bugs. It's hard to pinpoint the exact cause. The open outdoor patio, the proximity to the water, the large number of seagulls, or the nearby sea lions could all be contributing factors. Whatever the reason, the fly problem is overwhelming and seriously detracts from what would otherwise be an outstanding dining experience. In summary: the location is spectacular, the food is delicious, and the service is solid -- but the massive number of flies on the patio is a deal-breaker. Until they find a way to solve this issue, I'll have to pass on any future meals there. (Disclosure: The attached photos are not mine. I "borrowed" them from elsewhere on the web.) read more

Mersea's - Mersea's crab cakes. - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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We wanted a casual spot with local flavor and stumbled upon Mersea's. This place is exactly what I imagined when I thought coastal California eats done right. FOOD: 8/10 DRINKS: 8/10 SERVICE: 9/10 AMBIANCE: 9/10 What I ordered: Fresh Oysters Crab Sandwich Cocktail and Beer FOOD: 8/10 The fresh oysters were definitely fresh, a bit too fresh, haha. They were briny, perfectly chilled, and had a bit of grainy sand. The crab sandwich was amazing, packed with fresh, flavorful crab and just the right amount of seasoning. I love how buttery, toasted, and hot the bread was. The avocado and melted cheese were a perfect touch to the sandwich. DRINKS: 8/10 The cocktails were a good pair with the food that we ordered. It paired well with the seafood and added to the relaxed vibe by the water. SERVICE: 9/10 I felt welcomed. The staff were friendly, and we got our food and drinks out quickly despite the dinner rush. I really appreciated the warm, local vibe they gave off. AMBIANCE: 9/10 It was VERY cold outside near the water, but the views made up for it. I could see seals lounging nearby. The countless seagulls flying overhead were slightly overwhelming, haha. Mersea has a casual, cheerful beach-town atmosphere that makes you feel instantly relaxed. There is a mix of minimal indoor and mostly outdoor seating, which meant I could enjoy the ocean breeze. Final notes: We parked in the lot near the bridge that leads to Mersea's. I think you can also drive onto the bridge and park right next to the restaurant, but when we arrived, it looked like there was very limited parking available. read more

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We had fun today which started with a drive up and through Perfumo Canyon and then down into Avila where we wound up on the beach. Walked that pier then drove down to the Harford Pier and walked that. I saw Mersea's, I've seen it before, this time I sat down and looked at that great big menu on the wall...It all looked so good. We were planning dinner in a couple of hours so I didn't want to spoil my appetite. What could we share for a quick something to fill the gap? Ah M loves Boston clam chowder time to sample theirs, yes a bowl please, no, no bread bowl thanks...and Garlic Parmesan fries...yes. Okay, under twenty bucks, a few bills for the staff and in 6 minutes we were eating. Nothing better than dipping hot fries into a bowl of hot clam chowder...Oh My. It was a nice ending to our adventure today. I'd highly recommend it to anyone into spontaneity. Thanks Kids! Foodguy-Martin read more

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No need to trek over to SLO, Avila Beach (proper), or Pismo while you're in the area... unless you're already there, in which case, do yourself a favor and make a beeline for Mersea's. This place? It's a triple threat: great food, great service, and a view that is second to none. Now, let's talk chowder. Their clam chowder? It's so good it made me question my loyalty to Splash--and I love Splash but given all the butter, my cardiologist started texting me warning emojis just thinking about it. Need some greenery? Fear not--Mersea's has your back (and your arteries). They offer steamed veggies and a lineup of salads that would make your heart doctor fist-pump in approval. I ended up ordering the garlic fries, because in my book, potatoes and garlic totally count as vegetables--cardiologist be damned. I already mentioned the great service so I'll just reiterate it - it's great as was my bill (very reasonable). read more

Mersea's - Clam chowder (Nolan Style) bacon and croutons. - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Wow what an amazing place! Beautiful location, right on the water. Customer service is good. And that view! Parking was limited right next to the restaurant, but there's plenty of parking if you're willing to walk a few. You order from the counter, and they bring your food to you while calling out your name. I had the clams and the hubby had the chowder. Both were delicious. We particularly enjoyed the view while having dinner. Such a serene place to sit back and relax. This place is a must if you're ever in the area! read more

Mersea's - Chowder - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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I LOVE the steamer clams, garlic toast, skinny spicy margarita, clam chowder, and whatever else comes my way at the counter the hour and a half I spend I love the smell of the ocean and the taste of the sea! read more

Great casual spot on the water to grab some seafood and a cold beer. The food is prepared super simply and not overly seasoned. Really enjoyed the big chunks of fresh clams in the NE Chowder and the blackened fish sandwich came on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, tarter and some dill pickles. The fish was very moist local snapper and not spicy at all. The servers and bartenders are all very friendly and get your orders out fast. read more

Mersea's - NE Clam Chowder - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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We've been patrons of Mersea and Duckies in Cayucos for years. Usually the same fabulous fish and chowder. However, today we brought visiting friends to Mersea and were super disappointed. The serving sizes have diminished to toddler portions (fish, french fries, vegetables, chowder), minuscule blackened seasoning on our fish, battered fish looked like twice baked, cold sautéed vegetables, and to top it off they lost our visiting friends order. The circulating flies around our heads made for some entertainment while waiting for our reorder. While the view is amazing, we will be one and done. Too much $$ for too much of a disappointment! read more

Favorite place to eat seafood in the area hands down. Their food is super fresh & absolutely home made. Everything we've ever had was just great. The service is always great and with a smile. Laid back spot with great views of the coastline. The bar area is nice to sit at and watch the ocean & sea life. read more

Mersea's - Crab melt sandwich, shrimp cocktail, fries, hot dog, cup of chowder - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Out at the end of the pier on the far end of Avila, Mersea's offers delicious seafood, beautiful views, friendly counter service, and crowds of tourists checking out the beautiful bay and Sea Lion show. Everyone was in a good mood, creating a positive atmosphere. With plenty of parking and patience, you'll make it to lunch just fine, though maybe consider coming a little earlier or a little later. I had the shrimp tacos and they were very good, with plenty of fresh shrimp. My wife and daughter had melts on sourdough and they were tasty too. read more

Mersea's - Line goes out the door, but probably not always. - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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We visited Mersea's on a Sunday evening and couldn't have picked a better spot to enjoy dinner. Located right on the pier at Avail Beach, the outdoor seating gave us a stunning ocean view--calm waves, open sky, and fresh sea air. It really set the tone for a relaxing meal. We started with a clam chowder bread bowl, a fresh 1.5 dozen oysters, fried calamari with photo chips, and Nancy's Special Salad. The oysters were the standout--so fresh, briny, and perfectly chilled that we couldn't stop at just one dozen. Two of us ended up devouring 18 of them! Nancy's Special Salad was another highlight. The blue cheese wasn't overpowering--instead, it added the perfect tangy richness that brought all the flavors together. The calamari was crispy and satisfying, and the photo chips were a fun touch. The clam chowder bread bowl was just okay. While it came out piping hot, the flavor was a bit plain compared to the other dishes, still was a good try All in all, Mersea's was a win for the setting, seafood, and the chill, beachy vibe. We'll definitely be back--especially for more oysters. Also I have to mention their service was unbeatable, very friendly and efficient. The Bartender was great, my Hub end of had four cups of Magritte. read more

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Great ocean views and seafood on the pier! The combination chips came with fried fish, calamari, shrimp, clams, and oysters. I loved that they had this option, since it let me try a bunch of different types of seafood! The fried fish and the calamari were my favorites, I especially liked that the batter was thin and the meat portions were big. The clam chowder is also a must try, it had a generous amount of clams and went perfectly with the bread bowl to soak up all the soup. Even though it's more casual and not a sit down restaurant, the kind workers came by and took our plates after we were done eating. read more

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I tried this place out a few months ago with friends. We had heard so much about it from the locals! The place boasts a beautiful view of the ocean, positioned right on the docks. It was an interesting walk from the parking area, I was pleasantly surprised by the entrance. The servers were nice, and the menu had a variety of things so it's great there was an option for everyone in my party. I ordered the lobster sandwhich and some clam chowder. Unfortunately it was flavorless. The lobster was nice and fresh but the sandwich didn't have anything on it that made it stand out taste wise. The clam chowder was just okay. My friend didn't finish her food and the other nibbled at the fries instead. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I've had my share of seafood and as fresh as this was, there was no seasoning whatsoever. :( read more

Mersea's - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Such a world class dining experience. The spectacular view while dining on the Avila Bech Pier, would be worth the trip whatever the food was like . Fortunately the food is also remarkably good ! We especially love the thick and perfectly cooked CLAM STRIPS . Frankly the best we know of ! The fried shrimp also has a savory flavor unique to this restaurant. They sometimes have live music on the patio as well . We find , a tangerine - wheat beer (on draft ) goes perfectly with the Sea Lions and Otters paddling around the pier for your viewing pleasure. read more

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I enjoyed another lovely visit here! This time I tried the crab cakes and they were wonderful! The service was fast but it did get very packed and folks were being served food before tables were available since it's an order at the counter situation. No wonder it was packed, the weather and the view were stunning! I would order the crab cakes again! read more

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Went twice while in Avila. Friendly service. Fish bowl was excellent. Fish tacos excellent, fish and chips excellent. Side salad good too. Dog friendly which makes it perfect. Fun to see the sea lions off the pier. read more

Mersea's - Blackened red snapper, rice, vegetables - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Amazing oysters and clam chowder!!! We sat at the bar and also ate a blackened shrimp bowl and fresh fish bowl. There were several tables outside but even with the heaters going, the breeze made it too cold. There was about 4 tables inside as well. You can drive your car right up to the restaurant. Definitely recommend this place while visiting Avila or Pismo Beach. read more

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The food here is great! Service is fast. It's self order, sit down, server brings food. Can't beat location on Hartford Pier in Avila Beach. read more

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Great place to eat with a great view! Even on a rainy day, sit inside and enjoy the waves and the animal life. Great service! I got the Red Manhattan clam chowder. Delicious! Hubby got the fish & chips. He said they were great and he will definitely order them again. We even got a doggy chicken dinner for the fur baby. He approved!! read more

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Edible but not great. This place is obviously here because of the location location location. Fish and chips were bland and unmemorable. Shrimp tacos were super small, bland, and also unmemorable. Oysters were not shucked well, we found shell in 3 out of the 6. Bar tenders ignored us for a while before coming over to the register to take our order. They were quite chatty with people they obviously knew who wer sitting at the bar. All in all, expensive, mediocre food, and inattentive staff. Great views though! read more

Service was quick, food was great. we had fish and chips and clam chowder. The fish could use some salt hehe but the rest was yummy! read more

Mersea's - fish and chips - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Incredible place!!! Beautifully located on the boardwalk, with such cute little animals that you can watch while you eat. We saw sea lions, sea otters, and some sort of pelicans! The food was delicious and reasonably priced as well. I had crab cakes, excellently done, for right around $18. The service was excellent, very friendly and quick too; we had our food for a family of five within 10-15 minutes. Over all, would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Avila Beach if they're looking for a a casual but still really cool dinner option!!! read more

Impossible to beat views. Atmosphere was relaxed, beach town pier restaurant (nailed it)! Dog friendly outside and the puppy patty was a generous helping of ground beef in a bowl. Blackened shrimp bowl was too notch with hidden flavors and was fresh and well cooked. The fish and chips were good. The pieces of cod were huge and lightly breaded with good flavor and not fishy at all. The fries were crispy and fresh. The burger seemed a bit fatty and greasy but the sour dough bun was excellent. (I know, who orders a burger at a fish house? A 19 year old boy, that's who!) And the other 19 year old ordered the house salad and said it was fine but underwhelming. For the price I would've thought the service would be a step up from someone walking outside and yelling your name as they hold your food. Not overly friendly but they were busy and probably over it on a Saturday afternoon. read more

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I came here around 4:30 PM for dinner and found the place quite busy. Despite the crowd, the food arrived surprisingly quickly. I ordered the grilled fish bowl, while another member in my party had the blackened fish sandwich. We also decided to share the garlic fries. The quality of the fish was excellent in both dishes. The evening's selection was red snapper, which was cooked beautifully with a nice golden sear. The rice in the bowl was a bit plain, but the tangy, garlicky dill sauce on the side more than made up for it. It really brought the dish together. This sauce also comes with the sandwich. The garlic fries carried a bold, punchy garlic flavor that was balanced nicely by Parmesan. They were slightly on the dry side, but the provided dipping sauce solved that issue. For dessert, we tried the brownie. It looked appealing, but it ended up being quite dry, with more of a cake-like texture than a true brownie. The menu noted it came with a peanut butter moose; at first I thought it was missing, but it was underneath the ice cream. It wasn't too sweet, and instead carried a strong peanut flavor. Overall, this place truly shines in what it does best; fish. While some of the sides and desserts fell short, the friendly staff and quick service left me leaving satisfied. read more

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THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. Do your life a favor and grab a bite to eat here if your hungry and in the area. The location of this at the end of the harbor is gold and on a Monday afternoon, it wasn't busy at all and we got to enjoy our early dinner on the patio outside on a beautiful sunny day. Since it wasn't busy (thankfully) our food was out in about 10 min after ordering. I ordered the kids fish n chips plate and it was a huge portion of food! Honestly the fish was very fresh and the batter was delicious! Would have to rate my meal a 10/10! My wife got a tuna sandwich and she loved also how fresh the tuna was and the quality of toppings in her sandwich. She also rated her meal a 10/10. Overall this place is a must if in the area and I will be back! Thank you so much Merseas for the great food and hospitality. We will be back soon, till next time! read more

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Very cool little place on the pier with ocean views. The prices were ok, service was very good and the food was absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend! read more

This is a quick service restaurant with waterfront seating at the end of the old pier. There is limited parking but you can drive on the pier and park at the restaurant. It's pay parking.. I had the Grilled shrimp bowl. The food came out quick and was hot and flavorful. Your order at a counter and then find your own seat and they bring it out to you but if you're not by yourself, I'd recommend having someone in your group go claim a table as they fill up quickly. The were friendly. read more

Let's start off on the most positive note: The customer service here was top notch. We were greeted professionally, the waiter brought the food out quickly and courteously, and the bartender is probably one of the nicest people walking the earth. Another positive, the scenery. This place is right on the water...literally. The place is clean, small, with a nice vibe...Now onto the food: Typical fish and chip fare that was appetizing. Clam chowder was ok, and I got the variety seafood basket...couldn't stomach the fried oysters, and the clam strips were just ok. The fish was very good. I wish I'd just stuck with the fish and chips, but maybe next time. I'd go back, but there are other choices around the area to check out with better cuisine. read more

This place is a hidden gem. Go to the end of the pier at port San Luis, you'll love it. I had the fish and chips, really good. My wife had the Manhattan clam chowder (for the first time) and loved it. Dog friendly. Nice outside seating area but you can sit indoors as well. Friendly service with a great view! read more

Mersea's - Outside patio area right on the pier. - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Friendly staff! We easily got an inside table; there was plenty of seating outside, but it was super breezy. We ordered white clam chowder: 4/5. Would have liked more chopped celery and had it served hotter. Garlic bread side: 4/5. Crab cakes were very generous: 5/5. Tasty! A fun experience! read more

Hands down the best steamers (steamed clams in white wine broth) I've ever had! Delicious. A must!! And you can't beat the view.

Nice afternoon beverage & a super healthy late lunch/early dinner. Had a Radler & vodka beverage and a blacked snapper bowl. Yum yum The view and friendly staff and customers all made it a great experience. read more

Mersea's - Nice afternoon beverage & a super healthy late lunch/early dinner. Had a Radler & vodka beverage - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Let's start with the food. Fresh good tasting fish, prepared blackened very moist. The sides were very hood. Girl coke was out for the day. Prices very good the negative the flies both inside and out. They make equipment to rid the place of the large amount of flies. Hope they fix that issue. read more

Located at the end of the pier, this seafood house puts out a nice spread. Tons of outdoor seating but on this cold Wednesday evening, everyone was inside. Order at the counter for food and the same at the bar. Super friendly service and prices are fairly reasonable for the area. Loved our soups and fish n chips. Very tasty blonde ale, too. read more

Mersea's - Manhattan clam chowder - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Mersea's is a very casual, coastal restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is fun in watching the otters, seals and seagulls. Sometimes seagulls can be a nuisance but we didn't experience this. Ordering at Merseas: There is a large menu on the wall, when you walk in. Figure out what you want and order at the counter. The day we were there, it wasn't too busy, so they delivered our food. I'm not sure if that is normal procedure but definitely very nice service. After you eat, throw away your trash so it doesn't end up in the ocean. Food: I had the crab Louis salad. It was fresh and good but not that filling. My husband ordered the clam chowder with all the toppings offered (of course, at extra $$'s) and the fish tacos. Both were excellent!! That's what I would order next time! This restaurant is a drive from the main Avila Beach area where most visit. It's located at the end of a pier, a short walk from the parking lot. If you have any difficulty walking, I think you can drive down the pier to drop off but call the restaurant for more information. It can be a little windy walking to the restaurant, and especially if you sit outside, bring a jacket! read more

Amazing spot to enjoy seafood overlooking Avila Beach on the pier. The 1/2 dozen oysters and clams are delicious to share..we ordered the clam chowder in bread bowl which was hearty and warming. Fried seafood combo with fries is delicious, but would only get the fried calamari next time! The heavenly dish was the clams with buttered sourdough. Enjoy it with some beer and you've got a delicious dinner in Avila! read more

Mersea's - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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We came here specifically because of the great reviews. We were a little disappointed after reading all the hype what our experience was. We ordered fish tacos and crab cakes along with the New England clam chowder. Tacos were very salty and the crab cakes had too much filler in it. I'm used to chunks of crab with some breaded seasoning to hold the crab together - let the crab speak for itself. These were orange colored crab cakes with crab so fine you couldn't differentiate the crab from the filler. I only ate one, the hubs ate the other one since the fish tacos were too salty. We were ready for some decent clam chowder to complete our seafood experience. It was warm, thick, flavorful, and full of clams. The sea lions was the icing on the cake while sitting outside. read more