Surprisingly good-value seafood with this view is unbeatable, and there are sea lions too We went on a weekend with live music outside, and the vibe was absolutely phenomenal. - Clam Chowder - Oysters on the Half Shell - Fish & Chips - Combination & Chips read more

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So unmemorable. Came because I was recommended this place while I'm here on business and was saddened to find it's not a sit down restaurant. Also the food was alright - albeit a bit bland in flavor. I ordered the FISH BOWL with the red snapper of the day and the whole dish was just so flavorless. Redeeming quality was the fish was cooked well. I'd skip unless you're on the pier and moments away from starvation. read more

Mersea's - Fish bowl with red snapper - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Located on the pier at Port San Luis is Mersea's. You walk up, give your order and receive your drinks. Clean restaurant inside and out and service is good. The clam chowder is pretty watery and not long depth of flavor. The onion rings had a good batter on them and flavor, but were burnt. The fish and chips had a nice grit to the fish and batter. The fish was fibrous. Tartar sauce was good. The fries needed more seasoning and to be fried a little more. They got cold quickly. *The View is second to none* read more

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The fish bowl was the perfect combination of a nice size piece of grilled fish, fresh sautéd vegetables, and a light rice. I've had the excellent shrimp cocktail in the past but this is my new favorite. Husband had fish and chips and said they were excellent. Perfect lunch for summer at the pier. The otters were entertaining. Sorry, no good pictures. We ate it all. read more

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An easy 11/10! The staff was incredibly kind and welcoming from the moment we arrived. We ordered the fish and chips, fish tacos, and a salad, and every single dish was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The location is unbeatable--the restaurant overlooks the beach, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. Even though it was busy when we visited, we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we found a seat. Between the amazing food, friendly service, and beautiful scenery, this was one of our favorite meals in Avila Beach. We can't wait to come back! read more

Mersea's is our favorite restaurant in Avila.....our go-to place when we're here visiting. I ordered the blackened fish bowl and my hubby got the fried seafood combination which came with fish, shrimp, oysters, Calamari, and shrimp and substituted onion rings for the fries. We enjoyed everything but noticed it's much busier than it used to be. read more

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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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I typically have low expectations for restaurants on piers, so Mersea's was a pleasant surprise. We got oysters, clam chowder in a bread bowl, and some shrimp and fish bowls. I'd say the food was average to good for restaurants in general, which means it was excellent for pier restaurants. Bonus perk: we saw a wild sea otter while we were here, which was pretty cool. read more

This place was awesome. The establishment was open airy and clean. They had a small laminated menu you could take to your table, and they also have a large one up on the wall. You walk in walk up to the counter and order. So does our free refills you just need to bring your cup back up to the counter to get it. There is very limited seating inside along with a small bar. Most of the seating is out on the pier. If it's a busy day I would recommend sending somebody out to find a table while you're standing in line ordering. While we were there, someone was setting up to play live music. The inside and outside is dog friendly as long as your dog is well behaved and the staff is extremely friendly. The food was phenomenal and fresh. My husband got the chicken strips and chips which he said were awesome. They came with barbecue sauce and ranch. I got the crab melt sandwich which was great however, the bread was a little too buttery for me. We will definitely be back over and over again. read more

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ordered the chicken strips and fries, which might not be the most adventurous choice for a restaurant on the pier. They were pretty standard--just your average chicken strips and fries. But I suppose we were really paying for the experience of dining outdoors with a view of the ocean! read more

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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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

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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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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Soggy tacos $40 for 4 no flavor ..who ever said this place was a hidden gem ... does not know good food waste of gas to go try it will not be back and we are local ,, garbage food 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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Good food, nice location, fair prices. Take a stroll down the pier and enjoy a casual meal. Someone wrote that it isn't a "sit down restaurant". It is . They have seats. : ) A few indoor tables and many outdoor tables. It is like many casual food options - you order and pay, then they make your food. You don't have to go get it, they holler your name and find you. But if you're fancy and want to be waited on, go elsewhere. read more

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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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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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

Good basic food. Fun, casual atmosphere with a great view. Was quite lively on a Wednesday night!

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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Worst crab cakes ever. No flavor and slathered with a tasteless pile of mayo. I work in the area but will not eat there again. Not the first time the food has been a disappointment. Good thing is the staff is pleasant. read more

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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Saw this restaurant as # 4 on an article of the best waterfront restaurants. The view was amazing. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. And I enjoyed that. The music did not give that calm oceanside vibe, the singer had very high-pitched tones and the music was way too loud. We ordered the fish tacos, fish and chips plate and a bread bowl. All of them were horrible. The fish tacos had pieces of whole fish and shredded fish in them with no flavor. The fish and chips came out cold. It seems like they already fry it beforehand and must keep it under a warmer same thing with the fries. You would think you can't mess up fries, but the fries had lots of oil, no flavor and cold. The bread and the clam chowder itself was probably one of the worst clam chowder I've had. The bread was not made fresh and it was hard. I'm not sure how this restaurant gets five stars. Maybe it does because of the view, but it was definitely not worth the mention as being in one of the top five waterfront restaurants. You're better off my going to Mr. Rick's. read more

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

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

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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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

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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Gross! Ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, no mayo, dry AF So gross. The chicken tasted like rubber. Don't order a sandwich from this place! read more

Mersea's - Grilled chicken sandwich - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

The steamed clams with grilled bread is stunning! So delicious.The broth is so flavorful and piping hot, dipping the bread in the broth is just wonderful! read more

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

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 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

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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