Great place with great vibes!! The location is the best part. Every time we've been it's been fairly crowded and it's a task to secure a table. But worth it! It's a great spot to watch the wildlife - seals, otters and more - while you eat some great seafood. The fish and chips are some of our favorite in the area. And the garlic fries with Parmesan are so good too! read more

Mersea's - Fish and Chips with Garlic Fries - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Great food!!! Crab cakes and raw oysters were delicious. Great views while eating of otters, seagulls, and sea lions. read more

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It was a busy, casual and welcoming environment. They offer outdoor and indoor seating. The staff was friendly and kept things clean. We ordered fish and shrimp tacos and a bowl of their White New England clam chowder. My husband also ordered half a dozen oysters on half a shell. The plates were filling and the chowder was delicious. I will order the chowder with bacon and croutons next time just to try it. read more

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Drinks and food! Orders were served asap. I got classic margarita, and my husband got neat whiskey and top bear. We got blackened snapper bowl, comes with rice black beans, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and it was cold so we got clam chowders as well. We got appetite from our walk. Mersea's is located at port san luis. You can see people surfing, fishing, beautiful view of the beach and mountains. read more

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The food was definitely edible. Pricey. Fish & chips were okay. Fish sandwich was bland, the bread desperately needed a toast or a warming up. The fish tacos were a let down, really wet and hardly any flavor and now that I'm looking at photos on here I see they have cheese but ours didn't come with cheese. Not sure that would help them out. Plenty of condiments on tables, clean and filled. Overall okay experience read more

Always stop here when in Avila. Food is very good, quick service, reasonable prices, and a spectacular view. Had an awesome clam chowder bread bowl, delicious fish and chips, and a wonderful crab salad. Nice little bar for drinks too! read more

Whenever we are in Avila, one of our must visit restaurants is Mersea's in the Port. On this visit, we ordered the special, which was Cioppino. The broth was very flavorful, the portion size was plenty for two to share, and the seafood selection was very good. In addition, we shared a delicious Louie Crab Salad. Between the fabulous location and view, great service and consistently delicious food, Mersea's is one of our favorite restaurants! read more

While staying a few days in San Luis Obispo we came here for lunch around 1:00 pm on a Saturday. As expected the parking lot was full and we barely found a spot available in the meter parking area. When we arrived at the restaurant both the indoor and outdoor seats were full and there was a long line. Luckily, after ordering the food, we found a table inside. We ordered combination plate, Nancy's house salad and garlic fries. The fried combination plate had oysters, clams, shrimp and calamari. I loved the calamari strips. They were very tender and tasty. The clams mostly tasted the batter. Oysters, shrimp and fish were okay. Both the salad and garlic fries were good. read more

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the portion size was great! the fish was well seasoned and tender with lots of veggies and pilaf. the clam chowder had a large amount of clams in it and the sourdough had a great crust. great place to enjoy the view of the pier and shoreline. read more

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

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Sounds like the food is hit or miss, depending on who is in the kitchen. I ordered the fish bowl; you could have the fish blackened, grilled, or griddled. I ordered it blackened, but it was more like griddled, which would have been my last choice. Still, the fish was tender and fresh, but didn't have much seasoning. The steamed vegetables were well cooked but completely unseasoned. The rice pilaf was okay. I had to add pretty much every condiment available to give the dish some pizazz. (Their tartar sauce is good.) Healthy doesn't have to be bland. I also got a bloody Mary-- not great, but not the worst I've had. Service was quick. One thing that bugged me was someone took my plate away pretty soon after I'd finished, but although my friend and I stayed and chatted for quite a while after we finished eating, no one ever came and took her plate. When they finally did (while she was in the restroom, they didn't take the empty glass. Why not just finish clearing the table instead of leaving one empty glass for someone else to pick up?) The other issue is seating if it's busy. You have to pay first, then find a seat. What if you pay and then can't find a place to sit? So it makes sense, if it's crowded, to try to make sure there's seating available first, but then you have to leave it unguarded while you go order. It's all very awkward. Band was playing while we were there. We were as far away as possible and the music was the perfect volume. Any closer and it would have been way too loud. read more

As we were waiting in line, a woman who just finished her lunch there said, "Their shrimp tacos are to die for!" Well, that is what I ordered and a cup of clam chowder. Maybe my expectation was too high. The shrimp tacos were good but not what I thought would be. Each taco had small four shrimp and lots of veggies. The view was worth the long wait. I saw someone eating fish and chips, and that looked delicious. My husband was happy with his clam chowder in a bread bowl. read more

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

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The food, location and service were all wonderful. We always stop by when we're in Avila.

Great food, amazing staff and beautiful views. We loved the clam chowder and shrimp avocado salad. Great place to enjoy by the ocean

I LOVED the location of the restaurant. To get there you park in public parking lot by the pier and have to walk along the water. It is quite a walk that passes through fishing boat stations, and you can even spot a family of sea lions from the pier! Once arrived, you emerge yourself in this tiny seafood restaurant with huge portions and very courteous staff. I also loved glass holes on the floor to enjoy sea life while dining. I got myself shrimp tacos and muscles without realizing how big portions are. If you do not plan on eating all bread that comes with muscles, it actually ended up being a very decent portion for one person. read more

Quick service. Had shrimp bowl - grilled shrimp and veggies. Shrimp cooked perfectly. Veggies a little overdone but ok.

Took a trip to SLO and decided to spend some time @ Avila beach. It was Labor day weekend so wasn't easy to find a parking at the boat landing lot but managed. Due to their limited space, we were told we may have to take our food to go but luckily got a table inside.(you have to find your own seat/table like food court) I saw some of negative reviews about blend taste of food but for us it was perfect! Our favorite was Crab cake, fish/calamari & chip and fresh blackened red snapper for the bowl. Oh, and Clam chowder was great, chunky fresh clam all over! Definitely we will go back on next trip! read more

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I highly recommend this seafood resto at the Harford pier in Avila beach. If you are looking for a relaxing ambiance while eating your delicious fish and chips or calamari then I recommend this place if you are at Avila Beach. They also have indoor seating area as well but I love the outdoor seating. They also have sandwiches, salads, and clam chowder bowl. Ambiance, food, customer service, and location...check! read more

Mersea's - Outdoor seating area - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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I went to Mersea's on a Friday around lunch time. The view is amazing. Prices are fair. We ordered the clam chowder, fish tacos, and fish and chips. The clam chowder was very fishy and the clams were very rubbery. Usually it's not a good sign when the clam chowder tastes so fishy. I don't know if it was old or what. I am assuming the clams were over cooked because they were so rubbery? The fish tacos were great. The fish was slimy for the fish and chips which means it's bad. Overall, I wouldn't go back. read more

We ordered the New England clam chowder in a bread bowl, 2 crab cake sandwiches, and a fish & chips, to go. Every last bite was excellent! The clam chowder is the best I've ever had. It was too cold and windy to eat outside today, but it didn't change our minds about getting lunch here. The gentleman who took our order was friendly and the service is fast. read more

The fresh seafood bowl is always delicious! The fish is so fresh and the rice and veggies are great! We will always go back when in the area. Friendly staff. read more

A view to die for, self service sea food, but good sea food. Dining on the waterfront, fish & chips and a beer. True California vibe.

We stopped for a late lunch at Mersea's for the Labor Day weekend. Lovely location and plentiful parking. The restaurant is located at the end of the pier so beautiful views all around. Everything we ordered was delicious and fresh We got the shrimp tacos, blackened snapper fish sandwich and crab sandwich. we got a drink at the bar too. Service was very friendly and awesome. The seating is 1st come 1st serve, so finding a seat was a challenge, but we waited at the bar and finally got a seat after a 10 min wait. Overall a great experience. It definitely would be busier during peak hours and seating would be a challenge.But definitely worth trying! read more

I'd give ZERO stars if I could. This establishment would be great if he/they ('he' meaning son who took over for his parents for well-established restaurant Dorn's in Morro Bay) didn't hire arrogant, unattentive bartenders. The younger man with wavy, dark hair threw our menus at us after we asked for them when we tried ordering drinks (which makes a biz the most money). I get it, we were overdressed for the usual clientele (spouse just came from work which requires ties and is the 2nd employer in San Luis Obispo County only after government), but HOW DARE your bartender throw the menus at us only to turn around to watch TV. Really awful. We immediately left. Unbelievably lack of professionalism. Will never return and can't recommend. read more

Amazing service - especially from Lauren & Derrick! Made our lunch really memorable, checked in on us multiple times, great times!!

I highly recommend this Restuarant if you are in the area! Very delicious food, outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, and friendly service! 10/10 experience! read more

Mersea's - Clam chowder and garlic bread - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

We decided to try Merseas after out long walk at the pier. It was busy but the staff was SO friendly and our food arrived promptly. We enjoyed ice cold beers and dug into the shrimp tacos, amaxing onion rings and clam chowder. Super fun , delicious and friendly-couldn't ask for more! read more

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The food was great. service non existent, seating challenging. They do offer a kids menu with several options. it's modified service, order at the counter and they bring it out. So there is no service, we needed sauce and lemon but wasn't able to get anyone to assist. There are only 4 tables inside the majority are outside. it was so windy when we went that outside was unbearable. read more

ate here with family for lunch on a Tuesday. This place is seat yourself and order in line. Got a seat indoors with a gorgeous view and it is a clean establishment. Ordered steamer clams, kids hamburger, and combination appetizer which everything tasting fresh and delicious! Ordered a $9 drink at the bar which had rum, coconut, with other things that was refreshing and wanted to another round but had to drive... a must to visit if visiting and wanting a view read more

Mersea's - enjoyed everything! steamer clams, kids hamburger combo but forgot to recieve sofa, combination appetizer and the $9 alcoholic drink - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Disappointed! I ordered the crab patty melt and it looked and tasted like it was made in a truck stop. The bread was faintly grilled only buttered. There was no cheese oozing from the sides as there was no cheese! The crab was an after thought. There was no effort or flavor given to this item No thank you! read more

Great food, service was good and you can't beat sitting on a pier having lunch. Also the prices are very cheap for the food they offer

Good food, fast service, remarkable place to watch the sea lions, birds, and sunset. Reasonable prices. read more

I hadn't been to Avila Beach for a few years, so on 8/20, I thought I'd like to take a little "over-nighter" up the coast and spoil myself and eat at "The Olde Port Inn" at the end of the old pier. CLOSED! It looked like there were major renovations going on at that place, so I decided to walk over to Mersea's just a few steps away. I had eaten here on my last trip and remembered it had been a good experience. Ditto this time. I had the fish 'n chips and it was a very good meal. Ample portion, the 3 cod pieces were large and properly fried to perfection, fries (chips) were just right. The service was quick, even though there were plenty of people waiting for their meals. The location, right on the pier facing the town of Avila, was aesthetically pleasing, even though I nearly lost my hat b/c of the wind. The menu is loaded with tasty looking choices and it's a shame I wasn't staying around for a few more days. If I had another 2 or 3 days, I'd probably try several other delectable entrees offered on that menu. read more

Five stars for the location and staff~ three for the food. After looking at the pictures on Yelp, the Hubby and I decided to split the combo plate. Fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, calamari and fries for around $20. Wooden picnic tables on the pier lovely view . Our plate however was not so lovely. Maybe they were running short cause of Presidents' Day Monday & weekend. We tasted and were left wanting. IDK why isn't there a national voters day ? read more

My husband and I stopped in on a whim and we were so glad we did! We sat at the bar and took in the view while we enjoyed drinks and a shrimp cocktail. We had dinner reservations somewhere else, but when we saw what the gals next to us ordered, we cancelled those reservations and ordered the mussels and clam chowder bowl. Everything thing was delicious and the service was amazing. We will definitely be back next trip! read more

Mersea's - View from the bar - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Love everything about Mersea especially when the weather is as awesome as it was at our last meal

Great spot on the pier. solid chowder and great drinks! Super friendly and helpful staff. Will definately be back

This place is a gem. It's a great way to unwind and get away from the busy city. I felt like I was in another remote state. We orderd an appetizer platter with drinks and it did not disappoint. The place is located on the pier with a direct view of the small Avila Village on one side. Reasonably priced and worth the drive. read more

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

Pleasantly surprised to have a perfect bowl of chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. It could easily compete with any 5-star expensive restaurant. What made it even better was the fabulous view. I would highly recommend Mersea's. It's worth the trip. read more

Mersea's - Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl - Bars Near Me - Avila Beach, California

One of the best cod fish sandwiches that I have have eaten since visiting the centra coast.. The service was excellent.

I expected more. Long lines. I order crab Louise...would not recommend. Sorry I expected fresh crab...crab tasted like it was out of a can. Clam chowder was not very tasty. Fish and chips OK. Great spot at the end of the Pier on the water. Hard to find parking on the weekends. read more

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