Good Food and good customer service. Everyone is friendly and the store is nice too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is very lively.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Nico's is an amazing seafood spot that is not only chill but amazing in its seafood choices/flavors. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nico is very close to the beach and in the middle of some shops.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is very chill filled with history about the location and a mostly blue/white palate.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is a display of the fishes of the day in the front although usually there is a line, especially during the summer months.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Nico's has several menu items centered around their seafood - poke, a plate, tacos, burritos, oyster shooters, and ceviche (think I most of them but may be forgetting a few). They get their seafood fresh every morning. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Once you order, you can find a table both inside or outside and wait for your order to be called.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Usually the line isn't too long and pretty efficient. And the staff is super nice in telling you about their favorite fishes of the days and recommendations. They also have some drink items including beer, sparkling water, and sodas along with water stations near the front and their signature Nico sauce. Here's a few items we've gotten over the couple years we've been here: *Fish Ceviche: The ceviche comes with some chips and in different sizes (4, 8, 16 ounces). For two people, the 4 oz. usually is good to tide us over until the meal is ready. It is a good balance between being lime-y and full of nice herbs/spices. *Taco: They have a few different taco options. I've tried the Nico which is delicious and is their constant panko crusted snapper item. But I really like to usually go for some of their fish of the day options like the salmon and swordfish which are even tastier. It comes with items you'll find in many of their other items like the Lily mayo-like sauce, pickled onions, melted, avocado and corn tortilla. It's delicious and is even better with their Nico Sauce. *Plate: This though is my usual order where you get the fish of your choice blackened or with lemon garlic butter with a bed of rice, pico de gallo, pickled onion, avocado, Lily sauce on the side. It helps the seafood sing more on its own and like all the items separated. For two people ordering two tacos + a plate + 4 oz. ceviche and a sparkling water, it came out to around $55ish which felt fair. Parking is a bit hit-or-miss around the immediate area. During the summer months in particular, we usually aren't able to find parking nearby and have to park across the street or at adjacent streets. Nico's is a fantastic stop that we constantly come back to for nearly each of our San Diego trip. read more

I had this place bookmarked for quite a while, but since I don't get to this area very often anymore (not since my college days!), I hadn't had a chance to visit until my husband and I were nearby on a Saturday afternoon. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We stopped in for an early dinner around 4:30 PM, and it was already fairly busy. There aren't a ton of tables inside or outside, but we were able to find a spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Shortly after we ordered, the line stretched out the door, so I was glad we arrived when we did. The menu is fairly simple and focuses on a handful of fresh seafood options. We ordered the Grilled Shrimp Burrito, an 8 oz Red Snapper Ceviche, and the Crispy Rice Poke. Our food came out quickly. The shrimp burrito wasn't enormous, but it was a good size and came with guacamole, which was a nice addition. The shrimp was cooked well and nicely seasoned. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful, though I did find it a bit pricey at $15 for the portion size. My favorite dish was the Crispy Rice Poke. The crispy rice was topped with tuna, ginger, seaweed, and several sauces that added a lot of flavor and texture. Every bite had a nice balance of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors. Overall, the food was good, and it's definitely a solid spot if you're looking for fresh poke or seafood. Just keep in mind that the menu is intentionally simple, so there isn't a huge variety of options if you're looking for a more extensive selection. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here for my second time now! I ordered the 1 scoop poke bowl with rice. I went on a Monday afternoon and felt that the food took a really long time to come out even though I was the only one waiting. I'd estimate 20 minutes. I do think it tasted really fresh and delicious. I did feel the portion size was on the smaller size for what I expected. It was a nice light snack. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Poke - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

My friend and I have been wanting to try this place for a while and finally did. We waited in a short line and then for our food. Not much seating so we got it to go and ate near the beach. I was kinda skeptical to get the poke burrito but the reviews were good so I wanted to try. It was very delicious and exceeded my expectations. It was huge and really filling. I also got a side of small ceviche and chips but had to save most of it for later since I was full from the burrito. I had also asked for extra sauce on the side which was really good on the burrito. My friend's poke bowl was really good too. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Fresh, fresh, fresh!! i waited in line for over 30 minutes and waited for my food for over 20 minutes on a monday. i do not regret a single minute! the ceviche was one of the best i've ever had. the curry was delicious. the burrito was a great price and a great portion. with it being right on pacific beach, it was the perfect place to grab food and go sit and look out at the ocean. i will definitely be coming back and recommending this place to anyone i know visiting the area! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

Nico's is officially our new favorite seafood spot! We've passed by so many times while in PB and have always been curious. They seemed to have a consistent crowd going! We finally stopped by and boy was it an experience. We decided to indulge and got the Poke Bowl (2 scoops), Nico Burrito, and Calamari Filet. Their Poke Bowl is spicy ahi, seaweed salad, ginger, and a drizzle of sauce. So fire! The fish is super fresh. No notes! The Nico Burrito features battered white fish, rice, beans, and pico. Mayhaps the best fish burrito I've ever had. Lastly, the Calamari Filet which I think is a limited time special. Super tender, thick pieces of squid! Everything was just so fresh. The ingredients really spoke for themselves! read more

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Walked over from PB and definitely worth it. Tables and lines stayed full the whole time, but the tables turned pretty quick so we were still able to grab one. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You can also take your food down to the beach, which makes it a solid location.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fresh fish, local fisherman vibe, casual and busy in the best way.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I liked that they had the catch of the day displayed too. The ceviche and chips were SO good. I was Walked over from PB and definitely worth it. Tables and lines stayed full the whole time, but the tables turned pretty quick so we were still able to grab one. You can also take your food down to the beach, which makes it such a solid location. Fresh fish, local fisherman vibe, and I liked that the catch of the day was displayed. The ceviche and chips were SO good. I was literally thinking about it the rest of the day. Their habanero guava carrot hot sauce was sweet with the perfect little kick. I regret not buying a bottle. Me and my boyfriend debated whose was better, my poke bowl or his burrito. Honestly both were fire, although I thought the burrito tortilla itself was just okay. We also had to locate the trash for our plates and stuff lol side quest I guess. Next time I'd probably try some more fish or the oysters. Everything coming out looked good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Pet friendly, indoor/outdoor seating, and definitely a spot I'm excited to come back to for fresh fish by the water.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Tables fill up quick![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Tables stocked w their spicy sweet guava carrot sauce, was ok + Nico taco ($7): quite pricy for one taco, but yummy fish, ripe avocado, pickled onions, can't complain (8/10) + 4oz ahi tuna and chips ($9): was ok, have had better ahi (7/10) read more

Nico's Fish Market - Spread - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]This place gets really crowded and seating is very limited.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Bring some blankets, order your food and enjoy it at the beach. I had the calamari sandwich. It was good, but greasy. The ceviche was delicious. Service was nice. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Calamari sandwich - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

I was so excited to see this open in PB and it didn't disappoint. The ahi tuna is now my favorite in the neighborhood and I go there often to get it. Everything is so fresh. There's usually a line outside but the staff keep sup really well and I feel like a line always says so much about a restaurant and its food. The location and ambiance is great. There aren't alot of seats there but its really close to the beach. You could pick it up and eat the beach while the breeze blows across your face. read more

Delicious poke, I especially loved the chips that went with it. It was my first time. I also had the tostada, would not recommend it. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came here for the first time and it was between this place and Oscar's, honestly we came here because it was less crowded but I do not regret it at all! I got the calamari steak. It was great and filling. My husband got the shrimp burrito, I took a bite and it was amazing. I also got guacamole and chips. We came as a big group and all my friends really enjoyed their plates as well. The staff is composed of young surfer boys and I am not mad about it. read more

Stopped by Nico's Fish Market while in La Jolla and honestly... so good Everything tasted really fresh. I got poke and oysters and both were super clean tasting, not fishy at all. Just simple, fresh, and hits the spot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The inside is really cute too, very beachy vibes with the sunset wall. Nothing fancy but it feels nice and chill.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Best part is you can grab your food and head straight to the beach after. It just makes the whole experience better. If you want something light, fresh, and easy after a beach day, this is a solid spot read more

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Food is unreal!! Full of flavors, fresh, filling, healthy, good quality, and delicious! 10/10. We couldn't stop talking about it after we left, that's how good their food is! I think I'll go back tonight. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Civeche - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nico's Fish Market was once a pop vendor stand in local farmers markets three years ago, but last year opened this fish market/casual restaurant in Pacific Beach half a block from the beach. Street parking may be a challenge. There's outdoor and indoor seating. I've passed this place many times but it was too crowded and waiting in line is not my forte. Make sure you get there before the rush lunch crowd because there's almost always a line. Luckily, I got there early enough and there was no line. Menu on the board, order at the counter and pick up your food when your name is called. The interior dining area has benches and the space was clean. The outdoor bench seating were all occupied when I got there. The chilled display case has fresh fish and other items. Service by one person behind the counter taking orders was helpful and nice. Ordered Ahi tuna poke, guacamole and chips, fish taco and the green thai curry... seems like a lot but glad I did... ahi tuna poke was edible good but not the best, needed more zesty umami seasoning perhaps more japanese seasoned vinegar and toasted sesame oil for more Wow taste guacamole looked bright green and fresh but lacked seasoning like sea salt. tortilla chips were not home made, saw them taken from a large plastic bag; lacked lime sea salt tasted stale and proved to be edible :( fish taco had the potential to be a winner but with the skimpy fish and toppings portions, every bite was a disappointment. this skimpy fish taco is similar tasting to its competitor across the street, Oscar's who makes similar unmemorable skimpy fish tacos, but most are drawn to them because they're cheaper with lower quality fish the green thai curry with chunks of the daily fish catch and veggies may have been the star. The broth looked watery and it's served in a plastic bowl with a plastic spoon but don't let that bother you because it tasted wonderful satiably filling and this dish alone was worth the visit. read more

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TLDR: 4.3/5 - Came here off of a whim of one singular person. It's simplistic and fresh. I see why it's so good. Ordered: Ahi Poke Bowl - 4/5 Honestly my only knock is that it's $19 and I was still hungry? But I truly respect what they're doing here - it's probably the freshest ahi I've ever had it was insane. And I think it comes w the territory of having a more simplistic bowl so you're able to taste all that the fish has to offer. With that said go for two scoops. Ceviche: 5/5 With their signature hot? It was so good. Incredibly fresh, a nice touch of heat, the chips held up too? I needed more Parking: Pretty standard street parking but you could get a spot in front of the store if you're lucky. Vibes Vibes were just okay? Weird energy. Honestly I'd come back. The catch if the day felt like a missed opportunity read more

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Great fish tacos! The fish was so fresh, I loved the concept of catch of the day and picking from 4-5 freshly caught fish from the fish counter. They don't skimp on the fish either. Each taco had a decent size filet. Enjoyed the catch of the day halibut tacos and Nico's taco which features a fried red snapper. The blue corn tortillas didn't break despite carrying massive loads of fish and toppings! The taco almost didn't need as much sauce and toppings to let the fresh fish speak for itself. Their hot sauce was unique and added to the tacos. Can't wait to come back and try their poke or a fish sandwhich those looked amazing as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Outdoor seating was a decent size and allows dogs![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Nico's Fish Market - Taco - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious food! I will definitely come back to eat more. You order at the counter and they give you a buzzer to let you know when your food is done, there are tables inside and outside and self serve water. It is a casual spot- they also sell fish by the lb. It was so yummy, but also kinda pricey, so be prepared. read more

Nico's Fish Market - La Chinesca - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came for the poke, and there was quite a long line and wait! I got the poke and chips which was a good amount of fish for the price - the tuna was well marinated and had the right texture. Others in our group got the poke bowl, which was pretty small for the price. Not a bad spot! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Ahi - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

Definitely worth eating lunch here. Best to order ahead of time and pick up at counter to avoid long lines. 10/10 food and atmosphere.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Nico's is the perfect spot right off the beach - indoor and outdoor seating, simple menu that's easy to order from, helpful staff, and most importantly, absolutely delicious fish tacos.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had the Nico's taco and the catch of the day (sea bass) and they were both so good. I am still dreaming about these fish tacos and I cannot recommend Nico's enough for anyone in the area! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been hearing nothing but good things about this place and I've been meaning to go for months...it just so happens that I saw Nico on Monday at a spot nearby while I'm getting a coffee. I didn't know who he was until after the fact but this guy comes in and starts yelling and threatening one of his former employees, at his other fn job of all places. to the point where customers had to intervene. The manager on duty had to kick him out and he's still threatens the guy on the way out. I don't know wtf his problem was but that's not the way you treat your staff. I'm surprised the restaurant has staff at all. read more

I think about the ceviche at this place constantly. The catch of the day sandwich was so fresh and complimented so well with the bread, lettuce, and tomato. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is also very cool - loved learning about the fisherman that supply the restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Big recommend if you're in the area! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Tuna sandwich - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

Been seeing some good eats here from social media, so finally made my way there. Parking is near impossible even on a Friday lunch time. We were about to get it to go, but luckily a spot opened up. Service was great, the guy is of course knowledgable about fish and love seeing the decor filled with photos of their fishing excursions. Got their 3 top specials of the day: 1. Calamari Steak $10(?) - I forgot the exact cost of the calamari steak. We ordered the a la cart so it came out perfectly fried and had a nice bite to it. Super tender - that's how you know they did it right. 4/5 2. Green Thai Coconut Curry $9 - What a show stopper. At being just $9 this is such a bargain. When I took my first bite, I was blown away with how delicious it was. Creamy, a little spicy, and "coconuty". The curry had little chunks of sea bass and rice on the bottom. Great portion too for its price. 6/5 3. White Seabass plate $23 - Fish was flaky and cooked well, felt like it was lacking the flavor wow factor like the other 2 dishes offered. This was the most expensive out of the bunch too. 3.5/5 Shop does have some outdoor seating, so you can bring your furry friend and take a walk right by the beach after the meal. read more

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The experience was decent and would be worth a second try. First off, the quality of fish is fantastic. I tried the yellowtail in a blackened version on two tacos and my partner tried the ahi poke bowl. The fish is great but the rest of the cookery and balance could've been better. The proportion of fish to rice (especially for the price) was way off with too little fish. The ahi poke was spicy with possibly additional spicy toppings that came with it and little indicator it would be spicy (others mentioned the same thing while in the store). The fish tacos were good but nothing terribly memorable outside of the fish quality. Overall Nico's has a lot of potential but needs to hone in on the price point and everything else besides the fish. For example a four ounce portion of ahi was the chips was ~$7 while the poke bowl was about 4 ounces of tuna with rice and accoutrements at $15 and it didn't seem like there was $8 worth of rice and toppings to accommodate the rest of the cost. The tacos easily could've come with chips or something with it at $15 for 2x) Just seems on some dishes the math wasn't mathing. Many of my comparisons are to Paia Fish Market in Maui and Oahu which are similar expensive tourist focused locations as well. read more

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This was my first meal after I landed into San Diego. They weren't open yet when I got there, so I left and came back. There was a short line already upon opening. The flow of customers was constant while I dined there. There were so much fresh fish to choose from, I didn't know which to pick. I went with the sea bass plate, prepared with garlic lemon butter. I started with a half dozen oysters and ceviche. To drink, I ordered the fresh coconut. Everything was really good and tasted so fresh! I had forgotten what real coconut water tastes like. The stuff I ever been drinking has definitely been watered down :( At the end of my meal, I asked if they could crack the coconut, and they did! The flesh was so sweet. Yum!! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Day's catch plate, oysters, and coconut water - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's been hard to eat poke back on the mainland since I had it in Hawaii but this comes the closest! Not only was the fish fresh and delicious, but the kicker was the chili garlic crunch topping and optional guava habenero table hot sauce. Talk about flavor explosion! I got two scoops because I was starving but ended up struggling to finish because it was pretty filling with the included rice My group also ordered the Thai green curry to share which comes with the catch of the day (cooked). The sauce, while not necessarily authentic, was perfectly light and flavorful without veering into "coconut lotion" territory. Heads up this takes longer to prepare than the poke! Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - limited street parking nearby read more

Nico's Fish Market - Poke bowl - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stopped by over the weekend and got the Chinesca and Calamari. Seafood was really fresh & workers were very friendly. I got the Chinesca, which was crispy rice with poke on top. The place itself is small with limited seating options. Since it was busy, it took about 30 min to get our food. Location is amazing, right next to the PB Boardwalk. read more

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Over 1 year strong of consistently going to Nico's and they are still one of my favorite spots I frequent for lunch / dinner. I always get the poke, poke burrito, Nico's fish tacos and ceviche. I always bring the tacos home for my parents who are absolutely obsessed. They can be VERY busy now (especially during summer) but I get my order to go through their website and have had 0 issues. Best food and staff. read more

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I've stopped by Nico's a few times now after walking along the PB beach boardwalk and I only have good things to say about my experiences. Its a fast casual joint where you order at the counter, then bring your food to one of the small indoor or outdoor tables. It's a fairly compact space, so best for smaller groups. I've tried the thai curry, which is a green curry sauce over two small-medium fish filets and veggies, plus a scoop of white rice. Very reasonably priced at $9 and pretty hot n hearty. My only note is that the veggies were kind of al dente, and it tastes like everything is cooked separately, then assembled to order. Makes sense since the fish would overcook otherwise, but you can tell the flavors don't penetrate all the way through the veggies. The flavor of the curry was good though and the fish was fresh and cooked perfectly. I also tried the La Chinesca, which is ahi poke over crispy rice. You can order this as one or two scoops of poke, but it only comes over one serving of the rice either way. So getting the double scoop is more like 0.5x extra (not a full double portion for those who are trying to share). The poke is dressed with a few toppings and hot sauce, which tied everything together well. The ahi was fresh and delicious. Shoutout to their in house guava hot sauce! Its a sweet-hot sauce with a unique and delicious flavor. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Curry - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best grilled fish taco I have ever had in SoCal! Also good poke and relaxed beach atmosphere. They are busy but good service and they get your food out pretty quick! read more

After finding this spot, my friend and I decided to try it out since we were planning to hang out in PB. We got to Nico's Fish Market at around 6 and there was a short line. Everything is ordered at the cash register and there are a couple of tiny tables inside of the restaurant. The staff here was friendly. We got the chips and pico de gallo ($7) and a poke burrito ($15). The burrito was pretty decent! You do only get one choice for the poke so if you are looking for something specific, they might not have it. The burrito came with poke, rice, avocado, and beans. It is a bit smaller than one might expect for a $15. The chips and pico de gallo were okay! I did like how fresh the pico was but t he chips were just okay. Parking in PB can be a bit tricky. We did get lucky to find a spot in front of Nico's, but typically you would have to go down a couple blocks to find a spot. read more

We come to San Diego for a week every month, found this spot and frequent it often. We have only ordered poke because their bowls are some of the best we've ever had. Today hubby ordered the green thai coconut curry with the catch of the day, it was disgusting. The fish tasted very fishy, dry, and was overcooked, it was inedible. Clearly they use old fish and figure the coconut curry sauce will disguise the old fish. I ordered the calamari sandwich - a big mistake. The calamari was overcooked and chewy - worst calamari we've ever had. The toasted sourdough bread was old and chewy. And the paltry sandwich had one tiny slice of tomato and the sandwich was cold. We each ate half cause we were starving - wish we hadn't. Both of us felt ill and when I got home, it didn't stay down (sorry so graphic). To add insult to injury, our food took 40 mins - god knows how long it sat in the back. All the tables inside and out turned over twice while we waited. The staff was apologetic and "comped" us some poke. Since we didn't eat the thai dish, seems like we paid for our comped poke. So disappointing. It was one of our fav go to spots in PB. Never again. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Ahi poke bowl with 2 scoops - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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Taste: 10/10. Try the habanero sauce Service: 10/10 Vibe:10/10 Price: 7/10 ($1 for a literal sliver of avocado. I'd rather pay $3 and get half an avocado. Just preference though) Presentation: 6/10 plastic bowls read more

Nico's Fish Market - Poke bowl - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

I really love the food here. Fresh fish good service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]One block from the beach.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Fresh coconut read more

Nico's Fish Market - Fresh coconut - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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While walking with a friend, we popped by here and chatted with the owner and scoped out the menu. Nico was very happy to tell us all about his restaurant and fish market. The fish is as fresh as you'll ever find and the menu, while small has everything you could hope for. The tuna poke was excellent as was the calamari steak. The fish tacos were a hit and the green curry fish was delicious. We had one non fish eater with us and she was very happy with the vegetarian burrito, which is toasted. The space is small, inviting and immaculate. We loved it. If you haven't been here, you are missing out. read more

Nico's Fish Market - Ahi tuna Poke with rice and greens - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

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I finally tried it -- and I get the hype. The poke is fresh, flavorful, and hits the spot. My only real complaint is the portion size, which felt pretty small for the price. There was also a long line to order and limited seating, so be prepared to wait if you go during busy hours. Their online ordering system could use some improvement too -- you can't pre-order drinks (you still have to stand in line for those), and a few menu items were unavailable when I visited. Overall, it's a great place to stop if you're in the area and craving something light and refreshing, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to visit again. read more

Step aside, fish tacos. For me, the most quintessential San Diego dish is a fish sandwich, and Nico's makes a great one. It's been almost 10 years since I moved away from SD, but whenever I am back in town the #1 item on my list is fish sandwich, preferably halibut. My go-to spots were always El Pescador and Blue Water, but Nico's is my new favorite and I have been thinking about that sandwich every day for the past month, longing for the day I am back in town and can have another. The fresh coconut was a fun addition, and they even split it open for us when we were done so we could eat the pulp. What a fabulous addition to PB! read more

Nico's Fish Market - Restaurants Near Me - San Diego, California

Absolute kill! Burrito is fire tacos are also fire the house sause is bomb. Only hard part is picking this over Oscars right across the street. read more