I had been craving to go to a restaurant that specializes in Seafood and this place was recommended to me by some co-workers. I got there with my mother and was greeted by a very lovely gentleman named Clark. He told us we could sit wherever so we seated ourselves in the outside area. He came over right away with the menus and asked if we had been there before to which we responded had not. He went over the menu with us and answered any questions we had regarding the menu. He was very sociable and friendly. We chatted with him and put in an order for the Kiwi Chowder. I ordered a Modelo and my mother ordered a glass of orange blend wine. He came over with the drinks a while later and the Kiwi chowder and have us plenty of time to sit and enjoy the dish before we ordered our main courses. The kiwi chowder was delicious and came with little crackers. The clams and mussels were so tasty and the Ora King Salmon was a nice treat. After a while he came back and served me the Fisherman's Mixed Basket and my mother got the Fish tacos with fish of the day for them being Sword Fish. The fisherman's basket was amazing and paired perfectly with my beer. I had never had clams,mussels, snapper, and oysters all together and they were so good I wish I could have them more frequently. The place was very cute and sat quietly with good music playing. Not current music but music that really fit the place and set the vibe. I will be coming back here and if you ever go, there is no bad choice for the fish, the service is stupendous and I haven't gotten anything like it in forever, and if you meet Clark enjoy a friendly conversation with him. read more

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Super nice place to sit,tucked away along the busy Washington. Wanted to love this place straight away because it was really easy to grab a table, menu looked great. Unfortunately, the food isn't anything special. Decent portion sizes, but that doesn't matter much when nothing is very tasty. Place isn't exactly cheap either, for $26 I don't expect the battered to be soft and falling off the fish. The fish taco was huge, but dripping with liquid. Really wanted this place to work out, staff are friendly, but the food was a huge letdown. read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - $26 and the batter can't even stay on the fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We sat ourselves outside on the patio, all ordering is done via QR menu. Staff weren't around answer any questions, so the multiple daily specials and market price items remained a mystery. When prompted to tip 20%, I felt conflicted. I normally tip 20% across the board for dine in, but at this point no one had spoken to me, helped me with the menu, or dropped off water & cutlery. I settled on 10% which I normally do for counter service or take out. I hope the servers are being paid a decent wage, but based on the way they seemed upset that we were there, I doubt it. Each dish was announced as it was placed it on the end of the table with a thunk. The food itself was fine, but I have had better seafood for less money elsewhere. read more

This place used to be great but now has gone downhill! From the service to the oysters and everything in between. I don't know what happened but oyster selection was not that great, the beer on tap was flat and I was never checked on. In fact I had to get up twice to ask for napkins, condiments, and utensils. They would have never known that their keg was tapped bad unless I told them. Fish was good in the fish and chips but the fries tasted like bad oil, some were over cooked and a few of them were slimy and soggy somehow ‍ idk how you can Mess up fries. Used to love this place but definitely will be going for oysters elsewhere. We can only blame Covid, trump, tariffs etc so much. Chef Ramsey needs to come because this place has become a kitchen nightmare read more

This place use to be one of our favorites, however we've been highly disappointed with poor service the past couple times. We use to live the happy hour here, last time our visit was greeted with waitress who unfortunately sat the table who came after us first. Didn't bring us any water or utensils when food got here, she was also quite dismissive. Definitely will be parting ways from here. read more

This was my first visit to Tangaroa in Mar Vista -- a spot that's been on my Westside of Los Angeles Yelp list for a minute. It did not disappoint. It's a great little seafood market with a small, intimate vibe: a compact restaurant with a nice bar and a sunny patio along the side of the road. Casual, charming, and very welcoming. We arrived around noon just as they were opening, so we pretty much had the place -- and the server -- to ourselves. The male server -- didn't catch his name -- was delightful: friendly, informative, and very obliging. The food and environment were awesome, and the staff was nice and attentive. I had the fish and chips and would definitely recommend them -- the fish was moist, the crust was crunchy, and everything was well seasoned. They also give you a ton of fries, which I appreciated (and thankfully my friend Leo was still a little hungry after enjoying his delicious fish tacos -- which had good, chunky pieces of fish inside). Great taste and a great deal overall. The menu offers plenty of fish and meat options, so there's truly something for everyone. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and the ambiance is super casual. Looking forward to visiting again! read more

This was our first visit to Tangaroa, a New Zealand themed restaurant and fish market. Located in a neighborhood just off Venice Boulevard, the restaurant has inside and outside seating. The ambiance is super casual. The menu has many fish and meat options. The bar only serves wine and beer. We ordered the Peruvian ceviche which was excellent -- tangy with a hint of chilies. The yellow curry green lip mussels were disappointing. The curry sauce was thick and congealed as if thickened with cornstarch or even flour, certainly not the light coconut milk curry-infused broth we expected. Our server, Damien, was delightful -- friendly, informative, and obliging. However, for the first half of our visit he seemed to be serving the entire restaurant which made it hard to get his attention. read more

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I've never had a more perfect shuck job! Pristine, I tell you! The oysters were cold, pure, and so fresh out of the water that I needed none of the accoutrements, except for a fresh squeeze of lemon. This is how you serve an oyster, people! The Friday happy hour special is on oysters, so I landed here on the perfect evening. It's located in a quaint little neighborhood. And the ambiance of the restaurant matched the charm of the neighborhood. Looking forward to visiting again! Surrounding patrons raved about the fish and chips, so will need to try one of these days! read more

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Great little seafood market with a small fishing village vibe... A small restaurant with a nice bar and sunny patio along the side of the road, this place is casual but charming. We came on a Sunday and it was not crowded at all. We started with an oyster platter and it had some of the best oysters I've ever tasted! The small ones were very tasty and the big ones juicy! My fish tacos had good chunky fish inside. Great taste and great deal! My kids had their poke bowl; they said the fish was sashimi quality! But one of them had some stomach issues after the meal - not sure what might have caused it. Overall I think it is a good place to get fresh seafood. Other than the seafood that you have to eat raw (like oysters) I would recommend getting the cooked dishes to be on the safe side. read more

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Happy hour from 4-6pm! Came here for the dozen oysters (happy hour price) and the lobster noodles. I tried another appetizer (the crab cake sliders) from the Happy hour menu but I wasn't too impressed. There was only one waitress and one guy manning the fish section so there was a longer wait which is to be expected. Our waitress was still as attentive when she's available and gave some good advice to ensuring I had the garlic bread with my noodles. Also their German Pilsner on tap was really good! There's seating inside and outside and there were tvs inside to watch your favorite game. Seems like a good local spot as I've seen people come in to chat with the staff as if they're regulars. I just knocked off 1 star bc of the crab cakes but I'll be sure to try their fish (I'm curious about the snapper) next time! read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Oysters for happy hour 4-6pm - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Pleasant low-key environment -- good hangout for a group of six as there are larger tables -- & low-key to the point of service without visible interest in the customer. Good food but nothing special. read more

This was our first visit and it was excellent! The crab cakes were light and tasty in a salad and the dressing was tart and light. Cioppino, one of my favorites, was also good, with plenty of seafood and a delicious tomato broth. We finished with the Key Lime pie. Though a bit on the smaller side, it was perfectly balanced; sweet, but not too sweet! We will definitely return! read more

My husband and I came here for a casual dinner on a Friday night in June and had a superb meal. Tangaroa Fish Market is a seafood restaurant in Mar Vista, located near Ginger's Divine Ice Creams. The owners are from New Zealand, so the seafood and offerings here might be slightly different from a typical American seafood restaurant. It's on the main street, around the corner from a residential street, so you can easily find free parking nearby. Service when we came was friendly and efficient. I got the mussels when I came, and my husband got the fish and chips. We also shared the calamari as an appetizer and had key lime pie for dessert. Everything was very fresh and we left feeling stuffed. Would highly recommend if you're craving seafood on the west side. read more

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Awesome food and environment. Staff was nice and attentive. Definitely recommend! I got the Clam Chowder soup, the Peruvian Ceviche, and the Crispy Fried Rice.. yes I know I order a lot but honestly it was PERFECT. The boys got the Fishersman's Basket and Fish and Chips which I tried and those were awesome as well. Enjoy! read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This restaurant has to be the worst managed restaurant I have ever been in. The waiters don't even know what they are doing, the cook looks like he just got out of a prison and hasn't taken a shower in a month. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and I ordered. We was at the beach and didn't eat all day, so we figure to try it. This was the worst seafood I have ever had. They gave me farm raised fish, that looked like it walked from New Zealand. I will definitely tell you do not go here. It is a sure disappointment. I seen people drinking so maybe if you want to get drunk it's a good place. But don't eat the food and if you do please leave a review for the next person so they don't have to go through this. read more

First time visiting the place. I told them I could only eat fish that is only wild caught. They told me they only have branzino fish. "That's the only one that's wild caught". I said alright. So they brought it out. It tasted off and bad. I didn't want to make a scene, because I never had this branzino fish. So as I asked for the check he told me it's red snapper and they didn't have no branzino so I ate some garbage fish and they didn't even tell me. I will never go back there again. I asked for the manager they said they don't even have one. I have never written a bad review in my life but I had to to save the next person. I know I am going to be ill from the garbage farm fish they gave me. Don't go here at all. read more

I came to Tangaroa Fish Market on a Saturday afternoon around 4 PM with a friend. It was surprisingly quiet when we arrived, and we weren't sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves--there was a bit of confusion, and the staff didn't immediately step in to guide us. After seeing another group seat themselves, we decided to sit outside, and that's when a server came over with water and menus. From there, everything turned around. We loved the ability to order and pay directly from our phones using the Toast system--it made the experience feel super seamless and low-pressure. We each ordered an entrée and shared an appetizer. My friend had the spicy tuna appetizer and fish & chips with added shrimp, and I got the Pacific ceviche and the crab roll. Every single dish was incredible. The seafood was fresh, the flavors were vibrant and well-balanced, and it felt like the perfect mix of cooked and sushi-style offerings--which is exactly what we were craving. It was such a satisfying and refreshing summer meal. This place honestly feels like a hidden gem. I only found it because I kept driving by and noticed it was always busy, so I finally looked it up on Yelp. I'd never heard anyone talk about it, which is surprising because we had such a great experience. Despite the rocky start with not being greeted, the food and service after that totally made up for it. I'm already planning to bring my boyfriend here--it's great for a casual meal with friends or a small group (I'd say 10 people or fewer). It's a little on the pricey side, but I definitely felt like I got my money's worth. Can't wait to come back! read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Crab roll, Fish & Chips, spicy tuna, Pacific Ceviche - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Tangaroa Fish Market is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. Today, I had the Ora King Salmon, a Poke Bowl, and Shrimp Tacos, and they were all fantastic! The seafood is always fresh, and you can taste the care that goes into each dish. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal. I'll definitely keep coming back for more! read more

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Great local spot for seafood. I've had their fish and chips, ceviche, fisherman's basket, mussels, and chorizo linguine, and they all were great; very fresh seafood. I haven't tried their seafood market yet but I will! Wish I had tried them sooner having lived in the area for over 17 years. read more

The 6 oyster sampler was great. Service was good. They let me take the shells home. Salmon burger was good. Good size serving. Fish and chips was good. Restaurant in quiet neighborhood. Street parking. Wooden paneling in restaurant. Not too busy at weekday lunch. read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The vibe is what you make it. You could be here for a game, a first date, to snag a filet to go or tuck into a corner in sweats and ponder life over a beautiful glass of chardonnay. Food quality quickly won us over. The oysters were fresh and beautifully presented. The Peruvian ceviche disappeared fast, though we didn't expect it to lean so guacamole-heavy with fish mixed in. The standout dish for me was the Fisherman's Basket; lightly fried, super tender and dairy free. A rare win. Service started strong but lost momentum after our order was taken. We had to flag someone down for fresh plates and extra condiments and didn't get a chance to order a second drink until the meal was already wrapping up. It was a special occasion that lost its spark. More attention would've made a big difference. read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Half Dozen Oysters - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great food but found it a bit inconsistent. 3.5 stars I really liked tangaroa the first time I came by. I tried the pacific ceviche, clam chowder, and fish and chips and all were great but the fish and chips were truly fantastic! They nailed the batter on the fish and the chips were really well seasoned. However, the second time I came by and ordered some of the same dishes, everything tasted just a bit different or were prepared a bit differently. The flavors didn't feel as balanced and I assume it may be because they had a different chef that day. I also tried the tuna crispy rice and didn't find that it was quite worth the price. I do think it's worth trying but wish it was more consistent! read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We had lunch here and customer service has left the building. Greeted by a QR code with a table number that has you place a self service order. No questions answered no talk of special s. Water and silverware was promptly dropped off with no mention of the new self service system ( I been going here for years) You place your order and are immediately presented with a gratuity request. This is not how tipping works. I put in 20% (yup sucker). A sweaty runner dropped the food and that was it for service. I had the fried fish tacos they were good. My wife had grilled shrimp tacos that were terrible the shrimp tased very much like iodine and you instantly worried about food poisoning. No one was caring about customers so we left. The Bright side was we did not have to wait for the bill. read more

Since the owner feels the need to get explicit about what supposedly happened, let's get really specific about what actually went down. My original review was respectful and to the point. But now that you're publicly trying to misrepresent my husband as verbally abusive, we can really get into it. First off, this wasn't our first encounter with rude treatment here. The last time my husband came with my parents and our kids, the same red-haired staff member was cold and unwelcoming. We let it slide then--it wasn't review-worthy. But when the exact same person escalated the situation during my mother-in-law's birthday dinner, it became a pattern worth calling out. To be clear: my husband never verbally abused anyone. He asked a very normal question: why a family with a confirmed reservation, two kids, and a handicapped guest couldn't be accommodated inside when the dining room was basically empty. Reasonable. Direct. That's it. The idea that he suddenly turned into someone "yelling obscenities" is just false. If the chain of events unfolded the way the owner is now claiming, what would trigger that? Why would someone suddenly start yelling for no reason? That's the real gap in logic here. And for the record, I do not believe employees should be mistreated by anyone. I don't think I'm above anyone, and my family does not condone disrespect toward staff. We know the work is hard and deserves respect. But there's a big difference between expecting hospitality at a restaurant where we had a reservation, and the version of events being fabricated here. Let's also not gloss over the fact that the owner came outside--in front of other diners--and told my husband, a Black man, that he "would not be eating here tonight." At that point he was already leaving, trying to get his handicapped mother in the car. The choice to chase us down, single him out, and loudly tell him he wasn't welcome sent a very clear message in 2025. I didn't even include that part in my original review because I was trying to keep it fair, but at this point it deserves to be said. If you look through Tangaroa's Yelp page, you'll see multiple reviews calling out the same issue: bad customer service. Mine just happens to be more detailed because I spelled out the sequence of events. Instead of addressing that, the owner doubled down by trying to smear a customer. That says a lot about the way this business views its guests. Hospitality should start with being welcoming and accommodating--especially to families who made reservations. What we experienced was the opposite. We will absolutely not be returning, and anyone reading this can decide for themselves if this is the kind of business they want to support. read more

I'd like to put 4.2 Stars... Tangaroa Fish Market offers the best fish & chips we've had in America! This New Zealand-inspired eatery didn't let us down--the fish was perfectly cooked with a crisp batter, well-drained, and delicious. The oysters were also great, although at this price, they're not our favorite in the city--but no regrets. The Ora salmon was excellent, the mussels were really good, and the chowder was flavorful and creamy, though it would be good to sense pieces of clam meat for texture and value. One of our absolute favorites, and a must-get next time, was the seared scallop. The dinner service was friendly but a bit disorganized and chaotic (unusually large bowls for the chowder, no cutlery, etc.--minor but annoying). I returned on a Sunday afternoon and absolutely loved the key lime pie paired with a crisp, clean, and cold pilsner. read more

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Great casual seafood spot! Love the outdoor patio style seating. We've been twice now with friends both times and everyone loved it. We tried the Peruvian ceviche, calamari, beet salad, grilled octopus, lobster bisque and fisherman's basket. If you're a seafood fan you'll appreciate how fresh everything is! The portions are also pretty large so you can definitely go with a group and order a few things to share. read more

I loved our dinner at Tangaroa! It's a cute hidden gem. The seafood is fresh and very well prepared. We had the spicy tuna crispy rice which was delicious! For mains we had the seafood special and wasabi mashed potatoes which was amazing & the fish and chips which was cooked perfectly. I can't wait to go back! read more

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Food was spectacular and delicious! We ordered fish and chips, king shrimp, calamari and tuna poke. Everything was freshly made and delicious. Service was friendly and helpful. Made us feel at home. Ambiance was fresh and music was 80s music so put us in a good mood. Happy we found a fish market near by, so we will be back. read more

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Phenomenal seafood served New Zealand style, the fish selection here is amazing and everything was so fresh and delicious. Oysters were phenomenal, loved the ones from Fanny Bay - more on the creamy end. Service was great, quick and efficient. We came on a Saturday afternoon and I was surprised by how empty the restaurant was. I would definitely return and explore other items on the menu. read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Shrimp tacos - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food here is always amazing, fresh and prepared to perfection. Service is always super friendly and helpful! The ambiance is very nice. It is the first time that I have been in it since they reopened the inside dining area. It is well laid out with seating, a bar and fresh fish market. read more

We discovered this place about three years ago through a friend's recommendation and it quickly became our go-to casual seafood spot in Los Angeles, especially after dropping off our daughter at school. Unfortunately, our last two visits have been disappointing enough to change that. On one occasion, I placed an online order and paid extra for garlic bread--only to find it was missing when we picked it up. But our final visit, on the 15th, really sealed the deal. Prices have skyrocketed--$45 for a simple fish fillet plate at a very casual restaurant with mediocre service is just unreasonable. We also ordered a bowl of their kiwi clam chowder soup. It was bland and took quite a while to arrive. If you're going to hike your prices that much, the least you can do is offer great service and consistent food quality. We doubt this review will matter to them since they're popular, but for us--our last visit really was the last. read more

Fantastic and one of the few remaining family businesses on the Westside. They do a great job, the servers are Johnny on the spot and the food is quality! You pay for it but the Happy Hour and Lobster Special more than make up for regular prices, do try! You can actually go bar hopping around Tangaroa and even get amazing ice cream a block over so make an afternoon of it but plan on getting your eating in when you stop at Tangaroa. In fact it's not even that aspirational to take down most of the menu, especially if you're a small crew. Thank me later for getting into this place for a byte sooner than later! read more

Tangaroa fish market - man I really wanted to like this place 3.5 stars I had seen it was incredible busy one day while grabbing some ice cream next door at gingers and thought id try it out Went there last Thursday and was mildly let down Service was atrocious. There was one server who was clearly overwhelmed and other backs who would step in but our table was constantly overlooked I had ordered an ice tea with light ice and when it arrived it was mainly ice, when i started to tell the server i asked for light she began to say it just looks overly full because the of the pebble ice, stopped herself then took it back to bring me what I originally asked for When we got our dish it came with 4 empty clams. They were nice enough to comp a discount because of this which was greatly appreciated It also was a fight to get seated as parties are seat themselves but the host/guy behind the window counter didnt shuffle people to where seats were available. Kinda were left bopping around looking for open tables and running into entitled people who claimed a table was theres when they were no where near it lmao The girl sitting next to our party assured us this was an off night as she had been there many times before and usually theyre on point Im open to giving them a second chance as the food was good - split their seafood boil between my friend and I - but service was lackluster I also found out the same owner also owns Yahir, the venue down the street which I had tried the day before which I thoroughly enjoyed Hoping to give this place a better review if I ever make it back read more

Tangaroa Fish Market - Seafood Markets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a time to be alive! With seafood and meats imported straight from New Zealand and a chef that truly believes in farm to table, the experience from start to finish at Tangaroa Fish Market is unmatched! Our server knew his shit and everything we knew he wanted were apart of his highly suggested lists! We even had other table onlookers admiring our selections as they thought we appeared to be pros! We started with the Peruvian ceviche! OMG along with some glasses of Pinot! Perfect pair! We shared the fresh catch of the day which was a fried whole Branzino with some garlicky flash fried potatoes and a fresh edamame salad! STELLAR FOOD! This restaurant has outdoor seating only and is nestled in this cute neighborhood in Culver City (not too far from the Culver City stairs) GO THERE! *if you're in the market for something delicious, they offer a VERY affordable lobster dinner on Wednesday nights! YUM! read more

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Average.. not sure where the NZ influence comes from. Ok ish food. Pricey for what it is. But again, ok ish.

Very busy for a Wednesday evening! But it's probably because of their lobster special that starts at 6 ( they were almost sold out by 6:45!) Service was great, staff worked well together and were definitely moving quickly. They were friendly, answered questions, and didn't rush us! Food was amazing! Favorite was definitely that salmon though, risotto was amazing with the super soft salmon. Octopus had the squid ink sauce and salad was fresh! Oysters were good! And lobster special was the best deal for the overall value. Plenty of food and sides really complimented the seafood!! Seating is all outside and they wiped them all down between customers. Super casual vibe but with fancy food! definitely will return for the seafood boil next time! read more

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This is my second visit to the restaurant and it always delivers. I came with a group of 6 and they were great about getting our food out quickly despite a large order. The market plate is always delicious, and the spicy tuna and spicy salmon crunchy rice bites were great - better than what I've had at other sushi restaurants. Love the outdoor vibe, perfect for lunch after a morning outdoor activity when you want to be well fed! read more

Service was amazing. Food was delicious and the vibes were perfect, sitting on the benches outside felt like we were on a beach or even vacation. Just having some beers and delicious fried snapper, calamari, the best ceviche I've ever had (Peruvian)... I mean garlic bread is always good but their's was even better than any i've had (not hyperbole) and the fries tasted like McDonald's fries from the 80s! Oh, and don't get me started on those roasted potatoes... it feels like sacrilige to have so much good seafood and talk about roasted potatoes but mayne, those were incredible... incroyable even, we could not get enough. To sit here with friends, have a beer and such great service is the little slice of heaven we all need. Only bad think was that I just now discovered it. Like Arnold, I'll be back. read more

The service here is horrible. There's not enough staff to serve the restaurant. They think they can get by with one server and one bartender and guess what? We will not be going here again read more

Super cute seafood spot! This is our go to when we are craving some Maine Lobster. They are both a restaurant and a market. Market wise-the shellfish and fish is always very fresh and fairly priced. Restaurant wise-tons of outdoor covered seated and friendly service. They have some happy hour specials and will run occasional Lobster boil specials, as well (although, with inflation, prices on that have gone up almost 20 dollars in two years.) Shared fryer, so I haven't been able to try the fries, but oysters and grilled fish are always tasty. read more