Best Seafood Restaurants in Big Sur

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Clean Plate Club

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Despite being associated more with towering redwoods and hiking trails that lead you through the stunning mountains, Big Sur reaps the bounty of the sea just the same as the rest of the California coast. The seafood here is just as fresh and tantalizing as if you were sitting right on a beach instead of up on the cliffs. If you’ve a hankering for fresh oysters or clam chowder, consider taking a look at this list before or during your trip to Big Sur.

Feature Photo: Courtesy of Sierra Mar

An outdoor coastal restaurant with wooden tables and chairs overlooks the ocean, offering some of the best seafood Big Sur has to offer. There's a fire pit in the center and a glass-enclosed section with more seating to the right. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a picturesque setting.
Photo courtesy of Post Ranch Inn

Situated as part of Post Ranch Inn, Sierra Mar’s glass walls offer diners stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding Big Sur area. The menu showcases their seafood, and you may find salmon sashimi and oysters on the half-shell next to sea bass with shaved zucchini. For pairings, Sierra Mar’s award-winning wine list is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Make sure to get a reservation, as they don’t accept walk-ins.

Two champagne glasses filled with bubbly sit on a wooden table with an ocean view in the background. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the horizon, sky, and surrounding trees—a perfect setting to enjoy the best seafood Big Sur has to offer.
Photo courtesy of Treebones

Attached to the Treebones Resort is the beautiful Lodge Restaurant, offering a romantic indoor dining hall and an outdoor bar (weather permitting). Though they offer a variety of dishes, their focus is on seafood. Sample their oyster Rockefeller with seaweed and parmesan, or the California halibut with beurre blanc and watercress. The menu does rotate based on what local ingredients are available, so rest assured that whatever you’re getting, it will be fresh and seasonal. Reservations are also required.

A person wearing a grey cap, light grey shirt, and apron carefully prepares several bowls of food at a kitchen counter. The kitchen has a scenic window view with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. Pineapples and cooking utensils are visible, reminiscent of the best seafood spots in Big Sur.
Photo courtesy of Treebones

This omakase sushi bar is also part of the Treebones Resort, but it is all about the sushi. Offering a fifteen course tasting menu, they incorporate herbs and seasonings from their own organic garden, paired perfectly with melt-in-your-mouth otoro, spiny lobster, or Monterey Bay abalone. Spring for the beverage pairing as well, and try their fine selection of sake and wine. Reservations are required, and make sure to book in advance, as seatings can go quickly.

Who’s writing these?

Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.

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