The Ultimate Guide to LA's 18 Most Irresistible Fish and Seafood Tacos

These are currently the top fish and seafood taco spots in Los Angeles.

We know you’re out there, fighting to avoid tacos during the final days of Lent. Or perhaps you're welcoming the return of spring with memories from your recent journey to Baja—savoring a cold Pacífico adorned with a lime wedge and biting into a steaming-hot, breaded fish or shrimp taco held firmly in your hand.

However, you don't require a reason.

Here are the top 18 seafood-filled tacos in Los Angeles that you absolutely must taste. This list provides all the incentive needed to venture out and explore your own adventure into the delightful world of exceptional tacos packed with smoked marlin, mahi-mahi, crispy shrimp, or whichever charming and delicious sea creature catches your eye from Ariel’s lineup.

Enjoy.

Taco Nazo

Fish and Shrimp Taco

This family-run establishment was the pioneer in bringing crunchy fish tacos to the public in Los Angeles back in 1978. Although they have expanded to operate out of four different spots across far-eastern and south-eastern parts of L.A., the location on Bellflower Boulevard remains particularly dear to those living in southeast L.A.

Taco Nazo focuses on Baja-style fish and shrimp tacos featuring battered fish fillets, slaw, salsa fresca, and sour cream. For those who enjoy Southern California’s custom of serving chili-seasoned chiles güeros alongside their fish tacos, Taco Nazo introduced this concept as well. Should you desire heartier options, they offer burritos packed with either fried shrimp or fish.

Multiple locations

CeFishé

Tacos Gobernador

This coastal Mexican mariscos pop-up , from high school sweethearts Darrel and Patty Baker, features these traditional, Mazatlán á Newborn tacos gobernador make their appearance over weekends in El Monte, where they take two ends of a smoked, shrimp- and bell pepper-filled corn tortilla and stick them together using a sticky layer of melted cheese as an adhesive. The surplus cheese then sizzles on the griddle, creating additional crispiness around the taco’s rim.

197 East Second Street, Pomona, California 91766

Coni’Seafood

Smoked Marlin Tacos

Grilled marlin combined with melted cheese, tomatoes, onions, and an arc of avocado inside slightly toasted tortillas is among Coni'Seafood’s top-selling dishes. Paired with the restaurant’s zesty, habanero-infused salsa verde, this trio of tacos becomes truly exceptional. Whether you're looking for lunch or dinner, this place stands out as perfect for those needing a quick taco fix before heading to LAX or enjoying them upon arrival.

3544 West Imperial Highway, Inglewood, CA 90303 . Nearest metro line and station: Bus Route 120 – "Imperial Highway/Yukon."

4532 South Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90066 . Nearest metro line and station: Bus Route 108 – "Short/Centinela."

El Coraloense

Taco Revolcado

Although the city of Atlantis might be gone, Bell Gardens remains resilient, and El Coraloense Perhaps the seventh marvel for fans of sea delicacies. Among numerous standout dishes in this menu featuring elevated ceviche, beer-battered fish, and spicy shrimp diabla tacos, the tacos revolcados shine brightly. The slightly inflated corn tortillas struggle to contain generous pieces of maroon-hued mahi-mahi seasoned like pork al Pastor atop a heap of shredded cabbage, all drizzled with lines of cream and topped off with a vibrant green salsa verde. This dish is quite untidy but absolutely worth every extra napkin you might use.

6600 Florence Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA 90201 . Nearest metro line and station: Bus Route 111 - "Florence/Emil."

Mariscos Jalisco

Taco de Camarón

Mariscos Jalisco’s The golden shrimp taco stands out as L.A.'s quintessential taco during daytime hours. It embodies every quality one could desire in a taco: generously filled with flavorsome spiciness, wonderfully cooling, custard-like, and richly buttery due to the meticulous placement of avocado pieces. In terms of sheer pleasure per bite, no other taco offers such an unadulterated delight when eaten: crunchy yet smooth, fresh but fiery simultaneously. Timeless and impeccable—this taco reigns supreme.

3040 East Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90023 . The nearest bus routes and stops are: Bus Route 62 at "Olympic/Dacotah" or Bus Route 605 at "Grande Vista/Olympic."

E. 10th Street and Towne Avenue. Downtown area of Los Angeles, California 90021 . Nearest metro line and station: Bus Route 51 – “San Pedro/11th.”

753 E Holt Ave. Pomona, CA 91767 . Nearest transportation options include Foothill Transit Lines 195 and 292, as well as Omnitrans Line 61, which stops at "Holt/San Antonio."

1830 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90035 . Nearest bus route and stop: Bus Route 105 at "La Cienega/18th."

Holbox

Scallop Taco

It's difficult to pick the top taco here. Holbox , the groundbreaking Mexican seafood restaurant that was the first to win a Michelin Star award In the U.S., however, their scallop taco stands out as though taken directly from a divine narrative. The dish features succulent, sautéed scallops atop a base of sweetened onions, marinated fennel, and an impressively zesty salsa, all nestled within a corn tortilla. Each bite offers a delightful indulgence and serves up an extraordinary taste of premium seafood tacos.

Coming second on the list yet remaining highly sought after is "pulpo en su tinta," which features slow-cooked, crispy, and succulent octopus served atop a handmade traditional Mexican corn tortilla made from heritage varieties of maize processed at a nearby mill. The dish includes a rich sauce reduced from squid ink and sofrito. This taco offers an intense exploration of oceanic flavors and would be particularly appealing to those who have an unquenchable appetite for ceviche and aguachile dishes. Although there may be some waiting due to high demand, this particular taco makes the queue worthwhile all on its own.

At Mercado Paloma, 3 655 South Grand Avenue, Stall C9, Los Angeles, California 90007 . Nearest metro lines and station: Metro J Line (910/950) or Bus Route 460 – "37th Street/USC Station."

Ensenada Surf N’ Turf Grill

Fish Taco

This South Bay taquería focuses on Baja-style fish tacos. They coat white fish fillets with a beer batter and deep-fry until they turn a golden hue. Be sure to get some blistered chiles güeros as well; this combination enhances the taste significantly. Here’s how you should enjoy it: start with a bite of your fish taco followed by a bite of the chilies. Continue alternating bites throughout.

Multiple locations

Lupita’s Tacos

Calamari Tacos

Similar to the iconic burgers crafted by Mario Curiel at Hinano in Venice, the tacos stand out as well. at his stand Adopt the same straightforward approach: basic, new, and accurate. Without simplifying, blending, using uncommon items, or adding fancy elements—except for choosing wild rockfish over farm-raised tilapia. Simply focus on high-quality ingredients, appropriate portion sizes, freshly prepared with well-balanced flavors, resulting in a thoroughly fulfilling meal.

Lupita’s Tacos appear each Friday and Saturday evening at Palms and Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. Nearest bus line and stop: Bus Line 33 at "Venice/Lincoln."

Ditroit

Fish Machaca Fish Flauta

Ditroit’s The crispy fish machaca flauta, prepared using rice bran oil and garnished with avocado salsa along with a blend of crème fraîche and queso fresco, stands as the pinnacle of a taco dorado in Los Angeles. This esteemed delicacy comes from an upscale taqueria located in the Arts District, established by the renowned Enrique Olvera's Mexican culinary enterprise. Among their offerings, their suadero taco earned "Best in Show" accolades during L.A. TACO’s annual Taco Madness competition. Notably, these tacos boast minimal greasiness and feature exceptionally substantial pieces of fish. While indulging might be considered quite costly for just three servings, many agree they're well worth every penny. Each component used here—from the responsibly sourced tuna or swordfish to the traditional Oaxacan heirloom corn tortillas made fresh daily through nixtamalization—contributes to making what could arguably be described as the finest tacos available within budget constraints.

2117 Violet Street, Los Angeles, California 90021 . Nearest metro line and station: Bus Route 60 – "Santa Fe/Violet."

Anajak Thai

Striped Bass Tacos

Anajak’s The dry-aged taco stands out as one of the consistent offerings during the 44-year-old Thai eatery's biweekly "Taco Tuesday" celebration. For this dish, the striped bass is allowed to hang and age for just over seven days before being gently fried and later crisped up to impart a smokey flavor. To complete the taco, it's garnished with Boon sauce—a chili oil crafted by Los Angeles-based chef Max Boonthanakit—and a homemade mayonnaise, adding an authentic taste reminiscent of Ensenada.

The process of drying the bass enhances its rich taste, which blends seamlessly with the spiciness of the sauce and the savory quality of the mayonnaise. The tortillas come directly from La Princesita. Besides the tacos, Anajak’s Thai Taco Tuesday stands out due to the atmosphere and organic wines available. This distinctive L.A.-centric event has all the chances to remain popular for at least four more decades.

14704 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 . Nearest Metro lines and station: Bus Routes 155 or 240 – “Ventura/Cedars.”

Simón

Pescadillas

Simon L.A is distinct from all other seafood trucks in L.A., driven by the skilled hands and creative concepts of an avant-garde Oaxacan fine-dining chef who understands both the coastal cooking ofMexico’s Pacific Coast and every detail of his vivid blue lonchera inside out.

Sandwiched between owner Francisco Aguilar’s signature taco Gobernadora and an unconventional shrimp, bacon, and bean taco lies their "Pescadillas" offering. These feature crisp taquitos filled with finely chopped, marinated wild fish atop a flavorful pool of rich black bean purée. This distinctive version of crispy fish tacos can typically be found only in the coastal regions of Guerrero’s Costa Chica and select shores around Oaxaca; however, they’re now available at Simón L.A. as well.

We highly suggest trying their softshell crab taco as well. It sits perfectly on a corn tortilla, featuring a once-spirited crustacean now still and tempura-battered. This dish comes with pickled red onions, pineapple pico, and a smooth yellow sauce crafted using chintextle—a type of Oaxacan pasilla chili paste—alongside avocado leaves and shrimp shells. Take a bite into this crisp delight, and you won’t want to stop eating them.

3667 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026. Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 2 or 4 – "Sunset/Maltman."

Tacos Baja

Fish and Shrimp Tacos

At the pinnacle of authenticity stands Tacos Baja At East L.A.'s Whittier Boulevard, the taco consistently hits the spot: a battered slice of catfish that remains crunchy at the edges, topped with cabbage and a smoky chipotle cream sauce blended with a touch of mayo for added richness. For those watching their wallet, Wednesdays offer each fish taco for just $1.50, though be prepared as the wait might stretch up to half an hour due to the lengthy queue.

Once you take that first bite, you probably won't recall this at all. However, we believe the taqueria's success is partly due to their unlimited chili güero station. Just so you know, some of these chilies pack quite a punch and can be incredibly hot, similar to habaneros, whereas others might remind you more of sweet bell peppers. Wish you good fortune navigating through them!

16032 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90603 . Nearest bus line and stop: Bus Line 120 at "Whittier/Santa Gertrudes."

Villas Tacos #3

Victor Villa, the sole three-time winner of TACO MADNESS who founded Villa’s Tacos, hails from Northeast Los Angeles. Similar to a cinematic storyline, following the prosperity of his locally established taqueria, he managed to save sufficient funds to purchase the premises formerly occupied by the long-standing Tacos La Estrella at the intersection of Avenue 61 and Figueroa—a spot where he spent much of his childhood enjoying meals. It was his signature seven-layer tacos that brought him widespread recognition. Now, Victor has ventured into the world of seafood with a fresh culinary idea, offering dishes such as fish, shrimp, and octopus tacos, along with an exclusive "Sea and Land" taco featuring A5 Wagyu beef.

The key to the innovative seafood menu lies in the oregano-rich batter used for preparing mahi-mahi and shrimp tacos. Additionally, he opts for frying with rice bran oil, known for its numerous health advantages over soybean or canola oil, offering a nearly greaselss texture along with being free from common allergens.

6100 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90042. Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 81 – "Figueroa at Avenue 60."

Razo’s Fish Tacos

Russian-raised Armenian chef Razo Bakhtamian’s seafood Is cooked fresh upon request, utilizing sunflower oil which plays a key role in the cuisine of numerous ex-Soviet countries, leading to a sweeter, lighter texture with a vibrant orange shell. For grilling mahi-mahi, he employs a panini press ensuring each taco delivers a uniform burst of protein in every mouthful. His lobster tacos stand out as some of the finest fish-stuffed creations around; they offer a crisp, succulent experience brimming with lobster taste under layers of buttery and garlicky flavors.

11513 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601 Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 154 – "Lankershim/Burbank."

MXO

Guerrilla Tacos and Angry Egret Dinette have unfortunately closed down. However, Wes Avila’s outstanding Baja-style fish tacos continue to be served at his place. West Hollywood steakhouse, MXO The black cod gets coated in batter and deep-fried until it reaches a beautiful, golden brown hue before being served on locally-sourced corn tortillas from a neighborhood family-run store. It’s garnished with salsa roja, chipotle aioli, and cabbage. These tacos continue to be a refined emblem of the Baja cuisine regardless of where they’re enjoyed.

826 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90069 . Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 105 – "La Cienega/Waring."

Three Flames Mongolian BBQ

Enthusiasts of Gil's exceptional (and gluten-free) fish tacos along with shrimp cocktails infused with fish sauce can rejoice as his distinctive contemporary seafood cuisine has returned, courtesy of Frank and Vanessa Casares, proprietors of Surfas. These standout tacos feature custom-made corn tortillas crafted next door at Maria’s Tortillas, enriched with mochiko rice flour and olive oil for an extra touch. They strike the perfect balance—distinctive yet reasonably priced—and conveniently sit near LAX airport.

5608 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90045. Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 115 – "Manchester/Harbor Transitway."

Paz Cantina

Pez Cantina It's akin to having a hidden sanctuary, shielding you from the sun and brimming with positive energy, nestled within the heart of Bunker Hill’s urban concrete and glass landscape. Following a grueling day of trading stocks or meandering through Jeff Koons' perplexing sculptures, Pez Cantina provides a refreshing escape filled with authentic coastal Mexican cuisine, icy beverages, and a hint of tropical ambiance elevated above the norm. Alternatively, bypass the oysters and seafood cocktails altogether and indulge instead in their delightfully crisp, crunchy, and creamy fish tacos.

401 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071 . Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 76 - "Grand / 3rd."

Mariscos Corona

Ever since Joel started working alongside his dad in the kitchen at Mariscos Corona, the restaurant’s operations have ramped up significantly. A fresh and lively menu overhaul has propelled it to fame on social media platforms. Although most of the attention focuses on their distinctive seafood offerings, the tacos should not be overlooked as they stand out on their own merit. Specifically, the fried fish taco features tender sea bass paired with pickled onions and a zesty salsa. However, each taco receives an exceptional preparation method here.

14901 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, California . Nearest metro lines and station: Bus Routes 162 - "Sherman Way/Kester."

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