Bakersfield hasn’t always been known for coastal cuisine, but the seafood scene has steadily improved into now-we-can-comfortably-brag territory. If you know where to look, you’ll find excellent crab, plump shrimp, painstakingly grilled fish, hearty cioppino, and more. The skeptics should be a lot quieter now.
Sushilon Sushi Y Mariscos
$$ | (805) 268-2544 | WEBSITE
If you think sushi can’t be exciting, Sushilon is your personal revelation. The menu at this small spot focuses on fresh seafood and creative combinations—and the result is not just a symphony of flavors, it’s a hidden gem in Bakersfield’s dining scene. There are perfectly balanced Aguachiles verdes that taste like the ocean just met a lime tree, negros with a smoky depth that lingers, and exceptional Coqueta that makes you question every other ceviche you’ve tried.
But the La Bomba deserves praise, too. It’s a unique combo of carne asada, chicken, and shrimp sushi crowned with crab salad—a bold move that pays off beautifully. Just remember—and if you don’t, the friendly owner will remind you—good things take time, with orders arriving in about 35 to 40 minutes. But with Mexican Coke in glass bottles and the option to customize anything (even switching to rice paper), it’s worth the wait.
Mariscos Uruapan
$$ | (661) 325-3035 | WEBSITE
You know when you’re at a seaside cantina with the salt air blowing through, live music drifting from the stage, and nothing can dampen your mood? You’ll get that same feeling at Mariscos Uruapan. It’s easy to grab a table even when the place is hopping, the Michelada is mixed fresh with just the right kick, and the entertainment comes with no cover charge.
You could stop there and have a perfectly decent evening, but try the seafood platter with its artful presentation, the ceviche that could use a bit more zing, or maybe just another round of those surprisingly satisfying Micheladas. If we didn’t have to finish updating this list, we’d close our laptops and head back for the atmosphere alone.
Mama Tosca’s Italian Restaurant Fine Dining Est.1982
$$ | (661) 831-1242 | WEBSITE
Mama Tosca’s Italian Restaurant Fine Dining Est.1982’s elegant Bakersfield location has intimate indoor seating, private rooms for parties, and a lovely patio area that’s perfect for special occasions. The pasta purses are the best in town—delicate pasta filled with creamy ricotta and drizzled with a rich butter sauce we could sip on its own. There’s soft lighting, warm wood accents, and accommodating service at this inviting spot that’s ideal for a memorable celebration.
And be sure to save room for a few standout dishes, like perfectly cooked sea bass, tender steak, and the famous Mama’s Special, a warm spiked cappuccino with aromatic notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Red Lobster
$$ | (661) 589-9956 | WEBSITE
It will always feel great to be at Red Lobster with a cold drink, surrounded by the buzz of happy families among the nautical décor in the middle of the bright dining room. Among the hits here are phenomenal lobster and sea scallops served with drawn butter alongside rich sauces for dipping, garlic butter calamari stuffed inside crispy batter, and a noteworthy surf and turf that features both tender steak and succulent seafood.
The attentive servers make thoughtful gestures like packaging leftovers and singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ while the pleasant manager ensures everyone feels welcome. With appetizing dishes and helpful service, the overall experience remains deliciously positive.
K Pocha & Restaurant
$$ | (661) 412-7444 | WEBSITE
Have you ever been so distracted during a weekend errand that you almost miss your turn, but it’s really the pork belly with kimchi and tofu from K Pocha & Restaurant on the mind? Same. The dish in question from this Korean establishment has a perfect balance of savory grilled pork, tangy fermented cabbage, and silken tofu that just works when paired with their crispy potato pancakes. Don’t miss their bulgogi fried rice, either.
Ruben’s Mexican Restaurant
$ | (661) 589-3676 | WEBSITE
At this Bakersfield mainstay, there are multiple standout dishes that have earned their reputation. But no menu navigation is required, as the whole lineup delivers. There are a few particularly memorable plates, though, including the Chilli Colorado that’s praised as the best in town, the seafood fajitas that balance affordability with flavor, and the carnita plate that comes with beans and rice. They’re all served hot with fast service that enhances the experience.
The salsa with refried bean dip, cheese, and jalapeno juice stands strong alongside every meal without overwhelming. With food this consistent, why isn’t this hidden gem ever overrun? We have no clue—the warm, lively atmosphere with its bar has been a local favorite for over 20 years.
Los Cunados Mexican Grill
$ | (661) 859-1015 | WEBSITE
Los Cunados Mexican Grill is one of the more welcoming spots on this list, and their chilaquiles situation is very strong. You’ll find tasty options like carne asada with chilaquiles, roast beef with chilaquiles, and a phenomenal three-meat fajita platter that really just needs to be ordered by everyone at this point. The handmade tortillas have the perfect balance of warmth and freshness, and we love their carnitas served with those thick, just-made tortillas.
Come here for a family meal, for the excellent service from Marisol, or both.
El Majahual Restaurant
$ | (661) 322-2797 | WEBSITE
If you’re specifically looking for pupusas, the ones at El Majahual served with generous salsa and curtido are extremely tasty. There’s always a wait for a table on the weekends, but a meal here is worth sticking out despite the less-than-ideal neighborhood, even just for the spicy hot sauce that comes on the side. The curtido is made fresh all day, and the masa flavor in the pupusas is some of the best in town.
Mama Roomba
$$ | (661) 322-6262 | WEBSITE
Seafood seekers gather at Mama Roomba. While this downtown spot offers various dishes, their small plates truly stand out. Ordering the fried calamari is a solid choice, but the Caribbean beef in sauce tops them all. It’s a warm plate of tender beef in rich sauce, with flavors that meld beautifully. Add some cheese empanadas to round out the meal, and share everything tapas-style with your table. The tri-tip comes cooked nicely too, though you might wish for more chimichurri sauce.
Skip the vegetable dish and pork chops, which can be bland and tough. But with friendly staff and cozy atmosphere, it’s a very nice chill spot where the shared plates and warm service make for a charming experience.
Mariscos Las Cazuelitas #3
$ | (661) 717-3052 | WEBSITE
It goes without saying that you should order the fried shrimp tacos at Mariscos Las Cazuelitas #3, but we’ll say it anyway. These tacos are fantastic. The result of perfectly crisp shrimp paired with fresh toppings is this happy marriage of crunchy texture and bright flavor, honeymooning together inside warm tortillas. Go nuts with any of their tasty salsas (we prefer the tangy green). And while you’ll definitely want the shrimp tacos in some form or another, the chicken salad is the unsung hero.
Beautifully presented and flavorful, it shines in a restaurant that delivers consistently delicious food. The vibrant atmosphere with live music and efficient service from staff like David makes this spot perfect for celebrations or casual gatherings.
Santiago’s Grill & Seafood
$ | (661) 832-7940 | WEBSITE
Some of the best burritos in Bakersfield are tucked away in a cozy family-run spot on Wible Road. Santiago’s should not just become your go-to for a quick lunch break or a fun night out after the place gets busier later in the day. This restaurant is worth a visit any time—either for a smothered burrito piled with tender shredded beef or flavorful Mexican dishes that utilize fresh ingredients.
Prioritize the lime margaritas that are large and affordable or the shrimp enchiladas with rice and beans that are enjoyable for all ages.
At C Fresh
$$ | (661) 479-5400 | WEBSITE
Even though it’s tucked away in a strip mall near a theater, the food at At C Fresh makes an otherwise ordinary weeknight feel like a celebration. This is not just the best seafood spot in Bakersfield—it’s also one of the best restaurants in town. There are yummy micheladas that the friendly staff will whip up with a smile, Cajun fries straight from the fryer crispy with great seasoning, and a shrimp and snow crab boil that’ll kick your taste buds awake faster than a double espresso.
The gumbo is served perfectly hot with rich Creole flavors, textbook fried crawfish are plump and juicy, and the lobster rolls have a PG-13-level balance between decadent butter sauce and fresh, sweet meat.
Mariscos Las Islitas
$$ | (661) 325-0051 | WEBSITE
Mariscos Las Islitas is one of the best seafood spots in Bakersfield. The entire menu also happens to be completely fresh, highlighted by boiled and grilled shrimp and shrimp quesadillas that are brought to life with marinades and seasonings. But the best thing here is the molcajete, simmered in broth with hints of savory roast meat and seafood-like briny notes from the grill. Get it with a side of rice and beans that bursts at the seams with fresh flavors, and call it a day.
Mariscos “La Casuela” #2 al estilo Nayarit
$ | (661) 847-9898 | WEBSITE
The next time anybody tells you Bakersfield doesn’t have good mariscos, blindfold them, put them in the backseat of your car, and take them to Mariscos “La Casuela” #2 al estilo Nayarit. The best thing that Mariscos “La Casuela” serves is their shrimp ceviche, which forces us to cancel our plans to eat here before they close at 9pm.
In each bite, you’ll get some fresh shrimp, crisp vegetables, tangy lime juice, and the ideal amount of cilantro and avocado—all of the elements perfectly distributed like a chef arranging ingredients for a food magazine photoshoot. Your friends will thank you for the introduction—after forgiving you for blindfolding them.
Mariscos El Puerto De San Blas
$ | (661) 300-3162 | WEBSITE
This Bakersfield restaurant has so many great dishes that the menu fills up an entire wall-sized chalkboard. But we recommend directing your attention to the fish tacos section. These crispy fried fish pieces drip with tasty lime juice and are stacked high with cabbage, pico de gallo, and crema—which makes picking one of these up about as precarious as the final moments of a Jenga game.
Country Kitchen Bar & Grill
$ | (661) 396-5372 | WEBSITE
Country Kitchen Bar & Grill specializes in a sprawling menu that spans BBQ, Mexican pasta, steak, soup, salads, and more—think a 10oz NY steak with eggs and pancakes for breakfast, or perfectly seasoned, fork-tender steak fajitas. It’s a pretty solid spot if you’re into hearty, value-driven meals, and they do also have a neat, clean atmosphere with a little bar and a patio for nice weather. But you’re not here for any of that.
You’re here for those hulking potato skins and an even colder draft beer. And while we know that this is a guide to seafood restaurants, Country Kitchen’s finest contribution to the world is their highly recommended Bloody Mary.