Navigating Fontana’s seafood scene is a primal culinary hunt. Hungry patrons circle parking lots like predators, families shield children from rogue crab leg displays, teenagers buzz with the thrill of their first oyster shooter. One misplaced reservation and you’ve got a full-scale shellfish skirmish on your hands. Here are the 20 spots worth the hunt.
Thai Kitchen Bowl
$ | (909) 822-6488 | WEBSITE
You just spent an hour circling Fontana looking for parking, and now your patience is as thin as the last slice of garlic pork spareribs on your plate. Luckily, Thai Kitchen Bowl has enough coconut soup steam in the air to soothe your frazzled nerves, a clean, professional space to distract from the fact your GPS gave up halfway here, and some generous Thai portions. Their seafood coconut soup is pretty much guaranteed to reset your mood.
Cocina Sinaloense
$ | (909) 695-1002 | WEBSITE
Cocina Sinaloense feels like the kind of place where you’d stumble upon after a long day, craving something real and unpretentious. Tucked away in downtown Fontana, this family-run spot is one part warmth, two parts authenticity with a menu full of things like Papa Flautitas, Quesa Birrias, and their famous hand-made Mulita on weekends. It’s a cozy space that’s perfect for a casual meal with friends or a family dinner over amazing ceviche and flavorful birria.
The friendly staff and generous portions make it a must-visit for anyone wanting authentic Sinaloan flavors without breaking the bank.
LA TAPATIA TAQUERIA Y MARISCOS
$ | (909) 333-1084 | WEBSITE
Yes, this Mexican seafood spot is located in—let’s be honest—Fontana’s strip mall scene. And yes, despite that, it’s pretty fantastic. It doesn’t quite match the coastal mariscos joints of Ensenada, but that’s to be expected given it’s inland. The food however, is still delicious. Flavorful shrimp burritos and shrimp tacos served hot and quickly, with handmade tortillas that are fresh and warm. Quesabirria and shrimp empanadas that are perfect to share.
And agua frescas that we want to accompany every future meal.
LAS NUEVAS ISLAS
$$ | (909) 320-8572 | WEBSITE
We’re not sure what exactly the secret is, but we don’t care when seafood tastes this good. This hidden Fontana gem has lively decor, spacious seating, and a menu with standout favorites like tacos gobernador and pescado zarandeado. Authentically flavorful, perfectly prepared dishes, with the perfect balance of seasoning—whether that’s mojarras, aguachiles, or mussels—that require maximum appreciation and minimal distraction.
Louisiana Fried Chicken & Seafood
$ | (909) 275-3360 | WEBSITE
You thought you knew Southern comfort food. But that was before you encountered a catfish and shrimp combo with mac n cheese so rich and creamy it could make a grown man weep. Take yourself off to Louisiana Fried Chicken & Seafood for some hot, fresh food, and entirely satisfying Southern-style dishes. You’re hungry. And so are their soft biscuits.
Chicken luiana
In our opinion, any restaurant that encourages you to order two orders of hush puppies instead of one has a deep understanding of how to make the most of long workdays and rapidly dropping comfort food cravings. Fontana’s Chicken Luiana is exactly that kind of restaurant, and everything from the signature Louisiana Fried Chicken, to the big plates of red beans and rice have the power to stop your incessant ‘should I just get fast food’ internal debates.
A side of the mac and cheese won’t hurt either.
Mariscos Puerto Nayari
$$ | (909) 247-8568 | WEBSITE
Most Fontana residents would rather brave the 10 freeway at rush hour, or worse, endure another chain restaurant, than spend even a single, solitary minute in a mediocre seafood spot. But, for whatever reason you might find yourself craving authentic flavors in the area, you can find solace in the fact that Mariscos Puerto Nayari is a short drive away.
This place is anti-disappointment, like a lovely shot of coastal comfort, complete with clean tables, friendly staff, and enough room for all of your appetite. Be sure to get the Taco gorbernador.
TAQUERIA VIVA VILLA – Fontana, CA
$ | (909) 356-9669 | WEBSITE
There’s tasty Mexican food, and then there’s Taqueria Viva Villa. This Fontana spot offers some of the best tacos around. There’s a simple menu with fresh dishes to choose from, including quesadillas, tacos de asada, tacos de cabeza, lengua, aguachile, Milanesa torta, and burritos. While all of the menu items are delicious, our favourites are the quesabirria tacos and the chorizo y huevos breakfast plate. They’re generously filled and make a great meal.
Once you try one, trust us, you’ll be back to taste everything on the menu.
Sierra Noodle House
$ | (909) 356-1688 | WEBSITE
If Fontana’s strip malls are a culinary desert, then Sierra Noodle House is the lush oasis we all retreat to when the craving for authentic Asian flavors becomes too intense to ignore. This is arguably the most satisfying spot in town and works for a quick pho lunch between errands, or a full-blown noodle extravaganza once you’re ready to settle in for a proper feast.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
$ | (909) 803-2988 | WEBSITE
We’re pretty sure that if we went surfing with the hardworking crew who run this place—otherwise known as the ‘ohana’—we’d end up spending the entirety of our afternoon after being greeted with so many welcoming smiles and feelgood island vibes. This place not only serves one of the best Hawaiian BBQ plates in Fontana, it’s also just generally a pleasant, clean place to be. Expect generously sized portions, perfectly cooked cabbage, and plenty of friendly service from the ohana.
Emporio Sushi y Mariscos
$$ | (909) 371-0086 | WEBSITE
Emporio Sushi y Mariscos is a lively Mexican seafood spot that will serve everyone enough lime and spice to jolt you out of your California routine. The marlin tacos are a zesty little handheld number, and you’ll be tempted to ask the roca shrimp about their seasoning secrets, given how plump they are. The highlight, though, is the green ceviche. Bright, fresh, with an essential crispy tostada that serves as the ultimate scoop.
Emporio understands that craving straightforward satisfaction is something everyone has in common.
Star Crab
$$ | (909) 320-8696 | WEBSITE
It’s no secret that Star Crab’s cajun mild shrimp are Fontana’s most reliably tasty seafood bites. Cooked fresh for a succulent bite, packed with flavor, and with a dip of that addictive house sauce—they tick all the boxes. But the other bits on Star Crab’s menu, from snow crab and king crab customized with your choice of sauces and a spicy kick, to garlic Cajun fries that marry your crispest and most savory snack memories into something deliciously fun, are also fantastic.
They’re part of the lively, kid-friendly setup in a convenient location, so swing by, find yourself a place to perch, and get cracking.
Blazin’ Crab Fontana
$$ | (909) 356-2722 | WEBSITE
For around twenty bucks at Blazin’ Crab Fontana, you can get a combo plate piled high with king crab legs, shrimp fried rice, and cajun garlic fries, drenched in a perfectly rich and buttery sauce. It’s as tasty as it is generous, and there’s plenty more on the seafood menu, from lobster with butter to the praised combo 3. If the mood’s right, grab a seat, let the cool music set the vibe, and dig in.
Las playas mexican restaurant
$$ | (909) 822-1584 | WEBSITE
This vibrant Fontana spot serves quintessential Mexican seaside charm, with the lively energy and welcoming warmth of a family gathering: “Oh, I’ll have the shrimp and asada combo, be a good man and bring me a tajin margarita whilst you’re at it, darling.” There’s a bustling atmosphere, seafood parrillada on the menu, and accommodating service that will make you feel right at home with a large party.
That said, you can get away with wearing your casual jeans to spend a lazy afternoon befriending the accommodating staff and merrily gobbling bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Las Islas Marias
$$ | (909) 823-2140 | WEBSITE
No doubt a nod to the coastal flavors of Mexico, Las Islas Marias is one of the most authentic and flavorful spots for seafood in Fontana. This lively restaurant serves traditional mariscos like tacos, cocteles, ceviche, and their signature Langostinos, all for around fifteen dollars a plate. It’s unlikely to be the fanciest version of each you’ll ever try, but it’s the best in the area if you’re looking for a genuine, vibrant, and delicious meal.
The Langostinos are perfectly seasoned, humming with lime and spice, and are our usual order.
Culichi’s VIP
$$ | (909) 357-1880 | WEBSITE
Seafood, sushi, and happy hour is a winning combination after a long week. Thankfully, given their reputation, Culichi’s VIP does not disappoint. The Fontana restaurant offers Mexican-style seafood dishes (both cooked and raw), that combines fantastic, fresh ingredients with a variety of traditional toppings. The tostada mixta feels like seafood 101 here—combining crisp, golden tortillas with a light and flavorful mix of marlin and shrimp.
La Sexy Michelada
$$ | (909) 346-0179 | WEBSITE
The Fontana location of this cozy Mexican spot is just as lively as its reputation suggests. Their ceviche and aguachiles are always fresh—the asada burrito, packed with meat and balanced perfectly, is our favorite—but the micheladas here are similarly delicious. It’s a place that suits quick lunches as well as extended evenings, solo visits, or social gatherings.
Pescaderia Mr Fish
$ | (909) 854-1222 | WEBSITE
Fontana can be a challenging place for seafood lovers. You might drive past endless strip malls, wondering if you’ll ever find something fresh and affordable. That’s why it’s so important to know where your nearest fish market and restaurant is. Pescaderia Mr Fish’s simple and casual space has all of the crispy fish tacos, golden fish and chips, and zesty chipotle sauce you could need after a day of errands.
El Camaroncito Loco
$$ | (909) 294-7640 | WEBSITE
Against your better judgement, you’ve ventured to Fontana after work to go to that outlet mall. And shockingly, that 30% discount still doesn’t make you rich enough to buy those shoes, when they were the price of your first phone to begin with. Either way, you’re tired, your feet hurt, and crucially, you’re very hungry. El Camaroncito Loco is something of a local hero to the hungry, it’s all about fresh and delicious food, and their chicken with chipotle sauce is one of the best in Fontana.
DEL PACIFICO Mexican & Seafood Mariscos
$$ | (909) 357-1052 | WEBSITE
On a Fontana side street, you’ll discover DEL PACIFICO—a local gem that has built its reputation by serving generous, satisfying portions of authentic Mexican seafood. Choose between options like the XL shrimp cocktail, or the rich and savory birria torta. Just be prepared to ask for extra napkins when the flavorful sauces inevitably get messy.
The clean and modern dining room makes it a great place to bring the whole family, or even come solo for a comforting meal with a bowl of freshly made shrimp cocktail.