Cherryfish Restaurant just opened in Pacific Beach and it’s already turning heads. Cherryfish sits on Felspar Street and brings a bright, modern izakaya feel to the neighborhood. If you love seafood and bold small and sharing plates, Cherryfish Restaurant is a must-try in PB. Knowing the quality Chef Marcus brings, I expected a great meal and it still delivered more than I could have imagined.
Meet the Chef Behind the Menu
The kitchen at Cherryfish Restaurant is led by chef Marcus Twilegar. He is well known for his work with Dockside Fish at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, where he focuses on fresh local catch. His earlier career was working at Parq Nightclub, Tendergreens, Wrench & Rodent, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines. At Cherryfish Restaurant he leans on local fishermen and seasonal produce. His cooking blends Japanese technique with fresh California ingredients. The result are dishes that are thoughtful, clean, and distinctly San Diego.
Must-Try Dishes You Can’t Miss
The menu at Cherryfish Restaurant is creative and unique. There are small plates made for sharing and fun sushi rolls with modern touches. For a first taste at Cherryfish Restaurant, try the seafood small plates and a citrus-forward cocktail. The dishes we tried were delicious. Each plate came out looking clean and beautiful. It was exactly what I’d expect from chef Marcus and his style.
We ordered:
- Edamame – black garlic crunch
- Shishito peppers – miso honey, crispy onion
- Toro roll – tuna belly, pickled daikon, cucumber, shisho kizami, smoked caviar
- Australian wagyu nigiri
- Spicy tuna – fermented chile, avocado, charred scallion chutney, crispy garlic rice
- Kimchi flatbread – shoyu braised beef cheek, yu choy, shishito pepper, burnt pineapple, crispy sunchoke
- Uni – Okinawa potato dumpling, crispy shallot, yuzu parmesan cream, bourbon smoked togarashi
- Swordfish belly skewers – tangerine, mizuna, beet char siu
- Lychee crème brûlée
A Look Inside the Dining Room
The dining room at Cherryfish Restaurant is bright and playful. The fuchsia accents, warm woods, and glowing pink bar set a lively mood. There’s a visible kitchen window and a patio outfitted for relaxed outside dining with fireplaces. The restaurant is perfect for a night out with friends.
Why Cherryfish Restaurant Belongs on Your List
Cherryfish Restaurant is an exciting new spot in Pacific Beach. Chef Marcus delivers seafood plates with real heart and skill, and you can see his passion for cooking in each dish. Make a reservation at Cherryfish Restaurant as I suspect it’ll be a Pacific Beach favorite. FYI, it is closed on Mondays.
