Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Brad's Restaurant

    3.9 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Open 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Brad's Restaurant Photos

    BRAD'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Brad's Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    4 pcs Fish and Chips
    Cherry Lynn I.

    This is our 2nd time here. Our first was over 10 years ago and now we're back to celebrate my husband's birthday. We ordered the same as what we ordered 10 years ago. 4 pcs Fish and Chips and BBQ Beef Ribs. Our server which I forgot to asked her name was really nice. I highly recommend this place, and it's just a half block from our hotel Beach House Inn. Seated at the patio table .

    Eliza J.

    Original staple in Pismo Beach. Always fantastic Service. Great beach breeze and ambiance. Food is delicious. My favorite go to is the Shrimp & Crab Louie. It abounds with seafood. Yum!!! The fish and chips is fantastic too. Chowder? Why yes. Visit Brads for the food, great service and Pismo nostalgia. You'll be glad you did.

    Nani L.

    We found Brad's on Yelp after trying to get into a nearby restaurant that laughed at us for thinking we could just walk in. I called Brad's and they were so helpful! When we arrived we were pleased by the beautiful restaurant and amazing staff. So many different employees came to our table to ensure our needs were met. Our server was so kind and the food was incredible! We ordered the beef ribs with sauce on side, a seafood medley dish with garlic bread and the sauce was to die for! We finished the night with a round of root beer floats which was fun after a nice bottle of Cabinet. We will definitely be back!

    Crab & shrimp louie
    Michelle R.

    Ordered the crab & shrimp Louie. Grey egg, week-old onions, and grey crab. Completely disgusting. Never again.

    Menu 8.7.25
    Cynthia C.

    A must stop for us when along the Central Coast. Among the Pismo Beach competitors for Best Clam Chowder", Brad's wins my vote year after year. I cannot resist their sourdough bread bowl with chowder. SO MANY clams and not a too thick or watery base - perfect! Hubs likes their generous and perfectly cooked burgers and we both enjoy their French fries! If BBQ is your jam, come to BRAD'S! 6 days a week during summer and weekends throughout the year, check out the crew flamin' it up as you walk by their oak pit and seated outdoor patio area. Skewers of delicious shrimp, succulent ribs and regional favorite, Santa Maria style tri tip are H-O-T T-O G-O! Chuckle at tourists waiting in line elsewhere to stand and eat clam chowder whilst you stretch out and relax in your comfortable, air conditioned booth. The family refurbished the restaurant a couple of years back and it's beautiful. Brad's has been lovingly cared for and closely watched over by the same family since 1953. Not fancy, but homey and friendly. Although I DO miss the Trivial Pursuit cards at the tables! iykyk Oh! And fish and chips???? Heck yah! Brad's got you covered! Want a tip: if you're over 55 and looking for a "simple taste of Brad's", go with the Sr. Traveler's Special (or what I call Evie's deal), my mom used to look forward to arriving in Pismo, getting settled, the walking to Brad's for a bowl of clam chowder, some nice French bread and a glass of wine. Thanks to Brad's family for keeping this special corner of Pismo so lovely, delicious and a spot where we know we will enjoy filling our bellies! Cheers! "CC"

    Clam chowder bread bowl
    Lauren W.

    While splashes line was around the corner per usual, I knew brads could save the day ;) after all this is my pick between the two anyway! No wait to sit for 2, got walked straight to a booth and after 2 minutes had our drinks AND food order in! Very speedy which was perfect because we just had a 2 1/2 hour car ride with no bfast As I was typing this our food arrived literally that was the fastest service ever! The clam chowder is seriously so flavorful and the sourdough bread is the perfect pair, bread doesn't get terribly soggy so its longevity in the bowl is great! The broth to the soup was excellent and I topped it with hot sauce to make it even better! I definitely give this my recommendation for clam chowder in Pismo!

    2 Traveler's specials in the sunshine at their patio tables.
    Sammy Kelly P.

    We came for the Traveler's Special (including a bowl of clam chowder, bread with butter, and a glass of house wine) and it did not disappoint!! The clam chowder was DELISH, and so creamy. Pro-tip: add hot sauce to your chowder, and get a second pad of butter in case you're butter lovers like us! We sat outside in the beautiful sun, under the table umbrellas. Our server was super nice, and everyone working there was friendly and helpful.

    Matt G.

    My family and I were looking for different types of food as most wanted BBQ and another wanted seafood. We ended up at Brad's as we were walking down by the pier and noticed some grilling with a sign that says they grill with an Oak Pit. I pulled up the menu online and also saw that they had seafood. We walked in about an hour before closing and were immediately greeted and seated. There were seats available indoors and on the patio but we settled with the indoor seats. We liked the different menu options but decided on all grilled items: marinated tri-tip, tri-tip sandwich, salmon and a grilled chicken avocado sandwich. The tri-tip had the marinated flavor but my son is used to smoked tri-tip but this one is grilled. He didn't love it but was impressed with the portion size. I loved my grilled chicken sandwich as the portion was generous and could taste the oak flavor in the chicken. The salmon was good and the tri-tip sandwich was OK. The one thing here is that the BBQ items come with beans and your choice of salad or fries. There are no side upgrades so if you want vegetables you will be charged the full price for the veggies plus you will get the sides that come with the meal. We were pleased with the service as it didn't take long to order, receive the food or check out. This is a good location close to the pier. 3.5 stars!

    Navy I.

    We wanted clam chowder; ppl were lining up for the one across; hubby chose Brads for better dining experience. He chose a great spot. We got to dine in without the crowded-ness.. Best part the have one do the best sautéed dish! Ordered: Clam chowder bowl Senior broiled cod Senior cup of chowd Sautéed seafood Fish tacos Hands down it was soooooooo goood! I was upset that I couldn't try the one we originally set to go but best decision ever. This was soooo delicious and flavorful. Can't wait to come back here. Thank you Brad's Restaurant. The service was so great and friendly..love the out door dine in; quite the atmosphere to relax. Hidden gem.

    cup of clam chowder & calamari
    Tina B.

    We always have to stop here for clam chowder whenever we're in Pismo! The best clam chowder spot in my opinion!! Calamari was also good and had a nice little crunch! The service was great and fast! We sat at their outdoor patio because the weather was so nice!

    Brad's hamburger

    My family always comes to Brad's when we are in Pismo Beach. We came over spring break(Monday) and it was not busy at all. Wait time was less than 10 minutes. Hostess was friendly & so was our server. The food was yummy. I have no complaints. 10 out of 10 in my books

    Enter here!
    Mary Lou S.

    I loved Brad's! We had breakfast there both Saturday and Sunday when we were in town for the car show. Everyone there was so friendly and nice. Very accommodating on both visits. The first day, the guys were there early and us ladies were there about 10am. The food was great and they have a lot to choose from on their menu. The second day, there were 12 of us there at the same time. We were all seated at tables/booths next to each other. They were able to seat us by a back wall (we had one person in a seated walker), so that was very comfortable for our group.

    Bread roll

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nani L.
    2
    11
    12

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Great wait staff! The clam chowder and fish and chips were great, but the halibut was phenomenal! Great day to sit outside!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt G.
    283
    690
    3216

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Navy I.
    313
    247
    1242

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jaz M.
    116
    457
    1202

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Food is always great, serves'is also great, been eating at Brads for years, never disappointed

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul V.
    374
    862
    1818

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Valerie S.
    196
    43
    29

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann F.
    2
    58
    95

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris B.
    49
    17
    10

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 29

    Brad's Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Brad's Restaurant

    Are reservations required?

    Yes it will help but not required

    Are dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area?

    Thank you for your inquiry. If your dog is a service dog they are welcome. We are unable to accommodate pets at our restaurant. Unfortunately, California Retail Food Code (114259.5) prohibits us from allowing pet dogs at our restaurant, including on… Read more

    Anyone know the approximate wait time for patio dining at lunch or dinner during this crisis?

    We were there at around 7:30-8. Wait time not bad.

    Do you serve breakfast?

    We serve breakfast daily from 8am-11am. Our menu is available on our website:… Read more

    View All 5 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ada’s Fish House - Fish Tacos

    Ada’s Fish House

    4.5(2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for great seafood in the Pismo area, Ada's does a great job with a variety of…read morepreparations. Even during the off-season, they can get busy for dinners so make a reservation, especially if you have a larger group. The patio is dog friendly and they have a private parking lot. We started the meal with a half dozen fresh oysters which were cleaned well and served with some Tabasco, an herby vinegar, and lemons. Fresh warm bread and butter were also provided to start the meal. We got the steamed clams which were absolutely delicious. Done with a classic garlicky white sauce, the clams were fresh with no unpleasant fishy smells or tastes. The seafood pasta is the reason we return to Ada's year after year. There's a huge assortment of seafood included and all of the individual ingredients are well cooked unlike most seafood pastas. The mussels were small and very mild in flavor, almost tasting like clams. A flaky white fish as well as a more meaty fish were also included and weren't overcooked. The creamy rose sauce is flavorful and rich without overwhelming the various ingredients Service is friendly and they have a wide selection of drinks available.

    It was pretty busy on a Friday night but we were able to grab seats at the bar without waiting. But…read moreI would suggest making a reservation or giving yourself extra time. I got the lobster roll which had large chunks of meat but I would have like some old bay seasoning or something on it We got the artichoke appetizer which was huge and delicious

    Photos
    Ada’s Fish House
    Ada’s Fish House - Lobster Roll ($32)

    Lobster Roll ($32)

    Ada’s Fish House - Lobster Mac & Cheese ($32)

    See all

    Lobster Mac & Cheese ($32)

    Splash Cafe - Loaded Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL

    Splash Cafe

    4.2(5.5k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    We came here on a whim on our way down from Pismo, and we loved it! We heard a rumor that Splash…read morewon the best clam chowder nationally, so we had to give it a try. I thought clam chowder pretty much tasted the same everywhere but it was probably the best clam chowder we've ever had! We finished the whole bowl (which, we're never usually able to do.) The eggs brekkie was okay! The eggs were very moist, so that was a plus! :) Service was good. We ordered in the front and found some seats. The space is a little small. It's a long restaurant, so you could find some round tables in the back, but expect to sit at the bar.

    Stopped by for lunch on a weekday. The line wasn't too long, so ordering was quick, and the food…read morecame out a few minutes after I sat down. There was also more open seating than I expected. I ordered the lobster roll and a cup of clam chowder. The lobster roll is pretty filling and comes packed with meat -- probably enough to share if you want to try other items. The clam chowder was good, creamy and straightforward. The place has a casual, hole-in-the-wall beach town feel that fits Pismo well. It's within walking distance of the beach, and there's nearby parking for about $5 an hour. Overall, a solid option for a quick, casual lunch.

    Photos
    Splash Cafe - Pick up counter

    Pick up counter

    Splash Cafe - Clam chowder in a San Luis Obispo sourdough bread bowl with a order of fish and chips in the background

    Clam chowder in a San Luis Obispo sourdough bread bowl with a order of fish and chips in the background

    Splash Cafe - Bread Bowl of Clam Chowder

    See all

    Bread Bowl of Clam Chowder

    Ventana Grill - Quesabirria Tacos

    Ventana Grill

    4.1(3.1k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Great place, great food, great prices. The photos do not do…read morethis place justice, much better in person and the views are amazing! Staff are attentive and friendly, place is clean and well kept. The reviews make this place seem boring, but it's wonderful and one of our new favorite spots.

    We were looking for a place to have dinner to celebrate our anniversary…read more We looked around yelp the night before and found this gem. We made a reservation for the next day. We originally made our reservation for 7:30 p.m.... we then decided we wanted to perhaps change it to 6:30. We called ahead and hopes that they could accommodate us. They said they couldn't promise anything but they would try. We showed up around 6:15. And they sat us down around 6:35. We had a beautiful window seat overlooking the ocean and had a perfect view of the sunset. I forgot our server's name but he was amazing. This place sounds fancy and bougie but it's really not. The food might be, but the vibe is not. There's no dress code. Everything we ordered was soooo tasty and delicious! We ordered fish and chips, baked clams, a wedge salad, and seafood pasta. For drinks we had two mocktails that were just okay. We also got a couple of flour tortillas with some cinnamon butter and a salsa trio. Our server suggested we spread butter inside the tortilla and drizzle our favorite salsa inside. So good. After dinner we decided to walk around the restaurant and appreciate the views. I'm so glad we came here. We will definitely come back next time we come to Pismo Beach

    Photos
    Ventana Grill - View of the lounge

    View of the lounge

    Ventana Grill - Molcajete

    Molcajete

    Ventana Grill - Salsa and chips with guacamole

    See all

    Salsa and chips with guacamole

    Vista Steak and Seafood - Oysters rockefeller

    Vista Steak and Seafood

    4.3(680 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Not my usual to go fancy restaurant with views, but went for it for the special occasion, lol…read more Large parking lost, beautiful remodeled restaurant, incredible views, and excellent food! Noticed when checking in the biz cards for vista, ada fish house, rosa. I knew ada from long ago had opened rosa next to them, but did not realize vista was as well! No wonder I chose Vista for the fancy dinner, wanted to try the sand dabs that looked good on the menu and photos. But we actually had 2 sand dabs at Ada's for lunch and it was good to realize I didn't need to eat sand dabs here to see if better, lol!!! Knowing the ada/rosa/vista link, I made sure to try a pasta here, since didn't get to try Rosa's yet, so it was perfect to get a taste of their pasta here! Basically a higher priced Ada's and Rosa's, but I think it's worth it with the fine dining experience and service and the window side table to watch the sunset (reserved ~30 min before day's sunset). Plus the steak here was excellent as well. Did a tasting at Halter Ranch, so it was a pleasure to find their cab here. Brussels Sprouts appetizer was well prepared with playful mix of flavors that made it extra enjoyable. Calamari was incredible, maybe the best I've had. The sauces, oh man... It was my boy's first calamari experience and he was addicted and looking for calamari at every restaurant after this place. It was fantastic Shrimp n crab pasta. Wow that pappardelle was excellent pasta. Was expecting the typical thick dense pasta, but this was thin and delicately delicious papperdelle, very special. I assume Rosa's will be a great place for Italian based on this here! Went for the ribeye medium rare. It came out looking perfectly grilled! And perfectly medium rare. So delicious and flavorful, why does my ribeyes in my backyard ever turn out like this!?!?! I need to find the secrets to the great restaurant steaks some how... :( Even enjoyed the rice, I think same as what we had during lunch with the sand dabs, delicious rice... Overall, a perfect special occasion restaurant for the area I think. Pricey dinner, but the food and views and experience was memorable.

    I really wanted to like this place, but it ended up being a pretty mixed experience. Maybe my…read moreexpectations are high--I'll admit I'm a bit of a steakhouse connoisseur. I go to steakhouses almost every time I travel, it's kind of my thing, so I know what a solid experience should look like. We started with the coconut shrimp special, and unfortunately it was undercooked. The shrimp were large and butterflied, but some pieces weren't fully pink inside and still had raw batter, which was a big miss. I also ordered a virgin piña colada with strawberry purée, expecting a blended drink, but it came out over ice and tasted more like a watered-down juice. I don't drink alcohol, so I was really looking forward to something refreshing, and it would've been nice if the server mentioned they don't offer blended drinks. The steak itself was actually not bad--tender, nicely seared, and the sauce on it was really good. That was definitely the highlight. But the sides didn't hold up. The potatoes tasted like they came straight out of a box, and the vegetables were under-seasoned and overcooked. For a place that markets itself as a steakhouse, it just didn't deliver.

    Photos
    Vista Steak and Seafood - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Vista Steak and Seafood - Bone-In Ribeye

    Bone-In Ribeye

    Vista Steak and Seafood - Beef short rib, $44

    See all

    Beef short rib, $44

    Pier 101 Seafood - Shrimp Tostadas

    Pier 101 Seafood

    4.7(145 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    I'm so glad I found this place! We were looking for a place to get oysters and were so happy to…read morehave found this hidden gem!! It's a really tiny, to-go type restaurant. You order in the front and you take whatever seat you can find. There's also outdoor seating as well, but it does get a little chilly! This is our second visit, and we never had issues with the service. They're very friendly and they help clear the table if it's not that busy. The oysters are really tasty. We usually order 36(?) between the two of us and we finish it every time! The shrimp ceviche is also really tasty, and probably the best in this general area. We ended up ordering the carne tacos this time and it was surprisingly really flavorful!! I took one look at it and I thought it would be really bland, but it was nicely seasoned and the meat was moist and soft. Can't wait to come back!

    We stopped here for a late lunch and it was very good! Friendly staff in this quaint small seafood…read morerestaurant. Outdoor seating for pets! I had the clam chowder it was decent. Not the best but a solid chowder. My husband had the halibut tacos which he rated a 10. We also had garlic fries very good! Not a big place for alcohol drinks. They did have some beer and not great wine options. I would suggest they get more options for the wine for sure or offer seltzers or cider. Only reason Im giving a 4 I was so hoping they would have better wine after our drive. The servers are awesome and very friendly .

    Photos
    Pier 101 Seafood
    Pier 101 Seafood - Cabo Fish Tacos... delicious and came with a mixed fresh salad

    Cabo Fish Tacos... delicious and came with a mixed fresh salad

    Pier 101 Seafood - Daily special: fried oysters and chips

    See all

    Daily special: fried oysters and chips

    Brad's Restaurant - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...