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After walking the entire boardwalk we were happy to arrive at Firefish Grill & be immediately seated. Ordered the Lobster Roll & it was very delicious. The windows looking out towards the water was a perk while enjoying a great meal. Would love to come back!
Arriving, we were greeted warmly and we chose to sit at the bar and have a drink before our "linner". It was a gorgeous day on the Santa Cruz Wharf and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen can be viewed from the bar area and we were offered a sample of a sweet calamari before we were seated while I was enjoying my AMAZING Bloody Mary! We were seated at a window table at our request and were greeted warmly by our waiter. Our meal of swordfish over risotto and fresh veggies (for me) and clam chowder (my husband would have enjoyed more clams and fewer potatoes!) and garlic bread. It was a delightful and relaxing meal and we will be back!
Great place for lunch if you are visiting the Boardwalk. It's a quick walk to the pier and part of the restaurant has an ocean-front view. Service was decent and the teriyaki salmon plate from the "light lunch" section on the menu was perfect for a beach day and not too heavy.
We got the clam chowder bread bowls for a good price! Service was quick to seat around 7pm for dinner but pretty lax once seated. Views were amazing, however would not recommend for someone scared of heights since it's out far on the pier. Overall
We enjoyed a delightful experience at FireFish on the pier. They don't take reservations so we had to wait about 15-20 minutes for a table by the window but that was our choice. The friendly host apologized a number of times for the wait. There were other tables available. We were seated snd had a great view of the water. Ordered a cocktail and enjoyed the view. Our waiter (Andrea) was very friendly snd very good. I had crab cakes and risotto and both were excellent. My husband loved his shrimp scampi. I wanted tartar sauce for the crab cakes and it was easy to get our waiter's attention. We arrived at about 7pm and the place really emptied out by the time we were done. People eat early in Santa Cruz. The view, the service and the food were all excellent and the price was right too. Definitely going back.
Ok I'm in Santa Cruz for my annual visit and the one guaranteed stop is a visit to Firefish. When they finally reopened after the fire I was very excited to go back. This place has been my favorite seafood restaurant for a long time. I have written 5 Star reviews for them a few times. Sadly, today that was not possible. Showed up around 4:30 and it was fairly empty. We were seated immediately and greeted by our server in very short order. My cousin order the special which was fresh petrale sole and I had the halibut fish and chips. The order came out fairly quickly and my cousin like her entree but she said it was a bit salty. My fish and chips on the other hand was very dry like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while and the chips were just warm and got cold by the end of my dinner. Very disappointing.... But only by comparison to my previous visits. At $30 it was an expensive mediocre dinner. I'm now wondering if I should look for a new favorite. There are always many choices in the area.
I have gone to quite a few spots to get clam chowder in Santa Cruz, and this is one of my favorites. It's so good! The restaurant is also gorgeous, right on the wharf overlooking the water. Our waitress was so kind (and patient since we took forever ), so shoutout to her!!
Such a wonderful place with a beautiful view and delicious food! I ordered the clam chowder, and it was absolutely delicious. The service was excellent, and the whole experience was amazing. I would definitely come back!
Food was so good, great location on the wharf, and excellent service! Margarita was perfect too!
Service, quality, and menu variety were excellent, and the location couldn't be better. You're right on the dock! We started with side garden salads and garlic bread - both fresh and delicious. I had the seafood skewers (shrimp, salmon, and scallops + peppers & onions) served with veggies and rice pilaf, and everything was fantastic. My husband ordered the cioppino, which he rated a solid B+ (he would've given it an A if the broth had been a bit lighter). My dad went with the 'catch of the day' special--panko sole with veggies, mashed potatoes, a side salad, and dessert - all for just $27, which was a great value. My mom thoroughly enjoyed her shrimp scampi paired with a glass of wine. Overall, a wonderful meal for the whole family.
Off The HOOK (pun intended) excellent! The view is spectacular. Water view from any seat but luckily we were right by the window. Appetizers were the seared ahi tuna which was delicate and flavorful. The shrimp was also excellent. We opted for the halibut at market price, which was 42.95 today and it was expertly prepared in a caper sauce that didn't overwhelm the fish but added a nice creaminess and caper flavor. We opted to sub the risotto for the potatoes. Risotto is one of my favorite things and it can either be over or undercooked many times, so when it's perfect, it is heavenly. This was heavenly and the perfect complement to the mild flaky halibut. A couple of hearty stalks of asparagus and all nestled on a carrot purée which added a bit of sweetness to the dish. This was an amazing delicious dish and was perfectly cooked! Someone had commented about pricing on another review, and honestly, recently I ordered halibut and it was 55 and was not comparable to this preparation or even close. This was one of the nicest meals we have had in the area. Service was excellent, view excellent, and food was exquisite. Drinks were very good also. Some wine and an espresso martini as well. Thank you chef! The risotto belongs with that halibut! Posting a pic but I had taken some bites first so it's not as lovely as when it was served.
Drove up to Santa Cruz from Monterey and stopped in this place because their menu looked amazing plus their host at the time was very kind and helpful with the menu. We tried their seafood skewers, rice pilaf with fresh vegetables; everything tasted freshly delicious and cooked to perfection. Their beurre blanc sauce was outstanding. Service was good. The restaurant is clean, bright, with nautical decor and a spectacular view off the pier of the sea and coastline. 9f we ever come back, we will definitely stop in again! Yum! Bravo to the chef!
My hubs is up here for work so I came to stay with him for the weekend for our anniversary. I have been craving King Crab like crazy. I honestly thought that being up here right next to the ocean that seafood restaurants would be in abundance. I was wrong. I was happy when we decided to try Firefish and they had King Crab! We got here for an early dinner at 6pm on a Saturday night and it was relatively empty. We got a table tucked in a back corner next to the windows that had an amazing view of the water. Our server was very sweet, and very nervous. He said it was his first night, so we went easy on him! Hahaha! Any question that we had that he couldn't answer, he made it his priority to go and find it. The food was good. The prawns were bigger that how they look in the picture. They were very tasty. My hubs said the oysters were really good, and they were gone within minutes! Lol. The crab was cooked perfectly and was very good. The sides were pretty basic and tasted good. Nothing extraordinary about them, but they were good. When we got our bill we noticed we were charged for a few things we didn't order. We pointed it out and our server apologized profusely and fixed it. The manager came over to apologize, and while we weren't upset over it because things happen, it was nice that they wanted to make sure we were happy. Its a nice spot to have have dinner and I wouldn't mind coming back.
Where do I even start? I feel blessed to live in the area, but only come here on special occasions and took my sister here for her birthday (with a party of five) you've no doubt heard how killer fire fish grill is, that's why you're here on yelp. Well, let me tell you - the hype here it's REAL! you can't go wrong with any option, I ordered the Wild King Salmon. Smoked salmon with veggies and potatoes is to die for! Don't get me started on the calamari (so good!) did I mention how great the salmon was??? I've tried almost everything on their menu...and trust me when I say everything is FRESH!! No matter what you order, you're definitely getting the BEST the city has to offer. Our waitress was on top of everything, constantly checked if we needed refills, great service overall - thank you for the hospitality! read more
19 days ago
4 months ago
After walking the entire boardwalk we were happy to arrive at Firefish Grill & be immediately seated. Ordered the Lobster Roll & it was very delicious. The windows looking out towards the water was a perk while enjoying a great meal. Would love to come back! read more
Arriving, we were greeted warmly and we chose to sit at the bar and have a drink before our "linner". It was a gorgeous day on the Santa Cruz Wharf and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen can be viewed from the bar area and we were offered a sample of a sweet calamari before we were seated while I was enjoying my AMAZING Bloody Mary! We were seated at a window table at our request and were greeted warmly by our waiter. Our meal of swordfish over risotto and fresh veggies (for me) and clam chowder (my husband would have enjoyed more clams and fewer potatoes!) and garlic bread. It was a delightful and relaxing meal and we will be back! read more
Great place for lunch if you are visiting the Boardwalk. It's a quick walk to the pier and part of the restaurant has an ocean-front view. Service was decent and the teriyaki salmon plate from the "light lunch" section on the menu was perfect for a beach day and not too heavy. read more
3 days ago
3 months ago
We got the clam chowder bread bowls for a good price! Service was quick to seat around 7pm for dinner but pretty lax once seated. Views were amazing, however would not recommend for someone scared of heights since it's out far on the pier. Overall read more
We enjoyed a delightful experience at FireFish on the pier. They don't take reservations so we had to wait about 15-20 minutes for a table by the window but that was our choice. The friendly host apologized a number of times for the wait. There were other tables available. We were seated snd had a great view of the water. Ordered a cocktail and enjoyed the view. Our waiter (Andrea) was very friendly snd very good. I had crab cakes and risotto and both were excellent. My husband loved his shrimp scampi. I wanted tartar sauce for the crab cakes and it was easy to get our waiter's attention. We arrived at about 7pm and the place really emptied out by the time we were done. People eat early in Santa Cruz. The view, the service and the food were all excellent and the price was right too. Definitely going back. read more
Ok I'm in Santa Cruz for my annual visit and the one guaranteed stop is a visit to Firefish. When they finally reopened after the fire I was very excited to go back. This place has been my favorite seafood restaurant for a long time. I have written 5 Star reviews for them a few times. Sadly, today that was not possible. Showed up around 4:30 and it was fairly empty. We were seated immediately and greeted by our server in very short order. My cousin order the special which was fresh petrale sole and I had the halibut fish and chips. The order came out fairly quickly and my cousin like her entree but she said it was a bit salty. My fish and chips on the other hand was very dry like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while and the chips were just warm and got cold by the end of my dinner. Very disappointing.... But only by comparison to my previous visits. At $30 it was an expensive mediocre dinner. I'm now wondering if I should look for a new favorite. There are always many choices in the area. read more
I have gone to quite a few spots to get clam chowder in Santa Cruz, and this is one of my favorites. It's so good! The restaurant is also gorgeous, right on the wharf overlooking the water. Our waitress was so kind (and patient since we took forever ), so shoutout to her!! read more
2 months ago
Such a wonderful place with a beautiful view and delicious food! I ordered the clam chowder, and it was absolutely delicious. The service was excellent, and the whole experience was amazing. I would definitely come back! read more
2 months ago
Food was so good, great location on the wharf, and excellent service! Margarita was perfect too! read more
Service, quality, and menu variety were excellent, and the location couldn't be better. You're right on the dock! We started with side garden salads and garlic bread - both fresh and delicious. I had the seafood skewers (shrimp, salmon, and scallops + peppers & onions) served with veggies and rice pilaf, and everything was fantastic. My husband ordered the cioppino, which he rated a solid B+ (he would've given it an A if the broth had been a bit lighter). My dad went with the 'catch of the day' special--panko sole with veggies, mashed potatoes, a side salad, and dessert - all for just $27, which was a great value. My mom thoroughly enjoyed her shrimp scampi paired with a glass of wine. Overall, a wonderful meal for the whole family. read more
1 year ago
Off The HOOK (pun intended) excellent! The view is spectacular. Water view from any seat but luckily we were right by the window. Appetizers were the seared ahi tuna which was delicate and flavorful. The shrimp was also excellent. We opted for the halibut at market price, which was 42.95 today and it was expertly prepared in a caper sauce that didn't overwhelm the fish but added a nice creaminess and caper flavor. We opted to sub the risotto for the potatoes. Risotto is one of my favorite things and it can either be over or undercooked many times, so when it's perfect, it is heavenly. This was heavenly and the perfect complement to the mild flaky halibut. A couple of hearty stalks of asparagus and all nestled on a carrot purée which added a bit of sweetness to the dish. This was an amazing delicious dish and was perfectly cooked! Someone had commented about pricing on another review, and honestly, recently I ordered halibut and it was 55 and was not comparable to this preparation or even close. This was one of the nicest meals we have had in the area. Service was excellent, view excellent, and food was exquisite. Drinks were very good also. Some wine and an espresso martini as well. Thank you chef! The risotto belongs with that halibut! Posting a pic but I had taken some bites first so it's not as lovely as when it was served. read more
1 year ago
Drove up to Santa Cruz from Monterey and stopped in this place because their menu looked amazing plus their host at the time was very kind and helpful with the menu. We tried their seafood skewers, rice pilaf with fresh vegetables; everything tasted freshly delicious and cooked to perfection. Their beurre blanc sauce was outstanding. Service was good. The restaurant is clean, bright, with nautical decor and a spectacular view off the pier of the sea and coastline. 9f we ever come back, we will definitely stop in again! Yum! Bravo to the chef! read more
28 days ago
My hubs is up here for work so I came to stay with him for the weekend for our anniversary. I have been craving King Crab like crazy. I honestly thought that being up here right next to the ocean that seafood restaurants would be in abundance. I was wrong. I was happy when we decided to try Firefish and they had King Crab! We got here for an early dinner at 6pm on a Saturday night and it was relatively empty. We got a table tucked in a back corner next to the windows that had an amazing view of the water. Our server was very sweet, and very nervous. He said it was his first night, so we went easy on him! Hahaha! Any question that we had that he couldn't answer, he made it his priority to go and find it. The food was good. The prawns were bigger that how they look in the picture. They were very tasty. My hubs said the oysters were really good, and they were gone within minutes! Lol. The crab was cooked perfectly and was very good. The sides were pretty basic and tasted good. Nothing extraordinary about them, but they were good. When we got our bill we noticed we were charged for a few things we didn't order. We pointed it out and our server apologized profusely and fixed it. The manager came over to apologize, and while we weren't upset over it because things happen, it was nice that they wanted to make sure we were happy. Its a nice spot to have have dinner and I wouldn't mind coming back. read more
Had dinner here just as the weather was turning chilly a while back and it was a lovely time. We were actually in town celebrating my birthday, which is why I treated myself to oysters. Really, is there a greater joy to be had than enjoying oysters next to the ocean with a tasty adult beverage? This place had great ambience thanks to their seaside views and the service was top notch as well. My spouse enjoyed his scallops and I enjoyed my chowder. I'm glad we chose this place while walking along the pier, it was the right choice. read more
1 year ago
Food: yummy . Fish was crisp. Service: cool . Nice staff. Ambiance: calming and the ocean views enhanced the atmosphere. read more
1 year ago
WARNING WARNING WARNING ‼I GOT TERRIBLE FOOD POISONING. ‼ This the first place, that's not a fast food restaurant, that I've ever gotten sick from. Even with fast food it's been a while. My girl friend and I drove an hour and a half away to visit the wharf and try the food. We settled on the firefish and hours later I regret it. PROS: The employees were nice and polite, the bathroom stalls provide full privacy no large cracks that having wondering if someone can see you crack. The view of the water and sailboats was nice. CONS: Our server was nice but not really attentive we had to keep flagging her down for things like silverware, drinks,etc. Potential of getting poisoned the food came out my bum looking like chili and chicken noodle out of my mouth. All of it had remnants of our dinner. I was so sick my body temperature rose significantly. I wear an Apple Watch to track personal data. The cons are not worth the experience or price you'll end up paying both monetarily and physically. The view: The food F- (going in the food was C+ coming out of both orifices dropped the score) The service C+ All in all: Dine at your own risk P.S my girl didn't get any seafood dishes and she was fine so I guess avoid what makes a wharf a wharf, "fresh" seafood. P.P.S my girl did eat some seafood, we had Oyster Rockefeller as an appetizer - it tasted good freshness is questionable. read more
4 months ago
It was so amazing! Didn't stop to get a picture until after This was the halibut and the steak! read more
2 months ago
1 month ago
10 months ago
First time at this beautiful location. We've been coming to the wharf for years, wanting to come by this establishment for a while, and finally came through . I got the wild caught salmon and my gf grabbed the catch of the day, Petrale Sole. What a gem this place is. How lucky are we to live near such a fantastic restaurant. Five stars for service, the view, and the quality of the cuisine. We will be back again! read more
8 months ago
We came in as a family -- my spouse and I with our four kids -- after getting completely caught in the rain walking along the wharf. We were drenched, a little frazzled, and honestly just hoping for a warm place to settle in. The moment we walked through the doors, we were greeted right away with such genuine kindness. Our server noticed immediately that we were soaked, and with incredible attention to detail, suggested the host seat us in one of the warmer rooms (they have multiple dining areas). It was such a thoughtful touch -- the kids were able to dry off, relax, and feel comfortable almost instantly. The service here is truly something special: very kid-friendly, attentive, and caring. You can tell they're not just going through the motions or chasing tips -- they actually want you to have a great experience. And the food? Fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. If you're ever visiting Santa Cruz, this place is a must. Amazing atmosphere, incredible service, and a meal you'll genuinely remember. read more
2 months ago
A Classic Wharf Experience with Ocean Views and Great Service After a morning spent soaking up the sun and thrills of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk--including several exhilarating rides on the iconic Giant Dipper--my family and I strolled over to the Wharf in search of lunch. With bar and grill options aplenty, an Italian restaurant, and Mexican food (which we passed on, having had a night before), we found ourselves craving something local, something seafood. Enter Firefish Grill--a spot that immediately caught my eye with its traditional white façade, neon seafood signage, and the charming feel of an old-school fish grotto. Upscale without being stuffy, it had just enough street appeal to stand out from the crowd. We were warmly greeted by the host, who accommodated our request for a window table. The view? Stunning. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it was the perfect setting for a relaxing lunch away from the busier Boardwalk crowd. The after-lunch hour meant the restaurant wasn't packed, which gave the whole experience an unhurried, peaceful vibe. Our waiter was cheerful, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu --something that's become a rare gem in post-pandemic dining. He checked in regularly, made great small talk, and truly elevated our visit. As for the food: I ordered my go-to Golden Fried Jumbo Prawns, and my mom and dad ordered Fresh Seafood Chowder...Fresh Fish, Prawns, Clams, and Scallops simmered in shrimp stock with bacon, crispy potatoes, and cream. Finished with a drizzle of sherry. Made to order, Fish and Chips, while my daughter enjoyed a fettuccine. Each item was fresh, well-prepared, and flavorful. Pricing was reasonable, especially for a prime location like the Wharf. Firefish Grill is exactly what you hope to find in a coastal town--a relaxed yet quality dining experience with great views, friendly staff, and solid seafood. It's a great option if you're in Santa Cruz and want to escape the Boardwalk bustle without sacrificing atmosphere or taste. We will be back. Pro tip: Ask for a window seat--you won't regret it. read more
2 months ago
Great view, decent food, service from the girl with the blue and purple colored hair was amazing. only wish is that the crab melt had a but more flavor or spice by itself, but the provided tabasco helped it by a lot. read more
2 months ago
food was terrific. service was fantastic and ocean view ordered the Sand dabs and my friend ordered the crab cakes we shared we we both loved it all read more
The service and ambiance were lovely. Our server, Melissa, was professional and friendly -- thank you for that. As for the food... it was okay, but not amazing. I had the pesto pasta with prawns and scallops -- it was tasty but way too creamy for my taste. There was more sauce than pasta. So yes, it was good, but next time I'm in Santa Cruz, I'd probably try a different spot. I didn't have that "wow" moment, and I can't quite explain why. read more
1 year ago
I understand this place is in a tourist spot, but it is expensive and the food was amazing bit bland. I ordered the king salmon and fire shrimp. The shrimp was good but the salmon was okay. The view was nice though. Maybe I should've tried something else. Not sure if I would come back when im in the area. read more
This is a very nice restaurant, a bit nicer inside than we dressed for. We got a nice ocean side view and the service was very nice and attentive. I will be honest though, the food was underwhelming. Very bland and lacking seasoning. Definitely fresh fish, don't get me wrong, but not worth the price. BUT what was worth the price was the clam chowder. NOW THAT SHIT WAS TO DIE FOR. We would go back any day for it and next time get a big bowl and that's it. So unless you're going for some clam chowder I would say there are better options. read more
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Lance H.
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The drinks were delicious. I'm not a big fan of Moscow Mule but this one was delicious. I really liked the pina colada it was yummy. We got the fresh swordfish and fresh halibut. Both were delicious but I highly favored the fresh halibut. The view was amazing we sat down at peak sunset. The servers are fast and attentive. I would come back. read more
6 months ago
My fiance and I came into Firefish grill last night (4/19) after I had seen the "snapper piccata special" ad (I love piccata) and it honestly was a huge disappointment, the flour on it was soggy the rice that came with it was partially crunchy and the veggies were cold and raw as if they just dunked them in water for 2 seconds and put it on the plate. My fiancé got the jambalaya and he said it was good and he liked it just wished it had a bit more sausage but that's personal preference! We got drinks as well, a Long Island and a pina colada both were good but nothing to write home about but strong if that's your speed! The scenery was beautiful and the host was super sweet and got us a window seat speedy quick right at sunset!! read more
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More info about Firefish Grill
25 Municipal Wharf
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Directions
(831) 423-5200
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http://www.firefishgrill.net/
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Ask the Community - Firefish Grill
Do they still have the locals special menu for weekdays?
No not yet. They may reinstate them possibly this fall.
Will you be reopening? It's been a long time since the kitchen fire
They are open and it's a beautiful new inside
Is this restaurant dog friendly?
Firefish Grill is happy to allow all Service animals into our restaurant. Dog and other animals if not service animals are not allowed on the wharf and the city has recently began policing this a lot more. Local ordinances prevent us from allowing…
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