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    Fish 101

    4.3 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Fish 101 Photos

    Business Info

    FISH 101 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Fish 101

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    Seafood curry, rocket salad, clam chowder, bivuoac mixed berry cider
    Michelle L.

    I tried fish101 this Thursday night and it is definitely a great spot to grab a quick and casual bite. There was a long line - this place is so popular - but thankfully the line didn't take very long. The wait in the line was a good amount of time to give me the chance to take a look at the menu before ordering so I didn't mind it at all! It was easy to order at the restaurant. Grab our order number and find a seat and just wait for the food to come out. I was worried the food would take a while because so many people were there. The food came quickly, so there was no issue. I got a bivuoac berry cider which was delicious and very drinkable. I opted for some clam chowder, rocket salad, and the seafood curry as well. The clam chowder was delicious and creamy. Not TOO rich and not too salty. The rocket salad was pretty standard. I don't order any fish with it since I was ordering so many items already and I didn't want to be too full! Just wanted to add some veggies to my meal. The seafood curry had some great flavor. I was a bit surprised that the curry was more of a soup consistency. I was expecting a thicker and more saucy consistency but it was still good. I think it could've been a bit more flavorful. I liked the fish, shrimp, and veggies in the curry and I loved that they cooked the fish perfectly. It was nice and soft and had a delicious char on it. Overall, great meal and I thought the meal was decent value. Expected to come back and try more menu items.

    Elisa N.

    FISH 101 @ ENCINITAS Parking is available on the street, right on the main strip of Encinitas. My friends and I visited on a Saturday evening, and the place was definitely packed. Once you walk in, it's pretty simple, you grab a menu, decide what you want, go to the cashier to order, and then get a number. You can choose any available table. We ended up getting a table and tried a variety of items: shrimp tacos, fish tacos, clam chowder, and a burrito. Most of the food was really fresh and flavorful. The clam chowder could have had a few more clams, but at $10, it was still solid. The burrito was massive filled with beans, rice, and everything else you could imagine, for just $14. The vibe of the place was lively, with lots of people coming in from the beach. The service was decent, and overall, the atmosphere captures the classic Encinitas energy. I would definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

    Makenzie K.

    Fish 101 in Leucadia was so good we came back twice during our stay. Everything we tried was ono. Highly recommend ordering the mahi mahi à la carte--great quality and a very fair price compared to bundled menu options. It's light and perfectly cooked, and the fries were a really nice contrast without feeling too heavy. The IPA was also excellent and paired well with the food. My husband loved his poke, and the shrimp burrito bowl was another standout--ordering it bowl‑style with all the verde sauce was the right move. Fresh, flavorful, and satisfying without feeling overly indulgent. Casual, consistently good, and clearly a local favorite for a reason. We'll absolutely be back next time we're in the area.

    One dozen fresh oysters.
    Nancy C.

    We first visited Fish 101 a few years ago, and the fish tacos here were memorable enough that our family had to visit this place again during our most recent Legoland visit. Both parking and an empty table can be a bit tricky to find, but don't let that be a deterrent. The food here is worth it. Other recommended dishes are the fresh oysters, the filling shrimp burrito, and the poke bowl. Remember to arrive early (I.e. before 5pm on a Saturday).

    Mahi mahi plate
    Rick M.

    Had lunch with a friend here today. Lots of construction in front which was bad because parking is always tough in this neighborhood! So that wasn't cool. Ordered the Maui Mahi plate with broccoli rabe and brussels. Food was really good and price surprised me by being fair. Lots of seating inside and outdoors as well. Cool spot. Service here is fantastic!

    Katsu fish Sando and side of fries. Also had to highlight some of their merch.
    Joseph P.

    My Daughter and I came for a quick bite during Lent almost 3 years ago and we keep being drawn back. The Katsu fish Sando is a light panko breaded Alaskan cod with sliced tomatoes, shredded cabbage and pickled onions with their island sauce on a brioche bun. It is perfectly balanced with sweet and savory flavoring. Their food has been consistently delicious and their service on point. The Leucadia spot is the original location and they have expanded into Encinitas and soon into Carlsbad. Jack was at the counter and was very kind and courteous. He encouraged me to try the double fish Katsu Sando - IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. This is the best fish sandwich hands down. Don't sleep on this place. We'll definitely be back!

    Fish and chips
    Diana V.

    The fish and chips was pretty good, both crispy, definitely not soggy. My mom got mahi mahi tacos and said they were just ok. The parking situation here is abysmal, especially now with the construction. I'd plan to Uber next time for sure.

    Fish & chips (great flavor)
    Sal P.

    Fish 101 This place is a hole in the wall in Carlsbad . We found it by chance. I'm sure this is a local favorite. We had the Fish & chips & 3 grilled shrimp tacos with unsweetened tea. The fish ( Alaskan Cod ) & chips were fried to a nice crispy crunch and very flavorful. The 3 grilled shrimp tacos were packed with a punch with fresh ingredients having green salsa with the tacos. Our lunch was delicious!!! I wish I would have asked for names of the staff there, they were superb!! 10 out of 10!! I bought me a Fish 101 green shirt.

    Poke starter & chips and salsa
    Nevin A.

    I am glad we stopped at 101 Fish. It was such an awesome place in Encinitas. The restaurant had both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were very friendly. They have good team dynamics which created cozy and relaxing vibe. Although there was a long line to order the food, we got many of our orders right away, once we were seated. We got many delicious dishes, -White clam chowder bowl 5/5 -Small chips and salsa 5/5 - Poke (starter) 5/5 -Side of coleslaw - Grilled shrimp plate with brown rice and coleslaw 5/5 - Grilled shrimp tacos 5/5 - Grilled mahi plate with white rice and seaweed salad 5/5 All the dishes were fresh, flavorful and the amount was very generous. The service was top notch. I will be back for more indeed.

    Decor
    Helen H.

    This is such a warm and cozy dining spot! I loved every bite of what I ordered. The clam chowder was delicious and savory. The mahi tacos were so fresh and well portioned that every bite had all the ingredients listed. Prices are also reasonable for a decent meal. The people that work here are so gracious and polite, making the experience very positive. They have indoor and outdoor self-seating and ordering takes place at the counter. Parking can be challenging as it is located on a busy street and one must drive around and park in a residential area.

    Iced Lemonade
    Jennifer V.

    Absolutely loved my experience here! From the moment I walked in, this place felt amazing. The service was truly great - everyone was polite and respectful, and made the whole visit enjoyable. But the real highlight was the food. Honestly, it was better than expected! Every dish was delicious and surprising in the best way. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area! My only gripe is parking. We were lucky to snag a parking spot nearby. Check it out--worth every bite!!!!

    baja fish & brown rice
    Rika L.

    Super friendly people & affordable eats on the beach! only thing I dont like is how the lettuce and cheese just look so carelessly on and extra.. But not mad at it. Just one taco is filling as well! The interior of establishment was a chill cozy vibe. Will def be back

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    5 days ago

    Best poke bowl in north county. You can't go wrong with either location. Classic North County treat.

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    The food is ok the price is good everything is ok is not bad the service is ok the even clean

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    Page 1 of 39

    Ask the Community - Fish 101

    They used to have amazing fresh oysters, daily sashimi specials, and decadent soft serve. Then during covid this all went away. Anyone know if this stuff has come back to fish 101 post covid?

    Are they doing delivery during the Covid-19 situation?

    Yes, to a smaller, limited area though

    Which type of tacos are the tastiest?

    They have a FISH of the day & it varies but their grilled fish tacos are the best. I think I had Swordfish tacos a while back & they were so good!

    Is there a good view from the patio? Thanks!

    The back patio is fenced in, but it's a very cute environment. I believe there are some chairs and tables in the front of the restaurant, but those are facing the street.

    Is this like a fast food restaurant or a real restaurant with a server that waits on you? Do they have a bar...or is it like soda machines that you get up and fill yourself?! Are there baskets and paper plates or real plates?

    Real restaurant Not really waiters. You order at the counter and sit and the bring you your food.… 

    Are Dogs allowed?

    Dogs are allowed in the front patio. We've taken our dog there several times but there is limited seating and it is somewhat cramped. Not sure about the back patio.

    View All 9 Questions

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    Pavlos Tacos

    4.4
    (131 reviews)
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    Pavlos Tacos quite literally serves THE BEST FISH TACOS I have EVER had in my ENTIRE life... and…read morehaving been a pescetarian for 14 years, I have had a LOT of fish tacos -- believe me. You HAVE to stop by and try their fish tacos for $3/taco on Tuesdays! Somehow they are SO fresh, even though they are battered. A battered fish taco that somehow is insanely delicious AND also tastes kinda healthy?? And they were sizable too -- I only needed 2 fish tacos to get full. I didn't know that existed, but now that I do, this will certainly be one of my go-to spots! My boyfriend also said their surf & turf burrito was the best he's ever had... and if all that isn't enough, to top it all off, the customer service + atmosphere is 5 stars as well! Pavlos himself is the SWEETEST man -- so down-to-earth, genuine, and super duper cool... and when we walked in, my first thought (spoken aloud) was, "Wow, this place is so CLEAN!" I can now absolutely see why this is a neighborhood favorite. Go to Pavlos Tacos today. You won't regret it! Food: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Cost: 9.5/10

    I rarely write reviews, but this meal was bad enough that I felt I had to share my experience…read more The Surf & Turf Burrito was confusing from the start. It contained crinkle-cut, Ore-Ida-style fries, a few decent shrimp, and dry carne asada. The pico de gallo had an overpowering flavor and a soggy texture. The burrito itself was large, and the toasted tortilla was one of the few positives. The fish tacos were equally disappointing. The tortillas were cold and rubbery, while the fish was this overly large, rectangular, store-bought frozen fillet rather than something freshly prepared. The rolled taco combo was arguably the worst item. They were extremely dry and topped with what tasted like processed, store-bought melted cheese. The avocado mash (not guac) was actually pretty good, which was one of the only highlights of the meal. The beans tasted like store bought, canned beans and the rice was okay. Most importantly for any taco shop, the red salsa was simply awful. The green salsa was decent, but the red salsa was honestly the worst I've ever tasted. The flavor reminded me of Ragu marinara sauce mixed with a dash of hot sauce...I kid you not! I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews, but I hope ownership takes this feedback seriously and makes some changes. There is potential here, but the food quality and ingredient choices need significant improvement.

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    Agave Birrieria

    Agave Birrieria

    4.6
    (325 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    My wife asked me to pick up some food from this spot on my way home one night. As I drove up and…read moresaw it was connected to a gas station, I called her and asked her if she knew. She responded that the reviews were really good, so it was worth giving it a try. Man, she was right on the money. The food was outstanding! The place is built for speed and lacks warmth. No drive-through, makes it less convenient, but it's still worth it. I just moved to Carlsbad a couple of years back, and I've been trying to find the best Mexican food place around. I can confidently say that I have now found it and I will be frequenting it on the regs. I had the Agave Birrieria. It was amazing. Probably not something that I can eat regularly, though. If you are looking for takeout Mexican food, this is the place to go.

    I've seen this place numerous times on my way to the Starbucks and finally decided that today's the…read moreday to try this place. We went at 1:30 pm today (Friday). No drive through. So my bro and I went in and ordered food for the rest of the fam. This place is set-up more for take out rather than dining in. The lady at the register was super nice and friendly. We ordered the carne asada and shrimp rancheros plates that came with rice, beans and a flour tortilla. Also two burritos, cabeza and fish. And a coconut flan for dessert. Pros: Convenient location Food came out very quick Great customer service Coconut flan was absolutely delicious The shrimp rancheros were also delicious, very well seasoned & cooked perfectly. Cons: The burritos were much smaller, not as filled as other burritos from other Mexican restaurants. The carne asada was over cooked and dry There was only 2 pieces of fish in the fish burrito that were so over fried that it was hard and inedible. We had high hopes for this place, but our first impression fell flat. Not sure if it would be worth it to try and go again.

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    Encinitas Fish Shop

    Encinitas Fish Shop

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    Delicious food and friendly staff! We had a larger group with us, so we placed a very large order…read more Tacos, sandwiches, ceviche, and so much more. We tried different marinades and various fish, but my hands-down favorites were the lobster tacos (lemon butter) and the red snapper (fish shop) tacos. We also ordered large sides. They do NOT skimp out on these. Massive onions rings and a large pile of fries. All were delicious! The kids liked their grilled cheese sandwiches. "Best grilled cheese besides the ones we make at home." Only downside on the food was the clam chowder. Good flavor but hardly any clams (if any). I wouldn't get that again, but everything else was phenomenal. I almost rated this down to a 4 because of this (and a small order mishap), but honestly, this place is worth a solid 5 based on the overall food, vibes, and staff. This place's vibes are super chill. You can either sit inside or out. Very clean all around! Well-maintained restrooms and tables too. Solid drink options - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic as well! Would definitely go back!

    I've been going to the pb location for years so was excited to try out Encinitas fish shop while in…read morethe area. I might like this location even more than pb. The restaurant is very clean and they gave us real plates! I got lucky on timing because there was no wait to order when I got there. There was a line out the door when we were finished though. This place is very family friendly with lots of kids and dogs. There was easy street parking so we didn't have trouble finding a spot. I love the fish plate with fish shop seasoning. I even own a bottle of their seasoning to use at home it's so good! I always get the vegetables as my side and this location had zucchini instead of cauliflower in the mix, which I prefer! Can't wait to go again.

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    Fish 101 - seafood - Updated August 2026

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