We have been going to the Anthony's Fish Grotto in downtown San Diego for years. We were saddened when they closed that location since it is a favorite of ours whenever we visit San Diego. We tried the location in La Mesa. We loved it! My husband had the halibut which was delicious. I had the Quick Catch Fish and Shrimp which was wonderful. The atmosphere is really nice and relaxing. We will definitely be back when in town!

Last minute decision for Father’s Day lunch at Anthony’s. Called and was told minimal wait time. We were seated in 15 minutes in spite of the restaurant being very busy. Ordered two appetizers - Clam chowder, and we each selected the fish plate. The entree was fresh and perfectly prepared. Our sides were also prepared perfectly. There was a slight issue with one entree, which we wished only to bring to our server’s attention. The restaurant manager visited our table, asked about our dinners, adjusted our bill and apologized for this very minor issue. Wow. Ordered a draft beer which was served cold in a very cold glass. Our server and staff were very attentive and responsive throughout our dinner. Restrooms were clean, well supplied and in perfect condition this very busy Sunday. Anthony’s Fish Grotto serves fresh fare, perfectly prepared. Staff are committed to insuring their guests have an enjoyable experience. This has been our experience over many years and it’s great to see a business so committed to excellence.

Can't go wrong with Anthony's but even though this sounds pretty ordinary their albacore tuna salad is absolutely delicious and easy to take home because it's only $6 a pound in their Market you can't make albacore tuna salad for $6 a pound! Go get some try it you'll love it have it with an avocado and some cucumbers and you'll be so happy you did

Very good. Generous portions. Better than I could have ever hoped.

The calm chowder is awesome. Both white and red. The shrimp is big and very tasty. Try the squid steak it's awesome.

+5

Anthony's is a favorite of ours. The food and service are consistently good. The atmosphere puts you in a vacation state of mind. Because of this we held our daughter's wedding shower here. The room was perfect. Everyone had a beautiful view of their little lake. Will was our server. He was spot on. This is the best place to host a small event. There were several food options, plus you could choose a hosted or non-hosted bar, wine at tables, etc. We chose to have a hosted bar, which brought the price per person up.

Awesome place! Great food, fresh and quality fish, with beautiful lake view. Excellent service allowing us to modify our order. We ordered Halibut with mashed potatoes and vegetables, also Salmon and baked potatoe with house salad. Cup of white clam chowder was tasty. Good prices, they also have Lunch Specials.

We were a table of 12. Hats off to our waitress Becky. The atmosphere is a hidden gem in san diego. Outdoor dining was enjoyable, but bring a jacket. Don't expect 5 star food, but it was good

My mother in law was in town and she enjoys Anthony's food and ambiance. Anthony's Fish Grotto is a favorite place to take our out of town guests for dinner as they have a unique dining area overlooking the small lake behind the restaurant, brings a very tropical and "vacationish" feel. Staff was very friendly, our Server greeted us warmly and we were enjoying our wine & craft beer in no time. Dinner was of course - seafood - and it was delicious!! The evening was so fulfilling and my mom-in- law enjoyed this as she's already thinking of coming back on her next trip to San Diego.

+6

Wow, went to Anthony's! They have moved locations. I loved the old location, and I love the new one! They are still on water - Murray Lake! The architecture is stunning inside, and they have lovely, lovely cabanas outside, and a dining room overlooking the lake... Anthony's still represents the water, with waterfalls, and water shooting in the middle of the lake. The cabanas have lovely lighting for the evening around the cabanas, and in and out of the water. You enter a Shell, so you get the feeling you might be under water, although you aren't. Can't say enough. Elegant & lovely. Food is still wonderful, and reasonably priced. Come back & see them you all!

+6

Great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Excellent food and, especially if you sit outside overlooking the little lake, wonderful atmosphere. The drinks were pretty wonderful, too. I had a Tropical Breese...luscious!

I've been coming to Anthony's fish grotto's since early 1967 when a friend of my mother's took me here shortly after I started college and San Diego / Point Loma area. I came here before one of my college dances and it was the first time I had ever had lobster. This location is the first one I ever came to although I attended to take out of town company to the one on the bay because it was right on the water. The only reason I took off one star for service was because this past time just a couple days ago, we had a very nice waitress but she never once checked back on us until it was time to bring the check. Fortunately we didn't need anything at all but if we had needed a water refill or some tartar sauce or something, she never came and asked if everything was okay or if we needed anything. Other than that, the food was delicious and the view of the little lake was beautiful. I hope this location stays here for many many more years so I can keep enjoying it.

Got there @5 seated outside as we requested right away service was amazing Silvia was super efficient and friendly. Oysters were fresh calamari was amazing! We got lobster tails little heavy on seasoning but overall didn't ruin the taste. Shrimp scampi was amazing. We will def be back.

Finally back to Anthony's after 4 months of not being unable to go to restaurants! The outdoor seating is beyond wonderful with ducks, swans and fountains in the lake. Staff is efficient, friendly and the food exceptional as always.

We have enjoyed Anthony's Fish Grotto at all three of its previous locations. Anthony's Seaside was the only place we could get a shark steak -- that we knew of. This is the only remaining store. Sometimes, they have shark, but not always. Today, I had a Crab Louie. I loved it. My wife had a grilled ahi tuna steak with pineapple salsa. She loved it.

Simply, my favorite fish restaurant in San Diego. The seafood is always fresh always comes out hot and perfect. Everything is consistent love bringing family and business associates to this location. Highly recommend it.

Great food from the lunch menu, at good price. Loved the Cajun blackened salmon, and crab-macaroni salad; sister had shrimp sandwich. Wonderful atmosphere, seated at booth next to pond.

Been coming here since I was a kid and never a complaint. It's one of my go to spots to bring my dog. I love that they have a little play area for dogs in the back patio.The ambience is tranquil especially in the evening when the fountain is lit up with colors. Our most recent waitress Kathleen was so very sweet and kind and very attentive and brought our dog a doggy plate for $4 which had salmon and rice. We had the sourdough bowl with clam chowder and two fish tacos. So delicious and yummy! Will be coming back again.

Had a great night last night celebrating a friend’s birthday. Our server, Gina, was incredible and truly enhanced our experience. She was attentive, patient, and fun. Anthony’s Fish Grotto is lucky to have her!

Pretty good seafood!! Amazing atmosphere as well as service!! They have a dog friendly patio if you wanted the option as well

+6

Wonderful experience very beautiful but retro. Would highly recommend the experience as the booths are open to Glass that overlooks the lake. Very very nice

+3

The cod is amazing. We sat outside, feed the ducks and fish and enjoyed a leisurely lunch with family. Everything was delicious!

Have been a patron of Anthony's Fish Grotto for over 20 years. Only able to visit a few times a year. I have only settled on one dish, because it's so good! Love getting their Fish and Chips. Service was very pleasant and friendly. Very attentive to our table. They have moved from the pier next to the Maritime Museum, to this new establishment in La Mesa, but the food is the same! Love the décor as well! Can hardly wait to come back!

Cool place to sit and relax. Good food and great service. Kids love to feed the docks. A great place to eat.

The lobster tail & the New England white clam chowder. Both were absolutely delicious!!

I've lived in San Diego my whole life and I finally went for the first time. I thought this was a simple small cafe, it's kinda tucked away but as soon as you walk in the interior decoration/architecture is so beautiful, complimented by a really nice small lake patio. The food is very delicious, everything I ordered was premium taste. The servers are very polite and are always checking on their guest. Will be coming back for sure.

This place was great. The service was great. The food was amazing. Fresh and plated well. The outside seating was also a great view as there were ducks in the pond. Lights at night fall were amazingly ambient.. very date night as well as group meal vibes for pictures. It's worth every dollar spent.

We had a large party. The food was real good and the appetizers were great too. The food was on point and cooked to perfection. Steak and shrimp were tender and favorable. Loved the view and dogs are welcome for outdoor dining as well.

+6

La Mesa Restaurant. I've been coming here for years and I'm a huge fan of the white clam chowder, though my mother has always favored the red 😀. They have a beautiful outside dining area that borders the lake; the perfect spot to dine during the pandemic. They have a big lunch special selection, which we enjoyed along with one of their white wine flights. Very nice wine and beer menu. Their red butter is absolutely scrumptious 😍. There is limited parking by their front door, but plenty of parking on the upper level. Look for the convenient purse carabineers under the outside tables (great touch). Big, clean restrooms. Very good service. Will continue to come back!

Amazing experience! Nice view, many ducks for the kids and overall good for family reunions. Tasty food but what got us was the service! Busser Tony was so so nice to us, made the visit very special.

Some of the best, most professional and pleasant service we've had! The food was fantastic! And sitting by the window enjoying the calm of the lagoon/Lake/pond ... just made it that much more enjoyable. Yes, we were there with a munchkin who loved the Crab Cake - some of the best Crab Cake I've ever had!

+4

The view was great, food was excellent and our waitress was nice and prompt. We were immediately seated at 530pm on a Thursday night. There were a lot of people here by the time we left. The crowd here was primarily middle aged and up with the exception of the creep and his escort sitting one table away. Unfortunately hearing their conversation was almost stomach turning. 😕 everything else about the restaurant was good. I had a blackberry mojito which was very strong and good. I wanted the shark but they were actually out. So I ended up getting the mamgo halibut and a baked potatoe with the seasonal veggies. The veggies were undercooked in my opinion but everything else was excellent. The keylime pie was so good as well. The total bill was over a $100 for Chinese goals but it was probably worth it

+4

One of the best hidden gems in SD east county. The ambiance is beautiful with it sitting over a beautiful pond! Service is always exceptional and our favorite seafood spot. Our favorite is the calamari, halibut, and fish sandwiches. Highly recommend!

I had the filet mignon and it was the best steak I’ve had at a restaurant yet. It was salted perfectly, cooked exactly the way I wanted it, and basically chewed itself. The staff was very personable and attentive, but the best part is the view of the pond. Great atmosphere omg.

Came with a party of 12, the service was very attentive and great. The food was delicious, and we tried the clam chowder in the sourdough bowl as well as other various items from the dinner menu - everyone was satisfied except for one soggy piece of fish as part of a fish and chips meal. Would definitely come again!

This is a beautiful hidden gem in La Mesa. I've never been here before, and I'm a native San Diegan. I had a delightful 🥑 Avocado salad with Albacore Tuna ($15.50), and my friend had the appetizer Manila clams in wine sauce ($18.50). We both loved our dishes!! And the ambiance was to die for! Beautiful lake with sprouting fountains, live ducks! We loved the patio seating over looking the view! Check out the photos! Wow! Thank you, friend, for the treat!! What can I say? I came here again.The food is outrageously delish! Got Panko Codfish with a delish Hot potato and amazing grilled asparagus! My friend got the yummy breaded Squid version of the same plate!

+6

Nancy was the highlight of the meal! Ask for her by name!!! She's THAT good! Food was fantastic (Fish & Shrimp dippers clam chowder, and crab & cheese sandwich). Wil be back..again and again!

Very nice atmosphere to enjoy happy hour drinks, appetizers & lunch. I ordered calamari, cauliflower, wonton & ceviche appetizers for my family & I. For lunch I ordered the salmon reuben sandwich with a side of crab mac n cheese. Awesome food, service & atmosphere!

The food here is always consistent and delicious. One of the best places to dine inside or out. Inside has great views of the lagoon outside and is nice and quiet for conversation. Outside, bring your dog and enjoy alfresco dining around the lake while feeding the ducks. Huge seafood menu always fresh and expertly prepared. Small, compact bar with an excellent happy hour and Seasonal cocktail selections. A perfect place for a relaxing afternoon meal.

Great food in a lovely location. Sitting outside is a must. You are right next to a little lake with lots of ducks. Service was good, just took a while to get the bill when we were ready to go. Then even longer for the server to come back after I gave my credit card. Still a lovely night.

Kevin Landry

Treated my wife to a wonderful lunch date to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Dined in the beautiful patio area with a great view of the "lake" and ducks. Enjoyed some delicious Fish & Chips and scrumptious fish tacos. The Old Fashioned cocktail was prepared to perfection. Our server Rob was nothing short of spectacular! He was super busy however never skipped a beat. Great place, Great food and Great service, what more could you ask for? If you haven't been here yet you seriously need to give this place a try. I promise you'll be thanking me and my taste buds.

RaeSharon Alonzo

We came for dinner at 6 in winter, so there wasn't any day light left to enjoy the views of the lake (which I've been told are beautiful). The food we ordered was prepared perfectly and had just the right amount per serving. Not stuffed and barely any left overs to take home. I ordered a grilled shrimp, fish and scallop kabob (I do wish I had more than one large scallop, but it was delicious and filling enough). My sister ordered clam chowder in a bread bowl. They ran out of New England style, so she tried the zesty red style, which I tried and we both liked(she finished it!). My cousin ordered a fried catfish, and my husband ordered the fish and chips! Again all devoured. My aunt ordered the trio ceviche, which she did end up taking some home. I hope to come back during the day time to see the lake and feed the ducks! Oh I think the patio is pet friendly (I saw a dog bowl!)

+2

Dana Smith

I’ve been here many times over the years and it’s always great but last night was exceptional. We celebrated a friend’s birthday and it was fantastic from start to finish. I absolutely must give a huge shout out to our server Gina. She is truly an asset to your team- sweet, friendly, attentive, funny- she truly went above and beyond and added to our already stellar evening. Food and drinks were delicious (excellent martinis). We enjoyed calamari, chowder, wedge salads, scallops, linguine and clams and stuffed mushrooms - all delicious. The ambiance and decor is kitschy and fun. Don’t miss out on this gem.

Elizabeth Cittar

I worked all day, prepping to move. After checking in at the Best Western (between homes) I walked over to Anthony's Fish Grotto looking mildly disheveled. I was treated kindly from the start. I was greeted and seated immediately. The server was attentive, but not pushy. My Old Fashioned was perfect. The mini loaf of bread was hot. The food was great. The dessert was yummy. I felt pampered and refreshed.

Michael Nielsen

The calamari was the best that I have ever had. The salmon and sword fish were so fresh and flavorful. Everything was very delicious and the service was outstanding. Ruben, our server made the whole experience awesome.

Costlo

Went here for a date night, loved it .sat in the patio which seemed a little bit dark and cold, but the heaters and the beautiful lights in the trees made it romantic. The food was outstanding service was great.

Jay Eisele

We love Anthony's for dinner, but had not been there for lunch. Best lunch experience ever! We sat outside on a gorgeous San Diego day. Our server, Adriana, was attentive, but not pushy. We met friends and just wanted a relaxing, no-rush experience, and she gave us that! I love that they use real seafood and not pre-packaged and pre-battered. What could be better than time with friends, great food, great beverages and great service? Anthony's has become our "go-to" spot!

Stephanini R

This place is very cute and dog friendly which makes me love it even more. The ceviche is good, the burger was delicious, the service is always great, very attentive with my drinks.

It's me little T

Love Anthony's ❤️ make me feel like I'm in a dream. The atmosphere is fun and delightful. Food is always good.

Jillyb84

Wow! The food here is amazing! Delicious flavors, well seasoned and very well proportioned. Our Server was really attentive despite it being super busy and overall enjoyed ourselves and enjoyed our afternoon with a very nice view! Thank you!

+6

Patrick Fleming

This a really uniquely designed place. Grotto is the right description. It definitely looks like it was built right into existing caves and is really pretty hidden from the roadway. Once inside the restaurant opens up and is quite expansive. On the menu they mention that you can play Bocci ball on the lawn. We decided that we were a little late in the evening for that but that's definitely a nice "old school" touch. Food and service were both great. Thanks RJ.

Christopher Tomasik

When I arrived I was created with a smile and seated at the bar. My server and bartender her name is Hannah she is incredible. I got crab cakes with a baked potato and they're amazing coleslaw. The atmosphere is outstanding they have a lake in the back with waterfalls and Bocce court for your enjoyment. As well as specialty alcohol milkshakes for your after dinner choices.

+1

Bianca O'Brien

This little tucked away restaurant is beautiful! The ambiance was perfect and we were able to look out onto the lake with the twinkling lights surrounding it. We were seated right away on a Friday night, and Becky, our server, was extremely friendly and nice! We had someone with an allergy in our party and she did great to communicate with the kitchen and staff about the allergy and prepare a meal that was safe for that person. We all ordered something differently and everyone enjoyed their meal thoroughly! I had no idea this cute little place was tucked right behind the 8, it feels like you're world's away! I would recommend this restaurant for older children and families, as a date night out, or a girls night out. Definitely want to return here!

+2

lynda marrokal

Anthony's Fish Grotto: A Timeless Classic A La Mesa institution since 1946, Anthony's Fish Grotto offers a delightful dining experience. The restaurant's charming atmosphere, combined with its delicious food and refreshing drinks, makes it a must-visit. Whether you're a longtime patron or a first-time visitor, you're sure to be captivated by the classic ambiance and delectable seafood.

+4

Our trip to Anthony's started with a very friendly greeting by the host Dylan. Dylan sat us quicker than first quoted. He even gave our Corgi a small treat after he sat us.\n\nWe sat by the lake and …

What a great find! We went there for my birthday lunch and it really exceeded expectations! It's very nice location when you are inside that overlooks a lake (with outdoor seating as well), has a v…

What a great find! We went there for my birthday lunch and it really exceeded expectations! It's very nice location when you are inside that overlooks a lake (with outdoor seating as well), has a…

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for di…

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for …

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for …

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for …

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for …

Daughter and I loved it. Great ambiance, nice vintage vibes, food and service were great, and prices were pretty good. Plenty of parking as well, and looks like they have a pretty outdoor area for …

My friend and I arrived when they opened and were greeted and seated outside by the pond. A little chilly but we had a heater close by. We love the pond seating. Our server, Becky, was wonderful. A…

Love this place. Always a fun atmosphere with a beautiful view and great salads. I've been coming here for 30 years.

Love this place. Always a fun atmosphere with a beautiful view and great salads. I've been coming here for 30 years.

ambiance was nice and the view of the lake was amazing. Agustin, our server, was really attentive to us and super friendly overall. He really made our time at the restaurant special! Food was also …

Ambiance was nice and the view of the lake was amazing. Agustin, our server, was really attentive to us and super friendly overall. He really made our time at the restaurant special! Food was also …

Came here on our vacation with family. We had never been here. Hostess, and staff are awesome very welcoming. prices are fair and that's nice. We placed drink order with our waiter and everything w…

Still great! The breading on the OG seafood is light and the tartar sauce is unique. The lunch entrees are an appropriate size and less expensive than at night. The setting on the lake is delightfu…

I love the ambiance. You are definitely transported to a different vibe here. Both indoor and outdoor seating are cool. \n\nThe food is really tasty and the prices are great. Especially for happy h…

Anthony’s has great seafood. Their menu is extensive and appealing. Mama Ghio’s New England Clam Chowder is awesome! Waterfront views are available. Full Bar. Great atmosphere. Our server, Brina, i…

Anthony’s has great seafood. Their menu is extensive and appealing. Mama Ghio’s new england clam chowder is awesome! Waterfront views are available. Full Bar. Great atmosphere. Our server, Br…

Anthony’s has great seafood. Their menu is extensive and appealing. Mama Ghio’s New England Clam Chowder is awesome! Waterfront views are available. Full Bar. Great atmosphere. Our server, Brina, i…

From coast-to-coast this is one of the finest restaurants my wife and I have ever dined at. Starting with the fried shrimp appetizers (which were the best ever), every part of our meal was delectabl…

From coast-to-coast this is one of the finest restaurants my wife and I have ever dined at. Starting with the fried shrimp appetizers (which were the best ever), every part of our meal was del…

From coast-to-coast this is one of the finest restaurants my wife and I have ever dined at. Starting with the fried shrimp appetizers (which were the best ever), every part of our meal was delec…

Anthony’s is an iconic Seafood restaurant in San Diego. I went there for lunch and was tremendously impressed! The atmosphere is wonderful; the restaurant overlooks a large private pond. The fish I o…

Anthony’s is an iconic Seafood restaurant in San Diego. I went there for lunch and was tremendously impressed! The atmosphere is wonderful; the restaurant overlooks a large private pond. The fish I…

Anthony’s is an iconic seafood restaurant in San Diego. I went there for lunch and was tremendously impressed! The atmosphere is wonderful; the restaurant overlooks a large private pond. The fish I…

Visited Anthony’s on an early Wednesday afternoon and it was already half full for the dinner crowd. We called ahead to see if we needed reservations and they said, not at the moment so we rushed o…

We were really happy we found this place after landing in San Diego We enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the service, thank you Annette! We had avocado salad with shrimp and crab, shrimp tacos …

I'm visiting from Colorado and was really craving grilled lobster, shrimp, etc. I ended up not finding that, and ordered beer battered seafood plate. It was cooked well, not greasy, and the cold slaw was different, cabbage with a pineapple dressing. My favorite was the clam chowder soup and bread! You only get one roll! There's an extra charge for more bread.

Wonderful atmosphere. The staff seemed very rushed and tried to make another order but the server never came back to our table till after our meal was done.

My wife and I remember this restaurant from the time it was across from the Star of India. We knew the restaurant fills quickly so went early Friday evening. Our waitress was very attentive and did a good job of explaining the menu. My wife ordered the scallops. She was impressed.

I'm not a big fan of their fish and chips (too oily / not crispy). I enjoyed the panko cod, but get the sauce on the side as it's kind of sweet.

My dad use to bring me and family here when I was 5-9 years old. We would feed the ducks and eat frog legs. The place is still beautiful. Now : Patio view inside corner. Avocado Salad. Soup Salad and a few drinks.

The food was good, service excellent and the ambiance the best around. Honestly, at least go for a drink and sit by the water in the evening inside or outside there's not a lot of places like this. It's even pet friendly outside area with bocce ball even, crazy cool!!! Spendy. Definitely a place we will go back to because of the ambiance mostly. I had the avacado salad with shrimp and crab. Wouldn't get this again but my husband got the talapia, excellent and clam chowder the BEST I've had in the San Diego area.

Lovely ambiance and view. Chicken piccata and swordfish piccata look very similar, make sure you verify which one you ordered.

Cozy dinner by the lake! Quaint and relaxing! Tried the seafood trio platter and was good except for the salmon being dry!! Will be back

Ok first timers here! First let me start by saying that Gigi is a GEM! I'm sorry, she made sure we were straight from the time we sat down til the time we left!! Superior service! Ok the food. We ordered 2 entrees the Salmon Reuben Sandwich ... I know it sounds crazy but it was delicious!! And the Salmon Tortellini, I have to be honest it is the reason I gave 4 ⭐'s it was Okay. 🤔 We of course enjoyed the Caesar Salad as well as the Chateau St. Michelle Resiling I forget the year. But 2012 is my favorite. Definitely not. Ok now the views! We had the indoor window seat overlooking the beautiful lake while enjoying the ducks and hummingbirds! This was the ambience we were seeking and it did not disappoint! Will visit Again. (P/S I missed the pic of the Salmon Tortellini!) LASTLY... Gigi YOU ROCK!! (Put her name on the board!) 😉

+1

Haven't been here in quite sometime. Food was good, service was fast and friendly. A very nice outside patio to enjoy in warmer weather (heaters are available for cooler evenings), a cozy bar area and of coarse the 'under the sea' decor is always fun! Easy access off Hwy 8.

+2

This is about as Nostalgic as it comes. This is a playbook right out of an Italian Grandma's recipe book. It's definitely a throwback and has that old school vibe. The food is excellent and the ambiance has that 60's - 70's decorum. It has been some years since I visited this place. As a matter of fact, cellphones were a thing of the future! (Lol). Definitely worth the trip. It's not a child place. Definitely you must be grown. Also, the seafood is about as fresh as fresh can be. Great water view.

+3

Friend &I had lunch. The place was full. Parking is always a mess here. But the food us delicious. We had the rainbow trout For $20.00 ! Plate we got a good portion of fish a baked potatoes and excellent serv I ce. We were particularly impressed by Tony's Awesome service. He was right on top of things!! Food came to us hot and tasty. Although crowded we got a window seat overlooking the lake. My friend got a sangria I ordered an Arnold Palmer. Clean restaurant. Bathroom was spotless and odorless!! Our hostess greeted us warmly. This is an excellent sunday afternoon place to enjoy a nice meal. OH for dessert try the spamony ice cream. If your disabled there are at least 5 places. But they go quickly. Plan to get there early to get prime parking on the lower level in front of the restaurant!! GOOD SERVICE GOOD FOOD & ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE!! I WILL BE BACK!!

The shrimp trio (which I ordered) was okay at best. It was good. Not bad but not great either. The place is very nice both inside and out. The decor is appealing and the fountain is a nice touch.

Came here for a birthday dinner and was not disappointed. I got the steamed clams and calamari for the appetizer and it was delicious! I also got the swordfish, Mediterranean style. They were slightly short staff but my waiter was absolutely incredible. I definitely will be back to try some other items. The atmosphere of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous.

+3

Great restaurant. Always seen it driving in the 8 east freeway. Finally had a chance to take my dad and his friends for lunch here. Great seafood choices, great theme, and good service. Good place to bring your dog and elderly loved ones. There is a senior courtesy parking area and open air patio to bring your dogs.

+6

I came here on the last day before flying out, I read great reviews on Google so I was excited to try it out. The service was friendly and we got our food fast. We ordered squid steak and fish and shrimp combo. Squid steak was very tasty and fresh. I would order that again. Fish and shrimp combo was okay, I prefer my seafood fresh versus hand battered. Prices were average and not too expensive for most of the items.

The atmosphere is the reason for a five star review… sit outside it’s amazing! Feed the ducks for 2 bucks. The food was ok.. crab cakes, oyster Rockefeller, Cesar salad.. not the best but 3 star for food. Service was ok. I would Go again to have some drinks and fun with friends. The signature drinks are good.

Im a big fan of this restaurant, paticularly the setting outside by the lake. Is a great place to sit and enjoy a drink and nice food. The wait staff are all welcoming and efficient. However over the last year I feel the kitchen has let the side down. We've been 6 times since November and each time have been disappointed in the food. What had been reliable freshness and flavour has become bland and lacking. Not bad just lacking. We kept thinking its just a bad patch that all restaurants go through. But these last few months we've not seen the upturn. Im writing this review for the benefit of the management. We love the place but its time to get your house in order.

Chad Aiken

You'd expect more then 1 piece of fish, and 1 shrimp with the Mama's platter for $32. The calamari was slightly better then most, but still under cooked(doesnt compare to rocking baja lobster) and ive never seen asparagus like that but like every prepared asparagus ive ever had from a restaurant, it was under cooked. Kids loved the chicken fingers and fries, wife loved the claim chowder, the bread was perfect, the fish shrimp, and clams were all on point. We'll be returning!

Brandy Pompeo

We went Sunday night for dinner before a concert. It was our first time here. I had the spiney lobster & coconut shrimp. He had the fish & chips & a cup of clam chowder. All was delicious! Our waitress was Adriana, she was so awesome, that we came back for lunch the next day! I had the crab & cheese sandwich & it was amazing! Had an overall great experience & definitely will come back! Thanks Adriana for my pre birthday treat!

Laurie Alcaraz

It was my 1st time eating at Anthony's fish grotto & chose to eat outside. I was seated with little view of the lake so once a closer table became available I asked to be moved & staff cleaned off the other table for my use. Many servers were attentive to find out I'd I'd been helped. The food was delicious & the service was great! I look forward to returning & trying something new on the menu.

Vicky Ruegsegger

I have recently tried Anthony's in La Mesa for lunch and it did not disappoint. Easy to access off the freeway with ample parking. Adding more fish to my diet has been a goal of mine and twice now I have tried the Orange Roughy with seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes. Delicious and a nice portion of everything! Seating is plentiful and I have been able to secure an inside table with a view of the adjacent lake complete with a nice resident group of ducks and beautiful fountains! They also have a nice patio area which I will try when the weather permits. I look forward to trying more of their fish options on future visits!

Dawood Murad

The atmosphere is pleasing and relaxing, with the water and nature in the background. However, I do like the outside better because the inside does have a smell of seafood, which most might not like. But, the outside is very relaxing and typically has good weather. Their food is delicious, and their customer service is always fast and good. The restaurant itself is a huge place. It is a nice place to have a good time with family. Although it is more of a seafood place, they also have a larger variety that has things other than seafood, for those who want. One thing I liked was that they messed up my daughter’s order and they fixed it, without us even saying anything to them first, which was really nice of them.

+32

Anthony's Fish Grotto restaurant established in 1946, was harborside until it closed in 2017 and opened the La Mesa location which is where I've dined a few times.\nFree parking in their lot.\n\nTh…

This place reminds of the restaurants that my family would visit when it was a special occasion when I was young. Love the pond that has both indoor and outdoor seating surrounding it. At night it'…

I have been here many many times. It’s great except for they don’t take reservations for less than six people. It really is difficult and really, not convenient when you have elderly people with yo…

The good: Beautiful views of a manmade lake with ducks swimming about. The decor inside resembled an aquatic theme. The service is above average. They have a bar inside. Plenty of parking. The bad:…

The good: Beautiful views of a manmade lake with ducks swimming about. The decor inside resembled an aquatic theme. The service is above average. They have a bar inside. Plenty of parking. The bad:…

I am glad we went, but probably won't be back. Food is good, but pricey for the amount that you get. I definitely recommend going. The experience is cool.

The atmosphere was incredible, but the service was terrible. Took forever for out waiter to get us our drinks and refills. One of my lobster tails had to be redone, and when I eventually got to eat it it had not been deveined properly and still had the poop in it. Definitely not coming back here, it wasn't worth the incredibly expensive price we paid for it, and that was after the discount for my poppy lobster.

Had been to San Diego location since childhood and missed it so went to La Mesa. Thought the decor was great but felt Happy Hour drink too pricey as it was a well drink. Spending $25 for a Louie and only get one roll each? I miss the bread I remember. The plating wasn't as appealing either. Glad we made the drive but it's a one and done. I'll stick to the MB Grille near me where you get as much hot sourdough as you want as you're paying enough to not have to buy a 2nd little role. My sister and I were really disappointed.

atmosphere is amazing. service was great too although they did get my order wrong. food was okay. fresh, but menu should be modernized

This is a nice restaurant on I-8 between La Mesa and El Cajon. It has a small lake with outdoor dining alongside a pleasant indoor dining area. Our family has always enjoyed going there for good seafood, but last week the food was rather pricy and unexceptional. The staff and service are still good and the atmosphere is great. Here's hoping they will improve and get back to the excellent place it used to be.

Amazing view. Food is not bad, nothing special if you ask me, but not necessarily worth the drive. SERVICE SUCKS (and I honestly don’t care about service most of the time). Becky, the server, turned around to help other people TWICE in the middle of taking our orders. She also prioritized big groups and left my husband and me hanging (didn’t get a to go box and our check 15 mins after asking for them). I don’t remember the details, but last time we had issues with their service as well. Why do I come back? I couldn’t care less about this place but hubby likes their food.

I was excited to try Anthonys fish grotto for the first time. Atmosphere is like a hidden gem. Excellent customer service. Sadly, food was very bland, I had to add salt (which I never do). Mai Tai was very strong and delicious.

+2

We asked for an order and the waitress brought the smaller portion of we asked for. When we told her it was the wrong size, she told us it was because her main dish was going to be big and my sister wouldn't be able to eat it all 🫣 Also the drinks say a price and when our bill came, was more expensive, plus not impressed with drinks for the price. So disappointed 😞

The view was def nice; the service? Not so much; our server was overwhelmed with too many tables and we had to wait a bit for our order to be taken, then waited for salad dressing, and and order wa…

The view was def nice; the service? Not so much; our server was overwhelmed with too many tables and we had to wait a bit for our order to be taken, then waited for salad dressing, and and order …

The view was def nice; the service? Not so much; our server was overwhelmed with too many tables and we had to wait a bit for our order to be taken, then waited for salad dressing, and and order wa…

The atmosphere was lovely, and the food was good; however, we had an issue with our waiter. Each time he past behind my chair, he would hold onto it it strongly and sometimes shook it. This beca…

The atmosphere was lovely, and the food was good; however, we had an issue with our waiter. Each time he past behind my chair, he would hold onto it it strongly and sometimes shook it. This beca…

2 stars because the place is nostalgic and I love that, and the food was still tasty. It has been YEARS since I went there. Always love it in the past - was such a treat dining experience. Got the food to go and went I got home, I was so very disappointed that someone would pack this and be okay with charging $16.99 for 2 finger size pieces of fish and some fries that look almost bigger than the fish. The dish came with a dinner roll. 1 star because my two pieces of fish were small - almost equal to the size of some of the larger French fries.

It was ok. They seem to have gone downhill a little. Coconut shrimp were not as good as Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse. They charged for extra bread. Service left a little to be desired. Will be going elsewhere next time.

So I ordered a ribeye steak average price $39. It was a steak similar like you would buy from Food 4 Less. The thickness of the steak was less than a half an inch, the garnishment not good. I paid …

They sat us down and ignored us. I was there to celebrate my birthday. We walked out after 15 minutes. Another couple that sat down after us got serviced before us. Bad.

The complimentary bread was terrible, severed cold with some odd orange based mayo sauce? And it was just a mini ciabatta bread, odd choice. The Caesar salad wasn’t any good, the lettuce was roughly chopped and tasted unwashed. The shrimp in my entree were all over cooked, the baked potato was cold and hardly melted the butter. The coleslaw….well the picture speaks for that. But it was literally not even mixed together? Just basic out of a bag cabbage mix and then a weird poppy seed sauce just poured on top.. not even mixed together.. Terrible to say the least. All the fish on my fiancé’s plate were over cooked as well. Really saddened by our experience here. Especially for their price point, I would expect better quality food. Also the cocktail, the blackberry mojito tasted like rubbing alcohol, way too strong. Service was also kinda weird, but the restaurant was fairly busy.

kassandra Roiz

Went here on Mother's Day with my family; We arrived a little after opening at 11am. Service was very unaccommodating; Manager on duty was unwilling to help with the extreme heat conditions by not turning on the fans or moving the table inside even after requesting. Food was disappointing and under cooked their popular crab and cheese wasnt even toasted on one side (pictures below) All that to be said; For a beautiful Mother's Day meal we were hoping for better service & food. Long story short: Would not recommend or return.