Nursing has taught me when I need to actually leave the house and sit somewhere calm instead of just powering through. Santa Monica is where I go to do that, and lately our go-to spot for it has been Pacific Catch.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Pacific Catch
Pacific Catch partners with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, so the “sustainably sourced” label on the menu actually means something instead of just being a marketing line. That matters to me more than it probably should, but it’s part of why this is the place I default to.
The Parking Win
Brad and I got lucky and found street parking right on 2nd Street, a short walk from Pacific Catch’s door. If you’re not as lucky, the City of Santa Monica’s Structure 6 is the backup — first 90 minutes free, which is plenty for lunch.
What We Ordered at Pacific Catch
We started with the Guaca-Poke to share — ahi tuna poke and guacamole with crispy tortilla chips, an easy crowd-pleaser at the table.
I had the macadamia crusted salmon with sesame green beans and kimchi fried rice — the macadamia crust gave it good crunch against the salmon, cooked to a clean medium. Brad went with the Korean BBQ ribs, tender and off the bone, which is the right move if you want to prove Pacific Catch isn’t just a seafood-only spot.
Our older daughter ordered the Pacific Catch burger and fries — crisp fries, not greasy, a solid version of the classic. Our younger daughter went with the shrimp tempura roll, light and not over-battered, which let the shrimp actually come through.
How We Paid
We used the inKind app to settle our Pacific Catch bill, which knocked a meaningful amount off a meal for four and skipped the usual wait for the check. If you eat out in LA with any regularity, it’s worth having in your back pocket.
The Bottom Line
Pacific Catch isn’t complicated: good food, an easy parking situation, a restaurant that’s straightforward about where the fish comes from, and a spot by the water that makes lunch feel like more than just lunch. That combination is why we keep going back.
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