Captain Kidd's Fish Market & Restaurant

A local institution with both a fish market and restaurant serving a variety of fresh seafood, soups, tacos, and even a steak or two hiding on the menu. The location is right where the international boardwalk ends and the huge harbor parking lot begins... so there is plenty of parking. Line forms at the door and to the right is eat in and to the left is the fish market and oysters and such. You get a number and go find a table and get your condiment situation in order.. get plenty of napkins or you will keep returning for more as the food is so succulent and juicy. The fried foods are not overly salty or breaded and they taste like seafood not too greasy. The move here is simple grilled fish and then they also have good sides including all the usual suspects plus hush puppies. The clam chowder is thick and flavorful. Overall this rustic waterfront gem is more than just great food and people.. it is truly one of those iconic spots that is the fabric of Redondo Beach and a favorite for generations. Also a great place to take a nice walk after your meal and enjoy the ocean breeze and view. It is also right across from the larger hotels on Harbor Dr. so if you are visiting town this is great place to get some local flavor.

I came here for my birthday 07/05/2025 and overall my experience was alight. (Not the best) I expected higher expectations but I did choose this place because my brother said they have the best seafood. When my brother place his food order it was my turn to let the cashier know what I wanted. When I mention I wanted lobster she told me and my brother to go to the other side to order the lobster. He asked her why I can’t order it here and she said it’s because it two separate transactions and markets? Long story short we went to the side and waited almost 40 minutes to place my lobster order. And the guy ask my brother would you like any sides with that? And he said we order sides already on the order side of the main line. 🤦‍♀️ This line set up doesn’t make any sense. And the worst part was by the time we finished ordering my food, my family already received their food and was eating at the table. My garlic fries were lukewarm and my lobster had a grill taste to it. I like mimes tender and moist. Would I come back maybe

A great place for some fresh seafood. Casual and clean dining area. It’s a very laid back atmosphere with plenty of seating. Plenty of parking in the area around the building or in the structure. When you come in, there are two lines, one for fresh seafood you want to take home and another line for dine-in. Good variety of fish if you wanted to take home and cook yourself If you’re ever in the mood for some fresh seafood, it’s been our go to for years. Their fish and chips are great. Pair with a nice beer and it’s a nice combo. We didn’t get them on this occasion but I can recommend it. Personally as I eat a lot of tuna and salmon during the week, I tend to opt for more of the “white” fish when I come here. Highly recommend the swordfish or halibut plates. They come with two choice of sides. I prefer to get corn on the cob and will usually alternate between Cole slaw or rice pilaf depending on my mood. I don’t get the veggies as they tend to come from frozen and not as fresh For the fish plates, I always go grilled with simple seasoning. It’s always cooked perfectly here. Their clam chowder is decent. Not the best but flavorful enough if you want a something warm with your meal. Popcorn shrimp is plenty for the portion. It’s a nice snack. Another dish I would recommend is their fried whole fish plate. We got the pompano and it’s a nice sized fish with plenty of meat on the bone. Sometimes it’s fun to “dig” into your food.

Everything about this place is great! A must place to eat seafood if you visit Redondo Beach! the food is fresh, delicious and the staff are very nice.

This dated-looking restaurant is basically surrounded by a parking lot. More of a view of cars than the ocean. The food was not fresh. I may have food poisoning from the oysters and I am suspicious about whether the Fanny Bays were really that because they didn’t resemble them. They also were shucked with a mallet leaving shards of shell within them. Further, the thin crab cakes were filled with hot peppers, overpowering any crab flavor, assuming there was any to begin with. This often is a strategy to disguise flavorless or, worse yet, old crab.

Good place. Fairly quick order reception. Good selection of seafood. Waiting for the order is about 10 minutes. The trays are a bit dirty.

4/19/25 We learned about Captain Kidd's by way of Facebook. My husband and I had one of THE BEST EXPERIENCES EVER!!! From the time that we arrived to the time that we left. We both had the Catfish Platters with Coleslaw & Fries.Lemonade was our choices for beverages. Everything was Fresh ,Hot 🔥🔥🔥 and Delicious. Oh yes, Prices are very reasonable. Special Thanks to Tom and Malaya. They both went over and beyond. They both really stood out in enhancing our experience today. We look forward to seeing you all again soon. Until then, God Bless You All.

So so good! Fish & Chips were juicy and not overly breaded. And definitely get your hands on the clam chowder. And everything came out super quick too. Highly recommend

Still a place that holds a special place in my heart. I tried the Spider Crab here for the first time and it was delicious. I love how they have free parking when purchasing from their restaurant. The lady with the piercing on her face working the register on the restaurant side is not too friendly. She seemed annoyed when we asked her questions, and had a look of impatience when my family was trying to decide what to order. The guys that work on the market side are super friendly and helpful. And for those wondering, a 4lb Spider Crab cost us about $90. Not too bad.

We love coming down to Captain Kids where everyone can get whatever they want!! Great for the family! We usually get the chowder, fish, and shrimp, but comes with salad, fries, etc! Love the casual ambiance. The kids can color on the white paper you lay on the tables. Service is at cashier only, but everyone is friendly.

I don't wanna write this review, because I don't want people knowing about this place so it doesn't get crowded lol! Captain Kids is amazing. To keep it simple, their food is fresh, they have a great selection of seafood, and their service is very nice. I took My Wife and Daughter there. And we literally stuffed our face with all the seafood we wanted, and it all tasted amazing. What I recommend it? Absolutely!

First time here in beautiful Redondo Beach! we took a nice walk with our friends and were craving seafood. Chill atmosphere and nice people we will definitely be back!

Heard so many praises about this place but honestly not the best experience. We got the grilled fish burger and grilled red snapper, both just felt under seasoned. Same for the rice pilaf. The garlic fries were tasty but there's a $3 extra charge. The lobster bisque was rich but didn't seem to have any lobster. There isn't much service, you order at the counter and then pick up based on your number. The inside is pretty small but they have a little patio with seats and then tables outside. Maybe we ordered wrong and should've gotten fried fish instead because that's what everyone else seemed to be ordering but overall pretty overpriced for what it was. There's a separate section for their market if you just want to get fish to cook yourself.

We stopped here, because my wife had wanted to try a Lobster Roll. She was not a big fan after eating it.The roll was in butter. You have the option to have butter or mayonnaise. It was a little dry. Not too much flavor.I had to add some tartar sauce to add flavor to it. It was okay, not too special.

You can't call something a double "prime" cheeseburger and it's really a glorified grilled sausage patty on a bun, I don't remember there patties usually being this small, but the bun is massive and the patty is not even the size of my palm, disappointing

A great place for some fresh seafood. Casual and clean dining area. It's a very laid back atmosphere with plenty of seating. Plenty of parking in the area around the building or in the structure. When you come in, there are two lines, one for fresh seafood you want to take home and another line for dine-in. Good variety of fish if you wanted to take home and cook yourself If you're ever in the mood for some fresh seafood, it's been our go to for years. Their fish and chips are great. Pair with a nice beer and it's a nice combo. We didn't get them on this occasion but I can recommend it. Personally as I eat a lot of tuna and salmon during the week, I tend to opt for more of the "white" fish when I come here. Highly recommend the swordfish or halibut plates. They come with two choice of sides. I prefer to get corn on the cob and will usually alternate between Cole slaw or rice pilaf depending on my mood. I don't get the veggies as they tend to come from frozen and not as fresh For the fish plates, I always go grilled with simple seasoning. It's always cooked perfectly here. Their clam chowder is decent. Not the best but flavorful enough if you want a something warm with your meal. Popcorn shrimp is plenty for the portion. It's a nice snack. Another dish I would recommend is their fried whole fish plate. We got the pompano and it's a nice sized fish with plenty of meat on the bone. Sometimes it's fun to "dig" into your food.

I came here for my birthday 07/05/2025 and overall my experience was alight. (Not the best) I expected higher expectations but I did choose this place because my brother said they have the best seafood. When my brother place his food order it was my turn to let the cashier know what I wanted. When I mention I wanted lobster she told me and my brother to go to the other side to order the lobster. He asked her why I can't order it here and she said it's because it two separate transactions and markets? Long story short we went to the side and waited almost 40 minutes to place my lobster order. And the guy ask my brother would you like any sides with that? And he said we order sides already on the order side of the main line. ‍ This line set up doesn't make any sense. And the worst part was by the time we finished ordering my food, my family already received their food and was eating at the table. My garlic fries were lukewarm and my lobster had a grill taste to it. I like mimes tender and moist. Would I come back maybe

First, it's a dive fish market that produces great food!!!! When you walk in it's a fish market on the left and restaurant to the right. You walk in and order and then they call you for your food! What did I order: -Manhattan clam chowder 8/10 very good - salmon with old bay (10/10) - salad with Italian (10/10) Ambiance is a seafood shack vibe with plenty of seats!! Overall, if you are in the area! Stop by and give it a try! Very fresh tasting seafood!

This restaurant is definitely a bit of a hidden gem. How many restaurants can you go to and pick your fresh peice of fish that you want cooked up for dinner!? This place is unique in that way. You can pick your cut of fish from shrimp, catfish, halibut, sea bass, you name it. You let them know who you want it prepared and seasoned. It's priced per pound based on the type of fish and then you add $5.99 for two additional sides for your plate. I opted for a cut of Seabass with lemon pepper and rice pilaf and steamed veggies as my sides. It was obviously sooooooo fresh! The fish melted in my mouth. The rice was really great but the veggies were definitely frozen vegetables (not that great). I also tasted the clam chowder which was outstanding!! It's informal dining so you order and pay and then you find a seat. They call your number when it's ready. Great option for quality food in a casual setting. Highly recommend!

I've lived here for several years but am sadly just now trying this place but the timing couldn't be better. It's inaguration week in America and by Thursday I'm feeling heavy and nursing a cold. I felt like I was in desperate need of a homey feeling I still haven't quite found here in LA. Next best thing, a walk in the sunshine on this winter day with my little furry buddy and lunch outside by the water. In walks my amazingly delicious... east coast hug... erm, I mean... Cup of Lobster Bisque. If we weren't right edged on the water I'd believe they were shipping lobsters in from the better lobster coast that starts with A and ends with st. Shhhh don't tell anyone... But seriously, this was the warm east coast hug I needed on this afternoon. Your staff could use an uplift for reals because they were cold and unfriendly as hell. But imma give 'em a pass and still give 5 stars because Murica is hurting right now. Thanks for this soup and a great outdoor seating place in the sunshine for me and my pup.

Went here last night and had the crab cake and mozzarella sticks. The crab cake was good but thin and small for $8. The mozzarella sticks were awful-cold and no flavor.

My family and I have been patronizing this restaurant for 4 decades. Today's experience was disappointing and upsetting. We ordered 3 crabs, cleaned and cracked at 5:25. Then order a tray of Shrimps fajitas at 5:32. At around 5:55 the fajitas were ready. We kept waiting for the crab (usually takes around 20 minutes) but nobody called our number. At 6:15 we got up to see what was delaying the order. We were told that it should be coming up. We stuck around by the tanks to see what would happen. The workers continued going about their business dispatching other orders. When they opened up the crab steamer we saw that our number didn't appear on any of the bags in there. We asked again about our order, and then the 4 staff members who were there finally began to "look" for the missing crabs. Finally at 5:28 they acknowledged that the order must've been lost or altogether never processed. They told us, give us another 20 minutes and we'll get your food ready. Completely unacceptable as people who had ordered 30 minutes even 45 minutes after us had already received their food. Our shrimp fajita tray was now cold as we were hoping to enjoy all the food together. The lack of organization and nonchalant attitudes of the staff left a bad taste in our mouth. They did offer an extra crab for the trouble. We told them that we just wanted our food boxed to go at this point since eating here was no longer an option. What a let down of what would've otherwise have been a nice evening.

My family has been visiting Redondo Beach for years. We typically eat at Quality Seafood, but we decided to eat at Captain Kidd's for the first time, which is similar in price, but with free parking, nicer seating, and has less tourists. We visited last Saturday around 11am. We were one of the first ones to arrive, so we had first dibs on seating. We were helped by an at-first apprehensive, but helpful crab seller who picked four of the biggest, healthiest fatty female stone crabs. They were perfectly steamed for $9.99/lb. We also ordered buttered corn on the cob, white rice, steamed veggies, and clam strips. The buttered corn was a little over cooked, but everything else was great. We also got a good amount of complimentary melted butter, tartar sauce, and hot sauce. And we rented two crab mallets for a $6 refundable deposit ($3 each). Not including the beer, our total came out to $115, or $23 per person for five people (plus a small tip since we ordered so much). Not bad at all!

The food was amazing. The view was amazing. I got the fish and chips and we shared calamari and popcorn. Shrimp all was delicious. Highly recommended, staff was friendly restaurant was clean.

A great casual fresh seafood joint and reasonably priced in Redondo Beach. There are 2 lines, 1 is the fish market where you can order fresh seafood / fish / sashimi style and the other line is to order cooked seafood / fish from the menu. After you ordered, the seatings and utensils are self served, you can grab any tables you want. There are indoor / outdoor bench style seatings in the back. Also, there are rolls of table paper you can put on the table so you don't have to clean up your seafood mess. The restaurant is next to the Seaside Lagoon. Parking is really easy, there is a small limited parking lot on the side of the restaurant and a giant paid lot in the back. We came early at around 11am on the wknd, so I was able to find parking on the side of the restaurant. It does get crowded during lunch rush hour and the line does get longer. The staff were all friendly and the food was really good. I got the Sea Bass plate (charbroiled cajun seasoning) with rice pilaf and salad ; half dozen raw oysters ; cup of steamed clams in wine sauce. I love how my cup of steamed clams were hot and flavorful, it wasn't even lukewarm temperature. My friend got salmon and tuna sashimi, they were really fresh. I highly recommend the cup of steamed clams and the sashimi. The oysters were a bit overpriced in my opinion. I will definitely come back and try their steamed crabs next time.

Best place for Fish and Chips, although I opted for hush puppies and slaw instead. The fish was very flakey and large. Three big pieces. You get 6 hushpuppies and the slaw WOW! Most places it is like cabbage soup and over tangy. This is not soupy at all and has a nice flavor. Note: they do have gift cards available. Unfortunately, the cashier-claim-to-be-a-manager, had no idea how to legally handle a gift card. After use the balance remaining came below $10, which they are required to issue in cash if the customer so chooses. Instead of following state law, she opts to say they don't do that. This is how she lost two stars. Other than that, the place is nothing fancy. The decor of the dining room makes you feel you are in some fishing village in New England.

Very relaxing place for lunch plus they have free parking for 2 hours Very good place to go to in Redondo Beach area Love crab very attractive! Definitely will try on next visit

Giving it 5 stars. We kept it basic and just got fish and chips but they were so fresh and cooked to perfection. No exaggeration, the food was up there with some of the best fish and chips I've had. You can tell it's a good choice as soon as you step foot inside. This place has a lot of menu options on both the restaurant side and market side. Fair prices, casual ambience, lots of seating both indoor and outdoor. There was a small line but nothing compared to a lot of the restaurants further down the pier. I would definitely stop back here on another beach day and try some other menu items.

I don't know why they have telephones when you can never get thru - maybe 40% Call call call call and show up while I'm still placed on hold. I don't see a line. The guy looks guilty when asked why they don't answer phone - Even acknowledging the caller

Captain Kidd is my go to spot for seafood when I go to Redondo beach. We always get the stone crab and have them steam it, be sure to get the female stone crab. I also love the fresh oysters where you can see them Shuck it right in front of you. We got the blue point and misty point. Both were absolutely delicious. They also serve beer with a variety of tap and they sell wine by the bottled or glass. If you get a soda, there's also free refill for soda.

Good food, good location great selection, friendly service had a great time with my brothers

Seafood was very basic. Not very appealing and I'm sure this menu hasn't changed ever. I'm guessing there's some sort of nostalgia for people but this was just mediocre at best. Smells fishy in there too.

I ordered a few things from here, claim strips, shrimp cocktail, new clam chowder, lobster bisque, a crab cake, and a pound of snow crab legs. The only thing that tasted good was the shrimp cocktail and that's nearly impossible to mess up. The food didn't even taste fresh. The worst of it was the snow legs. I one pound (just two clusters) cost over $50 and it taste like it freezer burned. We were looking forward to eating here and left incredibly annoyed at the fact that we did.

I had a nice dinner at Captain Kidd's. The freshness of the meal is beyond repute as the fish was straight off the boat. You order at a counter and the clerk was very helpful describing the options. Thanks. Prices here are more lower than places that overlook the ocean. Just right if you only want a meal and are not after a seaside meal. The dining area is off the market and is resembles east coast seafood markets. Great place if you are here for the food.

I head to Captain Kidds for fresh seafood at least 2-3 times a year, it would be more if traffic wasn't so bad. Plenty of parking spaces once you arrive. The restaurant has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent and friendly staff. The fish and chips or anything from the restaurant menu is delicious, I always get fresh crab steamed, as well as their mussel soup on the side. They play great music. It's not as busy as the pier but it can get packed during the afternoons or during holidays when people have time off. It's a great experience, just go instead of reading this review!

Service was fast! What impressed me the most was their soft shell crab, which was sooo airy and fresh, def one of the best I have had. But unfortunately, all the other food we had were just mediocre at best, plus bathrooms were extremely dirty

It's hard to write anything nice about a place when you start projectile vomiting after eating there. I could describe what the smoked fish cocktail looked like in the grocery bag I vomited it - but I'll spare you that. Food poisoning alert - eat at your own risk.

Fresh fish & fresh air, all that we could really ask for on a cool Saturday morning. We found Captain Kidd's on Instagram, and decided to ride out to try...we were very pleased! The atmosphere was great, food was delicious and filling (perfect portions), and we enjoyed our time together in the open air seating area at the bottom of the restaurant. Thank you!

The line was long, which I expected, but the food didn't fully deliver. Everything was fresh, which I appreciate, but it felt overpriced for what it was. The dishes were just missing that pop of flavor I was hoping for. Not a bad spot, but not something I'd go out of my way for again.

I love the casual and confident nature of a coastal restaurant that includes a fish market. Just love everything about them! This is one of them. Heart eyes.

Good food and good beer on tap. Next time I'll get the plate instead of the sandwich. Just a little dry and not much flavor. Fries great, Cole slaw ehh, not very good. People are great I'll be back

I skip the restaurant menu and head over to the fish market. Everything is always great! A little pricier than you'd think but seafood is always expensive. The grilled shrimp is perfect and I love that they butterfly it. Also so many seasonings to choose from!

So the wife and I had a craving for seafood and we had seen this spot on Instagram and have it a try. When we got there we found plenty of parking on a Saturday night which was nice. Another thing we liked was it was pet friendly and we were able to take our pooch. For starters I got the zucchini fries appetizer along with the popcorn shrimp appetizer. My wife got the peel and eat 3/4 shrimp plate which came with shrimp, corn on the cob and potatoes and a piece of bread. She said she liked it but the shrimp could have had more seasoning. My appetizers were amazing, the zucchini fries tasted fresh along with the popcorn shrimp. The service was pretty quick and we hope to go back next time to try the lobster roll and the calamari. Overall it's a nice spot to eat seafood especially the patio area since we took our pet and the redondo beach pier is right across the way.

Very fresh seafood and casual ambience with seats outside. Ceviche and New England clam chowder are to die for. Must try!

Two lines when you enter: the "restaurant" on the left and the fish market on the right. Most people getting food at the market are having their food made. You could buy seafood here to make later. But I rarely see people do that. It's a casual place with no pretense. You can pick the type of picnic table you want to eat at: stone picnic table outside with a clear plastic roof, wood picnic table inside, or plastic picnic table outside. This place can be very crowded on the weekends when it's warmer out. Even on a day like today, you wait quite a while for your food. But everything is prepared to order. This is simple food and it's tasty. It's not fancy. It's not high end. But it does what it does quite well. I'd say it's a 3 1/2 to 4. But i'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Captain Kidds is great. It is an eatery and a fish market. The place is clean and smells like fresh fish. The service is very good. Parking is pretty easy. The prices are a tad high, but worth it for what you get. We have been a few times, sometimes for lunch and a couple of times to use their market and make fish at home. It is all good and it is all fresh. The service is just so nice. They can tell you what just came in to the market and what is great on the menu. We love their fish and chips. They are made so well and not just filled with crust that is old. It is made for you and it is wonderful. Their fries are great. The even have a kids menu which my grandson loves. The clam chowder is just wow. They have the best little neck clams and some fine mussels. Their crab cakes and spicy salmon burger are a must try. They are so tasty, As to the market they always have fresh fish. They don't have a huge selection but what they do have is great. You will like this place and it is ever so cute.

Honestly this place is not good, the lobster roll was probably the worst one I've ever had and I found a giant hair in it.

Best Lobster Roll. I got the undressed and added my own toppings. Everything there is fresh and scrumptious. I highly recommend going there.

Came here with friends over the weekend and we ordered crabs and fried tilapia. I was a bit disappointed since I didn't get to choose the crab I wanted for them to boil. We ended up w 2 skinny ones and 1 decent one after prying it to open. The fried tilapia didn't taste fresh for some reason it feels like it's been frozen for a long time before it was cooked. Price was fair and I really like their location because it's Nice and clean and it's indoor and not too chaotic and dirty compared to other places nearby. Staff was great and plenty of parking space. The place validates the ticket for a couple of hours. I would still come back but will make sure I get to choose the crabs i like next time I go.

We came prepared. We knew we wanted to sit and enjoy our seafood at our own pace. We brought our own homemade chili sauce. Ordered 3 steamed local crabs for each person, 6 oysters for each person, 1 fried tilapia to share, and some corn on the cobs. Plenty of benches if you come early enough (11AM). By noon, the line is very long. Plenty of parking in the structure next door.

Excellent spot to visit for fish that will be overcooked and then overcharged. After eating here for more than 20 years, I decided to not return. The cooks from before are not there anymore, anyone will just cook your fish and overcook it. The people at the counter will charge you twice and then when you point it out, they tell you that the manager is not there. Today was the last straw, I purchased a sea bass, was charged for 3 sides, served chicken breast like fish from how dry it was and fries with a horrible bitter taste like old oil. Do your selves a favor and head out to the pier for better seafood, it's within walking steps.

Food was so so at best. Very high prices for what we got. Prices were the same for a restaurant that actually serves you. You order at the counter and have to get it yourself

A must go if you're in the area!! Definitely get some shrimp. And if you like hushpuppies, they have some good ones. A very casual spot with delicious seafood. The people working the counters are always very friendly. Every time I visit I make sure to stop in for a meal! P.S. I recommend putting paper on the table because it can get messy.

I enjoyed my sea bass salad very much, along with some hush puppies. My brother devoured his boiled crab and said it was delicious. Other family members enjoyed their lobster roll, which is a Hawaiian bread lobster sandwich. The garlic bread was more colored than flavored, and lacked taste. Others said their cauliflower and steamed veggies were bland. Mixed bag for the rice pilaf.

If you just want rock crab, this place is a better set up than Quality Seafood (similar pricing). -hammer included -self serving water fountain -clean tables and close to bathroom -usually also shorter lines If you're looking for raw oysters, Quality Seafood has more variety. So it all depends what you're eating.

I really enjoyed the Lunch Special--especially the salmon, which was cooked just right and had a great texture. However, I was a bit disappointed with the Lobster Roll. The lobster was sautéed and ended up being quite dry, lacking that juicy, succulent flavor I was expecting. For the price, I felt Lobster Roll was a bit too expensive considering the portion and overall taste. Not quite the value I had hoped for.

This is a go to spot of mine. Get the grilled salmon sandwich with fries and coleslaw. So good! The salmon I get is grilled to perfection (it does need seasoning, so I usually get it with old bay seasoning which gives it the saltiness it needs). The salmon has that char taste and it's juicy not over cooked or dry. Fresh lettuce tomato and onion. The coleslaw is nice and creamy and it has a coriander flavor to it so it's not just a regular coleslaw. The fries are fresh every time, crispy, a little on the thicker side, which I love. Their tartar sauce is fantastic as is their house made ranch. The only aspect that I would say can be made better is the bun. It is a potato bun that doesn't benefit the sandwich as much as a higher quality bun would, and its too thick for the amount of fish contained in the sandwich. The atmosphere sitting outdoors it's classic Redondo Beach and you're right by the ocean. It has a wonderful vibe here and us locals keep coming back again and again.