Lion Fish

I used to love this place, but unfortunately, it’s gone downhill—especially when it comes to how management treats customers. If you’re an American, tourist, or someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, think twice before coming here. Unless you’re a VIP or personally know the managers—Miguel, Israel, or Rolando—don’t expect good service. It seems like appearance and status matter more than loyalty or how much money you spend. If you look like a “regular” person, don’t expect to be treated with the same respect. On my last visit, I asked if they could put on the baseball game—they had more than five TVs—and I was completely ignored. For a place that claims to be upscale, that was a huge disappointment. There are far better places nearby, like Lorenza and Cabanna, where the staff and managers treat every guest with warmth and professionalism, regardless of how they dress or who they know. Lion Fish, your food and servers might be great, but your management team really needs training in hospitality and customer service. Sadly, you’ve lost my business.

Lively place that is very well run. Service was excellent up until it came time to pay. The menu is extensive with a lot of variety. The food we ordered was very tasty, the flavored waters. Although we are only visiting right now, we may find time to come back here!

Lion Fish , one of my favorite Mariscos place in Tijuana. Excellent vibe and delicious food. Service was excellent our server war Gustavo and floor manager Miguel. Both were very attentive. My drinks were excellent and food was delicious! Highly recommend! Thank you Gustavo and Miguel for the excellent service .

This seafood restaurant is a must try when in Tijuana, Mexico. The food is top quality. Ingredients are fresh and every dish was presented in a way that shows great care was taken when preparing each meal.

The Lion Fish it’s a well organized restaurant with very good attention across the board. The food it’s interesting and the cocktail menu very creative and inviting. Once in a while you encounter a server that like the one we had that didn’t explain to me certain extra charge when you order a simple mezcal based cocktail. Other than that, everything it’s fine. Thanks

Rigoberto and the manager Miguel were absolutely amazing. They catered to all of my families needs and made sure that everything we needed was provided to us. I would highly recommend this place. This is a must come to spot when you visit Tijuana, Baja California. We come here at least once a month and it never gets old.

The food was pretty good—fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented. Unfortunately, communication was a bit challenging as the server didn’t speak English, which made it a little difficult to ask questions or make specific requests.

Really delicious seafood and great service. Fabiola was very sweet. Has a club vibe, even at 11am they were hard-selling tequila and gin. Would definitely return with more people to try more dishes. They accept credit cards.

The food at Lion Fish was absolutely delicious and the presentation is on point. Their oysters were very clean & prices were fair. We got the grilled oysters which were so flavorful & a dozen raw oysters. Each raw oyster came with their own lime wedge which was nice. As soon as we sat down & ordered our drinks they served us tortilla chips that came with 2 little dips, chipotle & a black sauce that's packed with flavor. We also ordered aguachiles reina and I have to say I liked it more than regular verde aguachiles and that's saying something given how much I love verde (green) aguachiles. The vibe is really chill & the servers are super attentive. They're constantly coming around the table to clean up any used plates, napkins, providing refills etc. 10/10 experience, we'll definitely be back!

Our group came by on a Saturday night and there was no wait. There's seating indoors on the ground floor and a covered outdoor patio on both the ground and top floor. Top floor is a smoking permitted area. We sat up there and were able to see the live DJ playing. I got the blended mango margarita, which was good, and got the seafood combination platter, which came with a little bit of everything. The flavors were good, but unfortunately, my food came out COLD! Which is surprising because a lot of my dishes had deep fried items. This tells they're probably not making the food fresh. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes, but their dishes also came out cold. We were too hungry at that point to send the food back.

This was my first (and last) visit, and I honestly don't understand how this place has so many glowing reviews. Believe me - I see them...I do! Either people are getting bought off, or they're so RAZZLE DAZZLED by saving a couple pesos that they're willing to pretend garbage service is okay. They start you off with tortilla chips and two sad little ramekins of sauce - one chipotle, one black mystery liquid - both barely filled (half-way). A cheap preview of the disaster to come. How am I supposed to dip the chips in the shallow ramekins you damn morons? I point-blank showed the server a photo of the green ceviche from their Instagram. He nodded like he knew exactly what I meant and told me aguachile instead. Acidic to the point of being inedible, with a blob of what tasted like store-bought American mayo in a squeeze bottle on the side. I choked some down before realizing it wasn't what I ordered. When I called it out, he didn't care in the slightest. No apology. No attempt to fix it. Nothing. Just blank stares and "ohh sorry" And because apparently screwing up your order isn't enough, I had to pay extra for the avocado I asked for to salvage the dish (80 pesos) - even though avocado already comes with the ceviche I originally asked for and actually* wanted. Oh and the time to get this avocado? Nearing 15 minutes before I had to flag the idiot server walking around back and forth passing me by like "dude, why is cut up avocado taking THIS long to come?" Service? Nonexistent truly. The guy barely checked on me (or the couple across from me), forgot an appetizer I ordered, and only seemed to care about tables that looked like they'd spend big. Joke's on them: I walked in ready to spend 5,000 pesos but left having spent just 500. That's what happens when your staff is a bunch of morons. To top it all off, I asked for Coca Cola in a bottle. He said "yes, yes, bottle." What shows up? A flimsy can. I go to open it, some spills, and instead of replacing it like a halfway decent human being, he just cracks the same can and hands it back to me. Incredible. The managers in their fancy blue suits? Don't be fooled. They walk around like headless chickens, totally useless. Not one noticed (or cared) that I was sitting there visibly annoyed. And when I asked the front desk if any manager spoke English, the answer was basically: nope. Which is laughable, considering they plaster their English menu all over the place to lure in American wallets. The only remotely decent thing here was the non-alcoholic mango drink with hibiscus crunchy bits. I'm not kidding, this was the only thing worth it. But this is all I ended up having - an acidic drink and acidic dish I did not* want. Everything else was a waste of time, money, and appetite. Unless you enjoy horrible service, wrong orders, being nickel-and-dimed, and clueless management - stay far, far away.

Out of the Tijuana haze, this restaurant near the river and Tijuana Cultural Center really stands out. It's among the best overall fish and seafood places I've been to anywhere. They have valet parking, the interior design is beautiful and comfortable, and the service excellent. The menu is huge and diverse with everything from small appetizers to tacos and tostadas to large plates and towers of seafood. I had the Tuna Especial tostada and Salseado shrimp taco which were both very fresh, well-prepared, and delicious! The free chips and salsa are unique and super tasty.

If you're a seafood lover, definitely check this place out. Don't let the line discourage you. I was surprised that we didn't wait too long. Quick service, attentive staff, delicious food and even tastier drinks! They have parking (Valet was included!). Don't forget to add a tip for these wonderful staff P.S: you can take your alcoholic drink to go!

Absolutely Loved this Place!!! Amazing Food, great ambiance, super friendly staff, vale parking and Awesome prices! Has it all! It is very beautiful, definitely coming back!

Everything about Lion Fish is a 10/10. All of the food and drinks are absolutely delicious. Something that really stands out to me is the service never fails! All of the servers are so nice and SO attentive. They constantly clean up your table, throw away dirty napkins, remove plates, refill your water, give you new plates, silverware, and napkins if needed. It's like you don't have to ask for anything, they already know what you need!! They even have stands to hold your purse. The bathroom even has mouthwash for after your meal!! Love the vibes of this place, the music, the aesthetic! so fun! I always want to go to TJ just for this food! And the presentation of the food is so nice as well! Everything was so flavorful!! I didn't take pictures of the gobernador tacos. but those were really good also! p.s the aguachiles are really spicy!

More upscale spot for seafood in Tijuana! We visited for dinner and luckily did not have to wait for a table. They have three different sections - an outdoor patio, the first floor, and second floor. The second floor has smoking and a live DJ. We chose to dine on the first floor. Service was great, and they provided us with English menus. We tried el zarandeado pescado, which is a grilled white fish. It was delicious! It came with grilled onions, fresh avocado, and bean quesadillas. It was definitely a huge portion for the two of us. Each bite was well seasoned and super flavorful. We loved our experience and would definitely come back!

First place I visited in Tijuana. Amazing food and service. We had the Ceviche, oysters and tempura shrimp. Everything was phenomenal. We are going back today!

During my visit to experience the restaurants of Tijuana, on my last night, I chose to have dinner at Lion Fish. The inside of the restaurant has a night club feel, dim lighting, well appointed seating and superb background music. The ambiance relaxes you instantly and I was in the perfect place and mood, to absorb it all. I dove in straight for the main dish and ordered the Zarandeado Shrimp. This is a grilled dish that uses a 500-year old method for grilling sea food that originated in Nayarit. The fish or shrimp is split in half from head to tail before it is grilled over hot coals in a wood fired oven. The ensuing product blew me away. While the shrimp was succulent, it had a unique blend of seasoning coupled with that charcoal grilled taste. Nothing short of spectacular, culinary flavors I have never encountered before. For dessert, I had the chocolate textures. Essentially a flourless cake filled with dark and semi dark chocolate filling and chocolate dust accompanied by vanilla ice cream. Both components were superb and provided the perfect ending to an unforgettable evening of indulging in perfectly curated amazing and magnetic Mexican cuisine. Muchas Gracias.

Every thing about this place lives up to the hype! The ambience is so beautiful! Love the little sayings all over and the purse stands next to the tables. The waiter was so nice and attentive (no English but that is on me not him). Went with friends and everything was so good! Had a mocktail and it was so yummy!! My friend got the octopus experience and it was so cute and good! They bring you a 40oz in an ice bucket which was so cute! I had the seafood cocktail and it was amazing! Octopus so tender, clams yummy, shrimp delicious! The ceviche was so fresh. Flan for dessert, so creamy and delicious! Want to go a hundred more times!

Lion Fish is hands-down my favorite restaurant ever. The seafood is next-level -- fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Every dish feels like a masterpiece. Drinks? 10/10. Creative, strong, and delicious. The kind of cocktails you'll be thinking about days later. The vibe is wild, fun, and full of good energy -- it's more than a meal, it's an experience. Service is consistently attentive and welcoming. I seriously wish there was one in LA, but it's so worth the trip to Tijuana. I'll keep coming back again and again. If you haven't been yet, you're missing out!

Service is amazing they even have valet parking, super clean and very comfortable for family with kids they also have a playroom with supervision under,drinks and food are super delicious it's nice to find a place like these

Amazing selection of very high quality seafood. Great service, we were made to feel like we were the only ones in the restaraunt. Very clean inside with a tropical feel. The mocktails were excellent. I will be back in July. It has raised the bar for Mariscos in Tijuana

Great experience. I have no complaints. Came to celebrate our Anniversary. If you are ever in TJ, this is a must try. I have seen this place on Instagram, and a friend had also recommended this spot. The service was excellent, the food was amazing. So so delicious. We ate very well here. I can't wait to return. Thank you Lion Fish for a wonderful experience.

There are 2 Lion Fish locations in TJ. This one is a little more casual and has outdoor patio seating. Oysters were very fresh, highly recommend the grilled ones with very tasty add ons. Vodka fire grilled octopus were also a hit. Prices are a little high compared to other TJ seafood restaurants but the quality and cleanliness make up for it.

If you're ever in Tijuana Zona Roja area, Lion Fish Restaurant is a MUST!! The food was delicious, we had a fresh garden salad with lots of colors, we ordered a fish topped with shrimp into is a bed is rice...... so so good!!! We tried the Suspira Rose and their house sangria. Both were good but I'll be beach for the pretty lavender Suspira Rose drink. The service was amazing, our waiter Gustavo was friendly, professional, and attentive. The manager, Miguel also came over and checked on is a few times. Great great service! The ambiance was relaxing, modern, pretty, and the volume of the music was perfect I totally recommend and will be back!!

Delicious food in an upscale environment but a little pricey for Tijuana (which is to be expected). We spent about $120 for four people for dinner with drinks. The portions were very large so we only ordered three entrees to be shared among four people and it was more than enough food. My favorite dishes were the Fried Fish and the Shrimp from the "Grilled Zarandeodos" section. Also the Carajillos are made table side and an absolute must- order! The only thing I didn't like was the sauce in the Lonja Lion Fish. They also had large TVs fit for a sports bar that were playing soccer games. I'd really love to come back to try more of the menu.

Solid. They have valet parking and wifi. I like the seafood here. lionfishlionfish lionfish

I had an amazing experience dining at this seafood restaurant. Highly recommended: octopus (very soft) Excellent service. If you don't wanna hear loud music and be more relaxed, you should sit inside the restaurant. If you like to party and drink, sit at upper floor. If you don't like to party but wanna see a bit view, sit outdoor on the ground.

It's a perfect spot for family time, girls night or date night so don't hesitate. Everyone from the valet, to the hostesses, and servers provided top tier service. We loved our dinner, everything was delicious!

Service and drinks are incredible. I don't eat too much fish so I got the chicken. Tuna sashimi is to die for. Noticed no pics of the chicken so trying to do the lords work. Anyways highly recommend also spicy margarita!

El servicio estuvo bien pero la comida no tan buena. Yo agarre la combinación de mariscos y el camarón de costa azul estaba crudo. El tocino y el camarón luego luego note que cuando le di una mordida lo sentí crudo. Y lo peor fue que el encargado me empieza a decir que se siente así porque primero ponen el camarón en agua calienteantes de ponerle el tocino. Antonces le dije que entonces alguien no hizo su trabajo porque como le dije el tocino tambien estaba bien crudo-y también se lo mostré. No volveremos a este restaurante

Usually when I'm in TJ I just go to my taco spots but my cousin recommended this place and it did not disappoint. This is my 2nd visit so I didn't capture any photos before going in on my dish but I have yet to have a bad experience. The tostada callo was bomb dot com if you like a citrusy flavor due to the lemon and negra like salsa on it with a chipotle mayo? The Aquachile was also delicious and the fish taco was for my son but I took my dad tax on it to try and it was also delicious. I have yet to try the cocktail menu so I cannot comment on it but they do have 32oz caguamas that they bring out like bottle service in a bucket of ice. Pretty good for someone like me that takes a while to finish a beer. Inside is nice for a dress up date and they have a full bar with tvs that they have sports on so it can be a casual date as well. Towards the back is a play area for kids that they have someone watching over them so you can come as a family and have them entertained as well. Great place to try

Mariscos fans, tap in!!! Delicious and fresh eats at Lion Fish in Tijuana. Driving in, the restaurant is chic & decorated fabulously! The service was pretty good, staff was attentive and knowledgeable. We sat on their second floor which didn't have the best view but was still such a cute vibe. Nestled just past the Mexico/USA border. Before taking our order we were served some yummy chips and salsas. My amiga and I then ordered the Estación de Tostadas which comes with 4 different styles of fish combinations, tacos de Merlín, and a taco de camarón (shrimp). While we waited for our food, my friend sipped on a piña colada (not pictured) and I had a really yummy strawberry/kiwi mezcal cocktail called Deseo de Frida, which hit pretty quick, lol. We really enjoyed the food! I docked a star because unfortunately my friend is allergic to avocado and we requested the avocado on the side for everything we ordered... you can see on the pictures that they didn't follow through. Language was not a barrier as we speak Spanish. We were running behind on time so we couldn't stay and wait for them to make all the food again. Whatever my friend ate she just removed the avocado herself, although some of the tostadas had avocado in the mix so she was unable to try those. Despite their mistake and because we had to leave so soon, they didn't offer any resolutions. Personally I would have at least offered a discount, or made one of the dishes complimentary. It definitely put a damper on the experience, however I will definitely be returning to try other menu items.

We had a great time , although the service wasn't the best , the food was great. Lots of see food variety cold or hot . Very nice restaurant and decor.

Great service! Very attentive. Food is always fresh & with great flavor. The ambiance is great. Upstairs is a little more hip and downstairs more family friendly but both are great. Drinks are always amazing

Omg what an amazing place. Everything I've tried was so delicious. Presentation, portion size and seasoning was on point. Amazing service, great ambiance. Menu is pretty extensive and I will be coming back to try more dishes. 10/10 recommend!

Food was Delicious, Service was Awesome and The drinks were Amazing . Ambience very lively Would definitely recommend and come again.

Very friendly, clean and delicious! Valet parking available. The salsa and chef octopus is recommended.

Food was alright, not impressive. They oyster sampler was nice and fresh. The drinks were awesome, I would comeback for the temezcal.

Great customer service, food was fresh tasting and came out hot and flavorful. Some things were a bit too spicy for me but that is okay I enjoyed the other items. For sure will return when in TJ.

Absolutely delicious food! It is a bit busy at lunch and dinner. Valet parking. Friendly service. Every bite was amazing.

The tacos were delicious and the brownie was sooooo good! The girls at the front desk were pleasant, the server helpful, and the ambiance was perfect!

Riquísimo chicharrón del pescado está increíble se los recomiendo con una caguama de indio. El servicio está muy bueno y el ambiente en la terraza está muy padre. El ambiente muy alegre

Absolutely loved lionfish. The fish tacos were definitely my favorite. I absolutely must recommend the lionfish with grilled octopus on top. The service is top tier. As soon as my drink was empty, the servers were ready to bring us another round. Some of the friendliest staff I've ever seen at a restaurant. The vibe inside was so fun! They had a dj playing music and it made it feel like a club. The lighting was dim but not too dark. 10/10 would recommend

Wow this place is awesome! I came here yesterday since I was craving oysters as my friend suggested Lion Fish. I agreed to go just for the oysters and I am glad I did. As we pulled up, an employee gave us a ticket and parked the car for us. We made our way towards the entrance and were seated promptly. I was given an English menu and my friend was given a Spanish menu. We decided to order a half dozen oysters to share, shrimp ceviche and the signature Lionfish plate. Oh my Lord everything was divine! Raw Oysters 5 These were so delicious and fresh! They give you hot sauce and lime to dress up your oysters with. Our oysters were a good size and tasted so good. I wanted to eat the whole half dozen by myself haha. Shrimp Ceviche 4.5 I couldn't believe how much ceviche they actually gave us. There was so much fresh shrimp in there and the combination of flavors was near perfect. They gave us crackers, tostadas along with mayo to enjoy our ceviche. The slight criticism would be that it was too spicy for my liking as I prefer extremely acidic ceviche. I would 100% still order this dish again. Lionfish 5 This was my very first time trying Lionfish. I was excited to try it for two reasons: 1) It's the name of the restaurant 2) I know Lionfish are an invasive species and restaurants are trying to come up with ways to intice the public to try it. That dish was perfectly grilled, fresh from the sea, beautifully plated and seasoned to perfect. I cannot fault this dish at all. I could not stop saying how good it was. The service was impeccable. They kept coming over to check on us to remove our plates and make sure we were good. The patio area had a Spanish dubbed NFL game on which I thought was a nice touch. We ended up spending $60 for the meal which I believe is reasonable. The portions were huge, the service was great and most importantly, the food was delicious. I 100% will be back!

The ambiance is great, the food and cocktails are delicious. When I go to Tijuana I definitely visit this restaurant.

My all time favorite! If I'm ever in TJ this is a mandatory stop! The tostada de atún especial is my favorite! But everything I've tried has been amazing! camarones roca, pulpo zarandeado, aguachiles! They also give the best service! Doesn't end there they have a kids play area!!! With a babysitter! You just tip them which is great you can enjoy your meal while kids play! (For kids 3&up)

Loved seafood here, I had oysters they were freshly great. My friend didn't feel like eating, I ordered small plates; 6 fresh oysters, also grilled oysters, fried soft shell crabs taco, octopus salad, one dessert and one drink. I had them all by myself, the bill came out sixty dollars something which was pretty good. Hope to go back there again.

This past weekend, we spent a few days in sunny Baja California. On one of the evenings in TJ, we decided to come to Lion Fish. I'm no stranger to this place. I've come here several times before, a few years ago when someone first showed me this place. My how times change. Yet, one thing that hasn't changed is how great a dining experience Lion Fish provides. This time around, we decided on the grilled zarandeadas, specifically the fish and the shrimp ones. We also got two orders of coconut shrimp, which I found to be the best tasting of them all. The coconut shrimp comes on a bed of white rice and veggies. The zarandeadas come with their own mix of rice, veggies, and bean-and-cheese quesadilla pieces. The fish zarandeada was my least favorite, as it was not boneless, and the lean meat portion was smaller than I expected. I also didn't like the seasoning they used to prep this dish. The dish that was alright was the shrimp zarandeada. However, the coconut shrimp took the cake this time around, being very tasty and not sitting too heavy. To wash it all down, I got a bottled water, a lemonade with carbonated water, and an americano. The service was decent here, at least as far as the wait staff is concerned. The valet can take a bit of time, but it was a weekend evening, so I am approaching it with some understanding. The ambience was great. The crowd were well dressed and decent locals. This isn't a place that you'd find along zona centro nor the notorious zona norte. It's in the nicer part of TJ, zona rio, so dress accordingly. I would overall recommend this place. They provided my girlfriend and I a great dining experience. Cheers!

Went to TJ and friends recommended this place and I could not wait to try it. Long story short it did not disappoint! Micheladas are my favorite drink and the Cuban drink/beer with Clamato and the michalucas omg sooo good! Good was great too! There was only two of us so I was only able to try the oysters and and the seafood tower but ahhh so delicious! Can't wait to go back. The staff was so nice and accommodating as well!! This is the spot and it's also quite busy!

I really enjoyed having a light lunch here. As soon as we crossed the border we headed on over here. The food was fresh. The service was superb, and the ambiance was relaxed. The restroom was so cute! They have mouthwash dispenser. The mirror had different lighting. -cute! It was awesome!!

Orklelder was our waiter & made our Experience a Great one. First timers here & can highly recommend the food, service & ambiance. Definitely coming back & sitting in the open terrace. Thank you for a wonderful Experience.

Been here 3 times. Valet only... expect a wait... very casual atmosphere higher end customers. not a cheap meal by any means but worth every penny you pay. fabulous food! i've had so many different things there and every one was amazing. Drinks are yummy! i even felt comfortable telling them exactly how I like my margarita..and they did great! this is a spot i will always return to.

Ambiance drinks are soo good! Food is great. Staff is wonderful. You have a choice to sit on high tops or low on a booth. And the views here are beautiful. Everyone comes here seems to be in good spirits. Will be back again.

Good good and atmosphere, valet parking available too,,top notch to have a good time with friends

Service is above and beyond! Food is delicious!! Love the vibe and they had menus in English- which was much appreciated!

This restaurant was amazing with delicious food and outstanding service. Orklelder was our server today and he was on top of everything. They started us off with complimentary chips and salsa while our drinks were made. I highly recommend Julian's Special and my partner had the Micheluca. We ordered a scrumptious appetizer of Camarones Roca that came with a spicy mayo sauce for dipping. They had just the right amount of crunch and the shrimp were tender and delicious. For our meals I had two tacos - the Quesa Lion and the Enchilado Camarones. Both were delicious but, surprisingly, I actually enjoyed the Enchilado taco more due to the level of spiciness. My partner had the Longa Pescado which was an absolutely huge piece of fish with veggies. That was also super fresh and enjoyable. The restaurant has convenient valet parking and plenty of staff to serve all of your needs. I highly recommend Lion Fish and can't wait until we can visit again soon. One of my favorite restaurants in Tijuana and much more economical than the location located in San Diego.