Sea-to-Table Gets a Whole New Meaning at These Los Angeles Hotspots
Light, refreshing and zesty, ceviche is a delightful dish that can be enjoyed year-round. Originating from Peru and Ecuador, ceviche is typically made with raw fish that is “cooked” in lime juice before being served with plantain or tortilla chips. Modern takes on ceviche can include everything from tomatoes to cucumbers to red onion, but seafood is always the star of the show. From casual food trucks to trendy rooftop restaurants with sweeping city views, stellar ceviche can be found on just about every corner in Los Angeles. Thankfully, we’ve rounded up the very best ceviche spots in LA so you can cure your craving with ease.
Ceviche Project
As the name suggests, Ceviche Project in Silver Lake specializes in all things ceviche. Whether you’re planning your next date night or foodie-forward girls’ night out, Ceviche Project should be a top contender. That said, it is only open Wednesday through Saturday, so you’ll definitely want to make a reservation. The menu features eight different ceviches, and you’ll probably want to try them all. The Tai snapper ceviche has a vibrant hint of pineapple, but if you want a little crunch, opt for the Yellowfin tuna tostada.
Location: Silver Lake
Holbox
Holbox is a charming seafood spot in the Mercado La Paloma that primarily focuses on tacos and ceviche. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming exterior—Holbox is considered to be one of the best seafood restaurants in LA; it has even been listed in the Michelin Guide! Though the fish and shrimp ceviches are great, the scallop ceviche is the true menu highlight. The scallops are silky smooth and slightly sweet, but if you want to up the ante, order the live sea urchin and scallop ceviche.
Location: DTLA
Mariscos Jalisco
Perhaps the most famous food truck in LA, Mariscos Jalisco is a Michelin-awarded concept that operates four different trucks around the city. From Boyle Heights to West LA, locals and visitors can enjoy Mariscos Jalisco’s iconic oysters, tacos and ceviche. To say that Mariscos Jalisco keeps things classic would be an understatement, and the fish ceviche is exactly what it should be—tender, zesty and delicious. The crunchy tostada acts as the perfect carrier, and you’ll probably want to order at least two. That said, the red aguachile is another must-order that has a subtle kick.
Location: DTLA, Boyle Heights, Pomona, La Cienega
Playita Mariscos
Located on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake, Playita Mariscos has a small but mighty menu that focuses on Mexican seafood. The ceviche at Playita Mariscos uses lime juice, tomato, cilantro and red onion to create classic flavors that perfectly complement both fish and shrimp. We recommend the Mixto, which includes fish, shrimp, crab, albacore and octopus, making it the crème de la crème of the menu. When being served, the ceviche is plated on a tostada and topped with avocado, Tapatío hot sauce and an extra squeeze of lime.
Location: Silver Lake
Coni’Seafood
Coni’Seafood has been a staple for all things from the sea since 1987. The restaurant’s Nayarit-style cuisine is met with a warm and beachy ambiance that encourages you to kick back, relax and sip on an ice-cold beer as you savor some award-winning seafood. From their classic shrimp ceviche in spicy green sauce to their mixed ceviche in habañero sauce, Coni’s has it all. Be warned: Some of the ceviches are very spicy, so be sure to clarify your threshold before ordering. If you’re not into picante, the Ceviche de Pescado, simply served with lemon and a softer green chile, is a solid pick.
Location: Inglewood
Mariscos El Faro
Between the fresh seafood and convenient food truck setup, Mariscos El Faro should be at the top of your list when trying to find ceviche in Highland Park. The shrimp ceviche and fish ceviche, each served on top of a crisp tostada, are incredible. We recommend getting one of each, though you’ll want to save room for some other popular items. The octopus cocktail is tender and tasty, but if you plan on sharing, definitely order the large.
Location: Highland Park
Ceviche Stop
Ceviche Stop is a Culver City staple for seafood lovers. This Peruvian restaurant serves beautiful plates in a laid-back atmosphere, and there are several ceviches to choose from. The Hangover Ceviche is made with traditional ingredients like Leche de Tigre, Peruvian corn and striped bass, but the calamari topping gives it a unique edge. If you enjoy a diverse blend of seafood, the Mixto Ceviche with shrimp, mussels, scallops and more is a great option. And the blood clams are a unique delicacy that should be tried at least once.
Location: Culver City
Alma
Alma is a Baja-inspired eatery located at The Grove just outside of West Hollywood. Kick off your meal with the Loteria, a margarita made with mezcal and blackberry, before diving into the premium selection of seafood from the raw bar. The Ceviche Verde is a simple combination of white fish, avocado and red onion, and the green salsa gives it a nice kick and balanced acidity. On the other hand, the Ceviche Alma is made with tomato, red onion, cilantro, avocado and olive oil, giving it a silkier texture and a more complex taste.
Location: The Grove
Queen St.
Queen St. is an Eagle Rock newcomer that brings a true taste of Charleston’s vibrant seafood scene to LA. Despite just opening this summer, Queen St. has already become a neighborhood hotspot. The Santa Barbara Halibut Ceviche is light and delicate, and since the fish is sourced from nearby Santa Barbara, freshness is guaranteed. The grated tomato works nicely with the intense flavors of ginger and lime, creating a balanced yet bright dish that acts as the perfect starter to some grilled goods.
Location: Eagle Rock
Cabra
Located on the rooftop of The Hoxton Hotel, Cabra, by Chef Stephanie Izard, puts a modern twist on Peruvian cuisine. Since the origin of ceviche is often attributed to Peru, it should come as no surprise that Cabra is known for its ceviche. The bass ceviche is made traditionally with leche de tigre and sweet potato, giving it a balanced zest that is incredibly mouthwatering. The salmon ceviche follows a more contemporary take and is topped with pistachios and avocado. Both dishes are served with crispy taro chips and are large enough to be shared with friends.
Location: DTLA
Simón
Looking for some top-notch ceviche in East LA? Silver Lake’s Simón has quickly become one of the hottest food trucks in the area. Though you can’t go wrong with any of the tacos (especially the soft-shell crab), the ceviches truly highlight the freshness of the seafood. Each ceviche is made with tiger’s milk, tomato, onion, cucumber, mango, avocado and cilantro, but when it comes to the fish, the choice is yours. Choose from shrimp, octopus and fish—or take our advice and do a mix of all three.
Location: Silver Lake
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
