01
Best overall pick
Moonraker
Rockaway Beach Waterfront • Upscale Seafood Restaurant • Special-Occasion Favorite
Panoramic ocean views and polished seafood dishes make Moonraker the classic choice when you want Pacifica to feel like a mini vacation.
Set right above Rockaway Beach, Moonraker pairs floor-to-ceiling windows with a menu built around fresh seafood, steaks, and California sides. The room feels refined without being stuffy, so it works just as well for a dressed-up date as it does for a lingering family dinner. Aim for a sunset reservation and linger over oysters, a coastal cocktail, and the waves below.
02
Classic oceanfront icon
Nick's Rockaway
Rockaway Beach Strip • Retro American Steak And Seafood House • Old-School Local Icon
Nick’s serves big portions, stiff drinks, and live-throwback vibes in a dining room that feels like a time capsule on the edge of the Pacific.
Nick’s has been a staple on this stretch of coast for decades, known for its sand dabs, prime rib, and strong cocktails. Inside, think red booths, a lively bar, and the kind of old-school charm that makes you want to order a martini. It’s the spot for visitors who want a true Pacifica institution, and for locals who never seem to tire of the view or the loungey, supper-club energy.
03
Best coastal Peruvian
Puerto 27
Shelter Cove Hillside • Oceanview Peruvian Restaurant And Pisco Bar • Best For Cocktails With A View
Puerto 27 layers bright Peruvian flavors, coastal ceviches, and a deep pisco menu over a sweeping view of the waves below.
Perched on the bluff just south of Rockaway, Puerto 27 puts a modern spin on Peruvian comfort food, from citrusy ceviche flights to lomo saltado and crispy yucca. The bar centers on pisco, turning out classic sours and creative infusions that pair well with shared plates. Grab a table by the windows or on the patio when the weather cooperates and let the Pacific be your backdrop.
04
Daytime favorite
Breakers Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
Sharp Park Neighborhood • Casual Daytime Café And Brunch Spot • Best For Hearty Brunch
Breakers is where Pacifica wakes up, with generous scrambles, Benedicts, and pancakes served in a bright, laid-back room a short walk from the beach.
This is the kind of place where locals linger over bottomless coffee and towering breakfast plates after a morning walk on the levee. The menu leans classic—think omelets, burgers, and sandwiches—but portions are generous and the service is warm. Expect a bit of a wait on weekends and consider it part of the rhythm of a relaxed Pacifica morning.
05
Best nearby coastal detour
Moss Beach Distillery
Moss Beach Blufftops, Just North Of Pacifica • Historic Coastal Restaurant And Bar • Scenic Date-Night Drive
A short drive up Highway 1, Moss Beach Distillery delivers cliffside firepits, hearty American fare, and moody ocean views that feel a world away.
Dating back to its Prohibition-era roadhouse days, this spot now draws diners for chowder, burgers, seafood, and a famously atmospheric patio overlooking the water. The indoor dining room is cozy on foggy nights, but the outdoor heaters and blankets make the patio a year-round option. It’s a natural add-on to a coastal drive when you want dinner with a bit of local lore and a lot of scenery.