+1 805-995-3272
Nestled in the charming coastal town of Cayucos, California, Sea Shanty is a delightful seafood restaurant that perfectly captures the essence of casual, seaside dining with an inviting rustic twist. Located at 296 S Ocean Ave, this local favorite draws in both residents and visitors with its welcoming atmosphere, vintage-inspired décor, and a menu that celebrates the freshest ocean flavors alongside classic comfort dishes.
Sea Shanty’s cuisine brings an irresistible blend of fresh seafood and comforting Americana to the table. Whether you're craving the crispy, golden crunch of their renowned Fish and Chips Platter or the bright, tangy zest of their Fish Tacos, each dish is expertly prepared to tantalize your taste buds. The Charbroiled Red Snapper and Grilled Local Fresh Snapper or Salmon Tacos showcase the bounty of California’s coastline, delivering delicate, flaky fish with smoky charred undertones and lively seasoning. For something heartier, the Crab Melt or the indulgent Billy's Burgers, such as The Barnyard Burger or The Works Burger, offer deeply satisfying flavors with perfectly seared patties and crispy onion rings adding that memorable crunch.
Diners also rave about the cozy yet vibrant ambiance, where vintage collectibles and nautical accents create an inviting backdrop ideal for gathering with friends and family. The friendly and attentive staff add to the experience, handling even complicated orders with warmth and efficiency—a fact echoed by many happy guests.
No visit to Sea Shanty would be complete without sampling their sweet offerings. The Olallaberry Pie a La Mode and creative desserts like Swamp Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, and rich Hot Fudge tempt patrons to indulge in a perfect finale to their meal. The dessert menu also features delightful frozen treats such as Rainbow Sherbet and Pistachio Gelato, which provide refreshing contrasts to the savory dishes.
Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or settling in for a leisurely meal, Sea Shanty creates an authentic coastal dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable. The famed Clam Chowder and well-crafted cocktails like the Bloody Mary and Mimosa only enhance this special atmosphere. It’s no surprise that regulars and newcomers alike leave with full bellies and warm smiles, praising both the comforting flavors on their plates and the charming, laid-back vibe of this beloved eatery.
Sea Shanty stands out not just as a seafood spot, but as a vibrant centerpiece of Cayucos’ culinary scene—perfect for anyone eager to savor ocean-fresh dishes served with genuine hospitality.
This is a casual dining place with great food. Their fish and chips was crunchy and not greasy, and their pies are mouthwatering. Great for a quick meal!
Grabbed lunch here with a bunch of my friends which they accommodated to. The staff was very friendly and helpful since a few of us had complicated orders (so sorry to the staff on my behalf). But the food was delicious, cleaned my plate right off. A lot of compliments heard around the table. And the restaurant itself is such a nice spot with really cool decor. Definitely worth a visit.
Great food w superb service, lots of help and they all are happy to help you even if they are not your original table server. Enjoyed a great cheese burger the patty was seared crispy charbroiled onion rings and potatoes are good. mmm. We were plenty full yet we decided to take home some pie and cobbler. Stick to the ice cream desserts or other options. I realize fruits need to be in season to get the best result. It wasn’t horrible but not the best pie peaches apricots, especially at $15 a pop. Tgey could tween the recipe by adding more sugar and spices maybe. We will be back for prime rib dinner and some fish and chips.
One of the most popular places in this area, be ready to wait for a table on Friday or Saturday night. Food is good, some positions are better and some are average. Fish tacos and fish&chips were good. Interesting interior with lots of vintage details.
Great Clam Chowder and Amazing Fish and Chips. Love the Rustic and Antique Atmosphere. Friendly Service
Good job guys! We arrived on a Friday at 2pm we were seated right away. The food was good and fresh. Fish tacos Club sandwich Billy burger Fish and chips Clam chowder All great! Really enjoyed the onion rings, they had a good beer selection to go with. Our waiter and server were both very nice friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend checking them out, prices are fair for the area.
Nov 2025 After sightseeing we had a craving for ice cream. We looked at a few places with no luck. So we decided why not Sea Shanty. To our surprise they had pies and ice cream desserts. Our favorite server Brian waited on us. I had the cow patty sundae. It was a huge serving of vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate cake, sliced bananas, strawberries, hot fudge caramel. The menu said it served six but Brian was so nice to make it a single serve. I will order this again. Hubby had the mudd pie. But he wished he had ordered my dessert instead. It was nice to see Brian again. He remembered us from our last visit several months ago. He made our first visit very pleasant and comfortable. July 2025 We returned here because of their great customer service and great selections. We ordered lunch for take out. Wait was under 10 minutes for the meal. The patty melt on rye bread was delicious. The crab salad with avocado, egg, tomatoes snd thousand island dressing was yummy. We'll return here to try the other dishes. We dined here for lunch after reading the reviews. Great location across our lodging on Ocean Dr. There is parking on the street and on side street. Interior is very interesting. There are hundreds of hats on the ceiling and top walls. Outside seating is availble. We were seated right away. The atmosphere is cheery and fun. Our server Brian was excellent, extremely friendly, upbeat, and attentive. He stopped by several times to check on us. The clam chowder soup was good but little too peppery, more potatoes than clam. The grilled salmon tacos were very good. Hubby got the ahi tuna sandwich which was recommended by Brian over the crab melt. The thick slice of ahi tuna was seared perfectly with pink in the middle. The portion was so large hubby couldn't finish it. We asked Brian about their breakfast. He brought us the breakfast menu. We liked the selections so we returned the next morning for breakfast. Our server was very friendly and cheerful. I got the two egg, muffin, friut, potato breakfast. Hubby got the vegetable omelet. The portions were generous.