Del Mar quietly got one of the most interesting new restaurants to open along the North County coast this year. High Marea opened its doors on January 10 at Del Mar Plaza, and in just six weeks, word has been spreading fast. If you have been searching for a seed oil-free restaurant in Del Mar, California that also serves genuinely great Baja coastal food, your search just ended.
The Family Story Behind the Food
High Marea is the creation of Derek Marso, a San Diego native, former NFL defensive end with the San Diego Chargers, and third-generation owner of Valley Farm Market. His grandparents, Felix and Eleanor Marso, built Valley Farm Market from the ground up in 1956, and Derek has been honoring that legacy ever since.
Under his leadership, Valley Farm BBQ earned the title of “San Diego’s Best BBQ” from iHeart Radio, and High Marea is his newest chapter. The restaurant sits right next door to the freshly opened Valley Farm Market location inside Del Mar Plaza, making the two businesses a natural pair for anyone who cares about where their food comes from.
No Seed Oils. Zero. Not One.
This is not a marketing claim. High Marea cooks every single dish in 100% beef tallow, with no canola oil, vegetable oil, or seed oils on the menu. Butter and olive oil round out the cooking fats, but the fryer is always tallow. The result is a cleaner, richer flavor that most fast casual spots simply cannot match.
Nearly every item is also gluten-friendly, making it one of the more inclusive dining options for residents and visitors exploring clean-eating restaurants near Del Mar Beach.
What to Order on Your First Visit
The menu leans into Baja-inspired Sonoran coastal cooking, with enough variety to keep you returning long after your first visit. Here are the dishes worth starting with:
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Chimichurri Shrimp Taco ($18): Jack cheese, crema slaw, and lime pickled onions on a heirloom organic corn tortilla
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Ceviche Verde ($18): Shrimp with tomatillo, avocado, serrano, and salsa verde
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Turf + Surf Tallow Fries ($18): Loaded with chimichurri shrimp, arrachera steak, cotija, elote, and coconut serrano crema
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High Marea Spicy Poke ($18): Fresh ahi in a signature spice blend with jalapeño chili crisp and serranos
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Sonoran Brick Chicken ($28): Citrus-marinated smoked half chicken with macha salsa and two sides of your choice
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Grass Fed Ribeye ($36): Smoked and charred Angus ribeye finished with chimichurri
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Mussels With Sonoran Tomato Broth ($20): A rich, warming bowl served with corn or flour tortillas
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Elote Dip ($10): House elote layered over guacamole with tallow heirloom tortilla chips
Fast Casual That Actually Lives Up to the Hype
Del Mar locals have already folded High Marea into their regular lunch and dinner rotation, and it is easy to see why. The fast casual format keeps things quick and practical without sacrificing ingredient quality or cooking integrity. It is the right call for a weekday lunch near the Del Mar Fairgrounds, a relaxed dinner after a walk along the coast, or a laid-back Saturday meal with family at the Plaza.
Visitors looking for Baja coastal seafood dining near Del Mar will find it a refreshingly honest option that does exactly what it promises.
Plan Your Visit
Address: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 106, Del Mar, CA 92014
Inside Del Mar Plaza, next door to Valley Farm Market
Phone: (858) 925-7075
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Stop in, order the tallow fries, and find out what the early buzz is all about. High Marea is the kind of addition Del Mar has been ready for.
Hungry for more local business finds? Every Wednesday, Del Mar Coastal Connections shines a light on the businesses worth your time along this stretch of the coast. Explore the full lineup of local business spotlights and find your next favorite Del Mar go-to.
Sources: highmarea.com, yelp.com, High Marea Facebook Page, High Marea Instagram Page
Header Image Source: highmarea.com
