Sinaloa-style seafood, served like familia.

The Contreras family's San Diego tables: ceviches and tacos on India Street, a full cantina on Fifth Avenue, and a ceviche bar in Barrio Logan — one kitchen philosophy, straight from Sinaloa.

Private events · groups of 6–200 in the Gaslamp Happy hour · all day Monday, 3–6 PM Tue–Sun Since 1981 · family run
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Ceviche tostadas at Karina's

The ones people cross town for

Ceviche Karina's

Ceviche Karina's

The signature. The ceviche that built the name — fresh, bright, unmistakably Karina's.

Fish tacos

Fish tacos

Crisp fish, cabbage, house crema — a San Diego staple done the Karina's way.

Puerto Nuevo style lobster

Langosta Puerto Nuevo

Puerto Nuevo-style lobster with beans and rice — the Baja classic, done right.

The Cantina, on Fifth Avenue

In the heart of the Gaslamp: a full bar under the Frida portrait, tableside guacamole, and rooms built for a crowd — from a small dinner to a 200-guest celebration.

  • Private and semi-private event spaces
  • Happy hour all day Monday — 3–6 PM Tuesday–Sunday
  • Catering and party trays from every location
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The bar at Karina's Cantina, Gaslamp

Host your event at Karina's

Tell us about your date and your group. The Gaslamp Cantina hosts private and semi-private events for groups from 6 to 200 — birthdays, quinceañeras, weddings, company parties — and every location offers catering and party trays.

Private dining room at Karina's Cantina
Dining room detail at Karina's Cantina
Prefer to talk? Call the Cantina at (619) 756-7333.

Everyone eats like familia

It began on September 16, 1981, in a small space in Spring Valley, when the late Don Arnulfo Contreras and his wife María Inés Curiel opened the first Karina's — named in honor of their daughter. They served the food their fellow immigrants missed: shrimp & tuna ceviches, aguachile from Sinaloa, campechanas and tostadas. Three generations of the Contreras Curiel family later, the name still carries its promise — Since 1981.

The Contreras family
Karina's Ceviches & More, Mission Hills

More from the kitchen

Cielo, Mar y Tierra plate

Cielo, Mar y Tierra

Steak, shrimp and chicken on one plate — the surf-and-turf, Karina's style.

Surf and turf burrito

Burritos, the Karina's way

Loaded and grilled — a Mission Hills patio favorite, to go or al fresco.

Hibiscus (jamaica) margarita

Jamaica margarita

Hibiscus, lime and a salted rim — the Cantina's signature pour.

Three tables, one family

Mission Hills

Karina's Ceviches & More

3731 India St
San Diego, CA 92103

Daily · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM(619) 255-5900

Casual al fresco or to-go dining on India Street's International Restaurant Row — ceviches, seafood cocktails, tacos and burritos.

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Gaslamp Quarter

Karina's Cantina

755 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Mon–Thu · 12:00 PM – 11:30 PMFri–Sun · 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM(619) 756-7333

The full cantina: private and semi-private events for 15 to 100+ guests, tableside guacamole and happy hour daily.

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Barrio Logan

Karina's Ceviche Bar 'N Tacos

1852 National Ave
San Diego, CA 92113

Daily · 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM(619) 876-5050

A casual ceviche bar with indoor and outdoor seating in the heart of Barrio Logan — mixto, aguachile, tacos and margaritas.

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