The restaurant, located on Fifth Avenue, first opened in mid-2010 in the former Fuddruckers space and became a staple for Gaslamp Quarter diners craving messy, spice-loaded seafood feasts. The closure will not affect the chain’s other two locations - its original spot on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa and its Mira Mesa Boulevard restaurant - both of which will remain in business. The company has not provided further details on the reason for the downtown shutdown.
Crab Hut’s story began in 2007, when founders Kim Phan, Ky Phan, and Quan Le opened the first location in Kearny Mesa, inspired by the Southern-style seafood boils they encountered while living in Houston. Their menu of dungeness crab, lobster, shrimp, crawfish, mussels, and more - tossed in house-made Cajun broths and signature sauces - quickly drew long lines. Over the years, they expanded their offerings to include freshly shucked oysters, specialty dishes, and a popular happy hour, all served in a lively, hands-on dining atmosphere.
The concept was rooted in family tradition, tracing back to the Phans’ upbringing in a small village in South Vietnam, where communal seafood boils seasoned with garlic, lemongrass, and lime leaves were a cherished ritual. That heritage carried over to Crab Hut’s bustling tables, where guests were encouraged to dig in with their hands and share the experience.
In addition to their work with Crab Hut, the owners team also operate Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery, an upscale Vietnamese-French fusion restaurant in San Diego's Golden Hill neighborhood. Kingfisher has quickly become one of San Diego’s most celebrated dining destinations, earning recognition from the Michelin Guide and James Beard attention. The restaurant features a seasonal menu of inventive seafood-forward dishes and locally sourced produce, alongside a refined craft cocktail program.
While downtown diners will soon have to look elsewhere for their seafood boil fix, fans can still find Crab Hut’s full menu at the Kearny Mesa and Mira Mesa locations.
Crab Hut will close at month's end at 1007 Fifth Avenue, Suite 101, in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit crabhutrestaurant.com.
While downtown diners will soon have to look elsewhere for their seafood boil fix, fans can still find Crab Hut’s full menu at the Kearny Mesa and Mira Mesa locations.
Crab Hut will close at month's end at 1007 Fifth Avenue, Suite 101, in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit crabhutrestaurant.com.
Originally published on August 16, 2025.
