Beachfront Restaurants in Santa Monica

Beach. Waves. California sunshine. There’s only one thing could make it even more perfect: a meal at one of the best beachfront restaurants in Santa Monica.

Outdoor dining here ranges from casual to chic and everything between. Drop into restaurants on the Santa Monica Pier or dig your toes into the sand while you dig into freshly made salads, sandwiches and more. Now that’s the perfect beach day.

Quick Beachfront Bites

The organic micro-roasted coffee and small bites at Dogtown Coffee come with a side of history. Located in an old surf shop, this locally popular cafe serves everything from breakfast burritos to salads and paninis, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free plates–including the option to make any slider or sandwich with gluten-free bread.

Dogtown Coffee

Dogtown Coffee

When it comes to beachfront restaurants in Santa Monica, you can’t go wrong with Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals, right beside the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (a.k.a. the South Bay Bicycle Trail or The Strand, just north of Santa Monica Pier).

Find more Perry’s locations south of the pier, all easily accessible on foot or by bicycle. Homemade pizzas, wraps, omelets, and fish ‘n chips aren’t the only thing on the menu here–you can also rent bikes, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, surfboards, stand-up paddle boards and other essential beach day gear.
For lighter eats, Nékter Juice Bar near the beach offers plenty of fresh juice, smoothies and smoothie bowls to keep you fueled up.

Marvin Braude Bike Trail & Perry’s Cafe

Perry’s Cafe and Beach Rentals

Hot Beach, Cool Eats

Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa Del Mar

Sit-down Restaurants in Santa Monica Beach

1 Pico (inside Shutters on the Beach) is an upscale beach restaurant known for its brunch and lunch, serving up American- and Italian-inspired dishes from pork chops to beef carpaccio. Keep a sharp eye out: A-list celebrities are regularly guests here.

On the more casual side, Coast (Shutters’ other restaurant) offers a waterfront café experience. Along with lunch and dinner, their weekend brunch is also popular. Enjoy classic and comforting entrees like lemon ricotta pancakes and eggs benedict.

Dine with your toes in the sand–literally–at Back on the Beach Cafe. (Don’t worry: there are umbrellas over each table to keep the sun off your shoulders while you tuck into breakfast, brunch and other California cuisine.)

Trade casual for chic at Coast, a favorite spot for a glass of wine or cocktail after a long day of sun and sand. Hotel Casa del Mar’s Terrazza and Patio del Mar also serve up drinks in upscale settings, plus lunch and dinner menus bursting with fresh catches and produce.

An Ocean Avenue favorite, Cora’s Coffee Shoppe is an charming café that serves mostly locally sourced, organic dishes. The bougainvillea canopy encloses the outdoor patio, creating a secret garden that can be a nice escape from the Santa Monica bustle just outside. Come for brunch or a late lunch and enjoy unique dishes like the burrata caprese omelette or jidori chicken breast tacos.

Another celebrity favorite, BOA Steakhouse, is popular with both locals and tourists. While BOA is known for its steaks and oysters, the tableside Classic Caesar salad presentation always is a crowd-pleaser. Also, seasonal cocktails are a nice accompaniment, such as the BOA 405, a unique cocktail featuring 42 Below Vodka, fresh strawberries, simple syrup, fresh lemon sour, balsamic vinegar, and cracked black pepper. Be sure to make a reservation, as the place is usually packed.

For an upscale, but not stuffy dinner with the Pacific Ocean just outside, Water Grill’s Santa Monica location offers a seafood dining experience for the adventurous at heart. The menu has an entire page just for the raw bar, featuring oysters from all up and down the east and west coast. For the seafood lover, there are a number of different whole fish entrees, such as European sea bass or New Zealand pink bream.

Last, but not least, Cha Cha Chicken is as close to the Caribbean you can get in California: open-air, calypso and all. Specialties include the Cha Cha Chicken, smothered in Jamaican jerk sauce and coconut fried chicken. Bring your own beer and make a day of it.

Sunset Dining at Santa Monica Beachfront Restaurants

When the sun starts to set on Ocean Avenue, Blue Plate Taco’s ocean-facing patio is exactly where you want to be. Start with some house-made chips and guacamole, order a round of fish tacos and finish your meal strong with some churros for the table. Blue Plate Taco’s relaxed atmosphere and proximity to the beach make it an easy stop after a long day at the beach (or after shopping along the Third Street Promenade).

For sunset dining right on the Santa Monica Pier, there’s The Lobster, which has no shortage of lobster entrees, including steamed, grilled and poached lobster, as well as lobster-infused dishe, like the Lobster & Shrimp Sausage Bolognese. For the real adventurous eater, there are even caviar options.

The Lobster

The Lobster

Sonder The Beacon‘s rooftop lounge and bar, The Coco Club, offers some of the best views in Santa Monica. Come at sunset, grab a cocktail and watch world-class ocean views.
The Penthouse, the rooftop restaurant at the Huntley Santa Monica Beach, is worth the visit, too. From here, 18 stories above the street, you can take in 360-degree views of Santa Monica. For something on the lighter side, the Black Truffle Grilled Cheese is a favorite among locals. Dinner ranges from seafood, such as crispy salmon, to vegan options, such as the vegan house-made pasta with vegetables from the local farmers market.

New England-style dining on the West Coast? You might be surprised. Blue Plate Oysterette serves up comforting chowder, lobster rolls, and other East Coast classics in chic settings.

The Coco Club

The Penthouse

Restaurants on the Santa Monica Pier

Located about 15 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles, the restaurants on the Santa Monica Pier boast incredible panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
The longest-running restaurant on the Pier, The Albright, is a family-run business that is committed to sustainably caught seafood.

Rusty’s Surf Ranch, a laid-back beach bar, offers great options for seafood lovers – plus they have a large dance floor and live music on the weekends.
Soak in amazing views from Seaside On The Pier‘s rooftop bar, while enjoying their fresh salads, scrumptious sandwiches and fresh seafood dishes.
Inspired by the film Forrest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has a fun family atmosphere where shrimp is the specialty, but the menu has something for everyone.

For unobstructed views of the coastline, grab a seat on Mariasol‘s ocean patio for mouthwatering Mexican cuisine.

Patio 66 also serves views for days, along with quick bites and shareable dishes.

For a classic burger and fries (not to mention mouthwatering milkshakes), head to Pier Burger.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Pier Burger

Pacific Park Food Options

Welcome to Snackville. Population: you!

Smashie’s Burgers serves California classic cuisine including made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, and their famous crinkle fries. Breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches are also served each morning starting at 9am.

Specializing in 9″ personal pizzas that are made-to-order hot and fresh, Mr. Nice Fry and Egeee’s also serves breadsticks and wings.

Home of the original Ice Blended, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is open daily and serves hot coffee and specialty teas, as well as a selection of fresh pastries and treats.
From hand-dipped ice cream, banana splits, sundaes and shakes, Scoops Creamery has a delicious selection of frozen desserts and fun snacks.

Inside Pacific Park you’ll also find Pier-famous funnel cakes, fish tacos, cotton candy, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Popcornopolis gourmet popcorn served from a classic, customized Airstream trailer.

Pacific Park

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of food is Santa Monica known for?

Santa Monica is known for its vibrant and diverse beachfront dining scene. From incredible seafood to farm-to-table cuisine to gourmet burgers and tacos, the beachfront restaurants in Santa Monica offer something for everyone.

What are the best restaurants to eat at in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica offers some of the best dining in California, with a great selection of fine dining and casual options. Along with beachfront dining, discover the best bars in Santa Monica, favorite locals’ spots, one-of-a-kind brunch spots and our complete guide to happy hour all over the city.

See all the best food in Santa Monica.

Is dining on the Santa Monica Pier a must-try?

Dining on the Santa Monica Pier is a great option for visitors looking for a unique experience. Soak in the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as you savor incredible cuisine. Keep in mind that the Pier can get crowded, especially on weekends and other peak travel seasons, so making a reservation can help avoid long wait times. In addition to memorable dining, Santa Monica Pier is chock-full of fun activities such as the iconic Ferris wheel, Santa Monica Pier Carousel, carnival games, live entertainment, events and more.

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