You’re at the beach, relaxing, and simply soaking up that refreshing California sunshine when hunger pangs hit. Where do you go to find the best Santa Monica beach restaurants? What’s nearby? What about Santa Monica Pier restaurants? Well, here are some outdoor dining options for you to enjoy by the sandy beach!
QUICK BITES
For a place with history, grab an organic micro-roasted coffee and a bite at Dogtown Coffee. The menu comprises everything from breakfast burritos to salads and paninis, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, including the option to make any slider or sandwich with gluten-free bread.
On the beach, you can’t go wrong with Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals, situated right next to The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The South Bay Bicycle Trail. Built with the purpose of serving beach-goers, Perry’s serves homemade pizzas, wraps, omelets, fish ‘n’ chips and the like. Bikes, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, surf boards, stand-up paddle boards and more are all available for rent here too.
SIT-DOWN RESTAURANTS IN SANTA MONICA BEACH
Right on the beach, inside Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico is an upscale beach restaurant known for its brunch and lunch, serving up a solid mix of seafood, American and Italian inspired dishes, from pork chops to beef carpaccio. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s also popular on the weekends for brunch, with entrees like lemon ricotta pancakes and eggs benedict.
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe is an unpretentious, quaint 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 table-side 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.
Last, but not least, for a true beach ambiance, take in Cha Cha Chicken, which feels as much of a Caribbean experience that you can get in California; open-air, Caribbean music, and more. Specialties here include the Cha Cha Chicken, smothered in Jamaican jerk sauce and coconut fried chicken.
SUNSET DINING AT SANTA MONICA BEACH RESTAURANTS
Right on Ocean Avenue, Blue Plate Taco’s ocean-facing patio is where you want to be when the sun starts to set. 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.
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 dishes, like the Lobster & Shrimp Sausage Bolognese. For the real adventurous eater, there are a couple caviar options, one from Russia and another from France.
The Penthouse, the rooftop restaurant at the Huntley hotel, 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.
SANTA MONICA PIER RESTAURANTS
The restaurants on the Santa Monica Pier boast incredible panoramic views of the Pacific. The longest running restaurant on the Pier, The Albright, is a family-run business that is committed to sustainably caught seafood.
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.
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.
PACIFIC PARK FOOD OPTIONS
Beach Burger 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.
Pacific Wheel Pizza Company 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.
And lastly, from hand-dipped ice cream, banana splits, sundaes and shakes, Scoops Ice Cream and Treats has a delicious selection of frozen desserts and fun snacks – also proudly serving Lappert’s premium ice cream!
Disclaimer: The article is authored by Breanna Wilson, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not represent those of PEAKLIFE.
