Where to Eat on the Beach in LA: 8 Restaurants With Oceanfront Views

  • By: Ani Gutierrez

On LA’s coastline, “beachside dining” can mean a lot of things, but not all of them actually deliver a front-row view of the ocean. The real standouts are the spots where the beach isn’t just nearby, it’s part of the experience itself. No rooftops in the way and no angled glimpses past traffic, just an open horizon, ocean air, and a view that holds its own against whatever’s on your plate.

From Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica, to Venice and Malibu, these are the restaurants where the Pacific isn’t background scenery, it’s the main event. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a sunset cocktail, or dinner that runs well past golden hour, these 8 coastal spots are where the beach is always in sight and the view becomes the reason to stay.

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1. Fig Tree  – Venice Beach

Fig Tree is as close as it gets to dining directly on the boardwalk without sacrificing taste. Tables spill out just steps from the sand as you face the ocean with front-row seats to golden hour, delivering one of the closest views you can get while still in a refined, sit-down setting. The menu stretches from morning coffees and breakfast to cocktails and signature dinners, making it an all-day kind of place.

@figtreevenice
Mon-Sun: 8am-8:30pm
431 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

 2. The Strand House – Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach doesn’t have many true front-row oceanview restaurants, but The Strand House is the standout. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an elevated terrace open up to uninterrupted views down the restaurant and out to the water. The menu holds its own, from towering seafood spreads to perfectly executed crab cakes, but the real statement is the view.

@strandhousemb
Mon: 4pm-9pm
Tue-Thurs: 11:30am-9pm
Fri: 11:30am-10pm
Sat: 10am-10pm
Sun: 10am-9pm
117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

 

3. Terrazza – Santa Monica

Located at Hotel Casa del Mar, Terrazza is a Mediterranean restaurant with direct views over the Santa Monica shoreline visible from nearly every seat. Wide windows and an open terrace keep the beach in constant sight, whether you’re there for breakfast, a light coastal lunch, or cocktails and dinner later in the day. From the table, the horizon feels close enough to follow throughout the entire meal.

@hotelcasadelmar
Mon-Sun: 7am-9:30pm
1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405

 4. Geoffrey’s – Malibu

Geoffrey’s is a Malibu fine-dining classic, and for good reason. Perched on a cliff along the PCH with direct views of the Pacific, the setting does most of the convincing. From the terrace, the coastline unfolds in full view, while the vibe leans upscale without being overdone. The menu follows that same rhythm with seafood-driven plates, from fresh catches to refined coastal plates. 

@geoffreysmalibu
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-8:30pm
Fri: 11:30am-9pm
Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 10am-8:30pm
27400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

 

5. Belle’s Beach House – Venice Beach

Steps from the sand but operating on its own wavelength, Belle’s Beach House leans all the way in. A full-on tropical oasis, it trades the typical Venice edge for tiki statues, woven textures, and a Hawaiian menu. The Venice shoreline is still within view, but the atmosphere makes it feel like you’ve slipped far beyond LA altogether. If you’re craving a beach day with built-in vacation energy, this is where you settle in and stay awhile.

@bellesbeachhouse
Mon-Thurs: 12pm-10pm
Fri: 12pm-2am
Sat: 11am-2am
Sun: 11am-10pm
24 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

6. Beachside Restaurant & Bar – Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey doesn’t always scream “beachfront,” but Beachside Restaurant & Bar quietly delivers. Sitting right on Mother’s Beach, just inside Jamaica Bay Inn, it’s one of the few places where you can dine with front-row views of the water. The menu moves from laid-back brunch with mimosa flights to dinner staples like filet mignon and steak au poivre, delivering a full-day dining experience that shifts effortlessly from easy mornings to composed evenings alongside your view.

@beachsidemdr
Mon-Sun: 7am-3pm , 4pm-10pm
14160 Palawan Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

 

7. Gladstones – Malibu 

For something more easy-going but still front-row, Gladstones sits right above the sand with a patio that feels almost suspended over the Pacific. From the open ocean air to the beachside views, you don’t need a reservation for a special occasion to feel right. Serving beachfront dining since 1972, it’s stayed rooted in its spot right on the sand with a seafood-driven menu and signature cocktails, like the Gladstones Mai Tai and Malibu Margarita, rounding out the experience.

@gladstonesmalibu
Mon-Sun: 11am – 8pm 
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

 

8. Kassi Club Rooftop – Venice Beach

A beachside rooftop with a Mediterranean point of view, Kassi Club is perched atop Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach. This Greek restaurant pairs sunset-facing views with a menu rooted in coastal flavors. From above the boardwalk, the ocean stretches out just beyond the buzz down below, while the light shifts into golden hour. It’s elevated, transportive, and made for lingering.

@kassiclub
Mon-Wed: 12pm-10pm
Thurs: 12pm-12am
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11am-10pm
1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291

…

On LA’s coast, dining with proximity to the beach is easy, but a true ocean view is the real flex. These are the spots where you’re not craning your neck or squinting past rooftops to enjoy an ocean view. The horizon is right there with you, exactly where it should be.

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