2025 Bucket List
Last Updated on Mar 26, 2025
Dining by the ocean is a quintessential LA experience, and these restaurants offer unbeatable views and delicious cuisine. Geoffrey’s Malibu is a celebrity favorite with elegant seafood dishes and panoramic ocean views. Nobu Malibu serves world-renowned sushi steps away from the waves. The Lobster in Santa Monica is famous for its fresh seafood and stunning sunset views. Duke’s Malibu honors Hawaiian surf culture with tropical vibes and oceanfront dining. Malibu Farm on the Malibu Pier offers organic, farm-to-table cuisine with beautiful coastal scenery. Moonshadows provides a romantic seaside ambiance with creative cocktails. The Strand House in Manhattan Beach features modern California cuisine with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Back on the Beach Café in Santa Monica offers casual beachfront dining with your toes in the sand. Paradise Cove Beach Café in Malibu is a family-friendly spot where you can dine right on the beach. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove in Orange County is a nostalgic gem with an unbeatable oceanfront setting.
Located on the strand of Downtown Manhattan Beach, The Strand House is a distinguished coastal California cuisine restaurant that seamlessly blends sophistication with comfort. Born from the shared love of exceptional food, wine, and companionship among a close-knit group of South Bay families, this family-owned establishment opened its doors in 2011, spearheading a culinary revolution in Manhattan Beach. Boasting a breathtaking 180° vista of the Pacific Ocean, The Strand House entices both globetrotters and locals with its panoramic views, but it's the culinary creations of Chef Chris Park that truly captivate. Showcasing the year-round abundance of Southern California's produce, the menu is a testament to the chef's dedication to sourcing directly from the finest farmers and purveyors found at the weekly farmers market. To complement the dining experience, The Strand House boasts a thoughtfully curated cocktail and wine program that caters to the preferences of every guest. In keeping with their belief that impeccable service need not be formal, The Strand House provides a five-star experience steeped in the warmth and hospitality of a beach town, treating each guest like a cherished member of the family. Additionally, StrandBar, conveniently located steps away from the Pier, serves as the vibrant heart of Manhattan Beach's bustling downtown scene. It offers the perfect setting to savor handcrafted cocktails as the sun gracefully sets over the Pacific, or to unwind with a local craft beer while catching the latest game on television, creating a delightful retreat for those leaving the beach.
The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
At Malibu Farm, you have the choice of two exquisite dining experiences on the iconic Malibu Pier. Nestled at the beginning of the pier, the upscale restaurant serves farm-fresh dishes and handcrafted cocktails, immersing you in an ambiance where you can almost taste the ocean spray. Alternatively, the casual café, positioned at the pier's far end, extends over the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, allowing you to savor the ocean breeze and the mesmerizing sound of waves crashing as you indulge in delectable bites. Regardless of your selection, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring vistas of one of the world's most renowned beaches and surfers' haven.
Malibu Farm Restaurant, 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy Building C, Malibu, CA 90265
Indulge in the best of both worlds at Lucky's Malibu, a classic American steakhouse perched by the pristine shores of Malibu. Whether you're strolling in fresh from the beach in your sun-kissed shorts or seeking a late-night cocktail in an upscale setting, Lucky's caters to all. With its roots in the star-studded enclave of Montecito, this Malibu gem might offer fewer Oprah and Meghan Markle sightings, but you'll find a crowd that's no less impressive. Picture Real Housewives sipping martinis while showcasing their dazzling jewelry and surfers who casually mention their two Oscars at home as they strut in board shorts. Beyond the captivating people-watching, Lucky's impresses with its delectable cuisine, making it a must-visit destination that seamlessly blends sophistication with beachside charm.
Lucky's Malibu, 3835 Cross Creek Rd Suite #18, Malibu, CA 90265
Nobu Malibu, nestled along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway, is more than just a restaurant; it's a coveted experience synonymous with luxury and celebrity sightings. If you're seeking a taste of Japanese-Peruvian culinary excellence, this is the place to be. Renowned for its delectable selection of sushi and sashimi creations, Nobu Malibu has welcomed a parade of A-listers through its doors. From chart-topping musicians like Drake to Hollywood's finest like Natalie Portman and Megan Fox, the restaurant has become a haven for the rich and famous. Securing a reservation here is akin to winning the lottery, but the reward is worth it as you savor tiny plates of fresh seafood and innovative Peruvian-Japanese cuisine in the heart of celebrity-rich Malibu.
Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Terrazza at Hotel Casa del Mar is a stunning ocean-view restaurant in Santa Monica, offering an elegant yet relaxed dining experience with breathtaking views of the Pacific. Located inside the luxurious Hotel Casa del Mar, this airy, sunlit space features floor-to-ceiling windows, plush seating, and a stylish coastal ambiance. Guests can indulge in a Mediterranean-inspired menu with fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, and fine wines while watching the sunset over the beach. Whether enjoying a leisurely brunch, a romantic dinner, or evening live music, Terrazza provides a quintessential Southern California dining experience with unparalleled oceanfront charm.
Terrazza, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Situated gracefully 18 stories above the breathtaking Southern California coastline, The Penthouse at the Huntley in Santa Monica is a true gem within the hotel. This dining destination offers a 360-degree spectacle of the coastal cliffs and the ethereal meeting point where the sky kisses the ocean. Embrace the allure of the Penthouse lifestyle as you sip on imaginative cocktails and savor contemporary cuisine fit for a celebrity. Designed by the renowned Thomas Schoos, this Santa Monica restaurant on the 18th floor provides an extravagant rooftop dining experience, complete with panoramic ocean vistas, inviting beach cabanas, and open sky enclaves. Whether you're sipping on signature craft cocktails or indulging in the finest of contemporary California cuisine, The Penthouse guarantees a dining experience that's unparalleled, making it one of the premier culinary destinations in Santa Monica.
The Penthouse at the Huntley, 1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Positioned atop the scenic shores of Los Angeles, Elephante is more than just a restaurant; it's an Instagrammer's paradise and a culinary haven. With sweeping ocean vistas and an inviting, semi-open ambiance, Elephante provides the ideal backdrop for capturing social media gold or rubbing shoulders with the city's influencers. Chef Thomas Lim's Italian-American fare shines with delectable pasta dishes and perfectly blistered personal-sized pizzas. This chic destination not only offers elevated Italian cuisine but also serves as a tranquil escape, channeling the spirit and flavors of coastal southern Italy. As the sun sets over the Pacific, Elephante takes you on a Mediterranean journey right in the heart of Los Angeles.