Ресторан · Los Angeles · ⭐ 8.7/10 · 2881 reviews · $$$ · updated: 2026-06-30 12:45:35
Address: 1602 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
The Lobster — golden hour with butter on your fingers
There are dinners you remember for the food, and dinners you remember forever because of where you sat. The Lobster in Santa Monica specializes in the second kind — a glass box floating above the entrance to the famous pier, where the sun drops into the Pacific right on schedule and every table feels like the front row.
The concept
This corner has served seafood since 1923, when a little shack sold the day’s local catch; after decades as a beloved diner and a long pause, it returned in 1999 as today’s modern ocean-view restaurant. The formula has never needed changing: fresh shellfish, a serious wine list, and the best sunset seat in Santa Monica.
What to order
Commit to the namesake — a whole Maine lobster, steamed or grilled, or the local Pacific spiny lobster when it is in season. Warm up with clam chowder or the crab cakes with avocado purée, add a chilled glass of something white, and let dessert wait until the sky finishes its show. Lunch visits earn a more casual reward: lobster in roll form with the same view.
The space
Floor-to-ceiling windows on the ocean, the Ferris wheel spinning in the corner of your eye, and a light-filled room that shifts from beach-bright at lunch to candle-glow after sundown. It is one of the few LA settings where the backdrop upstages even a lobster on a platter.
Who it’s for
Anniversaries and proposals with an ocean requirement, visiting parents you want to impress, end-of-vacation dinners, and couples who plan meals around sunsets rather than the other way round.
Frequently asked questions
What time should I book for sunset? About an hour before — you get daylight, the color show and the city lights flicking on over one meal.
Is it walkable from the beach? Yes — it sits right at the pier entrance, an easy finish to a boardwalk afternoon.
What should I wear? Anything from smart beach casual upward; the room hosts flip-flops and date-night dresses side by side.
Is it good for special occasions? That is its core business — mention the occasion when booking and aim for a window table.
Do they serve more than lobster? Plenty — chowder, oysters, fresh fish and steak-minded plates keep non-lobster guests happy.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Friday | 12:00–21:30 |
| Saturday | 11:00–21:30 |
| Sunday | 11:00–21:30 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 12:45:35
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: losangeleska.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
When AI suggested The Lobster, my initial reaction was it will probably feel like a tourist trap and the food will disappoint. I’m so glad my gut reaction was wrong. Admittedly, there is a “touristy” vibe because of its…
Абсолютно неймовірний досвід ✨
Їжа була неймовірною, краєвид приголомшливим, а наш офіціант був неймовірно милим, уважним та корисним!!!
Одне з тих ідеальних місць у Санта-Моніці, де весь вечір відчувається особливим.…
Їжа: 5/5 | Обслуговування: 5/5 | Атмосфера: 5/5
Це моє найулюбленіше місце для смажених лобстерів; це місце входить до моєї ротації, і це може бути моя остання страва!! Я так люблю їхніх смажених лобстерів!! У них бездо…
Чудово скуштували лобстерів з різного узбережжя
Вид звідси захоплює дух, і це було чудове місце для святкування 80-річчя. Один з найкращих ролів з лобстером, які я коли-небудь куштував – такий легкий і свіжий. Устриці також були дуже смачними. На жаль, стейк (який кош…