The weather is heating up and people will be heading to the beach to cool off. But here in Southern California the beaches aren’t just places to get in the water.
Thanks to our restaurant scene, you can go to the ocean this summer and eat right by the sea at several waterfront restaurants that serve everything from burgers to fancy dining and, of course, seafood.
So to fill your belly while you cool off, here is a list of a few restaurants in the are where you can dine right by the sea, and sometimes even on it.
Tequila Jack’s Beach House Cantina
407 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach; 562-628-0454; tequilajacks.com
Located right on the water at Long Beach’s Shoreline Village, this is the place you go to if you want to party and have a good time at the bar. The view from the bar overlooks the harbor and several boats. If you go at the right time you may even see pelicans diving in the water for fish. The menu is made up of Mexican dishes like the chicken mole dish, chile rellenos and a hefty grilled steak with shrimp. The bar menu meanwhile is not for amateurs since it offers 125 tequilas plus a killer house margarita. The restaurant has plenty of tables too so it’s OK to bring the family.
Visitors to the Queen Mary can eat right on the water at one of the ship’s several restaurants. (Photo courtesy the Queen Mary)
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach; 562-435-3511; queenmary.com
You can’t get closer to the water than actually being on the water and that’s how you can dine when you hop on board the Queen Mary and eat at one of the ship’s restaurants. For a fancy night out, check out Chelsea Chowder House & Bar. Besides direct ocean views, it offers fine dining with a menu that focuses on seafood and of course clam chowder. Some must-try dishes include the Seafood Tower for Two, which comes with oysters, clams, king crab claws, smoked salmon, and jumbo shrimp and the New England Clam Chowder, a thick filling soup with potatoes, bacon, clams on the half shell and brioche croutons.
Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe
1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica; 310-393-2666; bigdeansoceanfrontcafe.com
This spot looks like just a party bar located right on the San Monica boardwalk. But besides the ocean views and drinks, Big Dean’s serves surprisingly good burgers, tacos, seafood and a New England Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. Besides the clam chowder, make sure to order the Big Dean’s Cheeseburger, which is a double meat and double cheese monster, and the menu also includes a seriously good chili dog.
ALSO SEE: The 8 best oceanfront dining spots in Orange County right now
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; 310-457-2503; paradisecovemalibu.com.
This is one of the most famous spots in Malibu and when you eat here it really does feel like paradise, since you can sit directly on the sand on a somewhat hidden Malibu beach where you can see surfers and paddle boarders on the water. You can order and eat food inside but the best thing to do is bring it out to the wooden beach chairs on the sand. Diners can order items line cinnamon French toast, fish tacos and coconut shrimp. After eating take a walk down the beach and check out the tide pools.
Tony’s on the Pier (Old Tony’s) is a place where people can eat and dine right on the water. (Photo by Sam Gnerre)
Old Tony’s
Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach; 310-374-1442; oldtonys.com
This famous spot sits right over the water on the Redondo Beach Pier and has been around since the 1950s. Just walk through the pier and look for the neon sign and you’re there. For a full restaurant experience, get a table on the ground floor, for a more party vibe go up the stairs to the main bar area. For something a little different make sure to try the Old Tony’s Smoked Salmon Chowder and pair it with the house garlic cheese bread and specialty drinks like Tony’s Famous mai tai, which is served in a Tony’s glass that you get to keep.
The Chicken Shack
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; 310-260-8744; pacpark.com/the-chicken-shack-eegees/
For a quick bite, check out this spot right over the water on the pier. The Chicken Shack offers crispy chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, Swirly Fries and Tater Wheels served with house-made dipping sauces. The spot also houses eegee’s, an Arizona staple that makes fruit and frozen drinks.
People eat lunch at Duke’s Malibu in Malibu on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Duke’s Malibu
21150 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu; 310-317-0777; www.dukesmalibu.com
This Malibu icon has gone through some tough times after being closed for more than a year as a result of the Palisades fires and then mudslides. But its ocean-side doors are open again and the great food is back. Try house favorites like the crispy coconut shrimp and Korean sticky ribs or the poke tacos and the seared ahi tuna bowl or the delicious filet mignon. For dessert a must have is the signature Hula pie, made with macadamia nut ice cream with a chocolate crust and chocolate fudge.