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.<\/p>\n
Tequila Jack\u2019s Beach House Cantina<\/strong><\/p>\n 407 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach; 562-628-0454; tequilajacks.com<\/a><\/p>\n Located right on the water at Long Beach\u2019s 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\u2019s OK to bring the family.<\/p>\n Queen Mary<\/strong><\/p>\n 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach; 562-435-3511; queenmary.com<\/a><\/p>\n You can\u2019t get closer to the water than actually being on the water and that\u2019s how you can dine when you hop on board the Queen Mary and eat at one of the ship\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Big Dean\u2019s Ocean Front Cafe<\/strong><\/p>\n 1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica; 310-393-2666; bigdeansoceanfrontcafe.com<\/a><\/p>\n This spot looks like just a party bar located right on the San Monica boardwalk. But besides the ocean views and drinks, Big Dean\u2019s 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\u2019s Cheeseburger, which is a double meat and double cheese monster, and the menu also includes a seriously good chili dog.<\/p>\n ALSO SEE:<\/strong> The 8 best oceanfront dining spots in Orange County right now<\/a><\/p>\n Paradise Cove Beach Cafe<\/strong><\/p>\n 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; 310-457-2503; paradisecovemalibu.com.<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Old Tony\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n Fisherman\u2019s Wharf, Redondo Beach; 310-374-1442; oldtonys.com<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019re 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\u2019s Smoked Salmon Chowder and pair it with the house garlic cheese bread and specialty drinks like Tony\u2019s Famous mai tai, which is served in a Tony\u2019s glass that you get to keep.<\/p>\n The Chicken Shack<\/strong><\/p>\n Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; 310-260-8744; pacpark.com\/the-chicken-shack-eegees\/<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s, an Arizona staple that makes fruit and frozen drinks.<\/p>\n![\"Visitors](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/LDN-L-WATERFRONT-DINING-0517-4-01.jpg\")
Visitors to the Queen Mary can eat right on the water at one of the ship\u2019s several restaurants. (Photo courtesy the Queen Mary)<\/p>\n![\"Tony's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/LDN-L-WATERFRONT-DINING-0517.jpg\")
Tony\u2019s on the Pier (Old Tony\u2019s) is a place where people can eat and dine right on the water. (Photo by Sam Gnerre)<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/LDN-L-WATERFRONT-DINING-0517-3.jpg\")
People eat lunch at Duke\u2019s Malibu in Malibu on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)<\/p>\n