13 Foodie-Approved Manhattan Beach Restaurants

Last Updated 18 Apr 2024 by Fiona Perisone

Though there's no shortage of great restaurants around the South Bay area, true foodies know that Manhattan Beach has some of the best restaurants in the city. The neighborhood's prime beachfront location and quintessential Southern California vibes make for some of the best seafood and waterfront seating around. 


From time-tested local staples to trending TikTok hot spots and celebrity-approved seafood bars, you're guaranteed to have a great meal at the twelve Manhattan Beach restaurants below. Their delicious menus are a hit with locals and food-obsessed tourists alike.


The 13 Foodie-Approved Restaurants in Manhattan Beach, CA


Love & Salt

A Sky-Lit Trattoria with Exceptional Brunch

$$$

Love & Salt

Source: Love & Salt Instagram

Love & Salt owners Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele believe food only needs two ingredients to be exceptional: love and a dash of salt. This sensible approach infuses modern Italian-inspired fare with Southern California soul.


While there are plenty of crowd-pleasing pasta dishes and pizzas to choose from, the sky-lit trattoria's approachable wine list and creative brunch menu make it one of the best Italian spots in Manhattan Beach. The housemade English muffins are so delicious there's no shame in ordering them at dinner.


317 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


310-545-5252


Book a Table


Tin Roof Bistro

Infamous Bocce Ball and American Food

$$

Tin Roof Bistro

Source: Tin Roof Bistro Instagram

The Tin Roof Bistro is known more for its bocce ball than for its menu. But this inland dining space offers more than good vibes. It's got an extensive wine list and an American menu with something that'll please the palette of every player on your team.


A casual atmosphere and friendly staff make it the ideal spot for large groups, birthday lunches, and family get-togethers. Stop by for bocce hour every day from 4- 7 PM for games and happy hour deals on house cocktails, pizzas, and salads.


3500 N Sepulveda Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 939-0900


Book a Table


FISHBAR

A Nautical Themed Sports Bar with a great Seafood Menu

$$

FISHBAR

Source: Yelp

Don't let the kitschy nautical decor and giant TVs fool you. FISHBAR isn't your average sports bar. The neighborhood hangout prides itself on sourcing the finest-quality seafood possible. Fish are always purchased whole and cut in-house by a master filleter.


Each day, the restaurant flies in fresh seafood flown from around the world. Book a table to catch today's game over today's catch of mesquite grilled fish, king crab, Maine lobster, shrimp, scallops, oysters, and more! Might we suggest starting with a pitcher of beer and an order of fish and chips for the table?


3801 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA


(310) 796-0200


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Nick's

Crowd-Pleasing Brunch on the Patio

$$

Nick's Manhattan

Image Source: Nick's Facebook

Though tucked inside a high-end outdoor shopping area, Nick's is not your average mall restaurant. Great service, mouth-watering American comfort food, and an expansive outdoor seating area set this Manhattan Beach Boulevard mainstay apart from the rest.

Come for lobster eggs benedict at brunch and a signature martini and Chilean sea bass later in the day. Its convenient location makes it a prime spot for shoppers to fuel up before a full day of power shopping or unwind after a long day at work.


451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA


(310) 545-7373


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El Sombrero

Old-School Mexican Food in a casual setting

$$

El Sombrero

Image Source: Yelp

When Manhattan Beach locals are in the mood for chips, salsa, and cheese-covered Mexican food, they head downtown to El Sombrero. The neighborhood mainstay first opened its doors in 1975 and is known to long-time customers as "El Som" or "The Hat."


El Sombrero's reasonable prices, generous portions, and friendly staff are undoubtedly what keeps locals coming back year after year. Its extensive menu features traditional Mexican flavors, with crowd-pleasers like tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos, and breakfast burritos. Don't forget a salt-rimmed margarita on the side too!


1005 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach CA


(310) 937-6258


Sushi I-Naba

A Secret Upscale Sushi Spot

$$$$

Sushi I-Naba

Image Source: Yelp

For those seeking the exceptional, book one of six seats at Manhattan Beach's most exclusive sushi restaurant: Sushi I-Naba. After being greeted by chef Yasu-san upon arrival, you'll embark on a one-of-a-kind journey through courses of rare fish presented in decorative boxes like a work of art. Each bite of omakase contains something unique: uni, ankimo (monkfish liver), aged bluefin toro, sweet crab, and shirako (cod sperm), to name a few.


I-Naba's pre-set, 20+ course omakase dinner will cost you $280, so it isn't the type of place you pop into for an everyday meal. While prices are steep, it's a unique and unforgettable dining experience that, for avid sushi lovers, is well worth the splurge.


Temporarily located inside the I-Naba Restaurant at 20920 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, California, during renovations.


(310) 545-3345


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The Arthur J

The epitome of the neighborhood steakhouse

$$$

The Arthur J

Image Source: The Arthur J Instagram

The Arthur J marks the third Manhattan Beach restaurant from world-renowned chef-owner David LeFevre. The modern neighborhood steakhouse features a wood-fired grill, an extensive wine list, and a cozy atmosphere that makes for an excellent date night or celebratory dinner.


But what truly draws foodies to The Arthur J is its passion for a single key ingredient: beef. LeFevre's menu features superior-quality cuts sourced from around the globe, including USDA prime, Japanese wagyu, and black Angus beef. Whether bone-in or dry-aged, each steak is cooked to perfection by a skilled grill master, it's undoubtedly part of why the restaurant won a Michelin Plate in 2019.


903 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 878-9620


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Simmzy's

A Community-Oriented Southern California Pub

$$

Simmzy's

Image Source: Simmzy's Instagram

Simmzy's is a Southern California mainstay that's family-owned and community-oriented. The local pub is dedicated to homemade food, handcrafted beer, and the laid-back feel of a vacation. The menu features locally-sourced organic produce and craft beers.


While the Simms Restaurant Group has opened locations all over Southern California, there's something special about dining (and perhaps day drinking) at the original Manhattan Beach establishment. Come for the unbeatable burgers; stay for the quintessential SoCal vibes.


229 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA


(310) 546-1201


Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Tasty Pancakes from a Manhattan Beach Staple

$

Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Image Source: Uncle Bill's Pancake House Facebook

Uncle Bill's Pancake House has been a staple of the Manhattan Beach breakfast scene for over 50 years. Opened by "Uncle Bill" McElroy in 1961, its charm, nostalgia, and classic American breakfast fare have remained largely unchanged since.


Open from 7 AM to 3 PM, the old-school spot is perfect for a laid-back breakfast or leisurely hangover brunch. You'll want to come early or be prepared to wait, as there's typically a line out the door on weekends. But one bite, and you'll agree Uncle Bill's pancakes and waffles are well worth the wait.


1305 Highland Ave


Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 545-5177


The Manhattan Beach Post

Farm-to-table dining that put the Manhattan Beach Food scene on the map

$$$

The Manhattan Beach Post

Image Source: The Manhattan Beach Post Instagram

When it opened its door in 2011, The Manhattan Beach Post (or M.B. Post for short) became one of the buzziest eateries in Manhattan Beach. Though it's flown under the foodie radar for the past few years, the farm-to-table restaurant still offers one of the best meals in the city.


Its soulful menu of small shared plates is curated by Michelin-starred chef and seafood master David LeFevre. A thoughtful assortment of hand-crafted cocktails and small-production wines make excellent libations for weekend brunches and romantic date nights. Come ready to explore the entire menu, starting with the tasty cheddar bacon biscuits.


1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 545-5405


Book a Table


The Strand House

Family-Owned New American Cuisine with Spectacular Ocean Views

$$$

The Strand House Manhattan

Image Source: The Strand House Website

The Strand House is a family-owned beachfront restaurant with panoramic ocean views that are near-impossible to beat. The same high regard can be given to the coastal California cuisine from Chef Craig Hopson and the thoughtfully curated drink menu. Its seasonally-driven menu was developed out of a love of great food, wine, and friends, so ingredients are sourced from local farmers to ensure the freshest flavor.


Located just steps from the Manhattan Beach Pier, it's the perfect beachfront restaurant for a dinner date or meal with friends. Book a table right at sunset so you can sit back and enjoy cocktails and appetizers as the sun goes down.


117 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 545-7470


Book a Table


Fishing With Dynamite

Top-Notch Oysters in a Cheerful, 32-Seat Setting

$$$

Fishing With Dynamite

Image Source: Yelp

Fishing with Dynamite is undoubtedly one of the best raw bars in LA. The small seafood restaurant offers a top-notch selection of fresh fish and oysters in a lively yet intimate setting you'll instantly fall in love with. Chef and co-owner David LeFevre's pristine seafood selection celebrates summers spent on Virginia's Eastern Shore and the surrounding beachfront SoCal communities.


Its blend of global flavors and traditional seafood fare have earned accolades, including a Michelin Plate in 2019, Best Oyster Bar and Best Restaurant by Los Angeles Magazine, and residency on OpenTable's list of 100 Best Restaurants in America. Here you will find an array of flavors from East Coast New England clam chowder to Japanese-inspired dishes that won't disappoint.


1148 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 893-6299‬


Book a Table


MBwine

Wine Bar

$$

MBwine Manhattan

Image Source: MBwine Instagram

If you are in the mood to hit a wine bar or are a wine lover, then MBwine may be the perfect choice to check out. Dedicated to finding small vineyards that offer great value, there is a wine taste and budget for everyone. From new to rare vintage worldwide, MBwine will deliver a personal wine experience.


Aside from spectacular wine selections, MBwine has an incredibly chill, warm, family-like vibe. To go with your wine, there is a great selection of cheese and meat that you can pair with it.


3500 N Sepulveda Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


(310) 546-9463


No Reservations

About the Author

Fiona is a veteran travel consultant, photographer and travel writer at planetrider.com. She has spent many years as a corporate travel consultant and decided to actually live the life rather than plan it for others!

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