Ivy at the Shore

I so badly wanna give this place a higher review, but slow service and inattentive waiters dampened the experience for me. I stumbled into this lovely spot at 1PM because I thought it was a different restaurant that I had entered into my GPS. At that point it was too late to turn back so I asked for a solo table on the outdoor patio. The atmosphere outside was fantastic; I loved the fresh flowers and vintage artwork. It took almost 10 minutes before I was given a food menu and a then another 10 minutes before I was given an opportunity to order. I noticed groups around me who had been seated when I arrived had still not had an opportunity to order their food. I even overheard a table next to me expressing great dissatisfaction with the service. Even more surprising, it was a full 20 minutes from seating before I got the complimentary bread delivered to my table. Albeit, this was the first indication that the food here was on another level of delicious. I ordered the lobster sandwich for lunch and was thoroughly impressed. The bread was fantastic, lobster fresh and juicy, and the dressings top notch; This was among the best lobster sandwiches I can remember having. The side of chips were clearly homemade, and perfectly fried to a satisfying crisp. Additionally, the Gimlet I ordered was superb, with plenty of fresh mint. The food here is truly delicious, which is to be expected for the price and history of the venue. Frankly, the service I got was not all bad. In fact, I had received and finished my food before many of the tables around me had even received their entrees, despite being seated before me. I got the feeling the waitstaff may have been offering me preferential treatment. This experience was nice, and I always appreciate dining so close to the ocean. However, the service was clearly not up to par, perhaps they were down a server today.

The Ivy in Santa Monica is a wonderful spot, especially if you can sit on the patio with a view of the pier and sunset. The crab cakes are easily top three I have ever had, rich, fresh and full of flavor. The oysters were fresh and tasty, the lobster ravioli with Ivy pink sauce was creamy and delicious, and the sea bass with ginger coconut curry was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The service was warm and attentive, making the whole experience even better. I highly recommend it for both the food and the view.

Located on Ocean Drive in Santa Monica, directly across from the pier, this restaurant features Parisian and European-style decor and offers a variety of seafood along with classic American dishes. We ordered the swordfish, mussels in curry, and soft shell crab with Cajun seasoning. Each dish was cooked to perfection, with the seafood being tender and juicy. Oh, and the profiteroles with house-made gelatos were delicious as well. While the prices are on the higher end, this is to be expected given the location, exceptional service, and inviting ambiance.

This establishment has been in the area for over 40 years. The decor reminded me of places you'd see in Palm Beach. We ordered takeout today, the service at the bar was great, the food was outstanding! We couldn't recommend Ivy at the Shore highly enough. It's expensive, but the experience is awesome!

The Ivy by the Shore is a sister restaurant to the original Ivy, and it upholds the same high standards beautifully. The food, service, and atmosphere were all perfection. I have dietary restrictions and did not want to feel rushed. I was taken care of impeccably on all fronts. I was seated on the terrace overlooking the shore, which made the experience even more special. The food was delicious, and the service was as lovely as the setting. From the valet and the host to the servers and even the bus staff, everything was handled flawlessly. In a part of town where the boardwalk can feel chaotic, with vendors and the occasional wandering passerby, The Ivy offers a true respite a place of good taste, care, and calm. My Americano was perfectly prepared, and the tuna tartare was excellent. An absolute gem in Santa Monica.

Ivy at the Shore has a charming East Coast vibe with lovely décor—think dollhouse charm meets beachside elegance. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and it’s a definite plus that the place is dog-friendly. However, the food didn’t quite live up to the atmosphere. The pasta was noticeably under-seasoned and lacking in sauce, and overall, the prices felt steep for what was served. It’s a nice spot if you’re going for the ambiance, but the food could use some improvement to match the vibe and cost.

We strolled by this place on a whim, and it turned into one of the most magical dinners we’ve ever had. From the moment you step into the cozy glass atrium filled with flowers, art, and soft golden light you’re transported. It’s romantic, colorful, and joyful, like dining inside a painting. The service was flawless attentive, kind, and unhurried. We’re fast eaters by nature, but their rhythm between courses made us slow down and truly savor every bite. We started with the guacamole and chips—chunky, bright with lemon, perfectly salted. As we ate, the sky turned sherbet orange over the ocean, the Ferris wheel lighting up the horizon. Michael had the filet mignon, buttery soft and tender, with a rich steak sauce. I had the Jidori fried chicken, golden and crisp outside, juicy inside, with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted corn on the cob, and a mango chutney that hit the perfect sweet-tart balance. Before dinner came warm rustic wheat bread dense yet airy, served with soft salted butter that tasted homemade. Every detail felt thoughtful and timeless. And dessert? Absolute perfection. The waiter told us everything is made fresh in-house because The Ivy began as a dessert shop. We shared the Homemade Profiteroles with pistachio, vanilla & Stracciatella Ice Cream a homemade delicate pastry filled with silky vanilla ice cream laced with thin ribbons of chocolate, topped with warm fudge that melted right in. Heaven in every bite. By the time the stars appeared through the glass ceiling and the jazz played softly in the background, we were just sitting there in awe full, happy, and completely in love with the moment. The Ivy at the Shore isn’t just dinner; it’s an experience. Beautiful, soulful, and unforgettable. Our new favorite place in Santa Monica. ❤️ Sorry desert went quick no pics 🤦🏻‍♀️

What a gem! Ivy at the Shore has excellent handmade: Breads and Pastas. The spaghetti and meatball dish was so tender. Their burger/ w housemade brioche bun was delicious. The desserts and gellatos are all made in-house. And the view of the ocean is a big plus. I highly recommend Ivy at the Shore!

Decided to treat my baby Bruin who is studying at UCLA to a nice early dinner. This restaurant is super convenient to the school and near the Santa Monica Pier. There is either valet parking or a parking garage next door. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted warmly. There was no wait and were seated right away. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful filled with gorgeous details making this place feel like home. The bread service is excellent and the selection of drinks certainly razzles and dazzles. If you love a great Arnold Palmer, definitely order one here. It not only exceeds expectations, but it has the perfect tea to lemonade ratio. The crab cake appetizer is worth trying as it is fresh, light, and refreshing. The only con is that they are a bit on the small side. The main course salad is also refreshing and shareable. Paired with the bread service was very tasty. I opted for India's hamburger and it was perfectly cooked. The fries were hot and crispy. Each bite was pure deliciousness. The staff here is first class all the way. They were attentive, polite, patient, and friendly. Hospitality at its finest. Highly recommend checking this place out if you come out to Santa Monica Pier. Thank you again for the amazing service. Definitely will be back!

This was our first time visiting here. We came for my husbands birthday and they celebrated by bringing a large candle sparkler & brownies with some vanilla bean ice cream. For appetizers we got the calamari & the peach salad. I liked the calamari. For entrees we ordered carne asada, swordfish, a child's spaghetti & meatballs. I ordered the 1.25 lb. fresh Eastern lobster with homemade tagliatelle and The Ivy pink sauce. It was good! My favorite dish was the Hot pecan square topped with praline gelato and hot fudge sauce. I could have eaten 10 of those!

Dining at Ivy at the Shore is always a dream, but this last visit truly exceeded expectations thanks to the incredible service from Armando and Ricardo. From the moment we sat down, they made us feel so welcomed and taken care of--it wasn't just service, it was an experience. The food? Absolutely out of this world--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. But what really makes it unforgettable is the way Armando and Ricardo elevate everything with their warmth, attentiveness, and effortless charm. They anticipate what you need before you even ask, all while making you feel like family. Grace, flow, and attention to detail on another level. If you want a perfect meal paired with the kind of service that makes you feel like the most special person in the room, ask for Armando and Ricardo. They're the heart of Ivy at the Shore and the reason I'll keep coming back. Truly five stars all the way!

Ivy at the Shore is one of my top 25 restaurants that I've ever eaten in my entire life. It is so beautiful inside and the service is excellent. My favorite item is their perfectly grilled swordfish which is almost as good as The Ivy on Robertson. I have pictures somewhere in my archives which I will attach later. They have homemade chocolate chip cookies that are to die for but unfortunately not gluten-free. I found my iconic match book from the IBTS!! So excited

I've never visited this oceanside Ivy so since they were participating in Restaurant week, I figured now was a good time to do so. There were some people clogging up the entrance due to a stroller and simply being entitled, not noticing other people trying to get around them as they waited for a table. The host took note of this and when I had his attention, I inquired about the bar. Turns out he was the host/bartender/waiter all at once. There was only one other party at the bar and they had four legs: a French bulldog named Sunshine. Different offerings than their sister location for dineLA, the starters were pretty much similar but the entrees were somewhat different. Mostly they didn't offer Ricky's fried chicken, but they did have India's burger (which I went with). Instead of the lame offering of chips and guacamole as I had previously*, I went smart with the corn chowder which I knew they can't mess with. Bread was also offered, and this is where I found out the raisin scones I had at the other location was supposed to be served for weekend brunch, not weekly lunch as it was to me. Just another mishap to laugh about. The fries were okay but the burger was fantastic; I liked all of the ingredients so I didn't omit anything except requesting the aioli on the side. I knew I wasn't going to get through the second half so I packed this to go, along with the cookies. What I couldn't help but notice was the music; at first I thought it was a live lounge singer which I thought would be odd since it was a random Friday afternoon, but I discovered this was the owner singing. There are even CDs available for purchase. All I have to say is...wow. Mauricio was the host/bartender/etc. for this visit. Compared to what I experienced before, he provided Great service! Sunshine was sitting on the floor the whole time, behaving/napping. As I left, the owner came in to retrieve the pup, and I knew next time I wanted the Ivy, it would be here. I HAD A MUCH BETTER EXPERIENCE HERE! *noticing another reviewer showed their generous amount of chips and guacamole from this dining week, I was definitely-for lack of better word-screwed over at Robertson. .

The staff are fantastic but the food doesn't hold up anymore. I have always loved this restaurant but it will go under if they don't stay competitive with current standards. Also pretty sure the second bottle of Evian was tap water.

First word that comes to mind is otherworldly. Honestly looks like you've stepped into another country. Gorgeous decor. Beautifully aesthetic. Location: right across the street from the Santa Monica Pier. Parking is pretty impossible close by. You can valet but if you park 3 blocks away it'll cost you $4-11. We made reservations and were seated quickly. Not too busy for a Saturday or holiday weekend. We were immediately attended to. Waiters for amazing We ordered the chicken and sangrias. Food is definitely big enough to share. Prices are a little high but expected for the area. They do give complimentary scones which were amazing. Honestly would come back, great ambience, food and drinks

me and a couple girlfriends went there for brunch today and the service was impeccable. At one point we had at least three waiters hovering around removing plates and anything that was in our way. The staff was polite and very helpful. I wasn't so crazy about the Cobb salad, but the coconut raspberry cake was wonderful and their coffee was great. Also, the spinach and cheese ravioli was a nice starter..

Beautiful restaurant directly across from the pier on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica! Very similar in ambience and menu as the original in Beverly Hills, the service is also impeccable. The food is absolutely delicious, my go to is the grilled vegetable salad with salmon. Portions are generous and the quality is great. The prices are a bit high, but consider considering the location and quality of the food it is well worth the splurge. Highly recommended if you are looking for a memorable meal in Santa Monica!

My two friends and I came here for the $55 DineLA.com 3-course lunch to celebrate my birthday. None of us had been here before. We loved the beautiful and pleasant ambiance indoors and in the patio that included colors of light green, pink, orange, Hawaiian theme, several Eiffel Towers, and a huge pic of a ship in the main dining room. I walked in taking pics and was in awe. We sat in the glass enclosed with open top patio. We started with a comped WARM, small circular bread cut in four pieces with butter - a sign of a good restaurant is WARM bread. The guacamole and homemade tortilla chips were delicious! My Latina friend said the guacamole was authentic. The chips were light. The Caesar salad was a little salty from the anchovies - I was able to alleviate the saltiness by adding guacamole, radicchio and lettuce. The grilled veggies salads with chicken and salmon were wonderful!! For dessert, we had the key lime pie and raspberry coconut cake - both sublime. As a surprise, the staff presented me with two buttery pecan wafers, a small cup of vanilla ice cream and a sparkling candle. No one had told the staff of my bday except for the birthday indication on Open Table, so kudos to the staff for actually reading the reservation! I've been to restaurants where the birthday indication goes unnoticed. Staff was friendly and attentive. The DineLA menu will not be given to customers unless they ask for it. We had to ask for it. Parking in the structures or street parking. It was a gorgeous sunny day to walk around Santa Monica after lunch. Great ambiance, food, service. I highly recommend this restaurant!

This was my first time eating here and it did not disappoint. The tuna tartare was unbelievable and so fresh. Of course, you can also never go wrong with caviar and the oysters were chef's kiss. We also ordered the hot seafood platter (not pictured because we devoured it so fast). I loved the decor in the inside of this restaurant. Truly one of a kind. The service was topnotch. The location of this restaurant is nice because you can walk to the Santa Monica pier which is just on the other side of the street. The only compliant I have is that the drinks we ordered - the ivy gimlet and the passionfruit margarita - were lacking in alcohol. But other than that, everything was great and I would definitely come back.

The service here was so so attentive and friendly that I wasn't even sure who our designated server was. We were walking the boardwalk and just decided to pop in on a whim, no reservation. They made us feel so taken care of, and they even sent me a birthday dessert and comped our scones for us! One of the highlights of my trip.

I came here for my nana's 92nd birthday dinner and was underwhelmed. I had heard such great things about the ivy and I didn't get to experience that. The decor is adorable and I loved the set up! I will start off by saying my drink was FANTASTIC! I got the black pearl and it was delicious. Also the crab cakes were some of the best I have had. I ordered the tuna tartar which was subpar at best. It lacked flavor and was overpowered by onion and avocado with very little tuna. Then I ordered the scallops which were good but the mashed potatoes were not great. For $58 I was left wanting more. I know we were a big party of 11 but the service was awful. They were also out of a lot of items and even out of cake and cookies so the only dessert was ice cream. I wish my experience was better but that's ok.

I had a great experience at the Ivy in Santa Monica. The restaurant was beautifully decorated. I loved the table we were sat at. The food was delicious! I recently had to contact them about their delicious cookies and surprisingly heard back from them within the hour. Very personable and friendly! I can't wait to come back!

We visited The Ivy in Santa Monica in the afternoon for tea time... & had a wonderful experience. I enjoyed a perfectly chilled glass of Sancerre while my wife had their non-alcoholic pomegranate margarita, which was just as creative & refreshing. Dessert was a standout... the tart was tasty, paired beautifully with a smooth limoncello. The atmosphere inside is bright, stylish, inviting... it really captures that perfect Santa Monica vibe. Service was amazing from start to finish... attentive, friendly, & genuinely thoughtful without ever being overbearing. Overall, The Ivy delivered a fantastic afternoon... excellent drinks, memorable dessert, awesome vibe, & top-notch service.

It's been several years since I've been to The Ivy Santa Monica. The food is still the same and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The service was amazing and our waiter was a total star super sweet, friendly, funny and attentive. I would say I definitely enjoyed my visit and would go again. Parking and Valet guys were helpful and friendly. My only critique would be that things are getting a little tired and dated in the decor area, few chipped plates, furnishings have seen better days and the menu felt greasy and a bit grimy. With such a great reputation and price tag to match you kind of go in hoping for a polished package and I think the decor and dated feel of things let that down a bit. I think the owners should think about spending a bit of money to bring things back up to sparkling again to give this Santa Monica gem back her shine.

I love the Ivy for all the reasons people should love it. Not the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow or other trendy celebs dig it, but because it has been a tried and true mainstay in Santa Monica that never disappoints. Really? Where do they get the long-stem roses that have scent? The color of the restaurant and the integrity of the staff. The Ivy Gimlet says, "Wooooza! Yo! Maybe we nap after brunch?"

Had lunch here on a beautiful weekday afternoon. While visiting the Santa Monica Pier, one must check out the highly talked about Ivy on the Shore. Fair warning, it's not for an inexpensive date. The food isn't the best you'll ever have but it's crafted with a lot of TLC. Service is above average for sure as all wait staff support one another in managing all tables. The space is thoughtfully decorated, and projects a very bright and warm welcome into the restaurant. Valet parking available because as y'all know -- the Santa Monica Pier can be an impossible strip to navigate through for parking.

Very pleasant vibe, good food, great service. I had fish and chips with assorted fish and it was good and filling

Don't order the crab cakes. What was served to us was so over fried it was like pork rinds/chitlins. My daughter did not want to complain because she was afraid they would spit on her other food before serving it. The rest of our meal was delicious! Service was great. A big yuck on the crab cakes.

A family favorite for years. This little German on Ocean Avenue offers top-notch food with even better service. You can't beat the atmosphere and the location is perfect for a day at the beach or walking around third Street.

My husband and I had one of our first dates here back in the fall of 2000 and to this day (Nov. 2024) it's still so special for so many reasons! The food, (the warm vegetable salad is my favorite and I've tried replicating it at home but never quite capture it as perfectly as they do it.), the ambience, (during lunch or brunch you can see the pink Boganvilla through the patio windows looking out onto Ocean Ave), the service, (many of the servers have worked here over 30 years and are always so happy, polite and kind), the decor is light and bright and it's a little less crowded then it's sister restaurant in Beverly Hills. Highly recommend!

A classic LA restaurant- fabulous decor, amazing ambiance and delicious food! I've been here so many times, and loved each visit to The Ivy! I arrived with a large party for a special birthday lunch - we were seated immediately. Food- never fails, crab cakes were delicious, Caesar salad was a little over dressed, and the wonderful brown bread was served at the end after they brought out the food- 4 stars Ambiance- I love the roses in the vases- so gorgeous with the floral plates. The room had a beachy island vibe.. Service - the servers were very prompt and the food came out rather quickly, which is okay since my entire table ordered the grilled vegetable salad (need to order the combo with the shrimp and chicken!). This was a Very Expensive Lunch! they charge $5 per entree for splitting the entrees, and we brought cupcakes and they charged us $6 per person to put our cupcakes on a plate with a candle ($48!) and called it a cutting fee! which is excessive in my opinion!!! Valet - $17 with validation.

My husband and I walked in here thinking it was a cute little cafe spot. And it is not. Let's start off with service. The wildest thing is being Latino and being served by all Latinos who give you a dirty look cause you're not white. But maybe that's cause all the white people who go dine there don't care to get ripped off. We got seated and was only given a drinks menu. (Mind you I am 7 months pregnant!) why would I need alcohol?? Server came about 10 min later asked us for drinks I had to ask for non Alcoholic he gave me juice options. My pineapple juice was served in a white cup small portion and it was $16 are you kidding me not even a whole pineapple is worth $16. Then after our drinks nobody gave us a menu or checked in on us. Noticed right away white looking people were served better. How sad. By the time I got my menu it was very unorganized they have them in this heavy hard plastic and then a sheet of paper like a cheap brochure for brunch and Lunch. I had to ask the server what the food items came with because it has no explanation only what they came with or what they were. So all in all for two meals one juice one cocktail it was like $180..and I think they included tip so ridiculous please don't come here even thought it's aesthetically pleasing to look at the food is not good. Also why is it Mexican food mixed with Italian and random breakfast?? Nothing g sounded good tbh. I got the burger and my husband got the chicken plate. Oh and how nice of them to be so kind to give us one muffin each as an appetizer lol

Went to an amazing private event today at this wonderful place! It's been a favorite of mine for years. The food was amazing, huge portions! The waiters were super polite and professional. The location is unmatched! Seaside with snacks was just what the doctor ordered!

Forget about how amazing the food and the service is, but you also get the most unbelievable view of Santa Monica bay. Their menu has so many terrific items that it's hard to find just one thing to order. My wife and I shared the guacamole and a crab salad. Our friend ordered lobster tagliatelle. We tried an espresso martini, apple tartan and a sundae. James is an awesome waiter.

The ambiance is great. The food is awful. I had branzino with shrimp and beans. They fried the shrimp and fish in so much oil. The oil tasted really bad. Couldn't eat the beans because it was too hard. It was not cooked enough. When I told the waiter, he said the beans are al dente. Didn't try to change or substitute with something else. The rest of our party didn't enjoy their food and couldn't eat it.

Seemed overrated but I genuinely thought this by the shore location would have been better than an original one! Carlos was my server for the very first time and he had elevated the audience and services to another level!!

I have a wonderful experience at this restaurant with its awesome view of the Pacific Ocean. This is a great date restaurant as well gathering with friends. Juan and Jesus wear my waiters and I enjoyed their service. I never had to ask them for anything, they were ready to serve us. Our food was superb. I enjoyed my crab cakes with a burst of flavor. My main course salad was fresh with vegetables, shrimp and avocado. The vast variety of drinks gave us great options to our meals. This is a very beautiful restaurant with hardy bouquet of roses on each of the cloth tables. This restaurant has three beautiful dining areas, the front heated patio, main dining area and a heated lanai. There was music playing in the background that was wasn't loud. I enjoyed my experience here.

Went here to celebrate my sisters birthday, we got amazing service and the location was wonderful. It was gorgeous inside of the restaurant and it truly made her 18th birthday special! The food was delicious and they gave us a special dessert to celebrate.

I slipped in just at 11 and they were gracious enough to serve me breakfast! OMGelicious Crab Cakes Benedict. It came so fast I wasn't able to fullly enjoy the cracked wheat (nom nom) roll. However, I'm fully enjoying it as well. The potatoes are cut, seasoned, and seasoned perfectly. Just the right crispness, too! The service is impeccable and the setting is a bit old- fashioned yet dreamy! One does not find fresh-cut flowers at a table, and the roses were an absolute delight for a Valentine's Day! Come for lunch! Reserve your dinner if you haven't already! If the breakfast is any indicator, I doubt you'll be disappointed!

Ivy At The Shore -- BE AWARE & WARNING! OMG The food was terrible & service just as bad, this place has gone to @#$%^&* Disgusting experience, from the servers, to the food. If I COULD'VE GIVEN IT LESS STARS I WOULD HAVE! When I worked in the West side of town, 15 years ago.. My co workers and I frequented this place very often, especially for the The Ivy Gimlet! YUM! the food and service was great back then. The bad food and service started about 8 months ago wanted the fish & chips ONLY and the only thing they had was combo "fresh wild Alaskan cod, shrimp, fresh scallops, calamari, French fries, onion rings and coleslaw". So I asked the server if he can substitute out the other items and give more fish, and that was OK, seemed to work even though the fish was fried much earlier...and was soggy and cold with grease.. So I had bench mark to compare yesterdays visit too. So yesterday after a day the Getty with my kids, they and I were starving, so we stopped by this place... I order the same thing fish & chips the server said he would sub out the other things for more fish,.. The plate arrived with only 2 pieces of fish, literally 2 tiny pieces... not only did he not sub out for more fish... BUT the fish was COLD, literally COLD greasy battered coating, the inside of the fish was also COLD to the touch... I ask the sever about this and he said its "FRESH" dont think so... and it did NOT appear to be "Alaskan cod" And the fries were SOOOOOO salty and the portion was like that of 1/2 a potato, I had to send them back. They also did NOT bring the coleslaw the dish comes with. Then the server has the @#$%^&*() to ask me to pick a 20% TIP before he rang up the bill with my card. NO class! He even circled the TIP to pick on all 3 receipts.. DOUBLE NO CLASS!!! de class ey!! for sure. After spending $220. for lunch this was a HUGE mistake & disappointment to me and the kids. OMG what happened to this place ?.. It was a terrible experience with my kids. I guess I shouldn't wonder why it was empty 8 months ago and EMPTY again yesterday. (one of severs had really bad attitude, like I he was doing me a favor but asking for a huge tip hahaha) I hope you all read this before you go, too many places in the area with much better food and service!

I wish I could say that this place is overrated, but truly it is not. It's beautiful on the inside, the service is amazing, and the food and drinks are absolutely delicious. I asked my waiter what he would recommend I order for my lunch entree, and he suggested the shrimp tacos and I was not disappointed. My husband ordered the fried chicken and he said it was one of the best he's ever had. We love coming here for a cute and fun dining experience, and I recommend that you stop by and check it out as well.

Not the worst ever, but for $100 solo at lunch, no alcohol no apps, I shouldn't have any complaints...let alone dirty facilities. Service is 5/5 -- outstanding Food is 3/5 -- kitchen doesn't try but doesn't fail Ambiance is 2/5 -- basic cleaning people! Facilities are not well maintained, let alone updated. They coast on legacy, and don't bother to do the minimum such as maintain restrooms. If you are a tourist who must have an Instagram pic here, fine, but for any local avoid! I'm sure they will keep making money on reputation and location, but it's fundamentally not a good spot anymore. Go across the street to the lobster.

Avoid this place. There are better choices in this area. It went downhill with the service and food.

For the money, it's not worth it. Very average food. It was not tasty. The place is pretty sure? The outside is a glass house. An apple juice cost $18 so theres that.

I have been to the Beverly Hills location a few times and would say I prefer there over this Santa Monica location even though it's been open since 1985. In my opinion they have the best Red Velvet Cake I have ever had but it is overall the meal is overpriced for what you get. Also parking in this area is a lot trickier, your best option will be valet or one of the pay lots next-door for $15 for two hours. Our server was polite, although very busy tonight. This is a bit of a tourist trap in my opinion but still there are some good dishes. I started off with the Crab Cakes and they were pretty good although not great. I think they are overly expensive for $25 for three small cakes so I would not recommend ordering it. For my entrée I had the special for the evening: the Branzino & Shrimp. The Branzino was very tasty, although the shrimp was the tiny piece shrimp that you get in a regular shrimp salad. Wish it was prawns or something larger. The cannelloni beans on the side was a strange choice in my opinion, I would've much rather had a small salad, or even a type of rice. For dessert I got what I always get when I go to any Ivy location and it's the old-fashioned Red Velvet Cake. As mentioned, it's the best Red Velvet Cake I've ever had and would highly recommend it. I would honestly go there just for the cake. Overall, I know this is a famous LA restaurant that's been open since 1985, but I honestly would not recommend it over many other locations in town. It's not bad but it's definitely not great. Also, this is more of a casual place to go with friends or family. I would not suggest it as a business dinner or a date spot.

I recently had lunch with a friend at Ivy at the shore and loved the experience. The food, service, and ambience was amazing and I totally made my first time experience here unforgettable. I ordered from the daily special menu and got the Tagliatelle past dish and brussel sprouts. Additionally I ordered a passion fruit mocktail that looked beautiful and was delicious. Our server was very polite and helpful, and customized my order as I don't eat pork. The beautiful flowers and decor makes you forget that you are sitting right across the ocean on a busy street. It was absolutely amazing and I added this place to my favorites!

We had such a enjoyable experience. Food was delicious. People were pleasant and attentive. Restaurant was clean. $$$$ But the music. Holy smokes. Apparently, the owner actually sings on EVERY TRACK! Like bad karaoke. Don't wish to be mean. But man. Florence Foster Jenkins comes to mind.

We were recently in LA for the first time and had a laundry list of food spots we wanted to try. The Ivy was on our list and knocked our socks off in every way. Service was beyond exceptional, the outdoor patio area was so quaint and comfortable and fun, and everything we ordered was fabulous -- there was not a crumb left of any dish. To start, we ordered the "best" crab cakes ($22); three lump cakes came in the order on a beautiful painted plate with a creamy and delicious aioli. For entrees, we had the lobster ravioli ($42) and the fish and chips ($32). Both dishes were phenomenal! The sauce on the ravioli was creamy, like a mix of marinara and alfredo, and paired so well with the lobster stuffed pastas. Our server informed us that the pasta was made in-house and filled that day; you could taste the freshness. My husband's fish and chips plate was huge and the fish was of hefty portion. There was no skimping at all with this dish. It was accompanied with fries and onion rings, he was thrilled. Our server also brought out a complimentary dessert for my hubs' birthday -- their famous "red cake" with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a big sparkler. Such a nice touch to end our lunch. This was by far our best meal of our trip, we loved the Ivy. Total for appetizer and two entrees was $105 before tip. Well deserved.

Horrified by the $21 tab to valet park at this restaurant. The breakdown was explained as follows: $17 with restaurant validation (already exorbitant), $3 "tax" (18%???), $1 credit card fee (we have to pay your 'price of doing business' expenses???). Even if their valet parking is subcontracted out, the restaurant is ultimately responsible for this offensive parking fee. Service was excellent as usual but food was mid, even the French fries were very mediocre at best. Won't return. Between my lunch companion and myself we paid $42 to valet park. Hard no.

The ambience and the service is really great. Our waiter was really kind and very accommodating. We were there for breakfast, and I would say that the food is definitely expensive for the type of quality it was. We ordered the lobster omelette and the French toast. I really enjoyed the scone biscuits that were free, I could tell that they were homemade. In regard to the omelette, it was really just a regular omelette with chunks of lobster in it. Overall, the food wasn't bad, I am aware that all of the restaurants in Santa Monica are really expensive due to tourism, but I actually would come back to this place again for the ambience and the kind of treatment from the staff. I bet it's really beautiful at night. So the only reason why I would give it three stars out of five is just the food but overall I would give four out of five for the ambience and service. I would say check out this place for yourself.

So much better than the one on Robertson cuz you get a view! Love the Caesar salad! It's a wonderful corn chowder too! Omg love the plates and decor.

My Goddaughter treated me to a birthday lunch here today the food was amazing, service was great and the ambiance was beautiful.

It was easy to get a table for four at 6:30 pm only a day before. When we arrived, the restaurant was fairly empty - but by the time we left it was fairly full. There were a lot of tourists (which is obvious, given the location) and the spot is pretty cute -- visually interesting interior design that is also comfortable. The service was quick and attentive. The food was just okay. The tagliatelle with veal ragu bolognese was extremely watery. I was pretty surprised that this is one of their more well known dishes, because I definitely make it better at home following the NYT cooking recipe by Marcella Hazan. Overall, it's a place to come with tourists from out of town to show a good vibe and to enjoy the oceanfront. But don't come too hungry, because the food isn't great.

This beautiful restaurant is a landmark! Still here after at least 40 years! What a beautiful menu! I'm writing this as a vegan diner. I wanted to share that they were accommodating, and my party and I were able to enjoy the food, service, and atmosphere. Full menu. I had the vegetable salad and a cheese less pizza. Everything made fresh. The other diners in my party were so happy: best pasta ever and the salmon "came straight from the ocean"!

Inside is a beautiful place with views of the pacific. The room is painted pink with various pictures. Not sure why it's not rated higher but the food here was delicious. The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. Their blood Orange Margarita was great. Staff was super friendly and helpful, even got a plastic straw for me on request. Highly recommend.

Had such a wonderful time at the Ivy! The food and service was amazing and the drinks were some of the best I've had in LA! Highly reccomend here. Especially if you're coming with a group or for a business dinner.

Come by here at-least once a month for lunch and i have tried a couple different dishes, lobster ravioli, fish n chips, enchiladas, indias burger, etc The place is nice, a little dated but its nice. The waiters are really cool, they never let your drinks get to the half way point and they are helpful and friendly. The food is consistent thats what i like about this place. My go to dish is the enchiladas, i always add an extra enchilada because i don't get full with the portion they offer, and tbh i would like them more if they made them with a green sauce instead of the red but thats just me being biased. The rice isn't to my liking but it's okay, it lacks flavor and the same goes for the beans i would appreciate them more if they were refried and tasted more traditional. Overall this place is consistent and a nice place to visit if you're in the area. Decent prices and amazing waiters.