The Lobster
Seafood restaurant · Santa Monica ·
Sumptuous seafood with a stunning ocean view
Sumptuous seafood with a stunning ocean view
"The views don’t get much better than at the Lobster, the staple Santa Monica hangout that serves plenty of seafood. Steps from the Santa Monica Pier, this is the place to hang out, catch the ocean breeze, and eat very, very well. Chef Govind Armstrong has built a menu of reliable seafood classics like lobster chowder, charred octopus with piquillo pepper, and both grilled and steamed lobster that befits the restaurant’s name." - Eater Staff
"True to its name, this lovely perch overlooking the Santa Monica pier has earned its reputation for great American seafood, thanks to its focus on Maine lobsters and much more. Don’t let its beachy location lure you into thinking that this is a tourist trap. Tightly spaced tables don’t leave much room for privacy and the service seems focused on efficiency, but those expansive views and steaming seafood more than compensate.Lobsters arrive at the height of temptation—find them beautifully steamed until the meat is so incredibly tender, rendering that side of melted butter all but superfluous. Hearty seared crab cakes have a crisp exterior and are generously filled with meat, served alongside peppery arugula, fennel salad and remoulade." - Michelin Inspector
"A seafood restaurant recommended for fresh, coastal dishes and waterfront dining—presented as a classic choice for enjoying local seafood along the shore." - Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine is the digital senior editor at Travel + Leisure. She covers hotels, destinations (focusing on Europe, Asia, California, and Mexico), food and drink, cruises, and luxury aviation. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"An iconic restaurant in Southern California overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier, led by Executive Chef Govind Armstrong." - Mona Holmes
"Perched at the end of the famed Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster is the kind of place that'd show up in the dictionary under "tourist trap." There's no denying the panoramic ocean views from the dining room, but you'll pay for it in the form of middling, overpriced seafood dishes. Whatever you do, don't get suckered into buying the overcooked lobster (flown in from Maine). If a sunset pier moment is on your bucket list, you're better off grabbing a burger and a beer at Big Dean's a few steps away." - Garrett Snyder
