The Whaler Santa Monica

We went in the afternoon for lunch. It’s close enough to the beach for a nice view, but not close to consider it beachfront. The food was excellently prepared, well seasoned, and tasted great. Everyone got something different and everyone enjoyed their meal. The server was very friendly and attentive. The IPA battered cod sandwich was fantastic. It was fried perfectly and the slaw, tartar sauce, and pickle complimented the fish well. My wife had the fish tacos and loved them. I had a slice of my daughter’s pepperoni pizza and it was pretty good for a place that’s not a pizzeria. The spicy tuna on crispy rice was excellent. We will definitely eat here again.

Taco Tuesday for lunch is very good. I took my family for my wife’s birthday here. The tacos were delicious and even my 3 year old ate one and enjoyed it (plain). The location is perfect and the service is very friendly and attentive. Will come back.

Had a great fish and chips with actual vinegar here for afternoon dinner. Food was great and sitting outside in the setting sun was even better. Beer to was it down with. Lovely

A perfect place for a lazy Sunday brunch. Right on Ocean Blvd with bottomless mimosas (for 90 min) and a spicy tangy bloody mary. Say less. They don't rest on their location. Food is flavorful and filling. We had the muscles with fries. You will want yo lick the bowl clean. Also and the Mexican skillet with chorizo is a winner. Our server Meggie was welcoming and just the right amount of attentive. Would definitely recommend.

In from out of town and wanted to stop by two nights in a row. Hours say their bar is open until midnight (on Wednesdays) and 1am (on Thursday). On both occasions, we were told “it’s slow” and that they were closed. Incredibly rude staff. 10/10 would not recommend. I’d actually walk another 5 minutes to another bar and avoid this place altogether.

Great spot to watch sports. Plenty of screens. Surprisingly great food. Garlic wings hit the spot. Loved the falafel and avocado salad. Cold draft beers ideal for watching game. Crowd was cheering and into the action.

Food was decent but the service was bad. We sat down and were handed menus, waited 5 mins and an employee aggressively told us that we needed to order food before 10, it was about 9:35. We said we were still waiting on our server. When he finally took our order, he forgot one of the soups and it didn’t come out with bread. And we had to ask multiple times for water and didn’t even get enough glasses for all of us

The Santa Monica Whaler was a disaster from the very start. To be fair, we probably should’ve left when we walked in. The atmosphere is by far the most basic, uninviting and plain, to the point of looking unfinished. There are random TV mounts hanging on the wall with no TV, almost zero decor, and it’s unreasonably cold inside, with the sliding doors wide open at 50 degrees. We waited more than 10 minutes to be greeted by anyone, despite the restaurant being mostly empty. On top of that, the menu is small, and extremely expensive for what it is. The food was not tasty in any way, and was dry and largely flavourless. A 12 dollar salad gets you oily Arugula with two paper-thin pear slices, a few nuts, and nothing else. The pizza is as dry as the Sahara Desert, over-cooked, and every topping on it was stale. The bacon was precooked, and incinerated by the time it came out of the oven, as was the chicken. After the food runner dropped our food, we saw our server one additional time in nearly 90-minutes. Getting our check was extremely difficult, and when we inquired as to where our server was, we were told she was “upstairs.” With most of our food still left on our plates, and zero desire to take any with us, we finally paid our bill, which was over $130 for 3-adults and a child, and left. This is by far the worst dining experience I have had in the last 3-years.

Pricey, food good, they had a game playing on the tvs so everything was pretty loud. Overall the food was great.

There are no words to describe, how I love going to, and just being, in Santa Monica. So once again, I grabbed another opportunity, this time to savor the fruits of the Dine LA weeks (we are fortunate to have two, numerous cities around the country have one, maybe 10 days). This is what brought me to the Whaler, in Santa Monica. Yes, there is outdoor seating, but being a chilly day, I requested an indoor affair albeit, the warmest seat available. Once again, a hard to find choice, all doors are open, still cannot understand why establishments like to suck in the cold air and take down the temperature of your warm food. I have heard the fire escape explanation. But if so, why is it that other restaurants do not open their doors and roofs :) Answer: Many do not. The Whaler offered a three-course Dine LA Lunch menu for $35. My choices were in order, the Clam Chowder, the Shrimp Louie Salad, the IPA Fish and Chips. So how was it? The clam chowder had more potatoes than clams, but too"was well balanced on the thickness of cream and flavor. The shrimp louie salad was super, even though it had only 3 small shrimp (which by the way were prepared perfectly). The fish and chips was a winner. Generously proportioned (3 pieces), an optimally seasoned batter that revealed a flaky inside fish that upheld flavor and taste. What is unique about this place is its interior decor. Several wall spaces are adorned with album covers of the music greats. One cannot help but be awed, or even tear up, to see Johnny Cash, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and so much more. Wow and Wow.

Perfect place to come with friends or family! Atmosphere was amazing if you're sitting inside or out there's just a nice coziness here. I was lucky enough to get the fire pit outside with some friends on New Year's Day. Some breakfast meals were ordered some calamari, quartile and chips and some burgers. The burgers are so juicy and filling I opted to get grilled onion instead of raw I was in heaven I loved it here. All of the appetizers we ordered and shared were great. Everything about this place is just chefs kiss our server was super sweet and so were the other staff. If you're in the area with friends and want to grabs some drinks and amazing food easy choice you have to come to Whaler!

We came in on a Saturday and grabbed a seat at the bar to watch football. The bartenders were very nice and worked with us to get our game on tv close by. We ordered a Bloody Mary - they use their own mix which has a good amount of spice and good toppings. They have a great selection of beers as well. The calamari was a good shareable appetizer. I would recommend coming here during the day or for sports games. Great atmosphere and polite staff.

Had dinner in shopping area of Santa Monica. Our waitress who I thought worked alone was super speedy and efficient with our orders. Food was decent for your standard pub. Didn't hit the bar because I had a minor with me so no idea what was on tap. I had a burger and shared some chicken tenders and my boy had some steak frites. What I loved about this spot was the lively atmosphere, the DJ spinning some nice tunes and the TVs supplying all my favorite sports.

I have walked past this oceanfront restaurant so many times and finally came in . So glad I did ! The drinks were excellent and so was the food . It was so good , I didn't stop to take pics . The waitress was super sweet and welcoming . She had great recommendations . She said the fish and chips were the best and she was right . They were the best fish and chips in the west side . We were seated in the outside patio which is excellent for staring at the ocean and people watching . Restroom was clean and service was great which is rare in Santa Monica. I look forward to returning and trying other items .

A perfect place for a lazy Sunday brunch. Right on Ocean Blvd with bottomless mimosas (for 90 min) and a spicy tangy bloody mary. Say less. They don't rest on their location. Food is flavorful and filling. We had the muscles with fries. You will want yo lickthe bowl clean. Also and the Mexican skillet with chorizo is a winner. Our server Meggie was welcoming and just the right amount of attentive. Would definitely reccomend to a friend.

Came here on a work lunch, and blvd was empty on a Monday afternoon. Didn't expect anything by the appearance but was pleasantly surprised with the Grain Bowl. The chimichurri steak was delicious as well as all the other assorted ingredients. Would come back just for the food and the proximity to the ocean.

The Whaler is a cool spot located perfectly for a fun night in Santa Monica - walking distance to the pier and many other bars. I want to start by saying we went on a very busy night and I know that that is a huge strain on the kitchen and staff. Our waitress (whose name I didn't catch but was blonde with curly hair) was so attentive and communicative despite it being a crazy night! She was awesome and took great care of us. The food was just OK! The Brussels came out cold and very very salty, the fried pickles had too much batter, the ceviche was good, the drinks were good, the sliders were okay! The prices I thought were fair. Nothing really wow'd us food wise, but again, maybe it was just because it was a crazy busy night. I'd come back to Whaler for another try. Shout out again to the great staff!

Wow this places portions are so generous and the food is honestly delicious! From the outside it just seemed a random bar but their menu actually has a lot of variety. I loved my plate and I was super full! The fish and chips were super crunchy and the cod was tender. LOVED their fries too with tartar sauce. My only complaint is that it's really really oily but I can't deny it's good. The waitress very helpful and accommodating! The place itself is very chill and laid back since it has TV's everywhere and even live music. It's also a bit loud but you forget about it while enjoying the food lol. I think this is the perfect place for a quick casual bite. And the prices are also worth it for the portion!

A nice little bar in Santa Monica! We were wandering at night trying to find a restaurant where the kitchen was still open, and they pointed us towards the whaler!! I'll definitely be back

First time at Santa Monica Whaler the service was a little slow. The food was very good. I had a fish and chips, and they were crusty and delicious and fish tacos were plain all in all. I just gave it a four.

Great service, we had our dog and she was welcomed in nicely too =) we both had the smash burger and it was great!

Great location. Service is a bit slow and the food is just ok. The falafel avocado "salad" only had 3 lettuce leaves which I had to cut, and a tablespoon of tomatoes. The falafel was not dry but it was a little spicy. The pita bread had a lot of oil. Passionfruit tea is a regular tea with passionfruit juice. Didn't like it. With so many options around, I'd choose another place.

We traveled with a group of 9 to LA. On our way to Santa Monica Pier we stopped yo get lunch. This place is ama big! Bella was the best server for us. She was so pleasant and took very good care of us. I got the chicken club. Delicious. She made us Strawberry Lemonade in house. The chicken tenders were tender and juicy, and the breading was crunchy and flavorful. The fries were perfectly seasoned. Came out pretty fast too. They didn't have us wait long time, even though we were a big party. There was other staff that came by and checked on us. The views from the restaurant were nice. I really reconnect trying this spot!

As a regular who works in the downtown Santa Monica area I had a great experience at the Whaler there's great vibes and a great place to visit I met multiple staff members Anisha Paul Reed Amanda Alie Sasha Troy Kyra Otha and Danny others you guys are the face of Santa Monica keep up the good work Thank You!

Anisha! She was the best waitress I've ever had. This place has such great energy and the friendliest staff. And the food is on point! We came for Dine LA and everything was incredible, we cleaned our plates. I live nearby and this just might be my new go-to place.

I freaking love the Whaler! They have really solid food no matter what time of day it is, and they are great for bottomless brunch! Shoutout to them giving us bottles of champagne and sides of juice instead of weak premade mimosas! haha The service is good and they always have a solid DJ playing when there aren't any games on! The location next to the beach is perfection as well!

Cool spot to catch a game or a ufc fight. I finally was able to make it to a Sunday brunch here and the food was really good. I tried the sunrise burger and it was perfect. Definitely recommend this spot for any occasion. Service is always on point.

Perfect location close to the pier and shopping! This place has every excuse to be pretentious and overpriced but it isn't! We LOVED our food and Matty our server took great care of us. They had a deal with the app "In Kind" that allowed us to get a $30 meal credit off our bill just for paying in the app. Wow?! The deal seemed too good to be true but it was real. Their batter dipped fries are some of the best I've had anywhere! The kids could t finish their burgers they were so big. My vegetarian wife was so happy with the great selection of options for those not eating meet. I had the chicken club and it was prepared perfectly. They also gave great cocktails and a very nice selection of beers and wine. Come give this place a try and it will be your new favorite!

This meal was actually my favorite of a weeklong vacation. My whaler margarita was strong, and my spicy avocado rice bowl was so fresh and full of perfectly grilled shrimp that I'm still dreaming about it a week later. Each component of the dish was really thoughtful, and it was nicely plated to top everything off. Our waitress was really friendly and was able to help us figure out what the happy hour specials were despite not knowing herself (there are two menus posted on their website; the one under happy hour is NOT correct; it's the one under the promotions page). Cool vibe being able to watch folks walking along Ocean Avenue while hanging out on the patio. A real gem just off the touristy Santa Monica Pier.

One of the hippest spots with a view. Large open windows, comes equipped with huge LCD flat screen tvs broadcasting live foot ball and other games. Right now come here for free guacamole chips and dips with check in. Recommend the Kona brew to sip on while you enjoy the playoffs. It's so crazy in here, everyone is standing around because the vibe is so nice. If you want to get some air, the pier is right across the street. Great for sunset happy hr dinners. Very good service.

Shout out to Hi-knee-sha, she made my first visit to your restaurant/bar so fun, welcoming and enjoyable. My night was full of unexpected, but the absolute most needed laughs and greeaaat service. What she doesn't know was that she was the close of a great first getaway weekend for my partner and I. Thank you to her

Really good place. Beer was good, guac and chips good and mostly my pizza (the garden pizza) was legit amazing and the service was really good. Much appreciated and I'll be back when in town again.

Such a great vibe at this bar!! We went to watch the Men's Olympic basketball final! It was packed but service was not lacking! We were always looked after even though there were so many people there that day! We got beer and chips and guacamole. The chips were freshly made and so delicious with the salsa, which had a kick to it! Workers were all friendly too!

Loved the staff, ambiance, and food! This place is such a vibe. The dj was great as well, spinning old school hip hop and new, loved the music selection. This place is literally right across the street from the beach, with stunning views. We had the chicken wings and fish and chips which were both delicious, will def be coming back.

Service was great. Food was delicious. TV's had the Olympics on so we had fun watching the break dancing competition while we ate. Has a nice view of the ocean from the outside patio.

3.5/5 I was pretty happy with my order--mainly because I love chimichurri! While the steak was okay, it wasn't as tender as I'd hoped for a medium rare, but it was still filling. I definitely recommend getting chimichurri on the side! The fries were cooked well, and the portion is just right for one person. The service was a bit slow, but the vibe was cute. It's a typical bar atmosphere, and I'd love to come back with friends for drinks. Definitely planning to try their apps next time!

First timer at the Whaler in Santa Monica and had a great experience. My friends and I ordered their cheese burger, chicken sandwich, and buffalo wings. Food was very delicious and the environment was a fun and an open area. We got to see the sunset while eating dinner and it made the experience even better. When you go to any restaurant near the Santa Monica Pier, you tend to think it will be a tourist trap, but this was a great dinning experience. Pineapple Cider was absolutely amazing as well. Wait times will very but definitely somewhere you want to try for some yummy American bar food but classy. Highly recommend!

We came during a busy period of the day around 6 pm (prime time for dinner) Our server was Reed and although it was busy she was super cheerful and accommodating. We took advantage of the Yelp promo for checking in and I ordered the fish sandwich. It was super tasty with a nice big slice of a fresh tomato. The flavoring and the consistency of the fish meat was just right.

We came here on a Friday afternoon and it was awesome! We got to sit outside in the patio and it was dog friendly. The waitresses were so sweet and the drinks were great. We split the burger and fries and it was the perfect amount! We will definitely come back.

Great place to hang with fam or friends. They had a dj, which was playing top 40. Nice place to watch sports and have a drink. Friday was not so packed, which was a good thing. It's close to the beach, which made this place really nice. I didn't like the wings, very salty and pricey but we went for the music and drinks.

Everything was so good. Prices are ok $$, portions are medium not large not small. The food was very good, perfect cook on everything, no complaints. Clam chowder was salty but not bad! It was probably the bacon they added that did that. But it's still yummyyyy. Will be back here when I come into town.

What a miserable place. Decor... okish. Bartenders servers horrible. Drinks completely over priced even for happy hour. I even had a couple ladies next to me comment that I shouldn't tip. I did tip but not like I normally do. The workers should go to the Marina location and learn a few things from them. I've had better experiences there by far.

Delicious food and good service with great ambiance. My sister and I took our boys to Santa Monica Pier and had lunch at the Whaler right after. Walking distance to the pier and near the 3rd street Promenade. We walked in around 1pm and were seated right away. The side patio overlooks the ocean and has great views there is a bar in the middle of the restaurant and today there was a live DJ playing great music. We all enjoyed our food and had a great time. The lobster roll was pretty good and so was the shrimp taco. I enjoyed a glass of cold Aperol Spritz with my lunch. Great location ... Great food ....Great service.....

The most reliable vibes for a weekend is the Santa Monica Whaler. With a beautiful view of the ocean, great customer service and great food options, always a solid choice

I live closer to the Venice location but this one hits 100 times better. Great view as I drink my delicious beer and tear into these heavenly tacos. The tacos are $4 on Tuesdays and 8f we didn't have other things to do today, it's my birthday, I could sit here all day. Manny gives the best service and we will make it a habit to return.

Dropping a star for bill gymnastics that are pretty UNACCEPTABLE when you are running a 2-4-1 special with a huge banner outside advertising it. For the bartenders to NOT KNOW or to willfully key in the wrong amount of drinks is NOT COOL. A simple reminder at the beginning of shift or a change in the software to make it easier when the clock hits 9pm the computer automatically enters specific drinks that are on special for to 2-4-1 Instead I was charged for FOUR drinks instead of TWO and I had to make sure the bill was right and I HAD TO EXPLAIN to the bartender that it was 2-4-1. Just NOT COOL. This place is a touristy place where lot of people from out of town and foreigners may patronize and I wonder how many of them fall victim to this SCAM simply by being unaware, too drunk, or dont having the ability or stones to contest the bill. SHOCKING AND AS A LOCAL I EXPECT BETTER FROM YOU AS SHOULD YOU FROM YOUR STAFF!!!!

Amber is hands down the best bartender I've ALMOST ever encountered! Her friendly smile and welcoming demeanor make the bar feel like home. Whether you're craving a classic cocktail or something unique, she knows just what to recommend. I will definitely be back

Came to visit my daughter in SM and this place was amazing! Alex was our server and he was the best. Food was outstanding and the vibes were great

I had such a great time at the whaler! I came with a friend of mine on a friday night and Anisha took great care of us! The service was top notch, and the food was even better! I was suspect because it is a bar, but sometimes thats where the best food lies. I will be back as long as I have Anisha as my server. She was so attentive, caring, and her bubbly personality was a 10/10. Keep her around! We had the double cheeseburger, fish tacos, and oysters. All were very tasty and flavorful. Definitely give them a try!

Waitress is friendly and nice, the seat is good, not full and nice view! Also near the Santa Monica,

This place has a nice vibe and a really good DJ. I like the ambiance of the place,plenty places to sit and it also had a pool table. The service was pretty fast and the drinks are not watered down. I must admit the prices are pretty pricey so if you plan on drinking a lot bring extra cash definitely. Overall it was a cool spot to hang out with my wife and have a few.

Great selection of items on the menu with rotating daily specials, happy hour, and weekend brunch! Atmosphere is chill during the day along the beach strip with nighttime entertainment. Attentive service and good eats!

The food was amazing!! But the service was even better l! Ms Karlee was the real deal!

The staff here are incredibly nice. I, unfortunately, lost my wedding band (slipped off my finger) and I think the whole staff were out helping me search for it. Sad day for me, but the food was awesome! The location is great for catching the sunset, people watching, and proximity to the pier. We took the metro from Culver and walked to the restaurant. I loved the music they had playing too. Overall great vibes and great people. Thanks again!

Great happy hour and a block over from the Palisades park/beach. Ordered a martini, which was stiff and well made, as well as chicken tendered and fries - which was better than average bar food. Lively atmosphere and nice staff. Has music, has TVs for sports games - what more can you ask for!

New clam chowder is soooo good. Oh my gatos. Great oceans views. Will be coming back.

Food was surprisingly good! Got some tacos and nachos. Monica provided some great service. You can't beat the vibes with this view across the pier.