Water Grill

Best place in town for fresh oysters. Delicious food. However, my husband ordered oysters Rockefeller and they brought him 1 rotten oyster! It really smelled pretty bad and our server confirmed it. We didn't make a big deal out of it and just asked to replace it with a new one. And guess what, they brought a rotten one again!! Has the chef lost his sense of smell? Or is the possibility of serious poisoning of customers a joke?

As soon as I walked into the Water Grill, I knew it was going to be good. They have the same exact bar seats as Meat on Ocean, so I assumed it was the same owner, and it is. We ordered takeout for dinner, the sushi rolls were very good, and the lobster roll was excellent. The restaurant, like Meat on Ocean, is stunningly beautiful. We couldn't recommend either establishment highly enough!

Had a fantastic dining experience at Water Grill! The service was outstanding—our server Melissa was truly exceptional: friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. A special touch that really stood out was when my wife mentioned she was feeling cold, and Melissa brought over a blanket for her. That level of thoughtfulness really made our night. The food was equally impressive. The Chilean sea bass was perfectly cooked—tender, flaky, and full of flavor. The New Zealand salmon was another standout, with a rich taste and beautifully crisped skin. Both dishes were fresh, well-seasoned, and artfully presented. Highly recommend Water Grill for top-quality seafood and above-and-beyond service. We’ll definitely be back!

Food was amazing and the staff was great at attending to my wife’s onion allergy. We had the halibut cheeks, I had the clam chowder. For entrees we had the salmon and I went with the swordfish. The food was cooked so well, such a refresher after having overcooked food around the corner at Pacific Catch the night before. Great service until we were done would have earned 5 stars however it took 20 min to get the check and it wasn’t busy? Another server saw my CC and got my server for me with out me asking.

The whole experience was great. We enjoyed every meal served. All drinks were delicious- including the water. Thanks Roger for your attentiveness. What we ordered: Clam Chowder soup, king salmon roll, roasted beet salad, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon 8 oz, wild Spanish octopus, swordfish, oysters, and New Zealand king salmon. Side dishes: Brussels sprouts and Mac and cheese.

I really enjoyed my meal here. Everything was delicious and the open windows with the ocean so close makes for a great atmosphere. I really loved the calamari, the seasoning is 10/10. Our waitress (I think Nicole?) was really sweet and attentive. Lots of parking lots nearby. They take reservations.

It was pretty good. I highly recommend the papaya and hazelnut sushi and the fish and fries. The service was great. Our waiter was so nice to us.

I was craving a super dank fillet of fish and ended up being very satisfied with my choice of Water Grill. Joe provided excellent service and informed me about the different types of fish on the menu. I decided that the Sea Bass would best suit my taste. However, I started with a side of Broccolini and Chinese Sausage. It was good, with the best part being the sauce. After finishing the dish, I also finished the remainder of my bread by dipping it in said sauce. So good. My main dish, a thoroughly buttered and super tender sea bass, was absolutely delicious! I don't like eating huge meals, and this all was enough to make me completely full without any excess to take home. Perfect. I'll be returning. Thanks again for the Asian travel tips, Joe!

Went to Water Grill last Saturday dinner with a friend. We ordered a bunch of dishes to split and loved all of them. Our waiter, Luis (I think: I couldn't hear that well) was super friendly and helpful and taught me how to eat an oyster which was entirely new to me. Highly recommended: fresh shigoku oysters, the chargrilled octopus appetizer (how on earth did they make a roasted tomato taste delicious?!), and the chilean sea bass with cauliflower puree, candied lemon, brown butter, and hazelnuts. Absolutely delicious. Also amazing: the clam chowder and the beer battered fish tacos. We were sat outdoors with a great view and wonderful weather. No complaints from us! The only reason I won't be here every weekend bankrupting myself is because it's a many-hour drive.

Great vibes and views of the water. The Standing Room cocktail tasted like orange coffee, and our server knew I wasn't too happy. So she offered to replace it with the Rosewood, which was much better. If you like olives, you'll love the Swordfish Tapeneda. The fish was cooked just right and was tender. I loved the texture of the shredded tomatoes. Unfortunately the fries with the Lobster Roll were old and stale. Pricey but that's expected. Overall, good times and vibes. PARKING TIP: There's houred metered parking in the adjacent streets. We ended up parking at the Premier Parking garage. Sign said $15, but after we entered, the attendant charged us $20

Come for the views, but definitely not for the service. Water Grill as (as you guessed it) right on the water, so it was nice to sit at our table and face the ocean. But unfortunately service was terribly slow, and food was just OK. The actual biggest highlight of the meal was the soft and pillowy rolls with the most delicious butter. My shrimp scampi came with a generous amount of shrimp, but the dish itself felt nothing like a shrimp scampi and instead was really rich, spicy and topped with a wild amount of onion and garlic. The menu doesn't really have kids options, so also something to be aware of. Overall, for a drink and maybe a quick and easy bite it's nice for the view, but if you are looking for a solid dinner and have kids in tow I'd probably say to pass over.

If you are looking for a place by the beach with a great view, this may be your place. If you are looking for good entrees that are worth the money, this probably not your spot. The oysters were amazing and highly recommend. We got the oyster sampler where we got to try 3 pacific coast oysters and 3 east coast - hama hama was definitely our favorite! For the entrees, we got the scallops which were pretty great - the flavor had almost like a curry taste. We also got the seabass which was VERY underwhelming. It was very dry with almost no flavor, not worth $45 dollars at all. Lastly we got the roasted brussels sprouts which were good but a tad oily. The mint margarita was also interesting but was a little too spicy for my girlfriend's taste. Overall, it was a solid date spot but I think you can find better elsewhere.

The restaurant so close to the ocean, near the pier its the perfect high end place to take a break from the sun and the water. The prices are decent and not expensive for the place like this. There is little bit of everything for everybody. The ribeye was amazing and mouthwatering . Everything that we tried was fresh and prepared well. The service was perfect and our server was friendly.

Right along Pacific overlooking the pier and Santa Monica beach. Lovely sunny outdoor seating along with plenty of indoor options. Service is prompt and friendly with complimentary fresh bread and butter. The menu is clearly seafood focused but with great appetizers, sides and an extensive drink menu. Everything was served well plated, with elegance and eye appeal. tasty and fresh, a bit on the small sided portions in relation to price but still acceptable. Paid Parking structures are a couple blocks away, some valet parking is available nearby. Overall nice ambiance and very pleasant.

I had a very specific wish for my birthday: to eat chilled oysters and sip icy-cold cocktails while watching the sun set over the ocean in Santa Monica. Last night, Water Grill made that wish come true. The restaurant was very busy when we arrived for our 6:45 Saturday night dinner reservation, but after a short wait, we were led to our table inside the dining room, nestled in a cozy corner with an open window view of Santa Monica Beach and the ocean. The sky was just starting to turn pink as we settled in and enjoyed the glorious ocean breeze. We immediately ordered cocktails: a tropical Castaway rum drink for me, and a Mescalero mezcal drink for my partner. The hostess had put a birthday card signed by staff on our table, and everyone who stopped by said "Happy Birthday" to me. In keeping with my birthday wishes, we ordered 1/2 dozen East Coast oysters and the Oysters Rockefeller, which were so good that we ordered a second round. We also had the Wild Spanish Octopus, which was grilled to perfection and accompanied by roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and olives. It was outstanding. After a second round of drinks, martinis this time, we were too full to even split an entree. (We had also scarfed down their complimentary fresh, piping hot bread with creamy butter). Our wonderful server brought me a birthday dessert with a single lit candle: three warm baked cookies (Chocolate, Snickerdoodle and Oatmeal Raisin) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and an adorable seahorse wafer with chocolate details. I carefully carried the little seahorse home in my hand, but alas, its little tail broke off after coming in contact with boyfriend's phone. We had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back to order more. Thanks, Water Grill staff, for making my birthday so special!

5 stars (but Stacey deserves 100!) We had such a great experience at Water Grill in Santa Monica, and the star of the night was hands-down our server Stacey. She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and fast--but never made us feel rushed. That balance is rare, and she had it down perfectly. One small but thoughtful moment really stood out: my boyfriend and I were hungry and polished off the bread rolls pretty quickly. Stacey later asked, "Did you guys get bread?" because she noticed we didn't have it and wanted to make sure we didn't miss out. I love the bread, so I truly appreciated that little gesture! She also made sure we got a slice of cheesecake paired with their in-house special ice cream, which is absolutely perfection. Creamy, flavorful, and clearly made fresh--it was the perfect end to the meal. The food overall was fantastic, as always. Our go-to is the poke nachos--they never miss! Super fresh, flavorful, and the textures are on point every time. We always like to add on the sauces that come with the calamari. It adds a nice touch This location is great, but as most restaurants are, it's pretty dark inside in the evening. I can see that with the big windows maybe during the day more light comes through. Or even sitting in the patio is a great option too. I will 100% be coming back to this location if I can get Stacey again. Water Grill, please keep her--she's a gem!

Found this place the morning of our honey moon and it did not disappoint! We enjoyed a hefty bloody marry paired with some local oysters. My husband had to try the wings and I had the sweet and spicy chicken and waffle Benedict IN LOVE. I want it again! I will think about this Benedict for a long time. Our service Gabby was also so so lovely. Thank you ! We can't wait to come back!

My husband and I returned after 6 years to celebrate our anniversary. It was a lovely dinner with tasty food and great service. Maria Jose was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. The dessert was a really sweet touch. We'd love to come back in the future!

Not a bad spot to just stumble upon when we were looking for a bite by the ocean. If you're hanging out in the Santa Monica Pier area, this is a great spot since it's right off of Ocean Ave., only a couple blocks away from the pier. The Atlantic Cod fish tacos were phenomenal, probably some of the best fish tacos I've ever had! The rest of the meal was just okay, I wasn't a huge fan of the yellowtail or the scallops. However, I did enjoy the caramel bread pudding, it had a delicious sea salt ice cream on top. The ambiance is nice and the service is decent too. Food: 4/4 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Overall: 4/5

Great spot with amazing views. Best seafood in Santa Monica! Raw bar is always full of many options.

If your in the Santa Monica area this is a must try. Never fails. Great menu for the family. Has great options from land to sea. If you live uni they have the best from Santa Barbara and it is freshly chunked. Service is always on point and the design is very comfortable and has great views of the ocean. I had the cod this time and it's so tasty and comes in a decent portion. We also had the adult burger and kids burgers and again tasty and great portions. We will come back again soon.

Enjoyed a fabulous meal at @watergrill Santa Monica! Cocktails were perfect, as was the wild halibut, broccoli w/ Chinese sausage, the steamed clams, and the killer key lime pie!

From the moment we walked into this beachfront establishment I was pleased! We sat at the bar ordered oysters and drinks ! The staff was friendly especially our bartender Tasha !! She was knowledgeable with the drinks and explained how the ingredients were freshly made by the staff!! We got to choose our own lobster from the tank. Our teens enjoyed that part !! The view was perfect to Santa Monica beach and we could relax and chat while the teens explored the pier area. This is a definite must when visiting!! Family friendly, fresh seafood and great drinks!!

Ate at Water Grill for the first time Saturday night. The Chilean Seabass with cauliflower purée and a brown butter hazelnuts was absolutely delicious! And my fiancée loved the 8-oz fillet. Great location and ambiance. And the service was top-notch. These days we seem to get a lot of servers who are either incompetent or rude, but Stacy was super nice and knowledgeable, and she made the perfect recommendations. I would definitely recommend Water Grill (and Stacy!) whenever you're in Santa Monica.

10 out of 10 recommend! My husband and I had the Chilean sea bass tonight and it is out of this world! The ambiance is great and our server Matthew was super attentive and truly endearing. We will absolutely be returning when we're back in town!

This Restaurant is the place for food & drinks next to the beach. Can't say enough about this restaurant, Service is awesome, always fast and helpful with letting you know what the specials are and what drinks to choose from. Love , Love , Love this place. Keep up the great work you guys

Great food and amazing view of the beach depending on where you sit! Filet mignon was fantastic! Be prepared to spend some money however it's so worth it!

The water grill is across from the beach so nice place to dine with a view. Came with coworkers, there was 11 people, so they placed us in the back (didn't get a view of beach). Our server was great and patient since we had a large group. They bring out warm bread with soft butter (it's good but make sure you don't fill up on this. They had a variety of big and small oysters, very fresh. Would come here again, but smaller group so you can get a seat with a better view

Came here for lunch with my family for my cousin's birthday. We were a large group with three young kids and the staff was very patient and accommodating! Someone even brought out a lobster from the tank to show the kids! The food was excellent. A bunch of us ordered the clam chowder and everyone loved it. I enjoyed the mahi mahi special and the Mescalero drink. We all thought the dessert was just ok. Out of the several we ordered to share, the key lime pie and maple cheesecake stood out. Highly recommend Water Grill for a large party or family event.

This restaurant has been around forever and snow for their seafood and beautiful ambience looking out over the beach. I just can't really justify paying the prices for the quality of the food. I ordered big eye. Tuna cut so thin like a carpaccio. texture wasn't depressed and the flavor was just OK. Also ordered the brussels sprouts which had about two brussels sprouts in it and little tiny potatoes. Onions it was very underwhelming service was excellent.

"The Best" place in Santa Monica for Seafood. Exceptional service from our waitress Lakin. Super personable and attentive. Because of her, Water Grill Santa Monica gets 5 BIG STARS! Thank you Lakin for treating us like family! We will be back, and this time for the dinner menu. Outdoor seating is a must if the weather is good. The inside of the restaurant looked nice and spacious, with a cool glass window looking into the kitchen. The bus table men were nice, but a little too fast taking dishes off our table. Please ask if each plate is ready to be taken, I wanted to finish.

I traveled to California this past weekend and stumbled upon Water Grill with a group of friends. The restaurant had a nice open air feel with dark leather and cool shades inside. Our server Brock was very attentive and friendly. We started with some delicious (i think sourdough) rolls and salted butter. This meal had to kick off with the Kumamoto and Hama Hama raw oysters Brock suggested. To our pleasant surprise, he made some great suggestions that gave us a completely new and tasty experience! I'm a tequila girlie so I went with the Margarita Verde to drink. It was a little over salted but very refreshing. The cucumber and jalapeño complimented each other well. I also ordered the fish and chips. The outer breading was thin and crisp. I would say, for my preference, I would like a bit more seasoning on the fish but it was light and fresh! The tartar sauce and lemon definitely added some depth to the dish. I would absolutely come back to Water Grill anytime I'm in Santa Monica.

Excellent food, we ordered the Chilean Seabass with pumpkin gnocchi, cocktail, shrimp for appetizer, and a fish and chips. They serve complementary bread and butter. There is parking nearby, parking garages, and on the street. The service is excellent, and the ambience is relaxed, can be a bit loud.

One of the best meals I've ever had in my life, wow. Came here for my birthday last night and I think this'll be my new go-to place when I'm craving an amazing fish dish. Had the black cod on soba noodles and it was the fattiest, most buttery and delicious fish I've ever had in my life. I will literally obsess over this dish until I get to have it again. Also ordered the crisp calamari, the tuna poke, the hamachi nachos and a side of fries - don't judge me, it was my birthday and I'd been calorie restricting for months so I was a little unhinged last night. Anyway! It was all great, including the complimentary bread and salted butter. I tasted my boyfriend's Chilean sea bass and it was also incredible. All the servers were super nice and I even had a little 'happy birthday!' card waiting at our table when we arrived. I meant to take that card home to add to my memory box but I was so deep in the depths of my food coma that I accidentally left it behind (I'm a little heart broken about that). The night ended with a complimentary birthday dessert that was like a multi-flavored cookie/cake with ice cream and a candle. :) It was also very tasty. Thank you, Water Grill, for being such a wonderful part of my birthday celebration. I will sing praises in your honor to everyone I encounter and we will most definitely be back again soon.

A classic SM spot right by the water. It has a really nice atmosphere although does get noisy sometimes. It's pricey but the food is genuinely good - great place for a family dinner or date night. They have a nice selection of oysters, lots to choose from. The ahi tuna entree was really great, and the cod with ratatouille was good but not standout. The cocktails are really nice and they also have a pretty good wine list. Our server was very nice and attentive and the food came quickly!

Great location and decent selection of seafood. However, for some reason, I just don't think this place is as good as their original Los Angeles location. Definitely a safe bet for seafood, but don't expect to be wowed.

The Water Grill is a popular, trendy seafood restaurant located across the street from Santa Monica State Beach. They offer indoor dining with booths and tables with a wonderful ambiance. The large full bar looked comfortably inviting. There are small, intimate open-air inside tables with ocean views along Ocean Ave. - perfect for enjoying a gorgeous California sunset. Also available is patio seating with umbrellas for enjoying the usually crisp Santa Monica weather. Service by our server André was very friendly and attentive. Warm sourdough rolls and seasalt butter arrived almost instantly after being seated. It was a nice start to our lunch. Even though many tables were occupied, our appetizer, salad, and entrée arrived promptly. We shared the Wild Spanish Octopus, which was requested to have an extra char to it. The appetizer was cooked to our desired satisfaction, was absolutely delicious and attractively presented. The Roasted Beet salad arrived shortly after the appetizer. It indeed had thick cubes of yellow and red beets with wild arugula but arrived haphazardly presented and was very small in size. The entrée of Wild Alaskan Halibut looked very pleasing but had little flavor. The Lemon Velouté sauce was very watery and could have used some lemon flavor. The fish was flaky, but overall, this recommended dish was quite underwhelming. Food 3.0 Service 4.5 Atmosphere 4.0 Value 3.25 Rounded up to a disappointing 4 stars.

Dang fresh and tasty fish! Long overdue for a visit back to Water Grill. Went some time back for a girl's night out and absolutely LOVED the Wild Alaskan Black Cod (paired with Soba noodles, green onions, and a spiced broth). I still think of this dish. We also really liked Chilean sea bass with cauliflower puree but it didn't compare to the cod at all. The broccolini was very good, too. We didn't need to order much according to our server and that was accurate. A couple of entrees with two sides was plenty. Drinks were ok, but not much to remember. I LOVE that almost all their fish is wild caught and made very clear that it is. Anything that isn't is stated clearly. Very pretty inside and dim ambiance but very lively. If you can get past the Ocean Blvd. mayhem/screaming people on the boardwalk and parking, it's certainly worth a visit.

Came here for lunch! We got the clams, toro tartare, and king crab labs! Was all delicious and our server was delightful. It was Easter and the Easter bunny made an appearance

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. This restaurant has such great food, and my fiancé and I had such a wonderful time! We ordered the lobster bisque, spicy lobster sushi roll, calamari, mac and cheese, my fiancé had ordered the halibut, and I ordered a pound of king crab, and we got the key lime pie. We thought the lobster bisque was the best we have ever had and the sushi roll was up in there on our top 3. If we were to come back (which we plan to) we would not get the mac and cheese again. We do not have a negative thing to say about this restaurant, It was a wonderful experience, great food, and they sat us at a window seat so we had such a wonderful view with an even greater sunset. The restaurant itself is very clean and is super nice inside! This could be a very romantic dinner or a nice date night place. Our waiter was so kind and was very attentive to us, we thoroughly enjoyed the exceptional service. Parking can be a pain in the butt because it's right where the Promenade is and can get very packed on the weekends during summer. However, there is a parking garage or two nearby. Very worth coming here!

Tried out @watergrill for a quick bite to eat yesterday and was certainly not disappointed! I ordered the king salmon roll and the lobster roll! The seafood was so fresh and delicious. The staff and ambiance was incredible and it's right across the street from a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset! 10/10 would recommend to anyone visiting Santa Monica that loves seafood and sushi!

Noticing a sidewalk patron indulging in what looked like a tasty mussel dish we chose The Water Grill for dinner. My husband and I both ordered It. My serving however, proved to be to be far spicier than expected or able to be tolerated. Our waitress Stacey, having introduced herself and the menu was more than gracious in taking my dinner back. Not only were we comped for the dish but my husband was given my portion to combine with his. Stacey took my second order which arrived in a very timely manner. She was friendly and more than accommodating and brief chats with her enhanced our last night in California.

Across from the Santa Monica Beach. Love their bread, the restaurant is dark, cozy. Good drinks and service was awesome. Steak was tender and juicy. Great seafood choices as well as appetizers.

We visited on a weekday for a late lunch. The interior has an upscale wharf vibe. They have patio seating but it was a cool, foggy day so we ate indoors. The hostess was a charmer and our waiter for the meal was attentive and professional. The menu is primarily seafood with one or two exceptions. Not being a fan of seafood I ordered the bacon cheeseburger. I wasn't expecting much since they're all about ocean cuisine but wow, they make a superb burger! Some delicious warm bread rolls were initially brought out and it was all I could do from chowing down on all of them. So good! When my burger was brought to the table my eyes popped out of my head as it was HUGE. The juicy beef patty was thick and the tomato, lettuce, and onion were all bright and fresh. The several pieces of bacon layered on top of the burger were not your typical thin, crunchy type but smokey, thick, meaty slabs. The bun was barely able to contain everything between the two slices but held on to my last bite. There were some incredible fries that came with my burger but due to my overindulgence of the previously mentioned bread, I couldn't finish them all, much to my chagrin. Although it's hearsay, my wife was impressed with both calamari and lobster roll and told me to encourage any visitors to order them; you won't be disappointed!

Would have left 5 stars but I didn't agree with a small situation.... I had a dinner reservation in Hollywood and wanted to come here to sit outside and have oysters beforehand. (Host told me I couldn't sit outside if I didn't expect to order anything else from the menu) so they sat me inside at the bar nonetheless the bar experience was nice and my oysters were great along with my lobster roll don't know why they have this policy but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Would still come back food is great...

Excellent restaurant. We have also been to their San Diego restaurant. Food is always excellent. Service very good. Creative dishes as well as normal sea food menu.

Top notch service and each dish was quite good. The location near the Ocean is hard to beat and it's the best restaurant in the area. The ambiance is good for a variety of occasions. It's pricey, but not absurd. I'd visit again.

Kevin was absolutely amazing--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. He made our dinner at Water Grill Santa Monica extra special. The seabass was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Outstanding service and food--we'll definitely be back. Five stars all around!

If you are looking for a place to have a romantic date and to be able to watch the sunset, Water Grill is the perfect place for it. We came here in a Sunday and we were seated right away. Our waitress was very accommodating, kind a very friendly. I ordered the sea bass which was unbelievable delicious. It melted in my mouth. This is a must try. My boyfriend ordered the tuna and said it was really good as well. I am not able to eat gluten at this moment, but the bread rolls looked delicious.

We had an incredible Easter lunch...started with best garlic rolls and soften, creamy butter; 1dozen oyster sampler with 4 sauces; then Manila clams with chorizo with an in-house crispy made French baguette; charcoal grilled wild spanish octopus; 2 glasses each of a crisp Sauvignon Blanc; for dessert, I had my favorite, silky key lime pie with graham cracker crust and fluffy meringue and my friend had maple cheesecake with the lightest sour cream ice cream presented on a strip of dark chocolate sauce. Or server, Leo, was outstanding...great personality, knew the menu and was very helpful with our choices. Everyone should ask for him. We sat outside which was perfect with the view of Santa Monica beach and people walking down Ocean Ave. Wish I had of taken pictures! Will be back for my 5th meal!!!

Some of the freshest, richest, most tender seafood I've ever had. Got the Rockefeller oysters, Alaskan king crab rolls, Chilean seabass, black cod, and Santa Barbara spot prawns (wanted to try spot prawns for the first time, and they were in season!) Firstly, the complimentary bread, one of the highlights (in the meal full of seafood!). The bread was fluffy and crispy on top, but what made it stand out was the flakes of salt on top. They added a burst of saltiness, which adding the rich and creamy whipped butter was truly incredible. For the appetizers, we got Rockefeller oysters and the Alaskan king crab roll. Not bad, but didn't really stand out. I think raw oysters would've tasted better, but baked with butter and breadcrumbs is a flavor profile I enjoy. The Alaskan king crab roll is supposedly an elevated California roll. While it definitely tastes brighter and fresher, the king crab didn't shine as much as I would've liked. I want to try the crab cake next time. The best main was the Chilean sea bass. The fish was so tender and flaky and so fresh and flavourful, it is one of my favorite fishes. The fish had a nice sear on top, giving a good crisp. The cauliflower mash was so rich and creamy and the walnuts elevated the flavor, this purée complimented the fish wonderfully! The black cod, similar to the Chilean sea bass, was flaky and tender, a bit firmer. I was not a huge fan of the spiced fish broth, it did not enhance this brilliant fish much. The Santa Barbara spot prawns, a seasonal gem, were so huge. However, they charred the prawns so much, so there was a really strong burnt flavor which unfortunately overshadowed the umami flavors of the special spot prawns.

Wanted to love this but such a letdown. Super dated in so many ways including the food. Vibe of the furnishings and menu is 90's and not in a good way. Worst was the extremely chatty waiter who regaled us with a lengthy story about the oysters, Rockefeller, which I then ordered on the basis of this positive recommendation, and they were terrible. My friend ordered the shrimp louie salad - it's less a salad and more a bunch of objects on a plate. He also ordered the clam chowder which was watery with large chunked potatoes but the clams in the shell were a bummer so it had positives and negatives. Not worth the try. My beet salad had some sort of mustard sauce that was less addressing and more a pasty coating with so much space that it overwhelms any interesting taste in the roasted beets. Even the complementary bread was tough and chewy. I did like the salted butter that came with it, as did my friend. The tab for two for lunch came out to $100 with the tip . No idea who eats here nor why. TL/dr: nope in so many ways

We ordered the Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Spicy Lobster Roll-Sushi, kids Grilled Cheese and fries, mashed potatoes, and 12 oz filet mignon. The moscato was so refreshing too!

First time dining here and we both have horrible food poisoning. Ordered lobster roll, fish and chips, New York strip steak, and White Sea bass. Total came out to $200 not including tip, would not dine here again.

I love a good raw bar and Watergrill always seems to hit the spot. They have several locations, but Santa Monica has a great view. I could come here just for a drink and the raw bar, it's always so fresh and delicious. They usually have a wide selection of oysters and their scallops are my favorite. The juicy raw scallop is done with a yummy citrus pesto and pistachios. It's a lovely umami morsel of deliciousness, I could eat at least 2 dozen all by myself. The staff is always great and I even love their bread with sea salt butter. When served fresh, it's crunchy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside...yum! If you are still hungry, order their sea bass. It was melt in your mouth soft with crunchy skin, just the way I like it.

We had a great meal here with friends. This was our first time at Water Grill, while our friends raved above both locations. I didn't realize we would be sitting directly across from the ocean, I am sure the sunsets here are amazing. It was pretty chilly when we arrived and I saw that they handed the table next to us a blanket to wrap up in. Shortly after that, they closed the giant windows, which was fun to watch. We pretty much ate everything here. We had crab cakes, octopus, oysters, crab bites, and sea bass. All of the different sea foods were fresh and very well seasoned. The stand outs would be the charred octopus and the sea bass. The sea bass was beautifully browned and the creamy celery root was rich and delicious. We asked for a little extra char on the octopus which concerned the server, but it was perfect when it arrived table side. Friendly services, beautiful location. We would like to re-visit soon.

Beautiful views of the ocean with attentive service and delicious food! If you enjoy fresh fish, this is your place. Celebrated my birthday here for a late lunch and loved everything we ordered. The only struggle was the check-in process. There was a short line outside and no one was available for at least 10 minutes. At that point, I just walked inside and asked for help and the server was very nice. Parking is available in nearby lots or valet.