Water Grill
Seafood restaurant · Santa Monica ·

Water Grill

Seafood restaurant · Santa Monica ·

Fresh oysters, raw bar, daily updated seafood menu

oysters
fresh seafood
great view
attentive service
friendly staff
delicious food
seafood tower
great cocktails
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null
Water Grill by null

Information

1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Get directions

$50–100

See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Lunch reservations recommended
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended

Information

Static Map

1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Get directions

+1 310 394 5669
watergrill.com
@watergrill

$50–100 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Lunch reservations recommended
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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391,688 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Restaurant Ideas in Los Angeles | Eater LA

"For seafood lovers, I highlight Water Grill (Santa Monica and Downtown): they’ll serve their standard brunch menu plus a special Mother’s Day surf-and-turf with filet mignon and lobster and a halibut with mushrooms and lobster sauce; there’s plenty of reservations available at both locations, but don’t wait." - Mona Holmes

https://la.eater.com/2019/5/9/18563314/last-minute-mothers-day-brunch-dinner-restaurants-los-angeles
Water Grill
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Where to Catch the Best Fish & Chips in LA, 2018 Edition

"This fast-casual chain with locations in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Downtown boats an outstanding quality-to-price ratio in all of its dishes, including its beer battered Alaskan cod." - Crystal Coser, Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-fish-and-chips-los-angeles
Water Grill

Junior Sifuentes (.

Google
Water Grill made everything so easy from the start — booking a reservation was simple, and once we arrived, the service was exceptional. Our server was incredibly friendly and welcoming. She offered great suggestions since I don’t come here often, and every recommendation was spot on. We ordered the clams, veggie roll, octopus, and clam chowder — all delicious. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our anniversary, and the staff went above and beyond to make it special. Multiple team members acknowledged our celebration, and they even surprised us with a dessert. It was such a thoughtful touch. The experience couldn’t have been more perfect. We left feeling genuinely taken care of, and we’ll definitely be back.

Philip C.

Google
Water Grill is the right place in Santa Monica. We made reservation at 5pm on 12/27 so we can have family gathering. The sunset view was remarkable. The raw Oysters were fresh and delicious. We also ordered a whole grilled fish and Wagyu filet mignon. The fish were very good. It was deboned and charcoal grilled. However. the steak was overly cooked. We told our server and he brought manager come to our table. Manager Kevin immediately apologized to us about kitchen’s mistakes. He exchanged another order with fresh side dish and even bought us additional wine to go with the food. It made us feel very warm and special. We thank Keven for his effort of turning the crisis into opportunities. At the end, everyone enjoyed their meal and it was truly a memorable dinning experience for our family at Water Grill.

David S

Google
Summary: Pretty disappointed given the praise Water Grill has received online. Food quality and flavours are good, but on the blander side. Don’t expect strong or interesting notes. Highlights: The free bread at the start. Very crispy bite in, and fluffy warm dough. Set the expectations pretty high for the rest of the meal. Good: The sea bass was nice, soft, and buttery. And that pretty much sums it up, just imagine a buttery fish and you that’s the flavour you get. Not worth its price point. The octopus leg appetiser. Nice few bites of food, but again, no particular flavour. It’s a grilled octopus. Mexican Shrimp was nice and refreshing. Disappointing: $100+ for a steak. Wasn’t even ‘melt in your mouth’. I would avoid, stick with the seafood. Good place to go to enjoy the sun if weather is good.

Christopher B.

Google
Came here for a nice lunch while my mom was visiting town. The location and views are excellent, but the outside seating wasn’t great. I sat near the bushes on the sidewalk and it was full of flies. The table was leaning with sun in my eyes. It was not pleasant, especially for a $400 lunch for four people. For some reason, they couldn’t move us inside after we ordered the food so we settled for the back of the patio, which was better. The server was great. The food was pretty good. I didn’t take a photo of the clams, but that was outstanding with the garlic sauce. Everything else was 4/5 nothing special. The halibut was ok but the sauce to it was delicious. My sisters filet was nuked on the outside and tough, not good. I would actually go back for the clams and that sauce with the bread and I don’t even like clams that much. Also, the bread was fresh and phenomenal so I should’ve probably tried the lobster roll anyways sit inside and order the right thing it’s a beautiful restaurant, I need to give it another try.

Alexander F.

Google
We were immediately greeted by kind waitstaff outside, and quickly seated! The restaurant encompassed a chic, rustic, and modern vibe overlooking the ocean. Sit by the windows for a nice pleasant ocean breeze! Waitstaff were extremely kind and accommodating, making the experience extremely enjoyable! Every meal comes with complimentary bread, which was warm and soft to the touch. It was a bit too salty for my liking, but was otherwise delicious! I ordered the lobster roll, which had the perfect texture and taste. The food was delicious, the portions were just the right size, and I really enjoyed my meal! I'll definitely be returning in the future!

Nisha N.

Google
My hunny and I went to Water Grill to celebrate our anniversary and we had such a wonderful dining experience. We were seated with a beautiful sunset view. Our server was very knowledgeable and recommended great dishes to try. The service was outstanding and the food was amazing. CHEF'S KISS!

Anja K.

Google
The place itself is lovely, the decoration great and the food delicious. The service needs a little bit of work though. The staff was friendly and helpful but forgot some things we ordered, weather that was because of a misunderstanding, I don't know but could have been avoided by simply repeating the order to us.

Amy C.

Google
Kirsten was incredible! She made our whole experience at water Grill so much better. She’s attentive, friendly, and really on top of everything. You can tell she cares about giving great service, and she made us feel super welcome the entire time. Honestly, she’s one of the best!!! give this woman a raise!

Kelvin W.

Yelp
Today my wife and I had the pleasure of dinning at Water Grill in Santa Monica. She had never had the Water Grill experience. I have dinned at the Los Angeles location several times, but I decided to surprise her and take her to experience their Santa Monica location, as it was my first time dinning at this location as well. First, the location is amazing. The restaurants rest next to the ocean, so the view is amazing. We sat at a window/patio table. The air was clean, weather, outstanding. Our host was wonderful, attentive and explained the menu effectively and answered all of our questions with ease. At the end of our MOST WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, I asked to speak to Executive Chef Mark Pollard, being that I consider myself to be a non-professional chef myself. He came politely and generously to our table. I then showed him a reel on my IG of the last meal I prepared for my wife, he knew what it was already, I then proceeded to compliment him on the meal we had. We shared some deliscipoulsy fresh calamari as an appetizer. I ordered the wild eastern sea scallops, paired with the roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts. I had the fish and chips, but let me tell you, I have never had fish and chips prepared like this in my life. We all know, if you have ever dined somewhere and asked for fish and chips, that they are normally heavily breaded, soggy and greasy. I asked our waiter if these were like that, his reply, no and he began to explain to me how moist the fish is and how light they are breaded. once again! Amazing! So bottom line in this. Do yourself a huge favor, gas up, or charge your vehicle and head to Water Grill in Santa Monica, you will not be disappointed. Thank you Executive Chef Mark Pollard and the entire Water Grill Santa Monica Staff! You all Rock!
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Olivia H.

Yelp
Best dining experience I've had in a while! From service to food to ambiance, the whole experience was perfect. It was a birthday dinner for a friend and I had given the staff a cake to refrigerate until the end of our meal. They were super accommodating! Our server Andre was seriously the best - excellent wine recommendations, perfectly coursed our meal, and always made sure we had water and everything we needed. Was also perfectly available but not overly intrusive. As we were finishing our food, they brought out small share plates and forks, cleared the table and perfectly timed the birthday cake without any of us even having to ask. They put candles on it too and everything was just perfect. Truly felt so special and taken care of. The food is always good and the oysters are a must. It's a bit pricey but this spot is perfect for celebrations or groups as they have a large dining room. 10/10
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Najeya K.

Yelp
If you're just normal about seafood, this will do. Personally, i'm not normal. I love seafood to a point where my expectations won't allow me to give Water Grill more than a 3/5. Oyster Rockefeller: 10/10 best thing we ordered by far. This is a unique concept i've never tried anything like it Wild Spanish Octopus: 6.5/10 I thought it was tasty, almost had a curry-like flavor. A little slimy. My partner did not like it at all. Oyster Sampler: 5/10 The ousters were fresh, dont get me wrong, i've just had too many phenomenal oysters before that these did not impress me. Calamari: 8/10 Tasted good. Hard to mess up Calamari. Sourdough Bread + Whipped Butter: 2/10 The bread was literally hard as a rock . The 2 points come from the butter, it was yummy with some flaky salt on top Aside from the food, the service was great. The staff was willing to move us to the table we wanted to sit at & our waitress was very attentive & personable. The restaurant aesthetics are rustic, yet classy. I like the theme.
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Hayri K.

Yelp
Tried my very first Bloody Mary here, and it did not disappoint! The flavors were perfectly balanced, fresh, and bold. On top of that, the seafood and ambiance made the whole experience even better. The restaurant is right by the beach, so you get that relaxed coastal vibe while enjoying top-quality drinks and food. Service was attentive and friendly, and the whole place has a lively yet classy feel. Definitely a great spot to treat yourself in LA!
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Felicia K.

Yelp
Service was impeccable! We came as a huge family and were well taken care of. We went during dinner time so it was very busy and lively. The food was amazing as well. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Would come here again for a special occasion.
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Kendall C.

Yelp
delicious! got some chips and guac, oysters, and half a crab. so tasty with great service, and can't beat sitting right on ocean ave. definitely on the pricier side but that's part of being in a tourist destination!
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Sara B.

Yelp
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.
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Stacy C.

Yelp
Love this location because it's proximity to the ocean! The vibes are always great here, especially during sunset. Casual but still get excellent table service, they really take care of you here. Our service on Friday was exceptionally great. Water grill has one of my favorite sourdough rolls for their bread service. It always warm and soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Not sure if they changed the dough recipe recently but I remember it always being a bit more sour, nonetheless YUMMMMY. Clam chowder- super underwhelming. Felt like there was no salt at all. And the clams meat inside of the shell itself was so dried out it felt like I was chewing through beef jerky. Caesar salad- comparable to grocery store Caesar salad with a couple anchovies on top. Spanish octopus- my favorite thing hereeeee. Soooo tender, big piece of octopus I love that they don't skimp on the size. The char from the grill is chefs kiss. Oyster Rockefeller- savory, creamy, delicious! Mussels garbanzo- delicioussssss! Always great! The bread that comes with this is different (baguette) than the bread service I'll always come back here as it's a solid home base when I'm in the area. Thanks guys!
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Jaynar S.

Yelp
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
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Sami S.

Yelp
Great spot! Made a res on a Saturday for a night dinner and it was easy to make. Service was very quick and the food was delicious. Nice environment
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Cameron K.

Yelp
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.
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Lynda T.

Yelp
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!
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Ronnie V.

Yelp
Food & service here was absolutely 5 stars, food was soooo good & the service was top notch!
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Samantha D.

Yelp
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!
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dana b.

Yelp
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.
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Jay S.

Yelp
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
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Nikki H.

Yelp
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.
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Apple O.

Yelp
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!!
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Kyle R.

Yelp
I was there last Saturday and the food was amazing (with blue plate oyster closing this is my new go to) but the service put it over the top! Michelle was very sweet and was able to help us each pick the perfect meal based on our preferences. She seemed to know every detail about every item she on the menu! I will definitely be back soon!
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灰

Yelp
We had one of the worst dining experiences here. Our server, Brock, was extremely rude and unprofessional -- he told us to grab our own chairs from another table instead of helping. We ordered two New York strips, but the first plate served was clearly short rib. When we questioned it, Brock refused to admit the mistake. The second steak was a real strip, and the difference in quality and texture was obvious. Throughout the entire meal, Brock never once checked on us or asked how we were doing. For a group of ten spending nearly $800, the service was unacceptable. To make it worse, they automatically added a 20% service charge without any regard for the experience. We left feeling disappointed, disrespected, and cheated. Absolutely not worth the price, and we will never be returning.
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Jovan M.

Yelp
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.
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Briana F.

Yelp
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.
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Kevin S.

Yelp
Wife I and I need something to eat and decided to come here. I'm so glad we did. Best Sea Bass I ever had hands down.
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Lizette G.

Yelp
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!
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Jack C.

Yelp
I had an amazing experience at this restaurant! Also really nice lady help us order food and gave more tips of food , super Sticey The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure every detail was perfect. The food was absolutely delicious, with fresh ingredients and fantastic flavors. Highly recommend dining here!
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Sean B.

Yelp
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!
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Addy K.

Yelp
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
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Spencer W.

Yelp
4.5/5 Start with the oyster platter. Cold, briny, alive -- like kissing the ocean without the regret. Then came the halibut, crisp skin, tender flesh, exactly what it should be. The black cod? Silky, rich, the kind of fish that makes you sit back and nod at the kitchen like, yeah, you get it. Drinks are strong, balanced, no gimmicks. Ambiance? Classic Santa Monica -- polished, loud enough to feel alive, but not so obnoxious you want to bail. Nothing here is reinventing the wheel. They're just cooking fish the right way, pouring good booze, and giving you a night where everything is solid. Sometimes that's all you need.
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Bobby B.

Yelp
One of the best seafood spots in LA especially when it comes down to oysters. All of the seafood tower items are a go! Cooked seafood is a hit or miss but definitely the raw and chilled section. Service here is great as everyone is friendly just on the slower side. So if you just wanna come, relax and have a great seafood tower with a glass of wine of wine, this is the a lot. If you're in a rush, not so much. Ambiance is great feels like and old school steakhouse but seafood. Coming back for the oysters.
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Brionna K.

Yelp
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!
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Raisa S.

Yelp
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.
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Marco R.

Yelp
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
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Julieanne H.

Yelp
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.
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Briana T.

Yelp
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.
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Lilit V.

Yelp
Went here for my birthday dinner. Food was absolutely delicious. Oysters were fresh, steaks cooked to perfection. Drinks, amazing (got the margarita verde). Service was excellent and catered carefully to my family. I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old and their kids menu had great options as well.

Kai O.

Yelp
I can't say enough good things about Stacy . From the moment we sat down, she paid such close attention to every detail always checking in at the right times, noticing what we needed before we even had to ask. You could just feel that she truly cared about making sure we had a great experience. Her kindness, attentiveness, and genuine warmth turned an ordinary meal into something special. People like stacy remind you what real hospitality feels like and I'm honestly so grateful for that.
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Kelly H.

Yelp
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.
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Barbara N.

Yelp
Lovely restaurant. Great ambience. Wonderful food. Another amazing California dining experience. The shellfish tower for two was beautifully presented and more than enough. Our server was lovely as was the view. Definitely worth going back to if I'm in Southern California
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Joel B.

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

Yelp
I would consider trying water grill at Santa Monica. Great flavors and great environment. We had the fish and chips also the calamari and the tuna tartar. Service was great and Nichole was very helpful with the menu and choices. We will be back to try more and enjoy the scenery. Thanks again Nichole.
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JamiLyn M.

Yelp
First time in CA and LOVED this place. Vibe and atmosphere was great. This breeze! Oysters were excellent and if you like a little spice try the Margarita Verde. Our server, Nicole was AMAZING! She was very attentive, friendly, made excellent suggestions, and gave recommendations for us in Malibu to make the most of our trip.
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Sydney H.

Yelp
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!
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Andrea E.

Yelp
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.
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Kayla C.

Yelp
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.
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Terry C.

Yelp
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.
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Billy Y.

Yelp
Food...ambiance...service...all was 10/10. Cocktails were also delicious. Special shout out to our server Jeff who took extra care in dealing with my wife's Celiac disease and constantly double checking with the kitchen on each item. Highly recommend for a date night, thanks WG
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Sean E.

Yelp
"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.
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Courtney L.

Yelp
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!
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Brandy G.

Yelp
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!