Water Grill - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

Water Grill - Santa Monica

Name: Water Grill - Santa Monica
Address: 1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90401
Telephone: (310) 394-5669
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

5423 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

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Located on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, Water Grill is a true seafood destination. Family owned and operated, Water Grill focuses on first-of-the-season seafood and has delivered a superior dining experience for more than 30 years. Their devotion to quality seafood sourced in-house, is illustrated on their daily menus.

Sourcing from local fishermen, Water Grill’s seafood arrives from boat to table in a matter of hours. Water Grill Executive Chefs prepare the dishes with care, allowing the fresh seafood to shine, while using high-quality ingredients to elevate the recipe. From Spiny Lobsters in the fall to Wild Salmon in the spring, Water Grill’s focus is all about local, sustainable seafood and a one-of-a-kind experience.

A safe and comfortable experience, Water Grill follows all the CDC guidelines to ensure you have an amazing experience each and every time.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 73 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Seafood, American, Fine cuts
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Phone number
(310) 394-5669
Website
http://www.watergrill.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ben Ringer
Private party facilities
Water Grill has been LA's seafood destination since 1989. Santa Monica's ocean views paired with the fresh new design offer a classic and inviting backdrop for entertaining small and large groups alike.
Private party contact
Barbara Marie: (310) 394-5669

Location
1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Neighborhood
Santa Monica
Cross street
Santa Monica Boulevard
Parking details
Valet parking available in front of restaurant. Metered street and lot parking near by.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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100 Los Angeles Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

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What 5,423 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Westside
Most Booked

5,424 Reviews

n
nancyg
Los Angeles
110 reviews
vip
5.0
110 reviews
Dined today
overall5food5service5ambience4
I have been coming here since the place first opened and am never disappointed. The swordfish and clam chowder were exceptional, but what is truly noteworthy was the spectacular service provided by Mike. He was delightful, engaging, attentive, knowledgeable and his recommendations were flawless. I hope to see Mike again.
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MB
MichaelB
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined today
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant does not disappoint. Came here with my wife for our anniversary and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Chilean Sea Bass was so delicious. It was buttery soft and so flavorful. We also had the Prime New York steak and it was so flavorful. We also had the oyster sampler and they were great. We paired it with some wine and a margarita and it made for one very special dinner. The staff of the restaurant were the best, and were very friendly and attentive. It's the perfect place to splurge a bit for some delicious food, great service, and nice ambiance.
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DS
DavidS
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined today
overall5food5service5ambience4
Staff was accommodating, seated us where we could see the amazing sunset. Waiter was attentive. Food was great (as always) especially the Chilean sea bass.
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CT
CTflyer
Phoenix
33 reviews
vip
5.0
33 reviews
Dined today
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our dinner was excellent and menu choices wonderfully varied. Evidently, a very popular Santa Monica dining spot as evidenced by a waiting line and full dining rooms.
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V
Virginia13
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Oysters and champagne, what's not to love? We love this place; one of our favorite restaurants. The food is outstanding, the atmosphere is great; the employees are amazing. We had Eva as our server for lunch and fell in love! We will definitely be back and ask for Eva!
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EP
EliP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
The restaurant was able to accommodate our group of eight with impeccable service and attention to details. All our food came out at same time and they were able to divide up the bill between couples. The manger took the extra time to ensure food allergies with a person in our group was discussed and took the issues seriously. The clam chowder, black cod and steaks were very good.
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J
Joseph
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
They check-in was great, the service was great, and the food was excellent! I took this recommendation last minute for my fiancé birthday and it did not disappoint!
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S
Saraht
Los Angeles
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience4
One of our favorite seafood places. Never disappoints. Good portion high quality food.
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BZ
BobbyZ
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The meal was excellent as was the service and ambiance . Dreamy sunset added to the magical setting . Well done all around .
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KD
KDoug
Los Angeles
48 reviews
vip
5.0
48 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, friendly staff, nice view. Always a good time
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MF
MikeF
Phoenix
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I were traveling to CA and wanted to get together with some friends for dinner. One suggested Water Grill which I have walked past many times. We all arrived a few minutes early and they were quick to seat us. The waiter was amazing at explaining the menu and making suggestions for a drink. None of us are big eaters so we decided to share a couple appetizers at the waiter’s recommendation. Excellent call!! Dinner was amazing. I had the Wild Blue Fin with mushrooms. Was cooked perfectly and had an amazing flavor. Highly recommend! My wife had the Chiliean Sea Bass. One of my favorites. Was cooked perfect. Only complaint (if you can call it that) is the portion is huge! We’re not big eaters so… None of us were very hungry but again, we got two deserts and shared. Everyone had just enough to quench our sweet tooth. Deserts are amazing!!
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BP
BonitaP
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had an amazing Birthday lunch with 4 friends. Enjoyed the halibut and the view.
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C
Clements78
San Francisco
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience4
A nice place in Ocean drive with a decent bar (not great service there) and good seafood at the table. Service and kindness may need a sensitive improvement, first at the bar counter.
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DW
DaveW
Nashville
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great ambiance right across Ocean blvd from the beach (Santa Monica Pier). Great food and good service. Had the Halibut and Lobster Bisque - fantastic!!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Baltimore
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Looking for a dinner to remember my last day in LA and Santa Monica, the Water Grill delivered. BEST Halibut I have ever eaten!
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SC
StephanieC
Los Angeles
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall2food1service4ambience4
The location, staff and ambience are excellent. It's the food, though. The food used to be good pre-pandemic, but it is just awful now. If we go back it will be for the view and a drink but that's it.
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VU
VeryUnsatisfied
Los Angeles
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall2food1service2ambience3
I am a loyal Water Grill client and have been at least 5 times in the last month as I am obsessed with the Halibut dish. This visit was lackluster and far from my expectation of a meal that is generally consistent and service that is always outstanding. Our server was not interested in providing us excellent service as he was with the other tables around us, not sure if it was a color issue or what but it was apparent to us both we were under served. Our beverages were like they had been made for another client sat and watered down, an Arnold Palmer that took about 10 minutes to get. The crab cakes with remoulade and celery root salad was cold when it arrived, it was under-cooked and the vegetables were not uniform and sloppy plating. We both ordered the Halibut and sooo disappointed the sear was off, and it was just below a medium temperature, macque choux was not fresh and the salsa verde was watery. I begrudgingly paid the bill because again the server Richard was not interested in our table. The only thing that was good on this visit was the woman who sat us, she is always pleasant and accommodating to the Water Grill clientele.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great steak for seafood place!! Was warm inside with cold weather outside. Glad we eat ne’er kitchen. The aroma of restaurant is great.
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CC
CarmenC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Seated quickly, good service, reasonably priced and good food
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was amazing, great view, excellent service - what more could a weary traveler want?
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K
Khaldroco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The sea bass with cauliflower purée was really good as well as the grande seafood platter that serves 1-2
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P
Pete
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
Absolutely horrible experience. The "manager" Andrew Young is by far the rudest, most condescending human I have had the displeasure of interacting with. Andrew found it acceptable to stick his hand in my wife's face and speak over her. He needs to learn how to maintain composer when he's in the weeds instead of taking his frustration out on the guest.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely meal with great friendly service. High prices, but expected when it comes to location and quality
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SZ
SophiaZ
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and food. We’re really enjoying our time.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love eating outside at the WaterGrill. Food is always excellent as is the personable waiter. It’s our go-to when meeting up with friends.
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J
John805
Los Angeles
122 reviews
vip
5.0
122 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Water Grill is a jewel. The food, especially the seafood, is wonderful. But the warm and welcoming front desk staff and the friendly and welcoming wait staff make the dining experience a true delight.
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k
kimberlyn
Houston
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience5
First time back in a couple of years, decided on a light dinner. The lobster bisque was pretty good; the crabcake did not have very much lump crab in it so that was disappointing as it was advertised as a lump crab cake and there was nothing especially tasty about the rolls except for the salt topping. The king crab roll was good but not much different than regular crab roll would have been except for the great Negroni sauce with it and the Keylime pie for dessert was very good.
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JG
JoGibbo
Kent
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Enjoyed our dinner at the Water Grill after checking Trip Advisor for guidance. Its a great place, overlooking the ocean and perfect to watch the sunset. The bar area is nice too with great seating to sit and enjoy a cocktail. The only downside was the service was a little too quick... entrees arriving as we started our appetizers. But some people don't mind that. Other than that, I can highly recommend this restaurant in Santa Monica.
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SO
SandraO
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent sea food, friendly and attentive waiting staff, can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu. Thank you!
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r
rb12
New Mexico
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We ate there some 15 years ago and thought it was really good then. Coming back to Santa Monica this week we went back and was as good as we remembered. So much so we went back two nights later.
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KH
KristineH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and service . The ambience was great, customer service was outstanding and food was amazing
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
They have a waiter. His name is Mike God forbid you have a experience with his service horrible unprofessional.
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KD
KDoug
Los Angeles
48 reviews
vip
5.0
48 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great table at the window which is a fun vibe Food & service were great WG is our go to place
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r
roseh
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and server recommendations. Perfect dirty martinis!
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A
Angelino
Los Angeles
6 reviews
vip
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall2food1service1ambience5
Food has declined in quality over the years. Not going back after a decade of dinners. Sad. Recently I hoped the next time would be better but it wasn’t and tonight was the worst. Wrong plates delivered, overcooked crab, slow or absent service, liquidy Mac and cheese yuck, and just sad.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
our 2nd time to dine at Water Grill. We are from Chicago and we really like it . The cod was a wonderful dish and the service was great.
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TS
TexaShopper
Dallas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant lived up to the reviews I read. Excellent food, ambience and service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Anchorage
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Amazing range of fresh seafood and oysters were amazing.
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CA
CassandraA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful birthday celebration. Definitely would recommend!
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LC
LucyC
Los Angeles
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our family always enjoys eating at Water Grill. The food is delicious and the service is amazing. They have a good menu for kids as well. It is right on Ocean Ave., so you get an ocean view. We like their lobster roll, fish and chips, and clam chowder.
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FAQs

Water Grill - Santa Monica offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (310) 394-5669.

Water Grill - Santa Monica is rated 4.6 stars by 5423 OpenTable diners.

Water Grill - Santa Monica does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 73 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Water Grill - Santa Monica

1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Additional information

Cross street
Santa Monica Boulevard
Neighborhood
Santa Monica
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Cuisines
Seafood, American, Fine cuts
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Valet parking available in front of restaurant. Metered street and lot parking near by.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Ben Ringer
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.watergrill.com/
Phone number
(310) 394-5669
Private party facilities
Water Grill has been LA's seafood destination since 1989. Santa Monica's ocean views paired with the fresh new design offer a classic and inviting backdrop for entertaining small and large groups alike.
Private party contact
Barbara Marie: (310) 394-5669

Featured in

100 Los Angeles Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Water Grill - Santa Monica

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Featured in

100 Los Angeles Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Gift card

Menu

What 5,423 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Water Grill - Santa Monica offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Water Grill - Santa Monica restaurant rated?

Does Water Grill - Santa Monica offer gift cards?

Is Water Grill - Santa Monica currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Los Angeles Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Gift card