Malibu Outdoor Dining
The 20 best Malibu restaurants and bars
From beachside spots along PCH to hideaways in the canyons, these are the best Malibu restaurants and bars
"Malibu tends to astonish and disappoint those who have never before seen it," author Joan Didion once wrote , "and yet its very name remains, in the imagination of people all over the world, a kind of shorthand for the easy life." The water may not be as turquoise as Newport Beach, nor the sand as pristine as Carmel by the Sea up north, but the built-up, carefree surfers' mythos around Malibu continues to make the coastal city a playground for bikers, surfers, Jonah Hill and people who just want to go to the beach.
As for restaurants, Malibu offers some of the freshest seafood—surprise, surprise—but there's so much more than yellowtail jalapeno sushi at Nobu Malibu and fish 'n' chips. On the Pacific Coast Highway, you'll find some of L.A.'s most iconic coastal dives and patios by the water, as well as fantastic pizza, Thai food, and Mexican takeout. Here's our guide to eating through Malibu like a local. (We hope you brought your appetite, and maybe some sunscreen.)
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The best restaurants and bars in Malibu, ranked
1. Nobu Malibu
Once nestled in the corner of the Malibu Country Mart, Nobu Malibu has become one of L.A.'s most quintessential seen-and-be-seen restaurants. Still a destination dining icon after nearly two decades—and one of the region's best sushi restaurants—Nobu's current PCH location boasts a spectacular view of Surfrider Beach and plenty of well-lit nooks and crannies to snag the perfect Instagram shot. The waterfront is also a fitting place for chef Nobu Matsuhisa's fusion-inspired sushi and seafood menu, whether it be the delicate uni tacos, the slightly seared "new-style" salmon sashimi or the legendary black cod with miso. Reservations here are a must.
2. Broad Street Oyster Company
A little bit coastal and a whole lot of a party, Christopher Tompkins's onetime seafood pop-up is now tucked into the back corner of Malibu Village where the windows of his modern seafood shack open out onto a creek. It's the perfect setting to grab a beer or some natural wine and our favorite lobster rolls in town (available warm and buttered or chilled with a thin sheen of mayo). Sustainably farmed and otherworldly-delicious oysters come freshly shucked and sourced from around the globe, while heartier specials hit the grill: buttery, herbed-up razor clams; panko breadcrumb-dusted blue crab cakes; a meaty burger with shio kombu. Good luck not ordering the whole menu every visit. For those further from the beach, Broad Street also heads Downtown every Sunday at Smorgasburg LA.
3. Malibu Seafood
Cruise down PCH until you see the billboard of a large, leisure-inclined lobster sporting a Hawaiian shirt and a drink in its claw—that's when you know you've hit Malibu's fried-fish motherload. This tiny seafood shack and market has been serving some of the area's freshest fish, clams, crab and squid since 1972. The deep-fried fish and chips is the classic order here, but the grilled tuna, crab salad or steamed clams also hit the spot. Whatever your order, grab it from the window and take a seat on the expansive patio and enjoy the ocean view. Then, grab a raw fillet or a whole fish, some soft-shell crabs or shellfish from the market on your way out. (Your future self will thank you.)
4. Cholada Thai Cuisine
This tiny blue blip along PCH looks like a surf shack, and while you're bound to meet one or two sunkissed stragglers coming in from nearby Topanga Beach, what you're really here for is excellent Thai food that's made Cholada a neighborhood staple in Malibu for roughly 30 years. Serving a vibrant, wide variety of curries, salads, pan-fried noodles and, given the location, seafood, Cholada's no-frills yet congenial service makes it a fitting casual counterpart to the area's overpriced seafood tourist traps. We love the fresh, fried calamari with its accompanying peanut-topped sweet dipping sauce, but you'd be hard-pressed to go wrong by adding succulent, enormous shrimp to any curry.
5. The Old Place
The Old Place currently offers outdoor picnic table-style dining only.
You can live out your Wild West fantasies in this rustic, saloon-inspired wooden restaurant where meats get roasted over an open flame and the whiskey flows like water. Daily specials such as venison or wild boar are enough to make us feel like we're taming the mountains of Agoura Hills, while a full weekend brunch menu and modern dishes—like the upscale grilled cheese sandwich smeared with a blue-cheese aioli—remind us we're in the 21st century.
6. Saddle Peak Lodge
This one's a little far from the beaten path: Technically, you're in Calabasas when you drive onto the grounds of this luxurious former celebrity retreat. But the glamour that captivated Hollywood stars—and Malibu's nature-loving ethos—can be felt throughout every inch of this rustic restaurant and lodge. Whiskey bottles and leather bound books line the shelves, antlers dot the dining room, and the speciality of the house is game: Elk, emu and venison are favorites, though the specials can include even more exotic fare. Brunch is a local favorite, as is the spacious patio, which seats you under lush, low-hanging tree branches to really make you feel at one with nature.
7. Neptune's Net
Neptune's Net currently only offers outdoor dining.
If you don't see a line of motorcycles parked out front, you're not getting the full Neptune's Net experience. Fortunately, this Malibu landmark, biker bar and fried-seafood destination is fun and delicious no matter who's there—be it tourist, A- or B-lister, or an entire hoard of bikers. Make sure to secure a seat at those large wooden picnic tables on that oceanview patio, where you can take in platters of fried seafood, standard American bar fare—burgers, chili fries, hot dogs, the usual—plus tacos and nachos with a view. (Go for the seafood combo plates to get the most out of your visit.)
8. Malibu Farm
Waterfront? This spot's water-on. The dual-concept restaurant bookends the famous Malibu Pier, serving up fresh California fare at both the full-service Malibu Farm restaurant (located at the entrance) and its more casual counterpart, Malibu Farm Cafe (all the way at the end). There's even a patio for making the most of the breezy setting, and healthful, produce-forward dishes such as cauliflower pizza as well as some serious grass-fed burgers at both. Enjoy organic veggies, farm-fresh eggs and more all while perching over the Pacific. Not bad, not bad at all.
9. Lily's Malibu
We almost feel guilty including this spot, because it's been a well-guarded secret amongst locals for decades. But it's our civic duty to clue you in on some of the best Salvadoran and Mexican food just off PCH, and it's the perfect place to grab a casual and hearty meal—for any meal. For almost 30 years, Lily's has been a go-to spot for locals. Call ahead, because this spot can get crowded, and don't skip the breakfast.
10. Duke's Malibu
It's not as though surf-capital Malibu wasn't already full of mahalo vibes—it's just that none of its restaurants give a nod to Hawaii quite like Duke's. Built right on the water and sporting a surf motif (all a nod to father-of-surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku), this restaurant is breezy, fun and feels borderline tropical, with items like coconut shrimp with lilikoi chili; macadamia-crusted fish of the day; sashimi; banana-leaf–steamed seafood; and the best fish tacos in Malibu. Stop by on Tuesdays for their $14 two taco deal with a view of the waves crashing and just try to tell us you're not having fun.
11. Lucky's Malibu
This upscale Malibu Country Mart steakhouse is great for people-watching, surf n' turf and martinis. The offshoot of a Montecito steakhouse further up the coast, this restaurant's Malibu location features a bright and airy dining room with skylights and bistro furniture. Unlike most other steakhouses in Malibu, the food here is actually good, so come right on in for shrimp cocktail, sand dabs in butter sauce and classic sides like creamed corn and potato skins with sour cream and chives.
12. Geoffrey's Malibu
Looking for a patio with a breathtaking view? This Malibu restaurant specializing inCalifornia cuisine lets you enjoy a meal right at the Pacific's edge for a sunset view that can't be beat. The unenclosed dining room makes even "indoor" views of the sea possible from every angle, and tall hedges to the side only add to this high-profile spot's exclusive vibe. Straightforward seafood and steaks reign supreme here, though you'll find a few deviations from the American steaks and chops by way of baked Brie in puff pastry and miso-braised tofu.
13. Malibu Kitchen
If you're headed to the beach or up to the mountains for a scenic picnic—or you're simply looking for a quick bite—this Malibu mainstay is a classic and well-rounded option for fueling up. The tiny, rustic and beloved deli and gourmet market keeps plenty of premade sandwiches, salads and hot items in the case, but can also whip up custom stacks thanks to a slew of add-ons and bread options. In addition to the sandwiches, salads and daily specials, there's also a long pastry case packed with fresh desserts, and around the shop, you'll find shelves of gourmet chips and sodas and bins of candy—whatever you need for a perfect picnic, Malibu Kitchen's got.
14. The Cliffdiver
Malibu's surf-shack vibes meet the Mexican coast at the Cliffdiver, a casual, colorful cantina where tacos and margaritas rule. There are plenty of palm fronds and patterned wallpapers at this chic stop along PCH (albeit with no direct ocean view), which attracts a casual set hungry for some delectable kale nachos, tacos and ceviches.
15. Taverna Tony
Ask any local where to find the best Greek food in Malibu, and the answer will always be Taverna Tony. Find a bright and rustic setting indoors and a trellised patio outdoors, setting the scene for platters of Mediterranean fare. Order whole grilled fish, a spread of house-made dips (the taramasalata is a must), rotisserie meats and bountiful pastas that magically disappear from your plate. Can't decide? We can't blame you. Opt for the Greek feast, which includes 15 items, so you can really get a full taste of the menu.
16. Nicolas Eatery
Housed in a strip mall on the hillside-facing side of PCH, Nicolas Eatery is a pleasantly low-key French-American spot that also has a hidden patio out back. Here, chef Nicolas Fanucci, who has worked at fine dining spots like Le Cirque in New York and the now-closed Bouchon in Beverly Hills, whips up decadent, seafood-centric crowd-pleasers like lobster mac and cheese, mango salsa-topped loup de mer and French onion soup-flavored animal fries topped with a sunny side up egg.
17. Tra di Noi
While by no means as haute or innovative as some of the newer Italian restaurants spread throughout L.A., this stalwart nails simplicity: Tra di Noi is the local go-to for handmade pasta, decadent risotto (always opt for the truffle), and antipasti like beef carpaccio and stuffed zucchini blossoms. This Malibu Country Mart spot offers an extensive Italian wine list, and also features a prime patio—all the better for celeb spotting and people watching.
18. Le Cafe de la Plage
Organic ingredients and hyper-seasonal flavors are the name of the game at this ice cream parlor, which also serves as a coffee bar with pastries, salads and sandwiches, too. And while the quiches and croissants and lattes are a draw in and of themselves, the real reason to visit Le Cafe is the small-batch ice cream, available in cups or cones or milkshakes or macaron sandwiches and in flavors such as lemon, ginger and mint; caramelized almond and salted butter; anise; blueberry banana; and all the classics—with a number of vegan options, too.
19. Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar
Spruzzo sits right by Zuma, making it the go-to spot for to-go pizza on the beach for decades. If you're avoiding the possibility of sand in your food—sure, fine, that's probably the responsible thing to do—then the dining room will still give you a glimpse of the ocean while you enjoy those wood-fired pies or generous pasta portions. There's also a fire pit, if you're taking in the view from the patio.
20. Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream
This sweets staple serves 16 flavors of fat-free yogurt, plus regular ice cream, making pared-down sundae classics, scoops and swirls for more than 30 years. Mix and match your bases and toppings, get them in a shake or piled high in scoops on a waffle cone. When you want to satisfy your sweet tooth like a longtime local, this is where you go.
Looking for more to do in 'Bu?
Things to do in Malibu
While some associate Malibu with mansions perching on the cliffs and surfers bobbing on the breaks, we tie the city to L.A.'s most stunning natural wonders. Forget the tarnished glitz of Hollywood and the posh landmarks of Beverly Hills; these things to do in Malibu make us question why we don't spend every single weekend in the waterfront city. From some of the best beaches around to hiking trails with waterfalls—and a little bit of wine tasting to wind down—we've rounded up our favorite things to do in Malibu.
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Source: https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/restaurants/the-best-malibu-restaurants-and-bars
