A modern restaurant dining area with long wooden tables set with glasses, plates, and cutlery. Upholstered chairs are neatly arranged, and the space features decorative, textured wall panels and large windows letting in natural light.

Restaurants & nightlife

Manhattan Beach’s best restaurants

Summer is in full swing in Los Angeles – and this list of Manhattan Beach’s best restaurants should keep you satiated all season long.

Words by Carole Dixon

21st August 2025

4-minute read

With summer in full swing in Los Angeles, everyone wants to be at the beach, and one of the best shores for dining can be found in Manhattan Beach. When you’re planning a visit to the area, there are two Davids to know: chef David LeFevre and chef David Slay – both who’ve brought amazing neighbourhood spots to the shoreside town. And with momentum continuing to grow for revamped menus and openings, this list of Manhattan Beach’s best restaurants should keep you satiated all summer.

Bright, modern restaurant interior with colorful geometric tile floor, white and red chairs, a black counter, hanging lights, and a yellow accent wall behind the bar area. Tables are set with glasses and cutlery.

A modern, brightly lit restaurant interior with patterned tile flooring, white and red chairs, a bar counter with wine glasses, and a yellow accent wall behind the bar area.

1148 Manhattan Ave, CA 90266

Fishing with Dynamite

Best for: those who are serious about their seafood.

David LeFevre (of Simms Restaurant Group) is a legend in Manhattan Beach. His second spot Fishing with Dynamite (FWD) focuses on coastal cuisine, with rotating daily fresh oysters, Mexican white shrimp tacos, Hamachi crudo with apple ponzu, crushed avocado, serrano chile and shiso, Peruvian scallops, and key lime pie – all in a perfectly elevated beach shack setting.

eatfwd.com

SLAY Steak + Fish House

Best for: a modern take on surf and turf.

Another local legend with the same first name, David Slay is behind this beloved steak and fish restaurant that serves signature baked chicken Parmesan, cioppino fish stew, and beef Stroganoff. Its stellar steak selection should always be ordered with crispy greens that are flash fried with Swiss chard, spinach, parmesan, lemon, and sea salt.

slaysteakandfishhouse.com

A cozy restaurant dining area with white tablecloth-covered tables, black chairs, and large arched windows letting in natural light. Framed artwork decorates a dark accent wall. Tables are set with plates, glasses, and napkins.

A bright, elegant restaurant with white tablecloths, dark wooden chairs, neatly set tables, and large arched windows. Framed art and posters decorate the dark-paneled wall.

1141 Manhattan Ave, CA 90266

A plate of grilled chicken skewers with sliced cucumber, tomato, red onion, lemon, olives, pita bread, and fries, served with a glass and bottle of white wine on a wooden table.

451 Manhattan Beach Blvd B110, CA 90266

Petros

Best for: upscale Greek food.

This charming, family-owned restaurant founded by Chef Petros Benekos has pretty much remined the same since opening. Order the signature feta encrusted rack of lamb baked in the oven and served with a lamb au ju, and wash it down with a glass of one of the house label wines that are produced at the farm in the Santa Ynez Valley.

petrosbrand.com

Love & Salt

Best for: pizza that’s part American, part Italian.

Since opening a decade ago, Love & Salt has been a staple for American-Italian pizza, pasta, and salads in an indoor-outdoor setting. Now, chef Chris Feldmeier (of Nancy Silverton’s Osteria Mozza in Hollywood) is back running the show after a hiatus. Crowd favourites include the bone marrow pasta and striped bass with sprouting cauliflower, spring peas, green garlic, and bagna cauda.

loveandsaltla.com

A modern restaurant interior with a marble counter, wooden bar stools, hanging copper lights, round tables set for dining, and shelves with pizza boxes and pans on the wall.

A modern restaurant interior with a marble counter, high wooden stools, hanging copper light fixtures, and shelves with books and decor on a light wall. Round tables are set with plates, glasses, and napkins in the foreground.

317 Manhattan Beach Blvd, CA 90266

A wooden table set with dishes, including grilled asparagus with sauce, sautéed mushrooms, sliced roasted meat with greens, bone marrow on toast, and a glass of white wine.

903 Manhattan Ave, CA 90266

The Arthur J

Best for: a vintage steakhouse vibe.

Chef David LeFevre also put his stamp on this mid-century modern steakhouse, which he co-owns with the family-run Simms restaurant group. The throwback menu is all about the beef – but order the Emmental popovers with strawberry butter to start and one of its excellent martinis to drink. LeFevre’s new Mediterranean-American venture in Hermosa Beach, AttaGirl, is also worth the drive.

thearthurj.com

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa

Best for: Sonora-style Mexican fare.

Fancy a Cabo-esque escape without the plane ride? This is the place for fruity margaritas, ceviche, and Sonora-style Mexican fare that transports you south of the border. The semi-secret staircase leads up to a lounge-bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the city. Chef Ray Alvarez’s menu features handmade tortillas, scratch-made sauces, and fresh-caught halibut. The tequila collection is expansive, too.

esperanzamb.com

A modern bar with tan leather barstools, a long countertop, decorative light fixtures with intricate designs, and shelves of bottles against a backlit wall with gold oval accents.

A modern bar with mustard-colored barstools, a long marble countertop, warm lighting, and decorative pendant lamps. The back wall displays shelves with bottles and glassware, accented by wooden and gold finishes.

309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, CA 90266

A close-up of a pasta dish with penne, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, basil leaves, and grated cheese on top, served in a white bowl.

A close-up of a pasta dish with penne, tomatoes, zucchini, leafy greens, grated cheese, and fresh basil, served in a white bowl.

1001 Manhattan Ave, CA 90266

SLAY Italian Kitchen

Best for: the freshest (and fanciest) focaccia.

Another classic by David Slay. Here, start your meal (be it lunch, brunch or dinner) with the focaccia of the day – like cacio e pepe, Meyer lemon, or sundried tomato – before delving into the famed layered lasagna with bechamel or spring pea and ricotta ravioli in a wine butter sauce. Order a bottle of the SLAY Estate & Vineyard label, too.

slayitaliankitchen.com

The Strand House

Best for: Pacific Ocean views at sunset.

This is the best of both worlds: sunset views over the pier and spectacular food and drink to match. Executive Chef Chris Park’s menu includes burrata and roasted beets with blackberry vinaigrette, seared scallops and artichoke pesto pasta, Chilean seabass, and king crab ravioli with piquillo pepper sauce. Viral dessert dishes include chocolate Dubai and the fan-favourite seasonal donut plank.

thestrandhousemb.com

A gourmet salad with shredded cabbage, thin radish slices, red quinoa, crumbled cheese, and a breaded avocado half topped with edible flowers, served on a white plate.

A gourmet salad topped with thinly sliced radishes, crumbled cheese, quinoa, and a breaded avocado half garnished with edible flowers, served on a white plate.

117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, CA 90266

You’ve got good taste. We’ve got the specialist knowledge.

We keep our members up to date on all the latest restaurant openings and trends. And we secure them priority seats and exclusive perks at the world’s finest drinking and dining spots.

Discover restaurants Apply for membership

More to explore

Restaurants & nightlife

Singapore’s hottest new nightlife

Craft, storytelling, and immersive sound over spectacle. That’s what you can expect from Singapore’s hottest new nightlife. These are the eight spots…