Where to Eat in Manhattan Beach

Within the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, Manhattan Beach is well-loved for outdoor recreation and includes two miles of beachfront and more than 48 acres of parklands. What really draws many to visit Manhattan Beach is the thriving food scene. Coastal seafood eateries are steps away from fine dining establishments, and you can’t go wrong with whatever cuisine you choose. Wander into a gastropub for a craft beer or make a reservation at your new favorite Italian restaurant for an experience you can only have in the South Bay. Read on to find out why people never go hungry for good food in Manhattan Beach.

 

RICE is best known for being a gluten-free establishment that focuses on using organic and natural ingredients. From high-quality seafood to the brown rice used in their sushis, RICE provides eloquent Japanese food crafted with thought and care. Some popular dishes include crispy rice, spicy tuna, crunchy miso ramen, and the vegan-friendly green garden roll with avocado tempura on a fried mushroom roll with house-made truffle sauce.

The Manhattan Avenue spot is open daily and offers lunch specials on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You will need to make a reservation, but the freshness of the ingredients shines through in every dish, making the visit completely worth it.

The Italian restaurant Love & Salt feeds empty stomachs a handful of steps away from the Manhattan Beach pier. Open Wednesday through Sunday, the eatery operates under owner Sylvie Gabriele’s outlook that there are only two things you need to possess when you want to prepare high-quality food — love and salt.

The restaurant has been named by Los Angeles Times as one of the “10 Great Places to Wine and Dine in Manhattan Beach,” and the title is well deserved. You can’t go wrong with any selection with a menu like what you’ll find at this unique dining spot. A collection of antipasti, such as grilled broccolini and wood oven meatballs, starts the evening and is followed by pasta, wood-oven pizzas, and main plates. Don’t forget to try Nonno’s tiramisu before you leave. It’s made with dark chocolate and is absolutely divine!

The doors to The Strand House first opened in 2011 and welcomed a new, farm-fresh dining experience to Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The restaurant is owned by entrepreneur Michael Zislis, who owns the luxury boutique hotel Shade. His pride goes into every decision to provide guests with an unforgettable experience. Guests who visit will immediately notice the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, which frame the dining room.

Start the evening with a selection from The Strand House’s carefully created craft wine and cocktail program. Try a specialty peppercorn mule as you browse through the array of culinary offerings. The New American menu is full of mouth-watering dishes, all prepared by Chef Craig Hopson. Seared tiger prawns, duck confit salad, and chili-spiced avocado whet your palate for the main entrees. Wood-fired pizzas, chilled seafood, and main dishes such as rack of lamb and braised short rib fill out most of the menu, with shared sides like caramelized Japanese sweet potatoes and farm-fresh options to round it out.

 

Founded and owned by chef David Lefevre, the 32-seat restaurant named Fishing with Dynamite is an upscale seafood eatery and gem of Manhattan Avenue. Find old school favorites such as shrimp cocktail and New England clam chowder beside elevated new school creations like grilled wild Spanish octopus served with paprika aioli. The show-stealer is truly the oyster and raw bar, which has earned them their fame.

Fishing with Dynamite has gathered accolades, including “Best Oyster Bar” and “Best New Restaurant” by Los Angeles Magazine and a Michelin Plate in 2019. The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Manhattan Beach regulars may be familiar with the company which manages Fishing with Dynamite, Simm’s Restaurants. Popular Manhattan Beach pub Simmzy’s and The Arthur J Steakhouse are also under Simm’s Restaurants’ management.

An enormous wood-fire grill and some of the region’s most delicious steaks can be found at The Arthur J steakhouse on Manhattan Avenue. Highly sought-after cuts, including USDA Prime, true Japanese Wagyu, and Black Angus beef, are cooked low and slow over smoking white oak embers. The flavor gradually transfers over to the meat, allowing it to soak in all of that mouthwatering smoked flavor until it’s reached perfection.
 

Chef and owner David Lefevre takes care to source the best quality beef. T-bones, tomahawk steaks, filet mignons, and more are both wet and dry-aged, with select options available bone-in. Top shelf cuts of beef share the menu with appetizers, sides, options for those who’d prefer something other than beef, and select salads, soups, and fresh bread. Stop by every day after 4 p.m. for your favorite steak and a healthy serving of butter-laden mashed potatoes, which you should try at least once.

It can be challenging to find excellent quality Greek fare, which the American lifestyle hasn’t heavily watered down. A customer’s deep appreciation for fresh ingredients used in simple ways has faded over the years, but the team at Petros is constantly working to keep that ideal alive. Chef and owner Petro Benekos grew up in Ioannina, a large city in Northwestern Greece. He grew accustomed to the practice of using local ingredients in flavorful homemade meals, many prepared by his mother.

This farm-to-table method became the backbone for Petro’s culinary creations, including those he orchestrates for his Manhattan Beach Boulevard location. The Santa Ynez Valley is home to the farm Petro purchased to raise fresh produce for his four restaurant locations. Alongside the ingredients he grows for himself, fresh feta cheese, olive oil, olives, honey, and yogurt are imported from family-owned brands originating in Greece.

The Hellenic menu features these fresh ingredients in a wide variety of dishes, including authentic Greek staples such as spanakopita and moussaka and a handful of vegan and vegetarian options. Sit indoors or outdoors and enjoy a cocktail with a plate of fresh keftethes, a meatball recipe courtesy of Petro’s mother, which is served with tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, swiss chard, and feta.

Newly opened in 2021, Un Caffé Altamura is a European-style eatery focusing on fresh, simple dishes in a tranquil setting with ocean breezes wafting through the open-air establishment.  Handcrafted beverages (including the popular Lavender Honey Latte) and homemade pastries beckon diners to linger over their breakfast while watching passersby on Highland Avenue, while seasonal salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes entice the local lunch crowd.  A fabulous menu and inviting interiors make this restaurant a new favorite in downtown Manhattan Beach.

 

One of five locations in Southern California, Nick’s Manhattan Beach offers upscale cuisine in a casual setting.  Winning awards over the years for Best Neighborhood Restaurant, each Nick’s is tailored to its location and this one doesn’t disappoint.  Craft cocktails, seasonal specials, and a contemporary American menu with a mix of seafood, steaks, and vegetarian options, Nick’s is known for their lively atmosphere and consistent quality.  Located in the Metlox Plaza in downtown Manhattan Beach, you’re sure to find a fun crowd and great fare in this popular local establishment.

Aside from the numerous dining options and the abundance of California sunshine, there’s much to love about Manhattan Beach. If you’re interested in finding your luxury home in Manhattan Beach, work with a real estate agent who has their finger on the pulse of the Manhattan Beach real estate market.

The Jen Caskey Group has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the luxury market while providing a modern and personal touch to their customers. With homes for sale in Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and more, you’re sure to find the home that best suits your needs. Reach out today to see how your home purchase process will be smoother when working with the Jen Caskey Group.