Everywhere You Need to Eat in Malibu Right Now

Nothing beats oceanside dining.

caviar lobster roll
Photo courtesy of Broad Street Oyster Co.
Photo courtesy of Broad Street Oyster Co.

When it comes to quintessential LA beach towns, Malibu is still the reigning champ. The ride up the PCH never disappoints, a day spent on the sand while staring at those epic crashing waves can be soul lifting, there’s the chance of a celebrity sighting, and you can always ogle some massive mansions. So why should we wait until out-of-towners visit to make our way to majestic Malibu? If you need a reason beyond all of the above to head west this weekend, here are 13 delicious ones—restaurants ranging from beachfront seafood shacks to swanky steakhouses —that will bring you back to the ‘Bu.

Broad Street Oyster Co.
Photo courtesy of Broad Street Oyster Co.

The New England-style takeout spot that transitioned from pop-up to permanent just prior to the pandemic has gained a cult following for its “world-famous” lobster rolls (which you can get warm and buttered or chilled and mixed with mayo), along with plenty of raw bar platters—from shrimp cocktail to crudo to, of course, a selection of daily oysters. Also look for entrées like sea urchin spaghetti, chorizo and clams, and wild local king salmon...and long lines on most nice-weather weekends.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Lucky's Malibu
Photo courtesy of Lucky's Malibu

Lucky's Malibu

Malibu Beach

The southern outpost of the original Montecito steakhouse boldly opened in Malibu Country Mart during the shutdown last December. Since reopening for dine-in earlier this year, the meat-centric eatery has launched lunch and brunch service, offering classic steakhouse fare including a Peter Luger-style Porterhouse, a variety of filets, a tried-and-true wedge salad, plus an entire section dedicated to decadent potatoes, including hash browns with gruyere and sour cream-topped skins. And given we’re in beachy Malibu, you’ll find lots of light and white interiors in place of that typical dark and clubby steakhouse style.
How to book: Order online for pickup.

Available for Reservations

Cholada Thai

Malibu Beach

You’ve likely driven past this blue beach shack on PCH a million times. It’s finally time to stop in. When you do, you’ll be rewarded with authentic Thai fare via an array of soups, salads, noodle, rice, and curry dishes as well as some harder-to-come-by creations like a deep-fried whole pompano, hand-ground fish cakes, and pineapple-shrimp-chicken-raisin rice. There’s a beer and wine list, but with corkage at a very reasonable $12, bringing your own bottle is a solid option.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome. Order for pickup online.

It’s not hard to find something you’ll love—no matter what you’re in the mood for—at Ollo, which turned an old Coogie’s into a stylish neighborhood haunt a few years back. On the menu you’ll find pizzas, pastas, and salads, as well as globally inspired entrees, including chicken kofta kabobs, steak frites with chimichurri, and a glass noodle bowl. Breakfast is served until a very fair 3 pm (if you can’t make it by then, that’s on you) with fried chicken and waffles, oatmeal pancakes, and a lox plate on offer.
How to book: Reservations via Tock. Order for pickup or delivery online.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Neptune's Net

Malibu Beach

The antithesis of fancy-schmancy spots like Nobu and Soho House to your south, head north to this seafood shack-meets-dive-bar-meets-biker-hangout with a parking lot that turns into a sea of motorcycles every weekend. Its deep fryer stays perennially busy with platters of fried fish, shrimp, scallops, calamari, and clams, all served with a side of fries for good measure. If breaded stuff cooked in a vat of oil isn’t your thing, go for a seared ahi plate, a bucket of peel and eats, or a garden salad, if you must, but at least wash it down with a beer for God’s sake.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome.

Taverna Tony

Malibu Beach

If you’ve lived in LA more than a couple years, you’ve likely fulfilled the resident requirement of attending a birthday dinner at this long-running, lively Greek restaurant replete with live music and belly dancers. When it comes to eating, go for classic dishes of moussaka and spanakopita, mezze plates, and that fabled flaming cheese, plus some over-the-top desserts like a six-layer chocolate cake and rice pudding made from a top-secret family recipe.
How to book: Order pickup and delivery online.

Available for Reservations

Nobu Malibu

Malibu Beach

What’s left to be said about one of the world's most famous restaurants, in one of the world's most beautiful locations? Perhaps this: the food is equal to the experience. Save up your shekels and go in on the omakase menu. Though it’s $135-$185 per person, it’s totally worth the unbearable lightness of wallet that follows, plus the unparalleled people-watching is thrown in free of charge.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Bui Sushi

Malibu Beach

Sidle up to this sushi bar where locals go for super fresh fish, with an eclectic menu and drinks list to match, without the sticker shock of nearby Nobu. The place touts its hamachi carpaccio and lychee Martini as two go-tos, but definitely try the sushi and sashimi combos, classic and specialty rolls (the Malibu Sunset comes with big eye tuna, mango and salmon), or hot dishes from the kitchen, including miso-marinated butterfish and skewered shrimp and shishitos.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome or order pickup or delivery online.

This spot’s name might be a bit misleading, because as good as Lily’s coffee and pastries are, it’s their laundry list of breakfast burritos that you’ll want to go for. The restaurant’s namesake is a native of El Salvador and has created a menu of boldly flavored breakfast specialties including huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, a variety of the aforementioned burritos, and sides of housemade pico de gallo and hot sauce to go.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome. Order pickup online.

Malibu, the Italian gods heard your lament and gave you Spruzzo’s pizza menu. It’s full of specialty pies, from classic Napolitana and margheritas to the funkier Thai chicken. And since this is Malibu after all, in addition to the original or thin-crust options, you can get gluten-free or cauliflower as well. And feel free to go old-school with the likes of chicken parm, fried calamari, spaghetti with meatballs, and eggplant rollatini. And unlike your typical reasonably priced Italian joint, this one comes equipped with a pretty outdoor deck and views of the Pacific.
How to book: Call 310-457-8282 for a reservation or order takeout or delivery online.

Malibu Farm Cafe

Malibu Beach

A restaurant at the edge of the pier overlooking the Pacific in Malibu? This is where we always take out-of-towners and pretend it’s just another living-your-best-life brunch. The sunshiney morning menu is filled with the kind of post-Pilates-crowd dishes you’d expect: quinoa oatmeal, a tomato-spinach tofu scramble, gluten-free waffles, and kale smoothies. Want to impress a date with an ocean view at sunset? Sidle up at the fancier Malibu Farm Restaurant at the base of the pier for dinner.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome. Order for pickup online.

Duke's Malibu

Malibu Beach

When you think of the ‘Bu, Duke’s is pretty much what you imagine: a restaurant perched above the waves, on the lip of the Pacific Coast Highway and that ocean it’s named after. This place is an institution, and between the Hawaiian-themed menu and that stunning view, it’s pretty obvious why.

Available for Reservations

Malibu Seafood

Malibu Beach

If you’re looking for fresh seafood without the fine-dining price tag, grab a table on the patio here. Everything’s made in-house, there’s often a line at lunch, but the views—along with the decadent chowder, bowls of steamed seafood, and famous fish and chips—make it worth it. Bonus: Grab some fresh fish by the pound from the market side to cook up later.
How to book: Walk-ins welcome.

Lizbeth Scordo is a food and lifestyle writer. Follow her on Instagram @modlizbeth and Twitter @lalizbeth.

Frank Sweeney is a contributing writer for 
Thrillist.