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Coast Beach Cafe and Bar
Master Critic Review
Coast Beach Cafe and Bar
7.7
Shutters on the Beach's casual beachside cafe sits directly on the bicycle path with both indoor and outdoor seating offering contemporary comfort food and ocean views. The self-heating floor provides warmth for cooler evenings while diners enjoy New American cuisine with happy hour specials at ocean's edge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Eggs Benedict, Burrata Appetizer, Fish and Chips
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Rare direct beach path access with separate entrance for beachgoers and casual atmosphere at luxury hotel
Who should go: Beachgoers, casual diners wanting ocean views
When to visit: Happy hour weekdays, weekend brunch
What to order: Burrata with salami and pears, margherita pizza
Insider tip: Half-off wine and beer during happy hour with ocean views
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shutters valet $18, public lot at 1550 PCH $3/hr, metered street parking on Ocean Ave (2hr limit)
Dress code: Beach casual to resort casual - sundresses, nice shorts, sandals perfectly fine
Noise level: Moderate outdoors with ocean breeze, quieter indoors - conversation-friendly at all times
Weekend wait: 15-30 min for patio tables without reservation, indoor usually available
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins typically seated immediately, weekend brunch 20-40 min wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including burrata appetizer, margherita pizza, salads, and veggie-forward mains
Vegan options: Limited - can modify salads and request marinara pizza without cheese, best to call ahead
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free bread available, several naturally GF options, kitchen accommodates requests
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid choice for daytime/early evening first dates - relaxed vibe takes pressure off, ocean views provide natural conversation starters, but lacks romantic dinner ambiance of indoor fine dining
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for most times - weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6pm) usually have availability. Weekend brunch and Friday/Saturday evenings get busy, but the bar seating is first-come and offers same menu with ocean views
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - casual beachside setting, kids menu available, high chairs provided, and proximity to beach path means kids can walk around. Popular with families doing beach days
Can I come straight from the beach? Yes - separate beach entrance designed for exactly this. Beach casual attire welcome, though shoes required. Perfect transition spot between sand and hotel
Is it worth it compared to other beachfront spots? Premium pricing for the location (attached to Shutters luxury hotel) but quality exceeds typical beach cafes. Pay more than Casa del Mar's Terrazza but get better food quality and more polished service than most Santa Monica pier-area options
Best For
Better for: Convenient beach-to-table dining with actual quality food (not just tourist trap fare), happy hour deals with premium location, casual luxury hotel dining without the formality, families wanting upscale-ish beachfront that's still relaxed
Skip if: You want authentic local beach dive vibes (this feels resort-attached), you're on a tight budget ($$-$$$ pricing), you prefer indoor fine dining ambiance, you want innovative cuisine over solid comfort food standards