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Pan Seared Halibut Velouté - Water Grill - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

Water Grill - Santa Monica

4.6
4.6
5979 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 75 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Water Grill Santa Monica is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. Located on Ocean Ave. across from the Pacific Ocean and steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, Water Grill Santa Monica is the perfect place to dine, celebrate and host an event for business or pleasure. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of Santa Monica’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill Santa Monica also offers customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Fine cuts
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (310) 394-5669
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mark Pollard
  • Private party facilities
    Host your next event across the street from the Pacific Ocean! Consistently rated as one of Santa Monica's top seafood restaurants by locals, Water Grill Santa Monica offers an intimate private dining room or full buyout option to host your next meeting or event.
  • Private party contact
    Trina Walkama: (310) 394-5669
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Monica
  • Cross street
    Santa Monica Boulevard
  • Parking details
    Valet parking available in front of restaurant. Metered street and lot parking near by.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • New Year's Eve at Water Grill in Santa Monica

    $135.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Bring in the New Year at Water Grill in Santa Monica! This New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2024, enjoy a four course prix fixe menu with Guest favorites and chef-inspired creations, plus a champagne toast to bring in the New Year. An additional wine pairing enhancement will be available. The complete New Year’s Eve menu will be shared leading up to holiday. Please note that only the prix fixe menu will be available for New Year’s Eve dinner, starting at 3:00 p.m.

What 5,979 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Westside

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Water Grill - Santa Monica offers fresh, expertly prepared seafood with a "beautiful atmosphere" and "excellent service." Guests rave about the "amazing food" and "wonderful experience," highlighting dishes like the Chilean Sea Bass. The ocean view adds to its charm, making it a perfect spot for special occasions.

5,980 Reviews
  1. Jack

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our waiter was phenomenal, Loved the ambiance. One of our favorites spots in LA.. and the table bread is off

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  2. Thomas

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent seafood and great service. Ambience is nice, but as it is across the street from Santa Monica Pier, its vibe is a bit boisterous, but elegant enough experience to justify the visit. For good fresh seafood near the Pacific, the price was reasonable, but be prepared to pay what the food and service are worth. This is NOT fast casual, thank goodness. I had a great time and a great meal. You won’t be disappointed.

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  3. Susan

    Los Angeles

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and excellent service. Stephanie is an amazing server. She’s helped us twice and both times she has been attentive, friendly, knowledgeable and professional.

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  4. robin

    Los Angeles

    38 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    We ate here on Valentine's day and had a good experience, so we thought we would try it for Thanksgiving. The service was very slow throughout the evening, we often had to flag someone down because our server was in the back, busy with other tables, even then, the others who took our requests such as a glass of wine didn't come back and we had to flag someone else down to ask what happened to our glass of wine, etc. They got my order wrong and it took forever to get a replacement, meanwhile my husband had to eat his meal while I was just sitting there without any food. The special Thanksgiving food was just ok, not great. I will not come back here on a holiday again, maybe not at all.

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  5. Holly

    Pittsburgh

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful setting across from the ocean. Poor service, slow and not responsive. Food was ok to good, not worth the high price tag. Lobster was good quality, but slaw was not fresh.

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  6. Michelle

    Western NC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great meal tonight… from the host desk to the kitchen and especially our server Stacy… everything was perfect.

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  7. Robert

    Los Angeles

    67 reviews

    5.0

    67 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Across from the beach. Very good food and menu selection. Service was great. Can’t beat the location. Excellent selection of fish. A must try when you’re in Santa Monica.

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  8. Ann

    Houston

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Calamari was chewy, tuna was so salty it was inedible, crab cake and mac and cheese were good. Cocktails were also good.

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  9. matthew

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Worst Service/Timing of Food ever. We sat for over 30 minutes without a waiter taking drink or appetizer orders. Found the manager, who took our order for food/drink/oysters. The oysters came out and less than 5 minutes later, our main dishes came out. We told the server who ran the food that it was too soon, but he placed the food anyway and walked away. we ate the oysters quickly and then got to our main course before it got cold. Another trip to the manager, as the waiter was still not around. When the waiter finally came by, we told him we had no sides served, only the mains. We finished the main course, then got our sides. An hour later, we got offered desert. All around terrible experience for the price.

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  10. John

    Los Angeles

    170 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    170 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Water Grill is a wonderful (primarily seafood -- though my wife likes the cheeseburger) restaurant. The food is excellent. The clam chowder to superb and the Spiney Lobster is the best (check to make sure they are in season). The front desk is friendly and helpful. The wait staff is knowledgeable and efficient without hovering. Our waiter, Nick, has always been an absolute jewel.

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FAQs

Water Grill - Santa Monica offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (310) 394-5669.

Water Grill - Santa Monica is rated 4.6 stars by 5979 OpenTable diners.

Water Grill - Santa Monica does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 75 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Water Grill - Santa Monica

1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Santa Monica Boulevard
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Monica
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Fine cuts
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet parking available in front of restaurant. Metered street and lot parking near by.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mark Pollard
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (310) 394-5669
  • Private party facilities
    Host your next event across the street from the Pacific Ocean! Consistently rated as one of Santa Monica's top seafood restaurants by locals, Water Grill Santa Monica offers an intimate private dining room or full buyout option to host your next meeting or event.
  • Private party contact
    Trina Walkama: (310) 394-5669
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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