The Lobster

4.3 (3164)

$31 to $50

American

1602 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401

About this restaurant

Great for scenic views
Romantic
Good for special occasions

Sitting high on a bluff where Route 66 meets the Pacific Ocean overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster is an internationally recognized seafood and fine dining establishment. As a landmark restaurant with nearly a century of quality service, The Lobster specializes in Maine and California spiny lobsters, in addition to entrees composed of fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.

The Lobster is a popular destination for Los Angeles locals, visitors, families and groups looking for the ideal place to enjoy casual fine dining while celebrating special moments in true California style. We invite you to relax, take in the stunning ocean views from our beautifully appointed, glass-walled dining room, and enjoy an unparalleled seafood dining experience.

After many years of successful business, The Lobster has become a Santa Monica institution, serving as a cornerstone and internationally recognized landmark adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 11:30am – 10:00 pm Friday – Saturday: 11:30am – 11:00 pm Bar Menu available Monday - Friday: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Website
http://www.thelobster.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Govind Armstrong
Private party facilities
We have several different private rooms.Our private terrace seats up to 53 people.Our inside dining room seats up to 100 people.We have full buy-outs for seating up to 150 and 220 standing cocktail reception.

Location
1602 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Area
Santa Monica
Cross street
Colorado Ave.
Parking Details
$10-$12 with validation for 3 hours and then $15 after that.<br />
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Oyster SamplerUSD 32.00
4 of each Daily Oysters with Mignonette, House Hot Sauce or Cocktail Sauce
Wild Gulf Shrimp CocktailUSD 24.00
Yellowfin TartareUSD 24.00
Kimchi Aioli & Toasted Ciabatta
Maine Lobster CocktailUSD 30.00
Chilled Seafood PlatterUSD 93.00
Half of a Maine Lobster, Tuna Tartare, 6 Oysters, 4 Gulf Shrimp & 6 Black Mussels

Soup, Salads & Appetizers

New England Style Clam ChowderUSD 21.00
House Smoked Bacon, Heirloom Potatoes, & Parsley Croutons
Caesar SaladUSD 19.00
Little Gem Lettuce with Herbed Croutons & Parmesan
Maine Lobster SaladUSD 32.00
Little Gem Lettuce, Avocado, Citrus Segments & Fried Leek
Seared Dungeness Crab CakeUSD 22.00
Remoulade, Wild Arugula Salad & Lemon
Steamed Black MusselsUSD 21.00
Piedmontese Pepper Paste, Preserved Lemon, Vermouth Butter & Grilled Bread
Maryland Soft Shell CrabUSD 28.00
Shaved Brussel Slaw & Comeback Sauce
Charred OctopusUSD 26.00
Piquillo, Edamame Hummus, Pee Wee Potatoes, Pickled Baby Fennel & Black Garlic Aioli
Crispy Calamari & PrawnsUSD 20.00
Fennel, Anchovy-Stuffed Olives with Garlic Anchovy Aioli, Ponzu & Sweet Chili Sauce

Lobster & Crab

Steamed Maine Lobster
Gloria's Blue Lake Green Beans, Weiser Farms Heirloom Potatoes & Drawn Butter
- per lb.USD 40.00
Grilled Maine Lobster
Fresh Herbs, Lemon & Drawn Garlic Butter
- per lb.USD 42.00
Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs
Lemon & Drawn Garlic Butter
- per lb.USD 80.00

Sandwiches

Served with Fries & Available only until 3pm Daily

Certified Angus Beef CheeseburgerUSD 22.00
Special Sauce, Charred Onion, Bacon Jam & House Pickle
Lobster RollUSD 34.00
Little Gem Lettuce, Japanese Mayo on a Toasted Butter Roll with Pickled Cucumber

Entrées

Tagliatelle with Wild King CrabUSD 42.00
San Marzano Tomato, Toasted Garlic, Calabrian Chili & Lemon Breadcrumbs
Black Chitarra PastaUSD 42.00
Black Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Dungeness Crab & Calamari with Garlic, Tomatoes, Basil & Chili
Wild Dungeness Crab GumboUSD 42.00
Gulf Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Organic Chicken & Buttered Rice
Seared Rare YellowfinUSD 46.00
Dungeness Crab Fried Rice & Green Mango Salsa
Wild Alaskan HalibutUSD 47.00
White Asparagus, Maitake Mushroom, Preserved Lemon Aioli, Crisp Quinoa & Almonds
Grilled Day Boat ScallopsUSD 48.00
Risotto, Garden Peas, Braised Fennel & Shaved Prosciutto
Seared Dungeness Crab CakesUSD 38.00
Avocado Puree with Arugula, Oven Dried Tomatoes & Shaved Fennel Salad
Hand-Cut 8 Oz Filet 'Steak & Frites'USD 68.00
Certified Angus Beef, Truffle Parmesan Fries & Green Peppercorn Sauce

Sides

Butter Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Sea Salt & ChivesUSD 34.00
Roasted Weiser Farms Heirloom PotatoesUSD 12.00
Gloria's Blue Lake Green BeansUSD 16.00
Grilled California Delta AsparagusUSD 18.00
Yukon Mashed PotatoesUSD 14.00
Truffle Parmesan FriesUSD 16.00
Dungeness Crab Fried RiceUSD 20.00
Brussels Sprouts, Bacon Jam, Fuji Apple & PepitasUSD 18.00
Lobster Mac 'N Cheese with Butter Poached Lobster & Lemon BreadcrumbsUSD 36.00

Featured

Chef Govind's All Purpose Spice Blend
- per btlUSD 12.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Lobster.

4.3

(3164)

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
1.6Value

Noise • Energetic

3,164 Reviews

MK
MichelleK
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 7 May 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely amazing service and food. Highly recommend. We were visiting from Australia and if ever we come back again we'll be booking in for dinner again at the lobster.
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TD
TroyD Gold
Edmonton / Northern Alberta5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 February 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
First time visitor. Referred to The Lobster by a friend. Amazing food. Had the Crab Cake as well as the Lobster cocktail as an appetizer. My wife and I shared the Yellowfin Tuna with the crab fried rice. That rice is addictive! And the side of Truffle Parmesan fries are on par with our favourite version of that from Prohibition below the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. A great wine list and cocktails. Highly recommend visiting. Reservations are a must!
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RW
RobW
New York City12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 February 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Once again superb in every way. Nice table, relaxed service and fabulous food. Good value for money
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 18 February 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Small family gathering while in Southern California
1 person found this helpful
l
larnellc
Los Angeles2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I wish I remembered my servers name it was on Valentine’s Day he served me a black dude with braids and my girl friend an Asian women we got the 2.5 pound lobster asparagus two alcoholic drinks lobster potatoes and lobster fried rice we sat near the window.He was funny he made us comfortable and just had our backs throughout the night.I never write reviews but I’ll be sure to come back hoping he’d be our server again thank u-Larnell
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t
telboy
London11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 February 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A great experience, been to the lobster last Four years running always consistently amazing,
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AP
AmyP
Los Angeles13 reviews
4.0
Dined on 22 January 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best customer service from reception, service staff. The view is great. The tables never feel cramped and crowded. Wait staff is welcoming. In LA, where too many hot restaurants let you know the minute you've sat down, they want to empty your pockets and get you off that table in 45 minutes, it's just great to have a lovely place with good food that actually qualifies as being in the hospitality business.
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HC
HeatherC
Edmonton / Northern Alberta1 review
4.0
Dined on 21 January 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
I enjoyed everything about the experience here, but it was very expensive as were all the other places in Santa Monica.
Is this helpful?
AK
AnthonyK
Las Vegas2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 January 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had an excellent experience at The Lobster. Had to wait a little for the table. But well worth it. Food was extraordinary. Service was excellent. And the experience was amazing.
1 person found this helpful
I
Irvinite Gold
Orange County40 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 January 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We came to the area after many years and to reunite with an old friend. The wait wait was more than we appreciated despite our reservation time but I have to say that the lobster was excellent! The house made pasta was better than expected and the drinks were spot on. Definitely worth the while.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 11:30am – 10:00 pm Friday – Saturday: 11:30am – 11:00 pm Bar Menu available Monday - Friday: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Website
http://www.thelobster.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Govind Armstrong
Private party facilities
We have several different private rooms.Our private terrace seats up to 53 people.Our inside dining room seats up to 100 people.We have full buy-outs for seating up to 150 and 220 standing cocktail reception.

Location
1602 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Area
Santa Monica
Cross street
Colorado Ave.
Parking Details
$10-$12 with validation for 3 hours and then $15 after that.<br />
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

The Lobster

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Raw & Chilled

Oyster SamplerUSD 32.00

Wild Gulf Shrimp CocktailUSD 24.00

Yellowfin TartareUSD 24.00

Maine Lobster CocktailUSD 30.00

Chilled Seafood PlatterUSD 93.00

Soup, Salads & Appetizers

New England Style Clam ChowderUSD 21.00

Caesar SaladUSD 19.00

Maine Lobster SaladUSD 32.00

Seared Dungeness Crab CakeUSD 22.00

Steamed Black MusselsUSD 21.00

Maryland Soft Shell CrabUSD 28.00

Charred OctopusUSD 26.00

Crispy Calamari & PrawnsUSD 20.00

Lobster & Crab

Steamed Maine Lobster

Grilled Maine Lobster

Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs

Sandwiches

Certified Angus Beef CheeseburgerUSD 22.00

Lobster RollUSD 34.00

Entrées

Tagliatelle with Wild King CrabUSD 42.00

Black Chitarra PastaUSD 42.00

Wild Dungeness Crab GumboUSD 42.00

Seared Rare YellowfinUSD 46.00

Wild Alaskan HalibutUSD 47.00

Grilled Day Boat ScallopsUSD 48.00

Seared Dungeness Crab CakesUSD 38.00

Hand-Cut 8 Oz Filet 'Steak & Frites'USD 68.00

Sides

Butter Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Sea Salt & ChivesUSD 34.00

Roasted Weiser Farms Heirloom PotatoesUSD 12.00

Gloria's Blue Lake Green BeansUSD 16.00

Grilled California Delta AsparagusUSD 18.00

Yukon Mashed PotatoesUSD 14.00

Truffle Parmesan FriesUSD 16.00

Dungeness Crab Fried RiceUSD 20.00

Brussels Sprouts, Bacon Jam, Fuji Apple & PepitasUSD 18.00

Lobster Mac 'N Cheese with Butter Poached Lobster & Lemon BreadcrumbsUSD 36.00

Featured

Chef Govind's All Purpose Spice Blend

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable