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

Soup, Salads & Appetizers

New England Style Clam Chowder$21.00
House Smoked Bacon, Heirloom Potatoes, & Parsley Croutons
Caesar Salad$19.00
Little Gem Lettuce with Herbed Croutons & Parmesan
Maine Lobster Salad$32.00
Little Gem Lettuce, Avocado, Citrus Segments & Fried Leek
Seared Dungeness Crab Cake$22.00
Remoulade, Wild Arugula Salad & Lemon
Steamed Black Mussels$21.00
Piedmontese Pepper Paste, Preserved Lemon, Vermouth Butter & Grilled Bread
Maryland Soft Shell Crab$28.00
Shaved Brussel Slaw & Comeback Sauce
Charred Octopus$26.00
Piquillo, Edamame Hummus, Pee Wee Potatoes, Pickled Baby Fennel & Black Garlic Aioli
Crispy Calamari & Prawns$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.$40.00
Grilled Maine Lobster
Fresh Herbs, Lemon & Drawn Garlic Butter
- per lb.$42.00
Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs
Lemon & Drawn Garlic Butter
- per lb.$80.00

Sandwiches

Served with Fries & Available only until 3pm Daily

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

Entrées

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

Sides

Butter Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Sea Salt & Chives$34.00
Roasted Weiser Farms Heirloom Potatoes$12.00
Gloria's Blue Lake Green Beans$16.00
Grilled California Delta Asparagus$18.00
Yukon Mashed Potatoes$14.00
Truffle Parmesan Fries$16.00
Dungeness Crab Fried Rice$20.00
Brussels Sprouts, Bacon Jam, Fuji Apple & Pepitas$18.00
Lobster Mac 'N Cheese with Butter Poached Lobster & Lemon Breadcrumbs$36.00

Featured

Chef Govind's All Purpose Spice Blend
- per btl$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 May 7, 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.
Is this helpful?
TD
TroyD Gold
Edmonton5 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 28, 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 February 23, 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 February 18, 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 February 15, 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 February 4, 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,
Is this helpful?
AP
AmyP
Los Angeles13 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 22, 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
Edmonton1 review
4.0
Dined on January 21, 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 January 20, 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 January 20, 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
Neighborhood
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 Sampler$32.00

Wild Gulf Shrimp Cocktail$24.00

Yellowfin Tartare$24.00

Maine Lobster Cocktail$30.00

Chilled Seafood Platter$93.00

Soup, Salads & Appetizers

New England Style Clam Chowder$21.00

Caesar Salad$19.00

Maine Lobster Salad$32.00

Seared Dungeness Crab Cake$22.00

Steamed Black Mussels$21.00

Maryland Soft Shell Crab$28.00

Charred Octopus$26.00

Crispy Calamari & Prawns$20.00

Lobster & Crab

Steamed Maine Lobster

Grilled Maine Lobster

Steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs

Sandwiches

Certified Angus Beef Cheeseburger$22.00

Lobster Roll$34.00

Entrées

Tagliatelle with Wild King Crab$42.00

Black Chitarra Pasta$42.00

Wild Dungeness Crab Gumbo$42.00

Seared Rare Yellowfin$46.00

Wild Alaskan Halibut$47.00

Grilled Day Boat Scallops$48.00

Seared Dungeness Crab Cakes$38.00

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

Sides

Butter Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Sea Salt & Chives$34.00

Roasted Weiser Farms Heirloom Potatoes$12.00

Gloria's Blue Lake Green Beans$16.00

Grilled California Delta Asparagus$18.00

Yukon Mashed Potatoes$14.00

Truffle Parmesan Fries$16.00

Dungeness Crab Fried Rice$20.00

Brussels Sprouts, Bacon Jam, Fuji Apple & Pepitas$18.00

Lobster Mac 'N Cheese with Butter Poached Lobster & Lemon Breadcrumbs$36.00

Featured

Chef Govind's All Purpose Spice Blend

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable