Four Amazing Restaurants to Try at the LA Waterfront
It’s Wednesday and the weekend is only a couple of days away.
If you felt like you didn’t live up the last weekend as best as possible, then don’t beat yourself up. Sure you may not have known where to go or what to eat, and staying indoors meant you got to eat leftovers while binging on Netflix. But if you’re ever looking for a great place to go with incredible food options, I have the answer for you: the LA Waterfront in San Pedro.
If you don’t know about the LAWaterfront, then it’s time to get familiar with it. The LA Waterfront is a portion of the Port of Los Angeles that resides 25 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles and runs close to 400 acres. Within that space, the LA Waterfront offers locals and visitors a handful of things to do including museums, seaside attractions, and my favorite: dining! As the area offers a variety of events all summer long, and year-round for that matter, what I think is most important is where you should eat while in the LA Waterfront.
To help you discover some local fares, I partnered with the LA Waterfront to check out a few restaurants. That being said, I know what you’re thinking and yes, I did all the hard work! All jokes aside I hopped between restaurants, photographed food, and tasted dishes and can say that I have four great amazing places you should try when visiting the LA Waterfront.
In no particular order I present to you: Marina Café, The Whale and Ale English Pub & Restaurant, Sebastian’s Mediterranean Cuisine, and La Buvette.
Opening in March of 2015, Marina Cafe is a causal and cozy restaurant within the Yacht Haven Marina. While it’s a bit further from the central point of the LA Waterfront and sits in more of an industrial area, Marina Café has a beautiful water view that most restaurants don’t have. Opt for a table in the patio area and you’ll get to take in the bright sun, boats, and the water. Doing exactly that, my friend Sara and I ordered the Loaded Turkey Burger ($12) and the Fish and Chips ($13). The burger came with Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and a side of fries while the beer battered cod was served with a house tartar and steak cut potatoes. Both were delicious plates, but the beer battered cod was the clear winner between the two. If you’re at the restaurant and can’t decide what to order, let me choose for you: get the fish and chips!
If you’re looking for a restaurant that carries a London vibe while still within LA county then The Whale and Ale is the spot for you. The homey British feel of the interior with Victorian panels, old newspapers, and a fireplace will make you feel just right if you’re looking for big plates and ice cold beers. Started in 1995, the pub now has a full menu of British inspired plates and over 13 draft beers. Hoping to have the best dishes of the restaurant, the staff sent out two plates I couldn’t say no to: the Beef Wellington ($40) and the Traditional English Fish and Chips ($10). Looking at the beef wellington, it was clear that it came with more than enough to make anyone happy. The filet mignon and mushroom duxelle were surrounded in a puff pastry and served with steamed vegetables and mashed russet potatoes. Cutting into it was like unwrapping a present as it opened up to such a tender and rich cut of meat. Smearing it into the potatoes and grabbing carrots along the way was a great dinner that I would highly suggest.
And sure it was a second appearance of the fish and chips, but this too was worth it. The Atlantic cod was perfectly enveloped in a beer batter which hugged the fish nicely. It was just the right amount of fish and fries so it wouldn’t be an overwhelming dish, but would leave you full and satisfied.
A few steps from The Whale and Ale is Sebastian’s. The Mediterranean restaurant does a great job at creating plates that have memorable components. As simple as a Greek Salad ($12) is, here it was delightful. Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers were tussled in extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinaigrette atop of a bed of lettuce. Sure there was a lot to be had in a salad, but it was crisp, refreshing, and full of delicate flavors that made it one that felt good to eat. In contrast to the salad, were the Lamb Chops ($20) that were marinated in fresh herbs and served with rice and tabbouleh. I loved the herbs across the meat and the way they enhanced the texture and taste of the lamb chops. Was it a great order? Absolutely! And one I think you should get when you go too.
To wind down from a day of exploring the LA Waterfront, I highly suggest La Buvette. The cute wine bar opens just as the night approaches serving small plates that easily pair with crisp and bold glasses of white or red wine. The relaxing interior welcomes you in and the menu encourages you to stay long into the night. On this visit, I had the bistro’s Savory Tomato and Mustard Tart ($12). Made with locally grown tomatoes, gruyere, and a thyme crust it’s a light dish that could easily start a lengthy meal or serve as delectable item if you need a little bite of something small.
If you can’t make it to any of these restaurants during the coming weekend don’t worry. Each restaurant has a solid presence in the community which means they’ll be around in time for you to walk through the door. That being said, you have plenty of time to make a visit and dine on the delicious food I had or many others when you make your way the 400 acre LA Waterfront.
For a complete list of restaurants near the LA Waterfront and contact information on each one in this post, click here.
Follow the LA Waterfront
Address: 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro, California 90731
Phone: (310) 732-3508
Social: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
