BRINGING YOU THE BEST IN CALIFORNIA SEAFOOD CUISINE, BREATHTAKING OCEAN VIEWS, AND GREAT SERVICE, ALL AT THE TOP OF THE SANTA MONICA PIER, FOR OVER A CENTURY!
Established in 1923 - Expanded in 1999
The Lobster is a legacy seafood restaurant that has been serving Santa Monica for over a century. Established in 1923, The Lobster continues on today, twenty-five plus years after its expansion to a second story. The Lobster continues to deliver seafood cuisine at its finest. The atmosphere is fine yet casual dining with a great attentive staff. Guests experience the 180+° breathtaking views while dining alongside other International Guests, Celebrities, Local Foodies, Destination Restaurant Seekers, and Celebrants.
Situated at the corner of Ocean Avenue, just left of the iconic Santa Monica Pier Gateway sign, The Lobster seafood restaurant is an internationally recognized dining destination that is as much a part of Santa Monica's history as the Santa Monica Pier.
Originally opened in 1923, the 900 square foot building, fondly referred by locals as the quintessential local fresh fish market and seafood shack, sold locally caught fresh fish. It wasn't until dishwasher-turned-owner, Mateo Castillo, took the helm in the 1950's, that The Lobster became a favorite seafood shack. Its popularity was often evidenced by the line of hungry customers, wrapping out the door of the small shack, in anticipation of ordering a meal from the menu of 60 prepared fresh seafood options. Seating was comprised of 30 stools that encompassed the building. So beloved by LA residents and tourists alike that the restaurant thrived well throughout the 1950's, 60's and 70's.
In the early 1980's, a series of strong, back-to-back, El Niño storms hit Los Angeles, and severely pummeled the Santa Monica Pier. Major sections of the Pier were destroyed. It remained closed for several years during repairs. The loss of Pier traffic and access to local fishing boats for their fresh catches, took its toll on The Lobster Restaurant and Fish Market. Never really recovering, then owner Rose Freeman, shut the restaurant's doors in 1985. A decade later, in 1995, a group of local families came together to begin the process of reviving The Lobster by reinventing and expanding the location. The original structure was incorporated into the new building's main entrance. The dining area and bar raised to a second floor. The Lobster celebrated its reopening and the expansion in the summer of 1999.
In the past 25+ years, The Lobster has been fortunate to have three dedicated Chefs that created the flavors that have brought people back to its dining room again and again. Chef Allison Thurber successfully rocketed a robust combination of seafood flavors for The Lobster from day one. Chef Collin Crandell brought with him a refreshing natural approach to the flavors of seafood, utilizing locally grown ingredients to fulfill his culinary visions. Today, Chef Govind Armstrong takes seafood dishes in a culinary direction that is sophisticated, yet approachable. With the focus on flavor and a perfect balance of taste and texture, his dishes are updated daily to account for ingredient availability, quality and his creative license.
Chef Armstrong brings to The Lobster a background that includes training in some of the most famous restaurants around the world. California-born, raised in Costa Rica, and educated in Los Angeles and Europe under culinary legends including Wolfgang Puck, Mark Peel and Susan Feniger, Chef Govind is a master of California Cuisine. As an advocate for food sustainability, he is committed to serving dishes that are crafted with only the freshest, locally sourced, and responsibly farmed ingredients.
Sustainably Designed, Locally Sourced, Artfully Composed Seafood
Today, The Lobster stands as a modernly appointed, two-story cantilevered restaurant with glass walls to take advantage of one of the best dining views along the coast. What better way to dine than with 180+° views of the Pacific Ocean from the south, up the Malibu coastline to the north, all from a bird's perch overlooking the Santa Monica Pier?
Come join us at The Lobster, at the top of the Santa Monica Pier and where Route 66 ends, to experience Chef Govind Armstrong's crafted meals, designed to satisfy the palates of taste-makers and food lovers everywhere. Enjoy the backdrop of sweeping ocean and pier views at one of Los Angeles's premiere dining destinations. Whether enjoying happy hour, sharing a romantic evening, even celebrating a special occasion, whatever the reason, this restaurant aims to make your visit an enjoyable event!
Come for the view, stay for the food!
JOIN US AT THE LOBSTER FOR GOURMET SEAFOOD CUISINE, GREAT SERVICE,
AND INCREDIBLE 180+° VIEWS OF THE SANTA MONICA PIER AND PACIFIC OCEAN.