The Lobster

The story

The Lobster Santa Monica: Century-Old Seafood on the Pier, Michelin Recommended

The Lobster: A Century of Seafood at the Top of the Santa Monica Pier

For over a hundred years, The Lobster has been a fixture at the corner of Ocean Avenue and the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 meets the Pacific. Originally a 900-square-foot seafood shack opened in 1923, it became a beloved local diner before closing in 1985. A group of local families revived and expanded the restaurant, reopening in 1999 as the modern, two-story cantilevered space that stands today.

The restaurant’s glass walls offer a 180-degree panorama of the Santa Monica Bay, stretching up the Malibu coastline to Point Dume. With the historic pier and Palisades Park as its foreground, the view is as much a part of the experience as the food. This combination of history and location has earned The Lobster a Michelin Plate recommendation, recognizing it as one of Santa Monica’s premier dining destinations.

Chef Govind Armstrong and the Seafood Menu

The kitchen is led by Celebrity Chef Govind Armstrong, a California-born, Costa Rica-raised chef whose career includes training under Wolfgang Puck at Spago and at the three-Michelin-starred Arzak in Spain. A master of California cuisine and an advocate for food sustainability, Armstrong crafts a menu that is both sophisticated and approachable. His dishes are updated daily based on the availability of the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.

While The Lobster is known for its beautifully prepared California Spiny Lobster and Maine Lobster, the menu extends to seasonally inspired seafood dishes, a charred octopus appetizer, and a standout lobster mac and cheese. The beverage and dessert menus round out the offerings, making the restaurant a fitting spot for happy hour, a romantic evening, or a celebration. The atmosphere is classy and tranquil, with the energy of the pier visible through the windows.

A Legacy Restaurant with a Modern Spirit

The Lobster’s story is one of reinvention. After a decade of being shuttered, the restaurant was reborn with its original structure incorporated into the new entrance. Today, it welcomes a mix of international guests, local foodies, and celebrants, all drawn by the promise of fresh seafood, great service, and a view that has captivated diners for generations. Walk-ins are welcomed, and reservations are encouraged for this iconic Santa Monica seafood restaurant.