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    Back On the Beach

    3.7 (791 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Back On the Beach Photos

    BACK ON THE BEACH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Back On the Beach

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    Reviews With Photos

    Shakshuka
    Anna N.

    Can't beat being on the beach and this cafe is right on the sand! There is an indoor portion too, if that's not your vibe. I parked at palisades park and walked down here for cheap parking, but I'm not sure how the parking lot in front of this cafe works or if there's validation. The food was delicious! I loved the shakshuka. It was very flavorful and hit the spot. It was interesting having it in a bowl though, I had to eat it like soup. My waiter was great, kind, and observant. My bill was a bit pricey for what I got, but that was expected because of the cafe's location.

    Alex K.

    It's been years since I was last here for a meal. What could be better when the sun's out and it's a gorgeous day. Lunch on the beach. Location is perfect as it's right on the beach next to the bike path. A minute or so walk to the beach with a playground right around the side for the little ones. There's a paid parking lot right when you enter to the lot. We checked in around 12:15 hoping to get a table on the sand. Well, if we wanted that it would be a 40 minute wait time but could get seated right away inside. Oh well, inside it is. Seated towards the back area but once seated we noticed that there were loads of empty tables both on the sand and back patio area. I don't know if they were short staff working the beach area or they just wanted to have people wait. On well, we ended up inside for lunch. Menu wise, it was both breakfast and brunch. The drink options were quite nice as well. Loads to choose from. Started off with some espresso martini and a Bloody Mary. Both were actually quite nice. Hank, who took care of us for lunch was amazing. Very friendly and attentive as well as sweet. Made sure that we were well taken care of. Lunch, the Fred's salad and Spring pea salad were both quite nice. The dressing in both was great and the chicken added to the Fred salad was quite tasty. Also had the fish and chips. It was good but a little too much with the batter. And a side of fries to share. Lunch was nice and noticed that they had some chocolate chip cookies at the front counter which was needed. Ended up getting one to go as well. Service was nice. Would have loved to be on the sand for lunch but wait time was too long. Hostess was sweet, Hank was excellent. Drinks were quite tasty and lunch did the trick. Let's hope next visit we could actually have a table in the sand.

    My friends sweet potato fries. She got the fish tacos, she said it was good. I did try a fry, evert crunchy outside, soft inside 5/5
    Elizabeth W.

    So happy this place survived Covid. I used to come here in my 20s and the first time I ate a whites only omelette...the breakfast food was great then and now. Ordered the farmhouse omelette, 5/5 beautifully made tasty fluffy delicious. The scone 5/5 is yum I was so full I only tore off two small but my friend wanted it for her husband even though it was half eaten, it was that good!! Service was fast efficient friendly. Refills on coffee without asking. More napkins no problem. And of course it's the beach. We sat outside on an overcast Saturday. Parking a bit rough, but there are two adjacent lots. Your entire party has to be present in order to be seated. Lovely seating in doors, on a patio or on the sand. Highly recommend.

    1/2 Back on the Beach Burger, split with friend
    Jessie D.

    Yum! We went to the Getty villa and thought this was the perfect lunch stop afterwards. The burger was high quality and cooked exactly to our liking. The fries were hot and salty, but not my favorite. They were happy to split our food, which was nice. Our server was sweet and gave good recommendations. I did not love the fact that the chairs sunk into the sand, BUT the view was to die for!

    Back on the Beach Burger (medium rare).
    Angelique A.

    Back on the beach bigger is super yummy, perfectly cooked (medium rare), and involves both a generous amount melted white cheddar and avocado. This place had not the best reviews so I didn't expect much , but the burger is just what you want out of a burger on the beach. Service was super kind too and you can sit outside on the sand itself.

    Sustainable Tuna Salad Sandwich
    Robert D.

    After coming back for the second time, i love this place even more. Even on a cloudy day, this experience is so cool. Highly recommend. The bloody mary is a meal on its own!

    Breakfast burrito!  I give it 12 stars!!   Delicious.

    I have been amazed how tasty the food is at this location. Honestly I first thought it's a beautiful beach cafe the food would be so so!! But they take a lot of pride in the quality and service. I had the best breakfast burrito of all Time at Back on The Beach. Love it!!

    gabriel s.

    Espresso martini was great but the service was horrible. I sat down at a table with my $27 cocktail and was immediately kicked out because they were going to sit someone down. That table was empty for an hour. This other rude waiter came up to me yelling when my wife showed up with my dog without a lease. My dog is well trained and was sitting down right next to us. We basically got kicked out. First and last time here.

    Beautiful view from my table
    Adrian M.

    Always a nice place for an afternoon lunch especially with a date! It got a little cold and windy after 2:30 so bring a jacket.

    Salmon and mashed potatoes with grilled veggies
    Kevin P.

    This was such a vibey beachside spot right in Santa Monica. My girlfriend surprised me with this place since it was somewhere her aunt used to take her, and it was the perfect choice for a sunset dinner. The restaurant sits directly on the sand, so be ready to kick off your shoes and get your feet sandy while you eat -- it adds to the relaxed, coastal feel. We shared the hummus and pita appetizer and the salmon with mashed potatoes and veggies for our main. The food itself wasn't anything groundbreaking, but everything was fresh and tasty. The salmon was cooked nicely and paired well with the creamy mashed potatoes and crisp broccolini. The hummus plate came with a colorful mix of veggies, feta, and olives that made for a great starter. The drinks were refreshing, the service was relaxed but attentive, and the beach view during sunset really made the experience. For the price and atmosphere, it's a great spot to unwind, especially if you're looking for somewhere casual but scenic.

    Becca D.

    Eating here was such an enjoyable experience. Sitting outside with a perfect view of the ocean, digging my toes in the sand, while eating fresh and delicious food at a decent price. I ordered the back on the beach burger with salad. The burger was really delicious, great brioche bun and fresh avocado and arugula inside. Althand the salad it came with was really refreshing and delicious too. The burger (grass fed) with salad was $22 which seems pretty fare for on-the-beach dining. I will definitely be back!

    Us hanging out front
    Michael R.

    Visiting my son whom works at Back on the Beach. The place is super cute, clean and very beachy! The servers are all youngsters, full of life and fun! The owner came out to check on us. He had great things to say about my son, Ian. We told him we loved the food and the ambiance. My wrap was super tasty, light and delicious! My GF loved her pesto!!! Great spot if you're at Santa Monica beach and or visiting the Annengerg Beach House & Pool.

    Nicole O.

    The Fred Salad is fantastic ! The View can't be beat. The service is so friendly. I love it

    Cocktail menu

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    Truly Horrible Customer service. Really disappointed considering the view was amazing.

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    Page 1 of 20

    Back On the Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Back On the Beach

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes!

    How much is the parking lot on PCH @ the designated spot, Marion Davies Memorial?

    $3.00 per hour. My friend has a handicap sticker so we were free.

    Dog friendly outside?

    Yes, I seen small dogs hanging by their owners.

    Where do we park?

    There is a pay parking lot right next to them on PCH.

    Do they have bottomless mimosas?

    No.

    Do they have cocktails?

    Yes

    What deserts do you have?

    Chocolate raspberry cake, lemon pistachio cake and ice cream bars (NOT listed on menu). They have fresh seasonal fruit, vanilla fro-yo, granola fruit sundae (on breakfast menu).

    Does Back on the Beach allow laptop users? I'm a writer, and it seems like a nice place to spend a couple of hours to write.

    I don't know if they allow it, but keep in mind that parking there is pretty expensive. If you're going to spend a few hours, I'd ride a bike or take public transportation.

    Do they have high chairs?

    Of course they have high chairs. I think it's very limited.

    View All 13 Questions

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    Father's Office - Office Burger

    Father's Office

    3.8(3.3k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    this is a popular little bar known for their delicious burgers. i went in expecting an overhyped…read morespot but oh boy was i wrong. i was in love at first bite. we went at a not so busy time but you order at the bar and will have to fight for a table since it's a small place. since it's a bar setting you must be 21+ to enter and they do check ID's. there is no parking lot but free parking is available in residential areas or street parking nearby. i'd highly recommend this place but it is a bit pricey. The Office Burger maybe even life changing, this burger was savory, sweet, and had the perfect balance of textures. with caramelized onions, bacon, arugula and gruyére cheese, this is a must get. Pork Belly Al Pastor the braised pork belly was so tender it fell apart when we touched it. paired with the tangy pineapple salsa and the grits sope it sat on top of, this dish was elevated and hearty at the same time. Frites in a Basket these thin fries were tossed in a garlic parsley aioli and served with a side of a special mayo like dip. each fry was perfectly crispy and the aioli with the mayo dip paired so well together that we had to physically stop ourselves from finishing the entire basket in one go.

    This is different than your typical restaurant, this feels more like a bar style restaurant. You…read moreorder it at the bar and when a table becomes available, you can take it. However, sometimes that means that a two top is sitting at a four top. They are very quick about turning tables around though constantly cleaning and picking up dishes so people leave faster. Food wise, not bad the burger was a little greasy but full of flavor. The tots were not bad. Just wish they were a little crispy and a little bit more tangy from the vinegar. Lastly, the crispy fish sandwich was decent. Overall I would rank this place a six out of 10.

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    Father's Office - The many many taps!

    The many many taps!

    Father's Office - THE OFFICE BURGER

    THE OFFICE BURGER

    Father's Office - The Office Burger - Juicy beef patty, soft mini baguettes, melted Gruyère and blue cheeses, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula.

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    The Office Burger - Juicy beef patty, soft mini baguettes, melted Gruyère and blue cheeses, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula.

    Black Sheep Burgers - Cali (Katsu) Chicken Burger

    Black Sheep Burgers

    4.5(742 reviews)
    4.2 miSawtelle
    $$

    Went to Black Sheep Burgers for lunch today. Don't be fooled by the name. They do not have any…read morelamb burgers. Although Black Sheep Burgers has a vast selection of hamburgers (they probably should have called the place Black Cow Burgers) I had a Chicken Katsu sandwich. It was very good. I liked the option of being able to decide what I wanted or didn't want on my sandwich when ordering. I don't like avocados, so I ordered my sandwich without avocados. There are also a vast number of sides to order if you are very hungry. I was tempted to order the 40's french fries, but the sandwich was enough for me. Professional eaters probably would have ordered several sides. There is a large seating area outside. I sat outside. Other than the traditional problem with eating outside (your napkin, like the answer, may blow in the wind) since Black Shep Burger gave me several napkins, it wasn't a problem.

    Food was good, but overpriced and difficult to park safely…read more First off, great taste, but we were on a museum visit which brought us to the area, so we avoided usual staples in the area that are more value for the money. It's in the sawtelle area near Olympic and predominantly Japanese food spots. Service was friendly but in this economy, not a good value. The burger prices should come with fries. 70$ for 3 people was too steep for what you get

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    Black Sheep Burgers - Inside

    Inside

    Black Sheep Burgers - Cali Chicken Burger

    Cali Chicken Burger

    Black Sheep Burgers - Double Double (minus tomato and onions as requested by the six year old)

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    Double Double (minus tomato and onions as requested by the six year old)

    Back On the Beach - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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