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    Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe

    4.0 (769 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Burgers, Cafes
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe Bars Photos

    BIG DEAN'S OCEAN FRONT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Clam Chowder with crackers
    Jasmine R.

    It was pretty busy here so it drew our attention. We just wanted something light and water. Our server was the sweetest girl , always was smiling. Service top tier. They even have a security guard in the front, not sure what be happening for them to do all that haha!! The food was ok. The Mac and cheese could have been more seasoned, and a little bit more pasta. The clam chowder was also okay, it seemed to be just a tad bit flavorless in my opinion. Everything else was good!

    Melanie B.

    Flew into LAX for the Eagles vs. Chargers Monday night game!! Straight off the flight to Santa Monica where we stumbled across Big Deans food and drinks were definitely on the morning menu! Friendly service, great vibes, and sunshine...can't beat that combo! I had the Big Deans Cheeseburger with bacon and it was delicious! Just a heads up the fries don't come with the meal, but you definitely need to order some. My fiancé went with the grilled shrimp and baby scallop skewers super flavorful and so good. We also grabbed the Frings (half fries, half onion rings). My friend ordered the BBQ burger, and it was packed with flavor. Perfect way to kick off game day weekend!

    Cheeseburger (ordered with raw and grilled onions)
    Tara F.

    This is a good bar with good bar food - especially their burger and fries. The Bloody Mary is pretty good too. Wait time can be very long so prepare yourself for that. They are usually busy so sometimes it can be tough getting the server's attention.

    Iykyk
    Richie D.

    Dean's is such a good vibe and a great location. This store spot has been here for decades, you gotta come.

    Register , tv's , background tvs two sided bar
    Al L.

    Great service, from being welcomed and seated, to getting drinks right away. Beach vibe, duh, and is literally 50 yards from the water in Santa Monica . Perfect beach dive bar. There was a time when this was a beach biker bar. Times have changes and so has the vibe. Great place for family and friends, or just catching a game and a beer on the weekend. Parking is reasonable for the day at $15. Highly recommended

    Special bacon bbq burger and a "small" side of onion rings.
    Dawn H.

    This is a great place. Super chill beach vibes. The employees were all so nice and accommodating. It's not fancy, but their prices aren't either. Great place to watch the game, stare at the ocean. Watch the people. Perfect place to watch a bunch of games all at once.

    Burger, fries, blonde beer.
    Tara G.

    Love the food and staff here. I brought my dog as it says "dog friendly" on Yelp and they have a huge patio. Outside it says only ADA service animals allowed and the security guard asked me about my dog. I showed him his service animal tag and he asked what services he performs. I felt a bit uncomfortable that they are this strict. The staff seemed to love animals and they have that large open air seating. It was also not busy. For future reference: The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) allows only two questions to be asked: (1) is the dog a service animal, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Asking about the disability itself is not permitted.

    Menu
    Dian R.

    Great, Fantastic, Must Visit! Its just a great vibe. Nothing fancy, but feels great to sit there w a drink and watch people go by. Prices are reasonable also!

    Menú
    Stella H.

    If you're visiting the Santa Monica Pier and want a beach view, local vibe, cheap beer, and classic bar food -- this is the spot. I biked over and loved that it's right at the end of the bike path with easy bike parking. They've got a chill mix of indoor and outdoor seating -- picnic tables out front and a more laid-back area in the back if you want to hang longer. Bonus points for the super clean restrooms, which is a rare find near the beach. It's also a solid sports bar setup with multiple TVs playing different channels. The staff does a great job of strolling around, keeping drinks topped off and service prompt and friendly. Whether you're just off the sand or cruising the boardwalk, this is a great casual spot to refuel and relax.

    Double Cheeseburger w/ grilled onions + lettuce
    Kyle W.

    Really solid spot, don't be scared by the location close to SM pier (aka tourism, sketchy people). Plenty of seating (outdoor/indoor hybrid but it's open space) and TVs with sports on. Draft beers (20 oz) are ice cold for $10, and nothing on food menu is more than $12-$14 bucks. Really good cheeseburger, I loved how they put 3 slices of cheese on. Fries were good. Wasn't the biggest fan of Big Deans sauce on burger but that's my only nitpick (it tasted like coleslaw minus the actual coleslaw, if that makes sense). Will be back here A LOT.

    Jeff M.

    Food was amazing. We ordered the Big Dean cheeseburger, grilled shrimp and baby scallops skewers and Frings. Everything was done to perfection. The burger was juicy and a lot of flavor and plenty of cheese. The seafood was fresh like it was caught that day with perfect seasoning. The fries/onion rings were hot and crispy, just like they should be. It was strange they took a credit card before we ordered to make a tab on food. Soda served in cans and they were room temperature. Overall, that doesn't take away from the quality of food.

    IPA Draft Beer
    Oliver P.

    Great location just under the Pier! If there's a big game this place is so lively, especially on the weekends! The service here is always great and the food is pretty good! Your typical bar foods like Burgers, Fries, Onion Rings! I come here cuz I just love the vibe and I love burgers and the burgers are here are simple and delicious! If you're hungry get the famous Big Dean's Cheeseburger! Great place to grab a beer and food and catch up with your friends!

    Me enjoying a beer!
    Gabriel B.

    This place is awesome! It's right on the beach and has a super cool vibe. They have a lot of beer on tap and the food was straight bussin. It's right next to the pier so if you are looking for something quick, easy, and bussin then this is the place! Also the service is great we never had to wait for anything!

    32oz Big Dean Ale. Very good

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    Page 1 of 20

    Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe

    Do you take reservations for big groups?

    Call ahead to order for big groups

    Do they have the Sunday ticket?

    Yes

    Is it Kid friendly?

    Definitely

    Is big deals dog friendly?

    Josh, no it's not. Previous yelper/review stated that they wouldn't allow her service dog even with proper documentation. Big Deans says they allow service dogs. Bring your service dog at your own risk.

    Hey! Does Dean's have happy hour? If so, when and what are the details? Thanks!

    They do not. The price point is already low enough there's no need for HH.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Bar Chloe

    Bar Chloe

    3.9(511 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I loved this bar. It was such a vibe. Very dark and moody, and served up great drinks. Located in…read moresanta monica, its a great spot to walk to from a few other eateries. I had the french 75 and it was tasty. We werent there long but it was busy for a Thursday night, would love to come back.

    Intimate setting speakeasy, perfect sized room, great for date night and conversations. Nothing…read morememorable or impressive, not bad if you're around the area and want to stop by for quick drinks. Left after one drink, and went to another bar. Most of the bars are dive bars in downtown Santa Monica, and parking is quite accessible for this place. So I'd recommend for that reason. In terms of the drinks, I'm a huge fan of cocktail but I would say their menu selections are a bit limited. Nothing in the signature cocktail looks interesting to me, so I had the bartender make a classic cocktail instead. He's very attentive and friendly, didn't take forever to get a drink either, no attitude. Drinks aren't watered down either. Nice! You come here to grab quick drinks when you don't feel like being at a loud dive bar in the area, it's in a hotel but not too upscale, no strict dress code. Music is not loud and they have couches and booth if bar table if not your thing, you don't have to yell or pretend you hear everything to hold a conversation here (lol). ** Keep in mind 20% gratuity is automatically included in bill, it's my first time here. But I think I've other spots I'd prefer to be in, even at Santa Monica. Wouldn't be self-motivated to come back because there are better places that specialises mixology, and there are also better upscale hotel bars to be at. But if you're around the area it's a great intimate bar for date night that's not overly pricey. Wouldn't travel all the way to here just for this (if you know what I mean).

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    Bar Chloe
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    The Lincoln - www.TheLincolnVenice.com #TheLincolnLA

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    4.0(312 reviews)
    3.0 miVenice
    $$
    Hipster vibe
    Live music

    great spot that slowly turns into a full-on club as the night picks up. Starts off chill, but give…read moreit some time and it gets packed... like barely-room-to-walk packed. Energy goes way up with it though. Music is consistently great and the crowd matches it. Mostly a younger, high-energy vibe. If you actually want to enjoy your drinks and maybe chat with the bartenders, show up early. Once it gets going, it's all motion and noise. It's never disappointed us. You kind of know what you're signing up for, and it delivers every time. Ambiance leans classy without feeling vintage. Dim lighting, a touch of rustic, and just enough polish to set the tone without overdoing it. They've got a patio too, which comes in clutch when you need a breather or want to actually hear the person next to you. We usually do street parking and it's not too bad if you're willing to walk a bit. Reservation needed: Not really, unless you've got a big group and want your own section Parking: 6/10 - Street Crowd: 8/10 Vibe: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Music: 9/10 Drinks: 8/10 Price: $$

    I love it here! Ever since their remodel, this has been a go to spot for me. The ambience is…read moreamazing, low light but enough to still set the tone. I had a Miami Manny and boy was that thing smacking. That mezcal boy o boy.... Our bartender was super cool and helped navigate through the wide selection of drinks. I highly recommend going here!

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    The Lincoln
    The Lincoln - The Lincoln

    The Lincoln

    The Lincoln - The Lincoln

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    Harvelle's

    Harvelle's

    4.2(404 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Amazing service and live music! This spot has been a favorite of mine! You can go alone or with a…read moregroup and have a blast all night.

    I never miss an opportunity to catch a burlesque show, and after seeing more than my fair share,…read moreI've come to really appreciate the difference between a good show and a great one. Harvelle's is the latter. Tucked close to the beach in Santa Monica, this tiny little place might not look like much at first. The setup is a tightly woven arrangement of vintage chairs and tables, with a long row of couches hugging the wall. But once you're inside, you realize they have their reasons for their layout. If you're lucky enough to grab a front-row seat or one of the coveted bar stools, you'll start to notice the details: metal pipes, and rods that spark the imagination. You're in for a treat! What I really appreciate about Harvelle's is that they don't charge you an arm and a leg for tickets. The artists are humble, talented, and consistently engaging. I've been to burlesque shows where the performers feel like they're just there, going through the motions. But not at Harvelle's. Every time I've gone, the women bring something artful, classy, and unapologetically bold to the stage. It's burlesque, yes, but not cheap in style or spirit. Anytime a friend's visiting from out of town, this is the spot I take them to. It's a must-see in Santa Monica. And honestly, what other place is giving you burlesque seven nights a week?

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    Harvelle's  - Blues type of night

    Blues type of night

    Harvelle's
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    Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - bars - Updated May 2026

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