We have the expression "if these walls could talk" because they can't. The only talking they do is to our imagination, which sometimes runs wilder than the truth ever was. The Walls at Chez Jay talk so loud you would almost worry that it became intrusive, but the walls have been talking that loud for so long that it is why people continue to make memories here. Maybe you're somebody or maybe you're nobody but whoever you are, your importance to this legendary establishment in that moment will never be grander than the vivid fantasies of the imagination those walls provide its guests. The supernatural spell cast on each patron under the gentle haze of a strong drink is exactly why someone like Daniel Ellsberg could pass the Pentagon Papers along there. It's resurgent fame resulting from in inclusion in Goliath feels like when Tiger won his last green jacket at the end of his career that somehow was against all odds and completely expected. This is a bar with more history than any one place can handle, staff like Stu who make strangers feel at home, a patronage that somehow is a mix of all the right and wrong people, that is just the right amount of crowded at any given hour and still after all these years is the perfect place for one and all who are tired, hungry, or just plain thirsty. read more

Disappointing Service from Julie Overshadowed an Otherwise Great Experience My husband and I visited to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary tonight. While waiting for our table, we had a lovely conversation with the hostess and were really looking forward to the evening. We were seated with Julie as our server, and at first she was pleasant and helpful, offering menu suggestions. Unfortunately, once the hostess came by to check on us, everything changed. Julie became noticeably distant and only returned to take our order--coldly placing it and leaving again. We had to ask another server twice just to get water, received our first drinks but were never asked if we wanted another round, and were largely ignored for the remainder of the meal. What made this especially confusing was that Julie spent plenty of time chatting and engaging with her other tables, while not acknowledging us as she passed by. The food and drinks were excellent, and everyone else we encountered at the restaurant was wonderful. We had heard great things about this place and truly wanted to love it. However, the intentional dismissal from our server, Julie, was baffling and disappointing. As we were leaving, we overheard Julie tell the hostess to "never interfere with any of her tables," which suddenly made the evening make sense. We would have loved to make this a regular stop whenever we visit Santa Monica, but the risk of another experience like this gives us pause. I would recommend the food and atmosphere--but suggest requesting a server other than Julie. read more

OK, so I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I've been living in Santa Monica for about six years and always walked past this bar. I finally went in for the first time a few months ago, and now I've already been back a handful of times. This place attracts the best people from all over the world. I love the dark, dim, moody atmosphere at night and even during the day inside. I've only interacted with a few staff members so far, but every single one has been enthusiastic, sweet, charming, and genuinely nice. You can enjoy an unlimited amount of peanuts, and whether you're a local or just visiting, you'll almost always meet someone from somewhere in the world you've never been before. The vibes are really that good. I also learned this place has a ton of history, which made me appreciate it even more. Definitely adding Chez Jay to my regular rotation, especially since I live in the neighborhood. Straight 10s across the board! read more

Chez Jay - Just some cool people that I met that are also local! Haha - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Vibe is great...food not so much. We ordered the Butter Steak, Sand Dabs, Wedge Salad and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Aside from the Sticky Toffee Pudding (which was delicious)...everything else was about on par with recent Delta One meals. Our server was friendly. Go for drinks and have dinner elsewhere. read more

I used to go to Chez Jay all the time for drinks after work, like 25 years ago when I worked on the 3rd St. Promenade. Flash forward to now, and my sister-in-law invites a big group to dinner there. I was like "dinner?" I didn't know they served dinner. For me, I just remember getting buzzed at the bar. Anyways, it was very very good. Ambiance: Dark and moody like I remember. Service: Efficient and friendly. Food: Surprisingly excellent. I got the roasted chicken "Chez Jay" which had a delicious butter/caper sauce. Wife had linguini with clams, which tasted light, fresh and delightfully garlicky. My son got shrimp curry, which he said was "ok." They also give you plenty of garlic bread, which was perfect for soaking up the clam sauce. Will be back if we are in the area. Santa Monica in the Spring/Summer gets crazy busy, and I usually like a more laid-back vibe. Still, 5 stars! read more

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Just an old time place to hang out for the nostalgia of yesterday's dive bar with a whole lot of fun. Talk to your neighbor sitting next to you as we used to do and enjoy the peanuts that began with the elephants...Ask your bartender. read more

Great local Neighbourhood bar in the heart of Santa Monica. Inside is old school lot of local regulars.. Back patio is a bit more laid back vibe with great cocktails, and brunch menu at weekends. read more

Chez Jay is an iconic dive bar on the ocean Avenue strip in Santa Monica. I mean you can look up videos you know Kate Hudson, who used to go to crossroads in Santa Monica frequent in that place there's so many celebrities that have been in and out of that place trust me when I tell you it doesn't disappoint and they've added this huge back outside patio Love it was there and just had a blast just the vibe that energy. The service didn't have the food but like really enjoyed my time there. read more

A wonderful nostalgic spot still going strong in Santa Monica. The vibe was a cool and fun as ever! The food was great! Our service was warm and attentive. A must try when you need a fun night out near the beach! read more

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I love Chez Jay for the historical dive bar vibe. Plus the prices aren't too bad for LA. The bartender was super sweet and very talkative. He made some nice drinks and they weren't watered down... sometimes that can happen in a dive bar, lol. The bartender offered us shelled peanuts and told us to toss the shells on the floor. I love that, it gives a European /international feel. I've never eaten here so can't speak to the food but the drinks are strong!! read more

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I love this local neighbourhood spot. The staff are always friendly and attentive. The fillet is consistently delicious! Vibey ambiance.

We are big fans of the tv show Goliath, thus we had to stop at the bar were the main character, actor Billy Bob Thornton gets drunk on a regular basis across from his motel stay that he made a permanent residence at. Unfortunately on Sunday, the bar doesn't open till 2pm, thus we grabbed a drink at the Backyard which is a nice relax place to chill by the beach. A place so close to Santa Monica that the everyday tourist doesn't know brunch exists. We just stopped in for drinks. A wide selection of cocktails and beer is offer. I got the hotel California and it was solid. Seating consists of a small bar. Picnic tables for larger groups. As well as couch seating around fireplace. Need to come again when I can get into official bar. read more

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Great place, great food and people too. The Swordfish Citrin is superb....so is anything, I'm not kidding, anything you want on that menu. read more

Great little gem in Santa Monica! Heike was wonderful helping us get our table for a friends birthday! Stuart was very attentive and the food came out really fast. The dishes were very tasty! Really fun vibe!! read more

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Excellent staff Hillary and Sheila took great care of us, and the Chef came to see how we enjoyed our dinner. Martinis were absolutely the best. Garlic bread was a nice touch. Green goddess dressing was nostalgically tasty. The sand dabs were large and tasty. The butter steak was the only dish that disappointed. It did not have a sufficient amount of butter on it and surprisingly underscored. The asparagus were one of stringy. The scalloped potatoes were excellent. The atmosphere and energy were very enjoyable. The food was 4 1/2 stars but the atmosphere, service and cocktails were 5 stars! We can't wait to have another meal at Chez Jay. read more

Nine times out of ten, Eater has excellent recommendations. This was the one time when Eater missed the mark. We made a reservation for our anniversary and said that in the reservation notes. We got there and they wanted to seat us directly behind the host station (which was about three feet from the door). Like no, we don't want to celebrate our anniversary with the sound of people walking along Ocean Ave and be in the line of traffic. Fortunately, we only had to wait 15 minutes for a different table. We were seated, and a couple minutes later, someone tossed plates on the table. A couple minutes after that, someone tossed some garlic bread on the table. It was a few minutes after that when someone actually asked us what we wanted for drinks. The server was polite, but it was very weird that the other people who came by the table to bring plates and bread said nothing. For food, we started with the sautéed clams and then split the swordfish roti and the sand dabs. The clams were very good (and that garlic bread helped soak up some of the sauce), but the entrees fell flat. The sand dabs seemed very under seasoned. We decided to skip dessert (nothing had stood out on the menu and nobody had even acknowledged that we were celebrating anything - isn't that a cornerstone of hospitality). It seems like an institution and likely to survive because of that. But the quality is lacking and suffice to say, we won't return. read more

Last Sunday afternoon had another pleasant lunch with cocktails at the backyard patio. Not crowded, just about at half capacity which is nice. We had Bloody Mary's, a Smashburger and a Crispy Chicken sandwich. Food and cocktails were good as usual and the service was great. After 20 or so years, we still recommend this place for its fun and casual atmosphere. read more

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A classic Santa Monica restaurant with excellent food and fabulous service by Stuart. He is professional, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. We do not live locally but recently found that this is our favorite restaurant. This evening on 3/7/2026 we had a reservation and waiting near the door Hilka shoved me and our guests out of her way to get to her reservation stand with no apology. She was extremely rude and I find her demeanor as someone that has zero patience or respect for their guests. Stay away from this aging blonde with a sour attitude. Despite her ugliness we will be back. read more

Really cool and neat place full of old timers character. They have a "backyard" which is connected to Chez Jay but don't have the same menu . I suggest making reservations as the place is pretty small and they only have about 6 booths. Ask for their peanuts because one of their peanuts went to space and because you get to throw the peanut shells on the floor after . This place is full of charm and had some famous people who used to eat here, like Marilyn Monroe and JFK when they used to rendezvous here! The food was really good and the service too. I loved my butter steak which is their number 1 most popular item here. They also have a kids menu that's unofficial so you'll have to ask them what they have but we got the chicken quesadilla which the kids loved! read more

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Since 1959, CHEZ JAY in Santa Monica has been serving-up steak and seafood to everyone from the Rat Pack to the Brat Pack to the Jonas brothers. Legend has it that Marilyn Monroe would wait in a booth here for JFK to send a car around for her. But, whether you're a Hollywood star or a tourist passing through, Chef Memo and the rest of the friendly staff will treat you like a regular- there's zero attitude at this "upscale dive." Steak au Poivre & Sand Dabs were on-point, the complimentary garlic bread was tasty, and the shrimp cocktail fresh and meaty. But, of course, the highlight of the meal was the NEFT Vodka cocktails- Martini up, dirty, two olives for Shelly and with soda and lime for me. Jeff pours one of the best Martinis in town- perfect complement to the steak. Bon Appétit! read more

wonderful food wonderful service Highly reccomend this old school Spot loved it everything was great read more

Food , service I'd great. We having been coming here for many years. It's L.A.'s greatest dive bars Dark atmosphere and great drinks. I love the sand dabs and the martinis read more

Chez Jay - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Shout out to Mr. @dinertheory for putting me onto the historical Chez Jay. How can a place feel dive-y, cozy, and upscale at the same time? I came with my partner and we ordered a Caesar salad to start, and butter steak and sand dabs for our main entrees. I appreciated the friendliness of our server, who not only took his time giving us recommendations, but also shared some of the lore surrounding the restaurant (ask about the peanut that went to the moon!). The Caesar was crisp and fresh; nothing groundbreaking, but it hit the spot. The steak was seasoned in a butter herb sauce and was tender with a nice fat cap (not too big, just enough for 1-2 flavorful bites). The unexpected star of the show for me was the sand dabs, which were very delicate and buttery. Each entree comes with some veg and a side of your choosing. The sauteed green beans were cooked and seasoned perfectly, and the La Jolla potatoes were delicious and reminded me of a chunkier potatoes au gratin. Other thoughts and suggestions: I would make a reservation online just in case. They also have a patio called The Backyard, which seems a little more "hip" (not sure if they have the same menus or not). Really looking forward to coming back! read more

Chez Jay - Sand dabs with green beans and pilaf - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Delightfully quaint dive bar. Apparently historic, justbfeeks like... a dive bar. But they do it right. and, They make an excellent burger. Solid 5 stars for what they do, pour, and cook. read more

I went to Chez Jay for the first time in many years. Overall, the food was excellent and we had six people in our party. The bad part was I had the curry shrimp and it wasn't very hot, but everybody was so busy. I just ate it anyway the sticky pudding was an excellent dessert and it came with a scoop of ice cream so it hit the spot. This is a very convenient location if you wanna walk around Santa Monica or go to the pier. We will definitely be back but I hope the food is served hot! read more

This place is old school in the best ways. We always enjoy our visits. The steaks and fish are consistently great but I also look forward to the baked potato... read more

Total dive bar vibe. Fun place with good looking food. We were just in for some beers and peanuts, which you can throw on the floor! I know, that's always fun! read more

Chez Jay - Beer and peanuts - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Glad I hit this place up! Let's go! I needed a "break" from formal/posh dining one night in the LA area, and was intrigued by this place. What I am contributing won't be new news to those who have been here or for those thinking about coming here. In short - think dive bar meets top quality food/menu! I loved the vibe, crowd, service and food! Everything was excellent and exceeded my expectations. What did I have - Crab cakes spot on - Caesar salad (they made me a 1/2 portion) - Steak - And sure has to try dessert which was solid Based on the smallish size and crowd, I would urge you to make a resy. read more

My favorite bar in Santa Monica. Love the lunch special, the hamburger is real great. Good place to just come and chill, your ultimate beach dive bar although it can get busy on the weekends. Great and friendly bartenders, mostly locals no 20s crowd which is a big plus too! And oh yeah, you throw the peanut shells on the floor! read more

If nostalgia and ambience are a high priority; you will experience plenty of both here at Chez Jay. (The show Goliath w/ Billy Bob Thornton was filmed here- I had no idea) Located slightly south of the Santa Monica pier, it's within walking distance of many of the best hotels. Having had a Friday night of debauchery in LA post the Shaggy/Sting concert, a laid back Saturday evening with a cold draft and fresh seafood is precisely what I needed; CJ delivered on both. I decided on the bar as it appeared occupied by some very interesting characters. On my left, a cat from Stockholm (I spent several months in Sweden- Lund, Malmo, Gothenburg and Stockholm in 2009) whom had vacationed from same in '83 and never returned. He's been in Santa Mo for 33 years and shared the best stories. We had a tremendous back and forth about our native lands. On my right, we'll call them the Odd Couple. She, an eccentric gal in her 20's born in LA of "Mexican descent" (she kept repeating) and he, in his 70's born in the OC and they were just having a ball. **Had a film crew walked in off of the street at that moment, a brand new, top-rated Netflix series would have been born on the spot. Meanwhile, Jeff, the unassuming and very professional bartender, took great care of me -recommending the Scampi and Butter Steak. The shrimp were fresh/succulent, the steak was pretty good and prepared at the right temp. And it was not overwhelming like the 984 oz long bone wooly mammoth steak behemoths you see too much of nowadays. I'll tell you this, between the blend of characters on staff, the patrons, the cuisine and then what this place IS at it's' heart- it all lead to a truly remarkable experience and one of the best times I have ever had. And this brings me to this point here if I may give a bit of advice..... Don't always plan....... go on an adventure. Just drive or walk and explore. And when you see something interesting, go for it. You just never know. As for the ratings listed for CJ (currently a 3.9) DON'T pay any attention to that AT ALL and let me tell you why. You have many, many people in this world who are the "star- struck" type. They went only to see or be seen because of Goliath. They have NO appreciation for a what Chez is and has always been. These types tend to be a bit shallow and want whatever "perfection" they have in their minds. Chez is authentic, it's real.... and whether you are Clint Eastwood or not, they deliver on the same care-free, laissez-faire approach that they've come to be known for. No one is going to pucker up and kiss your______ and I believe many expect it and are disappointed. Well, if you want the nouveau fake and pretentious, you have Nobu's down the road. Here, they want you to RELAX, be real and have some fun and that is precisely what I did. Thank you Chez Jay. Until next time...Ciao Bella! read more

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Super awesome dive bar right off the main drag Santa Monica the food seems to be seafood themed. What I smelled last night smelled amazing. I just came here for the drinks. Next thing you know they handed me peanuts and I'm throwing them on the floor with the shells cause they're trying to trick me into getting more drinks Fucking Texas roadhouse style come here again if I had more time be moving on kids time to make that big money with read more

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I was surprised by the flavor of the food, didn't expect it to be good but pleasantly surprised. Great dice bar feel with good food & friendly staff. read more

An institution ! You can't visit Santa Monica without stopping by for a drink at Chez Jay. I cannot believe that I have never eaten here but I can assuredly say that Chez Jay makes a delicious dirty martini- and apparently they are known for them? read more

Highly recommend. My brother and his wife were visiting and invited us here. We were greeted by Molly. Then seated and our server, Hilary super nice and a great server. And the Chef came out, Memo to say hi and what we think. Really good food. It's an icon here. They have done filming, Goliath. Celebrities come there. My brother treated. The Santa Monica pier is right there to walk after. Parking was right there next to restaurant. Thanku Hilary. Great job! read more

Great food and service!! Look at these delicious Bloody Mary's!!! The backyard seating area is light and airy. read more

Chez Jay - Bartender and Bloody Mary - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I don't even know where to begin, but I'll start with the fact that I made the grave mistake of ordering their so-called "butter steak." Butter? Where? Steak? Debatable. What arrived at my table was a sad, chewy slab of beef that tasted like it had been marinated in regret and cooked by a chef who was clearly taking out a personal vendetta on my taste buds. The menu promised a tender, buttery experience. What I got was a piece of meat so tough I thought I was on an episode of Survivor, gnawing on a piece of tree bark for sustenance. I don't know what they did to that steak before it landed on my plate, but I suspect it involved a fistfight, a microwave, and possibly a car tire. The only way this thing was absorbing butter was if I personally injected it with an IV. Service? Oh, they were nice, but I have to assume that's because they knew they were complicit in a crime. The ambiance is charming if you enjoy eating in what feels like your uncle's weirdly dim, overly salty basement, where peanuts are somehow more of a main course than the food. Final verdict? I left Chez Jay feeling personally victimized, $60 poorer, and questioning every life choice that led me to that moment. Avoid at all costs, unless you have a strong jaw, low standards, and an unshakable desire to be disappointed. read more

Absolutely one of the best experiences in a bar or restaurant I have ever had! I walked in went to the bartender and ask if I could get a table he walked me over to the two open tables and said you can have either of these brought us drinks in a super timely manner he was super cool and engaging in conversation we decided to get dinner and it was amazing shrimp cocktail was fantastic. Had the fillet with a peppercorn sauce I believe, it was amazing too. My wife ordered salad witch came with house made dressing she added a side of the mushrooms which were by far the best I've ever had anywhere the chef came out of the back latter and I got to talk to him he was super cool I can't wait to go back. read more

Had a great night last night big shout out to Stuart !!! Party of 6 in the Marilyn Monroe Booth thanks for the fabulous service we had a blast. Great food and vibes old school style loved it. read more

Nostalgic visit, great experience, especially chatting with the long-time owner while we enjoyed our delicious lunch.

This dope little spot puts the word establish in established and establishment. You can't go wrong with the food or the drinks and the location is prime in the heart of Santa Monica. You can't go wrong if you take a dive in this bar... read more