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    Nelson's

    3.4 (1.6k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Nelson's Photos

    Business Info

    NELSON'S ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Nelson's

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    The Fish and Chips were amazing!  The batter on the fish was crispy to perfection!
    Jenni G.

    The service here is excellent! Our server was a sweet lady from Brazil. She was very attentive and described the menu well. We had a small hiccup with our nachos and the manager, Chris, was more than accommodating. We ate here during our stay at the Terranea, but the service and ocean views were so amazing that we've decided to come back even if we're not staying on the property.

    Fish and Chips
    Samuel C.

    I feel conflicted giving Nelson's 3 stars because I usually judge restaurants solely on the quality of their food. If I'm being consistent with that philosophy, the food here is good, but not exceptional. That said, "average" food doesn't necessarily mean an average experience. If you've never been here before, it's absolutely worth visiting, especially for a romantic date or a relaxing afternoon by the ocean. Just keep in mind that weekends can get busy, and hotel guests receive priority seating. So here's how I'd score it: Food: 3/5, everything else: 5/5. Location - 5/5. Location is where Nelson's truly shines. In my opinion, it has one of the best oceanfront dining locations in Los Angeles County. Sure, there are plenty of great waterfront restaurants like Geoffrey's Malibu, Malibu Seafood, Malibu Farm, The Strand House, and Redondo Beach Crab House. But none of them sit atop a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island quite like Nelson's. The lack of surrounding development means your view is dominated by nature rather than buildings, making it one of the most scenic dining spots in the area. My favorite time to visit is late afternoon into sunset - there are few better ways to spend an evening than nursing a cold beer while watching the sun disappear into the Pacific. Service - 5/5. I've visited Nelson's more than ten times over the past five years, always as a non-hotel guest. I'll admit that before my first visit, I expected the service to feel a bit snobbish because it's located inside a luxury resort. Fortunately, that hasn't been my experience at all. Every visit has been consistently pleasant. The staff are attentive, friendly, and accommodating. Whether I've asked to be reseated or requested a reasonable modification to my order, they've always been happy to help. Food - Overall 3/5. Spicy Chicken Sandwich - 3.5/5. Probably my favorite item on the menu. The chicken is well-seasoned, although slightly dry. The bun is lightly toasted and sturdy enough to hold everything together. I always upgrade to the sweet potato fries - they're worth the extra dollar. Blackened Salmon Salad - 3.5/5. This was a pleasant surprise. The salmon was cooked well with a nicely developed crust from the blackening seasoning while remaining moist inside. The salad ingredients weren't the freshest I've ever had, but they were perfectly respectable. Overall, a surprisingly enjoyable dish. Fish & Chips - 2.5/5. A fairly standard piece of thick, flaky white fish in a crispy batter. Unfortunately, the batter separates too easily from the fish, and the fish itself is almost unseasoned. It needed more salt and overall flavor. I am really nitpicking here. It's still a dish I would order again. Nelson's Burger - 3/5. Probably the best value on the menu. The patty has a nice sear but is slightly dry and a touch too salty (I'm admittedly nitpicking). Once again, I'd recommend spending the extra dollar for the sweet potato fries, which I consistently find tastier and served hotter than the regular fries. The Thousand Island-style sauce isn't particularly memorable, but it complements the burger well. Final Thoughts... At the end of the day, Nelson's reminds me that restaurants aren't always about chasing the best food. Sometimes the setting, the service, and the company matter just as much. Come here for the spectacular ocean views, stay for the attentive service, order a cold beer (or a glass of wine), and enjoy some solid - not spectacular - food while watching the sun set over the Pacific with people you care about. That's the experience Nelson's does very well.

    Sunset, 06/28/2026    No filter, just the beauty of reality through my Android.
    Chris G.

    I visited Nelson's on Sunday evening (06/28/2026) and had a fabulous night. The weather couldn't have been better, and we were fortunate enough to sit outside on the patio with a glass partition, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Pacific. It's hard to beat that setting. With the ocean views, relaxed atmosphere, Nelson's is one of those places where you find yourself lingering a little longer because the environment is so enjoyable. Our server, Kayla from Brazil, took great care of our table. We spent a few minutes talking about the World Cup, which made the experience even more personable. She was attentive, friendly, and always seemed to arrive at just the right time. I've always felt the food at Nelson's is a notch above your typical resort grill. On this visit, the Brisket Steak Sandwich was a little disappointing, it was much fattier than I expected (B/B-). On the other hand, their Nelson's Burger continues to be a solid choice and earns a B+ from me. While the food is generally good, it's really the location that keeps me coming back. Watching the sun set over the coastline with good company, attentive service, and a laid-back beach atmosphere is what makes Nelson's a place worth visiting.

    Tina O.

    Still a five star review! We spent a few days at the resort and planned ahead with dinner reservations at the different restaurants on site. We have been to Nelson's a number of times before and decided it would be the perfect place for our first night at the resort. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Everyone checked on us periodically including the manager. They seated us inside as it was a bit cold outside but we did walk around later and take advantage of the beautiful views, setting and sunset. Between the four of us, we had calamari and shishito peppers, swordfish tacos, salad, clam chowder and a new Terrazookie dessert - Baked chocolate cookie served with vanilla bean gelato, chocolate sauce, hint of sea salt. My favorite part of dinner. Nelson's has a wonderful assortment of offerings on their menu and is most definitely a great choice for dinner or lunch. They do serve breakfast but we have not had their breakfast. Spectacular View! Many Yummy Food Choices! Friendly Staff! Comfortable Dining!

    Sandi M.

    Food, view and service are the best. Such an amazing place, loved it. I loved the breeze, heaters too if you get cold but it was perfect.

    Wet Chilaquiles & Chorizo Burrito
    Eriko M.

    Went there for brunch. Does have the view of the ocean. Food was ok. The loco moco sauce and the egg was good but the meat itself was flavorless. The chorizo burrito was big and packed inside but there was mostly carbs inside. The chocolate chip pancake was actually very good. Fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness. FYI it's quite far from self parking so make sure you have plenty of time to walk there. The walk itself was actually nice. Got to see parts of the resort.

    Betty U.

    First time customers at the wonderful, casual dining experience at Nelson's! Enjoyed the outstanding delicate fish and chips w fresh crispy side Caesar salad, seared filet salad, grass fed burger on top of beautiful oceanfront views, and superb Customer Service!

    Sallie R.

    Went on an adventure hiking the trail which lead to Nelson's at the Terranea Resort. There's an actual restaurant on site, but we decided to grab some beers and enjoyed it overlooking the ocean. A bar outside the restaurant was offered along with a smaller menu option. It was such a beautiful sunny day to just relaxed sipping on beers while intaking views of the ocean. There was a live band playing some country music which was also nice. Service was great with friendly staff. We didn't stay long, but glad we took the time to enjoy ourselves after a short hike.

    Spicy Chicken Sandwich
    Annie K.

    We did the trails first and honestly, they were the kind of beautiful that makes you feel like you did something good for yourself. So we were already in a good mood by the time we landed at Nelson's for lunch. The views do not disappoint. We were seated outside and had an amazing view, which was so relaxing. We kicked things off with margaritas, Arnold Palmers, and Bloody Marys while we took it all in. Good drinks, great scenery, even better company. The service was great too, our server was nice, personable and attentive. The food was fresh, good quality, nicely put together. Our whole group just felt like it was missing a little something in the flavor department, and we all had different dishes, so it was just a common thread we noticed. Not a dealbreaker at all, more of a "this could be a five star experience with a few small tweaks" situation. Would we go back? Absolutely. The whole vibe makes it worth it.

    Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich with seaweed salad
    Melody S.

    This place is such a gem. The food is awesome, the service was great, and you can't be the ambience right on the beach! My girlfriend came in from out of town and treated us to lunch here. It was absolutely wonderful. I had the seared tuna sandwich with a seaweed salad and it was superb.

    Michelle N.

    We came to Terranea after being in the area and decided to dine here since we were exploring the area! We got 2 drinks, wings for apps, a clam chowder, and burger total was about $130 with tax for these items. The wings were good, but it could've been crispier. The clam chowder was a small bowl for $20?! Which is crazy, it was also pretty average. The burger was also average along with the Caesar salad. The food and drinks are pretty mediocre and nothing memorable. Besides the view and location, there isn't much to rave about. Our server was very friendly and kept checking up on us. I would probably try something else at the resort!

    Blackened Salmon Salad
    Gerrie M.

    After a morning hike around Terranea, we decided to have lunch at Nelson's. Wasn't sure what to expect based on the reviews, I ordered a blackened salmon salad - it was Really good. The salmon was cooked just right, Juicy served over a bed of greens with dried cranberries, diced squash, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes. The pomegranate dressing was light, sweet (but not too sweet) and a bit tangy. Not sure about other items but I would certainly recommend giving this salad a try - best of all - the view!

    Calamari & Peppers
    Jeong P.

    Perched right on the edge of the cliffs, Nelson's offers some amazing views and provides the best laid back lunch vibes in Terranea. I must admit that I overlooked this place while staying on property, as a quick look over their menu didn't really pique my interest. So I didn't think a reservation was necessary when we walked over for a casual lunch. Boy was I wrong. Not only was the wait over an hour without a reservation, they stopped taking walk-ins altogether by about 1pm. It turns out that this is the place to be when the beautiful PV weather shows up. While it's true that the patio setting and view are Nelson's main draw, the food was prepared surprisingly well. You won't find anything too adventurous outside of the simple menu of burgers, tacos and salads, but the quality of the ingredients was noticeable and my crispy shrimp tacos were presented well and satisfying. So if you're looking to enjoy a nice lunch on a sunny day, there are not many patio settings as idyllic as Nelson's. Just do yourself a favor and make a reservation.

    Crispy tater tots and apple sausage

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    I ordered two tacos and it had no seaon on it and alot of greas falling so not good for me...so sad

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    Page 1 of 39

    Nelson's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nelson's

    Is it kid friendly?

    Very. And I'm pretty sure there were dogs there as well. Very family friendly. Try the lobster roll!

    Do you take reservations? If so how?

    Friday through Sunday they only do reservations for resort guests only, you can still go in as a walk-in tho

    Are they still serving truffle fries? I hope they are. I love it!

    Are they open on Labor Day?

    Yes

    Is it dog friendly?

    Yes it's, in the patio you can seat with your dog.

    Is it handicap friendly?

    Yes it is handicap friendly. It's kinda hilly tho, so be careful

    View All 11 Questions

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    Plenty of parking on the plaza…read more Came on a weekday night during Happy Hour. Place was packed. Ambiance was nice. Music was extremely loud, had to yell to have a conversation. Waiters kept checking on us. Got the mild Buffalo Wings for $14 and Parmesan Fries for $6. The wings were good. The Parmesan Fries were really good, they didn't skimped on the Parmesan. Both dishes were small and came with ranch sauce. Got place to watch the games with friends. Not the place to have a conversation. Happy Hour was Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm and 10pm to closing at midnight. Karaoke night was Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10pm to closing at midnight.

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    Easily obsessed with this place now. We've only gone once, but we love it…read more We were heading back to LA from doing something in Long Beach, and wanted to stop and have a drink somewhere quick. This place popped up, and it was happy hour. So we thought why not. We got lucky and found parking close (rare for that street). And walked over and immediately loved the vibe. We walked in and were greeted immediately, and then brought upstairs. The decor on the way up was awesome. The old school nature, with paintings and abstract vintage pieces.. love. It felt like we were in an old industrial building. We were surprised that it was pretty empty when we got up there. We sat at the bar, and love the decor upstairs too. There's a view of the street from up there as well that's beautiful. The bartender greeted us fairly quickly, and we each ordered a speciality cocktail on their happy hour. Both were delicious. I will say that the prices are a bit steep for me. Very glad we came during the happy hour. But really want to return to try the food and more drinks. Maybe on a special date night out!

    5 for the service alone. I hadn't been in a while and didn't realize the rooftop was no longer…read moreopen and communal seating and I had planned to have 8 people in my party AND it was the night of the Snoop concert so needless to say- almost everything was reserved. One of the women (I missed her name but I believe her birthday is today) working there helped me find seating for my party. She was gracious enough even with there being little to no wiggle room- so shout out to her. Our servers were great, appetizers came out hot and delicious. I think we ordered 4 rounds of Brussels sprouts Drinks were tasty- highly recommend the espresso martini with a side of vanilla ice cream. Overall had a great time and appreciate the customer service!

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    Boulevard Gastropub

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    Came here for the drinks but man everyone should try the food !!! Great service since its family…read moreowned.

    Found this spot on Yelp this past Saturday, 05-23-26. Was headed home from the barbershop but I…read morehadn't eaten all day and I began looking for the nearest happy hour spot. Couldn't believe what I saw on both Yelp and Apple Maps, 4.8 stars and over 100+ reviews and this spot is in Compton, my city. Didn't even know a spot like this existed. Busted a u-turn going down Alondra so I could go back to Atlantic then make that right and slide to Compton Blvd and make that left. A few streets from there on your right side you'll find boulevard gastropub. Sitting next door to some other business which is right next to a big parking lot which is free by the way. I've parked in this lot at least a couple of times just to go to that taco truck and never noticed gastropub. Immediately when I walked in it was good vibes and the sense of a good atmosphere. I was greeted by the owner and a young lady who was the bartender. The owner is real cool. We had a short conversation I shared with him how I discovered his business and informed him I do reviews as well as post some content on my social media platforms in hopes of businesses receiving more attention and customers. Unfortunately, due to them not having an alcohol or liquor license, some of their drinks such as the cocktails are more so wine based drinks. So please don't come here expecting to get some Don Julio or Hennessy. Ain't gone happen lol. I had a Classic Mojito and enjoyed it. The price was $10 which I found exceptional. The food was delicious. I recommend the Blvd Burger as a go to if you can't decide on anything else. I loved it so much I had to make a video. And definitely try the Voodoo Wings. You won't be disappointed. Just imagine buffalo wings with lemon pepper seasoning. Cuz that's what it is and they're fire. No bs with the ranch dressing too. I'm definitely returning for another visit. I can see this being a new frequent spot to pull up to and hang out. I love the ambiance, my drink, the food here and the customer service. All things to be considered when going out and spending money. What I spent was definitely worth the first time experience.

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