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The Galley

3.6 (604 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

The Galley Photos

Business Info

THE GALLEY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Galley

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Bobby H.

Always love coming here good food fair prices and wonderful service! Old school vibe when things are this good it needs no more anything!

After dinner the pier
Ernanda H.

The wedge salad had our mouth watering amen we had an amazing experience during happy hour God bless you

Dave B.

The Galley is a legend. Always has been. Always will. Few establishments like it left.

Amber R.

First of all, the ambience here was so incredibly gorgeous as we were walking by that I immediately had to make reservations. On top of that, I found out that this is the oldest restaurant in Santa Monica. It has so much history and is so welcomed and beautiful. I was actually really shocked at how much my children loved the restaurant. It's not marketed as a family restaurant, but my children loved the atmosphere. We had to go all around the restaurant and look at everything. On top of that, even though they didn't have a children's menu, we ordered family style, and my daughter, a six-year-old, loved the chicken Parmesan, which she had never had before. My son said it was the best burger he ever had, he is four years old and he really is a little burger connoisseur. I had the breaded halibut and the loaded baked potato, which was really yummy too. Our waitress was really wonderful and attentive, and she could really pour her wine like the fine dining experience requires. Overall, it was just a really fun and wonderful learning experience. I also loved the history provided by the owner and the Lord behind this beautiful place. Definitely a cool stop that I never knew about in Santa Monica after all these years.

Dirty martini
Maria S.

Great place, the servers were all so nice, pasta was delicious. Will be back for a happy hour

Salty Wench
Pepper B.

This is a solid 3 star restaurant. It's Santa Monica's oldest restaurant which says something about its consistency since 1934 with its customers. You know what to expect. The food is going to be okay. It's nothing amazing but it's still good. It's like your favorite comfort Mexican food restaurant only this one is surf and turf. I thought the chowder was pretty bland and too big. Would have liked a cup. Even the baked potatoes were butter and sour cream. Pretty basic. The cocktails were good as well and the servers were very nice. The selling point is the vibe. This is just an old school joint that you can tell the older customers have been coming here since they were kids.

Cool fish decoration
Jan_Ry Adventures T.

We came across The Galey by accident, and I'm glad we did! We were actually playing a game where we only eat from food trucks, but funny enough, we couldn't find any that day (even though we usually see them all the time). So we decided to give this place a try instead and it ended up being a win. The vibe of this spot is really cool, with a fun atmosphere that makes you want to stay a while. Seating is limited the place looks a bit small but luckily we didn't have to wait long to get a table. The food was great overall, and we're definitely planning to come back. Our server recommended the clam chowder, and while it was good, I wouldn't say it was the best I've ever had. Still enjoyable, though! We also ordered the shrimp scampi, crab cakes, and calamari everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. My adventure partner especially loved the crab cakes and calamari, and said they were fantastic. All in all, this place was a pleasant surprise, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for good seafood and a great vibe. We'll be back for sure!

Steamed Clams

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1 month ago

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13 days ago

Old time feel with amazing food. Feels like home!!! Servers are very friendly and accommodating !!!!

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3 months ago

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3 months ago

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28 days ago

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6 months ago

Business owner information

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Ron S.

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7 months ago

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6 months ago

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Ron S.

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

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Ron S.

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5 months ago

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

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6 months ago

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Ron S.

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6 months ago

Good food, friendly servers, and friendly atmosphere! It is a fun night whenever I go here!

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

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10 months ago

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4 months ago

Anna was a sweetheart! 10/10 service from her. She guided us to our table and had a great personality.

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2 years ago

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10 months ago

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5 months ago

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3 years ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Food service price are all perfect. Order from screen for fast service. Convenient for the craving without going to their steakhouse

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10 months ago

Went Christmas Eve. It was lively and fun. The food - NY Steak, was cooked perfectly. The service was great.

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The Galley Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Galley

Is there valet parking?

Nope ample parking behind the restaurant ( metered)

Do they still have a rockin Happy Hour? Did not see the menu online.

Yes

Are the steamers real new england soft shell and do they rinse out the sand so they are not gritty?

Is this the place with the famous homemade Thousand Island Dressing?

Yes, and there's a whole story about how the Owner, Capt. Ron asked for the recipe, and was told by a waitress that if he wanted the recipe so badly, he'd have to buy the restaurant!!!… 

Dining Alone Can You Order Full Dinner sitting At the Bar?

Yes. At the bar during Happy Hour, you can get both the full menu or the happy hour menu, after which the full menu is available.… 

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3.9(2k reviews)
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We came to Santa Monica Seafood for a birthday dinner, and it couldn't have been a better choice…read more Everything tasted incredibly fresh. The oysters and salmon were especially memorable--about as fresh as seafood gets. We ended up ordering far more than we probably should have, but it gave us a chance to sample a good cross-section of the menu. We started with a half dozen oysters and the mussels before moving on to the branzino, cioppino, and Yukon potatoes. Everything was excellent, and the portions were generous enough that we brought more than half of our entrées home for another meal. I'd only been to the seafood market once before, but this dinner reminded me that there's much more to this place than buying fresh fish. Since I work nearby, I've already decided to make Friday stops part of my routine so I can pick up fresh seafood for dinner on the way home. Would we come back? Absolutely. Whether you're looking for an outstanding seafood meal or fresh fish to take home, Santa Monica Seafood is well worth the visit.

The oysters were delicious, though one of them wasn't very fresh,all the others were super fresh!…read moreThe crab linguine had a rich, flavorful sauce and was packed with crab meat. And the crab cakes was amazing! The service was thoughtful and great! The vibe was so relaxing, great for drinks and hanging out.

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The Lobster - Lobster, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.... Delicious!

The Lobster

3.8(3.2k reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$$$

There are restaurants with incredible views, and then there are restaurants that create an…read moreexperience you'll remember long after dinner is over. That's exactly what we found at The Lobster in Santa Monica. Sitting just above the iconic Santa Monica Pier, every table comes with breathtaking ocean views, but the food is what truly steals the show. This century-old seafood destination has become a local landmark, with Executive Chef Govind Armstrong elevating every dish through fresh, locally sourced ingredients and creative California seafood cuisine. A huge shout out to Chef Govind Armstrong for creating some of the most flavorful and beautifully presented seafood dishes we've had. Every plate was crafted with incredible attention to detail, perfectly balanced flavors, and premium ingredients. You can truly feel the passion and creativity behind every bite. Bravo, Chef! An equally big thank you to Andrew, who made our evening unforgettable. His customer service was simply out of this world. From the moment we sat down, he made us feel genuinely welcome, explained the menu with incredible knowledge, and gave us outstanding recommendations that made our meal even better. Great service can transform a dinner into a memory, and Andrew absolutely delivered that. If you're planning a special date night, celebrating something important, or simply want one of the best oceanfront dining experiences in Los Angeles, this place deserves a spot at the top of your list. Between the panoramic Pacific views, exceptional seafood, outstanding hospitality, and the passion of Chef Govind and the entire team, it's easy to understand why this restaurant has remained a Santa Monica icon for generations. Highly recommended. We can't wait to come back!

I really wanted to love The Lobster, truly. The view, the setting and the Michelin "Star" are so…read moreenticing. But all that glitters is not gold. The service was upon request - may I have a menu? (server forgot there is a summer menu too), nevermind there is a DineLA menu and a Happy Hour menu. This actually happened; customers in the bar area where sharing menu's amongst themselves. May I order a drink, may I have a set-up, may I have a water? Sure, I understand there was one server doing his best, but why is there only one server when the prices reflect the current & deferred revenue for the Michelin star (any Dodgers fans reading this?). The food was good, but the pace was off. Although I ordered the Garlic Bread first, it came after other items arrived. The garlic bread was very good, but a literal thimble full of "four cheese fondue "+ crab. The thimble means that little metal creamer container you get with coffee, really? Sure, it was good, but what a poor presentation for a Michelin star place in my view. I am trying not to whine, promise. I ordered oysters (very good) and the side of the mushrooms (was interesting) arrived nearly after I finished the rest of the meal (I thought it was forgotten TBH). I am an experience and value driven consumer. The overall experience was average and the value was equally average. However, if you want to take in the views, this could be just the place for you.

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The Lobster - Inside reception

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The Lobster - Black Chitarra Pasta

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The Lobster - The lobster. At the corner of iconic Route 66 & and Ocean Ave.

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Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Duck Boa Bun

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4.3(219 reviews)
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The customer service here really sold me. I'd probably give the food a 4.25, but the ambiance and…read morethe servers were truly so attentive and accommodating, this puts Edgemar above a lot of places. We came here for a birthday, plus they're in my red dining book, so I was hoping our little group would pick Edgemar, and thankfully they did! We started with the stracciatella and man, was that dish good. It was one of the two standouts. The bread is delectable and the cheese with the chili was absolutely divine. I actually think this was my very favorite dish. I will be back for this dish alone! We also shared the wontons, butter lettuce gem salad, and wonton spring rolls which were all very solid dishes. Next we had the salmon which was undoubtedly the other stand out dish. It was so good with the miso butter sauce! And the broccolini were cooked perfectly! We finished with the squid ink pasta. The shrimp on top was perfectly cooked and the pasta itself was the perfect texture with a great mouth feel. As mentioned earlier, everyone on the staff truly went above and beyond. We had an issue with our drinks, they made it right right away without any pushback. They made sure that the birthday girl felt extra special. And they even gave us a special treat at the end as well. The interior decorating is absolutely stunning. They've done a great job with furniture selection, and the wood throughout is impressive. I did have to swing around the block to look for parking, it you always have to do that in this part of Santa Monica.

We had a reservation here for our 10th anniversary. A few days before our reservation, someone…read morereached out to let us know there would be loud music playing and it might not be the best environment for an anniversary dinner. We had been wanting to try this place for a while and couldn't move the date but music was completely fine with us. The music was actually great! It was a private event indoors so we sat outside on the patio. Unfortunately, the food was only ok and the service was not ideal. No one acknowledged our anniversary, throughout the entire evening even though it was in the open table reservation notes. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were amazing. The Hamachi sashimi was very fatty and there was a few pieces we couldn't eat. The fried chicken sandwich was OK although it tasted very simple for $26. At the end of the dinner we got the bill with a 2.5% service fee + 20% auto gratuity for "event". I normally tip this much but I found so I don't mind that it was automatically included, but it was odd we paid an auto 20% gratuity for an event we were not a part of - we weren't even seated inside where the private event was taking place. Unfortunately, the three stars comes down to the fact that even though it was our 10th anniversary, there was no acknowledgment of the special day and the food was sub-par.

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Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Interior

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Lobster & Beer Santa Monica - Happy Hour 7 Days a Week

Lobster & Beer Santa Monica

4.5(473 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$

We came here after a long week of celebrating a family member's special event and we loved every…read moreminute of it! We parked nearby on the street at a meter and walked on over. There were already a lot of people here sitting and enjoying their meal and as soon as we walked in, one of the staff members handed us a couple menus and said that we could sit wherever we wanted. We sat by the door at a table where one end had a booth while the other had a chair. Everything looked so good on the menu, so we went for various dishes during this particular visit. We each got the highly recommended Connecticut Style Roll, which had warm lobster poached in butter, mayo, green onions, and Old Bay. We also had the Lobster Mac & Cheese and the Fried Calamari Fries, which were served with cocktail sauce. My better half had the Paloma while I ordered Sangria. What a mix! The Calamari Fries came in hot and we savored each bite after dipping a portion in cocktail sauce. The beverages along with water were also good in keeping us going in between bites of this scrumptious food. The Lobster Mac & Cheese was what we kept coming back to after trying the other options. Of course, the lobster roll was to die for and as we bit into it to take in a mouthful of seafood goodness, it was all so warm and buttery. We highly recommend all these options and this incredible joint!

Lobster & Beer is a great neighborhood spot to unwind after work or cool off after a day at the…read morebeach. It's a perfect place to watch the game with friends over a pint and a roll. I came in during an Avs and Gold Knights playoff hockey game, and there were two guys glued to the TV. I ordered takeout, and the service was friendly and attentive, making sure my order was accurate. I work in Santa Monica and have passed this place countless times, but I'm so glad I finally stopped in! I was craving a lobster roll and ordered the Connecticut Style Lobster Roll ($23.50). It came with warm Maine lobster poached in melted butter, a light swipe of mayo, green onions, and Old Bay seasoning on a crisped, buttery bun. I read online that it was their #1 seller, and now I know why - it was top-notch, and I will definitely be back. For the purists, this isn't an authentic Connecticut-style lobster roll (it has mayo), but it was one of the better lobster rolls I've had outside of New England, and I'm born and raised there. The Old Bay Cheese Fries were pretty good, too. Nice and crispy with a great Old Bay flavor, and the clumpy beer cheese dip complemented them well. I would definitely order them again. I plan to come back to try more of their menu, hopefully with a pint of beer. I want to try their lobster mac and cheese and lobster quesadilla. Lobster & Beer is absolutely worth a visit, especially for locals in Santa Monica who want a place to grab beers with friends. They have a lovely little patio out front.

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Lobster & Beer Santa Monica
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4.4(888 reviews)
0.6 mi
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I drove from SGV all the way to SaMo to meet with friends for dinner. I haven't been to this area…read morein almost a decade, so it was a nice refresher to get away from the suburbs. A friend recommended this spot since she works nearby and speaks highly about the queso. A reservation was made for the four of us. It wasn't busy when we arrived, but service was amazing. Staff here are very attentive and patient with us because of how much yapping we were doing. Chips came with complimentary salsa and refried beans. It was delicious. We ordered queso for all to share and it was superb! Then came our entrees. I went and got the carnitas and it was a lot. I couldnt event finish it! It came with other stuff like rice, beans, and tortillas, so you will get stuffed. We ended the night with some churros and it was great. Splendid place overall! This is within walking distance from the pier. I was able to find street parking along Main near the park. I can see myself returning.

I stopped in for lunch on a Tuesday expecting it to be a little busier, but it was surprisingly…read morequiet. With only two people manning the floor, I honestly wasn't expecting the level of service I received, but both people were incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making sure I was comfortable. They even made sure I was set up with a spot to charge my laptop while I ate, which was such a thoughtful touch. My server, Felix, was fantastic. His recommendations for both food and drinks were spot-on, and everything I tried absolutely blew me away with how flavorful it was. I started with the mixed ceviche, and the taste and textures were on point. No fishiness whatsoever, just incredibly fresh, bright, flavorful seafood. I also ordered another mini steak appetizer that I could have eaten about five more servings of. The steaks were marinated in a tamarind sauce and cooked to perfection. Seriously, I wish I could have eaten more but I was on a tight timeline (which Felix paid extra attention to and made sure to get me out right on time)! For a drink, I tried their Sol Agave Old Fashioned made with tequila. I'll be honest, I don't even like old fashioneds, so when Felix suggested it I was hesitant.. BUT I LOVED IT. The tequila was so smooth, tasted perfectly balanced and fruity even, and watching them make the drink right in front of me made the whole experience feel extra special. Top-tier presentation and execution. And of course, I had to finish with the flan because it's one of my favorites. It did not disappoint~ absolutely excellent. Between the food, drinks, service, and overall experience, this was such a memorable meal. I genuinely can't believe this place isn't getting more traction during lunch. Everything was so thoughtfully done, and the people working there clearly care about what they're serving and the experience they're giving their guests. I'm def dragging everyone I know back here for seconds and thirds. Absolutely worth a visit!

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