What makes a restaurant in Redondo Beach truly great? Is it the ocean views that stretch to the horizon? The sound of waves as your dinner soundtrack? The absence of tourist-trap mediocrity? Great restaurants here take many forms—from a breezy patio where every bite tastes of salt air, to a tucked-away spot that makes you forget the pier crowds. Redondo Beach has plenty, but these 14 truly rise above.
The Party on Western
$ | (310) 756-6988 | WEBSITE
The Party on Western is a bar, but it’s a bar that checks the casual hangout boxes with flying colors. There are shareable plates, cold tap beer, strong drinks at fair prices, and various corners where you can feel like you’re in your own little world—until someone at another table laughs a bit too loud.
This Redondo Beach spot is also perfect for bringing anyone you want to impress by making it seem like you know your sh*t about crispy wings, melty cheese fries, and the most ideal atmosphere for a girls’ night out to thrive in.
Lotus Chinese Restaurant
$$ | (310) 921-8650 | WEBSITE
Suppose you want to literally impress the pants off of a date. In that case, the straightforward charm of Lotus Chinese Restaurant will probably achieve this goal of yours, especially if you use the word “charm” during the evening’s conversation.
Between the overall cleanliness, attentive service, worth-it-at-least-once lunch specials with big portions, soup, and salad at a great price, and pleasant dining experience that makes it a preferred choice over larger chains, it doesn’t get much more reliable than this Redondo Beach institution. Just don’t forget that dealing with the parking early while looking hungry is half of the fun.
Phanny’s
$ | (310) 316-0798 | WEBSITE
File Phanny’s under your “beach breakfast essentials.” The whole establishment is just a take-out window with a simple counter and a view of the ocean from the sidewalk, and the casual beach vibe makes you feel perfectly at home in the sun-soaked streets of Redondo Beach. Plus, it’s always easy to grab your order and go. Grab a breakfast burrito, including the great three-meat combo with crispy bacon and hash browns.
Or, if you’re feeling really hungry, spring for the carne asada burrito alongside a pastrami option, while happily promising to come back for that affordable $13 treat again soon.
Kebab Bar
$ | (424) 800-2626 | WEBSITE
Grabbing a meal at Kebab Bar requires embracing the cozy, hole-in-the-wall charm. The welcoming dining area offers both indoor and outdoor seating, all perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. And while the real draw here is the consistently flavorful Mediterranean fare, you can always count on generous portions. Savoring chicken koobideh with creamy hummus or lamb skewer over fragrant rice is much more satisfying than it sounds. Or just as satisfying as it sounds, depending on your appetite.
Riviera House
$$ | (310) 540-8484 | WEBSITE
Some California beach spots can veer into tourist-trap territory (cue the surfboard decor and Jimmy Buffett covers). And when they really want to dial up the coastal charm, they usually just add more string lights. But not here. Riviera House skips the clichés and lets the food do all the talking with a fresh, local accent. The patio seating sets the mood, and you can settle in with a front-row view of the passing foot traffic.
Or, claim a table near the bar, order a Caipirinha, and pretend you’ve landed at a lively Riviera café—by way of Redondo Beach.
Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steakhouse
$$$ | (310) 318-6080 | WEBSITE
Sometimes, a steakhouse can feel like you’re just another table in a crowded dining room. But this Redondo Beach restaurant is welcoming enough that a table for a special occasion feels like your own private celebration. And here, they know how to set the mood—staff create a palpable attention to detail that’s professional without being overbearing.
And between the fantastic prime rib, the ability to actually enjoy a sunset view, and enough room for some relaxed conversation (without ever having an empty water glass), it’s worth making a reservation and spending around $75 per person for the 16oz prime rib to celebrate something special, with someone special.
Arepa’s Colombianas
$ | (310) 370-3713 | WEBSITE
At Arepa’s Colombianas, you’ll never have to wonder about the crunchiness of the arepa shell, or the generosity of the fillings, or the piquancy of the salsa served alongside. A meal at this family-friendly spot is going to be satisfying, and the fifteen dollars or so you’ll spend on Colombian comfort food will be worth it. It’s all a blur of warm service, flavorful mushrooms, fluffy scrambled eggs, crunchy chicken arepas, and a montañera finale that we wish was available at home.
If you’re looking to connect with someone you love through a powerful experience that isn’t fancy dining, this is the place.
Hola Donuts & Water
$ | (323) 581-8782 | WEBSITE
At first glance, this donut shop in Redondo Beach doesn’t scream destination dining. But once you step inside, see the bustling counter full of glazed rings and boba drinks, and get greeted by the cheerful staff, it becomes clear quickly that the casual comfort tone has officially been set. You’re here to lounge among the lottery scratchers and gaze upon your donut selection in between sips of green tea lemonade, bites of tuna sandwich, and sugar-free raspberry drinks.
Boba Beast
$ | (310) 327-5192 | WEBSITE
Boba Beast goes above and beyond the usual quick-bite requirements. There’s a bright, clean shop, kind and efficient staff, impressive crepes and smoothies, and boba that never gets hard. The sweet and satisfying flavor balance makes it a place where you’ll want to break out that craving that’s been building all day. This should be your first choice for a refreshing treat, a study break, or a casual hangout with friends.
You could even make it extra special by getting your server to add extra honey to that almond smoothie.
R/10 Social House
$$ | (310) 798-2500 | WEBSITE
For a restaurant that whispers “let’s grab a waterfront table in Redondo Beach and watch the sunset over fish tacos,” there’s R/10 Social House. This welcoming spot perched right on the water has casual coastal vibes, friendly staff galore, and a damn good Crispy Chicken Sandwich. That alone should set the mood, but there’s also an upstairs entertainment room with a balcony, should you want to slowly sip a Happy Hour drink while gazing out at the Pacific.
Wikiwiki Hawaiian BBQ
$ | (310) 322-2254 | WEBSITE
A meal at Wikiwiki Hawaiian BBQ feels like crashing a laid-back Hawaiian luau in the best way possible. With a simple counter setup that can only belong in a beach town where the surfers hang, it’s a spot where you can roll up in flip-flops and share a generous plate of BBQ mix with friends after a day in the sun. Their lunch specials have options that can accommodate specific diets, which also makes Wikiwiki incredibly versatile for a cuisine that tends to prioritize meat-heavy plates.
Al Hamra Kabob Grill Redondo beach
$ | (310) 371-5919 | WEBSITE
Al Hamra Kabob Grill is a fantastic halal spot that comes in handy for literally every craving for Middle Eastern food. If it’s pretty early in the evening but you want something satisfying, a quick meal inside the cozy, welcoming dining room with warm lighting should help. Hand over about $15 for lamb kebab and chicken tikka masala with fresh naan. Maybe in a few weeks you can bring the whole family for a feast of beef nihari and biryani inside the simple, clean space.
Then, grab dessert here—the baklava and knafeh are delicious, too.
Mini Chinese Food
$ | (310) 379-3351 | WEBSITE
This cozy little spot in Redondo Beach isn’t trying to dazzle you with flashy decor or trendy fusion dishes. Instead, there are simple pleasures to savor, like the nostalgic takeout boxes, friendly owner who remembers regulars, and fried rice that comes steaming hot. It’s the perfect place for beef and broccoli or orange chicken without dealing with the touristy seafood joints along the pier. Finish the meal up with a stroll along the beach and a fortune cookie that actually tastes good.
The Desert Room
$ | (310) 329-1911 | WEBSITE
If you’ve spent your paycheck on designer cocktails or VIP bottle service, you might not be able to afford that weekend getaway to Vegas. But The Desert Room is just as entertaining as a night out on the Strip. You can watch karaoke singers belt out classics all evening long while nursing a cheap beer, which is enough to set the mood.
But then there’s the atmosphere, with the cozy hole-in-the-wall charm, the lively crowd that feels like family, and the free popcorn that keeps coming—it’s all welcoming enough for you to decide that staying in Redondo Beach is just fine.