Best Lunch Restaurants in Playa del Rey

Water Grill is one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Monica. I suggest it to everyone who comes to visit. For the quality, ambiance, and service, it can't be beat at this price point in the area. Not to mention the sunset view is gorgeous if you can catch it, as the restaurant sits along the PCH. This evening, we came in for a late dinner at 8:45pm on a Monday. The service was still exemplary, both the hostess and our two servers were kind and attentive. My partner worried that we were not dressed for dinner but we were still treated with the same hospitality we have grown to expect from this excellent establishment. And the food is ALWAYS top tier. We chose the oyster sampler which has selections from all over the continent and wonderfully exemplifies the varieties in flavor from different regions, highly recommended. The grilled octopus was cooked to perfection (which I've learned from other restaurants, isn't easy because it can get chewy, but not here). For mains we had the big eye tuna and 8oz filet along with the broccolini. Both were bursting with flavor. For dessert, a favorite, the key lime pie. Our server told us he didn't even like key lime pie until he tried it at Water Grill and now he loves theirs. If that isn't a glowing recommendation, I don't know what is. We finished with a double espresso that comes with a rock sugar stirrer, which was a delightful end to a fantastic meal.

Beautiful view, great ambiance, excellent service, tasty food. I only wish they had more of a selection and/or would switch up their menu occassionally.

It was my first time at this restaurant. We ordered whipped eggplant with that famous “balloon”bread that is sooooo delicious! We also got Broccolini, Wild Mushrooms, Scallops and squid-ink Pasta. everything was delicious but Broccolini and wild mushrooms really stood out for me and my boyfriend. The Tiramisu was a bit heavy, I am used to a smoother texture but the delicious taste was there - not too sweet and right amount of espresso.

Staff all very good. Bartender/ server is excellent. I’ve been there a lot and he is excellent

New Years Day and we wanted some place that we knew would be fantastic, so where else but Gjelina? It was busy but the hosts and servers were unfailingly polite. We ordered 6 things from the menu. My wife's vegan so she had the vegetable sandwich (she had to fight me for it, it was so good). Brussel sprouts, grilled fennel, and the frites were all great. My son and I split the anchovy and burrata toast - a first for me - and it's my new favorite. Finished with the excellent pomodoro pizza - no cheese and none needed, because the jammy tomato confit is the star of the dish. I love this place. It never lets me down. Happy 2025!