COAST at Shutters on the Beach

“OUTDOOR SEATING: Yes, beautiful ocean front tables VEGAN OPTIONS: Several! PARKING: Valet parking at Shutter’s Hotel otherwise competitive meter parking on Ocean Avenue and surrounding area. Two hour parking structures at SM Place if you have time to walk over. We went here on a fall evening for drinks and appetizers to celebrate a couple birthdays since there is nothing nicer than seeing the gorgeous sunset while drinking a cocktail at the beach. Shutters Hotel is right on the beach in Santa Monica and the Coast Cafe is one of their oceanfront cafes. The unobstructed view of the water is worth the high prices of the food and drink for a special occasion. We happen to be there on a Friday Night which is “pizza night” and we all shared a Margarita Pizza that had nice thin crust and was cooked in their wood-fired pizza oven. The menu had several VEGAN options, including a vegan dessert, which I really appreciated and I would most certainly come back again to try. Cocktails in fall 2025 were $22 each which is about average for a beachfront restaurant in a hotel. Our server, Jesse, was great, very friendly and checking on us constantly. We never felt rushed even though we were there for just drinks and appetizers during weekend dinner hour. There was a musician on the beach path in front of our table (see photo) playing soft tunes which added to the chill vibe and beach atmosphere of our experience. He overhead that we had some birthdays in our group (yes he was that close) and he beautifully sang Happy Birthday to each person individually which we really enjoyed. I don’t believe he is employed by the hotel and yes we gave him a well-deserved tip. All in all and great experience.”

“Popped into Coast at Shutter's for a quick and last minute meal with a friend. This hotel is super cute, and despite growing up in LA, this was my first time here. Coast is located on the lower floor and eye level with the beaches pedestrian walkway. We were able to catch the sunset, which was absolutely gorgeous and made me feel like I was on vacation myself. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the wagyu burger before my friend got into it because she was extremely hungry, but the fries were well done. I got the Chilean sea bass, and that was okay. The fish itself had a good texture and good flavor but just pairing with a few broccolinis and jasmine rice made it a little bland for me. We got the chocolate daisy cake, which was $20 for a slice. It was decent but I wasn't blown away by it, but it was my friend's favorite and she loved it. Overall, this is a cute place to grab a drink and some bites when in SM.”

“Good restaurant for breakfast and lunch in a great location. The atmosphere is good and the waiters were cordial. However, we didn't feel like neither the quality of the food nor the size of the portions was worth the money spent. I'm pretty sure these prices are standard in Santa Monica (Maybe a bit more expensive because it is a fancy hotel) but I didn't feel a "je ne sais quoi" that made it worth it. Food was fine. I personally got the Chicken Club sandwich and a chocolate cake.”

“Pros: 1. View 2. Lemon ricotta pancakes were delicious Cons: 1. The prices here are insane for the portion. 2. $12 for 3 pieces of bacon?? 3. Coffee was sour 4. We paid for $200 for 1 order of pancakes, french toast, and the eggplant tomato egg thing + 2 egg sides, 1 side ham and 1 side bacon. Just come here once in your life and never again. The end.”

“Such a relaxing and scenic spot at Coast in Santa Monica! Loved the beautiful ocean view — perfect from both the indoor and outdoor seating. I brought my dog and we were warmly welcomed, which made the experience even better. It’s a great place whether you’re looking for a full meal or just a drink with a view. Being part of the Shutters on the Beach hotel adds an extra touch of charm and elegance. Definitely a lovely spot to unwind by the ocean!”