Join us at The Lobster for gourmet seafood cuisine, great service, and incredible 180+° views of the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Ocean.

Situated at the corner of Ocean Avenue and the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster seafood restaurant is an internationally recognized dining destination that is as much a part of Santa Monica’s history as the Santa Monica Pier. Originally opened in 1923, the 900 square foot building, fondly referred to by locals as the quintessential ‘seafood shack,’ sold locally caught fresh fish.  It wasn’t until dishwasher-turned-owner, Mateo Castillo, took the helm in the 1950’s, that The Lobster became a favorite seafood diner. Its popularity was often evidenced by the line of hungry customers, wrapping out the door, in anticipation of ordering a meal from the menu of 60 prepared fresh seafood options. Seating was comprised of 30 stools that encompassed the outside of the building. So beloved by LA residents and tourists alike that the restaurant thrived well throughout the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s.

The Lobster shut its doors in 1985. In 1995, a group of local families came together to begin the process of reviving, reinventing and expanding The Lobster. With the original structure incorporated into the new building’s main entrance, The Lobster celebrated its reopening in 1999. Today, The Lobster stands as a modernly appointed, two-story cantilevered restaurant with glass walls to take advantage of one of the best dining views in Santa Monica. What better way to dine than with 180+° views of the Pacific Ocean from Santa Monica up the Malibu coastline, the Palisades Park, all from the bird’s perch overlooking the Santa Monica Pier?

The Lobster prime location, at the onset of the Santa Monica Pier and end of Route 66, draws locals and international diners alike. Enjoying renowned celebrity Chef Govind Armstrong’s crafted meals, designed to satisfy the palates of taste-makers and food lovers everywhere, against the backdrop of sweeping ocean and pier views, makes The Lobster one of Los Angeles’s premiere dining destinations.  Whether enjoying happy hour, sharing a romantic evening, even celebrating a special occasion, whatever the reason, The Lobster aims to make your visit a wonderful event!

Sustainably designed, locally sourced. Artfully composed seafood.

While The Lobster will always be known for its beautifully prepared California Spiny Lobster & Maine Lobster, the recent addition of Chef Govind, has elevated The Lobster’s seafood menu from excellent to exceptional.

Fresh, creative, delicious seafood from a world renowned culinary talent.

Chef Govind Armstrong comes to The Lobster with a background that includes training in some of the most famous restaurants around the world. California-born, raised in Costa Rica, and educated in Los Angeles and Europe under culinary legends including Wolfgang Puck, Mark Peel and Susan Feniger, Chef Govind is a master of California Cuisine. As an advocate for food sustainability, Chef Govind is committed to serving dishes that are crafted with only the freshest, locally sourced, and responsibly farmed ingredients.

Chef Govind’s menu takes the seafood dishes at The Lobster in a culinary direction that is sophisticated, yet approachable. With the focus on flavor and a perfect balance of taste and texture, his dishes are updated daily to account for ingredient availability, quality and creative license.