Malibu Seafood

"You were born and raised in the Midwest, and to your parents seafood is a gamble you simply don’t take. Change their minds and head to Malibu Seafood, the best seafood shack in LA. Located right along PCH, this tiny spot gets largely bypassed by the typical Malibu tourist circuit, leaving lines shorter, the atmosphere far more relaxed, and your parents realizing they’re eating somewhere truly special. Everything is great here, but their calamari is some of the best we’ve ever had." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, brett keating

"It was a joyful sight when the Palisades Fire-adjacent Malibu Seafood reopened in late January 2025. The restaurant had temporarily closed in early January as fire crews worked in the vicinity. This unfussy joint’s patio overlooks the Pacific Ocean, making it one of SoCal’s best spots to demolish always perfectly cooked fish and fries. Order baskets with one or three pieces and take in the ocean crashing against the rocks just across the highway." - Mona Holmes

"There is no better weekend decision than pulling off Pacific Coast Highway as signage for Malibu Seafood draws impossibly nearer in the foreground. The seafood shack has delighted hikers, roadtrip-weary travelers, and beach-goers since it opened in 1972. Here, find all the seafood stand favorites: deep-fried seafood plates, which, beyond the fish and shrimp standard, features clam strips, squid, and oysters; fish sandwiches topped with vinegary coleslaw; grilled seafood platters with proteins like freshly caught halibut, swordfish, and Ahi tuna served alongside crispy crinkle-cut French fries, steaming rice pilaf, or a butter-slathered baked potato. All can be enjoyed from the its tiered patio set-up, which provides ample views of the Pacific Ocean before it. *Malibu Seafood is reopening Friday, January 17." - Eater Staff

"A seafood market and patio cafe in Malibu, within the area affected by the recent wildfire and evacuation orders." - Matthew Kang

"If you ever need a reminder of why you put up with LA’s traffic, more pollution than is good for you, and way too many people who think they can heal you with their hands, Malibu Seafood is it. All you need to do is jump in your car, cruise along PCH with your windows down, and end up at this eternally busy seafood shack. Get the squid and fries or the peel-your-own shrimp, sit at a table overlooking the ocean, and wonder why you’d live anywhere else." - brant cox