The Malibu Cafe
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The Malibu Cafe

Permanently Closed

Chic outdoor dining with New American cuisine & BBQ

The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe by Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe by Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe by
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null
The Malibu Cafe by null

Information

327 Latigo Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 Get directions

$$

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Information

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327 Latigo Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 Get directions

+1 818 540 2400
calamigosguestranch.com
@calamigosguestranch

$$ · Menu

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Dec 7, 2025

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@infatuation
132,566 Postcards · 3,230 Cities

The 18 Best Restaurants In Malibu - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Unlike most of the places on this guide, Malibu Cafe doesn’t have a view of the water. But it does have something just as spectacular: a view of the Santa Monica mountains. Getting here is a trek—about 20 minutes off PCH—but once you arrive, you can gaze onto a 5,000-acre property filled with waterfalls and tree groves. It’s located on the historic Calamigos Ranch, an event space that’s been around since the 1930s. Although it costs a ton of money to host an event here, anyone can drive up and eat at the restaurant. The food is good rather than great, but it’s a nice pick-me-up while daydreaming about moving here and living off the land." - Brant Cox, Sylvio Martins, Nikko Duren

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-malibu-restaurants
Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe
@eater
390,870 Postcards · 10,986 Cities

15 Sunny Restaurants to Try Around Malibu

"The Malibu Cafe is a bit of a drive and nestled in the Santa Monica mountains at Calamigos Ranch. However, it’s totally worth it because the cafe is a blast and incredibly Instagram-worthy. With live music, games and a huge outdoor space, it’s an ideal place for a birthday or gathering. Only open from Thursday to Sunday." - Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/maps/malibu-beach-best-restaurants-los-angeles
The Malibu Cafe
@infatuation
132,566 Postcards · 3,230 Cities

LA Restaurant Horoscopes For July 2022

"You are an angel, a social butterfly, and August is a fantastic month for you to spread your wings. Venus enters your 11th house on the 11th (how very fitting), which means your realm of connection, social image, and friendship will shine even brighter. Take the crew on a journey into the Santa Monica mountains for a meal at Malibu Cafe, a unique dining experience where you’ll find a sprawling 5,000 acre property filled with waterfalls, tree groves, and a surprisingly nice crab salad. " - kat hong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/infatuation-horoscopes
Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe
@goop
4,111 Postcards · 173 Cities

"COVID-19 Update: Open for pickup. Wedged between the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu wine country, Malibu Cafe and its sprawling grounds (one hundred and thirty acres, to be exact) and outdoor games (corn hole, pool, and shuffleboard) make it a great place to bring littles. Much of the action centers around the courtyard, which is set up with a bar, lawn games, and picnic tables. Cafe reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, when without one, the wait can be several hours for a table. A BBQ-heavy menu includes pulled pork, brisket, and Southern fried chicken, but there are a handful of veggie options, like, say, a Brussels sprout salad with Cara Cara oranges and avocado, for those looking for something lighter. There’s a small kids menu with grilled cheese, a burger, and pasta. On the way out, stroll through the little boutique, Shop Calagmigos, which is stocked with beach-y separates like YSTR dresses, tassel bracelets, and Apolis reusable totes. COVID-19 Disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations. "

The Malibu Guide
The Malibu Cafe
@infatuation
132,566 Postcards · 3,230 Cities

Malibu Cafe Review - Malibu - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Located on the grounds of Calamigos Ranch—which is less a functional ranch, and more a wedding destination with private bungalows and giant pools—Malibu Cafe serves pretty standard Malibu fare (hello, $28 breakfast sandwich), but the bottomless deal is great, and you’re eating on a lawn where people promise to be with each other for the rest of their lives, so it almost doesn’t matter." - Kat Hong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/malibu-cafe
Malibu Cafe
The Malibu Cafe

K D

Google
Put this place on your bucket list whether you're a local or from out of town. The atmosphere is amazing with live music, water on one side, hills on the other. This isn't your typical sit-down cafe as you seat yourself, order from the counter and pick everything up yourself. The menu is simple and for drinks, you have the option to go to the bar or to the coffee shop right outside Malibu Cafe's entrance. It's great for a family outing as there are games and plenty of space for kids to run around. Come early as the place gets very busy! There are plenty of different size tables to suit your party size. We love bringing a blanket and just finding our own spot as well.

Ri Ri

Google
Beautiful place to have a good time with family and friends. $14 parking fee. Just 2 hours on your reserved table. And when you get a reservation, you need to pay beforehand for reservation. If you do not reservation, lawn is first come, first serve. there is a cork fee and cake fee

Dominika van Santen

Google
I love this place. You feel like you want Heaven to be like this. It has a great atmosphere. Pretty much everything is outdoors. Lots of areas to be around. This is a place where you want to have great fun conversations and not use your phone. You even take a nap in the middle of the courtyard. Several bars around the location. Parking is $14. All mountains views and surrounded by 🌳 trees. NOTE: you should add more heaters. It was cold at night (45•) and you didn’t have enough for every table

Varun yadav

Google
Overall good ambience and nice place to hangout. Cutting down 2 stars because we went there on weekday and parked car ourselves but they still charged for valet parking. Also at reception they didn't have menu so we just waited for lady to get menu and then get to the table. Lastly after sunset you will find small insects which is not that pleasant.

Fabiana P.

Google
I stop by on this New Year Eve in the afternoon. This place is beautiful, cozy and the set up is great. I am giving only 3 stars 🌟 because the guy at the bar is very arrogant, not kind at all with a really bad attitude. I asked him a question about the place and he don't even look at me, we asked for a bottle of water and he try to give us what he want, while we did order a drink we saw there was other option of water but his attitude make us to leave and wonder why a gorgeous place has an employee with cero customer service. Valet parking is $14

nancy nanz

Google
Beautiful Ambience. Food was delicious! Interesting Bar menu. I felt it was little over priced. But worth it, if you are celebrating a special occasion. They customized a vegetarian platter for us.. which was really great.

Jackie Lee

Google
Valet parking $14? And no change back… ? at least ask me if you can keep the change.. thank u..! 🙄 Burgers are ok but spread is flat flavored. Chicken sandwich is grilled breast, with sweet red pepper sauce, which gives the dry white meat with flavor.

Aman Gupta

Google
Limited in vegetarian options but whatever they offered was good. I ordered a cauliflower starter and a Tomato herlum sandwich with a margarita. Decently priced. The service was good. Valet service $14 Amazing place to chill around after your meal or just have a walk around the pond or the park with a drink. Lots of dining locations all over the restaurant.
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Loan N.

Yelp
My family and I went here for the first time and loved it! We have valet parking, $15 for a vehicle and you can stay however long you wanted. This place is such a gem! I love the aesthetic of it. It gives off such a vibrant, peaceful, calm atmosphere. Definitely one of the places to go to if you want to take some photos. Also, there is a gigantic chess board, so cool! I freaking love chess! For food, we ordered something small because we didn't want to eat too much. Just sampling. We got chicken tenders, a burger, shrimp salad, and some kind of mushroom dish. Man oh man, I tell yah. Everything was freaking delicious and yummy! The flavors were on point! Nothing was bad! The drinks were also amazing. 10/10 highly recommend! Such a beautiful and lovely place!
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Vivian C.

Yelp
The Malibu Cafe is a truly beautiful place. $14 parking fee. Just 2 hours on your reserved table. And when you get a reservation, you need to pay beforehand for reservation. If you do not reservation, lawn is first come, first serve. there is a cork fee and cake fee The atmosphere is amazing with live music, water on one side, hills on the other. This isn't your typical sit-down cafe as you seat yourself, order from the counter and pick everything up yourself. The menu is simple and for drinks, you have the option to go to the bar or to the coffee shop right outside Malibu Cafe's entrance Cutting down 1 stars because Lastly after sunset you will find small insects which is not that pleasant.
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Maria J.

Yelp
The food was okay but definitely pricey. The main reason to come here is for the beautiful atmosphere--the upside-down umbrellas, giant checkers, and giant Jenga make it a really fun and unique spot. We especially enjoyed roasting s'mores, which was a great family activity. Overall, it's a fun place for the experience, but not necessarily for the food.
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Noah K.

Yelp
Don't come here. Very misleading, they are not open to the public anymore. They need to update that immediately. We also tried to call them and the lady(Bre) who answered was very rude and not helpful at all. Wasted and ruined our day plans.
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Manisha V.

Yelp
Just love this place. Ambience over looking the santa monica mountains is fab. Heard it is now closed.
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Shi A.

Yelp
Went here December 2024 and were told that if you are not staying at the hotel you are not allowed to sit down and order food. Wish there was a note about this somewhere on their restaurant description (on either google maps or yelp). Somehow ok to order from their coffee shop, just not their restaurant. Make it make sense.
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Danny L.

Yelp
Drinks: - Had the old fashioned. It was a clean and well balanced. Wasn't too sweet, I enjoyed it. Food: - The striped bass was decent. The skin was crispy and the fish itself was a little dry, but manageable. Honestly the vegetables were the highlight for me. I loved the mushrooms and asparagus that the fish sat on - The wood-fired mushrooms are a must get in my opinion if you like mushrooms. The combination of the pistou and king mushroom is very nice. It's a really earthly dish so I'm glad they used something like a pistou to lift the dish up a bit. It's a very mushroomy dish so it can get tiring if you're not a mushroom lover like myself - The Chili Prawn salad was a little disappointing. I honestly liked the salad more without the prawns. All the other ingredients were great except for the prawns itself. The char on it was sour and dry that left a bad impression. I pretty much ate everything and left the prawns Ambience: - The restaurant is next to a beautiful small body of water with ducks swimming around - There are a lot of bees around. To ward them off the place offers incense but they smell kinda bad and gave me a headache - There is also a large turf area outside with games and stuff for kids. Depending on the day expect some chaos with rugrats running around Overall: Food was okay, the atmosphere of the place is a little chaotic since it's such a large area with so many families around. The bees swarm the place so be careful about getting anything sweet. Overall I liked it, I don't know if I'd recommend it or come back but it's acceptable
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Phillip B.

Yelp
Awesome setting, chandeliers hanging from the trees, food amazing, service outstanding all make for an unforgettable experience
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Michelle W.

Yelp
Came here on a Saturday and it can get really hot as it was summer time. Not a lot of shade either but there are some umbrellas at the tables and if you eat at the restaurant upstairs there will be shade too. Food was okay here. Their best item on the item would probably be their burger and salad. I got a chicken sandwich, thinking it was fried for some reason, but it was actually grilled lol. However, their wines and drinks were really good! There's a bar area by the entrance that's separate from the cafe and they have some food that the actual restaurant didn't have and can't be brought to the restaurant, such as the charcuterie board. The charcuteries board was okay as well. Mostly because majority of the cheeses weren't my favorite. Aside from the food, the ambiance was great! They have a lot of games like corn hole, ping pong table, and life size chess. There's also a nearby lake that have areas to chill at. It reminds me of a small park with restaurants. Very kid friendly as well. Overall, would come back here for the vibes and their drinks (specifically wines).
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Sarah B.

Yelp
The Malibu Cafe is a mixed bag for me. Make sure to make reservations if you plan to eat dinner here. The grounds are stunning and you get to enjoy your food, drinks, or coffee outdoors in the lush hills of Malibu. We went for a girls night out. To park we did valet ($14) and I am not sure if there are other options. Valet made it easy and the valet staff were prompt and personable. The service upon arrival was friendly and welcoming. We were seated right away. There are yard games, bar and several beautiful areas for that perfect Instagram pic or fun photo. The vibe was a little young and hipster, but also family friendly. The menu is a bit small and for me, limited. We ordered the simple salad, beef tartar and Yukon Potatoes. All dishes were flavorful. You can tell they use quality ingredients. The simple salad was a bit of a let down. Given the name I didn't have high expectations, but really not special. The dressing was good, but otherwise kind of meh. The Yukon potatoes were creamy and the favorite dish of the night. Dessert was a decadent peanut butter and chocolate bar that melts in your mouth. The drinks are at least $15 a piece, so choose wisely. You are paying for the ambiance here. Our server was friendly, but sometimes didn't wear his mask properly, but since we were outdoors, I was not really bothered. However, we were charged $10 sanitation/Covid fee and that is something I haven't seen before. I am not sure I would return, but I did enjoy the experience. If I do return, I might give the lunch menu a try.

Andrew A.

Yelp
The restaurant has been closed for 3 years. We did not see on their website, google or yelp. But when we called, and thank goodness we did. They advised this restaurant was not open. Yelp and Google should take this listing down.
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Nicole V.

Yelp
Perhaps I should have checked before coming here but there were WAY too many unruly children running around unattended. Not sure if that is a common occurrence here but it is certainly not for those who care to have a relaxing dining experience. The saloon coffee however was outstanding. The property itself was beautiful and the food was delicious.
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Yolanda S.

Yelp
Super cute place! Came when we were staying at Calamigo's and decided to do lunch there. It's not far from the ranch & parking is plentiful and easy. I honestly loved the vibes, very instagrammable! The entire cafe entirely outdoors and is spacious w/ tons of cute decor. There is even a little lake there! We brought our drinks and sat by the lake. It is def a place that you can easily spend the entire afternoon and lose track of time relaxing, but hey that's what getaway are for right? The biggest complaint would be the food and drinks, they were not very memorable.
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Darylynn D.

Yelp
Omgosh what a cute af place to hang out at or have a small gathering with friends. There's a grab and go, bar, and coffee shop in the establishment. It's open seating throughout the place with a few photo spots. There's also a small lake where you can enjoy nature for a little bit. The food was decent. I had roasted cauliflower, cheese & charcuterie plate and pulled pork with fries. All of it wasn't bad taste wise and portion wise as well. I recommend the cauliflower. The charcuterie is good for sharing and is pretty filling. For drinks I highly suggest getting the royal flush. It's made with vodka and has lavender sprigs and gives it such a pretty purple color. The staff was great and I would absolutely come back here again. It is valet only for $14 and they accept card.
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Johnny T.

Yelp
Here's the quick review - the food isn't incredible, nor are some of the drinks. Come for the fun drive to get here (love me some windy roads) and stay for the overall atmosphere/vibes. Seriously you should have no business coming here unless you plan to lounge and enjoy yourself. We went right at 10am on a Sunday, coming back from a road trip. We did not make a reservation because that is only for evenings. Please check or call them before going here as parking was $10. This place was designed like I was in some sort of bubble, or island, away from California, away from home. It gives off a relaxing vacation vibe. There's a ping pong table, huge chess, cornhole, and live music to make it feel like a PR activation event for some sort of brand at a trade show, except it's not. Actually the best description is that it feels like the lunch area of a huge concert/festival. Seating is first-come first serve; since we showed up when they opened we had easy pickings, but after an hour there were already people circling like vultures for tables. As for food - phew. The charcuterie (char-coochie board, as the kids say these days) was hilarious. I'm giving benefit of the doubt because COVID19 has changed dining situations, but damn. The charcuterie came in a to-go box which removes MOST of the fun with charcuterie - no presentation and no pleasant feeling of a snack. It felt like I was eating crackers and cheese on a field trip to the zoo. The steak sandwich was good, but also very forgettable. I'd probably recommend the burger instead. I wasn't entirely enthused by the mixed drinks here but perhaps this is more of a place to order wine? Then again, I wouldn't want wine with my salami to-go box.
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Nicole R.

Yelp
Let me say this .. the place is magical. It took a while for the waitress to visit the table. Drinks took quite awhile and the menu was so limited. Our party ordered burgers except for me who doesn't eat meat. I ordered the Brussel Sprouts and as I was eating it, I realized it had pork in it. I have an auto immune disease and I cannot eat pork! Nowhere in the description did I see pork listed Kids and my mom loved the burgers and fries. It's pretty spendy ... chicken sandwich is $30.00 - could I afford it? Absolutely, do I want to spend $30 bucks for a sandwich no. Just be prepared They also had a wedding going on at the Ranch - so they made us park down below which kept us waiting in the heat for a van to bring us up. Same going back down But again, simply lovely
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Michelle P.

Yelp
My friends and I were able to hop in and find a table pretty quickly in the shade, as well. Food was okay here. I got a chicken entree and remember thinking that the chicken was somewhat bland and not up to par for the price. The ambiance seemed to be the draw. They have a lot of games like corn hole, ping pong table, and life size chess and you could definitely feel the summer vibes! The trees surrounding us also created shade and shadows as it was a pretty warm day.
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Arnold M.

Yelp
amazing outdoor decor and vibes are very nice lakeside you can just pay valet which is fairly priced and order food at the bar side or sit down at restaurant but entire outdoor has been renovated amazing time
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Shanoah N.

Yelp
Went here to celebrate a engagement for a friend. Made reservations for a table of 12, they accommodate us very well. You have to pay for parking, and then take a shuttle to the actual place. The place was very kid friendly. It was honestly a kid free for all. While the parents drank. If you are going thinking it's going to be a relaxing, drinking adult time. You will be disappointed, for kids roam and take over everywhere. If you are a fun mom, who enjoys good drinks and have no sitter, this is for you! The food was decent, yet the price they charge is way overpriced for the items you get. The lunch menu was very much lacking. The ranch life drink was mouth watering though! Not to sure if I will come out here again. Maybe for only a mom date!
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Grace K.

Yelp
It was a bit hard to find. When I finally did find it, I had my first, second and third refresher of Thyme Sensitive. No judgement!! So yummy if you love gin . The drink was so smooth I didn't realize I was on my third. It is Malibu not too much to choose from the menu as far as food. It was fancy. Bees and flies galore and they had this smoke scent that was not inviting to drive them away. It was a warm Saturday had a nice time. Enjoyed trying something different. Not sure how often I visit this place. It's always nice to try new things.
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Tim H.

Yelp
HUGE TIP: Coming early is highly recommended by the time we left there was a full line at the entrance for a Saturday. Ambience was amazing MINUS the nasty stagnant water lol lol Food from the kale salad, chicken sandwich and more was actually surprisingly really good. COVID: They changed us around a $10 service EXTRA charge for helping keep the premises clean. Personally, I saw no one cleaning the tables or enforcing any type of cleanliness. Kids running around without masks and a few adult walking around with no mask in plain sight. $10 self parking fee $10 COVID service fee $20+ salads and sandwiches $15+ drinks It will add up so PLEASE be prepared.
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John Michael S.

Yelp
My girlfriend and I visited the other week and had an absolute blast. After taking the shuttle, our furry friend and us had an amazing time walking around for the afternoon. Although it did take us awhile to find a spot to sit down, once we did we had an amazing time with our neighbors socializing. Seriously, if you want a VERY relaxing afternoon/morning for brunch, family, "girls trip" or a little romantic meal this place is ideal. I think we found a new place to checkout after the beach. The venue is dog friendly so it's really relaxing to chill and enjoy some picnic style food available to purchase. Plenty of cool cocktails and wine choices, but do be aware of the insects. It seems like the flying kind really loved the hillside bar. However, the place was very relaxing and serene to just enjoy a nice getaway. The venue is great for groups and definitely we will being a blanket next time. Seriously check this place out!
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Casandra W.

Yelp
Such a cute place to visit. Great ambience and venue. Staff was great, from Valet to waiter... just didn't have the best food selections. I personally loved the beet salad I got but my guest couldn't find anything on menus as selection was small and pricey. Would highly recommend events here, it is rustic and elegant.
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Natalia V.

Yelp
Dillon was awesome! Great customer service, the food was incredibly good and the air ‍ Oh men! Nothing can beat the Malibu weather. I will be back again for sure.
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Vanessa C.

Yelp
Super cute place to go for date night, girls night, or corporate event. I'd definitely recommend going anytime but the summer, unless it's at night, It gets incredibly HOT. The food is good, but a bit overpriced. Order drinks from the bar closest to the live music, they create the drink menu! (The drinks from the other bar were a little too sweet). Oversized games are a must! We played corn hole :)
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Erica T.

Yelp
JC helped me out with a big order for work and he made me look like a ROCKSTAR!!!! Everything was labeled, had all the necessary condiments, every order was right AND DELICIOUS. He is an EXCELLENT representation of Malibu Cafe. Great enthusiastic personality, professional, all around fantastic!!! I never heard every crew member be so happy about their food. Highly recommended and will definitely be back!!!!
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Samuel P.

Yelp
Went on a cold day and had a reservation. Got seated and then waited about 20 min to get a heater placed next to us. Service wasn't super attentive. Got a Bloody Mary which was alright, nothing special. The cauliflower was pretty good. Everyone at the table thought the fries were straight from McDonalds which some people in my party enjoyed haha. Wine was descent. Place had "valet" parking even though we parked our own car - felt like a scam just to get an extra $14 out of us. All in all, not terrible vibes since they had games like chess and cornhole but I don't think I'll be back
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Stacy P.

Yelp
Just added pics to this review. See below! (I'm short a few characters in updating....)
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Tina N.

Yelp
This was my first time in Malibu and I'm glad we went to the Malibu Cafe, what a gem! The outdoor space was so beautiful and they had a live band playing and wow the atmosphere was simply a 10/10. We drove up a winding road and parked our car for $10 and then took a 3 minute shuttle to the actual location. There's a hostess stand at the front but if you want to just hang out on the greenery you can just walk in unless you have a reservation which we did not. There's two bars and you can also order "to go" food as well. One of the bars only serves drinks from the menu and the other one towards the back can make custom drinks. We ended up ordering two beers and a charcuterie board to snack on. It took us TWO HOURS to get our charcuterie board...two hours!!! They gave us a buzzer and it literally never went off. My bf had to ask about it twice before they realized it was just a charcuterie board and then handed it to him immediately. Really??!! I was hangry! While we waited for this overpriced charcuterie, I bought an Italian sub and vegan chocolate chip cookie from the coffee shop by the entrance. They heated up the sub so it was pretty tasty and the vegan chocolate chip cookie was delish!! The charcuterie board was ok. The Bloody Mary slapped. This place was really nice but I don't think I would come back solely based on how hard it was to find a table. Maybe if we arrived earlier we would've found a better spot but it was just way too crowded for me. Plus there was not a lot of spots for shade. Definitely come here if you haven't been here before, it is beautiful!
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Kimberly P.

Yelp
I've been here multiple times in the past for brunch, and there casual lunch on Sundays. My recent visit was for dinner on Saturday during the 4th of July weekend and it was lively per usual. Our reservation was at 7:15 and we arrived early at 7:05 pm and checked in with the host and was told we'd receive a text when our table was ready. It was 7:20 pm so we decided to head back and pleasantly the host said our table was ready. We were seat directly across from the kitchen which was noisy so we requested another table which they happily accommodated for us. I ordered the Roast Cauliflower and it was delicious. If you like cauliflower, get this appetizer! It's sweet and savory. Got my entree I had the Sea Bass and although it looks buttery in my photos, it was a disappointment. The Sea Bass was very over cooked. I was too hungry to say anything to the server. I've ordered Sea Bass many times at restaurants and have even made it at home; this white fish tastes sweet, tender, and buttery. But the Sea Bass at Malibu Cafe was dry, and not very good. It was over cooked. The veggies were decent. For a $50 entree, my expectations were let down. I'll still frequent Malibu Cafe but not for dinner, most likely only for brunch.
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Diana G.

Yelp
Absolutely fell in love with this place. Although it was hard to find (driving up a long windy road) and parking was $14, I would still recommend it. The entrance was beautiful and the service was great. It's a perfect place to bring large groups or even kids because of the large open spaces. It is also upscale (there was a wedding happening when I went) and the drinks and food were delicious. They have heaters and fire pits with reservations only but since it was slower that day they allowed us to sit anywhere. I'll definitely be going back soon.
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Lana B.

Yelp
Absolutely great experience!! Came here to celebrate my birthday with my parents and had the best time!! The wine was good (we ordered the bottle of their house Cab), the food was great (we had the roasted beets, fig burrata toast, striped sea bass, brick chicken, flatiron steak, and Yukon potatoes), and the service was excellent (Roland was a delight)! For my birthday the complimentary dessert was the peanut butter mousse cake. Unfortunately I am allergic to peanuts so my parents enjoyed that treat and Roland brought me the Meyer's Lemon cheesecake (also complimentary which was so nice!) Would definitely recommend to friends and family and come back again! Thank you Roland and Malibu Cafe!! P.S. The Yukon potatoes are to die for!!
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Marina M.

Yelp
This was a very beautiful restaurant. My friend and I came here to celebrate her birthday and we had brunch on the top level. The food tasted really good and we LOVED the cauliflower. The waitress was very sweet. We did have to wait a little before we got seated which was kinda annoying since we did have a reservation. Besides that, I had a very enjoyable experience and i think I would come again :)
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Mimi L.

Yelp
It really depends on how you look at this place. If you come for parties or plan to hang out for a whole day, you will most likely enjoy the time here. We had meals here because we stayed at the resort for a weekend. This is the only on site restaurant of this ranch, and they had to shuttle us here every time we wanted to eat. The entire place was huge, beautiful and fun, they had a few bars and plenty of seatings. Also a lot of games to play, so if you have small children they will love this place. There is also a small lake on the premises and you can rent little boats to tour the lake or just hang out on the water. We were seated in main dining area during our meals here. They told us that we didn't need reservations cause we were hotel guests. Each time they had trouble finding heaters cause most of them were broken and it was really packed at the moment. They did provide us blankets before a heater was available though. They also had to move umbrellas at brunch cause the sun was too much for me. Outdoor seatings weren't exactly the most convenient at this cafe. The food wasn't the most delicious on both dinner and brunch. Menus were not that big and they had the same appetizer items for brunch / lunch and dinner. We tried corn chowder, Cajun shrimps, jalapeño hummus, ribeye steak, brisket banh mi, vegan burger lettuce wrap and salmon. Meats were delicious and hubby really enjoyed his rare ribeye steak. Salmon was the worst I'v ever had, burnt outside and no flavor inside also extremely dry and chewy. I had no choice but to send it back and I couldn't find other entree to order on the menu. I liked the vegan burger the most and shrimps were decent too. Service was super slow most of the time, it took such long time just for appetizers to come out. The cocktails were much better than food, we enjoyed the tasty and strong pours. Food prices weren't cheap but portions were huge. Despite the OK food and slow service, this is still a fun place to hang out and take tons of photos. Come here for drinks and snack food, not a good place for full meals or dinner dates. It's crowded and loud so I'd choose this place for friends and family fun times only. Ps. Parking was $9 for hotel guests and $14 for whole day
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Tonmoy G.

Yelp
3 stars for drinks, 1 star for food If you want to pay for overpriced, mediocre (at best) food and wait in lines while your kids or other kids run amok like crazy, then this is the place for you! The cocktails were pretty average yet overpriced. This is more of a place for people watching and to be seen.
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Richard B.

Yelp
Closed to the Public! That's what we learned when a group of us went over for lunch/brunch on Sunday... When I asked why they didn't update their Yelp to indicate that the young lady told our group, that's not my job...
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Vanessa D.

Yelp
Please! I ordered a kale salad and legitimately the worst, most tasteless salad I have ever had, $27.59 (plus tip). Insane. 3 stars for the St Fashioned drink I got at one of the bars and the atmosphere / environment is nice!
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Dave W.

Yelp
We came here with our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren and had a wonderful time. Reservations are highly recommended if you are coming for brunch and we were not disappointed. My son and I both had the Calamigos Burger and it was awesome. The rest of the gang feasted on Pancake Stacks, French Toast, Bacon, Biscuits and a Brunch Tower. Not inexpensive but a wonderful experience. Service was very good and very attentive - blankets available until the fog burned off. After brunch we spent a couple of hours on the paddle boats (surprisingly, they are free) lawn games and people watching. All in all a very nice California experience.
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Nicci L.

Yelp
All about the atmosphere here. This place is huge and has tons of lawn games like cornhole. Perfect place for day drinking on a nice sunny day. The drinks were really good, my group got a round of cocktails and a few bottles of rosé. The chicken sandwich was also pretty decent. Would definitely come back!
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Clem C.

Yelp
As the owner of one of the world's largest high-net-worth social clubs, I cannot describe how terrible my experience was with Malibu Cafe. I've organized thousands of events, and this was the worst experience I have experienced thus far. We were wondering if they want recurring clients. How can you mistreat a company? All our members are from LA and Malibu. You don't want them ever to come back? My experience: - No phone contact -Feeling of superiority from Malibu Cafe - Condescending service -0 flexibility -Outrageous price - 3-day reply - Outrageous 30-minute late fee charge ($500) when we had 4 hours booked and were there for an hour - The list goes on... We had to add three peoples they charged us "extra fees" of $1,000 for them. Is it not your business to bring people to your venue? The person in charge was very unpleasant and condescending, making our experience terrible. We will not be coming back. DO NOT ORGANIZE LARGE EVENTS THERE !!! We don't understand what is wrong with them.
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Malia M.

Yelp
10000000% one of the best and most fun places to go! It is family friendly with plenty of room for kids to run around,safely, while parents can enjoy a drink or yummy food. The staff is beyond friendly and kind. Management has done a wonderful job training them. The food is delicious and healthy. The bar has creative cocktails as well as traditional drinks. As an ex-bartender, it was awesome to see their fun menu and great customer service. We are a family of 5, including a 4-year old. Often, family outings are tough because kids are required to "behave" and not bother other patrons (and for good reason). This place offers an atmosphere where kids can play and be on the loud side, but still be safe. They have live music which is not too loud or an off-sound. Gorgeous photo opportunities all around the property. You cannot go wrong here!! We cannot wait to go back!
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Marie O.

Yelp
Lived in Malibu for so many years and I question why I haven't gone here sooner! I heard of Malibu Cafe because everyone at Pepperdine goes here. It's such a fun place to have a get together with your girlfriends and have brunch. I went during lunch time in December (I believe the menu changes by season). We ordered: the Skillet mac and cheese and Ribeye. They were both good! It was quiet and not crowded when I went. I hear it does get busy. I love the ambience and the fun outdoor games you can play. Cute and charming location to get away from the city. I will come back! Deducted a star because it took awhile for our server to come back to us even though it was not crowded. A larger group that came after us was served first. There is valet!
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Alex F.

Yelp
Beautiful outdoor common ground for couple of businesses in a very suggestive canyon landscape. Definitely a plus for family/friend visiting, you see people strolling with babies, groups hanging out and enjoying the ground I guess (and hope) we just stopped by for an expensive lunch the wrong day. The service in general has been pretty slow: took long time to be acknowledged at the hostess podium and once seated the server promptly took the order for drinks and food... a part for water everything else had been delayed. After ordering and receiving a lemonade we talked to the server who confirmed that despite what normally customers are expecting the lemonade is a fountain drink out of the machine so we exchanged for a tea. After 25 minutes of wait for a sandwich and a salad I started wondering about our food and inquired about it.. apparently nothing had been prepared. The food was ok, can't say stunning but the experience is increases by the vibe, landscape and setup. Maybe better luck next time
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Dee L.

Yelp
Vibe of the place is great. Open space and friendly customers. Free paddle boat. Free corn hole, oversized chess, and ping pong. Food was good nothing special. Expensive. Cocktails overpriced. Not a table service. You order and you pick up your boxed food. There's no organization on seating. I'm good with the open table concept. But you have to hover at tables to wait for anyone leaving. It's first come first serve. It's annoying since you have to ask people "are you leaving soon?" If they say "yes" then you can hover at that table and wait patiently. Once they leave then you flag down someone to clear the table and clean it. With all the concerns about COVID they do not have a good system on their tables. I'll rather wait outside by the hostess and let the establishment figure out seating. I like the idea that you can bring your own blanket and have a picnic on the grass. They are dog friendly.
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Chadie G.

Yelp
Cute place for a hang out. Turf grass, plenty of seating areas. Bar service, quick bite options... photo opt areas can't be ignored. Social media, IG , FB all generations love this place. Picnic benches with umbrella tops, large pit fire in center, pets friendly and children friendly.... A must check out when coming to Malibu!
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T N.

Yelp
$14 mandatory parking fee = 1 star Online reservation system that works = 4 stars $30 plates that look nice but taste meh = 2 stars Outdoor seating amongst the trees = 5 stars Fast service = 4 stars *Extremely* bougie crowd = 1 star This is a great place to bring your social media obsessed date and let them get their pics with the trees and art and fancy food presentations. For everything else, go elsewhere.
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Jane H.

Yelp
Malibu Cafe has been in my bookmarks for awhile and we finally gave it a try. We went on a Friday so as expected there were weddings and such going on. This place is perfect for any special occasions. The views and ambience is great. This place is also dog-friendly which was a plus for us! My boyfriend and I ordered the Wood-Fired Mushrooms, Bone Marrow and the Brick Chicken. Their menu is pretty small and the food tasted alright for us. It wasn't bad but wasn't that amazing either. Our server was very attentive and helpful. We took a stroll around the area and let our puppy loose towards the back. Lots of space for her to run around. She loved it here. Will definitely come back for some drinks and to chill in the grass areas.
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a t.

Yelp
This is the problem with our society today. This place is just ok, lousy plain chicken sandwich and a double cheeseburger. The grounds are nice, but how much can you walk around. We are simply used to paying for a show of nothing. Parking $14 for me to park myself on the dirt. $15+ for drinks ok, but again not worth it. Cheesecake Factory is nothing to rave about but is 10 times better. We need to stop supporting overhyped places like this to simply show of ourselves, REGARDLESS of how many years this place has been in business. Length of time in business does not make it right.
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Tess l.

Yelp
This place felt like another world like a fairytale they have a huge area with fake grass and a couple games. the human size chess board is cool. There is a lake and ducks and waterfalls even approaching the area there are other little restaurants and Pathways you can walk on and see other waterfalls. wine and cheese outside while you're waiting for a table. The restaurant is beautiful at night too. They don't have much selection for coffees. The mashed potatoes were the best I've ever had! I think there's cheese in them the flat iron steak was really good. I believe there was cactus within the corn. anchovies in the Caesar salad were extremely fresh. Quick review, just for you