Blue Plate Oysterette
Pico Neighborhood Association, Santa Monica
Restaurant in Santa Monica, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Blue Plate Oysterette is Santa Monica's most accessible seafood option on Ocean Avenue, sitting comfortably between the pier's casual spots and the neighborhood's more formal dining rooms. Easy to book and well-suited to date nights or low-key celebrations, it delivers focused oyster-forward seafood without the ceremony. A reliable neighborhood anchor for locals and visitors who know where to look.
About Blue Plate Oysterette
The Verdict
If you're choosing between Blue Plate Oysterette and one of the pier-adjacent tourist traps on Santa Monica's waterfront, this is not a close call. Blue Plate Oysterette is the reliable, locally-rooted seafood option on Ocean Avenue that actually serves the neighborhood rather than passing visitors. For a casual but quality seafood meal within walking distance of the beach, it earns its spot. For a full-scale special occasion dinner, you may want to look at Capo or Chinois on Main instead.
What Blue Plate Oysterette Is
Positioned on Ocean Avenue, Blue Plate Oysterette functions as Santa Monica's go-to casual seafood counter with a focus on oysters and direct fish dishes. The address puts it in one of the most sought-after dining corridors in Los Angeles's Westside, where ocean proximity is the backdrop and the crowd skews local rather than tourist-heavy. This is a neighborhood anchor in the most practical sense: it fills a clear gap between the fast-casual options near the pier and the higher-commitment dining rooms further inland.
For a date night or low-key celebration, the format works well. The oyster-forward menu keeps things focused, the Ocean Avenue setting gives the meal a sense of occasion without requiring a dress code or a reservation weeks in advance. Think of it as the kind of place you bring someone when you want to impress without overthinking it. Compare that to the more formal experience at Le Bernardin in New York City or The French Laundry in Napa, and Blue Plate Oysterette is firmly in a different register, that's the point.
Booking here is easy by Santa Monica standards. You don't need to plan weeks out the way you would for a tasting-menu room like Lazy Bear in San Francisco or Smyth in Chicago. That accessibility is part of the value: this is the kind of restaurant that works on a Wednesday evening when you want something reliable and good without the ceremony.
If you're building a wider Santa Monica itinerary, pair it with a stop from our full Santa Monica restaurants guide and consider checking our full Santa Monica bars guide for options nearby. Locally, Birdie G's and Calabra round out the neighborhood's stronger independent options if you're comparing nearby.
Practical Details
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Price Tier | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Plate Oysterette | Easy | Mid-range | Casual seafood, date night |
| Capo | Moderate | High | Romantic, special occasion |
| Chinois on Main | Moderate | High | Landmark dining, groups |
| 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen | Easy | Budget | Quick meal, casual groups |
| Wally's Santa Monica | Moderate | High | Wine-focused, business dining |
Planning details
- Location
- 1355 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Website
- blueplateoysterette.com
- Phone
- +1 310 576 3474
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Blue Plate Oysterette occupies a middle register on Ocean Avenue, favoring focus over flash. The editorial voice positions it as shellfish-first: a short, confidently executed menu anchors the room and keeps attention on oysters and simple seafood preparations. The Pacific Ocean is visible from the address, which adds an atmospheric coastal tilt without turning the place into a tourist trap; locals and beachgoers mix freely. The service and kitchen aim for quality rather than spectacle, so the overall feeling is relaxed and quietly sophisticated—an approachable neighborhood spot that still respects the provenance of its shellfish.
Best For
This is a reliable pick for daytime and evening coastal dining—think brunch with ocean views, casual lunches after the beach, and unfussy dinners centered on shellfish. The write-up describes a mixed crowd of tourists, locals and out-of-towners, which makes the restaurant well suited to casual hangouts and date nights where scenery and straightforward quality matter more than formality. Because the menu is intentionally short and focused, it handles moderate group sizes well but reads best as a spot for small groups, couples or solo diners who appreciate a tight seafood program.
Ordering Tips
Trust the oyster-led approach: start with the fresh oysters and ask staff about available Pacific varieties, since the copy notes regional differences in oyster types. The menu rewards focus, so favor signature shellfish plates—lobster roll and lobster mac and cheese are highlighted for a reason—and resist the impulse to treat the list like a buffet of options. Expect seasonal variation and ask your server what’s freshest; the review emphasizes that the kitchen needs to 'earn the geography,' so prioritize dishes that showcase simple, high-quality shellfish preparation.
Venue details
Ambiance
Relaxed coastal atmosphere with blue and white decor, fresh ocean air, and seaside charm.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- lobster roll
- lobster mac and cheese
- fresh oysters
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Chinois on Main; Chinese, Chinese
- Capo; Notable alternative
- Holy Basil Santa Monica; Thai, Thai
- Wally's Santa Monica; Notable alternative
- 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen; Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Blue Plate Oysterette competes in the casual-to-mid-range seafood space on Santa Monica's Westside, it holds up well against its most obvious alternative: the forgettable tourist-focused spots near the pier. But if you're weighing it against Santa Monica's better-known independent restaurants, the picture gets more nuanced. Capo is the clear step up for a serious occasion dinner, with a more formal room, a deeper wine program, a higher price point to match. If the meal matters more than the budget, go there instead.
Chinois on Main is the choice if you want a landmark experience with a distinct culinary identity. It's harder to book than Blue Plate Oysterette and costs more, but it justifies both. For a Thai alternative with a strong local following, Holy Basil Santa Monica is worth the detour if seafood isn't the priority. Wally's Santa Monica belongs in a different category entirely: go there when wine is the point, not the food.
For groups on a tighter budget, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen is easier on the wallet and requires no reservation planning. Blue Plate Oysterette sits in the sweet spot between those two poles: more focused and enjoyable than a fast-casual stop, less demanding in price and booking lead time than the neighborhood's top tables. For a casual seafood-focused meal on Ocean Avenue, it's the practical first choice.
Explore Santa Monica
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Blue Plate Oysterette guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Blue Plate Oysterette
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Blue Plate Oysterette | No published awards |
| Chinois on Main | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5992024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4602023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Capo | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #3172025 Wine Spectator Grand Award2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #3482023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Holy Basil Santa Monica | No published awards |
| Wally's Santa Monica | Star Wine Lists 20262026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence |
| 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen | No published awards |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Blue Plate Oysterette accommodate groups?
Small to mid-size groups are manageable here, but the casual counter format at 1355 Ocean Ave is better suited to parties of two to four. Larger groups should call ahead to check availability, as the space fills quickly given the venue's Ocean Avenue foot traffic and limited seating.
How far ahead should I book Blue Plate Oysterette?
Book at least a few days ahead for weekends, especially in summer when Santa Monica's waterfront draws heavy traffic. Walk-ins are possible on slower weekday evenings, but the venue's location on Ocean Avenue means demand is rarely predictable; a reservation is the safer call.
What should I order at Blue Plate Oysterette?
The oyster selection is the main draw here; that is the format the kitchen is built around. Beyond oysters, the menu leans into straightforward seafood preparations rather than elaborate plating, so come with that expectation rather than hoping for fine-dining flourishes.
Is Blue Plate Oysterette good for a special occasion?
It works well for a relaxed, low-key celebration; an anniversary dinner where you want good seafood and an easy Ocean Avenue setting rather than ceremony. For a formal milestone or high-production-value night out, Capo on Ocean Avenue offers a significantly more elevated dining context.
What are alternatives to Blue Plate Oysterette in Santa Monica?
Capo is the go-to if you want a more serious, sit-down dinner on the same stretch. Chinois on Main gives you Wolfgang Puck's California-Asian cooking if you want more culinary ambition. Wally's Santa Monica is the stronger call for wine-forward dining with an upscale retail angle.
