Water Grill
Pico Neighborhood Association, Santa Monica
Restaurant in Santa Monica, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Water Grill is the practical Santa Monica pick for a seafood-focused meal near Ocean Avenue, especially when the group wants a coastal setting without committing to sushi or a louder rooftop-style room. Choose it over Élephante for seafood and flexibility; cross-shop Blue Plate Oysterette if the occasion is more casual.
About Water Grill
Consider Water Grill when you want a direct Santa Monica restaurant plan with daily operating hours and a smart-casual dress code. Confirm current offerings, booking options, and any special requests directly with the restaurant before you go.
Santa Monica works in its favor for simple planning
Water Grill is open daily from 11 AM, with closing at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. That makes it easy to place into a Santa Monica day or evening.
This is also a good fit for the explorer who wants a Santa Monica option while keeping the rest of the itinerary flexible. Santa Monica has plenty of dining choices, and our full Santa Monica restaurants guide is better for sorting a broader day of eating. For a hotel-led itinerary, pair it with our full Santa Monica hotels guide; for drinks before or after, use our full Santa Monica bars guide.
Choose it when hours and a smart-casual setting matter
The main reason to keep Water Grill on the shortlist is utility: it has daily hours and a smart-casual dress code, which helps when planning with visitors, colleagues, or a group that wants a clear Santa Monica option. If you are comparing it with Élephante, SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa, Blue Plate Oysterette, Tūmbi, or Uovo, make the choice based on the experience you want and confirm current details directly before booking.
For alternatives, compare Water Grill with other dining options according to occasion, availability, and the group's preferences. Tūmbi, Uovo, Blue Plate Oysterette, SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa, and Élephante can all make sense for different plans, but the specific fit depends on the current menu, booking situation, and the kind of meal you want.
Quick reference: Water Grill is in Santa Monica; the dress code is smart casual; hours are 11 AM–10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 AM–11 PM Friday and Saturday.
Planning details
- Location
- 1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- watergrill.com
- Phone
- +13103945669
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Water Grill presents a refined, seaside dining room that treats the Pacific as its organizing principle. The restaurant sits on Santa Monica's bluff with ocean-facing windows, so the setting feels inherently scenic while retaining a West Coast ease. The kitchen demonstrates technical ambition without the formality of East Coast white-tablecloth institutions; the result is a polished but relaxed atmosphere. Service and plating aim for precision, but the overall mood remains approachable rather than fussy. Expect an elegant yet unpretentious room where the view and the quality of the seafood define the experience.
Best For
This is a dinner destination for milestone meals, business dinners and focused date nights where seafood is the point of the evening. Water Grill sits in the tier of serious, locally minded restaurants and is often compared to benchmark seafood rooms, so it suits guests seeking technically adept preparations paired with coastal views. The place attracts a local clientele with discerning expectations, making it a reliable option for celebrations or important dinners when you want to showcase Santa Monica’s ocean-facing dining without hotel-style formality.
Ordering Tips
Play to the restaurant’s seafood strengths: start with oysters to appreciate the freshness and sourcing, and consider the lobster roll or the cioppino as signature shows of the kitchen’s technique. The menu emphasizes catch and careful preparation, so asking your server about the day’s selection and sourcing will steer you to the standout preparations. If you prefer a variety of flavors, combine shellfish starters with a more composed main like the cioppino to experience both raw and cooked expressions of the Pacific.
Venue details
Ambiance
Polished yet unpretentious atmosphere with ocean views, ideal for family-friendly upscale dining.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- lobster roll
- cioppino
- oysters
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Pick Blue Plate Oysterette if the group still wants seafood but the occasion is casual. Pick Élephante if the priority is a livelier contemporary room over a seafood-first meal.
Restaurant context
How Water Grill compares in Santa Monica
Water Grill is the steadier seafood choice in this set: better for groups who want a full restaurant meal near Ocean Avenue than SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa, which is the sharper pick when sushi is the entire plan. Against Blue Plate Oysterette, Water Grill reads more formal and occasion-friendly; Blue Plate is the easier casual seafood alternative.
Élephante is the better choice for a contemporary, higher-energy room at $$$, especially if ambiance matters more than a seafood-led meal. Tūmbi is the value play at $$ when the table wants Indian food, while Uovo is the pasta-specific alternative for a simpler Italian plan.
Explore Santa Monica
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Water Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Water Grill
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Grill | Santa Monica | , | , | No published awards |
| SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa | Santa Monica | , | , | No published awards |
| Élephante | Los Angeles | Contemporary | $$$ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Tūmbi | Los Angeles | Indian | $$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Uovo | Los Angeles | Italian | , | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4062024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4162023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Blue Plate Oysterette | Santa Monica | , | , | No published awards |
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How Water Grill Santa Monica compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Water Grill handle dietary restrictions?
If anyone in your group has restrictions or allergies, contact Water Grill directly before booking and confirm what the restaurant can currently support.
Can I eat at the bar at Water Grill?
If you want a more flexible visit, check directly with Water Grill before you go. You can also compare availability with Élephante or other dining options depending on the kind of outing you want.
What should a first-timer know about Water Grill?
Go in with the basics: Water Grill is in Santa Monica, the dress code is smart casual, and it is open daily from 11 AM. Closing is 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Confirm current menu, reservations, and service details directly before planning around them.
Is midday or evening better at Water Grill?
Water Grill opens at 11 AM daily, closes at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and closes at 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Choose the timing that best fits your Santa Monica itinerary, and confirm current availability before going.
What are alternatives to compare with Water Grill?
Blue Plate Oysterette, SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa, Élephante, Tūmbi, and Uovo are natural names to compare depending on the occasion, availability, and group preferences. Check current information before deciding.
Is Water Grill good for a special occasion?
It can be a practical Santa Monica option if the hours and smart-casual dress code fit the occasion. For a more specific celebration plan, confirm current reservations, menu details, and seating options directly with Water Grill before booking.
