Things To Do In Los Angeles: The Lobster: Santa Monica’s Seafood Shack at the End of The Trail

Thursday, October 10, 2024

The Lobster: Santa Monica’s Seafood Shack at the End of The Trail

Dining room at The Lobster restaurant with tables and chairs, offering a picturesque view of the Santa Monica Pier during late afternoon sunlight.

The Lobster restaurant celebrates its 25th Anniversary Celebration on National Lobster Day in Santa Monica, California on September 25, 2024. All pictures by Eric Harris / TTDILA.

By Eric Harris

The Lobster restaurant in Santa Monica recently celebrated its 25th anniversary since its re-opening, and Things To Do In LA had the privilege of attending its VIP and media preview event. This exclusive occasion offered a chance to taste some of Executive Chef Govind Armstrong’s favorite dishes and cocktails, along with a preview of his latest creations designed to mark this milestone.

Group of people enjoying drinks at The Lobster restaurant's bar in daylight.

Perched above the Santa Monica Pier, where historic Route 66 meets the ocean and next to the iconic Santa Monica Pier Sign, The Lobster boasts extraordinary views. The restaurant provides a breathtaking 190-degree panorama of Santa Monica Bay and the Malibu coastline, delivering one of the premier ocean views in Southern California dining.

Diners in The Lobster’s dining room and pedestrians outside observe the sunset over Santa Monica Bay and Malibu coastline.

The Lobster’s current menu features a diverse array of seafood dishes, with lobster as its centerpiece. During the commemorative event, we experienced several of Chef Armstrong’s signature dishes.

Plate of fresh tagliatelle with Maine lobster and lemon breadcrumbs, featured as a new entrée for The Lobster's 25th anniversary menu.

Fresh tagliatelle with Maine lobster and lemon breadcrumbs, a new entrée created for The Lobster’s 25th anniversary menu.

Regrettably, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to complete a full review of Chef Armstrong’s menu. Nonetheless, we enjoyed an extensive tour of the restaurant, bar, and kitchen and had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with Chef Armstrong about his cuisine and latest offerings. The view from The Lobster is extraordinary, easily ranking among the best panoramic ocean views of any Southern California restaurant. Although we cannot fully endorse The Lobster based on its food alone at this time, we can certainly recommend the restaurant for its spectacular view. The Grilled California Spiny Lobster remains on our radar, and we look forward to returning soon to provide a more comprehensive review.