15 Best Restaurants in Redondo Beach + Where To Stay
Looking for the best restaurants in Redondo Beach, California? You’ve found them! Whether you’re searching for the best places for Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, fine dining, or a gorgeous view, we’ve got the Redondo Beach restaurants for you!
Of the three beach cities in the South Bay (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach), Redondo is the largest. And it has a thriving food scene any time of day. Maybe not as big as New York or San Francisco, but Los Angeles foodies love it here! I should know—I was one of them.
Redondo Beach Riviera restaurants bustle with outdoor tables on the sidewalk during breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and, of course, happy hour. Restaurants on the pier provide awesome ocean views, and some on the harbor offer diners wonderful vistas of the eye-popping Pacific Coast.
Hopefully, if you’re visiting Redondo Beach, you’ll stay long enough to try a few of our favorite places. And if you need a great place to stay, see Bonus #2 below for our Number 1 hotel pick.
Best Restaurants Redondo Beach
1. Sol Restaurant
Spoiler alert—Sol Restaurant is located in the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina—our pick for the best place to stay in Redondo Beach. But even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you should try this restaurant!
Whether you dine indoors or on the patio by the fire pits, you’ll enjoy an array of amazing foods while ensconced in a comfortable yet stylish ambience. Best of all, Chef Hayato’s unique menu of Asian-American fusion offers a top-notch dining experience at an affordable price.
Expect delicious dishes like Chasyu Toast—braised pork belly with brie, mushrooms, and red onion. And Hayato’s take on the famous Japanese food Kaarage is a special fried chicken so moist you’ll be thinking about it the next day. Seafood lovers, don’t miss the Honey Walnut Shrimp! One bite and you’ll know why Sol is one of the best restaurants in Redondo Beach, CA.
Address: 300 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
2. Gabi James
Yearning for tapas from Barcelona, or traditional Spanish cuisine? Gabi James in Riviera Village is for you.
You’ll find famous Spanish foods like Tortilla Española, Potato Croquettes, Gambas Al Ajillo, and the Valencian specialty, Paella—all with a California twist. There’s nothing better than the Gildas, the original Basque pintxo, to get you started.
Sometimes known as anchovy lollipops, Gildas combine anchovies, peppers, and olives beautifully on a toothpick. They are best eaten in one bite.
Chosen as one of the new notable restaurants in Los Angeles County by Michelin Guide in 2022, Gabi Jones is definitely one of the cool restaurants in Redondo Beach. The rustic-chic space feels warm and inviting, but you may not get in without a reservation, so make one ahead if you can.
Address: 1810 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
3. Bluewater Grill
Located at King Harbor, Bluewater Grill is not just a nice location to watch the boats from the outdoor patio. They also serve some of the freshest seafood in town!
And Bluewater Grill promises sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood.
Their extensive menu offers everything from the NOLA specialty, Shrimp Gumbo, to Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, to Alaskan King Crab Legs, to San Francisco Cioppino with Dungeness Crab.
If you’re not too full for dessert, the Java Mud Pie is a winner! As my mom says, “There’s always room for ice cream.”
Address: 665 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
4. The Rockefeller
This is one of the best restaurants Redondo Beach locals flock to for delicious food. The eclectic menu can be described as California cuisine meets modern American comfort food. Think creative fish tacos, flat breads, wraps, salads, and burgers.
Sure, you can order a burger with American cheese, but you’ll probably want to opt for the Rockefeller Gourmet Burger with truffle bacon jam, garlic aioli, and one of our favorite Italian cheeses, taleggio.
My husband raves about the Kalbi Cheesesteak to anyone who will listen—it’s made of marinated short rib with kimchi, onions, peppers, garlic aioli, sriracha, and two cheeses.
You’ll find a full bar here, but as a gastropub, this is definitely a good place for craft beers. The Rockefeller prides itself on serving mostly independent local and regional brews.
Address: 1707 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
5. Chart House
The Chart House is one of the few Redondo Beach restaurants on the water. And I mean the dining rooms are almost literally on the water—like just above sea level.
If you’re looking to catch a magnificent sunset for a special occasion, this is the perfect spot. It is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Redondo Beach with a view! The waves crash right in front of your eyes, and you can see Hermosa Beach Pier from the north-facing windows.
From lobster tails to prime rib, the Chart House offers classic cuisine and great service. Although you can see the ocean from almost anywhere, ask for a window table in the main dining room for the best view.
Address: 231 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
6. Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steakhouse
Kincaid’s has the best view and food of all the Redondo Beach restaurants on the pier. In fact, most of the other restaurants on Redondo Beach Pier are more grab-and-go and leave you wondering a bit about health inspections.
Kincaid’s restaurant serves coastal cuisine and a a wide variety of steakhouse staples. If you can’t make it for lunch or dinner, enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and happy hour snack on the deck outside.
Address: 500 Fishermans Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
7. Dominique’s Kitchen
Even after 10 years of being in business, Dominique’s continues to create some of the best food Redondo beach offers.
Self-described as offering Euro-French cuisine, Dominique’s features a menu that highlights a mix of regional French cuisine as well as some delightful original creations influenced by Italian cuisine.
Traditional French dishes include Beef Bourguignon, French Onion Soup, Fondue Savoyarde, Provençal Lamb, and Escargot. I realize that snails are one of those weird French foods that many Americans can’t seem to accept, but really, they taste like garlic butter! And these are imported from Burgundy!
The Italian-influenced items center on an array of risottos and pastas. Seafood lovers should not miss the house-made ravioli with crab, shrimp, and lobster.
Address: 522 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
8. R/10 Social House
Currently, worthwhile restaurants at Redondo Beach Marina are few and far between. But R/10, adjacent to the Redondo Pier, is definitely worth a visit, especially from 3 pm to 6 pm.
This is one of the restaurants Redondo Beach happy hour fans love. There is definitely enough good stuff to eat during “social hour” to easily fill yourself up and call it dinner.
R/10 has the feel of a local bar full of friends, but it takes food seriously too. Boasting a passion for farm to table cuisine, the kitchen sources produce and ingredients from local growers.
The menu goes beyond typical bar fare too. You’ll find heirloom salads, chicken and waffles, chimichurri hanger steak, and a wealth of fresh seafood appetizers and entrees all at reasonable prices.
Address: 179 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
9. Turquoise Restaurant
A great place for lunch or dinner, Turquoise Restaurant serves mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of the Riviera. The food is fresh and healthy, and Turquoise uses organic and natural ingredients whenever possible.
A combination of Middle Eastern and Greek foods dominate the menu.
Think Greek Salad, lamb with homemade yogurt sauce, paninis, and lots of different types of kebabs. Most of the kebabs are marinated in saffron and herbs so they are moist and flavorful. Served with basmati rice and a salad, they make a very satisfying meal.
The dining room décor transports you to the Mediterranean Sea, and the outdoor patio is spacious and comfortable.
Address: 1735 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
10. Little Sister
Little Sister, one of the new restaurants in Redondo Beach, focuses on East-meets-West-inspired Vietnamese food.
Chef Tin Vuong showcases the cuisine born from the European colonization of Southeast Asia. Vuong combines the flavors and spices of Asia with French techniques and Dutch and British influences. The results are scrumptious!
At lunchtime, the most popular dishes include Pho and varieties of Banh Mi (specifically, short rib, chicken, and Vietnamese cold cuts). This is not surprising since these dishes are only available at lunch.
We really enjoyed the pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings. They make a great starter any time of day.
For dinner, try Shaky Shaky Beef, House Triple Garlic Noodles, Lemon Grass Chicken, and/or Tom Rang Thit Ba Chi (caramelized prawns and spare ribs in a clay pot). But you really can’t go wrong. Whatever you order, you’ll receive great food, generous portions, and good service.
Address: 247 Avenida Del Norte, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
11. Locale90 Neapolitan Pizza Market
I discovered the family-run restaurant Locale90 by stopping in for lunch shortly after it opened in 2015. It was so good, I went back the next day.
There are lots of Redondo restaurants that serve pizza, but real-deal Neapolitan pizza—not so much.
My biggest problem with Locale90 is trying to decide what to order. My favorites are all the varieties of Pizza Bianca, each with Mozzarella, garlic, and EVOO. Among these, my most preferred are the Shaved Brussel Sprouts with pancetta and pecorino; the Broccoli Rabe with fennel sausage and chili flakes; and the Kale & Egg with truffle oil and parm.
There are also tasty starters like Eggplant Caponata, charcuterie boards, salads, pastas, and a piadina—a traditional sandwich from the Emilia-Romagna region.
Address: 1718 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
12. Creme de La Crepe
Not too many restaurants in Redondo Beach Riviera Village serve breakfast, but you’ll be happy that Creme de La Crepe does. Sitting outside eating a tasty meal and watching the morning bustle is a great way to start the day.
And if you’re familiar with the typical French breakfast, you’ll be happy to know there’s much more than bread and pastries. As the name suggests, the specialty here is the popular Parisian street food, crêpes.
Sweet and savory crêpes are available any time of day, but at dinnertime, sweets are offered for dessert. Sweet crêpes use a thin white pancake and can be filled with fruits, Nutella, and/or ice cream. Savory buckwheat crepes are filled with anything from eggs to seafood. These are the real-deal French crepes!
Crêpes, however, are not the only thing on the menu. Breakfast has waffles, French toast, and a variety of egg dishes available. Lunch offers salads, Quiche Lorraine, and the Parisian specialty sandwiches Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame. At dinner, the long list of appetizers are quite tempting. These include a French cheese plate, Duck Pâté, Salmon Toasts, Steak Tartare, and much more.
Address: 1708 1/2 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
13. Vida Modern MexicaN + TEQUILA
If you’re looking for the best Mexican restaurant in Redondo Beach, head to Vida Modern Mexican. This is a great spot to get your guacamole, quesadilla, and taco fix. In fact, it’s more a Baja-style taqueria than the typical Californian Mexican restaurant serving dozens of combo plates.
Don’t get me wrong, their menu is filled with items that are part of the traditional Mexican cuisine from many regions. From the famous Oaxacan dish, Mole, to the king of Mexico City street food, Tacos al Pastor, you’ll have lots of yummy choices.
What I like best about Vida is that it’s a great place for breakfast in Redondo Beach. If you enjoy Mexican breakfast food like I do, you’ll want to try the Chilaquiles, Birria Breakfast Burrito, and the Baja Breakfast Tacos. For those with a sweet tooth, dig into the Churro Bubble Waffle!
Address: 1723 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
14. Bettolino Kitchen
Have a hankering for Italian cuisine? A short walk from Riviera Village, Bettolino Kitchen is the answer.
As someone who grew up with an Italian nonna and a mother who inherited her cooking abilities, I am extremely picky about Italian food.
So, I was pleasantly surprised to find such a wonderful Italian restaurant in Redondo Beach. The house-made pasta makes all the difference! I was also pleased to see that they serve Tagliatelle Bolognese, the traditional dish from Bologna, rather than substituting spaghetti for the tagliatelle, like most American-Italian restaurants do.
Their pasta recipes come from all over Italy: Pesto Sauce from Genoa; Carbonara, a traditional dish from Rome; Oxtail Ragù, a Tuscan staple; and Spinach and Ricotta Tortelloni, which I can’t enjoy without reminiscing about all the great reasons to visit Bologna.
I also loved the Crab Arancini served with tomato-cream sauce inspired by Sicilian cuisine. But what’s not to love—Betollino’s meats are all organic, the fish is sustainably sourced, and the desserts are baked fresh in house.
Address: 211 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
15. Blue Salt Fish Grill
Most of the best places to eat in Redondo Beach are in or near the Riviera Village or by the coast. Blue Salt Fish Grill, however, is further north and inland, near the South Bay Galleria. Unfortunately, that and its strip mall location may not leave you with big expectations of fresh seafood—but, luckily, fresh seafood is exactly what you’ll get.
Appetizer highlights revolve around raw and cured fish such as ceviche, ahi poke, and salmon carpaccio. Delicious dishes like these is when you can really tell the fish is fresh.
Blue Salt is also known for their Beer Battered Fish & Chips, and as the restaurant’s name suggests, grilled fish. Choose from a long list of fresh fish and then select your seasoning from an even longer list, and your fish will be grilled to order.
The other surprising thing about this seafood restaurant is that it’s a bargain. Like in much of the South Bay, Redondo Beach food is usually pretty pricey. At Blue Salt Fish Grill, however, very few things are above $20.
Address: 2515 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Bonus: Phanny’s
Because Phanny’s doesn’t have a dine-in restaurant option, I’m adding it as a bonus rather than one of the picks for my Redondo Beach Best Restaurants list. In fact, you don’t even go inside to order, you just walk up to the window.
And while I’m usually not a fan of fast food, I am a fan of Phanny’s. Their huge breakfast burritos are the bomb! Eggs, hash browns, cheese, and salsa make up the base. Then, there are about 15 ways to personalize your burrito with added goodies.
The best part: Breakfast burritos are served all day!
Address: 1021 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Where to Stay When Eating in Redondo Beach
When I lived in Los Angeles County, I visited Redondo Beach often for business meetings, trade shows, and to see friends. The drive took between an hour and an hour and a half. So, to avoid the traffic home, I would spend the night as often as I could.
Recently, I made the trip again and found my favorite hotel in Redondo Beach—the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina.
Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina
The Sonesta offers the perfect combination of comfortable rooms, beautiful views, convenient location, and, of course, delicious food.
The Rooms
Our spacious room had a large armchair and ottoman, a desk (always appreciated), a dresser with TV, and a refrigerator that came in handy for beverages and leftovers.
For us, a comfortable bed is the most important part of any room. And at the Sonesta, we slept so well!
The Views
Most of the rooms have at least a partial view of the ocean or marina across the way from the hotel. With a pool view, you see not only the lovely pool but the marina and Palos Verdes Hills. Our balcony made the views even more enjoyable.
And with views up and down the coast, this is a great place to watch all the fireworks in the area on the Fourth of July!
The Location
Wherever the destination, we love to walk as much as we can and use our car as little as possible. From the Sonesta, the Redondo Pier, King Harbor, and the marina are all right at your disposal.
Riviera Village is a little further, but still eminently walkable if the weather is agreeable. And since this is Southern California, that’s most of the time.
The Food
As we’ve discussed, Sol Restaurant has some of the best food Redondo Beach offers. But the Sonesta Hotel also has another great eatery for a more casual meal.
The Harbor Bar & Bistro is a great place for a Cobb Salad or Turkey Club Sandwich. And their Cucumber Margarita is my favorite drink in the whole city!
As you know, there’s also some pretty scrumptious Redondo food at nearby restaurants to explore too, and the Sonesta’s location makes that easy to do.
Wherever you wind up eating in Redondo Beach, we’d love to hear about it! Let us know in the comments.