If you know, you know. Gabi James is such a gem in Riviera Village — an incredible Spanish/European-style restaurant that makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in. From the GM, Victor, to the bar manager, Joe, everyone here takes hospitality to another level. The food, the cocktails, the whole vibe — everything is top tier.
I’m here for brunch right now and honestly wondering why I ever stopped coming since February. Oh wait, that’s right — I live closer to Hermosa! But it’s absolutely worth the drive down PCH. This place just hits different.
Great atmosphere, waitress was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks were great. We were there toward the end of happy hour and dinner. Impressive gin collection. The g&t was very good with the daily featured gin. Food was delicious. We shared the Spanish tortilla which was very good with a generous topping and the meat and cheese board. That was nicely done but could've done with a couple more pieces of items to share. Maybe a small and a medium board offering depending on how many people are sharing. Our friends shared the lamb entree with grilled radicchio and that looked beautiful and they really enjoyed. We share the Halibut which was delicious in a lovely broth. It was a little on the shy side for splitting. The fish came on top of thinly sliced potatoes in the broth. Having a few greens or another oz of fish would have been perfect. I guess we were hungry and it was good! Overall very good!
Jeffrey Abshire
Really pleasant brunch outside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katz
As always, the service was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious! Everyone on the staff was so kind and welcoming. They're also pet-friendly, which we love! More than recommended! 🐾🍽️
Casey
Really enjoyed the food and different flavors. Second time there. Waiter gave good recommendations. Drinks were very good too.
Arman Savar
The food at the restaurant was good, but the owner Adam was extremely rude and unprofessional. I was on the phone speaking to my mother while on her vacation checking in on her, and the owner told me to lower my voice and get off the phone, which made me believe it’s due to me speaking a different language, since the table sitting next to us were just as loud or louder than myself. As a business owner myself I believe this service was unacceptable, and their is no policy were people can’t speak on the phone in a restaurant, especially when their not even being loud. Keep in mind, I was not on the phone for a long-time laughing with a friend, simply checking in with a family member. But regardless of what reason I was on the phone, I have never experienced a restaurant telling me to lower my voice. For example, when me and my group of friends dine other near-by restaurants being quite loud we have never been told by the restaurant to lower it done.
I had to make my very first account to even make this review, and it’s my first time ever writing a review.
Enrique
Nice smaller restaurant with typical Spanish small plates which are easy to share. My only disappointment, and it is a serious one is that for our party of 5, a 20% tip was added to our bill without warning us. Nobody, except for me noticed it. Our group is aged between 79 and 86 years. Not exactly spring chicken. This is dishonest and offensive, somebody should be ashamed. Elderly abuse?
Ardem
The place is great, and the people are great. I typically love the food at this place, this time it was very disappointing. 
RC
Had a late brunch for my fiances birthday. I put in a note when making the reservation to provide a cake, cheesecake or flan at the end with a candle. They brought out a delicious apple caramel custard like bread that tasted so good. I want more!
The manager, Ibelieve his name was Victor, was friendly and helpful. Great service, awesome food. Eggs Benedict were some of the most delicious I've had. The croquettas are yummy! My fiance loved the appetizer.
Tried the Carajillo at Gabi James—espresso and Licor 43 shaken to perfection—and it was amazing! Smooth, bold, and unique. Great service and a relaxing vibe. A must-try if you love cocktails with a kick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janice
We LOVE this restaurant! Excellent food and service. Love the shareable (or not!) dishes! Ask server to recommend top dishes if you've never been.
Seiji
Service: We were seated fairly quickly after arriving for our reservation, but it took about 20 minutes before our server came by. Two tables that arrived after us were helped first, and we were close to leaving before he showed up. Once he did, the service was much better — he was friendly, quick, and attentive, so it seemed like we were just missed in the rotation at the start. I also noticed that some tables received what looked like complimentary potato chips shortly after being seated. Since it was my first time here, I wasn't sure if this was standard, but we didn't receive any. Not a major issue, just something I observed. When the paella was served by another staff member, he asked if we wanted new plates. We politely declined, but he asked again, and when we declined a second time, he shrugged, said some thing, and walked away in a way that came across as annoyed. If new plates are expected, it would be easier if the restaurant just brought them out, which our server did shortly after. Food: We ordered the salad, calamari, bacon-wrapped dates, and paella. The food came out fairly quickly overall, with the exception of the paella, which was expected to take longer. Everything was flavorful and enjoyable. The paella itself was good, but it was missing the crispy crust on the bottom that I've had at other restaurants. Overall: The food was very good, and once service got going, it was fine. However, the long initial wait, the difference in how some tables were treated, and a couple of awkward service moments made the experience feel inconsistent.
Patti
Service was slow. Strange because it was 8pm and the restaurant was clearing out. Food was mostly good and I loved the vibe.
Mayra
For us, tapas meal is a favorite dinner experience. From the carajillo cocktail, the eggplant fries with aioli, the perfect calamari and gambas with ajillos to a dessert of custard with peaches and berries, we enjoyed it all! Can't wait to go back and give a whole different group of tapas a try.
If you know, you know. Gabi James is such a gem in Riviera Village — an incredible Spanish/European-style restaurant that makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in. From the GM, Victor, to the bar manager, Joe, everyone here takes hospitality to another level. The food, the cocktails, the whole vibe — everything is top tier.
I’m here for brunch right now and honestly wondering why I ever stopped coming since February. Oh wait, that’s right — I live closer to Hermosa! But it’s absolutely worth the drive down PCH. This place just hits different.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Croquettes, Skirt Steak
Awesome place!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, waitress was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks were great. We were there toward the end of happy hour and dinner. Impressive gin collection. The g&t was very good with the daily featured gin. Food was delicious. We shared the Spanish tortilla which was very good with a generous topping and the meat and cheese board. That was nicely done but could've done with a couple more pieces of items to share. Maybe a small and a medium board offering depending on how many people are sharing. Our friends shared the lamb entree with grilled radicchio and that looked beautiful and they really enjoyed. We share the Halibut which was delicious in a lovely broth. It was a little on the shy side for splitting. The fish came on top of thinly sliced potatoes in the broth. Having a few greens or another oz of fish would have been perfect. I guess we were hungry and it was good! Overall very good!
Really pleasant brunch outside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As always, the service was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious! Everyone on the staff was so kind and welcoming. They're also pet-friendly, which we love! More than recommended! 🐾🍽️
Really enjoyed the food and different flavors. Second time there. Waiter gave good recommendations. Drinks were very good too.
The food at the restaurant was good, but the owner Adam was extremely rude and unprofessional. I was on the phone speaking to my mother while on her vacation checking in on her, and the owner told me to lower my voice and get off the phone, which made me believe it’s due to me speaking a different language, since the table sitting next to us were just as loud or louder than myself. As a business owner myself I believe this service was unacceptable, and their is no policy were people can’t speak on the phone in a restaurant, especially when their not even being loud. Keep in mind, I was not on the phone for a long-time laughing with a friend, simply checking in with a family member. But regardless of what reason I was on the phone, I have never experienced a restaurant telling me to lower my voice. For example, when me and my group of friends dine other near-by restaurants being quite loud we have never been told by the restaurant to lower it done.
I had to make my very first account to even make this review, and it’s my first time ever writing a review.
Nice smaller restaurant with typical Spanish small plates which are easy to share. My only disappointment, and it is a serious one is that for our party of 5, a 20% tip was added to our bill without warning us. Nobody, except for me noticed it. Our group is aged between 79 and 86 years. Not exactly spring chicken. This is dishonest and offensive, somebody should be ashamed. Elderly abuse?
The place is great, and the people are great. I typically love the food at this place, this time it was very disappointing. 
Had a late brunch for my fiances birthday. I put in a note when making the reservation to provide a cake, cheesecake or flan at the end with a candle. They brought out a delicious apple caramel custard like bread that tasted so good. I want more!
The manager, Ibelieve his name was Victor, was friendly and helpful. Great service, awesome food. Eggs Benedict were some of the most delicious I've had. The croquettas are yummy! My fiance loved the appetizer.
I plan on going back for a meal soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Tried the Carajillo at Gabi James—espresso and Licor 43 shaken to perfection—and it was amazing! Smooth, bold, and unique. Great service and a relaxing vibe. A must-try if you love cocktails with a kick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We LOVE this restaurant! Excellent food and service. Love the shareable (or not!) dishes! Ask server to recommend top dishes if you've never been.
Service: We were seated fairly quickly after arriving for our reservation, but it took about 20 minutes before our server came by. Two tables that arrived after us were helped first, and we were close to leaving before he showed up. Once he did, the service was much better — he was friendly, quick, and attentive, so it seemed like we were just missed in the rotation at the start. I also noticed that some tables received what looked like complimentary potato chips shortly after being seated. Since it was my first time here, I wasn't sure if this was standard, but we didn't receive any. Not a major issue, just something I observed. When the paella was served by another staff member, he asked if we wanted new plates. We politely declined, but he asked again, and when we declined a second time, he shrugged, said some thing, and walked away in a way that came across as annoyed. If new plates are expected, it would be easier if the restaurant just brought them out, which our server did shortly after. Food: We ordered the salad, calamari, bacon-wrapped dates, and paella. The food came out fairly quickly overall, with the exception of the paella, which was expected to take longer. Everything was flavorful and enjoyable. The paella itself was good, but it was missing the crispy crust on the bottom that I've had at other restaurants. Overall: The food was very good, and once service got going, it was fine. However, the long initial wait, the difference in how some tables were treated, and a couple of awkward service moments made the experience feel inconsistent.
Service was slow. Strange because it was 8pm and the restaurant was clearing out. Food was mostly good and I loved the vibe.
For us, tapas meal is a favorite dinner experience. From the carajillo cocktail, the eggplant fries with aioli, the perfect calamari and gambas with ajillos to a dessert of custard with peaches and berries, we enjoyed it all! Can't wait to go back and give a whole different group of tapas a try.
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