Once again Chez Jay’s did not disappoint. If you want a classic old Hollywood style restaurant instead of the newer, glitzy, overpriced places…Chez Jay’s is it. Fun, romantic, funky, excellent menu and great service. We never tire of visiting this landmark. Sebastian, our incredible waiter, has been there some 8 years. The bartender, Jeff, for some 30 years! It’s that kind of place. They now have an outdoor patio, but with the recent rains, it was not open. We actually prefer the inside dining room. Tonight I ordered the shrimp scampi, my husband the steamed clams…both delicious. We split the wedge salad which was totally different, but delicious & quite large. Also split the yummy truffle French fries. They have a wine list plus any cocktail you desire. Too full for dessert. Unfortunately they now charge $2.00 for parking on their lot which was already pretty full at 5:30. Reservations a must. Thank you Chez Jay’s!
Creds Curator
Chez Jay doesn’t introduce itself, it just looks you dead in the eye and dares you to walk in. This little blue shack by the beach has been soaking in stories since the early sixties. The kind of spot where movie stars, sailors, locals, and wanderers all somehow end up elbow-to-elbow over stiff drinks and plates that taste better than they have any right to.
You slide into a booth and the room feels like it hasn’t aged a day. Dim lights, worn wood, the soft chaos of a place that has absolutely nothing to prove. The steaks hit heavy, the seafood hits fresh, and the peanuts on the bar are practically part of the city’s history. And if you stay long enough, the conversations around you start to mix into the atmosphere like smoke in an old jazz club. Walking out, you feel that warm Santa Monica night breeze and it dawns on you, this wasn’t dinner, it was a chapter in the kind of story only a place like Chez Jay knows how to tell.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eileen Doerrer
Location is great. Interior is dive bar great. The service and cocktails were superb. Food was all good, except the famous butter steak. The taste is delicious but it had a lot of gristle. More than half ended up back on the plate. My date got more meat off of his steak. Coulda' shouda' sent it back, but I didn't. Maybe ask, next time, how's the quality tonight or something. I still would go back. Maybe try the filet or seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joe McGowan
Santa Monica landmark since 1959. Great bar. We didn't eat, but the food looked amazing. Very small place, so seating can be a challenge. Great cocktails 🍸
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Stéphane Fillastre
An institution. Can't be missed whilst in Santa Monica...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stewart Given
Always just a fun place to go for a drink and decent food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Emma Belluomo
A local Santa Monica true gem. Everyone should go here!
Reka
Awesome place with great staff, food and atmosphere. Our to go place when visiting LA.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
victoria bartoli
Awesome dive bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charlie Haddrell
Very friendly and attentive waiters. Extremely accommodating. Cool vibe and will be back!
Went here twice during our stay. Went to the back patio. Food was good and the service was fantastic both times. Laid back atmosphere on the patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Laurent Girard
Great happy hour!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Middleoftheroad5
We were looking for a place open on a Monday that also took reservations. This fit the bill. While somewhat expensive overall, this restaurant had more reasonable prices than several others I looked at. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately after mentioning our reservation. The ambience was cozy and somewhat intimate, with a casual feeling. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Our server was friendly and efficient. Everyone enjoyed their food. Street parking was pretty full, so we opted to park in a $15 space in a parking garage about a block away. We would eat here again.
Jane B
The food was amazing we had steaks and chicken following complimentary garlic bread . There is a lot of history and great ambience, although it was a little dark at times eg we had to use torches on our phones to read the menu. Our server was brilliant. Overall would recommend without hesitation
Once again Chez Jay’s did not disappoint. If you want a classic old Hollywood style restaurant instead of the newer, glitzy, overpriced places…Chez Jay’s is it. Fun, romantic, funky, excellent menu and great service. We never tire of visiting this landmark. Sebastian, our incredible waiter, has been there some 8 years. The bartender, Jeff, for some 30 years! It’s that kind of place. They now have an outdoor patio, but with the recent rains, it was not open. We actually prefer the inside dining room. Tonight I ordered the shrimp scampi, my husband the steamed clams…both delicious. We split the wedge salad which was totally different, but delicious & quite large. Also split the yummy truffle French fries. They have a wine list plus any cocktail you desire. Too full for dessert. Unfortunately they now charge $2.00 for parking on their lot which was already pretty full at 5:30. Reservations a must. Thank you Chez Jay’s!
Chez Jay doesn’t introduce itself, it just looks you dead in the eye and dares you to walk in. This little blue shack by the beach has been soaking in stories since the early sixties. The kind of spot where movie stars, sailors, locals, and wanderers all somehow end up elbow-to-elbow over stiff drinks and plates that taste better than they have any right to.
You slide into a booth and the room feels like it hasn’t aged a day. Dim lights, worn wood, the soft chaos of a place that has absolutely nothing to prove. The steaks hit heavy, the seafood hits fresh, and the peanuts on the bar are practically part of the city’s history. And if you stay long enough, the conversations around you start to mix into the atmosphere like smoke in an old jazz club. Walking out, you feel that warm Santa Monica night breeze and it dawns on you, this wasn’t dinner, it was a chapter in the kind of story only a place like Chez Jay knows how to tell.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Location is great. Interior is dive bar great. The service and cocktails were superb. Food was all good, except the famous butter steak. The taste is delicious but it had a lot of gristle. More than half ended up back on the plate. My date got more meat off of his steak. Coulda' shouda' sent it back, but I didn't. Maybe ask, next time, how's the quality tonight or something. I still would go back. Maybe try the filet or seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Santa Monica landmark since 1959. Great bar. We didn't eat, but the food looked amazing. Very small place, so seating can be a challenge. Great cocktails 🍸
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
An institution.
Can't be missed whilst in Santa Monica...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always just a fun place to go for a drink and decent food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
A local Santa Monica true gem. Everyone should go here!
Awesome place with great staff, food and atmosphere. Our to go place when visiting LA.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome dive bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very friendly and attentive waiters. Extremely accommodating. Cool vibe and will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Went here twice during our stay. Went to the back patio. Food was good and the service was fantastic both times. Laid back atmosphere on the patio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great happy hour!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were looking for a place open on a Monday that also took reservations. This fit the bill. While somewhat expensive overall, this restaurant had more reasonable prices than several others I looked at. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately after mentioning our reservation. The ambience was cozy and somewhat intimate, with a casual feeling. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Our server was friendly and efficient. Everyone enjoyed their food. Street parking was pretty full, so we opted to park in a $15 space in a parking garage about a block away. We would eat here again.
The food was amazing we had steaks and chicken following complimentary garlic bread . There is a lot of history and great ambience, although it was a little dark at times eg we had to use torches on our phones to read the menu. Our server was brilliant. Overall would recommend without hesitation
Great burger
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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