Nice waiters. Great food. The avocado toast was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
emoniFela
I never even made it inside The Whaler—and that says everything.
As a new neighbor who just moved next door, I was genuinely excited to stop by for the first time. My partner and I had just come from a lovely dinner at BOA Steakhouse, and I thought The Whaler might become one of our go-to spots. Sadly, that will never happen.
The experience at the door was not only unwelcoming—it was downright demeaning. Without so much as a hello, the security guard (man bun/ponytail) looked me up and down and immediately asked, “How much have you had to drink?” Not “Good evening.” Not “Welcome in.” Nothing remotely respectful.
For context, I am a grown woman in my 30s. My partner, a respected media professional in his 50s, and I barely drink—we certainly weren’t stumbling or causing a scene. We were dressed nicely, carrying leftovers from dinner, clearly on a quiet date night.
The only time the guard’s energy shifted was when other patrons recognized my partner. That sudden shift in tone was telling—and frankly, gross. It felt performative and opportunistic.
As a Black woman, and the only black person in vicinity, the entire exchange felt steeped in bias and prejudice. I was uncomfortable. I was embarrassed. I was deeply disappointed. We eat out several times a week and frequent many venues in the area. I’ve never been spoken to or treated so indignantly simply for trying to enter an establishment.
It’s clear that power has gone to the wrong person’s head at the front door of this place. The Whaler has lost a potential regular—permanently.
Eliam Carter
Truly outstanding quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gianni George (Truthtella)
Very well deserved one star. Soulless and stagnant.
Mindi Garcia
The food was great, but service was slow. We probably sat for 15 minutes before being greeted. The margarita left a bit to be desired, but the burger and lobster mac and cheese were solid choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
MeMe Redman
Absolutely delicious sea food oriented menu. It was prepared SO fast, and was amazing: Oysters on a half shell Clam Chowder Fish N Chips
The service was so kind and amazing. Thank you so much, too everyone working!!! 🖖✌️🎉❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tirtha Nanesha
lovely place, rede was so helpful ! 🩷xoxo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Sharpe
Stopped in with friends on a sunny afternoon and ended up staying a few hours. Very friendly wait staff and a great place to people watch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Arthur Jacquot
Very Nice place to start the nice on Santa Monica LA. The restaurant is right on the beach front on the ocean drive. Great place!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ray Tisdale
Loved erthing about the place...food, drink, atmosphere loved it all
Fun bar. Decent fish tacos. It's across from the beach.
Zachary Anderson
While the food was good escpecially the clam chowder, the DJ and service absolutely ruined the experience for me and the other guests with me. Music was horrendously loud for indoor seating and server had a relatively sassy attitude towards us. Personally would not recommend this restaurant over others in the area. Also, good luck if you are in a quarter mile of vicinity of the restaurant because they keep their music that loud far into the night.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Chris Overton
Good food, good drinks, and service. Was seated by the nice host. A waitress immediately came to check on me. Will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Bailey
We went in the afternoon for lunch. It’s close enough to the beach for a nice view, but not close to consider it beachfront. The food was excellently prepared, well seasoned, and tasted great. Everyone got something different and everyone enjoyed their meal. The server was very friendly and attentive. The IPA battered cod sandwich was fantastic. It was fried perfectly and the slaw, tartar sauce, and pickle complimented the fish well. My wife had the fish tacos and loved them. I had a slice of my daughter’s pepperoni pizza and it was pretty good for a place that’s not a pizzeria. The spicy tuna on crispy rice was excellent. We will definitely eat here again.
Nice waiters. Great food.
The avocado toast was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I never even made it inside The Whaler—and that says everything.
As a new neighbor who just moved next door, I was genuinely excited to stop by for the first time. My partner and I had just come from a lovely dinner at BOA Steakhouse, and I thought The Whaler might become one of our go-to spots. Sadly, that will never happen.
The experience at the door was not only unwelcoming—it was downright demeaning. Without so much as a hello, the security guard (man bun/ponytail) looked me up and down and immediately asked, “How much have you had to drink?” Not “Good evening.” Not “Welcome in.” Nothing remotely respectful.
For context, I am a grown woman in my 30s. My partner, a respected media professional in his 50s, and I barely drink—we certainly weren’t stumbling or causing a scene. We were dressed nicely, carrying leftovers from dinner, clearly on a quiet date night.
The only time the guard’s energy shifted was when other patrons recognized my partner. That sudden shift in tone was telling—and frankly, gross. It felt performative and opportunistic.
As a Black woman, and the only black person in vicinity, the entire exchange felt steeped in bias and prejudice. I was uncomfortable. I was embarrassed. I was deeply disappointed. We eat out several times a week and frequent many venues in the area. I’ve never been spoken to or treated so indignantly simply for trying to enter an establishment.
It’s clear that power has gone to the wrong person’s head at the front door of this place. The Whaler has lost a potential regular—permanently.
Truly outstanding quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very well deserved one star. Soulless and stagnant.
The food was great, but service was slow. We probably sat for 15 minutes before being greeted. The margarita left a bit to be desired, but the burger and lobster mac and cheese were solid choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Absolutely delicious sea food oriented menu. It was prepared SO fast, and was amazing:
Oysters on a half shell
Clam Chowder
Fish N Chips
The service was so kind and amazing. Thank you so much, too everyone working!!! 🖖✌️🎉❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lovely place, rede was so helpful ! 🩷xoxo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in with friends on a sunny afternoon and ended up staying a few hours. Very friendly wait staff and a great place to people watch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very Nice place to start the nice on Santa Monica LA.
The restaurant is right on the beach front on the ocean drive.
Great place!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Loved erthing about the place...food, drink, atmosphere loved it all
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Fun bar. Decent fish tacos. It's across from the beach.
While the food was good escpecially the clam chowder, the DJ and service absolutely ruined the experience for me and the other guests with me. Music was horrendously loud for indoor seating and server had a relatively sassy attitude towards us. Personally would not recommend this restaurant over others in the area. Also, good luck if you are in a quarter mile of vicinity of the restaurant because they keep their music that loud far into the night.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Good food, good drinks, and service. Was seated by the nice host. A waitress immediately came to check on me. Will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went in the afternoon for lunch. It’s close enough to the beach for a nice view, but not close to consider it beachfront. The food was excellently prepared, well seasoned, and tasted great. Everyone got something different and everyone enjoyed their meal. The server was very friendly and attentive. The IPA battered cod sandwich was fantastic. It was fried perfectly and the slaw, tartar sauce, and pickle complimented the fish well. My wife had the fish tacos and loved them. I had a slice of my daughter’s pepperoni pizza and it was pretty good for a place that’s not a pizzeria. The spicy tuna on crispy rice was excellent. We will definitely eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful breakfast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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