Recent social media posts
10/10/2026
Celebrate the opening of Spiny Lobster season with us!
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife opened the 2026 California Spiny Lobster Season this week, and our fishing partners hand-delivered their first catches of the season to King's Seafood Distribution.
Join us and check out live 'Spinys' in our saltwater tanks at all Water Grill locations.
10/10/2026
The Bluefin are staying local. So are we.
El Niño has brought unseasonably warm waters to the Southern California coast this autumn, extending Bluefin Tuna’s presence near the Channel Islands. Their delayed migration south offers an exceptional opportunity to savor this prized local catch.
10/10/2026
A remarkable catch from the California coast!
El Niño has brought unseasonably warm waters to the Southern California coast this autumn, extending Bluefin Tuna’s presence near the Channel Islands. Their delayed migration south offers an exceptional opportunity to savor this prized local catch.
09/24/2026
Take your seat, We’ll take the helm.
Book your Private Dining holiday event at Water Grill by October 15 and choose your perk:
- A complimentary Prosecco toast for your celebration or
- A $100 Holiday Host Gift Card for the planner who made it all happen.
Holiday events must take place November 27–December 30.
Inquire about Private Dining at the link in our bio.
09/24/2026
Take your seat, We’ll take the helm.
Book your Private Dining holiday event at Water Grill by October 15 and choose your perk:
- A complimentary Prosecco toast for your celebration or
- A $100 Holiday Host Gift Card for the planner who made it all happen.
Holiday events must take place November 27–December 30.
Inquire about Private Dining at the link in our bio.
08/29/2026
Discover a space where private dining feels like anything but ordinary.
Water Grill's private dining rooms offer an elevated setting for every occasion; from business dinners and intimate gatherings to milestone celebrations.
📍 Featured Locations:
Photos 1–3: Denver, CO
Photo 4: Santa Monica, CA
Photos 5–8: South Coast Plaza in Orange County, CA
Photo 9: Las Vegas, NV
Photo 10: San Diego, CA
Ready to start planning your next event? Explore private dining at Water Grill.
08/29/2026
Discover a space where private dining feels like anything but ordinary.
Water Grill's private dining rooms offer an elevated setting for every occasion; from business dinners and intimate gatherings to milestone celebrations.
📍 Featured Locations:
Photos 1–3: Denver, CO
Photo 4: Santa Monica, CA
Photos 5–8: South Coast Plaza in Orange County, CA
Photo 9: Las Vegas, NV
Photo 10: San Diego, CA
Ready to start planning your next event? Explore private dining at Water Grill.
08/03/2026
Celebrate National Oyster Day with $2 Select Oysters and $9 Mionetto Prosecco at Water Grill.
06/05/2026
For the dads who lead with strength, love without limits, and hold us up on their shoulders when we need it, we dedicate this Father's Day to them.
Join us for Father’s Day, June 21, and give Dad a seafood experience he won’t forget. Make your reservtion today, linked in our bio.
06/04/2026
Reeling in the flavor! 🐟✨ Tell us in the comments, what’s your must-have meal when you visit?
06/01/2026
Up close and personal. 🐟🥢 Do you prefer poke as an appetizer or a full meal?
05/27/2026
Start your meal the right way. 🦀✨ Are you making our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake an appetizer or going bold and ordering it as your entrée?
05/23/2026
California White Seabass has returned. For the first weekend back, try it with our rustic ratatouille featuring Japanese eggplant, bell peppers, garlic emulsion and basil oil, now on the menu.
Visit us and experience one of the season’s most anticipated catches while it lasts✨🐟
10/08/2025
🦞 Santa Monica, the Spiny Lobsters are in! Pulled straight from the waters off Southern California, these prized tails are a local favorite.
Reserve now → https://bit.ly/SpinySM
05/06/2025
Banana + chocolate = a surefire way to end your meal. Should we save one for you?🍌🍫
04/30/2025
The kind of meal you roll up your sleeves for. Who's ready to get crackin'? 🦀
04/23/2025
Wild Pacific Halibut is on the menu. You in? 🐟🍴
Address
1401 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA
90401
Located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, the seafood restaurant and bar & grill is easily accessible by both public transport and car. Visitors can take the Metro Expo Line train to Downtown Santa Monica Station followed by a 10-minute walk towards Ocean Avenue. Alternatively, bus lines 2, 8, 9, or 18 will also take them close to the venue.
If traveling by car, visitors can take I-10 West towards Santa Monica and exit at Fourth Street. Turn left onto Fourth Street followed by a right onto Pico Boulevard then a left onto Ocean Avenue where they can find street parking or park in the nearby parking lots.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
11am - 10pm |
| Tuesday |
11am - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
11am - 10pm |
| Thursday |
11am - 10pm |
| Friday |
11am - 10pm |
| Saturday |
11am - 10pm |
| Sunday |
11am - 10pm |
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Water Grill Santa Monica posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Water Grill Santa Monica:
What people say
Recent reviews of the seafood restaurant and bar & grill "Water Grill" on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica have been mixed.
In a review published in the LA Times in March 2021, food critic Bill Addison stated that "Water Grill continues to rank as one of the city's top destinations for fresh seafood." He praised the restaurant's impressive selection of oysters, sushi rolls, and grilled fish dishes. Additionally, Addison remarked that the restaurant's social-distancing protocols made him feel safe while dining indoors.
However, a more recent review from Eater LA (June 2021) criticized Water Grill for its high prices and inconsistent quality. The reviewer noted that some dishes were excellent, while others fell short of expectations. The writer also expressed dissatisfaction with the service they received from their server.
Online customer reviews echoed these mixed sentiments. One Yelp user wrote in June 2021 that their meal at Water Grill was "flawless," praising the quality of ingredients and attention to detail from the kitchen staff. Another Yelp user from May 2021 was less satisfied, remarking that their dishes were "overpriced" and that they had experienced long wait times for both drinks and food.
Overall, it seems that opinions on Water Grill are somewhat divided. While some diners appreciate its selection of fresh seafood and attentive service, others have been put off by high prices or inconsistent quality.
