What’s a weekend (or longer) away without great food? For what is, in its way, a small town, Malibu punches well above its weight when it comes to its culinary scene. Its location guarantees world-class seafood, of course, but there are plenty of cuisines available among the best restaurants Malibu has to offer. Whether it’s Malibu restaurants with a view, with a show, or with an expansive menu that you seek, we’ve got them here.

The exterior/patio of Carbon Beach Club over looking the ocean at Malibu Beach Inn making it one of the best places to eat in Malibu.

Carbon Beach Club – We may be biased, yes. But when it comes to Malibu restaurants on the water, it’s hard to beat the Inn’s resident eatery, especially its patio. A favorite for relaxed, elegant dining, Carbon Beach Club has earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for ten consecutive years for its wine list; that level of quality can be found up and down the menu as well, from a breakfast omelet to salmon at dinner. And while every seat at Carbon has a great view, there is something special about enjoying a glass of wine while watching the tide from the restaurant’s outdoor deck.

Malibu Seafood – You know you’ve stumbled across a Malibu local favorite when you see the line outside of this unassuming eatery. On weekends, bring your patience, but you’ll be rewarded with the freshest fish, just eight miles west on the Pacific Coast Highway from the Inn’s front doors. Head to the café side and grab a fresh-grilled seafood plate – squid, mahi mahi, scallops, ahi, this stand has them all. And it wouldn’t be a roadside seafood stand without a patio and a knockout view; sunsets here are particularly beautiful.

Lucky’s – The Calabasas steakhouse and celebrity haunt opened a Malibu outpost during the pandemic in the former space of dearly departed contemporary Chinese eatery Mr. Chow at the Malibu Country Mart, less than a mile from the Inn. While Lucky’s may not have brought its West Valley A-list clientele with it, it did bring a classic steakhouse menu, with filet mignon, baby back ribs, and a 28-ounce showstopper of a porterhouse. Pro tip: Missing Mr. Chow’s? The lunchtime Old School Chinese Shredded Chicken Salad will help scratch that itch a little.

Squeezing a lemon onto a fresh oyster at the best restaurants Malibu has to offer
Photo via Envato

Broad Street Oyster Company – That “other” coast gets its due at this Malibu Village seafood haven which specializes in the lobster roll, an Eastern seaboard favorite. The mini-chain now has a few locations in Southern California, but the Malibu post, hidden in the back of the Malibu Village Mall just a mile from the Inn, is the original; it even has a neighboring coffee shop, with ice cream for dessert. The roll makes a great walk-and-eat meal: pick one up, cross the PCH, and find a table with a view at Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

Clark’s Oyster Bar – One of the newest additions to Malibu’s dining scene, the Texas mini-chain set up its third California outlet in early November at Cross Creek Ranch, less than a mile from Malibu Beach Inn. The titular oysters go great with any of the entries on the restaurant’s martini menu or a bottle from the extensive chardonnay selection, but you can’t leave without trying the eatery’s lobster roll, with lemon mayo and a heaping portion of the headlining crustacean. Try to grab a spot on the patio for maximum Malibu vibes.

Taverna Tony restaurant interior
Photo courtesy of Taverna Tony

Taverna Tony – In Malibu for the weekend? Taverna Tony has great Greek food on tap every day of the week, but its weekends stand out, with live music and belly dancing on offer. Tucked inside the Malibu County Mart, less than a mile from Malibu Beach Inn, Tony has been a staple of Malibu star-watching, with celebs like Kourtney Kardashian and Kate Hudson dining here. But the food is more impressive than the guest list, and the dinner-and-a-show vibe of weekend evenings turns the restaurant into a party.

The Sunset – Located right across from Zuma Beach (and about nine miles from Malibu Beach Inn), The Sunset is a locals’ favorite. The seafood-heavy, Mediterranean-inspired menu features a little something for everyone, including “turf” items like skirt steak and a wagyu beef burger to compliment the sea fare. (Pro tip: the grilled octopus appetizer, with a cannellini bean mousse, is a must-order dish) It can get busy around sunset, but the restaurant is good enough to warrant a visit during off-peak hours, too.

In all, the best restaurants Malibu has to offer cover a wide range of cuisines, styles, and vibes. While spending a weekend away at Malibu Beach Inn, you’ll be able to scratch any culinary itch you may have.