On the Waterfont Cafe

Okay, so I just realized the bar I wanted to review was the venice bistro, sorry Waterfront cafe. Direct your bad press to Venice Bistro. more

Hello!I recently moved to California, and this has quickly become my favorite place. The staff is wonderful and the food is delicious. My father looks forward to coming to visit me simply to sit in the beer garden! The only time The On the Waterfront Cafe has disappointed me was when I couldn't find a spot in the beer garden! I've met many nice people there and I cant wait to go back! more

I am more than shocked by the positive reviews for the Waterfront's food! 2 years ago my friends and I began a regular Sunday beach day where we spend about 3 hours on the beach before venturing to the boardwalk for a late lunch. The Waterfront is the closest restaurant to where we go (Ocean Park Beach) and we went there about 4 times in a row. Each time all 4 of us have not liked our food, have said ""we have to remember we don't like this place!"" but kept going because they have a great beer selection and the location is ideal, and we're not really picky so we wanted to give it another chance.The final straw was when I ordered the fried fish sandwich, bit into it, and there was actually no fish inside. I bit into oil and beyond crispy breading. When I told the blonde haired waitress she looked annoyed and asked quickly if I wanted something else. I never complain at restaurants and if this were my first time, I definitely would have given it another try, but I've never had a good meal there and that was that for the Waterfront. In fact I now live down the street and my friends and I joke, ""Hey, wanna go to Waterfront for lunch?"" I wish I could buy the place to turn it into a restaurant where the location and drink selection have good food to match. I tried! I see that the owner reads this site: PLEASE HIRE A NEW CHEF!!!!! I really want to like this place, but I want to eat when I go to lunch! Pros: Great location, beer selection Cons: The food makes me want to gag more

A friend of mine introduced me to this terrific Venice cafe/bar. It very much maintains the low-key Euro/beach lifestyle... open doors, pool tables, patio furniture and endless beer. Only a fool would order something other than the Erdinger or Bitburger (both on tap, served by the robust and friendly Swiss Miss behind the counter). Expect to see at least one of each of the following: a dog strapped to the railing outside drinking Fiji water out of a bowl, a long-haired and well-tanned shirtless male carrying a gravity board inside, some well-endowed mamacitas in bikinis and platforms lined up for the ladies' room, and a pierced chick in a hoodie shooting some pool. S'all good. Pros: Erdinger and Bitburger on tap, with an ocean view... say no more! Cons: The prime seating is grabbed up quickly, the homeless panhandle you regularly more

Hi! I am the owner of ""On the Waterfront Cafe"" and I am very sorry to see the review of chrisben337.\r July 3rd was the busiest Monday we ever had in the past 12 years! Also on Monday the Restaurant doesn't open before noon, since it is cleaning day (except holydays). I wonder if chrisben337 got there before noon and out of a courtesy we offered him a seat before we where open. Anyway, I am not looking for excuses, we where understaffed in the beginning of the day, because we had never expected to be so busy. Please feel free to compare our prices with any other Restaurant in the area, we are very competitive! Also do we offer European items you will not find anywhere else. And try to find a 17oz. Happy-Hour European-Draft-Beer for $ 3.00 in town.\r If you want to write me back, please feel free to visit our webpage and send me an e-mail or call me 310-392-0322. Sincerely, Stefan Bachofner\r more

On a not too crowded Monday, we waited 20 minutes and all we saw was the busser. He kept saying the waitress was coming, but she never did. Could be an anomaly, but from the other reviews I'd say not. The food also seemed pretty overpriced for what you got (salads were $10+). After 20+ minutes of waiting we walked out. Enough to turn me off it for good. I'm not picky about restaurants, but if you're going to make me tackle the waitress for my food, you better offer me something I can't get at every other restaurant in Venice. Pros: Location Cons: Everything else... more

I moved to Southern California in 1998 and I discovered this place and I keep coming back. I love the fried Calimari more

I'd have to admit, great food and awesome beers. (I really like their buffalo wings.)However, don't expect to receive a prompt service. Last time I went, the waitress was awful. It took her 20 minutes to bring a menu. If you want to get your drink fast, I recommend you go to the counter and get it yourself. Pros: great food & beers, nice view Cons: bad service more

The is my favorite restaurant anyhwere. It's right on Venice Beach, so it has a great atmosphere. Food is great, so is the service. It's extremely popular, so be prepared of a bit of a line. After eating go poking around Small World Book located next door. more

Did you say happy hour? This place makes it a religious experience. Wash down your day's worries with a back-to-the-beach sunset, culminating in group applause as the last drop of light disappears behind the mountains. Become a regular and it's definitely a place where everyone knows your name. Pros: Come as you are, on the beach, laid back Cons: food more