01
Best overall pick
SALT Restaurant & Bar
Bali Way Waterfront • Modern Californian Restaurant • Waterfront All-Rounder
A polished yet relaxed marina-side spot for Cal-coastal dishes, cocktails, and sunset views.
Set inside the Marina del Rey Hotel, SALT leans into the harbor setting with floor-to-ceiling windows and a roomy outdoor deck just above the docks. The menu runs from bright crudos and market fish to shareable small plates and a solid burger, so it works as well for a laid-back lunch as it does for a dressed-up dinner. It is the kind of place locals bring out-of-town guests when they want to show off the marina without feeling stuffy.
02
Spicy seafood staple
Killer Shrimp
Marina Beach Side • Casual Seafood Spot • Local Comfort-Food Favorite
A no-frills harborfront hangout known for its signature spicy shrimp broth and generous portions.
Killer Shrimp is built around one thing done very well: a secret-recipe, slow-simmered broth piled high with shrimp, served with bread, rice, or pasta to soak it all up. The dining room and patio are casual, with views of the water and a steady buzz from groups sharing baskets and cocktails. It is ideal when you want something bold, messy, and satisfying after a beach day or an evening paddle on the marina.
03
Retro date-night pick
Dear Jane's
Panay Way Harborfront • Retro-Inspired Seafood Supper Club • Best For Classic Seafood And Cocktails
A nostalgic, midcentury-leaning seafood restaurant with strong martinis and sweeping marina views.
Dear Jane’s feels like a love letter to old-school coastal dining, with banquettes, wood paneling, and a menu full of classics like crab cakes, oysters, and rich seafood platters. The bar takes its cocktails seriously, which pairs well with the throwback soundtrack and slow-sinking sun over the slips outside. It is a natural pick for a slightly dressier night out, without losing the easygoing marina vibe.
04
Special-occasion standby
Cafe Del Rey
Mindanao Way Marina View • Upscale Mediterranean-Leaning Dining Room • Fine Dining Choice
A longtime marina institution offering refined seafood and Mediterranean-leaning plates with white-tablecloth service.
Cafe Del Rey has been anchoring the harbor dining scene for years, drawing both business lunches and anniversaries with its calm, low-lit room and panoramic window line. The kitchen leans on seasonal produce, local fish, and polished presentations that still feel generous rather than fussy. If you want a dependable, slightly formal spot where the staff knows how to pace a three-course meal, this is it.
05
Lively Italian option
Scopa Italian Roots
Washington Boulevard Corridor • Bustling Italian-American Trattoria • Group-Friendly Hotspot
A high-energy Italian-American spot just inland from the marina, with big-flavor pastas and a serious bar program.
A short drive up Washington brings you to Scopa, where the room is loud, the lighting is flattering, and the food comes out family-style if you want it to. Expect crisp arancini, oversized salads, hearty pastas, and a strong lineup of classic and creative cocktails. It is a smart move for groups who want something more urban-feeling than the waterfront, while still staying very close to Marina del Rey.