01
Best oceanfront pick
The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar
By Seal Beach Pier • Beachfront American Restaurant • Best For Views And Brunch
Casual, lively, and right across from the pier, The Hangout is the go-to spot for seaside breakfasts, burgers, and cocktails with a view.
Grab a patio table facing the water and lean into the beach-town pace with a long brunch or sunset happy hour. The menu covers SoCal comfort food staples, from big breakfasts to seafood plates and burgers, without feeling tourist-trap heavy. It’s the kind of place where you can roll in sandy from the beach and still feel taken care of.
02
Best for cocktails and date night
320 Main
Main Street • Cocktail-Driven New American Spot • Date-Night Pick
A cozy, dimly lit dining room and a serious cocktail program make 320 Main Seal Beach’s most refined yet approachable night-out choice.
Known across the region for meticulously crafted drinks, 320 Main pairs its bar program with polished New American comfort food. The room feels intimate without being stuffy, ideal for a low-key date or catching up with friends over a proper old fashioned. Sit at the bar if you want to watch the bartenders work; book a table if you’re planning a full dinner.
03
Best classic steakhouse
Patty's Place
Old Town • Classic Steakhouse And Lounge • Old-School Splurge
Patty’s Place is a dark-wood, white-tablecloth steakhouse where locals go for stiff drinks, prime cuts, and a throwback supper-club vibe.
If you want the kind of night that feels a little dressed up, this is the room—strong martinis, generous pours, and steakhouse staples done properly. Regulars treat it as a spot for anniversaries, business dinners, and long conversations in a leather booth. It’s decidedly un-rushed, so plan to settle in and make an evening of it.
04
Best neighborhood hangout
The Abbey
Main Street • Lively Neighborhood Gastropub • Casual Group Hangout
The Abbey is a friendly Main Street pub with craft beer, upgraded bar food, and a buzzy but unpretentious local crowd.
This is where Seal Beach residents wind down after work, catch a game, or meet friends before wandering down to the pier. The menu leans into hearty comfort—pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and a few rotating specials—backed by a solid tap list. It’s an easy choice when you need something that will keep everyone in the group happy without much planning.
05
Best special-occasion spot
Spaghettini Italian Grill & Lounge
Near I-405 & Seal Beach Blvd • Upscale Italian Grill And Jazz Lounge • Special-Occasion Favorite
Spaghettini pairs polished Italian-leaning dishes with a sleek lounge and live jazz, drawing both locals and destination diners.
Tucked just inland off the freeway, Spaghettini feels more like a destination restaurant than a neighborhood joint, in the best way. The kitchen turns out polished pastas, seafood, and grilled mains, while the lounge side hosts well-produced live music nights. It’s the spot people book when family is in town or there’s something worth raising a glass to.