7/26/2021

Since we drove pretty far to get to Malibu for the Getty Villa Museum, we decided to make the most out of our “Malibu day”. Craving seafood, we took to Yelp to point us in the right direction. Upon typing in seafood, and filtering the list by “most reviewed” we stumbled across this hole-in-the-wall joint right on Pacific Coast Highway. I present to you, with 2,800 reviews and a 4-star rating, Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe.

The joint was founded in 1972 and has since been owned and operated by commercial fishermen. Within the restaurant they also have a small fish market, displaying only the highest quality fresh fillets and shellfish.

Things to Consider Before Your Trip

Reservations:

It’s a super casual joint, obviously no reservations are needed. Their website does mention that if you’re short on time, you can give them a call to prepare a to-go order for pick-up. I will say that on the weekends especially, there are long lines. It took us about 30 minutes from the time we got in line, to when we ordered at the cashier.

Attire:

Sunny Southern California weather, beachy vibes, and a nice sea-breeze! Soak up the sun in some shorts and a tee!

Parking:

Potentially the only downside to this place. On weekends, parking is an absolute nightmare. The lot is fairly big for this small joint, but it’s often so packed that you have to circle around a few times before any spots open up. You could also find street parking, but I wasn’t about to walk a mile just to eat there.

Location:

Located right on the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. You can literally cross the street, head down a small slope, and catch some waves. The exact address is 25653 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265.

The Best Fish & Chips on the California Coast

And I’m not kidding.

Order:

1. 2 Piece Fish & Fries ($14.95) - The fish & chips are the most popular dish at this joint, and it’s not hard to see why. Light, crispy, fried to perfection. What I loved about this dish was that it wasn’t all batter. There was a large piece of fresh Alaskan cod under a thin layer of crispy goodness. The fried fish wasn’t soaked and glistening with oil either, so I didn’t feel like a total saucepan after the meal. The pieces themselves were fairly large, and I was decently full with just 1 fish stick and half the tray of fries (I split this dish with my girlfriend, because we were using it as a post-Getty Villa Museum snack, before our main dinner). Their famous tartar sauce and ketchup were included as side dishes.

Notable mentions include their clam chowder (second most popular item on the menu) and fish tacos. If I’m ever in Malibu again, I wonder how their chowder stacks up against The Original Fish Company’s New England clam chowder (check out my review on The Original Fish Company here, where I claim them to have the absolute BEST clam chowder in Southern California).

Seating is all outdoors in covered and uncovered patios. The views you get from their dining patios are stunning. Remember, it’s right on PCH so you get an excellent view of the ocean and can even hear waves crashing on the shores from your seating.

The Verdict

Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Café is the quintessential beach joint. Grab some fresh seafood from their café at a reasonable price, and get unparalleled ocean views from their dining patios. After your meal, walk across the street and enjoy the beach - you’re literally only steps away. If you’re ever in Malibu, I highly recommend checking out this casual joint.

Kha’s Official Rating: 8/10