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ZipPicks Awards

Best French Fries in Santa Monica Best Seafood in Santa Monica

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

The Albright 8.5
Santa Monica
This seafood-focused pier restaurant elevates their Old Bay-seasoned fries to complement fresh catches. Beer-battered and twice-fried, these golden beauties pair perfectly with their sustainable seafood offerings.
Must-Try Dishes: Old Bay Seasoned Fries, Fish & Chips Platter, Raw Bar Selection
Scores:
Value: 7.6 Service: 8.6 Consistency: 8.3 Food Quality: 8.8 Atmosphere: 8.7 Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Sustainable seafood meets perfectly seasoned fries
Who should go: Seafood lovers seeking pier dining
When to visit: Happy hour for best value
What to order: Fish & chips, Old Bay fries, oysters
Insider tip: Request extra Old Bay seasoning on side
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Pier deck parking $8-15, fills up by noon on weekends. Street parking 10-min walk
Dress code: California casual to smart casual - sundresses and nice shorts work for lunch, step it up for dinner
Noise level: Moderate - outdoor seating can get lively but conversation-friendly
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, especially sunset hours
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min typical, walk-ins usually ok
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 4-5 options including excellent truffle mac, salads, and those Old Bay fries
Vegan options: Limited - 2 modified salads and fries, call ahead for special prep
Gluten-free options: Yes - grilled fish options, dedicated fryer for fries available on request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect for it - romantic pier views, shareable plates, and upscale but not stuffy. Book sunset timing for maximum impact
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch yes, dinner unlikely. Try the bar area for walk-ins or come at 5pm before the sunset rush
Is it kid-friendly? Yes until 8pm - kids menu available, high chairs provided, and pier location keeps them entertained. Gets more date-focused after dark
Best For
Better for: Fresher seafood than other pier spots, actual wine list vs beach beer focus, and those Old Bay fries beat standard boardwalk fare
Skip if: You want cheap eats (try Rusty's instead) or hate seafood smells (it's prominent on the patio)

Hours

Monday11:30am - 8pm
Tuesday11:30am - 8pm
Wednesday11:30am - 8pm
Thursday11:30am - 8pm
Friday11:30am - 8pm
Saturday11am - 8:30pm
Sunday11am - 8:30pm