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Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
$$ · American

301 Santa Monica Pier, Building 9, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 393-0458
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Family Friendly American in Santa Monica Best BBQ Ribs 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

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 7.6
Santa Monica
Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Birthday & Celebration Central Group Dining Gatherings
Forrest Gump-themed seafood restaurant offering Southern comfort food with ocean views and movie memorabilia. The interactive service style and kids menu make it a tourist-friendly family destination on the pier.
Must-Try Dishes: Shrimper's Heaven Platter, Run Across America Sampler, Lieutenant Dan's Drunken Shrimp
Scores:
Value: 7.2 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 7.9 Food Quality: 7.4 Atmosphere: 8 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Movie-themed dining with Pacific Ocean backdrop
Who should go: Families with kids who love themed restaurants
When to visit: Late afternoon for sunset ocean views
What to order: Shrimp platters, fish & chips, hush puppies
Insider tip: Ask for trivia cards to entertain kids
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Pier parking decks $8-15, fills up by noon on weekends. Street meters 2-hour max
Dress code: Tourist casual - shorts, flip-flops, beach attire all common
Noise level: Loud - themed announcements, birthday celebrations, pier crowds
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, especially summer
Weekday lunch: 15-30 min typically, walk-ins usually ok
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - salads, pasta, veggie burgers available
Vegan options: Very limited - mainly salads with modifications
Gluten-free options: Some options marked on menu, grilled fish available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal - too loud and kitschy. Better for established couples who enjoy tourist spots or families
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes, but expect 30+ min waits on weekends. Bar seating sometimes available faster
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - kids menu, movie trivia, high chairs, and staff used to energetic children. Perfect for ages 4-12
Best For
Better for: Ocean views while dining, entertaining kids with movie theme, large group accommodations
Skip if: You want authentic seafood, intimate dining, or local non-touristy experience

Hours

Monday10:30am - 10pm
Tuesday10:30am - 10pm
Wednesday10:30am - 10pm
Thursday10:30am - 10pm
Friday10:30am - 11pm
Saturday10:30am - 11pm
Sunday10:30am - 10pm