Malibu breakfast with a view
 

Where is a good place to get breakfast with a view in Malibu? Has anyone tried Gladstone's for breakfast?

Gladstones is not in Malibu. Its at the end of Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades. We used to order their fantastic bran muffins and take them home with us to N. Calif. Sounds weird but they were good! It is on the ocean and you will have an ocean view. Personally I like Marmalade Cafe on Montana ave. in Santa Monica, but its not on the ocean. I don't know what is in Malibu...probably not much on the ocean..lots of expensive and tacky houses line most of the ocean front, and few restaurants as I recall.

"Hideaway Cafe is also a good pick with excellent views."

This was recommended on your other post and it has commanding ocean views from up on a bluff. Also has yummy food. We have had breakfast there twice and it was really nice.

Gladstone's is your typical chain/mass produced/"attack" the table and make sure you are out in an hour or less type of a restaurant, but there must be something other to it that I do not understand, since it is always busy.

If your budget is not too limited and, if you are thinking in terms of a Sunday Brunch, think Geoffrey's in Malibu. It is high above the water, so there are some views, and attentive service and a pretty good selection of food.

Anna

Sorry I didn't specify that Gladstones was in Pacific Palisades rather than Malibu, but that's the way it is listed in some guidebooks, and I'm not from LA.

I'll be staying in Santa Monica but going to the Getty Villa one morning, and Pacific Palisades is on the way.

I'd prefer going to Gladstones for breakfast rather than for dinner because we can enjoy the ocean more in the morning.

But that brings me back to the original question -- is it any good for breakfast?

The Hideaway Cafe at the Malibu Country Inn is pretty good for breakfast. At Zuma Beach at the north end of the Malibu stretch, so some distance from the SM end. http://www.malibucountryinn.com

Gladstone's location is certainly excellent, they can still pack people in with so-so food.

Some people like Patrick's at PCH and Santa Monica Canyon, but the view is only of traffic.

One thing to keep in mind that the entrance to the Getty Villa is from northbound PCH only. If you go past it and up into Malibu for breakfast, when you go back south to the Villa you'll have to pass it and make a U (at a signal!) on PCH. Can be done, but a bit of a chore. Gladstone's is before the Villa so you can enter no problem.

There are a couple of restaurants on the Santa Monica pier that might be good...

I'd skip Gladstones. Nothing special about it-- average food and environment. However, I'd highly, highly recommend Geoffrey's a little further up PCH. It's a lovely and memorable restaurant. You'll have great ocean views from the patio. The last time I had brunch there we saw dolphins jumping in the ocean throughout our meal. And the food... delicious! www.geoffreysmalibu.com

Gladstones is the only restaurant that is any where close to the Getty. We're not talking gourmet meal here..but convenient, yes. As I said before, their Bran/pineapple muffins are really good..... Save Geoffreys for when you have time to drive to the North end of Malibu and can linger over a meal.. make it lunch or dinner...

i'm surprised no one mentioned moonshadows(?), it's on the beach and in malibu, don't they serve breakfast? are they that bad or is it not open anymore? i've had the lox and bagel at gladstones, it was good but i didn't think the service was great.

Oh yes, Moonshadows. We dined there two times years ago. It was good the first time and bad the second, so we never went back. I have no idea whether they serve breakfast.

But, what about Duke's? Again, nothing memorable in terms of food but they do have full ocean front lanai.

Anna

DEFINITELY go to Gladstone's for breakfast. The breakfasts are huge and FABULOUS and their coffee is served with little cups of chocolate chips and chocolate mousse on the side.

You can view their menu online. The seafood omelet and crab benedict are among my faves. The views are FANTASTIC and you'll love strolling on the beach to walk off your meal.

I've been lucky enough to see dolphins from my window-front table several times -- but regardless, my trip to Gladstone's for breakfast is always a highlight of my visit to the L.A. area. I'd say "don't miss it."

FYI, Geoffrey's is also very good --but quite different; more pretentious and expensive and I believe they only do brunch on the weekends -- but you could check.

I used to love Moonshadows. Haven't been there in several years -- but I believe they serve dinner only. Unfortunately, you can't see those beautiful views unless you go during the summer.

My favorite is Back to the Beach in Santa Monica. The tables are right in the sand and you can watch the bikers and skaters on the bike path. It's not expensive either like the other options.

In Malibu, I would pick between Geoffrey's, Duke's and Moonshadow's. In Santa Monica, if you're interested, Casa del Mar or Shutters have good restaurants.