Galley

In Short – The decor of the self-proclaimed oldest restaurant in Santa Monica stays true to its name; the dark and warm restaurant, loaded with wood accents, definitely resembles an old boat. Outside, there's a patio with a fountain, and decorated with fishing net and shells. The menu sticks to surf and turf, with hulking cuts of steak, daily fresh-catch offerings, and house salad with a famed secret-recipe dressing.

Editor's Tips

Happy Hour:: Selected bar menu items are 50% off with $4.00 beverage minimum everyday frm 5pm to 6:30pm.
Parking:: Enter the metered parking lot behind the restaurant just south of the entrance.

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User Reviews (36)

ambiance	96.25% positive	“The food is wonderful, but even better - the staff and ambience are unique, fun and like a neighborhood party all the time!” “Good food, great atmosphere” “The place was nice, food was good, served promptly, and good atmosphere.” “Great atmosphere - great food” “Its too bad, because the food wasn't so bad and the ambiance is pleasantly rustic.” “The atmosphere is awesome.” “Not a good date spot or romantic environment, but if you're just looking for a tasty meal and a chill atmosphere check this place out.” “thought with all the reviews, the "oldest restaurant", the "great atmosphere" that we were in for a fun yummy night.” “great atmosphere, and food!” “The atmosphere is really fun.” “The Galley is a fun restaurant, maybe the food isn't the best, but the service is pretty good, the atmosphere is festive, drinks are strong.” “This place is down to earth, cool, and comfortable.”
drinks	88.88999938964844% positive	“There are plenty of places in the area that offer good burgers, but none of them seem to have good wine or hard alcohol.” “Sip martini's anonymously at the bar or slip out back to the heated patio to enjoy a quiet, casual dinner under the stars.” “This is a great place for a date or to meet people at the bar.” “We weren't sure what kind of wine to order, so the waitress was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.” “The Galley is a friendly, low-key neighborhood restaurant that has fantastic burgers and a full bar.” “It's a great bar scene and the place is always packed with loyal regulars.” “The Galley is a fun restaurant, maybe the food isn't the best, but the service is pretty good, the atmosphere is festive, drinks are strong.” “Great burgers, full bar, friendly staff” “The service is so amazing, they already have my drink made before I get to my booth and then the server confirms "Ribeye, medium rare plus with peppercorn sauce on the side?”
food quality	87.20999717712402% positive	“well, both from a can (spinach not freshly sauteed); Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and white rice not offered during lunch hours--how do you order fresh fish and couple it with french fries?” “The place was nice, food was good, served promptly, and good atmosphere.” “Nothing fancy - just good steak for the most part.” “The food is delicious!” “great atmosphere, and food!” “The food is good, and the service is good.” “The food is wonderful, but even better - the staff and ambience are unique, fun and like a neighborhood party all the time!” “The service is so amazing, they already have my drink made before I get to my booth and then the server confirms "Ribeye, medium rare plus with peppercorn sauce on the side?” “have NEVER not finished at least half a steak and this piece of, ahem, filet mignon was inedible.” “Good food, great atmosphere” “Our favorite food there has to be the steaks, and linguini with clams!” “The flavorful pepper steak cuts like butter and is enough for two, along with creamed spinach that leaves you craving it for days without feeling guilty.” “Great atmosphere - great food” “The food was good and fresh!” “Awesome food and even more awesome service!” “She had the New York Steak, which she really liked alot (I don't eat meat).” “Then I had the spinach and mushroom ravioli, which was delicious!” “potatoes or vegies that are delicious and very well prepared.” “The food is always very good too.” “One of our favorite places for a really good steak in Santa Monica.” “Great burgers, full bar, friendly staff” “The coulotte steak is delicious and they let you choose what you want for your side orders.” “Great food, service!” “the bartender was great, but the food below average.” “If you like a great big steak, this is your place.” “Loved the peppercorn steak!” “You may as well order fish and chips for less than half the price.” “thought with all the reviews, the "oldest restaurant", the "great atmosphere" that we were in for a fun yummy night.” “Great food and great customer service” “Overpriced and sub mediocre food!” “We payed for quality food and got mediocre service (the busser was more expeditious and helpful than our waitress).” “The Galley is a fun restaurant, maybe the food isn't the best, but the service is pretty good, the atmosphere is festive, drinks are strong.” “Not a good date spot or romantic environment, but if you're just looking for a tasty meal and a chill atmosphere check this place out.” “Its too bad, because the food wasn't so bad and the ambiance is pleasantly rustic.” “She recommended a wonderful cabernet that went well with both our dishes.” “There are plenty of places in the area that offer good burgers, but none of them seem to have good wine or hard alcohol.” “Stick to the meat, the fish is not as satisfying.” “The Galley is a friendly, low-key neighborhood restaurant that has fantastic burgers and a full bar.” “It's truly a great home away from home, fabulous food and friendly service.” “I've never had a bad meal there and the jumbo shrimp cocktail is amazing!”
overall	95.0% positive	“This is a great place for a date or to meet people at the bar.” “Not a good date spot or romantic environment, but if you're just looking for a tasty meal and a chill atmosphere check this place out.” “If you like a great big steak, this is your place.” “The Galley is a great restaurant.” “It's a great bar scene and the place is always packed with loyal regulars.”
service	85.79000473022461% positive	“The food is wonderful, but even better - the staff and ambience are unique, fun and like a neighborhood party all the time!” “The food is good, and the service is good.” “the bartender was great, but the food below average.” “When we want to go out with our little girl to a place more upscale than Islands, we find Il Fornaio and CPK to be not only very kid friendly, but nice for the grown-ups, too.” “Awesome food and even more awesome service!” “The Galley is a fun restaurant, maybe the food isn't the best, but the service is pretty good, the atmosphere is festive, drinks are strong.” “Great food, service!” “The service is always great.” “We weren't sure what kind of wine to order, so the waitress was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.” “This is a great place for a date or to meet people at the bar.” “We payed for quality food and got mediocre service (the busser was more expeditious and helpful than our waitress).” “It's truly a great home away from home, fabulous food and friendly service.” “The Galley is a friendly, low-key neighborhood restaurant that has fantastic burgers and a full bar.” “Great food and great customer service” “The wait staff is always friendly, and welcoming.” “There are restaurants that are child friendly, believe it or not, there are ones that would prefer you left them at home.” “The service is so amazing, they already have my drink made before I get to my booth and then the server confirms "Ribeye, medium rare plus with peppercorn sauce on the side?” “The waitresses are very friendly.” “Great burgers, full bar, friendly staff”
value	100.0% positive	“You may as well order fish and chips for less than half the price.”

06/28/11

May look like an abandoned ship, but it's a yacht in flavor

by Meat Me in the Middle at Citysearch

I love The Galley located on Main Street in Santa Monica. It may look like an abandoned ship from the outside, but it is definitely a yacht when it comes to quality and taste of the food and drinks.

The Galley opened in 1934, and remains Santa Monica’s oldest restaurant and bar. Owner, Captain Ron makes sure “the drinks are stiff and the friendly service is first class.”

The menu offers everything from seafood to steaks to soups, salads and everything in between. Try their famous salad with the Galley “secret recipe” house dressing – taste like Thousand Island dressing with a hint of tang and something you can’t quite place your taste buds on. Other favorites include: crab cakes, lobster tacos, clam chowder, pasta dishes and more.

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12/20/09

Does not deserve 4.5 stars

by starfish72 at Citysearch

If you read these reviews, you will notice that the dates of the "5 star" reviews were YEARS ago and clearly do not reflect this place now. We had a terrible time there with a bartender and I was so disgusted by the behavior I will not return. As a server myself, I was just in disbelief that anyone could be so rude and still keep their job. Shame on you Captain, you obviously have become quite lazy with your employees. If I behaved that way at my job, I would have been fired on the spot. And rightly so.

Its too bad, because the food wasn't so bad and the ambiance is pleasantly rustic.

Pros: Friendly hostess, good sauces, good atmosphere
Cons: Horribly rude bartender, stay away!

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05/10/09

Fun minus the food

by LeanMean at Citysearch

Dinner house prices with a limited menu; sauteed spinach and canned corn were... well, both from a can (spinach not freshly sauteed); Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and white rice not offered during lunch hours--how do you order fresh fish and couple it with french fries? You may as well order fish and chips for less than half the price. They shouldn't offer the dinner menu if they can't really offer it. We could've gone to Monty's, Ruth's Chris, or The Palm for a similar price. If I go back, it will be for a glass of wine in the bar... seems like a fun atmosphere.

Pros: Excellent, friendly service; good dipping sauces
Cons: Overpriced, side orders disappointing, limited menu

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02/15/09

wretched squall in your tummy!

by garysinclair at Citysearch

Batten down the hatches! Avast mates, twas a Horrible hellish painful night indeed.

I never b*#@$ed so bad on dry land. And on valentines night too? Sick men do tell tales.

Pros: none
Cons: not digestible

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10/08/08

Awesome food and even more awesome service!!

by gradyfritz at Citysearch

My love for this place knows no bounds. I live in San Francisco, but I'm always in Santa Monica for business. I must go to the Galley at least two or three times a month. Whenever I step in the door, I am welcomed with such hoopla, I swear that I feel like Norm from Cheers. The service is so amazing, they already have my drink made before I get to my booth and then the server confirms "Ribeye, medium rare plus with peppercorn sauce on the side? And garlic mashed potatoes and spinach?" How can they possibly remember all that? It's truly a great home away from home, fabulous food and friendly service.

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Galley

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Editor's Tips

06/28/11

May look like an abandoned ship, but it's a yacht in flavor

by Meat Me in the Middle at Citysearch

12/20/09

Does not deserve 4.5 stars

by starfish72 at Citysearch

05/10/09

Fun minus the food

by LeanMean at Citysearch

02/15/09

wretched squall in your tummy!

by garysinclair at Citysearch

10/08/08

Awesome food and even more awesome service!!

by gradyfritz at Citysearch

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