11/20/08

if you love people watching

by nic_331

if you're visiting from out of town or if you're entertaining guests from out of town, i can't think of a better place to have a few drinks and take in the Venice scene than sidewalk cafe. The patio is right on the boardwalk so you can order some bloody marys and watch all the characters stroll by. sometimes the street performers will do their comedy skits or play music right in front of the patio area for a captive audience, so it almost feels like a theater. the food is good and the portions are big. the service is friendly, and there's a place to lock up your bikes right outside the front door. the only drawback is that you're sitting really close to other tables and it gets hot under that awning, but if you're not neurotic about that like me, then it's great.

• Pros: bloody marys, people watching

10/27/08

Funnest exp. in a bar EVER!

by stylus800

Ok so not that I'm an alcoholic or anything but me and my hubby prefer to eat dinner at the bar area where ever we go to eat, simply for the entertainment factor! I must say that last month we went to the sidewalk cafe bar for dinner. The bartender was a rather large young man with the goofiest personality EVER! after greeting us immediately he asked where we were from and told us he'd be our BFF by the end of the night. With any other bartender talking to us the way he was and entertaining us my husband would have gotten slightly jealous, but the way he involved both of us, and others around us in his jokes we felt like we were long time regulars. before we left he told us what nights he worked and invited us back!

We HIGHLY recommend the bar at the sidewalk cafe.

• Pros: fun bar staff, good burgers

06/27/08

One of the best dining experiences on the Westside

by snuzan

Eggs Benedict prepared by Lucy on a Sunday morning. Catch a game with a Spicy Bloody Mary. Watch the sun go down and the world of Venice go by. The menu is always evolving with new and fresh ideas, but still keeping your consistant favorites. It will always be delicious and fun!

06/18/08

no better place to spend a sunset

by harrytjones

My family and I well lets just say that we love to eat and my wife and i remember the old day down on venice beach so we decided to come to our old favorite place The Sidewalk Cafe. It was lets just say busy... if you 've ever been there it is one of the best places to have a meal. Its large menu caters to every palate. They have the best bloody mary's i've ever had any thier weekend brunch is to die for. My wife and four kids were there this past weekend and had a great meal and drinks. every portiopn is generous and the staff walk around with a smile on thier faces at the Sidewalk Cafe. If you are going to venice beach always a good idea to cap off a great day with some great people and food at the Sidewalk Cafe.

06/11/08

Popular Venice Beach boardwalk cafe for burgers, bloody marys and endless people-watching.

by Contributor

The Scene
Since 1976, beachgoers, skaters, tourists and locals have clamored for outdoor tables under the big red awning overlooking the bustling boardwalk. Bikini-clad hotties, roller-skating guitar players and dreadlocked performance artists make for a compelling floor show during dinner hours. Servers are laidback, but available and friendly.

The Food
The menu is as eclectic as the scene, with satisfying basics like veggie-filled omelets, marinara-drenched pastas or overstuffed burritos. The crisp Chinese chicken salad (the Andy Warhol) is a meal itself, chock-full of shredded iceberg lettuce, tender white meat, crunchy noodles and tangy-sweet sesame dressing. Enormous burgers are smothered in just about anything; the Charles Dickens oozes with sauteed mushrooms, bacon and cheddar cheese. Bar food favorites like a mound of nachos or spicy chicken wings go down easily with a spicy, homemade bloody mary, a cold Corona or a pitcher of sangria.

05/16/07

Great Customer Service....

by brlk

The sidewalk cafe is a place where all kind of people go to from celebrities to average people like me and what an amazing service I have had ever. Great service they are extremely friendly and the food is one of the reasons I recommend. The burgers to pizza's and ofcourse there amazing breakfast.The sidewalk cafe has one of the best views looking over an amazing ocean and one of the best sunset I have witnessed.The sidewalk cafe is a place for all ages,,,bring your family and have a blast OR even if you are coming alone go in to the bar and have a wonderful time. I promise you with the amazing MANAGERS,and SERVERS you will be back again and again. I highly recommend THE SIDEWALK CAFE.

• Pros: ocean view full bar, great service

05/10/07

Restaurant, great -- unavoidable Bar, terrible

by darkromance

It must be noted that the Sidewalk Cafe combines two establishments, a restaurant and a bar. The restaurant is exceptional for it's beachfront view, casual atmosphere, and extensive menu of tasty, well-priced diner food (soup, salad, sandwiches, burgers, etc). UNFORTUNATELY the adjacent bar is often filled with loud, often foul-mouthed drinkers and beach denizens. Not only does this noise spill out into the restaurant area, but one must walk through it in order to use the bathroom facilities, which are all too often not stocked or cleaned. The effect is like a family restaurant that hosts a biker bar. My recommendation is to not bring children or refined company, avoid having to enter the bar, and choose to visit during the morning or the daytime when the bar is far more quiet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- Small World Books, a wonderful, independedent bookstore is right next door and has been a beloved Venice fixture for many many years, and should not be missed.

• Pros: Beachfront view, weird Venice people-watching, good menu, adjoining bookstore
• Cons: Obnoxious bar patrons, restrooms' unfortunate association with the bar

03/28/07

Best Food on Venice Beach

by ggood

The food tastes amazingly good. My salad was huge. They served the best hamburger and very fresh guacamole. Nice view and good location to watch people around Venice. Highly recommended. We will come back!!!

• Pros: Food and view
• Cons: parking

08/05/05

WOW!!!!!!

by xhoochx

My boss and I were on buisness from Tennessee. We decided to have a "light lunch". The food was EXCELLENT!!!!! I had the nachos(piled high and wide). Dave had the burritto( it was humongus-filled up the plate.) I would fly 4 hours just to eat there!!!!!

• Pros: Great Food, Good Service, Outgoing Staff