
The Galley
2442 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
About The Galley - steak house in Los Angeles, California
Nautical stalwart with porthole windows, patio seats & happy hours, plus a menu of seafood & steak.
Customer Review Summary
The Galley offers exceptional seafood, with standout dishes like salmon, halibut, and clam chowder. Guests appreciate the large, heated patio and local vibe, often highlighting its status as a Santa Monica gem. Happy hour from 5 to 7 PM features great deals on food and drinks, drawing in a regular crowd. Service is consistently noted as fast and friendly, enhancing the dining experience. The atmosphere is described as fun and kitschy, perfect for people-watching or enjoying strong cocktails. Patrons recommend the ribeye, calamari, and burgers, with the latter receiving particular love for its flavor. The restaurant’s laid-back feel combined with high-quality food makes it a favorite for special occasions. Overall, The Galley is well-loved for its food, ambiance, and value, though a few reviews mention a desire for more attentive drink service.
Key Features
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
Ashley Turner
Don’t sleep on a visit to the Galley — we have dined here twice and every single item ordered has been cooked to perfection. It’s the best seafood I’ve ever in LA, and that’s coming from a Boston-native— the Salmon and Halibut are truly exceptional, better than perfect. The clam chowder and roasted chicken were equally delicious and flavorful. They have a large, heated patio in the back and are often frequented by a local crowd — one of the best kept secrets in Santa Monica.
Lorenz Dries
Happy hour between 5 and 7pm where they offer great deals. Otherwise it's a bit expensive, a steak is about 70 USD. I had great service. Very fast and friendly. I got the fish tacos, the burger and a Budweiser for 30 usd without tip. Would recommend.
Maile Bryant
Santa Monica classic. We have been going here for years. Food is always excellent, the vibe is very unique. Happy Hour is great!
Anish Thakkar (Doc Thakkar)
I love the Galley! Solid Santa Monica Hole in a Wall since 1934. I love their Happy Hour - 5-7pm Monday to Sunday - which features delicious fish tacos, fried chicken sandwich, burger, calamari, discounted beer, wine, and galley cocktails. Truly enjoyed my ribeye, best served with broccolini or the classic mushrooms. Excellent service, regulars, and vibes every time. Strongly recommend.
Al Allen
Fun, Funky, Kitschy and an absolute must if you’re in Santa Monica. This joint has been around FOREVER! Wildly popular locals joint. Had the burger and loved it. I could sink into a corner booth and just people watch or let my mind wander over a few strong drinks as the Doors play in the background. Love this place! Ya gotta’ make time to come here if you’re anywhere near Santa Monica.
NiKoNi
Really great experience I had a group of friends! Kind staff and food was scrumptious 😋. Would recommend for drinks 🍹
D K
Great atmosphere and service from the moment you walk in. l’m looking forward to update my review once indoors are available so l can show how special this place is. The food and drinks always come out quickly and their happy hour menu/portions sizes and drinks are perfect. You’ll fall in love with their calamaris! Fresh, hot, and come with three delicious sauces! The more lights the better! 🎄Love it!!!
Reece Lemmon
Celebrating our anniversary weekend and looking for a local place for some seafood, we stumbled upon the Galley. What a magical place dripping with local history. It has a very laid back vibe, but do not let this fool you. The food is amazing and cooked to perfection. I had the Australian Lobster tail and Filet Mignon and My wife had the New York Steak. They are served with a peppercorn sauce that will change your life. If you opt to eat your steak alone, it will be perfectly seasoned when it arrives at your table. The clam chowder is like no other I have ever had. So many fresh clams and very hearty. We also ordered the calamari and we loved the pesto dip. They would easily get 5 stars if the wait staff would refill a drink more often.
Location
Price Range
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