Best Restaurants in Downtown Manhattan Beach
These restaurants are worth a pit stop on your bike ride along the Strand. Whether for a quick snack or a long lunch, Manhattan Beach has plenty to offer all ages.
Riding an electric bike is the best way to see the best of Manhattan Beach. Catch the coastal vibe with all the amenities of a bustling downtown center. Steps from the sandy beach, downtown Manhattan Beach offers plenty to see and do, and you’ll be happy you’re experiencing it without having to worry about traffic or parking.
Located a few miles south of LAX Airport, Manhattan Beach offers a 2 mile stretch of the cleanest and most beautiful beach in Southern California. From sunrise to stunning sunset, Manhattan beach is easeful and bustling at the same time.
Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach Boulevard is the main street that leads into and through downtown Manhattan Beach, ending at the beach (and many bike racks). Located at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach Pier is a picturesque 928-foot pier built in 1920 (making it one of the oldest concrete piers on the West Coast). Venture out to the end for a 360-degree view of the South Bay coastline.
Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center sits at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. The aquarium prides itself on being family-friendly. More than 100 marine animals from Southern California’s waters live at the aquarium.
Eating & Retail Therapy
The downtown area is filled with award-winning restaurants ranging from charming cafes to fine-dining experiences with Michelin chefs. There are boutiques for apparel, beach gear, and home goods, as well as art galleries, bakeries, floral shops, and much more. Metlox Plaza at the entrance to downtown features a European-style town square of courtyards, fountains, and public art lined with multiple shopping and dining options.
Here are some of our favorite stops in Downtown MB, within a 1 block of Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach Creamery for ice cream (one block up from the pier)
Paradise Bowls for Acai bowls and smoothies.
Becker’s Bakery for a famous cookie or morning pastry
Uncle Bill's Pancake House a favorite local breakfast spot
Nick’s Restaurant and Petros Restaurant at Metlox Plaza
Manhattan Beach Pizzeria for locally owned, NY-style pizza by the slice
El Sombrero for classic Mexican fare (try takeout for a beach picnic)
Tabula Rasa and Gum Tree for local beach gifts
Growing Wild for unique arrangements and flower wreaths
Ride North to El Porto
If you ride out of town but don’t want to go far, you can go a short distance north along The Strand to El Porto, a community beach popular among local surfers for its powerful waves. It's an easy ride with the beach on your left the whole way and a smooth concrete surface. The neighborhood at the north end of town is smaller and more quaint than downtown. Try the North End Caffe for breakfast or lunch, or hit OB’s Pub & Grill, a local pub with daily specials.
Let your Beach E-Bike Carry You Home
Wherever you wind up after touring Manhattan Beach, finish your day with a leisurely cruise back home on your sweet Electric Bike Company rental. Stop along the way to build a sand castle and watch the surfers or beach volleyball players while the sun sinks into the majestic Pacific Ocean. The Shellback Tavern (116 Manhattan Beach Blvd.) and The Strand House (117 Manhattan Beach Blvd) are great spots to finish a placid day cruising in and around Manhattan Beach.
