Paradise Cove Beach Café
28128 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Crema's Take
“Paradise Cove Beach Café trades on its stunning oceanfront location in Malibu, where you can sip your coffee steps from the sand and watch the waves—though be prepared that the scene attracts more Instagram moments than specialty coffee depth. The café shows inconsistency across its food and beverage programs, with some guests praising fresh preparations and accommodating staff while others report quality control issues, so your experience here is really about embracing the laid-back beach atmosphere rather than expecting consistent cafe excellence. If you're seeking a picturesque spot to enjoy a drink with that quintessential Malibu coastal vibe, it delivers; just manage expectations around the actual coffee and food quality.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Very disappointing experience. The mussels were rotten inside and had a strong rotten fish smell. The worst part is that I had already eaten almost all of them before I realized something was wrong. This is very concerning, especially for a place that seems to focus on seafood. At a restaurant that serves seafood, everything should be fresh and carefully checked before being prepared. The staff offered a small 15% discount, but considering the high prices at this café, I believe they could have done more. When you charge premium prices, customers expect premium quality. I came here with my wife on International Women’s Day hoping to enjoy a nice evening together, but unfortunately we left disappointed. Now we’re just hoping we don’t get any food poisoning and that we stay healthy.
We eat and drink here but I would say it’s more for people who wants to be seen. The cocktails are good and also the barman was nice but the gentlemen who welcome us on the entry gives more a feeling like you are a cash cow. If you wanna only drink you can’t go trough the restaurant, you have to go outside. After ordering food they try to advertise the expensive fresh products. It’s really a nice bar cause of the history but the people working there are a bit too much nose up. It was way too expensive. You got a parking discount. Usally 45$ or weekend 60$
Beautiful oceanfront spot with a relaxed Malibu vibe. The atmosphere is truly the highlight, dining right by the water makes the whole experience feel special. The food was fresh and well prepared. We especially enjoyed the calamari and the salad generous portions and great flavors. Service was friendly, though a bit slow at times. One thing to keep in mind parking can be quite expensive. Even with validation, it was $65 for a stay of four hrs or more, so plan accordingly. Overall, a lovely place to enjoy the view, unwind, and have a casual beachside meal. Just be prepared for the parking fee.
We visited Paradise Cove Beach Café on a rainy morning, and honestly, it was a great experience. Parking was surprisingly easy, though keep in mind it’s still $10 with validation. On sunny beach days, expect parking to be much more limited, so plan ahead. Inside, the café is beautifully done up with a lot of character. The walls are lined with fascinating photos—famous visitors, vintage shots of the area, and other interesting pieces that give the place a nostalgic yet lively vibe. The menu itself feels like a classic dive bar menu, but don’t let that fool you—it offers plenty of options. We ordered pineapple juice and the Malibu Country Breakfast. Everything was super tasty and well-prepared. While the breakfast isn’t the most visually stunning compared to some trendy spots, the flavor more than makes up for it. Pair that with an amazing oceanfront view, and you’ll understand why we were so impressed. Bottom line: Great food, unique atmosphere, and unbeatable views. Just keep the parking situation in mind if you’re visiting on a sunny day.
Quick warning: They use pasta straws for their drinks, so be aware if you have an allergy. If you let waitstaff know, they can generally accommodate your dietary restrictions. We had a fairly large group, but Paradise Cove was able to accommodate us no problem. Food was amazing (it is on the spendy side, so I'd say it's more for special occasions). I had the jumbo shrimp scampi while other family members had the shrimp tacos, clam chowder, and seafood linguine. We also ordered a few desserts including the giant piece of chocolate cake that fed over 10 people (we still had leftovers, but one of the best chocolate cakes ever). They had us outside in booths where you step right into sand upon leaving the table if you can imagine. The view from our table was incredible and it was just a short walk away from the beach. Everyone enjoyed the food and view so much, many already have plans to go back there at some point. We will be coming back here for sure for more family celebrations. One thing I wish would be addressed is the design of the menu. The design for the menu is so busy that we all had trouble figuring out where to look between all the color changes and extreme use of bolding. The place itself is relaxing, but the menu design doesn't quite reflect that so I would suggest a change in menu design.
Crema Reviews
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