Reel Inn

Fresh good reasonable portions all-​around awesome place to have lunch great view across from the beach simple and busy definitely recommend going

What is not to love about the location alone? Malibu, foot of Topanga Canyon, Pacific Ocean and LA people watching.
We discovered this spot a month ago on our drive up the Coast. Great mussels and fries.

One of our favorite spot to stop on our way back home (orange county) from big sur. After long day of driving, this place completes our trip. Great taco treats before heading home. ambiance is very laid back :) parking is a little tough but worth it.

Every time we visit California we drive down the PCH and pass by this place. We’ve always wanted to check it out, so this time we did!
Large parking lot, sounded like they had valet as well. Easy to find, large well lit sign out front. Right across the street from Topanga Beach. We parked across the highway — I don’t suggest it haha, you basically have to sprint across to not get hit by a car. Park in the lot please :)
Lots of picnic style tables inside. We opted to sit outside as it was pretty warm and it was great — nice ocean breeze, patio heaters, lights strung up above. It was lovely.
Customer service was great as well, and the food came out in a timely manner.
The food is absolutely fantastic! Everything is very fresh! My boyfriend and I split the Fried Combo, which was $ 20.95 and included: 2 pieces of Fried Fish, Calamari, Shrimp, and your choice of two sides (we got fries and veggies). It was delicious! Large pieces of fish, a few large shrimp, and a LOT of calamari — which was my favorite! Tasted like house made tartar sauce as well — yummm. The fries were a huge portion, and the steamed veggies were broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and zucchini, served with a side of melted butter.
DEFINITELY coming back next time we are in town! Can’t wait to try more of the food!

Had an awesome Cajun grilled swordfish which was the catch of the day. Super fresh, could not beat this meal. Plus the beach is right across the road from the restaurant. This is where you want to eat if you want the quintessential PCH experience!

Everything was Amazing! I had blackened ahi and my sister had the halibut ~ Delish (we shared our sides). The wine recommendation was exceptional and because it was my bday dinner they gave us wine glasses too :)
It is now going to be our yearly tradition!

One of the absolute best places to come to for sea food! This place is definitely Malibu’s gem.
My husband hates fish but he LOVES the fish tacos here. The fish is always delicious and fresh!
I definitely recommend getting it Cajun style– it’s $ 1 extra but trust me, it’s worth it!
Parking is usually easy to find on PCH.
The line will always be long, but don’t worry it moves pretty fast– every time I’ve gone the line wrapped around the fish tank but we got to order within 10 – 15 minutes– and the food is ready within 10 minutes or so, it’s definitely worth the wait!
The sides a OK– don’t expect too much coming from a seafood place. They have a salsa bar but usually the way their plates come they don’t need any kind of salsa or sauces added to them.

It is kind of hard to beat their freshness, and their staff are just plain friendly.
Their fish portion is amazingly large, and cooked perfectly. Now, if you can take the heat, go for the Cajun Grill, because the straight grill is in the underseasoned side, but a sprinkle of salt from the Corona Bottle at your table will bring it back to life. We also tried their Crab Cake and it was fresh and tasty, definitely a «must try».
If you are looking for fancy place, keep moving along and don’t come here and complain about lack of service, classiness or whatever inappropriate expectation. If this place get busy, duh! Be excited being part of a foodie groupie.

We somehow make time to get here. It’s casual, food is good… choose your seafood, the way you want it cooked, sides, beverages, and go find your spot outside. Outside is our preference… picnic tables make it cozier. I did notice during our last visit that the serving size of the sides (mine was coleslaw) got noticeably smaller. I loved their chunky coleslaw. It’s just a great roadside restaurant.

So here’s the good: it’s across from the beach so it’s certainly convenient. The food that was correct was pretty good– grilled shrimp, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. I wasn’t expecting anything impressive since it’s a roadside restaurant that has picnic table style seating.
The bad: the order we placed wasn’t correct. Unfortunately we had already gone all the way back over to the beach when we noticed this so it was pretty frustrating.
Overall, if I was hungry and needed to eat somewhere I’d probably go back. I do think it’s overpriced but it’s Malibu. And the location is what you’re paying for so know that before you go!

I’ve been coming here for several years after hikes. They have a great outdoor space that allows pups. Their fresh fish is great and their fried fish is even better. Their side dishes are pretty good but the fries could be a little less soggy. The wait time for the food was about 20 min (but it felt longer because we were starving after the hike). I like that you can come in there dirty and disheveled from hiking and are in good company with other hikers/​surfers.

I LOVE the Reel Inn. Like, love it love it. The little cozy feeling, the outdoor patio, the location, the fish-​n-​chips, everything! I wish the prices were a little lower but I get that I am paying for fresh seafood and the location. I’ll deal.

Amazing fresh fish served quickly. Such incredible food! Awesome that the porch is dog friendly!

I’m surprised this place doesn’t have stellar reviews.
This place is awesome. The only complaint is the parking.
Stopped here after a long walk on the beach and had so much fun. Great atmosphere, great view, very good food, I loved it!
I definitely recommend this place.

A neat, casual fish shack right off the PCD with red-​checkered tablecloth, salt and pepper in Corona bottles, and fresh fish.
The apps are pretty good here. The onion rings were awesome and the fried calamari were really meaty vs fried calamari at a typical chain where its mostly fried batter.
I got the fish tacos, which were good and fortunately for everyone, had a lot of fish in them. Friends got the mahi mahi which they liked. The sides that accompany the entrees however aren’t as good. Pretty average fries; steamed veggies were just that so really healthy but flavorless. I hear the cajun rice is a decent side. Would recommend getting your entrée cooked cajun style (+$ 1). They also offer pitchers of beer here (e.g. Sculpin for $ 22).
There is a parking lot with valet or a decent amount of parking along the PCH.

Pro: Cajun style shrimp is delicious, every time, on anything.
Cons: Long wait for the food. The table we chose was shaky and I spilled hot coffee all over the place before wedging a napkin below a leg to stabilize it. The scallops (appetizer) were not even palatable (tasted like a napkin soaked in salt water).
That said, it’s still a pretty solid place to hit up for any post-​hike nourishment (Los Liones, Temescal Canyon, etc). We went on a holiday (Black Friday) so it was remarkably easy to find parking. If you park on the beach side, use the pedestrian underpass to skip the whole risking your life business with the traffic speeding down PCH.

Please do not go here expecting white table cloths and dripping candles; it’s just not that kind of place. It’s the kind of place that when a rare rain storm blows through you feel like the tin roof might come down on you. It’s the kind of place where you’re licking your fingers and wiping your mouth with paper towels. It’s the kind of place that’s the epitome of seaside shack. But in all the best ways.
This kind of place is where I go for what they typically do best — the fried fare. My platter of fried shrimp was plentiful and filling. While we don’t always make it up to Malibu when we visit, I won’t think twice when someone suggests this place.

Stopped by because traffic was way to busy for a late lunch since it was going to be impossible to make it to the over restaurant we wanted to go to.
Fast, quick service from ordering to getting the food. It’s self-​serve, where get the silverware, sauces, and drinks yourself. The seating is open and they have a lot of space out back too!
The food was good but it wasn’t anything spectacular. My friend got one dish (I can’t remember what it was but it’s the platter with rice and veggies in my picture) that I consider would be an item I’d get again.
As a note to all the ladies though! The bathroom is outside in what looks to be an outpost…

Went to this place during a motorcycle ride to Malibu. The drive up there (and back) is amazing, beautiful blue water, clear blue sky, waves crashing, ocean breeze. Although the downside is traffic during rush hour.
They have a parking lot with an attendant, and you can also park on the street. Parking attendant was super nice and allowed us to stash our bike at the corner lot.
Once you come in, you can walk to the counter and order your food. They’ll call your number and you can pick up to bring to your table.
Because we weren’t super hungry, we just ordered some appetizers. But very impressed with them! We would def. have to come back to try the rest of the menu:
Steamed clams: the clams were cleaned nicely, and the broth tasted amazing!
Crab cakes: I was half expecting a rubbery or super dry crab cake. But these were very moist and flavorful!
Due to location, the prices are a bit inflated but overall, I would def. check this place out again when I’m in the area.

Fried. Oysters. OMG. They are so good. What an amazing yummy treat after the salt and sand at the beach!
The fish tacos are so yummy. This place is charming and old school and no frills. There is basically always a line on the weekend, so expect to wait and then pick up your food and eat picnic style at shared tables. I love that there is a not fancy option at the beach. It’s the best.