As a Southern California native, Malibu will always be one of my favorite places to take a drive to and spend the day. From the many gorgeous beaches to the laid-back attitude to the scenic stretch of road that is the PCH, Malibu is just a magical place.
This coastal city is perhaps best known as being home to the rich and famous – and with that comes a higher price tag on things like restaurants. But just because you’re spending the day in Malibu doesn’t mean you have to break the bank dining like a celebrity at Nobu. (Though if you can swing it, you totally should!)
If you’re passing through and wondering where to eat in Malibu that won’t totally break the bank, here are my picks for the 12 best affordable places to eat in Malibu. From grab-and-go breakfast burritos to fried fish platters to authentic Thai and Israeli food, you’ll find something on this list to tempt your taste buds!
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The 12 Best Affordable Restaurants in Malibu
1. Lily’s Malibu
When it comes to affordable eats in Malibu, there’s no better place to go than Lily’s. This place has been dishing out some of the best breakfast burritos and Latin-inspired dishes in town for 30+ years, and they’re still going strong.
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Malibu among locals and tourists, so you will likely face a wait (although you can always call ahead to place your order). It’s well worth the wait to fill up on their overstuffed burritos, tortas, and more. Plus, nothing on the menu is more than $20.
2. Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar
You’ll find Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar right down the road from Lily’s, so if you’re craving Italian food, head here instead. Here you can dine alfresco on the second-story patio while taking in the laid-back ocean views.
They have a wide selection of fresh salads, pastas, and specialty pizzas, as well as burgers and sandwiches. Plus, with items like the Black Angus Skirt Steak for meat-eaters, the cheesy Mushroom Truffle pizza for vegetarians, the Vegan Zucchini Pasta for vegans, and Shrimp Ceviche for the gluten-free contingent, there really is something for everyone in your group.
This is a great setting to sip cocktails, too. From the Blackberry Mojito to the Italian Spritz, it’s well worth ordering one up so you can sip with a view!
3. Neptune’s Net
Neptune’s Net is another local institution. This retro snack shack dates back to 1956 and is still super popular with everyone, from surfers and bikers to tourists. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s been featured in films like “Point Break” and “Fast & Furious!”
This is where to eat in Malibu if you want a serious fried seafood fix with ocean views – all at a reasonable cost of roughly $15-20. Come hungry because you can fill up on everything from baskets of fried shrimp, scallops, and clams to massive burgers and sandwiches to one of the grilled fish plates or taco combos.
4. Malibu Seafood
Malibu Seafood is another excellent option for reasonably priced seafood fare. Like most of the best restaurants in Malibu, this place gets pretty packed on weekends, so expect a wait.
Head over to their cafe and you can dine in on all manner of deep-fried or steamed seafood to start before digging into a bowl of clam chowder, a fresh grilled seafood plate, or a grilled ahi burger.
If you prefer to cook something up at home, be sure to peruse the on-site Fish Market, where you can shop for all the fresh catches of the day, all available at market price, to take away with you.
5. Duke’s Malibu
If you want to immerse yourself in Malibu’s surf culture, then there’s no better place to go than Duke’s. Plus, this Hawaiian-themed restaurant is set right on the beach, which means you can drink and dine with gorgeous ocean views.
You can head here for lunch or dinner, or stop by during their popular Taco Tuesdays or Sunday Brunch. Whenever you decide to visit, the whole crew will love choosing from starters like the Crispy Coconut Shrimp and Korean Sticky Ribs and mains like the Duke’s Classic Burger or the Seared Ahi Bowl.
And expect this cool and casual restaurant to have an epic drinks list. From Hawaiian-inspired cocktails (try the Duke’s Mai Tai) to beers on tap and a selection of California wines, you’ll have plenty to choose from.
6. John’s Garden
Tucked away in the Malibu Country Mart shopping mall, John’s Garden has been feeding the Malibu community for over 40 years. This is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for fresh and healthy sandwiches, salads, soups, and juices. Plus, you’ll appreciate that nothing on the menu is over $20!
There’s also a nice selection of vegetarian sandwiches, burgers, and bowls, as well as a couple of options for vegans. If you’re looking to spend the day at the beach, this is a great place to pick up sandwiches and smoothies to take to the beach, which is right across the street.
7. Vintage Grocers
Speaking of picking up picnic supplies, another excellent and affordable option is to stop by Vintage Grocers near Zuma Beach. Head to this upscale grocery store’s full-service deli, and you can choose from a selection of pizzas made in their 800-degree oven, gourmet sandwiches and paninis, and DIY pasta at the pasta bar.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even have a custom cheese and charcuterie board prepared for you. Or if you’re in a rush, there are plenty of premade, grab-and-go items to choose from at this amazing grocery store!
8. Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine
If you’re in the mood for flavor-packed Thai food, make your way to Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine. While this place looks like your quintessential Malibu snack shack from the outside, the food that’s served up by the chef is sure to impress.
The menu is large and boasts all sorts of authentic Thai staples. Think tangy Papaya Salad, Cholada Wonton Soup, and Chicken Satay to start followed by mains like Crab Fried Rice, Pad-See-Yew, and Drunken Noodles. Oh, and curry fans will have a tough time choosing between the eight options on the menu!
This is a great place if you’ve got vegetarians or vegans in your crew because many of the dishes offer the choice of tofu, veggies, chicken, beef, or pork to accommodate dietary restrictions. Plus, if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Malibu for affordable eats, you’ll find tons of options on the menu for less than $20.
9. Country Kitchen
When it comes to casual comfort food with a reasonable price tag, Country Kitchen is always a good choice. Set right off the PCH, this place is no-frills in true old-school Malibu fashion.
The breakfast burritos are all the rage here, and you’ll have a whopping 14 to choose from. But you can also choose from a range of omelets and egg plates for breakfast and burgers and sandwiches for lunch.
There aren’t tons of tables here, making this another great spot to take your food to go before camping out on the beach for the day or continuing your road trip down the coast!
10. Malibu Farm Cafe
With its location at the end of the Malibu Pier, Malibu Farm Cafe is easily one of the coolest restaurants in Malibu. Not to be confused with the more formal (and pricey) Malibu Farm Restaurant at the beginning of the Malibu Pier, Malibu Farm Cafe is a more casual place that offers counter service and outdoor dining overlooking the ocean.
As the name implies, expect fresh farm-to-table dishes like the Vegan Banana Pancakes and Salmon Scramble for breakfast, Blackened Halibut Fish Tacos and Kale Caesar Salad for lunch, and a Grass-Fed Beef Burger and Crab Cake Sandwich for dinner.
They also have a great selection of unique coffee drinks, fresh-squeezed juices, and cocktails.
11. Pita ‘Bu
Pita ‘Bu is one of the newer restaurants in Malibu, and it prides itself as being the first kosher joint in the area. As they put it, this is “Where Tel Aviv Meets the ’Bu,” so expect a menu brimming with Israeli and Mediterranean staples, as well as some fun creative concoctions.
From loaded hummus, falafel and sabich pitas, and gorgeous mezze platters to their spin on the fish taco and a veg-friendly portobello mushroom shawarma, you’ll want to sample everything on the menu!
12. Broad Street Oyster Co.
Broad Street Oyster Co. is a must-visit for seafood lovers. You’ll find this popular spot in Malibu Village overlooking the Malibu Lagoon. Depending on what you order, this isn’t the cheapest option on this list, but it’s well worth a splurge.
The menu is large and features seafood-centric dishes like fish and chips, clam chowder, fried oysters, stone crab claws, and tuna tartare, to name a few options.
But if you’ve never been here before, it’s the “World Famous Lobster Roll” that regulars rave about. Get yours chilled with mayo or warm with butter, and if you want to go all out, you can even get it topped with caviar – because this is Malibu!
This place is popular, so expect a wait if you want to dine in, or you can always place your order online and grab it from the pickup window.
