James Beach

5 stars for David the bartender!!! Drink menu is OK, but he warns you in advance. Turkey club is bomb!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Wife, Son and Mom had a great brunch today. Patio was breezy and comfortable. Our servers were terrific, very attentive. I had the carne asada tacos. Beans, salsa, guac, flour tortillas and perfect poached eggs. I strayed from my favorite eggs benedict but glad I did. Convenient validated parking next door. Saw other things on the menu I want to try! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

You'll think I'm a snob, but I've never considered the food at James' Beach to be all that great. It's perfectly fine, and if you weren't paying attention you'd eat it and leave contented. Hey, it's a restaurant: you put stuff in your mouth and swallow it, it makes you full  - what's to complain about? Well, nothing. That's why I keep going back. Besides, it's really fun here. One of my faves in the area, actually. A pleasant habit I wouldn't ever want to break. People rave about the outdoor patio particularly, because it's so leafy and secluded, with the feel of a Tiki bar in the Tropics. And if it turns out that people in the Tropics also happen to use colorful beach shorts as lamp-shades, then's it's EXACTLY like that. At the rear of the patio stands a cute little house, which some of us could happily live in, as a matter of fact, and maybe somebody did at one time. Now it's used for special functions only. I attended a party there years ago and the legendary Mel Brooks was one of the guests. He came up to me and began talking. What an affable guy, I thought. Only after a minute or so did I realize that he'd mistaken me for a waiter. So that didn't end well. The main restaurant of James' Beach features a continuation of the bar, which makes it a popular hang-out for a stream of local social gadflies, and noisy too, while the rest of the room tends to be more sedate, with tables and booths and a full menu. As I said, the food quality is unpredictable in my experience. They could make it absolutely wonderful if they tried, but somehow it falls a little short for reasons that are hard to specify. When people ask about it, you tend to describe it as, "okay," rather than "amazing, " adding with a shrug, "The service is rather slow too." Which it is. Twice my guests and I reached our Impatience Threshold, the point where we began to wonder if our order had been put in at all.  And this might drive some folk away. I hope not. For god's sake, be patient! What's wrong with you? As in the Tropics, they operate on beach time. Have a little faith in the chef. The food will get here eventually. Calm down, buy another cocktail. In the end, though, it comes down to the food. I've had good meals and not-so-good meals at James' Beach. It certainly seems to be getting better. If it were located in Monrovia or Fullerton, let's say, and hoped to achieve a culinary reputation, the kitchen would probably have to step up its game. As things stand, they do a consistent job. Their calamari appetizer is a treat, the shrimp are first class, their margaritas are as strong as a docker's forearm, and it's definitely worth giving their duck risotto a spin, if only the once. The big, big plus is that the place is a stone's throw from the ocean and has a cool, laid-back vibe to it which is adorable. That's always going to take it a long way. For what it's worth, James' Beach has the kind of bar that makes me want to go back time and again, but the kind of restaurant I'd want to return to only if someone else were paying. Mind you, that applies to most restaurants in my case! But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself. You might have an entirely different opinion. I don't see how, but you might. Yours,The Phantom Critic. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Pleasant atmosphere and friendly service. Food is fresh and beautifully served. Clean place and white linens with paper on each table.

Reviewed on Yelp

Fish tacos! Of course right? My wife and I love the movie, "I love you man," so I had to give it a go. They fish filets were very fresh and noticeable good quality. It came with beans, cheese, guac and pico. The tortillas were on the side and homemade. A little pricey for what you get, but it's a good meal. Slightly on the dry side, but nothing too bad. The two bartenders were awesome! I think one was a veteran the the other was training. They both could keep a good conversation and had great recommendations of the area. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

It says it's rated as B, but I really really liked it. Dog town duck IPA was great and cold! Calamari, ordered extra crispy, was excellent!

Reviewed on Yelp

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon here. The food is always amazing and they serve excellent mimosa. My friends and I usually come a few times a year for celebration or just a nice brunch to catch up.  For the month of June, they have made a special drink menu to celebrate Pride month. They have a rainbow of adult lemonades.! The flavors include: Prickly Pear, Orange/Lemon, Lemon, Cucumber/Mint, and Blueberry. I tried all 5 flavors (don't judge me haha) and they were all refreshing and delicious. My favorite was the Prickly Pear followed by the Blueberry.  I am not a fan of very sugary cocktails so i loved that these were very balanced with natural sugars and a very "adult" flavor profile.. The ingredients were vodka, club soda, fresh lemon juice, and fresh muddled syrups. The fresh made syrups were what made these drinks so amazing! For instance, the Blueberry Lemonade had fresh muddles blueberries which offered just the right mount of natural sweetness. Since the lemonades were light on the added sugar, they were pretty light on the calories. I would estimate no more than 150 calories per drink. Additionally, 15% of your purchase goes towards the Trevor Project which is amazing! If you get a little sleepy after the  lemonades, then I would recommend ending your night with a coffee martini. They are really cool looking and give you just enough of  pick me up to end your night right. So, if you are in the Venice area and you're looking for a place with a great ambiance and fantastic cocktails, then James' Beach is your place! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I usually go to Venice Beach once or twice a year.  I always make a stop at James Beach.  What can I say, the fish tacos really are the tits

Reviewed on Yelp

Simply amazing food and drinks!  I always come back here!  I love sitting on the patio and ordering the amazing cauliflower appetizer.  Wish I lived closer - I'd eat here at least once a week! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Checked out James Beach while family was visiting from the east coast. Their outside patio has beautiful decor and the food was great too! I highly suggest trying anything and everything on their dessert menu. We each ordered a dessert and tried everything besides one dish and were all wowed. The food itself was great as well. The staff was super friendly. If I am back in Venice I will certainly head back here! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

James beach is a ton of fun if you come at night when it turns into a nightclub. They play great music, people are super friendly, and the bartenders are on top of it with the drinks. The bouncer does a good job of stopping obnoxious people from getting in/back in. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

So good! My BF and I ate here the last night of our CA vacation. The food was fresh, tasted excellent, and the service was very friendly. They actually didn't acknowledge a request to surprise my BF with something for his birthday, but otherwise perfect night. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food, friendly and fun service (waiters were dancing to 70's background music).Mussels and wine, salmon, and skirt steak.  Excellent feedback from all three in the party. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

So I'm flying to Europe & I can't eat a single thing the airline offers... what to do I'm also in a time crunch, 15min before boarding & I see Cobb salad with rotisserie chicken! !! Bingo!I tell the extremely attentive & kind bartender my host of dietary restrictions & time crunch... no problem! He take my order and the salad dressing and everything are of good quality!! Go figure!After my order I got time, so I get a peach margarita all while my wife & folks are waiting for a second round of drinks at PF Chang's , they never got em.... save the money and hassle of deciding where to grab a bite before your flight! Go here!!! I'm on my flight and really enjoying my salad, done right! No bacon, cheese in side, dressing on side! Wife got bacon, could be good but I'm not risking it! All in all I couldn't be more pleased from the service to the end product, this place would be 4 stars anywhere else except for annoyed travelers expecting the world... airport food done well bravo !! I'll be back every international trip :) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I stopped at James Beach for some mahi-mahi tacos which where amazing but over priced the bartender On duty (Henry) was attentive and very friendly I would definitely stop by next time i travel.

Reviewed on Yelp

BEST FISH TACOS HANDS DOWN. If you haven't visited before, you MUST get a plate of the Mahi Mahi tacos. This is without a doubt my favorite meal to eat in all of LA. They're a little on the pricey side but it is well worth it. They make the tortillas in house. Sets up the flavor for the whole dish. (As seen on the movie I Love You, Man)20/10! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is a great restaurant! Jefferson was first class. Best service ever. The sign outside said "voted best tacos ever" and this is the absolute truth! We are visiting but if your visiting you need to eat dinner or lunch here. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is a really cute place. Super close to everything that you'd want to do in Venice. The service is stellar. The JB Mimosas are amazing. The food is delicious. And, it's totally dog friendly. This restaurant is a perfect place to come to enjoy a Sunday brunch. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The fish tacos fresh, flavorful and everything the movie "I love you man" painted them to be! Loved the food and the service will be back for sure nice place to bring a date.

Reviewed on Yelp

Fish tacos are amazing! I'm really picky with Margaritas, but their margaritas are fantastic. The atmosphere is great too. Cant wait to come back!

Reviewed on Yelp

James Beach is a community conscious venue that does provide their back room for various and numerous meetings at no charge and these meetings can get quite large so I thank them for that. They have a great Happy Hour and the prices are quite reasonable. There is a parking structure just down the way so parking should not be a concern. I have never ordered anything I didn't like and the servers are always friendly and accommodating. That is important to me. I don't drink so I usually order a lemonade or ice tea. I recommend the sushi and the sliders are good too. Overall, I would recommend to locals and tourists alike. I always feel welcomed and their staff is well trained. Keep up the good work and thank you for being supportive of the Vence community. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Had a private event there last night in the back room for a bday and it was great. Sue who helped us coordinate everything was awesome and so helpful. Liam the bartender was great too and the whole staff. The food was delish. Would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to throw a party. However we had dinner there right before and the food was good but the service was terrible. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

James beach is know for their  's and they lived up to their expectations!  They were able to accommodate a group of 15 and the food and drinks all came out together.  They bring you a plate with all the fillings for the tacos and let you make your own!  Our server was fun and helpful!I recommend:-Grilled Mahi-Mahi tacos -Rotisserie Chicken tacos-Calamari-Whiskey Sour to drink! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The place is pricer, but their brunch is pretty lovely. They gave us a basket of cranberry scones when we first sat down with the best homemade jam. It's on such a great area of Venice and the atmosphere is beautiful. Highly suggest the sloppy egg sandwich! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Awesome restaurant with excellent service. Amazing place to go while visiting Venice Beach!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Just went back to James Beach. We didn't have any brunch besides drinks and they have improved a lot on their drink selection super yummy: good job: I was happy to have their scones for a little app at no cost thankyou!! Will be back!

Reviewed on Yelp

Always a favorite for all of us. Great for Father's Day or like tonight, just a terrific dinner spot to be had here. Our daughter had, for the second time, their Spinach dip and chips as she already had dinner and wow, you just can't beat that. We all "sampled" it. I had Mary's chicken and everyone had a bit of that, just amazing. Their drinks are great too! So worth stopping in anytime. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

If you are looking for the best fish tacos in the country, this is the place to go. Featured on the Paul Rudd and Jason Segal film "I Love You Man" these Mahi tacos are to die for. They come with 5 in house tortillas, 2 pieces of fish, pico, black beans sprinkled with cheese, salsa verde, and the best guac I've had in a long time. A MUST have. Better than the fish tacos I had in San Juan which I previously had as my #1 taco. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

James Beach is a must on your next trip to Venice. It has a has a trendy and fun atmosphere. Our most recent brunch experience was awesome. I had the Sloppy Egg-  to die for! Our bartender, Liam, was kind, funny, and truly cared about our overall experience. Our food was cooked perfectly, and the waiters were timely and attentive. We had an awesome and memorable "Mom's brunch"  at James Beach and we can't wait to return! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Pop quiz, Yelp. What do you do when you're stuck within the airport and have to choose between the "best of the worst"?. ...We're not talking flight fares. This is all about food and beverage options. Give up?..........You drink over it!!! (****raises martini glass****)O'pahhh!!!Tarmac'ing within the Tom Bradley Terminal, I'm actually quite smitten by this place! Having departed Palm Springs at the butt crack of dawn just to arrive early enough to survive our TSA assault, and from there to our hellish flight (Interject review located here: yelp.com/biz/interjet-lo… ), which was LITERALLY comparable to taking a Greyhound bus with wings, our "spirits" were weary as we "united"; two ....."virgin" (#hah!) "jet blue" "Americans"  trotting in for satisfaction.Our meal....                        ..... that we technically DRANK ............was the certified highlight of our recent trip to PV!* Maybe it was our request for top shelf. * Maybe it was the fact that we'd both taken off for 8 days. * Maybe the bartender was blessed with hands kissed by the baby Jesus. Whatever the case, we were flying WAYYYYY before we took off and despite the fact that upon ordering fries (or maybe it was a salad) we were made aware that they didn't serve ranch dressing (a Federal offense ANNNND total star deduction, if you ask me), I'm no less a fan and here to testify that "James" (whoever the heck you are)...You'ze 'da the man! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I had matzoh ball soup, chicken liver with amazing bagel chips and latkas with homemade apple sauce and sour cream. It was from a special Hanukkah menu and just perfect for a crisp holiday night. I ate at the inside bar and had a Allagash, my favorite beer. The bartender Sasha is lovely, as is the award winning John Binder who is on the other side of the bar. James Beach is my favorite place and Venice to eat and feel at home. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Found this place because of the movie I love you man.Had the mahi mahi tacos & all I can say is The service was exceptional, staff very friendly and helpful. I would love to dine here again on my next visit to Venice More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Ceviche was amazing.  Very fresh and chunky.Mahi Mahi tacos were very good and the amount of fish was substantial.  The squash salad was a nice mix of flavors.

Reviewed on Yelp

Great tacos and atmosphere. The best locals spot in Venice! I love going for a drink and a snack after being at the beach. The back private area is nice and service is super friendly More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great spot for tacos and drinks. Service was great too! Definitely one to hit if you're visiting Venice beach.

Reviewed on Yelp

Great Taco Tuesday's grilled mahi- mahi fish tacos. Bartender John is awesome. His drinks are amazing. Great way to start my birthday.

Reviewed on Yelp

My experience was amazing! Food was great! Had the lobster taco with truffle fries which was good. Beautiful restaurant and awesome customer customer!

Reviewed on Yelp

Yummy fresh mahi mahi tacos, great ambiance, just that we ordered drinks and took forever for a server to return by our table in the far corner, and then took a while for them to come.

Reviewed on Yelp

Pretty awesome tacos here!! I tried the mahi-mahi and the duck (which I haven't seen anywhere else). All were delicious and SO fresh! You can choose either flour or corn tortillas. Good list of local brews to chose from as well. Restaurant is rather large and doesn't feel like you're crowded when eating. Great for small groups, and can accommodate large too! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Aloha after a long drive we stopped in Venice Beach for a late lunch. Thanks Yelp as we strolled into James' Beach. Service was amazing food good too. A great family diner with lots of choices. We family style shared the lobster Mac n cheese, grilled 5 cheeses sandwich, salad and eggs lox capers n bagels. The hit was the grilled cheese lol. The Mac n cheese just needed salt or spice which we found on the table nice. Cute restaurant I'm sure it's super busy in season but nice we got all the service as it was late and a weekday. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Kevin is by far theee best bar tender everrrr!!!Drinks were great, suggestions were better and he was overall a really chill person!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Ok seriously I am sitting here right now enjoying a vodka grapefruit that's exceptionally tasty. Will is my bartender and he is so sweet and polite.

Reviewed on Yelp

Awesome location. Great tacos, I had the mahi-mahi tacos and was some of the best I ever had. Drinks were good. Definitely a must if your in Venice beach.

Reviewed on Yelp

Update:September 1, 2018: very happy with the very quick fast response from the owner. He immediately corrected the mistake on my check and apologized for the service. Thank you. Original Review: August 18, 2018: Everything started off well. Very friendly and lots of smiles. The food was really good. But when it was time for the check, the waiter hadn't come by to drop it off. We waited and waited. Our table was all cleared except our water glasses. He was making cocktails at the bar and had looked over at us a few times and we waved at him and still he wouldn't come by. There was even a table of four people who had got up and left because they hadn't been helped in 20 minutes. Me and my friends had to ask the bus boy for the check. We split the bill and went on our way. Once I was home, I realized that we were over charged on our bill. I ordered the shrimp tacos and the menu says $24 and my receipt says $29. It's very frustrating to have to deal with the wait and then be overcharged More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Excellent fish tacos!!!! We came here because we loved the Movie I Love You Man and we're surprised to find not only was it a real place, but great food too!

Reviewed on Yelp