My last review on this place was over nine years ago and back then I had just started to write reviews. It's probably the shortest review I ever wrote lol. I was a rookie. Earlier today my family and I came here for lunch. What a beautiful place to be at. I ordered the summer breeze cocktail and loved it on this hot summer day. Made with strawberry and lime. So good. The food was good to some dishes better than others. The chicken wings were delicious so was the pretzel. My boys got spicy chicken sandwich and liked it a lot. I got the swordfish tacos and was very disappointed. There was barely any fish in it or cabbage salad, only two tacos. Everyone else seemed to be satisfied with their food. Customer service was friendly and attentive. Overall it's a great place to come to because the ambiance is wonderful. The ocean breeze and smell is everything ... read more

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Breathtaking sunset views, but a special occasion completely ruined by hostile service. I came here to celebrate a very special day, and while Nelson's boasts one of the most stunning oceanfront views in LA, our experience was heavily tarnished by a completely unacceptable level of service from our specific server. First, the positives: The location is unmatched. Having dinner while watching the gorgeous sunset over the Pacific was unforgettable. The tall male host at the entrance was also wonderfully kind, professional, and set a great tone for the evening. As for the food, it was a bit of a mixed bag but mostly good. The burgers and tacos were flavorful and delicious. However, I would skip the Fried Calamari--it was almost entirely heavy batter, and it felt like there was barely any actual squid inside. Unfortunately, our dining experience took a sharp turn for the worst due to our female server. We were served our main courses before our salads or appetizers ever made it to the table, and we weren't even given any utensils to eat with. After waiting and searching for our server to no avail, I flagged down another staff member to ask for utensils and let them know about the missing appetizers. Shortly after, our server marched over to our table with an incredibly defensive and intimidating attitude, asking us if we had "complained" about her to another staff member. The hostile tone was shocking. To top it off, she forgot our drinks, and when we had to ask for them again, she gave us an exasperated, annoyed look. It is so disappointing when a beautiful, special occasion is ruined by someone's terrible attitude. While the scenery and most of the food were fantastic, management really needs to address the service standards here. read more

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I spent the day at Nelson's at Terranea, and it turned out to be one of my favorite day trips. I found street parking nearby, enjoyed the beautiful walk down to the resort, and was immediately reminded why this place is so special. I grabbed a seat at the bar for lunch, watched the World Cup match, and enjoyed great food with an incredible ocean view. The atmosphere was relaxed, the service was friendly, and it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the afternoon. Between the sound of the waves, the coastal breeze, and everyone cheering during the game, it was such a memorable experience. After lunch, I spent time exploring the walking paths and taking in the stunning scenery. You don't have to book a room to enjoy everything this beautiful resort has to offer. I'll definitely be back--and next time I may even stay for sunset. Highly recommend if you're looking for a relaxing day trip with amazing views, good food, and a little reminder to slow down and enjoy life. read more

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Still a five star review! We spent a few days at the resort and planned ahead with dinner reservations at the different restaurants on site. We have been to Nelson's a number of times before and decided it would be the perfect place for our first night at the resort. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Everyone checked on us periodically including the manager. They seated us inside as it was a bit cold outside but we did walk around later and take advantage of the beautiful views, setting and sunset. Between the four of us, we had calamari and shishito peppers, swordfish tacos, salad, clam chowder and a new Terrazookie dessert - Baked chocolate cookie served with vanilla bean gelato, chocolate sauce, hint of sea salt. My favorite part of dinner. Nelson's has a wonderful assortment of offerings on their menu and is most definitely a great choice for dinner or lunch. They do serve breakfast but we have not had their breakfast. Spectacular View! Many Yummy Food Choices! Friendly Staff! Comfortable Dining! read more

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I visited Nelson's on Sunday evening (06/28/2026) and had a fabulous night. The weather couldn't have been better, and we were fortunate enough to sit outside on the patio with a glass partition, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Pacific. It's hard to beat that setting. With the ocean views, relaxed atmosphere, Nelson's is one of those places where you find yourself lingering a little longer because the environment is so enjoyable. Our server, Kayla from Brazil, took great care of our table. We spent a few minutes talking about the World Cup, which made the experience even more personable. She was attentive, friendly, and always seemed to arrive at just the right time. I've always felt the food at Nelson's is a notch above your typical resort grill. On this visit, the Brisket Steak Sandwich was a little disappointing, it was much fattier than I expected (B/B-). On the other hand, their Nelson's Burger continues to be a solid choice and earns a B+ from me. While the food is generally good, it's really the location that keeps me coming back. Watching the sun set over the coastline with good company, attentive service, and a laid-back beach atmosphere is what makes Nelson's a place worth visiting. read more

Nelson's - Sunset, 06/28/2026 No filter, just the beauty of reality through my Android. - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

I feel conflicted giving Nelson's 3 stars because I usually judge restaurants solely on the quality of their food. If I'm being consistent with that philosophy, the food here is good, but not exceptional. That said, "average" food doesn't necessarily mean an average experience. If you've never been here before, it's absolutely worth visiting, especially for a romantic date or a relaxing afternoon by the ocean. Just keep in mind that weekends can get busy, and hotel guests receive priority seating. So here's how I'd score it: Food: 3/5, everything else: 5/5. Location - 5/5. Location is where Nelson's truly shines. In my opinion, it has one of the best oceanfront dining locations in Los Angeles County. Sure, there are plenty of great waterfront restaurants like Geoffrey's Malibu, Malibu Seafood, Malibu Farm, The Strand House, and Redondo Beach Crab House. But none of them sit atop a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island quite like Nelson's. The lack of surrounding development means your view is dominated by nature rather than buildings, making it one of the most scenic dining spots in the area. My favorite time to visit is late afternoon into sunset - there are few better ways to spend an evening than nursing a cold beer while watching the sun disappear into the Pacific. Service - 5/5. I've visited Nelson's more than ten times over the past five years, always as a non-hotel guest. I'll admit that before my first visit, I expected the service to feel a bit snobbish because it's located inside a luxury resort. Fortunately, that hasn't been my experience at all. Every visit has been consistently pleasant. The staff are attentive, friendly, and accommodating. Whether I've asked to be reseated or requested a reasonable modification to my order, they've always been happy to help. Food - Overall 3/5. Spicy Chicken Sandwich - 3.5/5. Probably my favorite item on the menu. The chicken is well-seasoned, although slightly dry. The bun is lightly toasted and sturdy enough to hold everything together. I always upgrade to the sweet potato fries - they're worth the extra dollar. Blackened Salmon Salad - 3.5/5. This was a pleasant surprise. The salmon was cooked well with a nicely developed crust from the blackening seasoning while remaining moist inside. The salad ingredients weren't the freshest I've ever had, but they were perfectly respectable. Overall, a surprisingly enjoyable dish. Fish & Chips - 2.5/5. A fairly standard piece of thick, flaky white fish in a crispy batter. Unfortunately, the batter separates too easily from the fish, and the fish itself is almost unseasoned. It needed more salt and overall flavor. I am really nitpicking here. It's still a dish I would order again. Nelson's Burger - 3/5. Probably the best value on the menu. The patty has a nice sear but is slightly dry and a touch too salty (I'm admittedly nitpicking). Once again, I'd recommend spending the extra dollar for the sweet potato fries, which I consistently find tastier and served hotter than the regular fries. The Thousand Island-style sauce isn't particularly memorable, but it complements the burger well. Final Thoughts... At the end of the day, Nelson's reminds me that restaurants aren't always about chasing the best food. Sometimes the setting, the service, and the company matter just as much. Come here for the spectacular ocean views, stay for the attentive service, order a cold beer (or a glass of wine), and enjoy some solid - not spectacular - food while watching the sun set over the Pacific with people you care about. That's the experience Nelson's does very well. read more

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Went there for brunch. Does have the view of the ocean. Food was ok. The loco moco sauce and the egg was good but the meat itself was flavorless. The chorizo burrito was big and packed inside but there was mostly carbs inside. The chocolate chip pancake was actually very good. Fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness. FYI it's quite far from self parking so make sure you have plenty of time to walk there. The walk itself was actually nice. Got to see parts of the resort. read more

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First time customers at the wonderful, casual dining experience at Nelson's! Enjoyed the outstanding delicate fish and chips w fresh crispy side Caesar salad, seared filet salad, grass fed burger on top of beautiful oceanfront views, and superb Customer Service! read more

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The service here is excellent! Our server was a sweet lady from Brazil. She was very attentive and described the menu well. We had a small hiccup with our nachos and the manager, Chris, was more than accommodating. We ate here during our stay at the Terranea, but the service and ocean views were so amazing that we've decided to come back even if we're not staying on the property. read more

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Went on an adventure hiking the trail which lead to Nelson's at the Terranea Resort. There's an actual restaurant on site, but we decided to grab some beers and enjoyed it overlooking the ocean. A bar outside the restaurant was offered along with a smaller menu option. It was such a beautiful sunny day to just relaxed sipping on beers while intaking views of the ocean. There was a live band playing some country music which was also nice. Service was great with friendly staff. We didn't stay long, but glad we took the time to enjoy ourselves after a short hike. read more

Nelson's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

We did the trails first and honestly, they were the kind of beautiful that makes you feel like you did something good for yourself. So we were already in a good mood by the time we landed at Nelson's for lunch. The views do not disappoint. We were seated outside and had an amazing view, which was so relaxing. We kicked things off with margaritas, Arnold Palmers, and Bloody Marys while we took it all in. Good drinks, great scenery, even better company. The service was great too, our server was nice, personable and attentive. The food was fresh, good quality, nicely put together. Our whole group just felt like it was missing a little something in the flavor department, and we all had different dishes, so it was just a common thread we noticed. Not a dealbreaker at all, more of a "this could be a five star experience with a few small tweaks" situation. Would we go back? Absolutely. The whole vibe makes it worth it. read more

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Nelson's is bar food with a view. We ordered the ceviche and it was bland and plain. Next we had the burger with fries and the chicken sandwich with a side salad. The chicken sandwich was the best thing we ate and it was mid at best. On the plus side, they do have TVs inside if you are wanting to watch a sports game! read more

Food, view and service are the best. Such an amazing place, loved it. I loved the breeze, heaters too if you get cold but it was perfect. read more

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This place is such a gem. The food is awesome, the service was great, and you can't be the ambience right on the beach! My girlfriend came in from out of town and treated us to lunch here. It was absolutely wonderful. I had the seared tuna sandwich with a seaweed salad and it was superb. read more

Nelson's - Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich with seaweed salad - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

We came to Terranea after being in the area and decided to dine here since we were exploring the area! We got 2 drinks, wings for apps, a clam chowder, and burger total was about $130 with tax for these items. The wings were good, but it could've been crispier. The clam chowder was a small bowl for $20?! Which is crazy, it was also pretty average. The burger was also average along with the Caesar salad. The food and drinks are pretty mediocre and nothing memorable. Besides the view and location, there isn't much to rave about. Our server was very friendly and kept checking up on us. I would probably try something else at the resort! read more

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After a morning hike around Terranea, we decided to have lunch at Nelson's. Wasn't sure what to expect based on the reviews, I ordered a blackened salmon salad - it was Really good. The salmon was cooked just right, Juicy served over a bed of greens with dried cranberries, diced squash, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes. The pomegranate dressing was light, sweet (but not too sweet) and a bit tangy. Not sure about other items but I would certainly recommend giving this salad a try - best of all - the view! read more

Nelson's - Blackened Salmon Salad - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Perched right on the edge of the cliffs, Nelson's offers some amazing views and provides the best laid back lunch vibes in Terranea. I must admit that I overlooked this place while staying on property, as a quick look over their menu didn't really pique my interest. So I didn't think a reservation was necessary when we walked over for a casual lunch. Boy was I wrong. Not only was the wait over an hour without a reservation, they stopped taking walk-ins altogether by about 1pm. It turns out that this is the place to be when the beautiful PV weather shows up. While it's true that the patio setting and view are Nelson's main draw, the food was prepared surprisingly well. You won't find anything too adventurous outside of the simple menu of burgers, tacos and salads, but the quality of the ingredients was noticeable and my crispy shrimp tacos were presented well and satisfying. So if you're looking to enjoy a nice lunch on a sunny day, there are not many patio settings as idyllic as Nelson's. Just do yourself a favor and make a reservation. read more

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Our second visit proved more successful than the first. We enjoyed the patio seating on a Sunday morning with great views of the coast. Our server was pleasant and checked with the kitchen when she didn't know the answer to our question. She frequently checked on us during our meal. The pancakes may have been the best I've ever had in a restaurant. They make their own batter and that makes a huge difference. Fresh strawberries and strawberry jam were delicious. The American breakfast was good. I really liked the hot and extra crispy tater tots. The apple sausage appealed to my husband, but not as much to me. The toasted whole grain bread was also a hit. I recommend Nelson's for breakfast. read more

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Amazing view! Casual lunch spot over looking the water. We received a ride from the hotel out to the restaurant. The absolutely best dessert of peanut butter torte! read more

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This is a beautiful restaurant located over a cliff overlooking the sea. The views are incredible. The service and the food was mediocre just to get into the resort and go to the restaurant. There's a $10 parking fee and it's a valet. The grounds were beautiful, but the way to the restroom can be very long. We waited over an hour to get seated, but we made the best of it by walking around and enjoying the grounds and the views of the ocean. There was some miscommunication about the seating. The bench seats closest to the water our self service you can get a drink at the bar and see yourself in that area. However there's a plexiglass that separates the open area from the area that you actually get waiter to serve you. read more

Nelson's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

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Went for lunch during the week. Staff is nice, but not trained on the basic points of service. They're very pushy at cocktail orders but not so much on water refills. When we ordered the food came out very fast. Unfortunately they brought our appetizers out with the entrees. Really made for anawkward dining experience. After the food arrived we had to request napkins & cutlery. Food was good. $300 lunch for 3. read more

Golfed the par 3 course in the morning and headed straight to Nelson's immediately after. Awesome that the Terranea property will happily golf car you to and from the golf course and restaurant. Nelson's sits on the Palos Verdes bluff with beautiful vistas. They quickly seated our hungry post golf party and quickly took our drink orders. I got my margarita... no complaints. We ordered appetizers: nachos,ceviche, wings. All very good I ordered the fish tacos... perfectly battered and fried, on top of shredded cabbage and creamy sauce. My husband ordered the smoked brisket sandwich that came with with fries. Everyone enjoyed everything they ordered. read more

Nelson's - Swordfish Tacos. Ordered them crispy. yummy - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

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Nelson's at Terranea Resort is one of those spots you go to for the setting alone. Perched high on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, the views are absolutely stunning and make it a popular (and busy) destination--so I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. We came here last Sunday for brunch with a large group and were seated inside. While the interior is nice and the bar area is lively--with multiple TVs and a great energy--you really come here for the outdoor experience. If you can snag a table on the patio, that's the move. You'll get front-row views of the coastline, with birds flying by and even the occasional whale or dolphin sighting, which makes the whole experience feel extra special. That said, this visit didn't quite live up to what I remembered. The service was a bit slow, especially for a large party, and the food just didn't hit the same--it was good, but not as memorable as past visits. Overall, Nelson's is still worth it for the incredible ocean views and ambiance, but I'd set expectations that the food and service may not always match the scenery. read more

I don't know why I keep trying to have a good meal here. I would normally enjoy the Lobby Bar but it wasn't open yet. So I went to Nelson's. Be so for real... $20 for sliders on their "specials" menu. Also they were gross. Did you really use Hawaiian rolls? Get it together Nelson. Excellent service as always. Edit: just remembered that these were billed as "smash burgers". This place is deeply unserious. Smash burgers... I can't. read more

Nelson's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

One of the better tasting, more unique restaurants in terrenea! I prefer this over Bashi and Catalina Kitchen as it's similar in pricing, but food feels more special and not something you can easily get elsewhere. The views are amazing during sunset! They close at 9pm on weekdays, so great for a late night bite. Service is fast and the quality you'd expect at a resort like Terrenea. Favorites: Ahi Tuna Burger (fish is so fresh!) is a must, I've never seen this elsewhere. The crispy wonton and avocado really elevates the sandwich. Steamed mussels and sausage is the best appetizer, save the sauce to dip bread / burger into. Mussels are very fresh, perfectly seasoned. They have unique drinks too! Will definitely come back, always a favorite at Terrenea. read more

Nelson's - Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

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The Terranea resort as a campus is spectacular, from the walking trails with vast ocean access open to anyone (not just hotel guests) to the abundance of restaurants. The hotel itself is gorgeous and a delight to stay in, but you can still get that feeling of *escape* by coming to Terranea and not being a hotel guest by walking around or enjoying one of the restaurants on site. One of the bright spots is Nelson's, a well-known secret among locals. Having dined at all 3 of the Terranea restaurants (the other two are mar'sel and Catalina Kitchen), I can say that Nelson's is the standout because of the bluffside views on the outdoor dining patio. In addition, the interior dining room is an homage to Sea Hunt, a mid-20th Century TV show starring Lloyd Bridges, with lots of photos and other inspiration. The restaurant is named after his character Mike Nelson. It's a tip to the fact that the show was shot at the Terranea resort back in the day. You also get great views from the other restaurants but Nelson's takes the cake for me, and given the everyday casual dining menu, it's more accessible than the higher end mar'sel, the latter which is more fitted for special occasions. In sum, the Terranea restaurants ranked by views: 1) Nelson's: best views, as the outdoor seating is right on the bluffs. Casual fare 2) mar'sel: second best views, more remote/private location, great for a fancy night out 3) Catalina Kitchen: still get a view but you see the resort pool in front of you and then the ocean behind it. Another casual fare place that is slightly more upscale than Nelson's. Standout for their Friday night seafood buffet (but beware the lines from the crab legs!) and Sunday brunch buffet. read more

Service was warm and friendly. Place was busy but the food and drink came up quickly and the server was on top of things. Love the views and the overall Terranea experience! read more

My partner surprised me with a visit to this gorgeous restaurant right by the ocean. We arrived about 40 minutes before closing, yet the staff welcomed us warmly and delivered excellent service without rushing us. We started with the shrimp ceviche (absolutely scrumptious) served with perfectly crisp tortilla chips. For our main course, we had the swordfish tacos, which were buttery, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. I paired the meal with a local craft Hefeweizen beer, which complemented the fresh, coastal flavors beautifully read more

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The food was amazing, the service was great, the view was spectacular. Although I'm leaving a 5 start review, I wanted to complain on one of the bussers here. He passed by our table multiple times and at one point he just stood there observing with his hands behind his back. I tried to call him over and he completely ignored me. It was NOT a busy day. I started practically yelling "excuse me" and the "disculpe" (Spanish) he continued to ignore me as he stood there and did nothing right next to our table. Then he walked RIGHT past me and looked right at me and we had eye contact. Any way, this place was amazing, he needs to do better. read more

Nelson's - Service - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Nelsons: live locally and visit often. How often? Yelp calls me the duke here. The views are awesome. The ambiance California casual And The staff are awesome, especially Dylan Mosher. He was above and beyond great, pointing out a dolphin pod out in the sea that we had overlooked. And THAT is the kind of support you can expect - surprise and delight Get the poke as an app, and get the fish & chips (with Caesar as a substitute for fries) and you won't be disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the batter (or chef) had changed and the fish are really perfectly battered and fried read more

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Let's just start with the amazing view by the ocean, under sun with cool breeze. The place cannot be perfectly located anywhere else. The second thing is the friendly server we had who was amazing and so great with our kids. She was very nice and funny with our kids and prompt with the service. We had Nelson's Nacho, Spicy Chicken sandwich, kids beetered pasta and kids cheese burger. The nacho could be little spicy but I had the server get us side of jalapenos. I recommend this to everyone looking a great American lunch. They also have live music on the weekends, I think?. read more

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Nelson's is perched right on the oceanside at Terranea. It has a casual beach bar vibe, but offers really thoughtful, up-leveled food and drink options. We were there for lunch and had incredible shrimp tacos with accoutrements. I'm a sucker for a great milk punch, so we also gave that a shot and really enjoyed that midday indulgence. Each part of the meal seemed fresh and had that little bit of extra flavor that we love, so we really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Also, my partner is Celiac, so we need strict gluten free food with no cross-contamination. The menu is labeled but our server, Martin, was also extremely helpful when it came to navigating some questions. They seem really on top of and capable with allergy issues, and he shared with us that they receive regular training across the resort. read more

THE MOST AMAZING VIEWS EVER! We have been coming here since it opened. We love parking in the neighborhood and going on a small hike around the property and ending with watching the sunset over the most beautiful Palos Verdes coast. Then ending with a delicious dinner at Nelson's. The menu is not large but it has many delicious options. Today we had fish and chips and my husband said it's the best he has ever had. I had the Ahi sandwich. I wasn't sure about it because sometimes the ahi can be a big chunk that can be chewy or overcooked and tasteless but not this one! It was the best fish sandwich I have ever had. My son agreed. The ahi was sliced into sushi size pieces making it easier to eat and avoiding overcooking, there was a spicy aioli, a yummy slaw, creamy avocado, a buttery soft bun, and the best crunchy wontons! I can't stop thinking about this sandwich and can't wait to go back and get it again. They also have burgers, salads, and other great options. They have fire pits where you can buy a s'mores package and enjoy making them. The s'mores are a bit pricey but the view and ambiance make up for it. Our waitress was sweet and helpful with suggestions. read more

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We have been coming here for dinner almost every year for ten years during the Christmas season as Terranea Resort's Christmas carolers. Our group was here to only sing for the tree lighting ceremony because of budget cuts, so don't look for us this year strolling the restaurants providing some Christmas music. Maybe, if they'll have us, we will be back to spread some holiday cheer next year! Nelson's will always have a warm spot in my heart. The food is terrific, the service impeccable, and the views on their patio are spectacular. My husband and I will be back to patronize their other restaurants on future visits. I love Nelson's warm lobster rolls served with butter and fries, the seafood Cobb salad, the Nelson burger, the fish and chips, the ceviche appetizer, the soft pretzel appetizer, their huge selection of microbrews on tap, and their marvelous desserts. There are so many more options to choose from! read more

Sub par food, ordered lobster roll and a Caesar salad. We had to send the salad back considering not just the lack of taste but horrible presentation. I understand it's a simple salad but for the price, I expect a nice presentation at minimum. Service was great, the server was kind enough to make a recommendation of the ceviche which was also not great. No flavor. Ambiance is why people come here, the views are unmatched! Overall, I would not come here for food I'd play it safe with a burger. read more

Nelson's is an amazing place with lovely oceans views. The food was excellent. Service was horrible. Waited for service. No one came. Checked with several waiters but no one waited on us until went to desk. Then a wonderful server helped us. For high end restaurant they need to serve their guests timely. It looked there weren't any waiters. read more

The fish and chips lacked flavor, but it had plenty of grease, the tartar sauce was subpar. I would not recommend it, I tried to save it with malt vinegar, that only made it worse. read more

Nelson's - Fish and chips, terrible no flavor extra greasy - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

I ordered two tacos and it had no seaon on it and alot of greas falling so not good for me...so sad

This review has nothing to do with the food, my lobster roll was so fresh! But I was a little disappointed when I asked for my umbrella to be put up and they told me they couldn't because of the wind. VALID. My issue was there were 6 other umbrellas up at the time and when I pointed that out they still refused to open mine and didn't take down the others. I wasn't offered to move either. For the price I'm paying, I'd at least expect to be offered to move tables. read more

Nelson's - Connecticut Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

A bit pricey but the view is fantastic .. food is so so And the severs are not that friendly read more