I was recommended the Ocean Diner as a hangover buster from a friend. She was definitely correct: the greasy breakfasts abound here and will definitely cure whatever haunts from a previous evening might be upsetting you. However! This place is so very much more than that. I kind of expected a greasy spoon type of place...but it's really just an adorable little diner situated in Hermosa with an outstanding breakfast menu. Portions are huge and everything is amazing. I've had omelettes, skillets, waffles, pancakes...and I've never left feeling unsatisfied. I've never tried the lunch/dinner here, but who can blame me when the breakfast menu is so awesome?! Definitely try their homemade biscuits! And pretty much anything from the dessert case will blow your mind. Parking can be tricky at times and sometimes there is a wait...but if you're with a small group you might be able to snag counter spaces. read more

Ocean Diner I was a bit disappointed after reading such good yelp reviews... Met up with a friend for lunch, Sunday, and it was very crowded! Parking lot was full and so was halfway up the street so I parked in the Ralph's plaza and just walked the few steps up to the diner. I had the 2-3-3 breakfast with eggs, pancakes and asked for toast in place of the bacon. The eggs were cooked well, the pancakes were huge but not very fluffy, and toast, thin slices of bread, nothing baked there or anything special. My friend had the turkey club and fries, which she said was decent, but not great. Service wasn't bad, prices are average for Hermosa but expensive for anywhere not close to the beach cities. If I happen to come back, I'll get the eggs again and try their coffee. read more

Upon walking in, you know this place has a cult following to it. Local, non-chain restaurant that really feels like a diner. I'd imagine it would get crowded on non work days. For the record, I had no problem getting in on a Wednesday at 10:30 am. Probably would avoid this place if you don't like breakfast. You can't order anything on the first two pages without it coming with toast or eggs. Seems like everyone raves about--you guessed it right-- breakfast in these reviews. For around $12-14 you get a pretty decent portion. I probably won't come back. You're better off going somewhere to get seafood if you make it down here. Good note that there's a small parking lot in the back of it, nobody ever said anything about that in a review. read more

Ate the chicken tenders, they were terrible. Mashed potatoes were runny and the gravy was flavorless. My wife got a breakfast plate, looked a lot better. The potatoes were great. Maybe lunch was the wrong choice. read more

4.5 stars on Yelp.....really??? I am quite surprised by this overall rating. Sure the food is quick, and so is the service, but come on the food is not that great for breakfast. Yes, the place generally has a line outside of it, but that is not the only sign of a 4 + star place to grub for your first meal of the day. I will give it props for having a pretty healthy menu and the food at times taste like it was reheated or was waiting for someone to buy it. I have ate their multiple times over the years hoping this place would prove me wrong. Alas, it has not so 3 stars is what you get.... read more

This is one of my favorite breakfast places. I've been coming here for years but sporadically since I don't live close by any more, so I always have the same thing now. The Bodybuilder with whole eggs, biscuits and extra Salsa on the side. It's great. read more

I love coming home because I always seem to gain a few pounds. I find it funny that I wake up earlier on spring break then when school's in session. But at least I can enjoy a nice breakfast with my pops. Swung by this place near a gym I used to frequent in my high school days and to be honest, its so small on the outside that I missed it on two passbys (its right on Ocean Dr). Parking is a mess, but you can use the nearby Ralph's plaza and just walk over if it gets really bad. The inside of this diner is a lot more spacious than it appears on the outside. Plenty of places to sit and some nice memorabilia via old WWII newspapers and toasters. They have a wide selection of house made cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and other sweet treats (free rice krispy with entry purchase if you foursquare it). Because it was breakfast I decided to order a chicken pesto omelette. Unfortunately, my dad got some unexpected pieces of food in his and the waiter gladly took it back and brought him a new one. The portion sizes are pretty big. My omelette filled half of my plate and was stuffed with perfectly cooked chicken, pesto, onions, and melted cheese. I got mashed potatoes and some flour tortillas that came as sides. Washed it all down with a glass of orange juice, paid my bill, and went home to succumb to massive food coma. Nothing like starting the day off right with a heavy meal next to the beach. read more

I love Ocean Diner. The food here is great, really makes me feel as if I am having breakfast at my friend's house rather than at a diner. Decor is fun, really old fashioned kind of feel. Always a good choice, never been disappointed, although I mostly go for breakfast. read more

I think this is the first time I've reviewed a restaurant more than once, but Ocean Diner is so good I had to make an exception. Home style, classic diner food is simple, satisfying, and delish. But it's the service that rates the fifth star in my opinion. The owner and staff always make you feel at home whether it's your first or last visit - which is the case for me since I'm moving away. I chose Ocean Diner for my last meal in Hermosa Beach and I wasn't disappointed! read more

Ocean Diner - Mama's Home - two lightly breaded and grilled pork chops, home fries, eggs, muffins and country gravy. So yummy! - Diners Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Parking in front, few spots behind the restaurant, and there's some street parking across from the restaurant. I only come on the weekends and I've always had to wait at least 20 minutes prior to getting table. It's a hot spot on the weekends. Ocean Diner offers complimentary coffee while you wait :) Cabo Wabo skillet sans sour cream is very good and my favorite dish there. Their muffins are all home made and equally delicious. Pineapple muffins are a must try! read more

I love pancakes on occasion, but it's hard for me to find restaurants that make them how I like. The Ocean Diner gets five stars for its pancakes which were perfection. I ordered a short stack (which is two cakes, more than enough for me) with a side of ham, while my wife got the 2-2-3 with the crunchy French toast & bacon. If only the other food I got lived up to the hotcakes: the ham was stringy and tough, and when I tasted the French toast I was surprised how little I cared for it (this is a menu item that I would typically order myself). However, there is so much that looks appealing on the menu, and I saw many of the items in person as they were bussed out from the kitchen. I'm sure when I come back in I will find something else to pair with the pancakes that will be just as great. My only other gripe was that the hostess handling the seating is not very friendly. Other than that, service was brisk and attentive. The coffee I ordered was good, and it was filled up regularly. Parking on the street can be a bit tricky with the traffic rushing down towards the beach, but you might also be able to find something at the shopping center down on the corner. read more

Love this diner!!!!! I'm so glad yelp helped me find this place. Where do I begin? I watch what I eat. I love how they have so many healthy options and they serve whole wheat grain bread :) now I can enjoy all their yummy sandwiches and burgers. I enjoy eating the parmasean cheddar tuna sandwich. It's perfect. It's very cheap. Friendly and fast service. Parking is tight but you can always park on the street. This is our new spot!! read more

Ocean Diner - Cheddar tuna melt with whole grain wheat bread and ca chicken sandwich :) - Diners Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Came here yesterday for lunch around 1pm with the boyfriend. It was our first meal of the day and we were pretty hungry. Bf found this place on Yelp because he wanted breakfast foods. First off, the diner itself is on the corner of Aviation & Ocean Dr. There is a small parking lot in the back but there is a slight curb and my bf's car would have scraped too much so we parked on the next street (Montgomery Dr). We had no problem with parking! Also, I saw that people were parking on the street right in front of the diner as well. As soon as we walked in, we just stood there and the waiter behind the counter told us to just seat ourselves. It's a new location and you never know if you're supposed to seat yourself or not until you walk in. I was pleasantly surprised by the interior! They had quirky decorations on the walls and they have old-fashioned toasters (?) on the shelf in the back. They also have signs on the walls and I loved the counter with the red stools! I had a difficult time trying to decide what to order. I wanted an omelette but all of the omelettes and skillets were listed on the same page so I was unsure which ones were skillets and which ones were omelettes unless they specified skillet/omelette in the name. Obviously, I should have gone through the Yelp reviews for this one! When they put skillet on the menu, I assumed it was one of those sizzling hot plates that they bring out, but actually, they seem like just omelettes cooked on a skillet. Now I know! I ordered the Chicken Pesto ($10.75) omelette after a few indecisive minutes. Bf wanted me to go with the Kapiko's Favorite but stubborn me changed my mind at the last minute! :( He ordered the 2-2-3 ($8.25) with the granola banana pancakes (specialty pancakes are $2.25 extra). IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! I was skeptical after ordering the Chicken Pesto because my bf proceeded to show me a picture of Kapiko's Favorite (completely made me regret my order immediately...) but it was too late and I stuck with it. My omelette came with two banana muffins with powdered sugar sprinkled on top and the waiter asked me if I wanted salsa (why yes, please & thank you!!!). The chicken pesto omelette is just that-- chicken pesto inside the omelette with onions and tomatoes. With the salsa, it was yummy!! It comes with a side of home fries (I thought they were french fries, but they're just breakfast potatoes, lol). The potatoes also have onions with them. I had a bite of the granola banana pancakes and they were pretty good. I'm more of a breakfast sandwich/omelette person when it comes to breakfast foods while my boyfriend likes the typical breakfast meal (ie: pancakes, sausages, eggs) so I'll be trying the Kapiko's Favorite next time we come here! :) The service was pretty good. We felt like we were paid enough attention to get everything we needed (refill of waters, asking for the bill, taking our order) and our food came pretty quickly. We also went ahead and got a Cookies N Creme shake & a 50/50 float (vanilla ice cream with orange soda). They have a good variety of shakes and 3 kinds of floats (Black Cow: coke float, Brown Cow: root beet float, 50/50: orange soda float). We got them to go and they were also delicious!! It was refreshing to have a good experience throughout: good service, good food, and good dessert! read more

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Not going to lie, as soon my friend and I decided to do a New Years Day brunch, I immediately regretted it, thinking about the swarms of Angelenos that would crowd into breakfast restaurants likes bees on honey. Clearly, I was expecting the worse. But luckily the wait was less than 15 minutes! They also have a coffee dispenser and cups out front which was much-needed. Ocean diner is exactly what it sounds like - good, unhealthy diner food. All the omelettes and breakfast items looked really appetizing, but I stumbled upon the grilled cheese section and opted for the italian grilled cheese : lots of garlic, tomato, basil and cheeses. It was buttery and melty like a grilled cheese should be, and served with a reasonable side of fries. i actually finished my plate! Service was okay. It was busy so we had a little bit of a hard time getting our server's attention a couple of times. Overall the food is solid, but not particularly noteworthy and definitely not a place to stand in line. But if you're looking for some diner food, this is a great neighborhood spot! read more

I absolutely love, love, love this little spot. The food is always great and the atmosphere is perfect for lazy Saturdays, hung-over Sundays and just about everything else in between. We decided to head over there very last minute on a Sunday with a couple friends who were in from out of town. For a Sunday and at prime breakfast/lunch time, the four of us were able to find seats fairly fast (it's a seat yourself kinda place). Our server was super nice, we ordered and our food came out definitely in a timely manner. They have a wide variety of things on the menu - even a list for the healthier eaters. Only know that it is a small spot, so larger groups might have trouble finding a place to sit as quickly as smaller groups. It'd be definitely worth the wait, though. Love this place! read more

Completely unexpected satisfaction with this breakfast joint. Zero expectations going in and ordered basic breakfast plate. Ten bucks for eggs, good crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked home fries. Had corn tortillas instead of toast and made myself breakfast tacos. Friends had specials. One was an amazing french toast plate. They are still talking about it. If I'm in the area again, will definitely be back. parking can be a bit of a chore. read more

I love this place! I ALWAYS get the veggie burger! It is amazing! Service is great! Coffee is great. read more

I thought that this place was just alright. I thought it was really cute inside, but the food was just ok. I didn't have a problem with the service at all, unlike some other reviews said they did. I have just tasted much better breakfast other places, but it wasn't horrible by any means. read more

i absolutely love this place, SO good, specials are UHmazing and always changing. Parking blows but thats beside the point, i would eat here everyday if that was a sensible human being thing to do. *chicken tomatillo burrrio!!" read more

Had an excelent banana nut waffle here and my girlfriend had what was called vanilla french toast and both of us were extremely happy with what we ordered. I think we had to wait a while to get refills but it was pretty busy, thankfully we didn't need to wait though, I think we went 9 AMish. I'll definately come back some time to try some of the other items on the menu, this place is a winner in my book. read more

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Ok, I headed back to Ocean Diner to give it another shot after convincing from two loyal patrons (and a Yelp! note from the owner didn't hurt either) and I'll bump it up to 3 stars for tenacity ... The wait is still a bit ridiculous (ask friends to show up early and come last!) but I got some better direction on what to order and am a happier camper this time around. At this rate, they may get another star if I can figure out a way to replace their potatoes and get a "fast track" line started. #1) Huevos Racheros - pretty darn good for Hermosa Beach. Beans and sauce layered in a crispy shell with runny eggs on top ... a very traditional preparation and almost 5 star worthy if it had been spicier. Or spicy at all ... even the salsa needs a kick! #2) Chicken Fried Steak - This is the second time I've had this here and it's very tasty. No complaints! (except the potatoes ....) My biggest issue with this place is the "home fried" potatoes they serve - maybe other people like it, but I don't. It's basically a boiled potato that they've sliced and grilled off ... slightly better this visit because it was actually crispy, but it's still not my favorite side to accompany the meal. Can we have some hash browns, please? read more

Nice small diner with locals here. Tables and bar seating. There is definitely a lot to order from on the menu like any old diner. There is also a dedicated section with HEALTHIER options. Always a plus in my book for those who like to take care of their bodies inside and out. OJ: Fresh but the glass was small and skinny. Brown sugar coffee cake: since it was free because of the coupon via Foursquare. Apple Creme Brulee waffle: overly sweet for me and I had to wash it down with water and/or OJ. It also came with eggs (any way you like it) and a healthy order of bacon or sausage (which ever you prefer). Would I come back? Most likely since it's close by and I'd like to try other things on their menu. read more

One day while heading home from Rok Sushi, we drove past Ocean Diner. It looked like a good spot for breakfast as both my fiancee and I enjoy a good diner experience. We came back on a Sunday and have been hooked ever since. On our fourth visit to Ocean Diner, I was actually feeling like having an actual breakfast dish. I usually have lunch or dinner for breakfast...I don't know why, I'm weird that way o_0. This time I got the stuffed vanilla french toast with fruit and a side of home potatoes with gravy. The french toast was so damn good, the cream cheese was melted which made it delightful to eat with the fruit that came with the dish. The potatoes and gravy were so flavorful and hearty. My fiancee ordered off the weekly special board, she had the sloppy Joe's omelet, which she said was outstanding. Overall, I recommend Ocean Diner to anyone in the area looking form some good food. read more

How can you not love a place that has 9 choices for grilled cheese?!? Note - there is also a "healhy alternatives" section. I had the spinach, bacon, and cheddar omelet. Not much cheddar, but that may be to coincide with requesting that it be made with "no yolks" and fruit instead of potatoes. Love the kitsch of the antique toasters lined up on the wall. It's a neighborhood gem, but unfortunately everyone in the neighborhood knows. Be prepared to line up for breakfast on the weekends if after 10. Parking is poor - 6 space lot behind or street parking. Service was very good. read more

Pretty......pretty good. It's a local spot for me during the work day. Prefer breakfast to lunch and lunch to their dinner - but all in all it's a staple go-to kind of diner. Price just about matches quality. read more

We love this place! They have great coffee, service is excellent, portions are big and it is very affordable. It is our third time here and we plan to come back often! What to try: The coffee!! Mac and cheese Grilled cheese....yup. That's right!! Mac and cheese for the blue plate special-about $9 Biscuits and gravy- gravy is great! Chicken fried steak read more

Getting welcomed at Ocean Diner to brunch and being provided with a table, crayons for the kids, free fruit loop sides, and a smile during our food order are a few of the many things that make Ocean Diner so special. With a decor mimicking the 1940s and Los Angeles Times historical clippings decorating the walls one almost feels the rush slip away and leaves you hungry for simpler times. The food is excellent, the service friendly and efficient, and the prices very reasonable. The huevos rancheros are spectacular and just as good as when we lived here. Put down your knife and fork, sigh, and be glad you came for a great brunch. read more

Husband LOVES breakfast and is always looking for good breakfast joints. Ocean Diner offers a solid breakfast with quick service. I always get a veggie scramble with mushrooms, spinach, onions, sub fruit for potatoes and a muffin (blueberry, raspberry, mixed fruit, etc) The husband gets eggs, bacon, potatoes, buttermilk biscuit. We've had their french toast which is very good. The portions are very generous. Expect to be very full after your meal. There is a small lot in the back and plenty of street parking. If you go after 9:30am on a weekend expect a short wait or grab a seat at the counter. The diner itself is a bit dated and has old newspaper clippings and decor. From other yelpers, it seems to bother some but it can also add character depending on your taste. read more

Solid food and good service. Inside is a little small and it's almost always busy when they are open unless you come at an off-time. Breakfast is always packed. Thankfully I live close so takeout is easy. Lots of healthy options and some good foodie options too. Can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. They are pretty good about substitutions as well. read more

Everything was made to perfection. We had the huevos rancheros and the 2 egg special. This place is always consistent and fast. The portions are just right. read more

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. So if you like coffee, order a cup of coffee. If you sometimes have coffee with your breakfast, order a cup of coffee. If you don't like coffee, why??? Excellent brew. To date, I have not ordered something I didn't like. All of the their scrambles are delicious. They also have a very nice pastry window with tasty breakfast/dessert type treats to purchase. Small little gem that gets a lot of attention during prime breakfast hours. Get there early to avoid the wait. Or don't. Because you can have a CUP OF COFFEE while you wait outside. That's right. Self serve of their brew, which as I mentioned before is, amazing. read more

Love this place! Came in on a Sunday for breakfast around 10am with my boyfriend. There was a bunch of people waiting outside (that's how you know it's gonna be good) and there was a 20 minute wait. They provided free coffee outside for people waiting, a plus! The ambience is really cute- feels like an old school diner. There are old articles framed on the walls with WWII articles, etc. My boyfriend was really digging that. So many breakfast options! I chose the Sweet Lorraine omelette with home fries and a muffin - superb! My boyfriend got the eggs and a beef patty meal with potatoes and he was stoked. Coffee was delicious too! Loved it here - highly recommend for weekend breakfasts! read more

First timers here. Short wait. Clean tables. Awesome diner atmosphere. The food was great we had breakfast. Service was outstanding and the cost was about average for So. Cal. We will be back for lunch next time. read more

Everytime I have come I love this place. The breakfasts are great and the service is excellent! The coffee is a must and I am not a big coffee drinker. They serve good size portions and have lots of healthy options on the menu. read more

One of my favorite little "hole in the walls." Yes, parking on the weekend can be discouraging...but weekdays you should have no problem finding something on either side of the street and getting right in. The menu is big, the service is simple, polite and fast once seated. Not a place I would recommend for bringing your kids...just too small and tight not to bug the crap out of other diners if yours aren't well-mannered. Country skillet is good...but there is a new item on the menu that is GREAT - the pot roast omelette. Light and tasty - the kinda thing I wish my grandma would whip up for me when I visit. Haven't had a bad meal there yet...but when its packed on the weekends it loses its charm. read more

I love this place! I go there at least once a week for breakfast and love their food! The staff is great, friendly and provides excellent service! The waffle special has a special place in my heart! Go there! You won't regret! and your tummy will thank you! p.s.: they have a healthy food menu too! read more

If you are expecting a homely woman with plump elbows and a white apron calling you "Hun" and fussing over the level of your coffee when you come here, then I guess you are going to be disappointed with your experience. I think the service here is just fine, and when I eat at a place that has "diner" in the name, I'm not expecting to be regaled with five star service. And if you are going to complain that the Mickey-mouse pancake is too big for your damn kid, you should maybe consider going somewhere that has a children's menu. I appreciate the large breakfast menu at Ocean Diner, and they have had some good sounding specials (Red Velvet pancakes). However, the food is typically kind of "eh". I was pretty disappointed with the Dave's Omelet. The cubed turkey appeared to be cut from a saline injected deli -style turkey loaf; not pulled, as I had hoped. There wasn't enough feta, and there was nothing to hold the cubes of turkey and vegetables together, so you end up having to eat most of the filler separate from the eggs. The potatoes were crisped well but lacked seasoning. The brown sugar coffee crumb cake is outstanding. I usually leave Ocean Diner the happiest when I just come for coffee and the crumb cake. Not the greatest breakfast in town, but it's decent. read more

My sister Angela brought me here for breakfast when I was visiting, and as usual her tastes never fail. It took a while for the server to come around and take our order, but once the order was in, our food came out with surprising speed. Sister and I split a huge omelette and asked for the fresh salsa on the side - yum!! I also had bites of other peoples' food and it was pretty good as well. I'd definitely check this place out if you were in this part of town - one of the better breakfast places you can find. read more

Very neighborly diner at Hermosa Beach. Food was good, and service was tentative and fast. read more

Stopped in for dinner on a rainy Saturday night... The wait staff was brusque, but bearable. I ordered the Napoli sandwich, which was good, but a little greasy (admittedly, it was dripping with pesto oil). The fries were just ok, nothing to write home about. My dining partner got the Mac 'n Cheese. He was disappointed, there was no party in his mouth that night... The verdict: a little pricy for what you get, in both the service and food department. The old school diner feel is a plus, but not enough to bring us back any time soon. read more