If you are a tourist DO NOT GO HERE thinking it is a beach paradise. Your phone system recorded message says open at 8AM to Midnight. Your FB page I see says open at 12PM and your website opens at 11AM. Went out of my way way to catch breakfast with my wife there on Monday at 8:30AM after using SIRI to call your main number for your hours and you were closed and the guy cleaning just disappeared when I waved to him to ask what was up. Then the homeless zombies started rising from the dead and all I saw was trash, filth and tents everywhere. I was born and raised in Venice and I made a mental note to stay away from the cesspool it has become. I thought it was bad the last time I took my kid there and a homeless guy came in your restaurant and smashed someone's glass on the floor showering my table with shards but it is 20 times worse that it was then. The boardwalk is dirtier and less safe than skid row now. Breaks my heart. And with your management not caring about having different hours of opening on your phone system, web page and FB page and trying to make tourists think that going to Venice is like what it was back in better times, I and my family will not be coming back. Believe me there are much better beach alternatives all over the coast of SoCal. You can thank Mike Bonin for the disgusting atmosphere he has created around your restaurant and I would feel sorry for you but you obviously don't care anymore. Had some great times there over the decades. But all good things must end. P.S A word of advice on your phone systems main greeting. It gives you the option to press 8 to hear the message again. When you press 8 it says invalid option. You should get that fixed by your vendor. And have them record a new message with your correct hours of operation or teach you how to change it yourself. Sorry, I'm a phone guy. Couldn't help it. Late. Oh, and your YELP page also has different hours of operation. Seriously, someone over there needs to get their shit together! "The Best Place to People Watch in Venice!" Yeah, if you like watching filthy, demented, violent drug addicts. Then yes that would be true. read more

Alright cats N' Kids... Sidewalk Cafe is a MUST hit location to have lunch or a beverage or both you mad-dogs. I live in LA and take visiting friends to Venice Beach for them to see and this is a great place to stop, pee, drink and stuff your face. I've been to Sidewalk Cafe several times and the food is so good, Most recently I was in a group of 4 and we had the hotdog, tuna sandwich and I can't remember what mine was called but its highlighted (in red) in the sandwich section of menu and was great. I've uploaded a pic for you guys. If you're a alcohol consumer (oh you) there's a drink on the menu that you are only allowed to order 2 of per person because it's so strong and I assume they don't want you to stumble down to the beach and pass out in the sun afterwards. Personally my liver is more black and bloated than Precious so they didn't effect me so bad. The only cons I have is at lunch time it's RAMMED and you will probably have to wait. Also homeless people tried to snatch our food and my friend's camera as we sat at the railing (Obviously not Sidewalk's fault). I would advise sitting a little inside and away from the railing. Pros - Awesome food, Awesome Drinks, Good price for what you get. People watching opportunity which is better than the theatre. Moderately good prices for the area. Cons - Can be SUPER busy at lunch time. The person next to you will become a friend because it's a little cramped. Homeless people glaring. OH and visit the bookstore behind as they have a resident cat and you can pet him and read (and buy if you're splurging). He's so cute :) read more

Let's call it a 5 for location/boardwalk peope-walking ambiance and a 3.5 for food surprisingly, but I am sure the quality of the food and service will vary with the crush of time and traffic. It was clean and sheltered from the sun and wind which had taken a toll on us. We showed up about 7pm after a loong day on the beach & boardwalk on a sloow Wednesday night after Labor Day and it was maybe 1/4 full. Large enuf varied menu includes some really LARGE bowl salads for around $13 for two including an Antipasto salad that we couldn't finish. Coffee's hot and bottomless and looks like a full bar including a large choice of deserts, we went with a very tasty carrot cake. Service from Jim was attentive and helpful. Three hours of hanging out with lots of coffee and water with lemon including tip was only $30, and a lot of fun. Well positioned at night for the whatever is left of the boardwalk night entertainment that gets strangled off by the police the later and louder it gets. We were entertained by a remarkably talented obviously classically trained pianist in sunbleached brown dreadlocks and TedTV, formerly from the Bay Area doing a really fun DJ show with live camera and the boardwalk dancers. If you want to sit & be served, watch and be entertained latenight particularly, this is the place. And you don't have to sit if you don't want to, you can go out and bust a move with the boardwalk dancers when they play your song by request. FUN FUN FUN. read more

If you're visiting from out of town or if you're entertaining guests from out of town, I can't think of a better place to have a few drinks and take in the Venice scene than sidewalk cafe. The patio is right on the boardwalk so you can watch all the characters stroll by. Sometimes the street performers will do their comedy skits or play music right in front of the patio area for a captive audience, so it almost feels like a theater. The food is good and the portions are big. The menu is as eclectic as the scene, with satisfying basics like veggie-filled omelets, marinara-drenched pastas or overstuffed burritos. The crisp Chinese chicken salad (the Andy Warhol) is a meal itself, chock-full of shredded iceberg lettuce, tender white meat, crunchy noodles and tangy-sweet sesame dressing. Enormous burgers are smothered in just about anything; the Charles Dickens oozes with sauteed mushrooms, bacon and cheddar cheese. Bar food favorites like a mound of nachos or spicy chicken wings go down easily with a spicy, homemade bloody mary, a cold Corona or a pitcher of sangria. The service is friendly, and there's a place to lock up your bikes right outside the front door. The only drawback is that you're sitting really close to other tables and it gets hot under that awning. But if you are going to venice beach always a good idea to cap off a great day with some great people and food at the Sidewalk Cafe. EW read more

Rude as heck bartender. I used to be a regular there until something happened July 23, 2022 Terrible customer service and attitude with Rodney, (a white guy, maybe in his 40's, 5"9), I don't know how an employee can get away with cussing at customers. I was just trying to make small talk and say that after today I will go back to 0.0 for another 2 weeks. I thought he would say, cool no problem with a few drinks sometimes. But it didn't go that way, He right away assumed that I was going to have a lot of drinks there. Rodney got away angry and defensive. he proceeded to yell "no you will stop when I F++ckin cut your ass off. Are we fu*kin clear?" I tried to say ok but he continued to yell, "Are we fu*kin clear? Are we fu*kin clear?" over and over again. His tone was loud, angry, and rude. Like a crazy person. Rodney is a loose cannon. However, Little did he know, my plan was to have that one and leave. Rodney right away got loud and dropped the F-bomb more than a dozen times, totally unprofessional. I tried to calmly try to explain that he misunderstood where I was going with the conversation, but he would not calm down his temper to understand. Also, please note: that I didn't use profanity at all. read more

If you're looking for a top-notch experience at a bar, you have to go see Randall! Seriously, this nugget is the whole package. First off, he's cute--like, you might spill your drink just trying to make eye contact. But wait, there's more! Randall has a voice that could make a songbird jealous. I'm convinced he could serenade the espresso right out of its beans. Now, let's talk about the drinks. His espresso martini is pure magic. I don't know what wizardry he's using back there, but every sip is like a little party in your mouth. It's rich, smooth, and honestly something you could drink every day (but I won't tell anyone if you do). So if you want good vibes, fantastic drinks, and a bartender who feels like he just stepped out of a rom-com, go find Randall. You won't regret it! read more

Terribly racist establishment. The manager was a complete idiot. So much so I just ended the conversation because he was incapable of articulating himself. He tried to act like it's the normal procedure to have guest prepay. Okay well then it's not the waitress that's racist, it's the entire establishment. No one of Caucasian tone had to prepay but obviously this is the "procedure". What a joke. He's a joke for even thinking treating people that way is acceptable. Should have known he would have been of no help when he came to my table with dirty clothes and sloppy demeanor. The food was cold and nasty. Then I had the pleasure of having to prepay for my food as if I needed to steal from such tacky place. There are better places.. save your money. You've been warned. read more

Ohhh Venice beach is such a place of characters isn't it? And the Sidewalk Cafe is the place to have a meat and watch the different kinds of characters that roam Venice beach. Sorry, but I would have to say that the food here sucks. I got grilled chicken breast with rice and wasn't good at all. It was edible. I ate it, but I wasn't satisfied. It didn't hit the spot you know. But the environment of the Sidewalk Cafe is great. If you come to Venice beach, you just have to sit on the patio here and watch all the interesting people that walk by. Sometimes, you'll be lucky and they'll put on a show for you. Last time I was there, some guy was performing all these cool tricks on his bike for us. It was amazing show. read more

Discovered this gem while strolling around Venice Beach. Taking the chance was worthwhile as the customer service was excellent. Although I regret not getting our server's name, he provided amazing service, and the ambiance, coupled with good background music, was delightful. The bar inside is perfect for watching sports - it's vibrant and awesome. Our food arrived promptly, and the vegetarian pizza, bursting with delicious veggies on a crispy crust, deserves a 4/5. The buffalo cauliflower, though crispy, leaned towards a mild flavor, more like cauliflower dipped in hot sauce, earning it a 3/5. Overall, this place is cool, and I highly recommend giving it a try if you're in the area. read more

Yelp Review: Sidewalk Cafe, Venice Beach Sidewalk Cafe in Venice Beach is a gem! The setting is unbeatable--right on the boardwalk with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the vibe. The service led by Hassan was excellent, and the staff went out of their way to keep our daughter's 1-year-old happy, which was a huge plus. Drinks arrived quickly, and the food did not disappoint. The chili fries and onion rings were world-class--crispy, flavorful, and served in substantial portions. Loved the thoughtful touch of offering a great non-alcoholic beer option too. The architecture adds to the charm, making it a perfect spot for both tourists and locals. Highly recommend! read more

WORST experience EVER ,I never in a million years thought sidewalk promotes bigotry and racism against minorities. I just witnessed an old lady Karen who supposedly is a regular at the bar "comes with her dog there all the time" as she kept screaming, poor fur baby to deal with such an alcoholic of delusional owner. anyways long story short this lady was harressing a black man verbally as he was leaving the restaurant , the man laughed and just continued on his scooter , as the Karen was unpleased, she then continued to add "I hope you fall on that scooter" . This is 2023 guys, what a time to be alive read more

I came here with a couple of my friends to have some drinks at the bar. We asked the BARTENDER for a cup of water. She assume immediately that this is a restaurant. There for you must buy something first, before I can give you water. That being said we felt awfully disrespected and knew she was going to be rude and didn't want any of her service or attending us. since she was the only bartender there. We immediately reminded her kindly that we want to start of with just 1 cup of water and we will order drinks. She became rude and nasty. I don't recommend this BAR and this shitty BARTENDER! read more

The server, Bayley, placed an incorrect order, and after notifying him of the mistake, he left the incorrect plate on the table while retrieving a replacement. When the bill arrived, we were charged for both items. I brought this to his attention, but he refused to remove the charge for the mistake, despite admitting the error was his. This level of service is unacceptable and has left me extremely disappointed. I don't typically make a fuss, but this experience will definitely deter me from returning or recommending this place to others. read more

Sidewalk Cafe offers a delightful dining experience with stunning views overlooking Venice Beach. The beer-battered onion rings were a standout, perfectly paired with their delicious ranch dressing--I might be hooked on this combination forever! Their margaritas complemented the meal nicely. The ambiance is unbeatable, providing a fantastic atmosphere to enjoy the beach vibes while dining. Service was attentive, adding to the overall positive experience. A must-visit spot for both food and incredible views along Venice Beach. read more

This place SUCkS...they cant even keep they're paying customers who have been going there for years safe.. My friends and i got ambushed in the bathroom. The big fat ass dumb so call bodyguard that they have working there. Told me to call the police myself after i asked him to call....after we got assaulted in the bathroom. I will never go back to this shit hole of a bar. I will make sure to tell everyone i know and them some not to go to this crappy bar. Fuck you....doucebags. Damn y do i have to give a star!!!! read more

The pizza was fine, the location is great and the service is slow. The waiter must not have been happy with his tip because he added additional money to tip on the credit card. When I noticed the fraudulent additional charge a couple days later, I called the restaurant and spoke with the manager. While he reversed the additional fee right away, he didn't apologize and I won't return to this place. If you eat here, keep your credit card receipt or, better yet, pay cash. read more

Every time I am in Venice I go to sidewalk . Its a good place to grab a burger and some margaritas on a hot day! The service is always nice and very pleasant and the drinks are really strong. I am a regular and I saw someone put they charged for refills--I find that hard to believe I've been coming here for a long time and have never been charged for a refill.I would recommend to all who are down at Venice for the day n want a nice place for a bite to eat! read more

I love this restaurant! The food is consist and delicious. They have a very small menu, but what they do, they do it well! They have daily specials to keep things interesting, in a very trendy, "hipster", atmosphere, and the price is fair. While the servers are polite enough, they are not overly friendly and can come off as unaccommodating and mildly stuck-up. Saving grace: the food! It will keep you coming back! I strongly recommend the chicken taco! read more

I don't know why anyone gave this place less than fours stars. Of course it's a little pricey and less than gourmet food, it's uber popular and huge and right on the boardwalk, it's a miracle they have any quality at all, cuz they could keep their doors open with next to none. the food was actually perfectly decent. I was satisfied with the selection of beers. And of course the view was perfect. read more