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    The Chowder Barge

    4.2 (847 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Bars, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Chowder Barge Photos

    THE CHOWDER BARGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Chowder Barge

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chowder
    Jim E.

    Located on an old barge the restaurant is small and well decorated the staff was very friendly and attentive. Food came quickly, was hot fresh and very flavorful. Chowder was full of clams, it was thick, rich and buttery. Cup $7, Bowl $10 well worth the drive to the marina.

    Dry overcooked 8oz. Salmon Salad

    Service cordial but you knew you weren't wanted there. Food not so good. Salmon was dry, overcooked. Garlic bread was burnt. The chowder "bread bowl" was not what it sounds. It was a plate with bread, chowder spooned on top. Ambiance was cozy and casual. My husband said chili cup has no flavor, chowder was bland. I came many years ago when it WAS good, I will not be returning.

    Paul A.

    OMG His is what you dream of when you think about your local spot! So much fun! Tasty food and drinks. The chowder was amazing! Had the chowder burger, ridiculous! My wife had chowder and chili cheese fries, yum! Servers were great! The space was epic!

    The chef's cat
    Van N.

    Cute old school spot. Didn't take a photo but get the off menu: chili and chowder. Didn't disappoint! The fisherman's platter was ok. Come for the ambiance and seafood. Service was great. Everyone including the chef was really awesome. Chowder burger is a must just at least one time.

    Janet L.

    Found this by accident as we were looking for food in the area. What a cute floating restaurant. Don't let the "older" decor deter you from going, the food is delicious! It has a lot of a dive bar charm. It's in the boat dock. Friendly staff. I love the steam clam with garlic bread. It was their daily special.

    Fish and Chips (maybe "oldish" oil being used)
    Mark E.

    Oh, how I wanted to rate this place higher but, there's good and bad. I always start with bad news first so, here goes... I ordered a bowl of clam chowder, and fish and chips. The "bowl" of clam chowder is served in a ceramic coffee CUP; I kid you not. (I'm guessing the "cup" of soup is served in a sewing thimble.) Anyway, an insufficient size for those looking forward to clam chowder, and a too-high price for the amount you get. The fish and chips was OK, but the fries were darker in-color than they should be. (Quite possibly due to frying oil not being replaced when it should be.) A definitely turn-off. Finally, there was the dreaded credit card surcharge. I'll continue to call-out those places that implement this very customer-unfriendly practice. Now, for the good. The atmosphere and service are terrific. It's a true barge, located in an area of boat docks. Location can be hard to find, but it's also hard to beat. Servers were friendly, and efficient; definitely the best part of The Chowder Barge. I'd love to come back again and again, just hope I can look past the negatives.

    Bowl of chowder, cheese bread and fried shrimp
    Bonnie M.

    We made our way down to the marina to try the Chowder Barge. I'm from Seattle, where clam chowder is taken very seriously--it's a dish that's hard to get right and very easy to get wrong. Their clam chowder is delicious, but it isn't a traditional New England-style chowder. It's closer to a baked chowder, yet still incredibly flavorful and satisfying in its own way. I love places like this. The aesthetic is exactly what you'd hope for: gritty, vintage, and perfectly imperfect--a classic seafood dive right on the water. The staff was lovely, and the service was great. It's important to keep places like the Chowder Barge going. These unique, character-filled spots play an essential role in preserving culinary diversity.

    Louise R.

    First time here! This was the hubby choice, it was a pretty cool and a actual barge. Great for breakfast or date meal, it was interesting and different. Service was friendly, although she forgot to put our order in. She apologized and gave us a complimentary bowl of their award winning clam chowder to share Yummm! Accidents happen and we understand, Thank you for owning your mistake . We ordered the fisherman's plater fried fish, shrimp, clams and fries. It was delicious. We will definitely be back.

    Chicken Wings (6 ea.)Fish Sandwich
    Cathy N.

    Me and husband found this place on yelp and am so happy we did. The wings and clam chowder were amazing. We walked out of there so full and will definitely come back again.

    Cool stuff
    Janine D.

    This is such a fun and iconic place. I almost hate to review it, because I don't want it to get overrun with crowds! I came for lunch today. Of course, when a restaurant is named for a food, you have to order that item. I must say that this Clam Chowder may be the best I have ever eaten! So creamy and delicious, and loaded with clams. Super yummy!!! I added the dinner salad to round out the meal ( veggies you know). All of the staff are very friendly and welcoming. The service is prompt. The ambiance is one of the things that makes the barge so special....it jam packed with all kinds of nautical knickknacks....very fun to explore and look at all the interesting objects. A little out of the way, you can arrive by car or boat . But definitely go!!

    Missy R.

    If you're in the Long Beach area and want some daily made clam chowder, be sure to check this place out! It's tucked in a very unassuming industrial area. I thought we had wrong directions! It's near the docks and rail system that loads and unloads near the water. The barge a permanent structure and floats on water. Coming in to the restaurant we were greeted by friendly staff. After sitting, I got a good look around the place. Very cute. A lot of antique nautical stuff. Fun decor. As for the clam chowder,,,, Delicious! It was loaded with clams and was thick, not watery. I also got the one piece fish n chips. It was good especially with steak fries. I really could have just had the chowder since it was very filling. The menu isn't large, but enough to get your fill. If you're looking for good clam chowder, it's worth the hunt to find! It really is a hidden charm.

    Chowder Bread Bowl
    Kelly K.

    This place is great, what a fun little dive. I've had it on my radar for a while and finally made the trek out. The service gives it a homey feel and the chowder is some of the best I've had. Where else can you eat chowder with a knife and fork?!

    Outside of building
    Dawn D.

    We saw this floating restaurant on social media & decided to give it a try. It did not disappoint. We shared the double clam chowder bowl. So good. It has fried calamari on top of the clam chowder, YUM. Then I ordered the shrimp basket & my husband ordered the fish & chips. Everything was delicious. Service was great. The atmosphere was chill. I would definitely go back & take some friends with me.

    Outdoor tables

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    6 years ago

    Clam chowder was very delicious! Nice and quiet place. Small but service was good. Definitely will return

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    7 years ago

    BEST.CLAM.CHOWDER!! Do yourself a favor... order the clam chowder in a bread bowl. You can thank me later. You will not be disappointed!

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    4 years ago

    So delicious and a nice environment. Definitely left feeling super stuffed. We had the clam chowder and michelada. Can't wait to go again.

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    4 years ago

    Quaint little place in the LA Harbor area. Great chowder ... what else to say ? Have sent a number of friends to give this spot a try ..

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    3 years ago

    feels like you are back in time, great service , clam chowder really good and atmosphere - retro!

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Awsome food and great chowder! I was raised on the ocean and I know good food. Will travel miles to come back here.

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    4 years ago

    Hidden gem! Carrie our server was amazing! So out of the way I hate to tell anyone about it! Our little secret!

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    Business owner information

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    Nyla O.

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    Page 15 of 22

    The Chowder Barge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Chowder Barge

    Can I pull up on my boat?

    Yes you can!

    Looking to dine in August on a Sunday. Are reservations taken?

    No reservation system but probably not an issue.

    Is the veggie burger vegan? Is it homemade? I am allergic to beyond and impossible brands. Thank you?

    No. The fries perhaps (fried in same oil as fish, etc), but no. They have a bar though. That looked… Read more

    How's the parking? Is there room for a larger van? Valet or lot or street parking?

    There is an open parking lot. No valet. Saw some vans there.

    Is it pet friendly?

    Yes. Dog are allowed there last time I went.

    Do you guys sell like a party size chowder like for the holidays?

    A quart is our largest.

    Is it truly wheelchair accessible? Would a person confined to wheelchair be able to get across the parking lot and up the entrance ramp?

    We are accessible. However, depending on the tide, it's tougher when it's low.

    Is the chicken fried steak breaded in-house?

    No, pre-breaded.

    Is the clam chowder gluten free?

    No. Lots of flour.

    View All 11 Questions

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    Black Pork - Porchetta

    Black Pork

    4.6(167 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    WOW!!! What an amazing little gem…read more This little tiny hole in the wall, literally makes some of the best freaking clam chowder I have ever had. It has a smokiness and umami to it that I have never experienced in a clam chowder, and it is FANTASTIC!!! Then I had one mushroom taco, one pork belly taco, and an empanada (I couldn't eat the empanada come out because I was too full from everything else). The pork belly was cooked perfect. Fell apart in my mouth with just a fantastic flavor and texture, and the mushroom tacos were so on point. Not to mention the service here. Veronica was absolutely delightful. She took a lot of pride in their food, and let her talented husband has produced. You absolutely must give Black Pork a try. There are tiny little gem, that's absolutely priceless.

    So much flavor! I had two pork belly tacos, one mushroom taco, and one shrimp taco. If you're…read morehungry then four was the perfect amount since they're small. My favorite was the shrimp followed by the pork. The shrimp were cooked to perfection and sitting on a bed of cheese which I didn't expect. The spicy mango salsa complimented it perfectly. They also provided an amazing green salsa too but I used it sparingly not wanting to cover up the flavors. If you're a shrimp fan these tacos are a must. Since pork is in their name I had to get the pork belly. The meat was melt in your mouth tender and delicious but the skin was really hard to bite through. I used a knife to cut it up which helped. I wish it had more of a chicharron texture but I still loved them. The mushroom one was my least favorite. It was good but not much flavor. The green salsa came in handy for that taco. To drink I tried the "guava and spices" iced tea. She made this to order and I was blown away by the flavors. Service was friendly and the restaurant had counter, tables, and patio seating. Parking is nonexistent. Zero parking at 10:45am. Had to park in a residential area around the corner. I truly loved the food and will definitely be back. They had an interesting variety of choices on the menu from chillaquillas to porchetta with mashed potatoes.

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    Mussels

    Black Pork - Porchetta. Pro tip: leftovers make the best fried rice or ramen/soba/udon topping.

    Porchetta. Pro tip: leftovers make the best fried rice or ramen/soba/udon topping.

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    Sideburns - Mushroom Swiss with onion rings - @rayz

    Sideburns

    4.3(383 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    The regular cheeseburger is basically a McDonald's cheeseburger if McDonald's actually had quality…read moreingredients. Hit the spot. I was really impressed with the meat quality as well as the bread. I usually don't get anything fancy on my burger so I tried the standard cheeseburger. Next time I might snazz it up and get one of the fancier ones.

    1st timers today, and will def not be our last visit…read more Shout-out to the Yelp reviews lead us to this Amazing Smash burger joint. Our order: -Onion rings (the right batter to sliced onion ratio & delicious seasoning); -the french fries- crispy and the right amount of salt seasoning *dipped into their Jalapeno ranch, and you will be left smiling!* -the Works: What a burger! I love Portabello mushrooms, caramelized onions, and Persian cucumbers, so when I read that on the menu, I knew I had to order this, and I am not disappointed! This hit the spot. The smash patty topped with my favorites made for a perfect burger filling party. -the Don Chendo burger- the salsa Don Chendo on a jalapeño-Cheddar bun - culinary innovation at its finest! For non-spicy eaters like myself, you can eat this. This is definitely tolerable spice with a delicious flavor that overrules any "heat". The buttery, softness of the bun with the cheddar and jalapenos melted into it compliment the flavors of the patty, red onions and Chendo sauce. Having a burger is a rare craving for us, and thankfully our taste buds led us here this time that we did, because we were left, not only satisfied, but can safely say that this is one of the fewest Exceptional burgers we have tried thus far. Burgers are huge too! You def get more bang for your buck here. Staff was very welcoming, friendly and attentive toward us. We truly appreciated the warm greeting and them making sure we felt comfortable with their product deliveries coming in/out of the restaurant while we ate. Not too big & not too small of a place. Ample seating booths make for a comfy social occasion. We highly recommend to All! & will return again!

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    Sideburns - Inside dining art

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    Sideburns - Smash Burger with tots - @rayz

    Smash Burger with tots - @rayz

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    Ellie's - Breakfast Pasta

    Ellie's

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    This place is always amazing! We came with a group of 12 on May 17th for our annual Pride brunch,…read moreand everything was fantastic. The food was exceptional, with every dish coming out fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was lively and perfect for celebrating with friends. And of course, the bottomless rosé didn't hurt either! Great food, great drinks, and great service every time. We always have a wonderful experience here and can't wait to keep coming back!

    I visited Ellie's on a Tuesday afternoon around 4 PM and was seated indoors. The restaurant was…read morefairly quiet at that hour, so I expected attentive service, unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I ordered the burger and fries. Visually, the burger was impressive and looked exactly like something you'd want to dig into. However, the salt level was overwhelming to the point where I genuinely could not finish it. What made matters worse was that our server was not attentive with refilling our waters, and when you're working through an extremely salty dish, hydration isn't optional. I left the meal feeling dehydrated and honestly a little frustrated. The bright spot of the visit was the Brussels sprouts, which were genuinely well done and showed some real kitchen care. If I were to return, I'd probably stick to the vegetable sides. For a restaurant with a 4 PM lull and minimal table traffic, there's no excuse for that level of inattentiveness. A simple water refill and a quick check in would have saved the experience. As it stands, the combination of an over salted entrée and absent service made for a tough sell on the value. If you're in the area craving a burger, you might want to save your money and head down the street to Louis Burger instead. Ellie's may shine in other areas; I've heard good things about the pasta, but this particular visit missed the mark.

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    The Attic - Avocado Toast

    The Attic

    4.2(7.9k reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$

    Really yummy food. Really good vibe. Service was kind and on point. I'd recommend the beignets,…read morechocolate cake, and French fries, and biscuits!! We also ordered the bratwurst (it was ok), the burger (it was just a basic cheese burger), and the chicken sandwich (chicken was crispy and moist).

    ~~ LONG TIME CUSTOMER ~~…read more So i've been coming to The Attic for a long time. It's a cute vibe and the food was always good. The aesthetic is AWESOME. It's right in Belmont and one neighborhood away from the water. Great date place and bar too. 2026 update: This breaks my heart. The menu has changed, the chef has definitely changed and service has unfortunately gone down. First off they cut a good portion of the menu and the physical design is not the easiest to read. (that's not really a problem tbh but it's something to note) What is the problem are the following: Ordering food for 3 took 20 minutes for servers to come, get food, and water + drinks we ordered. food took almost 45 minutes to arrive at the table. I get the kitchen makes a lot of stuff but this is crazy. at this point we were here for over an hour without eating. Not only were the orders wrong but also food portions were noticeably smaller. Credit due here, they fixed that (ofc which takes an extra time). Final straw here: To get someone's attention, get the bill, then for them to come get the bill, pay, and give us our cards back took: TWENTY MINUTES. Just to pay. tldr: food prices went up, staff not attentive, food still decent but different chef. Food is noticeably saltier. This place is still cute and servers as a great bar but oh my gosh has it gone down hill. Full context half the restaurant was empty. we are so disappointed. this place used to be great :(

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    The Attic - Covered bar area.

    Covered bar area.

    The Attic - Mac & Cheetos

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    The Chowder Barge - seafood - Updated June 2026

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