Welcome to The Anchor
At The Anchor, located in the vibrant heart of Venice, California, we celebrate the ocean’s bounty with a culinary story infused with passion and flavor. Our menu shines with standout dishes like the luxurious Anchor Lobster Roll, featuring Maine lobster drizzled with truffle-infused butter. Guests rave about our hearty clam chowder, rich lobster mac and cheese, and bar-fresh oysters, all crafted with a dedication to quality. The lively atmosphere, complemented by live music and attentive service, makes every visit memorable. Each bite at The Anchor transports you to a seaside paradise, ensuring that every meal is a celebration of freshness and culinary artistry.
- 235 Main St, Venice, CA 90291, United States Hotline: +1 310-664-9696
Welcome to The Anchor: A Culinary Gem on the Coast
Nestled in the heart of Venice, California, at 235 Main St, The Anchor invites seafood aficionados and casual diners alike to indulge in a gastronomic experience like no other. With a menu inspired by fresh marine flavors and a vibrant atmosphere, this restaurant stands as a beacon of culinary creativity. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance wrapped with the soothing touch of a sea breeze welcomes you, making it an ideal spot for families, date nights, or lively gatherings with friends.
Highlights of the Menu
The Anchor is renowned for its exquisite lobster dishes, particularly the Lobster Roll and Lobster Mac & Cheese, both of which are highly recommended by patrons. The Lobster Roll is generously filled with hunks of Maine lobster, complemented by rich, aromatic truffles, all nestled in soft, toasted Hawaiian bread. The delightful crunch of breadcrumbs in their Lobster Mac & Cheese adds a texture that satisfies, though it may leave some longing for more seafood essence.
Appetizers such as the Mexican Street Corn and Cup of Lobster Bisque provide the perfect starting point for your meal. The street corn dazzles taste buds, while the lobster bisque offers a creamy embrace that showcases the delicate flavors of fresh Maine lobster. Customer favorites like the Fried Fish Tacos and Hand Cut Seasoned Fries also shine, featuring vibrant flavors and seasoned perfection that keep diners returning for more.
Customer Experience
Customers waltz in for the inviting atmosphere and are often captivated by the attentive service, making dining a memorable experience. Reviews praise waitstaff like Christopher, who not only manage larger parties with ease but also leave an unforgettable impression with their friendliness and attention to detail. Whether it's the continuous refill of bottomless mimosas during brunch or the heartfelt recommendations for a perfect meal pairing, The Anchor really aims to please.
A Growing Reputation
Culinary enthusiasts rave about The Anchor, consistently rating it as one of Los Angeles County's top seafood spots. Frequent mention of the Clam Chowder showcases its robust, clam-filled flavors, and the Oysters are deemed fresh and enticing, even when out of season. Diners can enjoy the satisfaction of indulging in local seafood while sipping on cocktails specially crafted by the talented bar staff.
Conclusion: Your Next Dining Destination
Whether you're a seafood lover or exploring new tastes, The Anchor promises a plate full of flavor and an experience full of joy. With enticing options for every palette and a cozy ambiance, it’s no wonder this restaurant has become a beloved fixture in Venice. Next time you're in the area, make it a point to visit The Anchor – your senses will thank you.
Contact Information:
- Address: 235 Main St, Venice, CA 90291, United States
- Phone: +1 310-664-9696

stopped by for breakfast and bottomless mimosas. service was amazing and the breakfast arrived quick and was great. i got french toast, while my cousins got the fried chicken burgers. mimosas were constantly refilled, the french toast went smooth, and my cousin gave me a taste of the burger and it was saucy. looking forward to trying the lobster later.

Good vibe. Had the Oysters, Lobster Mac n Cheese, Clam Chowder, and Lobster Tails. Oysters are supposedly out of season in June, but these were medium-sized and good. Lobster Mac n Cheese was a little thick for me, could a used a lil more cream. Lobster Tails were excellent and got three medium sized, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Hey, that Street Corn that comes with that dish was ridiculous, yum!

We went on Wednesday night at 7pm for a birthday dinner. Parking was convenient on the street at a meter. I liked everything we ordered except for the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which was really lacking in lobster and didn't have the ideal cheese but was cheesy enough. It would have been better with white cheddar or asiago or even both. I liked their attempt at making it crunchy with breadcrumbs, but it was just lacking in many ways. We started with a dozen oysters, shrimp ceviche, roasted corn, and the calamari. The shrimp ceviche was my favorite as there was a generous serving of plump shrimp, and the flavors were on point. The calamari was my second favorite. The oysters were fresh and attractively priced at 24 per dozen. The corn was lightly sprinkled with shredded cheese and had good flavors, but I wouldn't order it again. We had Allagash and IPA with the appetizers. For entrees, we had the lobster roll and octopus, both of which were fantastic. The lobster roll is served on toasted Hawaiian bread, and there is a very generous serving of truffled lobster with melted butter and chives. The octopus was plump and perfectly cooked. Both were excellent, and they went well with the bottle of white wine. The atmosphere was comfortable for a bar-type restaurant but lacking in general. We had to 'squeeze' 5 people inside their only booth indoors since it was chilly outside, and often times I had to move out of the way of passing servers when I was standing on the other side of the table. There were outdoor heaters, but our older parents felt it was too chilly to sit outdoors. The live music outdoors was a nice touch, but the talent was somewhat subpar. The singer played guitar and his band mate played the trumpet, which you don't see everyday. They played mostly good songs, but their execution was a bit lacking. Lastly, there are no dessert options, even though we were celebrating a birthday. All in all, I would go back for the food, and their prices are better than similar restaurants in the area. But I wouldn't go back for a special occasion.

In A Nutshell: -If you are in the mood for some Lobster Rolls & Clam Chowder, then swing by The Anchor. -It's constantly rated as one of the best seafood restaurants in L.A. county. -The Lobster Roll comes with hunks of lobster & the bread could be the real winner out of the entire sandwich. -The clam chowder is made w/ a lot of clam meat which is really, really good. -I really enjoyed eating both, while guzzling a nice cold beer. Overall, this is really good seafood restaurant w/ great service too.

Anchor Lobster Roll is rich and unmistakable, Mexican Street Corn is absolutely amazing! Fried Nashville Hot Chicken is very juicy. Eating at the sidewalk makes me feel sea breeze, and it’s so good. I really recommend this place. Don’t miss those fantastic plates.

Our server Christopher was the best server I've had in a while. He was very friendly and was able to handle a party of ten without any issues. He made sure we were comfortable on the chilly evening by turning on the outdoor heaters on high. He gave us complementary fish tacos to try and a complementary bread pudding to try at the end of our meal. The food was good and hot when it came out. I wish there were more choices on the menu but everyone was happy with what they ordered.

My boyfriend and I visited The Anchor recently and had such a great time. They have a few new things on their menu and we were so excited to try them - and we were not disappointed! The lobster roll was delicious - as always! We also got oysters, calamari and the scallop ceviche. The oysters were so fresh and the calamari was cooked perfectly. My personal favorite from the meal was the scallop ceviche. The flavors were incredible and the fresh ceviche paired perfectly with the plantain chips. We love coming here when we’re in Venice and always recommend it to friends and family looking for great food, drinks and music with the most kind, thoughtful and fun staff!

Came for the famous lobster roll I keep hearing about, but I ended up there at brunch and got the Lobster BLT. WOW. This is probably the best biscuit I've ever had in my life, let alone the rest of the sandwich was perfect. The tomato was the most flavorful I've had all year, the bacon was thick and crispy, lobster super buttery and rich. The homemade potato wedges that came with it were next level as well. My friend is vegan and he really enjoyed they're vegan version of their fish tacos. Loaded with fresh grilled veggies and rich guac. Now I still need to come back for the lobster roll. But if you go for brunch try this BLT!