If you're wandering down the Venice Beach Boardwalk and wondering where to have lunch, you can't miss the Sidewalk Cafe. You'll notice it due to it's vibrant red and white striped awning and also because of the long line of people waiting to get in. But don't be discouraged by the long line! They have quite a system for getting folks seated and the line moves pretty quickly. Plus, you can stand in line and people watch which is never a dull moment on the boardwalk!The Sidewalk Cafe has a large outdoor area covered by an awning... so you're outside but you won't get burned by the sun. Nice. Another 'plus' is that if you have your dog with you, you can tell them you need a table against the railing and then tie your dog to the railing right next to your table (outside of the fenced in seating area). They'll even bring your dog a bowl of water if you ask the waiter. We brought my dog, Blake, last weekend and it worked great (see photo)!
For adults who don't want to wait in line for a table, you can go right into the bar which is inside, behind the outdoor patio. You can order drinks and food there but you're not outside. Weekday Happy Hour is from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.
Our orders included the tuna melt, fish & chips, cheese pizza, and chicken strips. All were very yummy. You can also order breakfast all day. There is champagne brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Check out their full menu at: http://www.thesidewalkcafe.com/
This is a very casual atmosphere with hosts and waiters who are friendly but not overly chatty because they have a lot of tables to tend to.
During busy meal times you may also be able to catch a comedian doing a 'show' on the boardwalk out front or a band playing some good dance music. Of course, the entertainers pass a hat for tips at the end so if you enjoyed the show, throw in a couple of bucks.
You can find the Sidewalk Cafe at 1401 Oceanfront Walk (between Horizon and Market).
Enjoy!
