The casual restaurant Coast Beach Café at Shutters on the Beach offers an all-day menu of California favorites, a lovely brunch and themed dinner nights. Overlooking Santa Monica beach, hotel guests and locals can walk down a flight of stairs or take the elevator to sit outside on the sunken patio, or indoors near the lively bar. The ground level location is prime territory for watching beach-goers stroll by the craftsman-style restaurant.

Brunch dishes at Coast Beach Cafe include lobster rolls, lemon ricotta pancakes and Wagyu burgers. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Sitting on the shaded patio, my family and I enjoyed brunch, starting with a variety of fresh juices from the juice bar. Blends include a sweet pineapple, apple, lemon and mint; and an earthy kale, celery, cucumber, lemon, parsley, romaine and spinach. The menu also offers a variety of freshly baked muffins and croissants.

For entrées, we ordered the avocado toast, which arrived on pieces of thick grilled country bread, with the option to add shrimp. My grilled Waygu burger arrived with melted cheddar cheese on a soft brioche bun. This burger is a meal in itself, loaded with crisp lettuce, purple and red heirloom tomato slices and grilled red onions. It’s served with either a side salad or crispy french fries served in a silver fryer basket with a ramekin of ketchup.

My husband ordered the lobster roll, filled with generous pieces of lobster, tossed with a lemony aioli inside a buttery brioche bun. Other hearty brunch fare includes the classic eggs Benedict served with home style potatoes. Alternate Benedicts are available with sautéed spinach or smoked salmon. The chefs also make a “bulls-eye” breakfast skillet layered with roasted eggplant, spicy tomato and eggs.

Healthy salads include a grilled salmon salad topped with sliced avocado, asparagus, cucumber and radish. It’s dressed with a light lemon citronette.

For sweeter fare, the signature lemon ricotta pancakes with mixed berries on top are a local favorite. They aren’t too lemony, nor too dense. They arrive stacked with powdered sugar sprinkled on top, and a carafe of maple syrup.

Our server told us about the daily theme dinners during the week. On Monday the chefs offer a Burgers & Beers night. My wagyu enhanced burger is one of the burgers served with a craft beer for $30. The chefs also make a turkey burger topped with portobello mushrooms, pecorino and romano cheese. For fish lovers, try the salmon burger topped with capers, housemade cole slaw, and horseradish cream on a knot bun. Even vegetarians can enjoy a burger made with brown rice, cannellini beans, spinach, Burrata cheese, lettuce, basil aioli and vine ripped heirloom tomato slices on a soft vegan bun.

Some of my favorite beer pairings include Santa Monica Brew Works, 310 Blonde Knee Deep extra pale ale, Angel City Pilsner, and White Rascal Belgian style White Ale.