John's Garden

Nestled inside the Malibu Country Mart, John’s Garden has been serving locals and beach-bound visitors since the 1970s. This unassuming counter-service deli offers a straightforward menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies—exactly what you need when you’re headed to the shore and want something quick and reasonably healthy to bring along.

The menu has a distinctly nostalgic feel, featuring classics like black bean veggie burgers, Chinese chicken salads with crispy wonton strips, and turkey sandwiches made with hearty multigrain bread. The Chicken & Cashew Sandwich stands out with its creamy chicken salad and satisfying crunch from whole cashews, though you’ll definitely want to grab extra napkins. For something lighter, The Farm Sandwich delivers generous portions of ripe avocado and fresh sprouts.

This isn’t the kind of place you’d drive across town to visit, but that’s not really the point. John’s Garden excels at what it does: providing convenient, no-fuss food that hits the spot before a day at the beach. When your other Malibu options are limited to fast food chains, being able to grab an avocado sandwich that tastes like something you’d make in your own kitchen is genuinely valuable.

If you’re exploring Malibu and need a quick, wholesome bite, John’s Garden delivers unpretentious comfort food in a laid-back setting. Pair your sandwich with one of their tropical smoothies, grab a bag of chips, and you’re ready for whatever the day has in store.