Neptune's Net

There’s something magical about pulling off Pacific Coast Highway and into the gravel lot of Neptune’s Net. This weathered seafood shack has been a Malibu institution since 1956, drawing everyone from leather-clad motorcycle riders to families piling out of minivans. The vibe is pure vintage California—picnic tables overlooking the ocean, salt air mixing with the smell of frying fish, and a relaxed energy that makes you forget whatever you left behind in the city.

The star of the show here is undoubtedly the clam chowder bread bowl. Picture a generous sourdough round, hollowed out and brimming with rich, creamy New England-style chowder. It’s the kind of dish that inspires devotion—skip it at your own peril. Beyond that, the menu keeps things simple: fried seafood platters, grilled fish with fries, and remarkably fresh oysters on the half shell. Don’t overlook the legendary wall of drinks in the back, a floor-to-ceiling refrigerator packed with every craft beer and soda imaginable.

This isn’t a place for fine dining pretensions. You order at the window, wait for your name over the crackling intercom, and stake out a spot on the sun-drenched patio. The experience is as much about the journey as the destination—racing up the coast with friends, feeling the ocean mist on your skin, and settling into the kind of lazy afternoon that makes living in Southern California feel worth every penny.

Neptune’s Net is perfect for introducing out-of-town visitors to the real LA, celebrating with friends, or simply taking a solo drive up the coast when you need to clear your head. It’s the kind of place that gets better with each visit, building memories that eventually make this humble seafood shack feel like a second home.