Best of the Beach 2022: Outdoor Dining, Ice Cream Palor, Neighborhood Deli, Quiet Dinner

Outdoor dining

Palmilla

All beach city boosters like to emphasize the variety of options for outdoor dining in their towns, but Hermosa really has everyone else beat thanks to the traffic-free pier plaza. Free of vehicular traffic, we hasten to add. The pedestrian traffic is a big attraction as people of all ages, some walking dogs of all sizes, take their stroll to and from the beach. Our readers think the very best place to watch the parade is Palmilla, where you may enjoy a premium cocktail and upscale Mexican seafood, and the passers-by will watch you with envy for dining there.

Palmilla

39 Pier Ave.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 374-4440

Palmillarestaurant.com

 

Ice cream parlor

Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors 

The 31 Flavors in Manhattan Beach is obviously proud of its history, because the place is decorated with black and white pictures that show what this very establishment looked like in the 1960s. They have a history in the South Bay, the place where countless people first tasted Jamoca almond fudge and pralines n’cream. They have to have tasted those there, because they were invented by Baskin Robbins and not sold anywhere else. The cones, cups, and banana splits are every kid’s everyday delight, and the ice cream cakes elicit a squeal when they’re brought out to celebrate birthdays and other celebrations.

Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors 

925 N Sepulveda Blvd

Manhattan Beach

(310) 372-9366

Baskinrobbins.com

Runner-up:

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

3360 N Sepulveda Blvd

Manhattan Beach

(310) 546-2022

handelsicecream.com

 

Neighborhood deli

Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen & Pizzeria:

Everybody knows Mickey’s makes great sandwiches and pizza, but there’s more than that to a meal. Their deli case has homemade accompaniments like potato, pasta, and macaroni salads, plus the pickled vegetables, giardiniera, and other sides. They’ll knock together a salad in minutes from fresh ingredients, and they have a wide variety to choose from. Those side items are what makes a meal a feast, so choose your deli carefully and choose Mickey’s.

Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen & Pizzeria

101 Hermosa Ave.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 376-2330

 

The Bottle Inn

No matter how much you enjoy lively, buzzy restaurants, the day comes when you just want to relax and have a languid, peaceful dinner. When you do, the Bottle Inn will be there, because that’s the experience they’ve been offering for decades. Sit inside with quiet music, or outside with the sound of the surf, chill out and slow down. Eat as Italians do, sharing starters and perhaps splitting a pasta before the fish or meat course, and order that wine you’ve been meaning to try. The stress will melt away and you’ll be ready for whatever the next day may bring.    

The Bottle Inn

26 22nd St.

Hermosa Beach

(310) 376-9595

Thebottleinnhermosa.com

Runner-up:

Chef Melba’s Bistro

1501 Hermosa Ave

Hermosa Beach

(310) 376-2084

chefmelbasbistro.com

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