When Mastro’s Ocean Club reopened in fall 2025, it felt like a sense of normalcy returning to a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The restaurant had miraculously escaped the Palisades fire, but road closures, clean-up, and recovery required a five-month shutdown. When the doors finally swung open, locals were quick to return, drawn in by the iconic ocean views, impeccable service, and indulgent menu. And, more importantly, to support local businesses impacted by the natural disaster.
The structure Mastro’s calls home has long been part of Malibu’s dining lore. Before opening as Mastro’s on a winding stretch of PCH, the oceanfront building was home to the Chart House, a special-occasion standby for generations of Angelenos. That legacy still lingers in the bones of the place: floor-to-ceiling windows, a cliff-hugging perch above the surf, and a dining room designed to put the Pacific front and center. And, while Mastro’s has modernized the experience, the setting remains one of the most cinematic dining spots in Southern California.
But the appeal here isn’t just nostalgia and its postcard setting. On a visit soon after the restaurant reopened, the food and experience more than held their own. I made a reservation for dinner with friends and family, where we dined on classic shrimp cocktails, perfectly grilled filet mignon, and decadent lobster mashed potatoes. The chopped wedge salad (my favorite) gets a special shout out: crisp iceberg, smoky bacon, blue cheese, and a generous pour of dressing, chopped just enough to make every bite balanced. Mastro’s is known for the consistency of its kitchen and the reliability of the classics, and it didn’t disappoint.
While dinner remains the main event, Mastro’s also launched a weekend brunch shortly after reopening, and it appears to be resonating with locals and visitors alike. Served in the same glass-wrapped dining room, brunch skews celebratory with a menu that leans into classic comfort with a luxe twist. Standouts include a Red King Crab omelette, Wagyu sweet potato hash topped with a perfectly runny egg, and endless lobster options, from lobster bisque and a lobster cocktail to Maine lobster eggs benedict with a rich hollandaise sauce. A raw bar selection also makes a compelling case for starting the day with oysters and a cocktail.
Not surprisingly, steaks and seafood are what Mastro’s is known for, and the Malibu location lives up to the reputation. The menu covers the full spectrum of beef, from filet mignon to bone-in ribeye. The chilled seafood tower is a popular splurge, stacked high with shrimp, crab, and lobster, while hot entrees like Chilean sea bass regularly earn praise for flavor and portion size. It’s a menu designed for appetite and occasion, not restraint.
Finally, few diners escape without being convinced to dig into one final indulgence: its famous butter cake. Warm and dense, it’s served with a scoop of ice cream, as it should be.
While the Palisades fire has changed the rhythms and mood along PCH, what hasn’t changed are the spectacular views and attentive service at many of its longtime restaurants. As the area continues to recover and rebuild, Mastro’s Ocean Club feels like a reminder not only of what endures but what lies ahead. The restaurant’s survival through a turbulent period has only strengthened its place in Malibu’s dining scene.
Mastro’s Ocean Club is located at 18412 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. More information can be found at www.mastrosrestaurants.com.
