Reel Inn

You’ve spent the last half hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic, getting passed by a dealership’s-worth of shiny Teslas—so the last thing you want is a crowded, scene-y place to eat. Head to Reel Inn. This festive shack at the bottom of Topanga Canyon often gets overlooked by its more famous neighbors, but that just means you’ll get all of Malibu’s charms (decent seafood, oceanfront patios, campy string light aesthetics) with none of the bad (too many people, long lines, etc.). This place isn't our first pick for great seafood in Malibu but definitely works in a pinch.