The Kettle

Run by the Simms family since 1973, the Kettle has been a mainstay of downtown Manhattan Beach and the South Bay writ large for decades. Though a little too upscale in ambience to be considered a true diner, the casual, crowd-pleasing menu has fed generations of locals. On weekend evenings, it’s one of the best places in the area for an after-hours meal; in fact, if you’re within a 10-minute drive of Manhattan Beach, I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else. Everything is made from scratch; service is warm but efficient; and thoughtful details like the extensive craft beer list and delicious muffins—served with every salad, omelette and dinner entrée—will remind you that the Kettle is a far cry from the average greasy spoon. After midnight, the local nightlife crowd files in for the panko-encrusted chicken tenders and zucchini fries, which come dusted with parmesan cheese and served with your side of dipping sauce (I recommend the buttermilk ranch).