Oceanfront dining at the end of Malibu Pier.

With balmy sea breezes, creeky timbers covered in creosote, and great views looking back at the beach, an ocean pier is hard to resist. And where else can you stroll over the sea without even getting your feet wet.

The Malibu Pier, which was closed in 1995 for safety concerns, recently reopened and brought with it several new restaurants. The Beachcomber Café and Malibu Pier Club on the beach end of the pier have indoor and outdoor dining and cocktails. To read our post about them visit where to dine surfside in Malibu. 

Ruby's Diner is now open at the far end of the Malibu pier. The first Ruby's opened on Balboa Pier in 1982. The oceanfront location, traditional diner décor, and affordable, comfort-food menu combined to create an instant hit. And today, there are more than thirty Ruby's in California and elsewhere.

If you're looking for a gloppy, bacon cheeseburger, killer onion rings, and an old-fashioned milk shake or malt, this is the place. But you can also opt for a grilled chicken breast, a garden burger, or turkey burger, ask for a whole wheat bun, and choose non-fat mayo and low-fat cheese. This is Malibu, after all.

As you'd expect, fish and chips are a best seller. And fish and shrimp tacos come with fresh salsa and guacamole.

On hot, summer weekends, Malibu can be packed. So consider beating the crowds -- and the heat -- and coming for breakfast. Full-fat omelets, corned-beef hash, and cinnamon French toast are available for the reckless. Egg-white omelets, fresh fruit, turkey sausage, and multi-grain pancakes round out the field.

Ruby's Malibu opens at 7AM daily, and closes at 9PM on school nights and 10PM on weekends.