Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. A Seal Beach institution for more than 50 years, Walt’s Wharf, founded by Mona and Walter Babcock, shut its door in January 2024 after a fire damaged the circa-1920s building. Now, 19 months and one major renovation later, the Main Street staple is back in business. According to restaurant manager Jennifer Thomas, Walt’s Wharf quietly reopened its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 2. She said the iconic venue underwent “a full renovation from top to bottom,” adding that “the new infrastructure is great, and we updated the layout” of the restaurant. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Seal Beach institution for more than 50 years, Walt’s Wharf, founded by Mona and Walter Babcock, shut its door in January 2024 after a fire damaged the circa-1920s building. Now, 19 months and one major renovation later, the Main Street staple is back in business.
According to restaurant manager Jennifer Thomas, Walt’s Wharf quietly reopened its doors on Tuesday, Sept 2. She said the iconic venue underwent “a full renovation from top to bottom,” adding that “the new infrastructure is great, and we updated the layout” of the restaurant.
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Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. A Seal Beach institution for more than 50 years, Walt’s Wharf, founded by Mona and Walter Babcock, shut its door in January 2024 after a fire damaged the circa-1920s building. Now, 19 months and one major renovation later, the Main Street staple is back in business. According to restaurant manager Jennifer Thomas, Walt’s Wharf quietly reopened its doors on Tuesday, Sept 2. She said the iconic venue underwent “a full renovation from top to bottom,” adding that “the new infrastructure is great, and we updated the layout” of the restaurant. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Server Anika Van Mechelen takes care of Todd and Pamela Molthu at Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The renovated restaurant recently reopened after a fire in January 2024 damaged the circa-1920s building. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. A Seal Beach institution for more than 50 years, Walt’s Wharf, founded by Mona and Walter Babcock, shut its door in January 2024 after a fire damaged the circa-1920s building. Now, 19 months and one major renovation later, the Main Street staple is back in business. According to restaurant manager Jennifer Thomas, Walt’s Wharf quietly reopened its doors on Tuesday, Sept 2. She said the iconic venue underwent “a full renovation from top to bottom,” adding that “the new infrastructure is great, and we updated the layout” of the restaurant. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brenda Via, owner of Walt’s Wharf, in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Via, Walt Babcock’s daughter, reopened the renovated restaurant after a fire in January 2024 damaged the circa-1920s building. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brenda Via, owner of Walt’s Wharf, left, shares a laugh with her daughter, Taylor Via, as they get ready to open in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Via, Walt Babcock’s daughter, reopened the renovated restaurant after a fire in January 2024 damaged the circa-1920s building. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mural on the wall of Walt’s Wharf shows founder Walt Babcock in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The renovated restaurant recently reopened after a fire in January 2024 damaged the circa-1920s building. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. A Seal Beach institution for more than 50 years, Walt’s Wharf, founded by Mona and Walter Babcock, shut its door in January 2024 after a fire damaged the circa-1920s building. Now, 19 months and one major renovation later, the Main Street staple is back in business. According to restaurant manager Jennifer Thomas, Walt’s Wharf quietly reopened its doors on Tuesday, Sept 2. She said the iconic venue underwent “a full renovation from top to bottom,” adding that “the new infrastructure is great, and we updated the layout” of the restaurant. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A stone’s throw from the ocean, Walt’s is known for its seafood dishes like fish and chips, lobster, and clam chowder. These will remain on the menu, as will its beloved oak-grilled artichokes and steakhouse martini. “The community would have our heads” if we removed them, said Thomas. The menu will be “very similar” to what it was before closing, with “about 85% of it being the same,” she said. The new chefs have also added some new items, including Creole shrimp and grits and prosciutto-wrapped shrimp.
And the encyclopedic wine list (Walt also founded Babcock Vineyards in Lompoc) will still feature Santa Barbara-based wines.
Still owned and operated by the Babcock family, Walt’s Wharf was founded by Mona and Walter, a dentist, in 1970. The two wanted to create a place for fresh seafood that didn’t require driving to Newport Beach or San Pedro. Walter Babcock passed away in 2016 at the age of 84
Walt’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
