After almost a decade of culinary success with their flagship restaurant, Malibu Farm, Chef Helene Henderson and actor-director John Stockwell are ready to embark on their largest investment to date.

With locations already flourishing in Newport Beach, Hawaii, New York, and Tokyo, the duo’s newest endeavor is set to open in San Diego‘s picturesque Seaport Village by late August.

Malibu Farm’s Seaport Village Transformation Nears Completion

Marking the duo’s largest investment to date, Malibu Farm’s multimillion-dollar renovation within Seaport Village is nearing completion and is on track to open by late August. 

The 14,000-square-foot waterfront project will give way to an indoor-outdoor, upper-level offering all-day dining, while downstairs will be primarily reserved for larger parties and private dining experiences, in addition to a spacious ocean-facing patio and a ground-floor café concept.

The partnership between Malibu Farm and the Port of San Diego was initially announced in October of 2020 and is a testament to the Port’s effective and ongoing revitalization of Seaport Village. The Port’s multi-year undertaking to transform Seaport Village into a vibrant waterfront destination, with $10 million invested, is reaching its apex as the next wave of world-class restaurant operators comes online.

Modern Farmhouse Meets Coastal Aesthetic

The Malibu Farm team has enlisted award-winning design firm, Bells + Whistles, to bring their ambitious transformation to life.

Co-founders Barbara Rourke and Jason St. John have a twenty-year track record of design excellence and are known as the architectural maestros behind esteemed concepts including Animae and Jeune et Jolie in San Diego, Providence in Los Angeles, and Somewhere located in Dubai.

Malibu Farm’s top-to-bottom renovation will introduce a magnitude of experiences. With capacity for more than 400 guests, the two-story waterfront venue will feature: 

• 3,500 square feet of outdoor dining space
• 60-seat lagoon-adjacent private dining room
• 1,200 square feet of interior seating
• 800-square-foot ice cream shop and espresso bar
• 400-square-foot retail shop offering Chef Henderson’s favorite home goods and artisanal pantry provisions

Channeling modern farmhouse influences and Scandinavian minimalism, Bells + Whistles is creating an easy, airy atmosphere introducing a palette of natural woods, handcrafted Moroccan zellige tile, and woven textiles that offer a nod to Malibu Farm’s laidback, coastal aesthetic.

Playing up its coveted bayfront locale, a warm neutral palette complements the restaurant’s abundance of natural light, while rustic décor and ample greenery create a sense of continuity from its indoor-to-outdoor dining rooms.

Farm-to-Table Cuisine at Seaport Village

A farm-to-table concept at its core, Malibu Farm’s veggie-forward cuisine places emphasis on both sustainability and approachability. Chef Henderson’s commitment to sourcing organic produce from local area farmers is a model she will carry over to her Seaport Village location.

While details about the culinary and beverage programs will be released as the opening draws near, Malibu Farm’s debut will introduce all-day dining to Seaport Village; expect daily brunch and dinner service, a seasonal cocktail program, and a standalone café offering ice cream, coffee and espresso beverages.

More Seaport Village openings

Malibu Farm’s summertime debut in Seaport Village will coincide with that of San Diego favorite Crack Taco Shop, as well as a second Mike Hess tasting room. 

Residing in Seaport Village’s iconic ‘on-the-water’ venue, Shorebird, a coastally-inspired concept by Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, is expected to shortly follow, while famed seafood restaurants, Gladstone’s and Cork & Batter, an elevated bungalow-themed sports bar, anticipate 2024 openings.

Keep up to date with Malibu Farm San Diego through their website here.

See you there, San Diego!