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Santa Monica Restaurants

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Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Santa Monica

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Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

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Via Veneto
Diners’ top pick
•
Price: Very Expensive
•
Italian
•
4.9
(1059)
An authentic, Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Santa Monica, VIA VENETO fuses organic, locally grown & sourced ingredients with the delicious, traditional flavors of Italy.
A photo of Tar & Roses restaurant
Tar & Roses
Price: Expensive
•
American
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4.9
(4136)
Tar & Roses is a globally inspired culinary experience.
Chef Andrew Kirschner has transformed his kitchen into a local and welcoming home, focused on the element of the wood fired oven to bring out the best flavor in our dishes. Coming straight from the visionary mind of our award winning chef, our menu is created with only the highest quality ingredients and fresh, local products. This attention to detail helps makes our food a perfected craft which will inspire you to be adventurous, in the most approachable and delicious way possible.
When you step into Tar & Roses, you'll feel like you are coming home. Our entire staff awaits your arrival with warm smiles and thoughtful service ~ please, come share a meal with us!
A photo of Vito Restaurant restaurant
Vito Restaurant
Price: Expensive
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Italian
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4.9
(1545)
Vito Restaurant is celebrating over 43 years of delighting its customers with the best in fine Italian cuisine. As a family-owned-and-operated restaurant located in Santa Monica, California we are dedicated to providing exquisite food and impeccable service to create the perfect dining experience. Step through the front doors and begin your journey to the heart of Italy.
Ernesto has been our Chef for over 32 years. He continues to Wow us and our guests as he cooks every meal with love and unmatched flavor. Our signature dish, Spaghetti Della Casa, is a guest favorite and often called the best pasta dish you've ever tasted.
Vito is proud to offer customers an outdoor dining experience. Santa Monica is one of the most beautiful Cities in the Nation and our weather is usually fantastic. If it's a little cool, we have heaters to keep you comfortable. Come experience it for yourself, nightly starting at 4:30pm.
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Upper West
Top-rated food
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Price: Moderate
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American
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4.8
(2636)
**Contact us today to schedule your next event! We can accommodate parties of 10 to 150 guests**
Upper West's ever-changing menu draws inspiration from around the world while maintaining eclectic flavors unique to them. The bar offers Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4:30-7:00pm serving refreshing craft cocktails, handcrafted beer. The dinner menu is always evolving and includes ingredients sourced locally from the Santa Monica Farmers Market as well as local farmers such as Weiser Farms and Niman Ranch. Upper West is the perfect place to book large events for 20 or more guests and is an excellent private party venue for hosting corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday festivities, rehearsal dinners, and more.
A photo of Melisse restaurant
Melisse
Price: Very Expensive
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Californian
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4.8
(1985)
Chef & Owner Josiah Citrin has revived his Michelin 2-Star institution with an intimate, 14-seat restaurant with Chef/Partner Ken Takayama. In a setting that blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, Chefs and service staff guide guests through a 2.5-hour culinary experience.
Collaborating with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley, Chef Josiah sources the most unique and exclusive ingredients available. An 8-course tasting menu is bookended by canapés, amuse-bouches and mignardise, all of which showcase global flavors using both modern and classic techniques.
A photo of Caffé Delfini restaurant
Caffé Delfini
Price: Expensive
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Italian
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4.8
(535)
Childhood friends Alessandro Ercoli, Gianpietro Silardi, and Lino Savoia opened this typical Italian restaurant back in 1990. Continuing the adventure now with Alessandro are Riccardo Menichetti from Tuscany, a long-time friend with a strong passion for food and cooking, and Teri Ercoli (Alex's wife). Caffe’ Delfini has become synonymous with romance. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that transports you to the cobblestone streets of Rome, and soft music fills the air, adding to the intimate ambiance that permeates the restaurant. The menu is a culinary journey through Italy with dishes that are prepared using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Caffe’ Delfini isn't just a place to eat, but a destination for lovers to come and create lasting memories. In fact, it’s not just the food that makes this restaurant so romantic. The attentive and friendly staff go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels special and cared for.
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LA Puglia
Top-rated hospitality
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Price: Expensive
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Italian
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4.8
(218)
LA Puglia celebrates the beauty of the Puglia region - in the Southern Italy - through its culinary tradition with a contemporary sensibility and aims to transport its guests right there through an authentic food & wine experience.
Calling it “an ode to the authenticity of our regional cuisines”, the prestigious Gambero Rosso International awarded LA Puglia in Santa Monica as Restaurant of the Year from among its 2023 list of Top Italian Restaurants in the world. The official press release describes feeling transported to a small town between Bari and Lecce where flavors without filters and authentic, precise cooking deliver a genuine Apulian experience.
Our menu features specialties such as fresh orecchiette with brasciole, black linguine with seafood, puree of fava beans with sautéed dandelion greens, the unique Apulian focaccia, and Pasticciotto, the decadent cream-filled pastry eaten for breakfast in the province of Lecce.
A photo of Capo restaurant
Capo
Price: Very Expensive
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Italian
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4.9
(1297)
Capo, with its modern Italian cuisine, offers a rustic yet elegant dining room with high-beamed ceilings, flickering candles, museum quality art collection, and a large Tuscan-style fireplace where the chefs prepare much of our menu. Capo has an extensive wine list, earning Wine Spectator's top award, and a classic cocktail bar where our guests can enjoy our full menu alongside the warmth of the fireplace.
A photo of Orto Santa Monica restaurant
Orto Santa Monica
Price: Expensive
•
Italian
•
4.8
(1069)
Growing up in Italy, my family cooked at home and had the most extraordinary experiences with ingredients grown in our backyard, paired with the wines my chef/restaurateur stepfather would bring back from regions throughout Italy. I fell in love with food as a child watching my stepfather, once nominated a top chef in Italy, work in restaurant kitchens and floors. Moving to California in 1991 and subsequently to Santa Monica and experiencing the Farmers Market inspired me to start Orto - Italian for “vegetable garden” - where I meld local ingredients and organic herbs grown here at the restaurant to create traditional Italian recipes. At our bar you’ll find a cocktail list created from fresh herbs and premium spirits, and our wine list focuses on sustainable and organic producers. Andrea Inio
Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 5-7pm
Validated parking is available for $7 for 3 hours at 501 Santa Monica Blvd (enter on 5th street, behind the Citibank)
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Back on the Beach
Great vibe
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Price: Moderate
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American
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4.8
(159)
Back on the Beach Café is situated along a wide, sandy white beach that offers jaw-dropping views of the ocean waves, the pier, the mountain range and of course, Catalina Island. There is both indoor and outdoor seating which allows you to enjoy the sea-salt air and sandy toes while you dine.
The café takes reservations for 2-12 guest. Reservations are available one month in advance. To accommodate our reservations in a timely and orderly manner, the café has carefully designed time frames in which to dine. The café designates 25% of the restaurant for reservations, 75% is available for walkup service.
For reservations of 12 or more guest, please contact the restaurant directly. We don't take multiple group reservations. Please note that large group reservations requires a customizable menu.
In consideration of all guest, we kindly remind you that tables are reserved for 1.5 hours.
We take a maximum of two credit cards payment per table.
A photo of Locanda Portofino restaurant
Locanda Portofino
Price: Expensive
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Italian
•
4.9
(967)
Since 1995, passion and devotion keeps Locanda Portofino one of the most authentic Italian restaurants on the westside. Where freshness and quality collaborate to create traditional such as egg tagliatelle bolognese, flavorful Neapolitan meat ragu, exotic spaghetti with sea urchin
A photo of Calabra at Santa Monica Proper restaurant
Calabra at Santa Monica Proper
Price: Expensive
•
Mediterranean
•
4.7
(1528)
Calabra at Santa Monica Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key 2024) is located on the hotel's rooftop. The elevated garden terrace provides an inspiring atmosphere, with the ocean as a backdrop. Whether from the pool sundeck or circular bar, the views are best enjoyed with dinner, boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. Serving Mediterranean & Californian cuisine with a view.
Seating arrangements for all reservations at Calabra may include outdoor dining, bar area, as well as our indoor/ outdoor covered lounge space. Be sure to dress warmly.
**DINNER RESERVATIONS ARE FOR DINING ONLY. Drinks would be accommodated upon first come first serve at the bar area. Private Couch Alcoves are available with a rental and minimum spend*******
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Socalo
Great budget-friendly spot
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Price: Moderate
•
Mexican
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4.8
(840)
SOCALO is a beachy, California canteen and Mexican pub from award-winning chef/owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. Located within the Gateway Hotel, SOCALO offers seasonal and organic SoCal Mexican fare with cocktails, Mexican wines and craft beers.
SOCALO has been named Eater's Superb Santa Monica Restaurants and Hottest Happy Hours, LA Times' 101 Best Restaurants, Best Tacos and Best Mexican Restaurants in LA by Time Out and Thrillist.
Open for indoor and outdoor dining, and counter service dining prior to 4pm (no reservations necessary nor taken). Takeout and delivery with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.
For groups of 7 or more, please call 310.451.1655 to discuss accommodations, or visit socalo.com. We offer semi-private spaces, private banquet rooms, long communal tables, and two spacious outdoor patios.
Mary Sue & Susan are the founders of Mundo Hospitality Group, including Border Grill, Pacha Mamas, BBQ Mexicana, SOCALO & Alice B.
A photo of Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica restaurant
Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica
Price: Moderate
•
American
•
4.7
(257)
Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, California has been open for over 40 years. It has developed an amazing reputation as among the most recognizable, finest British pubs in the USA. We have a casual comfortable dining room with Fireplace in the cooler months and an outdoor heated patio where patrons can sit and enjoy the restaurant’s delicious food. There is also a Private Dining room available and Afternoon Tea is served Mon - Sat 11.30am-4pm. (Private room also available for Baby & Bridal Showers)
Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica provides patrons with the look and feel of Britain right in California. It has something that will appeal to everyone and offers a traditional British Breakfast and British favorites such as Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s pie, along with some healthier options, Salads, Curries and Vegetarian dishes. Come taste Britain in the heart of Santa Monica.
A photo of Shirube restaurant
Shirube
Price: Expensive
•
Japanese
•
4.7
(147)
The first ever Shirube was established in Tokyo, in 1968, by Takashi Uno, who quickly earned the nickname 'God Father of Izakaya'. Since then, it has become a business passed down from father to sons, who have grown Shirube to 12 locations all over Japan. Kodai and Yudai Uno have brought Shirube to Santa Monica, for its first ever U.S location. We are a traditional, Japanese Izakaya centered around quality food and amazing customer service. Our signature dishes of Sashimi Mori, Aburi Shime Saba, Corn Ribs, and Mentaiko Udon, are rapidly winning the hearts of all who give them a try. Our ever growing cocktail menu, has a blend of sake and shochu based beverages to delight the senses and offer a unique and memorable take on your favorite drinks. The interior is moody and carefully cultivated to give a cozy, intimate feeling to our diners.

Outdoor dining in Los Angeles

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See what locals rave about in Santa Monica

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Trending dishes in Santa Monica

Explore dishes that diners are raving about
Shellfish Pot
Shellfish Pot
Tar & Roses
•
4.9
Steak-Frites
Steak-Frites
Massilia
•
4.5
Tagliatell'
Tagliatell'
Ospi Brentwood
•
4.6
Pork Tenderloin
Pork Tenderloin
Upper West
•
4.8
Ora King Salmon
Ora King Salmon
The Penthouse Restaurant
•
4.7
Onion Soup
Onion Soup
Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
•
4.3

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Get inspired by our collections of the top restaurants in Santa Monica

Discover Santa Monica

It is hard to pass up a stroll at any time of the day or night in Santa Monica, California. With the beautiful view of the ocean and the range of dining options to choose from, you're sure to have an unforgettable day. Third Street Promenade is a top choice for visitors. Those who wander through Santa Monica regularly will know that one of the most common cuisine options is Mexican. However, the neighborhood is also home to comfort food and Asian restaurants, and it does not stop there. From bar food to vegan-friendly, Santa Monica has it all and will keep you coming back for more. The one thing you might regret after eating in Santa Monica? Not saving your leftovers.

Frequently asked questions

Healthy restaurants located in Santa Monica include Élephante - Santa Monica, Lunetta and Citrin

Restaurants with gluten-free options in Santa Monica are LA Puglia, True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica and Lunetta

Bottomless brunch in Santa Monica is available at Élephante - Santa Monica, Lunetta and Back on the Beach

The most romantic restaurant in Santa Monica is Orto Santa Monica

Restaurants in Santa Monica with a great view include Élephante - Santa Monica, Water Grill - Santa Monica and The Penthouse Restaurant

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