Santa Monica Restaurants
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Top restaurants this week
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
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- 1
Gjelina
Price: Expensive•American•4.7(2,436)Venice - 2
Perch LA
Price: Expensive•French American•4.6(11,980)Downtown - 3
Bacari Silverlake
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(4,220)Silver Lake - 4
Casaléna
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(2,027)Woodland Hills - 5
Élephante Santa Monica
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.6(1,655)Santa Monica
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Upper West
Price: Moderate•American•4.9(2,702)**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.La Vecchia Cucina
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.9(2,116)La Vecchia Cucina has been Santa Monica, California's finest neighborhood Italian restaurant since 1990, located by the blue Pacific on historic Main Street. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite, a full course dinner, an evening snack, or something in between, La Vecchia Cucina offers outstanding Italian cuisine, a great wine list, a luxurious selection of desserts, a full bar, great service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Vito Restaurant
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.9(1,631)Vito Restaurant is celebrating their 45th year 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 30 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.Capo
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.9(1,337)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.
SELINE
Price: Very Expensive•Californian•4.8(51)Join James Beard award-winning Chef Dave Beran at his 38-seat fine dining restaurant in Santa Monica, where the kitchen is seamlessly integrated with the dining room. The menu, comprising 15-18 courses, showcases Chef Dave's deeply thoughtful approach to storytelling, inviting guests to embrace the experience & embark on a memorable culinary journey featuring the many inspirations of Southern California.
At SELINE, the focus is on connection, with every aspect of the restaurant— from the design to the custom plateware—built on fostering meaningful relationships.
Wine Director Matthew Brodbine presents two beverage pairing options to complement your menu. The wine pairing showcases selections from innovative, forward-thinking winemakers across various regions worldwide. The non-alcoholic pairing features a unique collection of house-made and curated beverages designed to align with the menu's progression. A carefully curated wine list is also available.Locanda Portofino
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.8(986)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.
Please note we offer a private room for special events. 16 Person Maximium Capacity with additional charge, please contact the restaurant directly for booking/more information.
1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.9(2,448)The signature restaurant at Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico offers discerning diners Italian Recipes with a California Coastal Spark.
1 Pico offers an elevated, yet relaxed dining experience with breathtaking ocean views and refined service.El Rincon De Los Dolidos - Santa Monica
Price: Moderate•Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service•4.6(53)Rincón de los Dolidos somos un bar en donde transformamos el despecho en alegría en donde celebras la diversión cantando desde el corazón la música más iconica te hará olvidar todo.
¡Ven a disfrutar y dejar atrás las penas, únete a la fiesta de despechados!
***For the health and well-being of our employees, a 20% service charge will be added to your bill***
Sogno Toscano - Santa Monica
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(155)Our newly opening location, SOGNO TOSCANO WINE BAR, MARKET & LIFESTYLE CAFÉ, will offer an exquisite selection of the finest Italian delicacies such as pastries, espresso, cappuccino, typical focacce Toscane, and great wines. What is most unique and differentiated about our new venue is that the place will not just be your regular bar for breakfast, lunch and aperitivo, but rather a very much needed Italian marketplace. Located in one of the coolest neighborhoods of the city, Santa Monica, our groundbreaking venue will provide customers with a variety of high-quality, specialty retail food products under the single label of the already well known “Sogno Toscano” brand. Our patio is unique, spacious and charming, ready to host very interesting events such as Wine Tastings, Sip & Draw nights, live Jazz music on weekends. Get ready to experience the Italian Dolce Vita...!Chinois on Main
Price: Very Expensive•Chinese•4.8(2,372)Wolfgang Puck's second restaurant opened in 1983. A unique blend of Chinese and French fusion explodes with flavors unheard of before. Imitated but yet never captured to this day this fusion of flavors keeps you craving and coming back for more. The food is served family style, creating a fun sharing experience that brings people together. The trend setting open kitchen where you can sit and eat while you watch the dance of the chefs working in unison. ***If you are interested in reserving our dining counter please make a request while making a reservation since seating is very limited***
Outdoor dining in Los Angeles
See what locals rave about in Santa Monica
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- AAmySan Francisco Bay Area •1 review5.0Dined todayFantastic service, ambience & food! Serving size was just a smidge small for the price but would go again for sure. Just sparingly.More infoTar & RosesPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Monica•4.8
- SStaceyLos Angeles •5 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoFirst time at Meat on Ocean. Our server was knowledgeable about the aging process and gave great service ,recommendations on appetizers, sides and and cuts. I’ll be back at the recommended time to enjoy a nice sunset dinner!More infoMeat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica•4.7
- LLaurenVIPNew York City •51 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoThe was very good. View view of the ocean was perfect. Our server was excellent.More infoWater Grill - Santa MonicaPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Santa Monica•4.7
- JJoshuaVIPCaribbean •1 review5.0Dined 6 days agoGot seated quickly and amazing customer service. Will be backMore infoLoulou Rooftop Restaurant and LoungePrice: Expensive• French• Santa Monica•4.4
- AAdileneLos Angeles •1 review5.0Dined on May 28, 2025Beautiful restaurant. Love the ambiance and absolutely recommend getting the truffle garlic bread and chicken pestoMore infoNorth Italia - Santa MonicaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Santa Monica•4.6
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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 The Penthouse Restaurant, Pacific Catch Santa Monica and Upper West
Restaurants with gluten-free options in Santa Monica are Benihana - Santa Monica, CA, Élephante Santa Monica and Orto Santa Monica
Bottomless brunch in Santa Monica is available at Élephante Santa Monica, Terratory and Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
The most romantic restaurant in Santa Monica is The Penthouse Restaurant
Restaurants in Santa Monica with a great view include Élephante Santa Monica, The Penthouse Restaurant and Meat On Ocean
Explore OpenTable
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