Recommended 12 Dinner Spots Near Santa Monica, California

Kama K You can’t not love this place. Instant favourite! And truly upset at myself I didn’t make time to return or visit when I was in the Bay Area The fig salad was hands down one of the best salads Ive had in ages! And the pastries speak for themselves.

Juan Alvarado Lunetta has a very cute and quaint vibe, with the indoor and outdoor seating both having their own lovely aesthetic. The ingredients used to make all meals feel very fresh and sourced from organic sources(confirmed by our server). The green eye matcha was fantastic, while not sweet it was perfectly tart and had a great dash of matcha taste. The 12. Oz steak and eggs were very delightful with the side of vegetable crouton mix serving almost as a gremolata or a chinichurri. It was perfect for brunch and the flavors were just so rich and enlightening. The pancakes and eggs were very nicely done and pair beautifully with the maple syrup. The maple syrup itself was such an amazing experience, it was delicate , light and not too sticky, indicating a homemade saucy syrup which was a great experience! If you are searching for a cute brunch experience with light vibes and great service then this spot is definitely a must!

Michael Preiss A Hidden Gem with a Breathtaking View This restaurant is an absolute must-visit — not only for the food, but especially for the stunning rooftop-like setting. The view is nothing short of spectacular, offering a grand and unforgettable panorama that alone makes the visit worthwhile. The food is outstanding, clearly crafted with care and high-quality ingredients. While the prices are on the higher side, the culinary experience more than justifies the cost. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, adding to the overall warm and welcoming atmosphere. The interior design is beautiful, stylish, and perfectly complements the elevated dining experience. Highly recommended for a special evening or anyone looking to enjoy excellent food in an extraordinary setting.

Local Love My wife were in Santa Monica visiting our son and he suggested that we check this place out. Well we did and the food was fantastic as well as the service. We were in town for 7 days and we actually came here twice! The first time was for launch which we enjoyed a nice salad with a small appetizer and a cocktail. The second time we came in for dinner and had an amazing hamburger that was thick and prepared exactly how I like it (medium) . This is definitely one of our favorites now on Montana Ave. we will definitely be back we come come out and visit next.

Aaliyah S We visited this spot in the evening, about 30–45 minutes before closing at 10 PM, right off the Santa Monica Pier. The service was excellent the staff was very friendly without being intrusive. I loved the unique ordering system with the Forrest Gump flip sign it’s a fun touch and helps servers know when you’re ready. The food was absolutely fabulous. We had the chicken, which was tender and flavorful, and our salad was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. We’ve also eaten at their L.A./Universal location, which was equally impressive. Overall, great service, great food, and a welcoming environment I’ll definitely be coming back!

Don Nguyen Weve been looking for a good fish & chip place & I have to say, this is probably the best in L.A. so far. My wife made a list of places she has found and most were disappointing. The fish here was well fried, not too greasy and the batter kept its crisp all the way through. The steak pie was delicious and you get quite a hefty serving of peas, corn & mash. The vegetarian sausage rolls and potato samosas were delicious as well. Definitely, want to try the pub side next time to see how it compares to the restaurant side. The shop is delightful.

Mike Sperando Elephante was one of those restaurants that instantly stood out when searching for top Italian spots in the area. I can confidently say this experience was an absolute 10/10 from start to finish. I started with the Caesar salad and ordered the vodka sauce pasta. The Caesar was incredibly flavorful and generously portioned, and the vodka sauce pasta had some of the best flavor I’ve had in a long time — easily the standout of the meal. We sat outside by the window, which was perfect, but the indoor space is just as impressive. The interior has a bright, airy vibe that almost feels like something you’d find in Arizona (even though I’ve never been there), which made the atmosphere feel unique and memorable. I would go back to Elephante again and again without hesitation. This was my first real meal and true taste of Los Angeles, and I couldn’t have picked a better place to start.

Natalia Cruz Cannot comment on the food, but they had a lovely happy hour cocktail menu. I got the cantaloupe Martini, it was good, but definitely more of an Orange Martini than cantaloupe. The service was good and the atmosphere pleasant. Its in a lively location and I really liked the photo booth they had.

Rachel Talo The Misfit Bar & Restaurant is my go-to spot in Santa Monica for a fun and casual meal. The space feels energetic and welcoming, and the staff always make you feel at home. The menu offers a great variety, and the dishes are made with care and attention to flavor. I especially enjoyed the fresh seafood options and unique cocktails. It’s the perfect place to unwind after work or catch up with friends over great food and drinks. Every visit has been consistent, and I always leave satisfied.

Jacob Jones Wonderful food, great atmosphere and stellar service all for a more than reasonable price. I ordered the Calamari, Shrimp and Chips and a strawberry lemonade. The Calamari was perfectly crispy and well seasoned, with great flavor. The same can be said of the Shrimp and Chips, with great flavor and well seasoned. The portions for both were an excellent value, well worth the price. The Strawberry Lemonade was very good as well. With all of that said, the service was truly exceptional. Steve greeted me with a smile when I walked in the door and answered any questions that I and other customers had, as well as ensuring customers got the most value from their experience. Steve was eager to help and go the extra mile, clearly taking pride in the work he does. Overall I had an excellent experience dining at The Albright, and will be back without a doubt the next time Im in Santa Monica.

Genevieve Leveille The usual adage is a great view equals bad food and bad service. The Lobster negates that saying 100 folds. Being across from the Santa Monica Pier with a view to die for, the food is nothing to sneeze at. The freshness of the oysters and the amazing temperature of the lobster was perfect. We tried the clam chowder and love the crunchiness of the celery and the velvety broth filled with Clams not bits but huge pieces. The crab fried rice was amazing and a great folder for the buttery spiny lobster. The chowder was served by the chef and the whole restaurant was at our service in a very non intrusive way. Andrew our waiter was amazing. His attitude and recommendations were on point. I had to skip the Expresso Martini as it would have been a tip too much. Now what we cannot wait for is that hour during happy hour when the oysters are a gift. As at $2 it is a major give away. About to take a wonderful nap while still having dreams of the amazing lunch. Thank you, The Lobster.

Philip Chen Water Grill is the right place in Santa Monica. We made reservation at 5pm on 12/27 so we can have family gathering. The sunset view was remarkable. The raw Oysters were fresh and delicious. We also ordered a whole grilled fish and Wagyu filet mignon. The fish were very good. It was deboned and charcoal grilled. However. the steak was overly cooked. We told our server and he brought manager come to our table. Manager Kevin immediately apologized to us about kitchen’s mistakes. He exchanged another order with fresh side dish and even bought us additional wine to go with the food. It made us feel very warm and special. We thank Keven for his effort of turning the crisis into opportunities. At the end, everyone enjoyed their meal and it was truly a memorable dinning experience for our family at Water Grill.