Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Santa Monica, CA

savvy saffy I don’t proclaim to be a foodie and don’t usually post a review but this place is worth a shout at! Fabulous food that pairs interesting ingredients which give each a distinct flavor, and when mixed together is surprisingly great tasting on the palate. We had the persimmon burrata, broccoli cauliflower with swordfish (switch this out for shrimps is recommended), garlic hummus.

Kiu Siu Excellent farm to table California cuisine served at this casual chic restaurant. We were a party of 4 and enjoyed their cocktails, wines, appetizers to share and main dishes. The food here was outstanding, with well thought out flavoring to highlight the freshness of the ingredients. We will definitely return.

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!

Popotatoes Such a great Southeast Asian restaurant with romantic, vintage, and elegant décor that feels both comfortable and relaxing. I ordered the Chicken Satay, Scotch Egg, Nasi Goreng Pork, and Rendang Roti Wraps, each dish was flavorful, delicious, and well above average. Overall, the vibe, food, and atmosphere were all fantastic. A must-visit if you’re in the area.

B W Had no regrets having breakfast at this establishment. The wait staff, especially Chelsea K, was extremely pleasant and professional and ensured I was taken care during my visit. I ordered the Georgian Breakfast with Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes. The food portions were plentiful and food was served fresh/hot. Plenty of seating options were available, including sidewalk breakfast tables and patio seating. Tables and chairs were clean. Menu was available for passersby on sidewalk near The Georgian Hotel, which is what attracted my attention. One of the best breakfasts Ive had in Santa Monica. I would return to this establishment for breakfast and/or other entrees.

Tiziana Alessandro Mitchell This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of enjoying catering from “Sogno Toscano” at my friend Giselle’s birthday party and it was truly outstanding! The selection was varied and thoughtfully prepared: high-quality cured meats, flavorful focaccia sandwiches, and pizza with an authentic Italian taste. Every bite took me back to the genuine flavors of my childhood in Italy. You can really taste the care in the ingredients and the passion for tradition. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for real Italian cuisine, even in a catering setting. By the way, “Sogno Toscano” means “Tuscan Dream” and that name perfectly captures the whole experience. Truly impressive… Buonissimo!!! I’ll definitely calling them for my next party or event.

Ross Albu What a great spot! Loved the ambiance, decor and overall vibe. Service was excellent and the food was great. Would highly recommend!

Stephen Lam The food was really good. We got there around 5 and wanted 20 mins. The pasta was really good. Kids loved it because of its chewiness. The menu was small which made it really convenient to pick what you wanted. No confusion or indecisiveness m

Suan Yeo Came for a Sat night dinner with a group of 8. Menu has something for everyone, including kids. Loved the truffle pasta, the brie bread, and the quail. Truffle pizza for kids was a hit, and the almond chocolate dessert is a must try. Extensive wine menu with knowledgeable sommelier. Reservations and a big wallet needed.

Joe Ovalle Such a lovely place to visit. They have amazing food my favorite dish is their Lamb Bolognese, and their risotto with jumbo shrimp, amazing desserts too, and not to mention a great selection of wine. The atmosphere is my favorite especially for dinner so cozy and love the pool view. The service is impeccable Jordan is their best server he is so attentive, friendly, and gives the best guest experience always on top of everything. Oh they are very dog friendly and thats always a huge plus in my book.

Candice B Right across the street from the beach. It does take a walk down but close. The food was good with friendly service. The lady was nice enough to sit our large family inside taking into account the outside tables were in the sun. Our kids enjoyed their burgers. The fries come with seasoning and are similar to a curly fry in texture. The chicken tenders were flavorful and I appreciated the cucumbers that went with the kids meals. I got the salmon with a delicious teriyaki sauce. The salmon was not overcooked. My husband enjoyed his shrimp and lobster roll. Comes out with three small pull-apart rolls to make a slider.

Steve Greenberg Nice quiet place. Comfortable. Excellent service. Really interesting menu: not the same old stuff you see on every menu. Portions are a little small, but really just fine since arent we all trying to watch our weight? And prices are better as a result.

Alma Otero This is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Monica! Very friendly service and most of all…delicious food! Absolutely every plate we had was perfection!

Shrotin Hendre A lovely French restaurant with a cool, intimate vibe. The staff were friendly and attentive, taking the time to explain each dish we ordered and thoughtfully checking in about our dietary preferences. The space is on the darker side but adds to the overall ambiance. The burger was slightly saltier than our palate prefers, but everything else we tried was very good.

Ambrose H Andre ( sp ?) took really good care of us. My partner has a dairy allergy, suggested to have the calamari made w/ just flour! (means the meals are made to order fresh! And made sure all the appys & her meal was dairy free. Phenomenal attention to detail! So good, came back a 2nd time before leaving LA! The Tagliolini on the wheel (off menu special) was 5⭐ (added mushrooms to it)