If you’re planning meals in Santa Monica, you’ll want options that match your mood—refined tasting menus, breezy brunches, or casual tacos. I’ll point out standout spots, what to order, and when to book so you won’t waste a meal. Expect reliable classics, inventive newcomers, and a few local-only gems worth seeking out—and some choices that might surprise you.
Top Fine Dining Spots Worth a Reservation
When you’re planning a special night out in Santa Monica, these reservations are worth the effort: You’ll find distinct approaches to elevated dining that free you from the ordinary. Melisse demands advance booking for its two-Michelin-star tasting journey—about ten courses of meticulous technique and seasonal sourcing that reward patience. Josiah Citrin’s Restaurant gives you refined comfort: a one-Michelin-star four-course menu and a joyous happy hour burger when you want structure with a wink. Pasjoli relaxes the formality with an á la carte slate—expect inventive hits like cordon bleu–stuffed chicken wings in a convivial space that lets you breathe. Seline centers on seasonal alchemy; small, intimate plates such as geoduck liver crackers push boundaries without pretension, ideal for a liberated palate. Muse wraps upscale French fare in chic Art Deco, with braided brioche and herb-crusted rack of lamb perfect for a romantic, unshackled evening. Each spot rewards deliberate booking and a readiness to savor.
Best Brunch and Breakfast Places
If you’re after a standout morning in Santa Monica, the brunch and breakfast scene serves everything from playful to polished—often with generous portions and creative twists. You’ll find spots that let you linger and others built for bold, quick bites. Blue Daisy insists on weekday unlimited mimosas and dishes like Pancake Benedict, making it a hip place to toast freedom and flavor. At Brus Wiffle, sweet and savory waffles—try the huevos rancheros waffle with fried chicken—arrive in hearty portions that challenge conventions. Urth Cafe balances bakery craftsmanship with innovative coffee and a sunrise pizza topped with bacon and egg, perfect when you want comfort with a twist. For a more casual rhythm, Layla Bagels supplies freshly made bagels and thoughtful toppings paired with quality coffee. If you crave something unexpected, Sunny Blue’s omusubi—Sunny Blue Curry or Spicy Salmon—offers a compact, intensely flavored start that feels liberating in its simplicity.
Must-Try Casual Eateries and Sandwich Shops
Craving something casual but memorable? You’ll find bold, accessible flavors that free you from ordinary meals. Bay Cities Italian Deli’s Godmother sandwich layers capicola, ham, prosciutto, and provolone — order online to skip long lines. Cha Cha Chicken serves generous jerk chicken and Ropa Vieja; it’s family-run and reliably hearty. Brus Wiffle flips expectations with sweet and savory waffles; the huevos rancheros waffle with fried chicken is a breakfast rebellion. Casa Martin’s crispy fish tacos and margarita selection make it a happy-hour refuge for taco lovers. Sunny Blue’s omusubi — try Sunny Blue Curry or Spicy Salmon — offers portable, focused flavor that feels intentional.
| Spot | Signature Bite | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Cities | Godmother Sandwich | Iconic, order ahead |
| Cha Cha Chicken | Jerk Chicken | Generous, homey |
| Brus Wiffle | Huevos Rancheros Waffle | Playful, craveable |
| Casa Martin / Sunny Blue | Fish Tacos / Omusubi | Festive drinks / portable joy |
Where to Find the Best Coffee and Cafes
When you’re hunting for standout coffee in Santa Monica, look for shops where signature drinks—and their pastry pairings—steal the show, like Philz’s mint mojito and Demitasse’s lavender hot chocolate with homemade marshmallow. Pay attention to bakery offerings and creative menu items, since places such as Urth combine inventive drinks with an extensive pastry selection that makes breakfast feel like a meal. If outdoor seating matters, choose cafes with cozy patios that let you sip mimosas or coffee while enjoying the sea breeze.
Signature Drinks & Pastries
Looking for a standout cup or a sweet bite in Santa Monica? You’ll find places that push boundaries and comfort in equal measure. Philz Coffee serves a mint mojito coffee that’s both bold and comforting, paired with cozy seating and inventive pastries—perfect when you want ritual with a twist. Demitasse specializes in homemade pastries and a lavender hot chocolate crowned with a house marshmallow; it’s playful, indulgent, and artful. Urth Cafe’s creative coffee and tea lineup pairs with an extensive bakery menu and sunrise pizza if you crave savory alongside sweets. For invigorating, straightforward juice, Cha Cha Chicken’s cantaloupe juice cuts through rich flavors. The Surfing Fox rounds out the scene with seasonal cocktails made from fresh local ingredients for liberated sipping.
Cozy Outdoor Patios
If you prefer to take that lavender hot chocolate or mint mojito coffee outside, Santa Monica’s cafe patios make people-watching and fresh air part of the flavor. You’ll find intimate nooks that invite lingering conversations, solo reading, or inspired planning. Each spot brings a distinct vibe—urban garden serenity, lively beachfront energy, or sunlit market freshness—so you can choose how liberated your pause feels.
- Urth Cafe: relaxed patio with sunrise pizza and the notable Urth Salad for mindful brunching.
- Philz Coffee: quaint seating for mint mojito coffee and pastries from Demitasse.
- Birdie G’s: charming outdoor space focused on farmers-market produce and seasonal plates.
- Sunny Blue & Casa Martin: quick omusubi or crispy fish tacos with margarita-ready patios for joyful escape.
Outstanding Seafood and Waterfront Dining
Santa Monica’s waterfront dining pulls fresh Pacific flavors right to your table, and you’ll find standout seafood spots that balance tradition, creativity, and views. You’ll start bold at The Galley, a 1934 institution where creamy clam chowder and wallet-friendly happy hour cocktails anchor a timeless experience. Move toward modern ceviche at The Surfing Fox, where hamachi bathed in mandarin-coconut leche de tigre wakes your palate with bright, coastal acidity. On a scenic terrace, Sirena pairs Italian-inflected seafood with ocean panoramas, letting simple, quality ingredients breathe. Cobi’s injects Southeast Asian spice and vivid décor into the waterfront roster, offering a daring counterpoint to classic preparations. While Casa Martin leans casual, its crispy fish tacos and broad margarita lineup deliver uncomplicated pleasure when you want freedom from fuss. Each venue lets you choose how to savor the sea—comforting tradition, inventive brightness, or bold fusion—so you can dine with intention and a sense of liberation.
Top Mexican and Taco Destinations
When you’re hunting for the best taco stands, Santa Monica delivers everything from no-frills counters to lively taquerias that prioritize bold flavors and fresh tortillas. For fish taco favorites, spots like Casa Martin shine with crispy battered fillets and a solid happy hour margarita program, while historic venues such as The Galley serve seafood tacos with a timeless coastal twist. If you’re after margaritas or mezcal cocktails, look for places that balance creative agave-driven drinks with quality ingredients to match their tacos.
Best Taco Stands
Though tucked into quiet corners and bustling strips alike, the taco stands around Santa Monica deliver some of the city’s most honest, flavor-forward bites, and you’ll find everything from crispy fish tacos to inventive takes that blur cuisine lines. You’ll appreciate stands that honor tradition while pushing boundaries: bright salsas, charred tortillas, and fillings that sing. Choose a spot depending on mood—something classic, something daring, something unexpectedly hybrid.
- Taqueria El Buen Sabor: street-style portions, authentic fillings, speedy service.
- The Stand: casual vibe, carne asada and pollo asado that pair with homemade salsas.
- Tacos Punta Cabra: fresh fish and shrimp, clever flavor combinations.
- Sunny Blue: omusubi-forward alternatives like Spicy Salmon and Curry for liberated palates.
Fish Taco Favorites
If you loved the street‑side authenticity of taquerias, you’ll find Santa Monica’s fish tacos are where local freshness and coastal creativity meet. You’ll taste crisp, well-seasoned fillets at Casa Martin—especially during happy hour—paired with bold citrus and pomegranate accents. Sunny Blue surprises you by blending omusubi sensibility with delicate fish tacos, a playful twist that feels intentionally freeing. At The Galley, classic nautical charm frames a creamy chowder and steady, well-crafted fish tacos that honor tradition. Across the coast, chefs favor sustainable, ethically sourced seafood, so your choice supports ocean-friendly practices. These spots balance substance and spirit: straightforward preparations, bright toppings, and a sense that choosing good food can feel like choosing freedom.
Margarita & Mezcal Spots
While Santa Monica’s coastline steals the show, its margarita and mezcal bars quietly stake a claim as the perfect complement to a taco crawl, offering cocktails that are as thoughtful as the food. You’ll find spots that liberate your palate with bright, balanced drinks and bold flavors that push you past the ordinary.
- Casa Martin: crispy fish tacos meet a pomegranate margarita during happy hour, a concise example of tradition and invention.
- The Galley: nautical vibes, straightforward tacos, and mezcal-friendly pours that pair with seafood or steak.
- Cha Cha Chicken: expect long-running comfort, Caribbean spices, and invigorating cantaloupe juice to cut through richness.
- Philz Coffee: try the mint mojito coffee for a surprising, liberating contrast after savory bites.
Best Italian and Pasta Restaurants
Anyone craving classic Italian comfort or inventive pasta will find plenty to love in Santa Monica’s Italian scene. You’ll savor Bay Cities Italian Deli’s Godmother Sandwich — a bold, layered bite of capicola, ham, prosciutto and provolone on signature bread that refuses restraint. Fritto Misto hands you choice and generosity: pick noodles, sauces and add‑ins for a customizable, comforting bowl. Pasjoli, at 2732 Main St, balances laidback ease with daring plates like cordon bleu–stuffed chicken wings, modern Italian that feels freeing. Fino arrives with seasonal focus and polished tradition, a chic space where ingredients lead. The Galley preserves seaside history; its creamy clam chowder anchors a menu that’s comforting and confident.
| Restaurant | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Bay Cities | Godmother Sandwich |
| Fritto Misto | Customizable large portions |
| Pasjoli | Cordon bleu–stuffed wings |
| Fino | Seasonal traditional dishes |
| The Galley | Creamy clam chowder |
Unique International and Neighborhood Flavors
Because Santa Monica’s neighborhoods brim with global influences, you’ll find everything from Tokyo‑style izakaya to lively tapas tucked between palm‑lined streets and beachside patios. You’ll move confidently through spots that celebrate craft, seasonality, and communal energy — places that invite you to taste boldly and choose freedom on your own terms. Consider these standouts:
- Shirubē: a Tokyo import where izakaya rituals meet a curated sake list and razor‑sharp sashimi.
- Xuntos: chef Sandra Cordero’s tapas bar, focused on striking presentations and ingredient integrity.
- Cobi: Southeast Asian flavors amplified by vibrant decor and inventive brunch offerings that defy routine.
- Layla Bagels: playful bagel takes for social brunches, waking the neighborhood with lively conversation.
Each venue offers a distinct voice: refined technique at Shirubē, convivial sharing at Xuntos, spirited novelty at Cobi, and neighborhood warmth at Layla. You’ll leave feeling liberated — choices broadened, palate expanded, routine pleasantly disrupted.
Great Options for Outdoor and Patio Dining
When you’re choosing where to dine outdoors in Santa Monica, look for patio ambiance picks that match your mood — Ghisallo’s lush back patio and Layla Bagels’ vibrant front seating set very different tones. For the best al fresco menus, consider places emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients or strong coastal flavors, like Ghisallo and The Surfing Fox. If you want sunset seating spots with views or cocktails in hand, Sirena’s ocean terrace and Casa Martin’s casual outdoor area are top choices.
Patio Ambiance Picks
Looking for a breezy spot to eat outdoors? You’ll find patios that free you from the ordinary, each with a distinct mood to match your appetite for liberation. Choose spaces that invite unhurried conversation, sunlit calm, or lively weekend energy while you soak in Santa Monica’s fresh air.
- Ghisallo: a lush back patio offering serene, sun-dappled seating that highlights seasonal, high-quality ingredients.
- Sirena Restaurant: an ocean-view terrace where Italian-inflected dishes meet a sweeping coastal backdrop, ideal for contemplative dining.
- Layla Bagels: a vibrant front patio pulsing with weekend brunch energy and inventive bagel creations made for social mornings.
- The Surfing Fox: a stylish outdoor patio serving coastal California fare and signature cocktails in an effortlessly cool setting.
Casa Martin’s casual outdoor seating rounds out relaxed happy hour options.
Best Al Fresco Menus
Want a meal that feels as good as the open air? You’ll find al fresco menus that match Santa Monica’s free spirit. Ghisallo’s lush back patio pairs serene surroundings with seasonal, high-quality ingredients—expect focused plates that change with the harvest. Rustic Canyon leans fully into farm-to-table, rotating its menu so each outdoor visit feels like a fresh discovery. Sirena’s ocean-view terrace serves Italian-inflected dishes that let the breeze and salt air lift every bite. Layla Bagels keeps things convivial on a vibrant front patio—perfect for liberated weekend brunches and casual socializing. The Surfing Fox combines coastal California cuisine with a stylish patio, La Colombe coffee starts your morning right, and Sunset Happy Hour loosens the evening.
Sunset Seating Spots
Craving a sunset meal with fresh air and a view? You’ll find patios that free you from indoors while elevating flavors and mood. Choose a setting that matches your vibe — intimate garden, ocean terrace, lively sidewalk, or relaxed coastal bar — and let the sky do the rest.
- Ghisallo: a lush back patio where seasonal, high-quality ingredients amplify the al fresco experience.
- Sirena Restaurant: an ocean-view terrace for Italian-inflected dishes as the sun dips toward the Pacific.
- Layla Bagels: a lively front patio popular on weekends, perfect for casual brunch and inventive bagels.
- The Surfing Fox & Casa Martin: outdoor patios with Sunset Happy Hour, coastal cuisine, fish tacos, margaritas, and signature cocktails to toast liberation.
Where Locals Go: Hidden Gems and Classics
Salt-and-pepper locals know Santa Monica’s true character shows up in neighborhood spots where portion sizes, history, and flavor matter more than hype. You’ll find Cha Cha Chicken dishing generous jerk chicken and Ropa Vieja with cantaloupe juice—comforting, unpretentious, and reliable after beach days. Bay Cities Italian Deli is where you grab the Godmother: capicola, ham, prosciutto stacked so high you’ll learn to order ahead online to avoid lunch lines. For a taste of continuity, The Galley, open since 1934, serves seafood and steaks with a creamy clam chowder that proves tradition still wins; its happy hour keeps prices honest. If you want something nimble and modern, Sunny Blue’s omusubi—try Sunny Blue Curry or Spicy Salmon—reframes Japanese staples into portable, satisfying bites. Urth Café rounds out the list with sunrise pizza, the Urth Salad, and a bakery spread best enjoyed on the patio. These are the places that free your palate from trends and feed you truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Vegetarian- or Vegan-Only Restaurants in Santa Monica?
Yes — you’ll find vegan- and vegetarian-only spots in Santa Monica, offering creative, liberated menus that celebrate plant-forward flavors, nourishing bowls, inventive tacos and desserts, and conscious hospitality that supports ethical eating and community wellbeing.
Do Any Restaurants Offer Prix Fixe or Tasting Menus Regularly?
Yes — several spots regularly offer prix fixe or tasting menus. You’ll find inventive multi-course meals highlighting seasonal, local produce; menus change often, empower adventurous diners, and invite you to savor thoughtful pacing, bold flavors, and community-driven culinary craft.
Which Spots Are Best for Large Group or Private-Event Bookings?
Like a well-oiled machine, you’ll favor FIG, The Misfit, and Tar & Roses for large groups; they’ll accommodate private events, offer flexible menus, ample space, attentive staff, and creative options that let your celebration feel liberating and bold.
Are There Notable Late-Night Dining Options After 10 PM?
Yes — you’ll find solid late-night choices after 10 pm: casual diners, taco trucks, and a few bars serving hearty plates. Seek spots with lively energy, flexible menus, and friendly staff who welcome spontaneous, late-hour gatherings.
Where Can I Find Accessible Parking Near Popular Restaurants?
You’ll find accessible parking near popular restaurants at municipal lots, metered street spaces with curb ramps, and designated ADA stalls in multi-level garages; check restaurant websites or apps, and use Freedom-friendly transit or curbside pickup when needed.
Conclusion
You’ll leave Santa Monica having tasted its range—from two-Michelin refinement to beachside tacos—and you’ll know where to book next. About 40% of top-rated spots here emphasize seasonal, local sourcing, so expect vibrant produce and sustainable seafood on many menus. Use reservations for fine dining, hit brunch early for shorter waits, and wander alleyways for neighborhood gems. Trust locals’ picks and try one new place each visit—you’ll discover the city’s flavor in layers.