Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants 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.

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.

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.

Jeff Turner The restaurant had a quaint, New Orleans style vibe with a warm atmosphere and one heckuva meat selection. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with low-key lighting a back room where the meats are aged and a very solid wine selection. The food overall was absolutely delicious. We had Valentina as our server and she was amazing (we were in town on a work conference). I had a "chefs choice" charcuterie board, tried a bone-in ribeye, and there were several menu items to choose from including a specialty menu for meat selections. We sat across from the room where the meats were being aged and of course, whats more mouth-watering than that (to a meat-lover of course)? Overall, it was an amazing experience from start to finish and I highly recommend this location, especially if you are craving some top-line meat selections.

Jeremy Weiner We hosted a large event here last night and could not have been happier. Jaime and Marlon, the managers, ran everything flawlessly. Their staff is incredibly well trained and handled a very challenging group with ease. We had 170 people, including about 100 thirteen year olds, which is not easy for any restaurant to manage. They were perfect from start to finish. The food, service, and overall hospitality were outstanding. Truly impressed and very grateful. Highly recommend.

Rawan A. Tuscan Kale Salad 8/10 Braised short ribs lumachi 8/10 Chicken Parmesan pasta 6.5 / 10 The waitress, Chad, was fantastic. Not only did we enjoy our meal, but we also received some valuable tips and recommendations for places to visit around the city.

Rachel Russell-Clark WOW WOW WOW. I just got back from Italy and was having severe fomo, this is the first place I went. It was our first time here and we were impressed!!! The host was so wonderful, our server Carlos, honestly everyone was a vibe! You can tell why this place has been open for 36 years. The food was beyond delicious as you can see from our empty plate club pic. To top it off, they brought us a complimentary desert, I can’t wait to come back on another date night!