A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Crudo e Nudo. Main Street / Ocean Park · Sustainable seafood raw bar — Chef Brian Bornemann writes a hand-chalked daily menu of 20-plus species — dry-aged in-house — sourced directly from SoCal fishermen and…
Holy Basil. Downtown Santa Monica · Thai — This buzzy Thai spot is acclaimed for creative dishes like crispy calamari with salted egg yolk and green curry risotto, alongside classic curries and noodles. The…
Xuntos. Santa Monica · Northern Spanish — A well-regarded Spanish table earning consistent praise for grilled octopus with chorizo, saffron scallops, and an extensive sherry and Iberian wine list in a warm…
Din Tai Fung. Santa Monica Place · Taiwanese — The celebrated Taiwanese chain's Santa Monica outpost sits on the third floor of Santa Monica Place with Pacific Ocean views. Expertly pleated xiao long bao (soup…
1212 Santa Monica. 1212 3rd Street Promenade · 4.5★ (3,463 reviews)
BOA Steakhouse. 101 Santa Monica Blvd · 4.7★ (1,817 reviews)
Water Grill. 1401 Ocean Ave · 4.4★ (2,914 reviews)
Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen. Downtown / Wilshire · California seasonal — A critically acclaimed neighborhood anchor since 2006, Rustic Canyon changes its menu daily based on what local farmers and purveyors deliver. The…
Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery. Mid-City / Lincoln Boulevard · Italian deli — A Santa Monica institution since 1925, famous for the Godmother sandwich — Genoa salami, mortadella, coppacola, ham, and prosciutto on rolls baked fresh…
Father's Office. Montana Avenue · Gastropub — A pioneering gastropub on Montana Avenue since 1953, Father's Office is the birthplace of the 'Office Burger' — dry-aged beef, bacon compote, caramelized onions,…
Urth Caffe Santa Monica. 2327 Main St · 4.4★ (4,565 reviews)
Seline. Main Street / Ocean Park · Contemporary American tasting menu — Chef Dave Beran's intimate fine-dining room earned a Michelin star in 2026 and Beran received the James Beard Award for Best Chef:…
Pasjoli. Main Street · French bistro — Dave Beran's Michelin-starred French bistro on Main Street has evolved into a convivial, season-driven room. The à la carte menu balances playful riffs — cordon bleu…
Milo and Olive. Mid-City / Wilshire · Italian bakery and pizzeria — A Michelin Guide-listed neighborhood bakery-pizzeria open daily from 7 a.m., celebrated for wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, morning pastries,…
The Lobster. 1602 Ocean Ave · 4.3★ (2,939 reviews)
Élephante. 1332 2nd St Rooftop · 4.2★ (3,367 reviews)
Tar & Roses. 602 Santa Monica Blvd · 4.7★ (1,125 reviews)
The Little Door. 8164 W 3rd St · 4.5★ (1,383 reviews)