The best restaurants in Santa Monica

What is it? Chefs Wedchayan "Deau" Arpapornnopparat and Tongkamal "Joy" Yuon can’t-stop-won’t-stop expanding their famous DTLA window. First came Atwater Village. Now they're bringing authentic street-style Thai food made with hyper-local ingredients to a part of town that could use more of it—and boy, do they already have a devoted following of Westsiders.

Why we love it: I’ve never met a dish at Holy Basil that I didn’t like. The menu is ever-evolving, built around what's fresh, sustainable, and in season. Right now (spring), that's Baja scallops, which get an aguachile treatment. Or a crackling whole fried sea bream swimming in a tangy, citrusy fish sauce. A crisp, acid-forward Thai rendition of a Caesar comes with generous amounts of Parmesan and pickled onions, dotted with four white anchovies (ration them across bites accordingly). But the table consensus is always the Bangkok wok-fried jasberry rice with Dungeness crab and "holy" seasoning blend. 

Time Out tip: Don’t overlook the braised beef shank with paccheri noodles in zesty, nutty and creamy curry. 

Address: 2828 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Opening hours: Tue 5-9pm; Wed-Sun noon-2:30pm, 5-9pm

What is it? A lively tapas and all-natural wine bar—a glimmer of hope amidst L.A.'s fairly lackluster Spanish dining scene—where chef-owner Sandra Cordero can regularly be spotted at the bar, ceremonially slicing jamón ibérico de bellota for hours on end. 

Why we love it: As someone who was born in Madrid, Xuntos is the closest I’ve come to tasting home since moving to Los Angeles. The menu is a journey in pintxos (small plates to share) across Asturias, Catalonia, the Basque region and Galicia, where Cordero grew up milking and shepherding cows (her family had a small farm). Not sure where to start? Pan cristal con tomate (toast with heirloom tomato, garlic, and olive oil) and a plate of jamón are staples in any Spanish meal. There’s an art to tapas-style dining, and it takes practice. Start with a few—say croquetas de jamon, a Spanish omelette (classic potato omelet that’s both runny and dense), any conserva (hake cheeks, if you want something distinctly Spanish)—and see how you feel. If you have it in you to go for a proper main, the grilled pork chop with a sherry glaze and a fennel-and-winter citrus salad is exquisite. For those who suffer from tapas decision paralysis, fret not. Cordero recently introduced a tapas tasting menu precisely for this reason. At $75 per person for about nine dishes, it's a steal—a greatest-hits of the menu plus whatever's fresh from the farmers' market. Spring for the $25 per person pan-fried lobster supplement, inspired by Berto's, a renowned shellfish restaurant in Galicia. Wash it all down with a kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and Coca-Cola over ice with lemon) or ask wine director Scott about the all-natural wine list—prepare to be blown away by small-batch Spanish producers you've never heard of.

Time Out tip: If you loved the wine you had with your meal, you can join the Xuntos wine club and get two or four bottles hand-selected monthly, plus aperitivo and conserva add-ons.

Address: 516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Tue–Thu noon-9pm; Fri, Sat noon–9:30pm

What is it? A moody upscale steakhouse that swaps pomp and circumstances for sacrilege. Think stained glass saints, oversized portraits of Scorsese and Pam Anderson, and exquisitely dapper servers who could either moonlight at The Magic Castle or be vampires. No one takes themselves too seriously here, and that’s part of the fun. What is taken seriously is what's on the altar: prime beef, mostly Creekstone Farms, treated with genuine reverence.

Why we love it: The chapel-meets-steakhouse bit could easily be all sizzle, but Fia Steak’s got the chops (pun intended). Creekstone Farms cuts are presented raw on a silver platter before being cooked to order—a 14-oz New York strip at $89 is ideal for two. A caviar-loaded ahi tuna cigar arrives in a humidor (your server will even offer to light it for a photo op), and the baby gem Caesar—traditional or grilled tableside—is exquisitely dressed and loaded with white anchovies. Start with the enormous portion of grilled Castelvetrano olives that’ll have you snacking through the entire meal, as they should (and do in Italy). Fia Steak is built for celebrations and priced accordingly (plan on $150+/person), but between the theatrics, the steak, and a stacked cocktail menu worth the full tour, it's worth every penny. 

Time Out tip: Skip the $99 tasting menu and go à la carte. And don't sleep on the NA cocktails—the penicillin and spicy paloma are dangerously close to the real thing, and among the best zero-proof renditions in LA.

Address: 2458 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Tues-Wed 5:30-9pm; Thu–Sat 5:30-9:30pm; Sun 5:30-9pm

What is it? Relocated to Santa Monica from its longtime chili bowl-shaped home on Pico Boulevard, this Westside sushi bar run by the eponymous chef and his wife Yuko Sakurai offers a streamlined, exclusive approach to top-notch sushi in the form of a $295 omakase—one of the best in the city's upper sushi echelons.

Why we love it: Every night of service, after a brief selection of kaiseki-style appetizers, Nakao breaks out a wood block of sliced fish, each brilliant, shining row ready to be prepared for each guest. The luxurious selection always satisfies, as does Sakurai's ultra-refined sake selection.

Time Out tip: Reservations drop on the 7th of each month at 1pm PST (for the 1st-15th of the following month) and the 22nd at 1pm PST (for the 16th-31st). Act fast. 

Address: 3003 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Tue 6-8pm; Wed-Sat 5-8pm

What is it? Hiding in plain sight, chef-owner Brian Bornemann’s shrine to sustainable seafood and raw fish is Main Street's pearl.

Why we love it: Tasting Kitchen protégé and former Michael's Santa Monica chef Brian Bornemann runs a loose but steady ship at  Crudo e Nudo. Employees have a four-day workweek (sans Bornemann), and everyone is trained on sukibiki (the Japanese method of descaling without bruising the flesh of fish). You’re mainly here for the crudo, which shines with the freshest possible fish and bright, modern tweaks (think orange leaf oil) to the typically stalwart oil-and-lemon Italian raw dish. But just as much emphasis is placed on local bread (from Jyan Isaac), excellent olive oil (a blend of four types from Santa Ynez on a recent visit), and thoughtfully curated biodynamic wines. Lunch and dinner are of the leisurely, European kind—a farmers' market salad is always on offer, and there's no formal menu, just a chalkboard updated daily to reflect what fishermen from Baja to Monterey reeled in. 

Time Out tip: For the complete Crudo e Nudo experience, the $95 Neptune's Flight tasting menu takes you all over the map—typically kicking off with uni tacos, raw scallops and oysters, followed by the chef's crudo selection, then rounding out with vegetables, roasted seafood and housemade gnocchi. From-scratch dark chocolate almond butter cups seal the deal.

Address: 2724 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Mon-Wed noon-9pm; Thu–Sat noon-9:30pm; Sun noon-9pm

What is it? A family-friendly Cal-Italian neighborhood joint from Zach Pollack (Sotto, Alimento, Cosa Buona) with perfectly executed pizza, too-easy-to-drink cocktails, and some of the best alfresco seating in Santa Monica.

Why we love it: A few of Pollack's greatest hits made the trip to the Westside—the chicken liver from Alimento, Cosa Buona's thrice-cooked buffalo wings, that leopard-spotted pizza crust—but Cosetta is largely new territory. The porcini-rubbed wagyu tri-tip, wood-fired to a perfect medium-rare, is the star of the menu and enough for three, with a salad, small plate, and pizza. The raw bar highlights include scallops with Sicilian ponzu and a smoked yellowtail collar that typically sells out before 7pm. Large pasta shells are doused in vodka arrabbiata, finished in the pizza oven for a nice char and dolloped with burrata—it’s an old-school dish that feels totally modern. Plus, the bar program is overseen by Brian Summers, a Sam Ross protégé (the Milk & Honey legend behind the penicillin cocktail), who makes his own amaro, aperitivo, and limoncello.

Time Out tip: Parties of two opt for eating at the bar—they’re the most comfortable seats in the house and blissfully kid-free. And don't overlook the zero-proof cocktails. All functional and featuring psychoactive ingredients. E.g., the calma, an herbal riff on the penicillin with valerian root that’s the perfect NA digestif and will down-regulate your nervous system. 

Address: 3150 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 4-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 4-10pm; Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 4-9pm

What is it? West of La Cienega, there's nothing like the Georgian Room, a transportive speakeasy-style joint hidden away in the basement of the Georgian Hotel on Ocean Avenue. Between the Art Deco architecture and the moody, low-lit interior, you'd swear you were in a Miami Beach supper club rather than Santa Monica. Restored to its former Old Hollywood glory (the space once served the likes of Judy Garland and Dick Van Dyke), the upscale Italian steakhouse serves premium cocktails and impeccably finished dry-aged steaks. 

Why we love it: On Fridays and Saturdays, a live jazz singer slinks up and down the narrow dining room, stopping at tables to serenade guests in full Jessica Rabbit fashion while a pianist mans the vintage Steinway (every night). It might translate into a higher bill, but the sultry ambience here is unmatched. In our humble opinion, you won't find a more glamorous and delicious way in Los Angeles to enjoy a New York strip and a dirty vodka martini. (And yes, we're throwing shade at the kitchen at Musso's right now.) At night's end, former All Day Baby pastry chef Thessa Diadem whips up a swoon-worthy spumoni-style baked Alaska layered with housemade pistachio, strawberry and chocolate ice creams under torched Italian meringue. Her chocolate cake is equally indulgent: luxuriously dark ganache topped with Dutch cocoa buttercream and paired with amaretto espresso cream that gives serious Matilda vibes, minus the punishment.

Time Out tip: On Sundays, the Georgian Room hosts Spaghetti Sundays, which features a $65 prix-fixe menu of Italian American classics and a more casual atmosphere. My suggestion? Adding on the $30 New York strip supplement as your main.

Address: 1415 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Wed 5:30-10pm; Thu 5:30-11pm; Fri, Sat 5:30pm-2am; Sun 5-9pm

What is it? Run by Clémence de Lutz, one of the main pastry masterminds behind the Gourmandise School, and Friends & Family alum Tony Hernandez, this newer gourmet bakery in Santa Monica serves some of the absolute best pastries on the Westside as well as some of the best croissants in Los Angeles.

Why we love it: Lines tend to form early, and while the croissants often run out before noon, there's always something delicious in one way or another behind the glass. Lutz and Hernandez pride themselves on using locally sourced flour varieties, milk from Straus Family Creamery, fruit from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, imported French butter, and more ethically sourced chocolate, for a higher quality you can taste. Savories like ham and cheese croissants and seasonal fruit danishes round out the tiny pastry case here, and while we can't guarantee everything will be available when you come in, we can guarantee it'll be delicious—and quite likely worth the wait.

Time Out tip: We can't recommend the croissants here enough. The ham and cheese features piquant stone-ground mustard, and the perfectly decadent pain au chocolat is quite possibly the best rendition in town. 

Address: 1209 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 8am-3pm; Sun 8am-2pm

What is it? A San Francisco transplant baking some of the country's best bread and a lovely place (a former mortuary giving more cathedral and garden vibes) to have a casual alfresco lunch on the Westside.

Why we love it: When Tartine opened its original location in The Mission two-plus decades ago, it started a nationwide craze over its yeasty country loaf. The craze continues to this day, even though you can now secure it at one of their six locations, Erewhon, or shipped anywhere in the country. Just as good is their whole wheat sesame or oat porridge loaf. You can do a lot of damage—though hardly any wrong—eating your way through the pastry case here. Ham and Gruyère croissants sing (the earlier in the day, the fresher), as does their morning bun. For lunch, their current seasonal chopped apple and walnut salad with treviso, pomegranate and pickled beets is among my favorite lunchtime salads in Los Angeles. Be sure to add a side of grilled chicken thighs to it. 

Time Out tip: Tartine might just have the best matcha latte in Santa Monica. If you go for the turkey club sandwich, which you should (it has chicken skin), add bacon to hit the trifecta of flavor. 

Address: 1925 Arizona Ave, Suite 202, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Opening hours: Daily 8am–4pm

What is it? Jordan Snyder and Alex Williams's artisanal sandwich shop is an indispensable lunchtime destination along Montana Avenue—and while the square footage might be limited, the ample flavors and attention to detail make Bread Head a worthwhile daytime dining destination.

Why we love it: The beautiful, impossibly crackly focaccia crust and high-quality ingredients make every bit of difference here. Made fresh daily, each focaccia slice's golden, buttery half combines with high-quality meats, luscious cheeses and a mélange of flavorful spreads. While the Combo Grinder (Bread Head's take on a classic Italian sub) is an obvious choice, their vegetarian option with fresh ovoline mozzarella, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, pickled red onion, and za’atar spread gives all their meaty sammies a run for their money. 

Time Out tip: If you’re not a cold sandwich type, Bread Head’s got you covered with their daily sandwich special, which features hot classics every day of the week. E.g., meatball parmesan Mondays; pork and broccoli rabe Tuesdays; Cuban sandwich Wednesdays; reuben Thursdays; and sausage and pepper Fridays. 

Address: 1518 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Daily 11am-7pm

What is it? A charming Ocean Park pizzeria serving solid Neapolitan-style wood-fired pies with Casey Lane (formerly of Venice’s Tasting Kitchen) now at the helm. 

Why we love it: Two styles of pizza are on offer here: a hybridized Neapolitan-style, whole and made to order, plus triangles of thin-crust New York-inspired available at the counter from opening till they sell out (usually around 7 or 8pm). The diavola (Calabrian sausage, vodka sauce, pecorino) and luciana sausage (ricotta, fennel pollen, mustard flowers, green onion) are standouts. Locals gravitate towards the wonderfully low-key back patio, which also happens to be an excellent date spot. 

Time Out tip: During the day, Ghisallo also hosts Tre Mani, a lunchtime sandwich pop-up that uses focaccia bread from Jyan Isaac next door. They don't travel well and aren't my absolute favorite, but they're still quite delicious when eaten right on the spot.

Address: 1622 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5-9:30pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm; Sun 5-9pm

What is it? A Tokyo-based restaurant chain (the family-run company’s first location outside Japan), quietly serving some of L.A.'s tastiest Japanese drinking fare from the former Musha space in Santa Monica.

Why we love it: The well-priced array of sashimi, fried and grilled dishes and more unconventional pairings (think negitoro over garlic bread) put Shirubē's on the shortlist of L.A.'s best izakayas. Highlights include the signature flame-seared mackerel, shoyu butter corn ribs and the dan dan udon, all of which make the long trek to the ultra-touristy Third Street Promenade area feel very much worth it. Best of all, the kitchen stays open until 11pm every night but Sunday—so you count on a later evening meal here.

Time Out tip: While the regular dinner menu is excellent, the happy hour menu (Tue-Fri 5–6:30pm; Sat 4-6pm; all day Monday and Sundays; and again late night Fri-Sat 9-10:30pm) is a downright steal, including an $80 chef’s omakase. Omakase ends 30 min prior to the end of happy hour. 

Address: 424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5-11pm; Sat 4-11pm; Sun 4-10pm 

What is it? Founded in 1979, this charming bungalow restaurant was one of the earliest pioneers of California cuisine.

Why we love it: While farmers' market-inspired menus and interesting wine lists are now commonplace across Los Angeles, Michael's still satisfies today with a seasonally driven menu of comfort food classics and ever-changing specials. I enjoyed the Wagyu bolognese, served with buttery noodles and a luxurious tomato basil soup, served with grilled cheese. The real show-stopper, however, was an off-menu octopus ceviche, served with housemade potato chips cleverly seasoned with rice vinegar. The verdant back patio is one of my favorite dining rooms in Santa Monica, and quite possibly all of L.A. The hospitality, however, is the cherry on top; at a time when customer service standards have dropped to all-time lows, the staff at Michael's go out of their way to make newcomers feel right at home among a predominantly gray-haired crowd of regulars.

Time Out tip: Skip the $39 bacon avocado cheeseburger and fries. The burger is solid, but not worth the money.

Address: 1147 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 4-9pm

What is it? Immaculately crafted charcuterie boards put this sister-run wine and cheese shop on the map, but did you know that Lady & Larder also makes some of the best sandwiches in Santa Monica?

Why we love it: Available from 11am to 3pm, Tuesday through Sunday, the seasonal creations incorporate produce from the famous nearby Santa Monica Farmers' Market, plus sliced bread from Bub and Grandma's and baguettes from Clark Street Bakery. Enjoy evergreen standouts like the Hot Girl Salami and the Talk to Me Goose (mortadella, aged cheese, pepper relish, pepperoncinis, shaved onions and pickle-flavored potato chips). Lady & Larder can become quite busy during lunchtime, so it's best to order ahead if you're strapped for time.

Time Out tip: In the summer, we look forward to the Venice Cowgirl, which uses stone fruit, apricot habanero jam and luscious triple cream cheese to create the perfect sweet, peppery sandwich.

Address: 828 Pico Blvd, Ste 2, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun 11am–4pm

What is it? Though the ranch-to-table ethos might no longer generate as much buzz today, Salt's Cure's pancake-oriented offshoot, Breakfast by Salt's Cure, is one of the best breakfast options in the city.

Why we love it: Head to Montana Avenue—one of Santa Monica's toniest streets—for chef-owner Chris Phelps's effortlessly delicious oatmeal griddle cakes and a casual order-at-the-counter situation. Once you take a bite, you'll immediately understand; somehow salty, sweet, doughy and crispy all at the same time, they might just ruin regular pancakes for you. Oh, and there's no syrup served with the griddle cakes. You'll get over it after the first bite, we promise.

Time Out tip: Bring all your friends with dietary restrictions: Salt's Cure pancakes can be made gluten-free or vegan.

Address: 714 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Daily 7am-2pm

What is it? What happens when one of the Westside's old-guard restaurants gets a modern rebirth? You get reimagined steakhouse classics all in the same sleek leather booths that defined the original Golden Bull.

Why we love it: Now you can find vegan-friendly options and excellent sides like sautéed corn, stuffed potato skins and Yorkshire puddings alongside the bone-in rib eye, filet mignon and other cuts that have made the Golden Bull a Santa Monica institution since 1949. Finish your meal off with the fudgy gluten-free brownie or the s'mores casserole, which will definitely leave a smile on your face.

Time Out tip: Pop in during golden hour (4:30-5:30pm) for a handful of $6 items (including loaded potato skins).

Address: 170 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Opening hours: Wed 4:30pm-midnight; Thu–Sat 4:30pm-2am; Sun 4:30pm-midnight

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What is it? A quaint bakery from a former Gjusta bread baker who got laid off at the onset of the pandemic and turned his sourdough hobby into an eponymous shop for all things dough, now serving a full lunch menu and weekend brunch.

Why we love it: Sourdough was the starter (pun intended), but it wasn’t long before Jyan Isaac ventured into all matters of baked goods, including fairly solid bagel sandwiches. The recently introduced lunch menu features Ghisallo pizzas and sandwich classics like tuna melt and turkey. For weekend brunch, highlights include a tasty duck confit hash and decadent cereal milk French toast. Plus, inventive coffee and matcha drinks like a coco sage cappuccino, red miso caramel flat white, or iced seasonal jam matcha latte. 

Time Out tip: If the tables out front are taken, or you want to avoid the commotion, Ghisallo’s clandestine back patio is open for Jyan Isaac guests. 

Address: 1620 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat, Sun 7am-3pm

What is it? In a tale of two bagels, this Ocean Park storefront next to Jyan Isaac Bread meets the city's overflowing demand for Montreal-style bagels.

Why we love it: Those hoping for a taste of Layla's delicious open-face creations should arrive early (before 11am is the sweet spot) and anticipate at least a half-hour wait to order. Once at the counter, you'll find a mix of savory and sweet options like the must-order Pre-Jam (seasonal fruit, cream cheese and honey), plus specialty coffee and a passionfruit collagen cloud matcha that’s all the hype. In my humble opinion, it’s not as strong as Jyan Isaac’s straightforward matcha latte next door. There's also a small "not bagels" section that includes muffins, challah bread and overnight oats.

Time Out tip: For those who live, work and play closer to central L.A., Layla also has a second location in Beverly Hills.

Address: 1614 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Daily 7am-2:30pm

What is it? Located upstairs from the Laemmle Theater, Élephante boasts one of Santa Monica's best—and few—rooftop eateries, with resort-like interior design that feels ripped from the pages of Condé Nast Traveler.

Why we love it: Vibes: the only word that comes to mind after the elevator ride up to this Tulum-like, all-day rooftop restaurant and bar serving seasonal California-Mediterranean cuisine and top-notch cocktails. Inside, chic modern wood furniture and a selection of cacti and lush houseplants set the stage for a stunning view of the ocean from the aptly-named Sunset Room. Meet friends during the day for brunch and lunch, then bring a date at night for low-lit romance. Don’t expect life-changing fare, but do expect to leave satisfied and in a better mood than when you arrived. You can thank the Pacific Ocean and Élephante’s punch bowls for that.  

Time Out tip: Our go-to is the whipped eggplant dip with puffy house-made flatbread, but there's also solid pizza, pasta and a sunny weekend brunch with the likes of rich banana bread, ricotta pancakes, eggy dishes, and a proper matcha latte. 

Address: 1332 2nd St, Rooftop, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10am-midnight; Fri, Sat 9am-1am; Sun 9am–midnight

What is it? A pandemic pop-up turned brick-and-mortar (with additional locations in Studio City and Silver Lake) that gained a cult following for its short rib smashburgers.

Why we love it: Lines form daily for the pair's juicy short rib patties topped with American cheese and beef tallow fries (no breaks for vegetarians here), served with a top-secret heavy sauce that’s so good you don’t need to know what’s in it. Throw in wine, beer, a casual patio and Straus Creamery soft-serve (the only dessert), and you've got a great Westside gourmet burger option.

Time Out tip: For $3 more, it’s worth springing for the double, as it’s got the ideal bun-to-patty ratio.

Address: 2912 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am-10pm