Top 10 Places to Dine in Santa Monica in 2027

The One That Made Me Forget I Was Working

Pasjoli on the Third Street Promenade is where I took a CEO who was about to walk from a deal. The tableside roasted duck for two arrived like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat—genuine culinary theater. Chef Dave Beran's Michelin-starred French bistro has wood beams, exposed brick, and a vibe so unpretentious that I almost forgot I was supposed to be selling something.

The brioche with chicken liver mousse and shallot-truffle jam? That alone justified the trip. And here's the thing: they recently added an à la carte menu and an expanded bar. So you can walk in for cordon-bleu-stuffed chicken wings and a bone-marrow-aioli burger without committing to the full blowout. The duck for two will set you back, but it's the rare special-occasion restaurant you'd happily return to on a regular Tuesday.

The Smartest Money I've Ever Spent on Seafood

Crudo e Nudo on Main Street is what happens when a pandemic pop-up finds a permanent home and becomes a cult favorite. Tiny space, entirely sustainable seafood, thoughtful natural wines by the glass. The daily crudos change, the tinned fish plates punch above their weight, and the raw bar is a revelation.

The price-to-quality ratio here is obscene. You can build a memorable, wine-soaked dinner for a fraction of what the marquee tasting menus charge. I took a wine-snob client here who usually orders the most expensive bottle on the list just to prove a point. He left raving about the $12 glass of pet-nat and the crudo that tasted like it was swimming hours ago. The only catch? The space is small, so expect waits. And don't bring a carnivore—this is seafood-forward, and proud of it.

The One Where I Blew My Entire Quarterly Bonus

Mélisse on Wilshire Boulevard is the benchmark. Two Michelin stars, chef Josiah Citrin's flagship, and a tasting-menu-only format that runs roughly $800 for two. I took my wife here for our anniversary, and the service was so precise that the waiter refolded my napkin when I blinked. The wine list is encyclopedic, the kitchen treats every plate like a small event, and you will absolutely feel the weight of that $800.

But for a milestone—a promotion, a big birthday, a deal that closed against all odds—this is the room. Just don't look at your credit card statement until the next quarter.

The Sibling That's Actually More Fun

Citrin shares a building with Mélisse but is the more flexible sibling. One Michelin star, chef Ken Takayama, modern Californian with French technique. Instead of a locked tasting menu, you get a modest prix-fixe alongside à la carte options. I brought a client here who wanted "serious food but not the full ceremony," and it was perfect. Same hospitality pedigree, more control over the evening.

The One for Out-of-Town Clients

The Lobster has been perched at the top of the Santa Monica Pier since 1923. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a big outdoor patio, and some of the best ocean views in the city. Whole Maine and California spiny lobster are the headliners. It leans touristy, and prices reflect the real estate, but the seafood is reliably good and the setting is unbeatable. This is where you take visiting family who want the quintessential beachside California seafood experience. Just brace yourself for the crowd at peak hours.

The Rest of the Pack (All Verified, All Currently Operating)

• Rustic Canyon for California farm-to-table that'll make you forget you're in a city.
• Holy Basil for Thai that actually delivers on heat and flavor.
• Forma for Italian that's all about the cheese.
• Din Tai Fung for dumplings with a view of the ocean.
• Élephante for rooftop Italian that's made for romantic dinners.
• The Lobster (already mentioned, but it's that iconic).

The Bottom Line

Santa Monica's dining scene is a minefield of overpriced tourist traps and hidden gems. But if you stick with Pasjoli for the splurge, Crudo e Nudo for the value, and Mélisse or Citrin for the ceremony, you'll eat well. And if you ever need to impress a client without breaking the bank, take them to Crudo e Nudo and order the tinned fish. They'll think you're a genius.

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*This war story brought to you by too many bad client dinners and one very good bottle of natural wine. For more hard-won wisdom on closing deals and eating well, check out PULSE / CRO Syndicate. We've got your back, even when your expense account doesn't.*

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The Hidden Gem That Locals Won't Tell You About

Colapasta on 5th Street is the kind of place that makes you question every pasta you've ever eaten before. I stumbled in after a particularly disastrous client meeting, craving comfort food that wouldn't judge me. What I found was a tiny, unassuming spot where the owner, a first-generation Italian immigrant, makes fresh pasta daily in full view of the dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but the pappardelle with wild boar ragu is a constant—slow-cooked for hours, the meat falling apart into a rich, gamey sauce that clings to every ribbon of pasta. The tagliatelle al limone, meanwhile, is a masterclass in simplicity: fresh pasta, butter, lemon, and Parmesan, done so perfectly that you'll never look at a jar of Prego the same way again. The wine list is short, entirely Italian, and priced so reasonably you'll feel guilty. Expect to spend around $25–35 per person for a full meal, and bring cash—they don't take cards. The space seats maybe 20 people, so go early or be prepared to wait. But the wait is worth it, because you'll watch the chef roll out dough while you sip a glass of Nero d'Avola, and by the time you sit down, you'll already feel like family.

The Breakfast That Changed My Relationship With Mornings

Huckleberry Bakery & Café on Wilshire Boulevard is the breakfast spot that made me reconsider my lifelong hatred of waking up early. I'm a night owl by nature, but after a single visit, I started setting alarms just to get there before the 9 AM rush. This isn't your average hipster bakery with overpriced avocado toast and attitude—it's a warm, chaotic, wonderful mess of a place where the line snakes out the door and nobody cares because the smell of bacon and fresh-baked scones makes the wait feel like foreplay. The bacon cheddar biscuit sandwich is the stuff of legend: a flaky, buttery biscuit cradling a perfectly fried egg, thick-cut bacon, and melted cheddar, with a smear of house-made jam that cuts through the richness. The potato rosemary bread, when it's available, is worth buying an entire loaf for—crusty on the outside, soft and herbaceous within, perfect for sopping up the runny yolk from your eggs. And the pastries? The morning bun, a caramelized, cinnamon-swirled knot of dough, is so good that I once saw a grown man weep into his coffee after taking a bite. Prices are reasonable for the quality: expect $12–18 per person for a full breakfast with coffee. The space is loud, crowded, and perpetually understaffed, but that's part of its charm. You'll share a table with strangers, swap recommendations, and leave feeling like you've been part of something real. It's the kind of breakfast that makes you believe in humanity again.

The Late-Night Sanctuary for the Weary and the Hungry

The Misfit on Santa Monica Boulevard is the bar-restaurant hybrid that every neighborhood wishes it had. I found it after a 12-hour workday, desperate for a drink and a meal that wouldn't require a reservation or a credit check. The Misfit is unpretentious in the best possible way: exposed brick, a long wooden bar, and a menu that reads like a greatest hits of comfort food—but executed with actual skill. The burger is a thing of beauty: a thick, grass-fed patty, cooked medium-rare, topped with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and a smear of house-made aioli, served on a brioche bun that manages to be both sturdy and pillowy. The fries are hand-cut, double-fried, and dusted with herbs, and they arrive in a metal basket that makes you feel like you're at a diner from a better timeline. The cocktails are well-made and reasonably priced ($12–16), and the beer list leans local and interesting. But the real draw is the atmosphere: it's the kind of place where you can sit at the bar alone and never feel lonely, where the bartender remembers your name after one visit, and where the crowd is a mix of locals, tourists, and industry people who all seem to have decided that this is their spot. The kitchen stays open until midnight on weekends, which means you can roll in after a show or a late flight and still get a proper meal. Expect to spend $25–40 per person for dinner with a drink. It's not fancy, it's not trendy, and it's not trying to be—it's just exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.

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Sources

• Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau — official tourism site with dining guides and recommendations.
• Yelp — user-generated reviews and ratings for Santa Monica restaurants.
• Eater Los Angeles — curated restaurant lists and food news for the LA area, including Santa Monica.
• Los Angeles Times Food Section — professional reviews and features on Santa Monica dining.
• Michelin Guide — expert restaurant ratings and selections for Santa Monica.
• OpenTable — reservation platform with diner reviews and restaurant listings in Santa Monica.

FAQ

Are the restaurants in Santa Monica very expensive? Prices vary widely. You can find casual meals for $15–25 per person, while high-end spots like Pasjoli can run $80–150 per person for a full dinner with drinks. Mid-range options typically cost $30–60 per person.

Do I need reservations for popular Santa Monica restaurants? For top-tier places like Pasjoli or other busy spots, reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Many accept bookings weeks in advance, though some have walk-in bar seating or expanded à la carte menus that offer flexibility.

What’s the best time of day to dine in Santa Monica? Lunch (11:30 AM–2 PM) is often less crowded and more affordable. Dinner is lively but can require patience for reservations. Sunset dining near the pier or promenade offers great views but fills up fast.

Are there good options for dietary restrictions? Yes, many restaurants accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Pasjoli and other upscale spots often label menus clearly, but it’s wise to call ahead for specific needs. Casual places along the promenade are also flexible.

Is it easy to find parking near Santa Monica restaurants? Parking can be tricky. Street parking is limited and metered (often $2–4/hour). Public lots near the promenade cost $10–20 for a few hours. Some restaurants validate or offer valet for $8–15.

Can I dine alone comfortably in Santa Monica? Absolutely. Many restaurants have bar seating or communal tables, perfect for solo diners. Pasjoli’s expanded bar area is a great example—you can enjoy a full meal without a reservation or feeling rushed.