From high-end Michelin-starred spots to casual beachside gems, here are the must-visit restaurants in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica is one of L.A.’s top dining destinations, offering a mix of Michelin-star restaurants, trendy hotspots, and casual eateries with ocean views. Whether you’re looking for the best restaurants in Santa Monica Pier, the best restaurants in Santa Monica Downtown, or top 9 restaurants in Santa Monica, this guide covers it all. From hidden hole-in-the-wall gems to high-end dining, here’s your ultimate list of Santa Monica’s best spots.
1. Birdie G’s – Comfort Food with a Creative Twist
Cuisine: American Creative | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$$
👨👩👦 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Limited | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
Known for seasonally inspired comfort food, Birdie G’s features Jewish and Eastern European influences.
Must-tries: The pickle-brined fried chicken 🍗 and the famous rose petal pie 🌹🥧.
📸 Instagram: @birdiegsla
🏷️ Tags: #BestRestaurantsInSantaMonica #FamilyFriendlySantaMonica #TrendyEats
🍣 2. Shunji Japanese Cuisine – Michelin-Starred Omakase
Cuisine: Japanese | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$$$
👨👩👦 Family-Friendly: No | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: No | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
A Michelin-starred sushi experience, Shunji is perfect for special occasions and luxury dining. Their omakase menu ($280+) features the freshest Japanese seafood 🍣.
📸 Instagram: @shunjijapanesecuisine
🌟 Hashtags: #MichelinStarSantaMonica #BestSushiSantaMonica #LuxuryDining
🥪 3. Bay Cities – The Legendary Deli
Cuisine: Deli | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$
👨👩👧 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Limited | 🥟 Pescatarian Options: No
Famous for its iconic “Godmother” sandwich 🥪, Bay Cities is a must-visit for casual food lovers. A great spot for grab-and-go meals or a beachside picnic 🌚.
📸 Instagram: @baycitiesitaliandeli
🌆 Hashtags: #BestCasualEats #HiddenGemsSantaMonica #MustTrySandwich
🇫🇷 4. Pasjoli – High-End French Dining
Cuisine: French | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$$$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: No | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Limited | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
A luxury French bistro, perfect for a romantic date night 💕. Signature dishes: Pressed duck 🦆 and their incredible Basque cheesecake 🍰.
📸 Instagram: @pasjoli.sm
🏷️ #LuxuryDining #MichelinStarSantaMonica #FrenchFoodLovers
🇪🇸 5. Xuntos – Authentic Spanish Tapas
Cuisine: Spanish | Location: Downtown Santa Monica | Price: $$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: Yes | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Yes | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
A Downtown Santa Monica favorite, Xuntos serves authentic Spanish tapas 🦐 in a lively setting. Great for groups & sharing plates 🍷.
📸 Instagram: @xuntos.la
🏷️ #BestTapasSantaMonica #DowntownDining #Top10SantaMonica
🍜 6. Cobi’s – Bold Southeast Asian Flavors
Cuisine: Contemporary Asian | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: Yes | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Yes | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
A colorful, trendy spot offering spicy noodle bowls 🍜, Southeast Asian curries, and natural wines 🍷.
📸 Instagram: @cobis.la
🏷️ #TrendyEats #BestCasualDining #SantaMonicaFoodie
🥩 7. The Georgian Room – Old Hollywood Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$$$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: No | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: No | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
For a classic steakhouse experience 🥩, The Georgian Room features live jazz 🎷, craft cocktails 🍸, and a vintage Hollywood vibe.
📸 Instagram: @thegeorgian
🏷️ #LuxuryDining #BestSteakSantaMonica #5StarExperience
🦞 8. Crudo e Nudo – Sustainable Seafood by the Beach
Cuisine: Seafood | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: No | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: No | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
For ocean-fresh seafood 🦞 and a beachside setting 🌊, Crudo e Nudo serves crudo platters & natural wines 🍷.
📸 Instagram: @crudoenudo
🏷️ #BestSeafoodSantaMonica #BeachsideDining #OceanViewEats
🥖 9. Bread Head – The Ultimate Sandwich Spot
Cuisine: Sandwich Shop | Location: Santa Monica | Price: $$
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: Yes | 🌱 Vegan-Friendly: Yes | 🥕 Vegetarian Options: Yes | 🐟 Pescatarian Options: Yes
A Montana Avenue favorite, Bread Head is known for next-level sandwiches 🥪, perfect for lunch or a quick bite.
📸 Instagram: @breadhead.la
🏷️ #BestCasualLunch #SantaMonicaEats #HiddenGem
Santa Monica’s food scene offers everything from high-end Michelin-star restaurants to casual eateries with stunning ocean views. Whether you’re looking for the best restaurants in Santa Monica Pier, trendy restaurants in Santa Monica, or the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Santa Monica, this guide has you covered.
Looking for more food recommendations? Stay tuned for more guides on My Unbounded Life!
