✦ Cuisine Guide · Santa Monica

Best American Restaurants in Santa Monica

6 curated picks with real TikTok reviews — updated 2026.

6 restaurants

These are the best american restaurants in Santa Monica — ranked by quality, curated from over 230 LA restaurants tracked by Forks.LA. Top picks: Melisse / Citrin, Dialogue, Birdie G's.

Santa Monica's dining scene pairs ocean views with serious culinary credentials — walkable, diverse, and consistently strong.

Melisse / Citrin

Modern American · French  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$$$

★★★★½ 4.9

Santa Monica's refined tasting menu for the most special of occasions

Must-try: Full Tasting Menu ($295), Tomato Salad, Lobster Bolognese

📍 1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dialogue

Dialogue

Californian · Tasting Menu  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8

Dave Beran's 18-seat Michelin two-star counter in Santa Monica — the most personal tasting menu in Los Angeles

Must-try: Full tasting menu (the only option), Wine pairing, Bread course

📍 1315 3rd Street Promenade, Suite 1000, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Birdie G's

American · Southern-Californian  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Jeremy Fox's Santa Monica American — duck, ribs, and Jewish-Southern cooking that defies category

Must-try: BBQ duck, Gluten-free fried chicken, Pie of the day

📍 2421 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Cassia

Southeast Asian · Singaporean · Californian  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Santa Monica's Southeast Asian brasserie — Bryant Ng's Singapore-inflected cooking in a beautiful room one block from the beach

Must-try: Singapore-style laksa, Kaya toast with coconut jam, Slow-roasted pork shoulder

📍 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Rustic Canyon

Californian · Vegetable-Forward · Wine Bar  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Santa Monica's farmhouse wine room — Jeremy Fox's produce-first cooking and one of the best natural wine lists on the Westside

Must-try: Vegetable plate (seasonal), Whole roasted chicken, Pasta with whatever's at the market

📍 1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Tar & Roses

American · Wood-Fired  ·  Santa Monica  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.2

Wood-fired small plates, bone marrow, and a buzzy cocktail bar on the east end of Santa Monica

Must-try: Wood-Roasted Bone Marrow, Tagliatelle with Braised Rabbit, Crispy Pork Belly

📍 602 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best american restaurant in Santa Monica?

Melisse / Citrin is the top pick — consistently excellent food, a great atmosphere, and the kind of place locals recommend without hesitation.

Is there good american food in Santa Monica?

Yes — Santa Monica has 6 strong american options ranging from casual neighborhood spots to destination-worthy restaurants. Melisse / Citrin, Dialogue, Birdie G's are the standouts.

Do I need a reservation for american restaurants in Santa Monica?

For the top spots, yes — book 3–5 days ahead on Resy or OpenTable, especially for weekend evenings. Tar & Roses is more walk-in friendly if you prefer to be spontaneous.