✦ Neighborhood Guide · Los Angeles

Best Restaurants in Santa Monica

11 curated picks covering every occasion, cuisine, and budget — with real TikTok previews.

11 restaurants

Santa Monica's dining scene pairs ocean views with serious culinary credentials. The Third Street Promenade corridor and Main Street each have distinct personalities — walkable, diverse, and consistently strong across every price point.

These 11 picks are pulled from Forks.LA's database of 700+ LA restaurants, selected for quality, consistency, and the kind of experience worth planning your night around. Top of the list: Melisse / Citrin, Seline.

Melisse / Citrin

Modern American · French  ·  $$$$

★★★★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

Seline

Contemporary Tasting Menu  ·  $$$$

★★★★½ 4.7

Michelin-starred 15–18 course tasting menu in Santa Monica by Chef Dave Beran — one seating per night

Must-try: 15–18 course chef's tasting menu, Seasonal wine pairing

📍 3110 Main St, Ste 132, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Pasjoli

French · Bistro  ·  $$$$

★★★★½ 4.6

Michelin-starred French bistro on Main Street — showstopping pressed duck and casual Parisian soul

Must-try: Canard à la Presse (pressed duck for two), Moules frites, Jambon beurre

📍 2732 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Bay Cities Italian Deli

Italian Deli · Sandwiches  ·  $

★★★★½ 4.6

The Godmother — Santa Monica's legendary Italian sub that has been LA's sandwich benchmark for over fifty years

Must-try: The Godmother sub, Focaccia, Imported cheese and charcuterie

📍 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Fia

Italian · California · Wood-Fired  ·  $$$

★★★★½ 4.5

Santa Monica's Italian-inspired restaurant where wood-fired cooking and California produce meet in a warm, beautiful room

Must-try: Wood-fired whole fish, Pasta carbonara, Burrata with seasonal accompaniments

📍 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Milo & Olive

Italian · Pizza · Bakery  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Beloved neighborhood wood-fired pizzeria and bakery on Wilshire — always worth the wait

Must-try: Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza, Soft-Boiled Egg Toast with Burrata, Seasonal Galette

📍 2723 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Birdie G's

American · Southern-Californian  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 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  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 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  ·  $$$

★★★★☆ 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

Tallula's

Mexican · California  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Santa Monica's Mexican garden restaurant — margaritas under string lights, wood-fired dishes, and the most romantic patio on the Westside

Must-try: Carnitas tacos, Mole enchiladas, Spicy margarita

📍 118 Entrada Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Tar & Roses

American · Wood-Fired  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 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 restaurant in Santa Monica?

Melisse / Citrin is consistently the top-rated restaurant in Santa Monica — exceptional food, a memorable atmosphere, and the kind of place worth booking ahead for. Other standouts include Seline.

What are the most popular restaurants in Santa Monica right now?

The most talked-about restaurants in Santa Monica right now are Melisse / Citrin, Seline. All three are booking out quickly — reservations are recommended for weekend visits.

Where can I eat cheaply in Santa Monica?

Bay Cities Italian Deli is one of the best value options in Santa Monica — quality food without the special-occasion price tag. Several spots on this list are wallet-friendly without sacrificing on what's on the plate.

Do restaurants in Santa Monica require reservations?

The top spots in Santa Monica fill up fast, especially on weekends. Book Melisse / Citrin and similar picks 3–7 days ahead on Resy or OpenTable. Several spots on this list are walk-in friendly on weeknights.