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Famous for its iconic pier and walkable Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica has something for everyone when it comes to restaurants. While there are plenty of tourist traps to watch out for and many places that don’t necessarily stand out, the city is chock-full of hidden gems and noteworthy destinations, too. From casual hangs perfect any time of day to fine dining destinations that require planning, here are 18 superlative Santa Monica restaurants to try.

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On the Westside, there’s no sandwich shop more of the moment than Bread Head, which recently landed in its first standalone location on Montana Avenue. The focaccia sandwiches can be ordered in full (great for sharing, or for one person who feels particularly hungry) or half sizes (which swing in under $15), with varieties like a muffuletta layering salami cotto, mortadella, and pit-smoked ham; roasted turkey with Calabrian chile-infused mayo; a stacked BLT; and a vegetarian-friendly mozzarella with avocado, alfalfa sprouts, and za’atar. Sides like Zapp’s Voodoo chips and homemade sweet tea complete the order.

Established in 1949, this historic steakhouse off Pacific Coast Highway reopened in 2018 with a refreshed old-school vibe and fine-tuned chophouse menu. The dinnertime menu covers the classics with Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, lamb chops, New York strip, and a bone-in ribeye. Remember to order some stiff cocktails, including Manhattans and martinis. The patio is expansive and welcoming for larger groups.

Incorporating the flavors of the Midwest and his Jewish heritage, chef-founder Jeremy Fox serves comforting, well-executed food for a suave Santa Monica crowd at this inland location tucked among art galleries. Start with a tray of pickled vegetables served with onion dip, then share a bowl of the most elegant matzo ball soup in Los Angeles. Grilled entrees excel here, especially the whole rockfish with Georgian satsebeli sauce, capers, and lemon. Don’t leave without trying the Empress date bundt cake, a syrupy variant of sticky toffee pudding that the table will remember long after dinner’s over.

Bakery stars Clémence de Lutz and Tony Hernandez are slinging some of the finest laminated pastries in Santa Monica. The tiny shop draws lines from well before its 8 a.m. opening time, where folks come for their daily croissant, fruit-topped Danishes, hand pies, and quiches. Morning treats like sweet or savory scones, maple pecan coffee cake, and conchas; pan loaves, including Japanese sweet potato shokupan; and sandwich breads like sourdough brioche, ciabatta, and seeded sourdough loaf are all available; sandwiches for the lunch-set are on order, too.

This classic combo-plate Mexican restaurant in more inland Santa Monica welcomes families and groups from the early morning at 8 a.m. all the way to 11 p.m., serving comforting chicken fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, and beef chile colorado at reasonable prices. Even the freshly made margaritas are an inflation-proof price of $11. The weathered interior with hanging Christmas lights and old-timey artwork gives this place all the charm of a real neighborhood find.

Josiah Citrin’s namesake restaurant inside the former Melisse serves a four-course menu and upscale modern California dishes like the beloved lobster Bolognese topped with brown butter truffle froth. Those looking for a more approachable experience should check out happy hour, featuring a terrific burger with discounted wine and cocktails. For a truly special gastronomical experience, head inside the two-Michelin-starred Melisse for a tasting menu that runs over $400 per person for drinks, tax, and tip.

Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng's Cassia has been heralded by critics and diners alike for its elevated Vietnamese, Chinese, and Singaporean fare with French bistro accents. The bustling dining room and high ceilings give Cassia a unique energy for Santa Monica, giving it something of a hip edge that would be typical of places in Venice or Silver Lake. The drinks flow at the bar while the hearth gives off more than enough smoke and heat to remind you that all the dishes carry a strong whiff of smoky flavor. Many of Cassia’s greatest hits include the kaya toast, spicy chile crab, beef rendang, laksa, and chickpea curry.

This Tokyo import from one of the chefs who popularized the concept of izakayas in Japan has expanded to a new restaurant just steps from Third Street Promenade. Expect a solid sake menu, well-sliced sashimi plates, and an incredible seared filet of mackerel that fills the room with the aroma of blackened fish skin. Sitting at the counter affords the best view of the action from the open kitchen. Most of LA’s great izakayas tend to concentrate near the South Bay or Little Tokyo, so Shirubē is a shining beacon of casual Japanese food on the Westside.

This Italian deli offers what is likely the most iconic sandwich in all of Los Angeles: the Godmother. Bay Cities’ signature sub is filled prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and provolone cheese, all contained in a crusty Italian-style filone roll. Its other sandwiches meet the needs of those who don’t want the archetypal experience, with various cold cuts and hot protein options. A sleeper hit on the menu is the chicken parm sandwich, the tomato sauce soaking into the excellent house-baked roll. The market side of the shop is as impressively composed as the deli.

This charming tapas bar and Spanish restaurant from talented chef Sandra Cordero takes over a bi-level space in Santa Monica’s Downtown area, adorned with interesting visual touches inside and a sleek seating area across four rooms. Cordero’s pan-Spanish cooking sticks to a simple formula of quality ingredients and skilled cooking, including excellent fried anchovies, gambas al ajillo, and razor clams when in season.

Chef Chris Sayegh’s Jordanian and Levantine-inspired restaurant on the ground floor of the Sonder Beacon in Santa Monica, which was previously the iconic Shangri-La, has already drawn the flash photography of clout-seeking influencers. Behind the early adopters, Layla’s food is grounded in Sayegh’s grandmother’s kitchen (her name was Layla), where stuffed grape leaves, mezze platters, and blistered Meditteranean sea bass display strong flavors and top-notch ingredients. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

The second Santa Monica restaurant from chef Sean MacDonald, Burgette, has opened right next door to his first, Bar Monette. The menu focuses on Parisian-style burgers like the La Burgette, a French take on the Big Mac topped with grainy Dijon mustard, cornichons, Worcestershire sauce, and a mix of American and mimolette cheeses. In addition to the burgers, charcuterie, along with other French-inspired starters, are also available. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Sirena (formerly the Restaurant at the Georgian), sits steps away from the ocean on a bougainvillea-shaded terrace. The ocean breezes pair well with everything on chef David Almany’s Italian-inflected menu. The former Mozza chef knows his way around the Italian culinary canon. Start with a crudo or two, along with pastry chef Thessa Diadem’s piping-hot focaccia, before digging into plates of linguine vongole, bucatini all’amatriciana, and gargenelli lamb ragu. Save room for as many desserts as possible.

Jyan Isaac Horwitz started his baking career at Venice’s Gjusta and struck out on his own in 2020 after losing his job due to the pandemic. Only 19 years old at the time, Horwitz turned to sourdough baking like so many others to occupy his time and hands. He started offering the bread to just friends and neighbors, but demand quickly increased and he was baking and delivering over 250 loaves a week. After popping up across Los Angeles and selling bread out of a window in Santa Monica, Horwitz opened his first permanent location in 2021. In addition to coveted sourdough rolls, Horwitz bakes brioche buns, baguettes, challah, and multi-grain porridge loaves. He also branched out into bagels, serving them loose or topped with options like schmear, tomato cultured butter, and house jam. On the sweeter side, the bakery offers glossy croissants with mesmerizing curves and cruffins topped with seasonal fruits. The shop often sells out, so make sure to head over early if looking for something specific. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Opened by chefs Sammi Tarantino and Tartine and Gjusta alum Sergio Espana, Layla serves bagels that are a cross between Montreal and New York styles. Served open-faced, the bagels arrive loaded with toppings like cream cheese, farmers market vegetables, and cured salmon. With its sceney front patio, solid lattes, and sweet and savory bagel combinations, Layla has become the place for languid weekend hangouts in Santa Monica.

This Ocean Avenue staple is neither cheap nor particularly hip, but that’s no concern for owner Bruce Marder, a longtime Los Angeles restaurateur, and this tiny restaurant’s unending stream of customers who work through a menu of fine wines, robust pastas, and wood-grilled meats. The dining room tends to cater a low-key Hollywood crowd, in case one’s looking to spot a celebrity or two.

In Cobi’s pink, flower-strewn dining room, which leans hard into its maximalist grandmacore, diners can enjoy dishes that span the Southeast Asian diaspora. Indonesian classics like nasi goreng and beef rendang share menu space with toasted rice-pocked chicken larb, papaya salad, and a peanut-infused African curry. The weekend scene is also worth checking out, especially its brunch-time fried chicken, which offers heat from Thai chiles and a touch of sweetness.

Fine dining vet Dave Beran serves up an elevated French bistro experience on Main Street Santa Monica. Favorites like the chicken liver-stuffed foie de canard brioche, steak au poivre, and whole-pressed duck, while the rest of the menu offers California-influenced takes on classic French fare. Recently, the menu has turned into a full-on prix fixe menu in the dining room, offering tables plenty of options spread across five courses priced at $95. There’s also a $125 tasting that includes the famed pressed duck. Those looking for a bargain can get a $65, three-course prix fixe from 5 to 6 p.m., a huge boon for anyone looking to experience the place on a budget.

On the Westside, there’s no sandwich shop more of the moment than Bread Head, which recently landed in its first standalone location on Montana Avenue. The focaccia sandwiches can be ordered in full (great for sharing, or for one person who feels particularly hungry) or half sizes (which swing in under $15), with varieties like a muffuletta layering salami cotto, mortadella, and pit-smoked ham; roasted turkey with Calabrian chile-infused mayo; a stacked BLT; and a vegetarian-friendly mozzarella with avocado, alfalfa sprouts, and za’atar. Sides like Zapp’s Voodoo chips and homemade sweet tea complete the order.

Established in 1949, this historic steakhouse off Pacific Coast Highway reopened in 2018 with a refreshed old-school vibe and fine-tuned chophouse menu. The dinnertime menu covers the classics with Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, lamb chops, New York strip, and a bone-in ribeye. Remember to order some stiff cocktails, including Manhattans and martinis. The patio is expansive and welcoming for larger groups.

Incorporating the flavors of the Midwest and his Jewish heritage, chef-founder Jeremy Fox serves comforting, well-executed food for a suave Santa Monica crowd at this inland location tucked among art galleries. Start with a tray of pickled vegetables served with onion dip, then share a bowl of the most elegant matzo ball soup in Los Angeles. Grilled entrees excel here, especially the whole rockfish with Georgian satsebeli sauce, capers, and lemon. Don’t leave without trying the Empress date bundt cake, a syrupy variant of sticky toffee pudding that the table will remember long after dinner’s over.

Bakery stars Clémence de Lutz and Tony Hernandez are slinging some of the finest laminated pastries in Santa Monica. The tiny shop draws lines from well before its 8 a.m. opening time, where folks come for their daily croissant, fruit-topped Danishes, hand pies, and quiches. Morning treats like sweet or savory scones, maple pecan coffee cake, and conchas; pan loaves, including Japanese sweet potato shokupan; and sandwich breads like sourdough brioche, ciabatta, and seeded sourdough loaf are all available; sandwiches for the lunch-set are on order, too.

This classic combo-plate Mexican restaurant in more inland Santa Monica welcomes families and groups from the early morning at 8 a.m. all the way to 11 p.m., serving comforting chicken fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, and beef chile colorado at reasonable prices. Even the freshly made margaritas are an inflation-proof price of $11. The weathered interior with hanging Christmas lights and old-timey artwork gives this place all the charm of a real neighborhood find.

Josiah Citrin’s namesake restaurant inside the former Melisse serves a four-course menu and upscale modern California dishes like the beloved lobster Bolognese topped with brown butter truffle froth. Those looking for a more approachable experience should check out happy hour, featuring a terrific burger with discounted wine and cocktails. For a truly special gastronomical experience, head inside the two-Michelin-starred Melisse for a tasting menu that runs over $400 per person for drinks, tax, and tip.

Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng's Cassia has been heralded by critics and diners alike for its elevated Vietnamese, Chinese, and Singaporean fare with French bistro accents. The bustling dining room and high ceilings give Cassia a unique energy for Santa Monica, giving it something of a hip edge that would be typical of places in Venice or Silver Lake. The drinks flow at the bar while the hearth gives off more than enough smoke and heat to remind you that all the dishes carry a strong whiff of smoky flavor. Many of Cassia’s greatest hits include the kaya toast, spicy chile crab, beef rendang, laksa, and chickpea curry.

This Tokyo import from one of the chefs who popularized the concept of izakayas in Japan has expanded to a new restaurant just steps from Third Street Promenade. Expect a solid sake menu, well-sliced sashimi plates, and an incredible seared filet of mackerel that fills the room with the aroma of blackened fish skin. Sitting at the counter affords the best view of the action from the open kitchen. Most of LA’s great izakayas tend to concentrate near the South Bay or Little Tokyo, so Shirubē is a shining beacon of casual Japanese food on the Westside.

This Italian deli offers what is likely the most iconic sandwich in all of Los Angeles: the Godmother. Bay Cities’ signature sub is filled prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and provolone cheese, all contained in a crusty Italian-style filone roll. Its other sandwiches meet the needs of those who don’t want the archetypal experience, with various cold cuts and hot protein options. A sleeper hit on the menu is the chicken parm sandwich, the tomato sauce soaking into the excellent house-baked roll. The market side of the shop is as impressively composed as the deli.

Chef Chris Sayegh’s Jordanian and Levantine-inspired restaurant on the ground floor of the Sonder Beacon in Santa Monica, which was previously the iconic Shangri-La, has already drawn the flash photography of clout-seeking influencers. Behind the early adopters, Layla’s food is grounded in Sayegh’s grandmother’s kitchen (her name was Layla), where stuffed grape leaves, mezze platters, and blistered Meditteranean sea bass display strong flavors and top-notch ingredients. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

The second Santa Monica restaurant from chef Sean MacDonald, Burgette, has opened right next door to his first, Bar Monette. The menu focuses on Parisian-style burgers like the La Burgette, a French take on the Big Mac topped with grainy Dijon mustard, cornichons, Worcestershire sauce, and a mix of American and mimolette cheeses. In addition to the burgers, charcuterie, along with other French-inspired starters, are also available. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Sirena (formerly the Restaurant at the Georgian), sits steps away from the ocean on a bougainvillea-shaded terrace. The ocean breezes pair well with everything on chef David Almany’s Italian-inflected menu. The former Mozza chef knows his way around the Italian culinary canon. Start with a crudo or two, along with pastry chef Thessa Diadem’s piping-hot focaccia, before digging into plates of linguine vongole, bucatini all’amatriciana, and gargenelli lamb ragu. Save room for as many desserts as possible.

Jyan Isaac Horwitz started his baking career at Venice’s Gjusta and struck out on his own in 2020 after losing his job due to the pandemic. Only 19 years old at the time, Horwitz turned to sourdough baking like so many others to occupy his time and hands. He started offering the bread to just friends and neighbors, but demand quickly increased and he was baking and delivering over 250 loaves a week. After popping up across Los Angeles and selling bread out of a window in Santa Monica, Horwitz opened his first permanent location in 2021. In addition to coveted sourdough rolls, Horwitz bakes brioche buns, baguettes, challah, and multi-grain porridge loaves. He also branched out into bagels, serving them loose or topped with options like schmear, tomato cultured butter, and house jam. On the sweeter side, the bakery offers glossy croissants with mesmerizing curves and cruffins topped with seasonal fruits. The shop often sells out, so make sure to head over early if looking for something specific. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Opened by chefs Sammi Tarantino and Tartine and Gjusta alum Sergio Espana, Layla serves bagels that are a cross between Montreal and New York styles. Served open-faced, the bagels arrive loaded with toppings like cream cheese, farmers market vegetables, and cured salmon. With its sceney front patio, solid lattes, and sweet and savory bagel combinations, Layla has become the place for languid weekend hangouts in Santa Monica.

This Ocean Avenue staple is neither cheap nor particularly hip, but that’s no concern for owner Bruce Marder, a longtime Los Angeles restaurateur, and this tiny restaurant’s unending stream of customers who work through a menu of fine wines, robust pastas, and wood-grilled meats. The dining room tends to cater a low-key Hollywood crowd, in case one’s looking to spot a celebrity or two.

In Cobi’s pink, flower-strewn dining room, which leans hard into its maximalist grandmacore, diners can enjoy dishes that span the Southeast Asian diaspora. Indonesian classics like nasi goreng and beef rendang share menu space with toasted rice-pocked chicken larb, papaya salad, and a peanut-infused African curry. The weekend scene is also worth checking out, especially its brunch-time fried chicken, which offers heat from Thai chiles and a touch of sweetness.

Fine dining vet Dave Beran serves up an elevated French bistro experience on Main Street Santa Monica. Favorites like the chicken liver-stuffed foie de canard brioche, steak au poivre, and whole-pressed duck, while the rest of the menu offers California-influenced takes on classic French fare. Recently, the menu has turned into a full-on prix fixe menu in the dining room, offering tables plenty of options spread across five courses priced at $95. There’s also a $125 tasting that includes the famed pressed duck. Those looking for a bargain can get a $65, three-course prix fixe from 5 to 6 p.m., a huge boon for anyone looking to experience the place on a budget.