10 Best Restaurants in Santa Monica, CA: A Local Dining Guide

Looking for a great place to eat in Santa Monica, California? From Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood to handmade Italian pasta and contemporary French dining, Santa Monica offers a variety of restaurants for every occasion.

This guide highlights ten restaurants featured in Support Local Near Me, with links to their business profiles and social media posts. Whether you're planning a casual lunch, a weekend outing, a romantic dinner, or a special celebration, explore these local dining destinations and discover your next favorite restaurant.

Find Your Next Table

• Élephante — Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, Italian dishes, and rooftop dining.
• The Lobster — Seafood dining with views of the Santa Monica Pier.
• Rustic Canyon — Seasonal California cuisine and farm-to-table dining.
• Milo & Olive — Italian-inspired food, wood-fired pizza, and freshly baked goods.
• Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery — Italian deli favorites, sandwiches, and specialty groceries.
• Cassia — Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine with Vietnamese and French influences.
• Pasjoli — Contemporary French cuisine in a neighborhood bistro setting.
• Mélisse — An intimate fine-dining experience focused on contemporary French cuisine.
• Citrin — Modern California cuisine with seasonal ingredients.
• Colapasta — Italian cooking featuring fresh pasta and seasonal ingredients.

Élephante: Mediterranean Dining with Rooftop Views

Élephante brings a coastal Mediterranean dining experience to Santa Monica, combining Southern Italian-inspired flavors with a stylish rooftop atmosphere. Its menu features Italian-inspired dishes, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, seafood, and handcrafted cocktails.

The restaurant's relaxed yet sophisticated setting makes it an appealing choice for a date night, a gathering with friends, or a memorable meal overlooking the Santa Monica coastline.

Where: 1332 2nd Street, Rooftop, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Check the restaurant's official website for current menus, reservations, and dining hours.

Explore Élephante in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

The Lobster: Seafood and Ocean Views

The Lobster is a well-known Santa Monica seafood destination overlooking the Santa Monica Pier. Its coastal setting and seafood-focused menu make it a popular option for visitors and locals looking for a memorable dining experience near the ocean.

From lobster and shellfish to other seafood favorites, the restaurant offers a setting suited to special occasions, relaxed lunches, and dinners with a view.

Where: 1602 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Review the latest menu and confirm current opening hours before visiting.

Explore The Lobster in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Rustic Canyon: Seasonal California Cuisine

Rustic Canyon is a neighborhood restaurant known for seasonal California cooking and an emphasis on ingredients sourced from regional farms and producers. Its menu highlights fresh produce, thoughtfully prepared dishes, and flavors that reflect the changing seasons.

With its welcoming atmosphere and curated wine selection, Rustic Canyon is an option for diners seeking a relaxed but refined dinner in Santa Monica.

Where: 1119 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Check the current menu, reservation availability, and dining hours before your visit.

Explore Rustic Canyon in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Milo & Olive: Italian Food, Pizza, and Freshly Baked Goods

Milo & Olive is a neighborhood bakery and restaurant offering Italian-inspired dishes, artisan breads, pastries, and wood-fired pizzas. Its menu brings together comforting favorites and fresh ingredients in a welcoming setting.

Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, enjoying a casual brunch, or meeting friends for pizza and pasta, Milo & Olive offers a versatile dining experience throughout the day.

Where: 2723 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA

Plan your visit: Explore the current menu and check the restaurant's official website for ordering options and opening hours.

Explore Milo & Olive in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery: Italian Sandwiches and Deli Favorites

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is a popular destination for Italian deli products, specialty groceries, freshly prepared sandwiches, and bakery items. It is especially known for its generously filled sandwiches and selection of Italian-inspired ingredients.

For a casual lunch or a quick stop to pick up deli favorites, Bay Cities offers a different experience from a traditional sit-down restaurant.

Where: 1517 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Check the latest store hours and available deli selections before heading over.

Explore Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery in our directory

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the business.

Cassia: Southeast Asian-Inspired Dining

Cassia has been known for its distinctive combination of Southeast Asian flavors, Vietnamese culinary influences, and French-inspired techniques. Its food has featured bold spices, fresh herbs, seafood, and carefully prepared dishes that bring different culinary traditions together.

For diners interested in exploring flavors beyond traditional American and Italian fare, Cassia is a name worth researching. Confirm its current operating status and dining availability before making plans.

Where: 1314 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Verify that the restaurant is currently operating and check its official channels for updated information before visiting.

Explore Cassia in our directory | Website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Pasjoli: Contemporary French Bistro Dining

Pasjoli offers a contemporary interpretation of French bistro cuisine, bringing classic French influences together with seasonal Southern California ingredients. Its thoughtful approach to cooking and refined atmosphere make it a destination for guests seeking an elevated dining experience.

Whether you're planning a date night or a special dinner, Pasjoli is an option for those who appreciate French-inspired dishes and attentive restaurant service.

Where: 2732 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA

Plan your visit: Review the latest menu, reservation options, and dining schedule before visiting.

Explore Pasjoli in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Mélisse: An Intimate Fine-Dining Experience

Mélisse is a fine-dining restaurant known for its contemporary French cuisine, detailed presentation, and carefully designed tasting-menu experience. Its intimate setting and emphasis on culinary technique make it a destination for guests celebrating special occasions or seeking an upscale evening out.

For diners who enjoy elaborate menus and a more personalized restaurant experience, Mélisse offers a distinctive approach to fine dining in Santa Monica.

Where: 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Reservations may be necessary. Check the official website for current menus, seating times, and availability.

Explore Mélisse in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Citrin: Modern California Cuisine

Citrin offers a contemporary California dining experience that combines seasonal ingredients with creative cooking techniques. Its menu and dining atmosphere appeal to guests looking for a refined restaurant experience without losing the welcoming feel of a neighborhood destination.

From dinner with friends to date nights and special celebrations, Citrin is an option for diners who appreciate modern cuisine and a thoughtfully prepared menu.

Where: 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Check the current menu, dining hours, and reservation options on the restaurant's official website.

Explore Citrin in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Colapasta: Fresh Italian Pasta and Seasonal Ingredients

Colapasta is an Italian restaurant focused on fresh pasta, seasonal salads, and straightforward Italian cooking. Its emphasis on quality ingredients and a relaxed dining atmosphere makes it an appealing choice for guests who want a casual meal centered on Italian flavors.

Whether you're planning a lunch or an evening meal, Colapasta offers a neighborhood dining experience for pasta lovers exploring Santa Monica.

Where: 1241 Fifth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Plan your visit: Review the current menu and confirm the restaurant's opening hours before visiting.

Explore Colapasta in our directory | Official website

Social content may feature an earlier menu or promotion. Confirm current details directly with the restaurant.

Make Your Next Meal a Local Discovery

Santa Monica offers a diverse dining scene, from rooftop Mediterranean restaurants and seafood destinations to Italian delis, fresh pasta spots, and contemporary fine dining. Whether you're looking for a casual bite or planning a special evening, exploring local restaurant profiles can help you discover a place that fits your taste and occasion.

Visit Support Local Near Me to discover local businesses, explore restaurant listings, and connect with businesses in your community.

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Before You Book

Restaurant menus, addresses, opening hours, and services can change. Check each restaurant's official website or contact the business directly before visiting. Instagram posts are included as a visual introduction and may show earlier menus, promotions, or events.

This guide is intended to help readers discover local dining options and is not an official ranking. Confirm current business status and details before planning your visit.