Best Restaurants in Santa Monica

Santa Monica serves up some of California's finest dining moments. This beach town does flip-flops and tasting menus equally well. From an 18-course tasting menu to wood-fired small plates, these seven are why people drive in from across Los Angeles.

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Mélisse: Michelin Magic in an Intimate Setting

Chef Josiah Citrin's two-Michelin-starred Mélisse is fine dining at close range. The 14-seat restaurant blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, letting guests watch Citrin and chef Ken Takayama cook a few feet away. The 18-course dinner runs about two and a half hours and leans on California's best ingredients, from Santa Barbara uni to A5 Wagyu, finished with the signature dry-aged duck pressed tableside.

The experience feels like dining in an upscale living room rather than a formal restaurant. A vintage phonograph spins vinyl records while the chefs plate intricate canapés that showcase both Japanese and French techniques. The wine pairings get the same care as the produce. This is special-occasion dining that actually feels special.

What makes Mélisse special? The intimate 14-seat format creates an exclusive experience where chefs interact directly with guests, explaining techniques and ingredients throughout the 18-course meal.

How much should I budget for Mélisse? Expect to spend around $400 per person for the tasting menu, plus wine pairings, or corkage if you bring your own bottles.

Giorgio Baldi: Where Celebrities Meet Authentic Italian

Giorgio Baldi sits tucked away on Channel Road in Pacific Palisades, marked only by a small green "GB" neon sign. This family-run Italian restaurant has earned cult status not through flashy marketing but through more than 35 years of consistent, simple excellence. Rihanna's order makes the headlines; locals come back for straightforward Italian cooking without the fuss.

The dining room feels deliberately intimate, with tables placed close together in true European fashion. Tall hedges screen the outdoor tables, keeping diners private and the mood more Italian than Californian. The menu focuses on handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and risottos prepared with Dungeness crab or seasonal vegetables. You may spot a familiar face from film or TV, but the staff treat first-timers like regulars.

Is Giorgio Baldi worth the hype? Despite polarizing reviews, the restaurant's 35-plus-year track record and loyal following suggest genuine quality beyond celebrity appeal, though prices reflect the exclusive Pacific Palisades location.

What should I order at Giorgio Baldi? Order the truffle pasta or the puttanesca, the house signatures, or one of the daily fresh fish specials, where the kitchen's light touch shows best.

Tar & Roses: Wood-Fired Neighborhood Excellence

Chef Andrew Kirschner transformed his Santa Monica Boulevard corner into a must-visit destination through obsessive focus on wood-fired cooking, but after almost 15 years Tar & Roses closes for good after dinner service on Oct. 24, 2026. The restaurant's name references Barolo wine's characteristic flavors, and that same balance of power and elegance appears throughout the menu. The oxtail dumplings draw rave reviews, while the cauliflower preparation once inspired a Los Angeles Times critic to declare it more delicious than prime steak.

The dining room buzzes with energy, dimly lit and packed with tables that encourage conversation. An enclosed patio offers a calmer alternative, featuring a retractable roof and overhead heaters for year-round comfort. The menu changes often but always pairs global flavors with local ingredients. Share multiple small plates to experience the kitchen's range, from squid ink fettuccine to black cod.

How noisy is Tar & Roses? The interior gets loud during peak hours due to close table spacing and energetic atmosphere, so request patio seating if you prefer quieter conversation.

Do I need reservations at Tar & Roses? Yes, and soon: Tar & Roses serves its last dinner on Oct. 24, 2026, so book through OpenTable now if you want one last round of oxtail dumplings.

Rustic Canyon: Farm-to-Table Pioneer

Rustic Canyon helped define Los Angeles' farm-to-table movement long before it became standard practice. Its hyper-seasonal menu changes daily based on what's available at the Santa Monica Farmers Market, with farmers' names proudly listed alongside dishes. The award-winning 300-plus wine list showcases small, sustainable producers, while the bar program creates cocktails using market-fresh ingredients.

It still feels like a neighborhood restaurant, even with diners driving in from across the city. Natural wood and comfortable seating create a space that feels like your favorite local spot even on a first visit. Start with the lavender almonds, then order plates for the table. Ordering a few shareable plates with a half pour from the list offers a more affordable way into this acclaimed kitchen's creativity.

What's the dining style at Rustic Canyon? Rustic Canyon serves shareable plates meant for family-style dining, so plan to order multiple dishes and pass them around the table rather than individual entrees.

Are there vegetarian options at Rustic Canyon? The vegetable-forward menu makes Rustic Canyon particularly strong for plant-based diners, with many dishes highlighting seasonal produce as the star rather than an afterthought.

Éléphante: Sunset Views and Mediterranean Vibes

An elevator ride above the Laemmle theater transports guests to Éléphante's rooftop oasis. Designer Nicholas Mathers created a Southern Mediterranean escape featuring three bars, ocean views, and custom furniture that channels Northern African and Southern Italian aesthetics. The Sunset Room lives up to its name, offering panoramic Pacific vistas that make sunset reservations the most coveted slots.

The coastal Italian menu runs to shareable small plates that hold their own against the scene. The whipped eggplant dip with fresh-baked puccia bread is the dish everyone orders, while the rigatoni verde with mushroom ragù satisfies heartier appetites. Yes, people dress up and take photos, but the kitchen's talent means food quality exceeds typical rooftop restaurant expectations. It's a birthday-dinner kind of place.

When's the best time to visit Éléphante? Book about an hour before sunset to watch the sky change color, but that's also the busiest slot and books up weeks ahead.

What is the dress code for Éléphante? Dress up a little: the crowd is fashion-forward, the phones come out for photos and the mood is closer to an upscale party than a quiet meal.

Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe: Pastries Worth the Line

Zoe Nathan's "everything in generosity" philosophy shines through every pastry at Huckleberry. The bakery case alone justifies the visit, filled with cinnamon rolls, flaky kouign amann, seasonal crostata, and coffee cake that locals line up around the corner to claim. The country kitchen atmosphere with wooden tables and slightly rickety chairs creates low-key charm despite the perpetual crowds.

The full breakfast and lunch menu runs every day, not just at weekend brunch. Farmers market produce drives the menu, from the bacon and egg sandwich on arugula to the kale caesar salad that converts skeptics. Everything's made from scratch using organic, seasonal ingredients. As part of the Rustic Canyon Family, it pours Bonito Coffee Roaster beans and offers a thoughtful tea list.

Should I arrive early at Huckleberry Bakery? Weekends see significant crowds, so arrive when doors open at 7 a.m. to beat the rush and ensure full pastry selection before popular items sell out.

What kind of seating does Huckleberry have? Both indoor and outdoor seating accommodate guests, though the counter-service format means you order first then find a table rather than traditional restaurant service.

Capo: Old-School Italian Elegance

Bruce Marder's Capo has cultivated devoted followers since 1998 through unwavering attention to detail. The freestanding red-gabled building near the beach houses one of Los Angeles' most beautiful dining rooms, with high-beamed ceilings, flickering candles, and a large Tuscan-style fireplace where chefs prepare wood-fired specialties using almond wood. Museum-quality art adorns the walls, while five sets of steak knives rotate weekly to keep table settings fresh.

The modern Italian menu emphasizes simplicity and exceptional ingredients. Homemade pastas like rigatoni with truffle meat sauce and white corn ravioli with black truffles showcase the kitchen's technical skill, while wood-fired steaks from Creekstone Farm deliver deep, natural flavors. The 2,500-plus bottle wine collection has earned Wine Spectator's Grand Award every year since 2015, with four sommeliers guiding guests through a list that leans hard on Burgundy.

How expensive is Capo? It's a splurge, though most dishes cost only a little more than at other upscale Santa Monica restaurants, and regulars say the cooking earns it.

What's the atmosphere at Capo? Capo creates romantic, intimate fine dining with European-standard service that feels like a private club for serious food and wine enthusiasts rather than a trendy scene.

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