Best Casual Restaurants in Santa Monica

178 restaurants available nearby

1. The Surfing Fox

4.3

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 23 times today

The Surfing Fox is a chilled-out gathering spot serving up coastal California cuisine on a plate (or in a glass!) with a generous side of good times and vibes. Whether you're spending the day hanging ten or hanging out, come take it easy with us from dawn to dusk.

2. Massilia

4.6

Exceptional(812)

Price: Expensive

• French • Santa Monica

Booked 18 times today

Massilia is a Marseille-inspired brasserie with culinary influences from the South of France, Italy, Spain & North Africa. SUN – THURS Bar open til 11pm / Kitchen open til 10pm | FRI + SAT Bar open til 12am / Kitchen open til 11pm | MON – FRI Enjoy 50% off all craft cocktails & wines by the glass from 11am – 6pm

3. Blue Plate Taco

4.6

Exceptional(972)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Santa Monica

Booked 15 times today

Blue Plate Taco is a coastal Baja-meets-Santa Monica destination on Ocean Ave. We are dedicates to creating all our food from scratch including the agua frescas and margaritas from the bar, the tortillas are made by hand fresh all day, and our salsas are made daily. The entire menu is fresh, light and delicious. We hold most of our tables for walk-ins so if you don't see any reservations, don't fret! We'll get you seated after a short wait while you're admiring the Pacific and taking in the famous Santa Monica pier.Reservations are limited to 90 minutes, we hold reservations for 10 minutes.

4. Xuntos

4.7

Exceptional(140)

Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica

Booked 13 times today

XUNTOS, "together" in Gallego, is a Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, serving small plates of things we want you to try: from the farmer's market around the corner to traditional dishes of Galicia, Asturias, Catalunya & the Basque Country, as they're eaten in Spain.The wines follow the food: natural, fun & unrefined–joined at the bar with Spanish twists on classic cocktails, plus vermouths, sherries & cold cervezas.Walk in to the bar for Xuntanza from 5-7pm, Tuesday-Saturday!Please email us for large parties & private dining: hola@barxuntos.comValidated parking is available across the street at 501 Santa Monica Blvd (Enter on 5th St.): $7 for 3 hours.

A photo of Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica restaurant

5. Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica

4.5

Awesome(65)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 3 times today

Kappo (かっぽう / 割烹) means cooking food with knives and fire. In simple Japanese terms, means cutting, chopping and cooking food with knife, and so on. And means boiling, cooking food with fire. So the combination of these two Japanese characters are a different expression of cooking with a knife and fire. Kappo is a dish that is improvised by the customer's order and can be enjoyed at the counter or at the table just in front of the kitchen without much formality. From now on, Kappo will be held in Miyabi restaurant, Santa Monica. Miyabi (雅) is one of the traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals, meaning "elegance," "graceful" and "courtliness". There are a lot of complexities of Japanese cuisine, including not only food, but also visitors, music, and order of food. So, there is a burden because of the needlessly cumbersome, expensive, and unnecessary formalities, and we focus on foods that are only used to show off the cooking skills of the chefs and customers.

A photo of True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica restaurant

6. True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica

4.3

Awesome(1527)

Price: Moderate

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 20 times today

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Santa Monica for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

A photo of Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica restaurant

7. Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica

4.5

Awesome(266)

Price: Moderate

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 6 times today

Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, California has been open for over 40 years. It has developed an amazing reputation as among the most recognizable, finest British pubs in the USA. We have a casual comfortable dining room with Fireplace in the cooler months and an outdoor heated patio where patrons can sit and enjoy the restaurant’s delicious food. There is also a Private Dining room available and Afternoon Tea is served Mon - Sat 11.30am-4pm. (Private room also available for Baby & Bridal Showers)Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica provides patrons with the look and feel of Britain right in California. It has something that will appeal to everyone and offers a traditional British Breakfast and British favorites such as Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s pie, along with some healthier options, Salads, Curries and Vegetarian dishes. Come taste Britain in the heart of Santa Monica.

A photo of Élephante Santa Monica restaurant

8. Élephante Santa Monica

4.5

Awesome(1328)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Santa Monica

Booked 237 times today

Chic destination for elevated Italian cuisine in breezy, loungelike dining areas with ocean views.

9. pasjoli

4.6

Exceptional(642)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Santa Monica

Booked 15 times today

Pasjoli is an elevated French bistro from James Beard award-winning chef Dave Beran. The restaurant pays homage to French cuisine utilizing the bounty of produce available in Southern California. Rooted in classic French cooking and inspired by Parisian markets, pasjoli reflects Chef Dave’s thoughtful cooking style, showcasing his creative touches on bistro fare.We serve a five-course prix fixe menu in our dining room and our secret garden. You'll be able to select your seating preference when you confirm your reservation. Please visit our website to see the most current menu.Each evening, we have limited availability of pressed duck dinners. If you are interested in enjoying a pressed duck, please email info@pasjoli.com, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate vegan diets.

10. Melisse

4.9

Exceptional(1997)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 1 time today

Chef & Owner Josiah Citrin has revived his Michelin 2-Star institution with an intimate, 14-seat restaurant with Chef/Partner Ken Takayama. In a setting that blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, Chefs and service staff guide guests through a 2.5-hour culinary experience.Collaborating with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley, Chef Josiah sources the most unique and exclusive ingredients available. An 8-course tasting menu is bookended by canapés, amuse-bouches and mignardise, all of which showcase global flavors using both modern and classic techniques.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Sarahvip
New York City •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Decent food and they keep it warm in the covered patio which was nice. The service was spotty but it was only because there was only one server and the place was packed! I felt so bad for him. He was so nice the entire time despite the fact that it was only him. I really don’t know if I’ll be back because $30 for some tacos and guac is pretty steep, but maybe if I want to treat myself.
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Blue Plate TacoPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Santa Monica
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4.6
A
Andyvip
Los Angeles •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Everything is always delicious great place for a date, a group of friends or with your family.
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XuntosPrice: Expensive• Tapas / Small Plates• Santa Monica
•
4.7
N
Nicolavip
Los Angeles •51 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Server was remarkably knowledgeable about the food, where it comes from, ingredients, how prepared, etc. very interesting cocktails. Great ambiance and setting. Was very impressed as I generally don’t like hotel restaurants.
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The Surfing FoxPrice: Moderate• Californian• Santa Monica
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4.3
M
Mark
Los Angeles •68 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 17, 2024
Great cocktails, food and service. The 8 hour lamb shank was amazing, the ratatouille and Brussels sprouts were amazing. Wine prices are too high. Côtes du Rhône at $60 is ridiculous
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MassiliaPrice: Expensive• French• Santa Monica
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4.6
A
Anthonyvip
Houston •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 14, 2024
Great food and service. Lots of options for everyone in your group.
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Kappo Miyabi Santa MonicaPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Santa Monica
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4.5

Best Casual Restaurants in Santa Monica

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178 restaurants available nearby

1. The Surfing Fox

2. Massilia

3. Blue Plate Taco

4. Xuntos

5. Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica

6. True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica

7. Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica

8. Élephante Santa Monica

9. pasjoli

10. Melisse

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