Best Restaurants for People Watching in Santa Monica

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

Beach CitiesWest Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Mid-WilshireWestside

Neighborhoods

Bel-AirBeverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsBrentwoodCentral Los AngelesCulver City

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

45 restaurants available nearby

1. Meat On Ocean

4.7

Exceptional(3466)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Santa Monica

Booked 39 times today

Meat On Ocean is a meat-centric, modern steakhouse in Santa Monica that offers both a sense of adventure and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond the offerings of a world-class steakhouse, Meat On Ocean features an artisanal charcuterie bar, an exhibition dry-aging room and a variety of prime beef – from dry-aged domestic cuts to Japanese A-5. Integral to the operation is a highly trained crew of servers and butchers, who communicate directly with Guests about the beef, organically farmed chickens, house made sausages, choice seafood and more.Located on the corner of Ocean and Broadway, Meat On Ocean is steps from the action - including the Santa Monica Pier, shopping and hotels.Starting May 2024, Meat On Ocean is also your headquarters for private dining and events, with customizable spaces that are perfect for social events, corporate meetings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wedding receptions and ceremonies, with full audio/visual connectivity.

A photo of Élephante Santa Monica restaurant

2. Élephante Santa Monica

4.6

Exceptional(1525)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Santa Monica

Booked 243 times today

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

A photo of Calabra at Santa Monica Proper restaurant

3. Calabra at Santa Monica Proper

4.8

Exceptional(1602)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Santa Monica

Booked 49 times today

Calabra at Santa Monica Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key 2024) is located on the hotel's rooftop. The elevated garden terrace provides an inspiring atmosphere, with the ocean as a backdrop. Whether from the pool sundeck or circular bar, the views are best enjoyed with dinner, boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. Serving Mediterranean & Californian cuisine with a view. Seating arrangements for all reservations at Calabra may include outdoor dining, bar area, as well as our indoor/ outdoor covered lounge space. Be sure to dress warmly.**Dinner reservations are for dining only. Drinks will be accommodated upon first come first serve at the bar area. Private Couch Alcoves are available with a rental and minimum spend**

4. Ivy at the Shore

4.8

Exceptional(3565)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 29 times today

Escape to Paradise at Ivy at the Shore Nestled near the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Ivy at the Shore offers a quintessential LA dining experience with stunning ocean views and a vibrant atmosphere. Indulge in fresh seafood like signature crab cakes, swordfish tacos, and Icelandic salmon. Explore Californian cuisine with classic dishes such as the Ivy Caesar salad, juicy burgers, and flavorful pasta. Immerse yourself in a tropical paradise with lush greenery, vibrant decor, and a spacious outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. Enjoy the renowned hospitality of The Ivy, with attentive staff ensuring a memorable dining experience. Perfect for special occasions, celebrate a romantic date night with breathtaking sunset views or enjoy family gatherings in a lively atmosphere. Impress clients with sophisticated business lunches. Make your reservation today and escape to paradise at Ivy at the Shore.

5. 1212 Santa Monica

4.5

Awesome(1798)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 35 times today

1212 Santa Monica is a unique New American Cuisine restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica on the Third Street Promenade. Our menu highlights the palette and diversity of the SoCal landscape. Complimenting the food, our beverage program includes select wines and creative cocktails to enhance your dining experience.Join us for All Night Happy Hour starting daily at 5pm & Bottomless Brunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with bottomless mimosas for only $28. On specific Saturdays & Sunday brunches we charge a $10 Entertainment Fee for those enjoying drag shows in our Main Dining Area.Enjoy the beautiful beach weather on the patio, or indoors in our massive dining room. Plan a private event or meeting on our Balcony, Private Dining Room or Patio.

A photo of Blue Plate Oysterette restaurant

6. Blue Plate Oysterette

4.7

Exceptional(1589)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Santa Monica

Booked 16 times today

Blue Plate Oysterette was inspired by East Hampton summer lobster bakes and mouthwatering lunches at Montauk’s favorite roadside eateries. With influences like Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary’s Fish Camp in New York, Oysterette serves lunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu straight out of the seafood shacks you find on the East Coast. Chunky, overflowing lobster rolls, buckets of steamed clams in broth so flavorful that bread demands to be dunked, clam chowder, mussels in broth, ceviche, and raw shellfish so fresh you can smell the ocean. Filling the void in the Westside restaurant scene for a casual, beachy, seafood restaurant and buzzing neighborhood vibe appealing to both surfers and studio heads.

7. Wabi on Rose

4.6

Exceptional(1326)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Venice

Booked 22 times today

This local hot spot suffered a fire in 2018 and triumphantly returned in 2020. With Chef Rain's innovative cuisine and vibrant bar scene, Wabi on Rose embodies the Rose Avenue lifestyle. Sexy, contemporary design, frames this hip spot with a chic outdoor seating area. Neighborhood regulars enjoy the fresh-caught, Pacific Rim, sushi inspired menu,and live fire grill. Swimsuit to business suit, all are welcome.

8. Manchego

4.8

Exceptional(1135)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica

Booked 12 times today

Manchego also offers walk-ins!Manchego is a Spanish Tapas restaurant in Santa Monica that focuses on delicious small plates and a cozy atmosphere. We recently relocated a few doors down, to a larger space with a romantic patio in the back.Manchego has always been one of the best kept secrets in Santa Monica, and now locals can enjoy our bigger, more accommodating space that offers outside dining on our beautiful patio. Always a great spot for romantic dates or meeting up with friends and family.We also added a specially curated Spanish wine list that offers mainly small-production, unique wines. Our Spanish wine distributor spends his time traveling the Spanish countryside, sourcing hard to find wines from small, mom-and-pop wineries. The wine list also includes a few South American selections and a great local, organic wine.Follow us on instagram at instagram.com/manchegorestaurant

A photo of The Courtyard Kitchen restaurant

9. The Courtyard Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(136)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Santa Monica

Booked 34 times today

The Courtyard Kitchen is located in a historic landmark building on Montana Ave, Santa Monica. We are a full service bar and restaurant with 4 different dining spaces ranging from old world charm to contemporary upscale dining. We pride ourselves in our Neapolitan style pizza, vacation inspired Mediterranean cuisine and favourite American Brunch classics.

A photo of The Waterfront Venice restaurant

10. The Waterfront Venice

4.1

Excellent(195)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Venice

Booked 10 times today

The Waterfront Venice is a California Beer Garden with views of the Pacific Ocean. Situated between Rose and Navy on the famous Venice beach Boardwalk, our food & beverage menus celebrate California with carefully selected seasonal produce from local farms.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
I do hate how close the tables are together. We can hear everyone’s conversation so we asked to be moved and they moved us. But also good food and service.
More info
Élephante Santa MonicaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Santa Monica
•
4.6
C
ChadVIP
Los Angeles •42 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The Ivy never disappoints. The staff are amazing and always make us feel welcome, which combined with excellent food and a great aesthetic make for a classic restaurant worth returning.
More info
Ivy at the ShorePrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Monica
•
4.8
S
Serineh
Los Angeles •20 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We were there during lunch time, the food was delicious. The service and ambiance was also so great. Would definitely be back.
More info
Calabra at Santa Monica ProperPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Santa Monica
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
First time being there and it was great love everything we had. I would definitely return again.
More info
Meat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica
•
4.7
J
Joseph
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 1, 2025
Great experience has a wonderful time. The Sergio was attentive and quick with the service.
More info
1212 Santa MonicaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Monica
•
4.5

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