45 Best American Restaurants in Santa Monica

“The food was very good. I dined solo and had chicken liver mousse, the yellowtail crudo, the peach and tomato burrata salad, and the crab cake. The mousse was rich and interestingly paired with pickled blackberries and honeycomb. The crudo was delicious with the refreshing citrus. The salad too felt very fresh and like I was holding on to late summer. The crab cake was good, the sauce had a nice balance of spice and sweetness, it was very salty which is not unexpected with crab. The service was kind and attentive. I was very pleased with my experience and would return again if I'm back in Santa Monica.“

“I keep going back to this place, and usually try something new. Every single dish is delicious. This place is owned and run by people who love to eat fresh, nutritious, delicious food. And it shows. 100% recommend“

“We had a wonderful time! Everyone at the table enjoyed their food selections. My personal favorite was the Mezze Platter. We received excellent service from all the staff! I had booked an outdoor table and upon arrival, the staff gave us the option to move indoors if we wanted to due to the heat wave. We decided to keep the outdoor table and we experienced a wonderful sunset and a lovely breeze. The staff offering the indoor option was a nice touch on their part! I can't wait to go back to the restaurant!“

“We came to Lunetta for lunch and really enjoyed it. The restaurant has a relaxed neighborhood feel, and the service was friendly without making us feel rushed.

The lunch menu has a nice variety. The crispy chicken sandwich is filling, the Bolognese pappardelle is rich and comforting, and the miso salmon is a good choice if you want something lighter. They also have steak frites, salads, pasta, and a very good burger.

It’s a comfortable place for a casual lunch in Santa Monica, with good portions and plenty of choices. I would definitely come back.“

“Excellent food!! SO good and such great selections on the menu! Service was over the top! Wish there was one in the OC. We will be back!“

“Came here on a Saturday night to have some food and drinks with friends. They don't make reservations, instead, they put your name on the list so you still have to wait for a table. We only had to wait 20-25 minutes for a table on a busy Saturday night. The service was great, as it didn't take too long for the waitress to notice us and get our drinks order. Ingo's Tasty Diner is Great place to meet up with friends. Quiet without getting silent and the food is amazing. The drinks menu was extensive. Portions were good and I didn't feel like going into a food coma after leaving. Try their Brussel sprouts, it's delicious! Get ready to spend some $$$, as this place is pretty pricey but worth the price in my opinion. There is no parking, expect the metered parking on Wilshire.“

“Stopped by for dinner to check out the place. We are having an event there in a few weeks. AWESOME EXPERIENCE. Food was wonderful, service was perfect, management went out of their way to be gracious and welcoming. Can't wait to return in a few weeks.“

“Great place and a fun place to be“

“Loved this place, glad we could stop by here for some lovely food and drinks…. We were a bigger group of 8 and they do have sitting in the back for big groups but guess 8 was the upper limit…
I tried BEYOND BURGER and it was good, not great but liked it overall. My friends tried protein plate, fish and taco etc and everyone loved the food
I also had tequila based cocktail which was nice
The server was very kind and the vibe of the place was good
Overall would surely recommend visiting them if you are in the area“

“10/10 Recommend. When I’m in the area, I always gravitate to this spot. I love everything on the menu.“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“Great food and even better service.“

“Sat down in an outdoor patio for a quick glass of wine and bruschetta Saturday afternoon. Pleasant and helpful wait staff, relaxing environment, definitely recommend!“

“The experience was amazing at Sugar Palm. The server, Alfred, was so sweet and gave us great recommendations! The steak frites were to die for but if you like more of a lighter meal, definitely try the seared ahi tuna. It was so fresh and the sauce was incredible. Their pineapple margarita was also VERY delicious! You won’t go wrong with anything on the menu.“

“Try the short rib poutine if you're craving comfort food! Plenty of gravy and meat. Everything was good, portions good, service excellent, kitchen was fast but it wasn't super busy Sunday afternoon. They also do a great hamburger!“

“Had an incredible experience this evening at BOA. Mr. Ousley seated our party in the best seats! My server Mark was outstanding and his service was spot on. Clay and his whole team were On Point. The whole vibe and atmosphere was just perfect. I think I just had the best steak of my life right here in Santa Monica.“

“They are by far the best steak I have ever had. We went there on a whim and they were booked but found a cute table for us by the fire. It was the most memorable meal with my husband. We are eternally grateful for the experience and service we received.“

“Best coffee cafe in Santa Monica 😁“

“It's a very quaint looking restaurant. The music was wonderful. The staff was great. However, the food is extremely expensive and somewhat bland. Whoever seasons the fish barely used salt and there's aren't salt and pepper shakers on any of the tables. I requested salt and was given the hard bits that doesn't absorb into the food. I appreciated the effort though.“

“I had the scallops & the chocolate cake and it was great, the staff were all amazing from the host to the runners/busters with specific credit to Kitty & Anita for helping me and guiding me in the right direction. I definitely recommend you come by if you’re in the area!“

“How does Father‘s Office only get 4.3 stars? This is my dream bar (not that I dream about bars): warm, intimate, unpretentious, truly awesome food offerings, and then of course there is the beer. In LA, for beer, there is no peer.

To those entitled and aggrieved victims of life’s indignities, i.e. commenters who faulted FO because of what is clearly spelled out on the menu:
NO KETCHUP
NO DOGS, EXCEPT FOR SERVICE ANIMALS.
WE DO NOT PERMIT ANY SUBSTITUTIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO ANY OF OUR MENU ITEMS.
- then please be aware that there are plenty of other bars for you to hang out in until hopefully, eventually, you reach adulthood.“

“The chef's restaurant is upscale but cozy, with only 5 tables, all across from the open air kitchen. The chef and waiter collaborate to serve you each dish, telling you the ingredients that go into each dish... like little stories. Such a special experience!“

“Love that Michael’s has a new front patio bar. Great food and drinks. A classic!“

“The cold platter was fantastic! Love the atmosphere. Love the decor. Great experience!“

“Excellent food and service“

“Great food! Beautiful view. We will definitely be back.“

“Love the Truffle Caesar Salad and the Spicy Salami pizza 🍕“

“Nice place 😋😎 fast service 👌“

“absolutely delicious burgers and sauce. the customer service and people working there where really nice and great people“

“Best steak and service . Say hi to Hillary she is the best !!!“

“great food and huge servings.“

“Good vibes and good drinks“

“Loved the happy vegan bowl.“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“Despite my pessimistic optimism that the future of the restaurant industry is a sinking ship, it is still floating. This place ATM has a 3.7 out of 5..? Free cold lemon water, high airy ceilings, outdoor seating, phenomenal music, and a women behind the counter recommending a delicious breakfast burrito… Definitely worth a second visit!! MRKT/Coastline Cafe - whatever name you want: thank you!“

“Fabulous hyper-farm-to-table food by a creative chef, on Main St in Santa Monica. I’ve tried the Gazpacho, the many Danish Rye toasts with what is fresh that day: eggs, salmon roe, avocado or ....? They also have baristas that make all type of drinks. My fab place to indulge healthy and fresh“

“Stayed at the hotel and dined in the restaurant. I cannot understand why the rating for this place is so low… the food was amazing. Great options, really tasty, hot and fresh. The service was also very good - what else could you want?“

“the service is phenomenal lovely atmosphere, very clean, cleanliness is the next thing to Godliness. the staff is friendly, the waitresses are really nice just all around lovely place the view is off the chain thank you penthouse for a lovely breakfast and God bless yours truly Michael and Jeannie.“

“I like this place. Very good spot for a getting a lunch. There are lots of tables and everything looks very clean. I tried the beef burger with fries and I really enjoyed it. The beef patty was juicy although it was cooked well done. The vegetables were fresh and tasted good. I also like that you can order with self ordering kiosk. The food a little bit pricey, but there are not many good food options around there.

One thing I don’t like is that when you order burger, there is a description of it, like what ingredients are included, and the vegetables are listed there. And then, there are add-ons section and they ask what vegetables you want to add. And this is very confusing since you don’t know if these vegetables are already included (like in description) in burger or it would be the extra ones. We thought it already included and we didn’t add any add-ons and then we got just buns and beef patty, we had to ask for the vegetables separately to make the burger we want. I wish they will change this confusing thing.“

“Thank you so much farmshop!!! Please know your kindness meant a lot to all of us after the palisades fire. We we're waiting in line to receive an escort back into the Pacific palisades following the fire! This line was at least 300 cars long. People had been waiting in it since early yesterday, desperately hoping to see if they still had a home following the mandatory evacuation. There was a lot of collective heartache going around, but also two gentleman from Farmshop, carrying baskets full of banana bread. They stopped by every car, giving each occupant a hearty slice of freshly baked banana bread. My family just inhaled this stuff! Taking a bite, all of us commented how much it tasted like the banana bread grandma use to make. I don't know if you were using the same recipe or you both baked that bread with love, but talk about soul food! It didn't just feed our bellies, it fed our hearts. A person doesn't easily forget the grace and goodness they're given when engulfed in grief, and Ill never forget the first time i took a bite of Farmshop's banana bread!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!“

“I stopped by this bar for a drink and a bit of people-watching. It’s in a fantastic location right on the pier. I can’t speak for the food, but if you’re looking to grab a drink, soak up the sun, and enjoy the lively atmosphere, this spot hits the mark.“

“A touring band was cancelled as they were loading in because the opening band was sick? They had also sold tickets. Why book bands who have people coming to your venue if you cancel them as they are loading in?“

“I had never been to this restaurant but walked by and decided to check out the menu. Looked really, really good. So I came back with two friends. We all had different salads for lunch and each was delicious and the side order of sweet potato fries which we shared was to die for. The vibe of the place is very chill and the food selection was great. Next time I go, I will order a blonde beer too - they looked really frothy and everyone was getting them. Plus they have a happy hour. I really liked this place! And consider it a new Santa Monica discovery.“

“I'm a huge fan of cheese, and was looking for an opportunity to try some new ones. They had a very bold Parmesan that wasn't overly salty. The 10 year aged cheddar melted in my mouth. The coconut Gouda from Holland was a surprise hit with the table. But my personal favorite was the french triple cream. I'm going to have to see if I can find some when I fly home.“

“Was packed with people. Bustling and noisy. Our busboy was not good. Threw our glasses of water at us! Very bizarre. Table got wet. Our waitress on the other hand, was wonderful. Super nice and had so many people in the restaurant to deal with. We liked her a lot. The food was plentiful and good. Not inexpensive. But enough to take home for the next day.“