New American Restaurants in Santa Monica, CA

“One of the most enjoyable meals I've had in a while. Not just about the food. It was a great overall experience. Ash, our server, was knowledgeable and coursed the meal out perfectly. Food was delicious. It was a pretty space. We loved it, and most importantly, I want to go back.“

“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.“

“The food is fabulous, farmers market quality with a gourmet touch, from appetizer to desert. The wine list is superb, and fair priced. The service is exceptional, from the bus boy's to Jeffrey, a truly professional server that provides service above and beyond. The gracious hospitality, from the front door to the owner chef, Raphael, welcoming you is a true culinary experience. Highly recommend and greatly appreciate this neighborhood gem.“

“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“

“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!“

“Loved this place. Came here for breakfast and it was honestly great. Super cozy, really nice vibe. The food was fresh and delicious, and our server was super friendly and helpful. Everything just felt easy and nice. Nothing to complain about — would definitely come back.“

“Had the Thai bowl... YUM!“

“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!“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“I love the vibe in this restaurant! Very surfer chic. I ended up coming here two days in a row for brunch. I had the breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burrito. Both was solid. I would be interested in coming back to check out their dinner or happy hour menu“

“What an AMAZING place. Went for dinner last night. Beautiful intimate vibe, nice staff (owner was there too, super nice and takes a lot of pride in their food), and delicious food. Got the lentils, risotto and trout -- all were great -- American with an Indian twist. Happy I found it. Will definitely be back“

“I love it here because it’s old fashion great table service because management excels in traffic patterns with cross trained wait staff and bidders. No server leaves the kitchen empty handed and the vibe is to make their customers happy with continuous even flow table service. Disney please take note! I am not of of millennial restaurants where stand at a cash register and pay the tip upfront then assigned a number & number holder then fend & elbow for a table. This is old school service upgraded with innovative traffic management to expedite cuisines & cocktails. I love the intimacy of the raised railroad car booths where I can actually hear my guest’s conversation and speak to wait staff at eye level. And the bathrooms are so modern and spotless! The observation window to see the cooking staff hard at work is as much fun as a cooking show! Chocolate chip cookies are warm but melt in your mouth! Gavin Glynn Productions FOX Walt Disney International“

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

“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!“

“Fantastic meal! As good or better than the old days.“

“The best aperitive in LA, with Salvo at 12-12 a wonderful location. Thanks a lot“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“Alex gives the best service at Palma!“

“Great place and a fun place to be“

“I ordered the classic one and.. what a burger! The meat was just as it has to be, it doesn’t need anything else, the bread feels just good. The fries were also perfect! Be sure to make the hamburger triple, it is quite small. Great hamburger“

“Stopped in after an errand on an early weekday evening. Forgotten how much I enjoy being there. Above all, a wonderful, welcoming staff. Sat in the bar area at a table, the gentleman bartender is just so outgoing & friendly, wait staff is great too. A nice happy hour menu, but ordered off the regular menu with a glass of great wine.

Only callout to management. You have a great vibe with awesome staff. Upgrade your menu for customers who want more for dinner, than what everyone else on Main St serves: burgers, tacos, fried options. Your food quality & presentation is great, just don’t be content with “bar food”. You are sandwiched between multiple bars, sushi & Mexican food and nowhere on the street is there a nice, casual mid priced venue. You can do better on the menu & also add some more premium wines by the glass. The neighborhood will appreciate it.“

“Best nik naks & steak strips ever!“

“Fun Saturday brunch in Santa Monica. The endless mimosas are the bomb and the food was delicious and nicely presented. The Lobster Benedict was amazing and then I finished it off with the French Toast served with bourbon whipped cream, candied pecans and crumbled bacon. Enjoyable time in a rustic environment. Vote for “Pedro” our amazing waiter who kept our glasses full.“

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

“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“

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

“Great food and even better service.“

“Absolutely delicious and fresh food! We stayed at Viceroy so every morning breakfast was at Sugar Palm. Nice ambience, indoor and outdoor seating, bar seating as well. Staff were welcoming and very friendly, they make sure your experience is great. Kids loved the food too!“

“Father’s Office in Santa Monica feels like a masterclass from someone who’s seen the world, cut the fluff, and come home to serve only what matters.

You walk in and the room has that quiet confidence of a place built by people who believe in standards, not suggestions. The Office Burger lands like a sermon dry aged beef, blue cheese, sweet onions, arugula all working together with the kind of bold harmony that makes you wonder why anyone ever asked for ketchup in the first place.

The staff moves with the precision of people who care, not because it’s cute but because details are the difference between forgettable and unforgettable. There’s humor in the attitude too a kind of “we’re protecting you from your own bad taste” wink that somehow makes you trust them more. It’s smart, it’s flavorful, it’s unapologetically itself, and walking out you feel like you just tasted something honest in a world that keeps trying to sell you shortcuts.“

“Excellent food and highest recommendation! Francis was a great server! When I return back to Santa Monica I will return back here and try other items.“

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

“Fun ambiance, good drink selection and it's easy to meet nice people as they host lots of events here.“

“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!“

“Ordered prepared Thanksgiving Prime Rib meal for 8 - this may very well be the best meal I ever had, let alone best Thanksgiving meal. The chef was amazingly kind and accommodating. Pretty sure I couldn't have even bought the ingredients for the price charged. Soooooo worth it. Best kept secret!“

“great food and huge servings.“

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

“I will like to give a shout out to the chef. I think his name is Shawn or Sean. When we got to Santa Monica, we looked up restaurants to go have our 26 year anniversary dinner, we stayed at Hotel Delmar right across the street. We googled the restaurant menu, and decided what we were going to have. when we got there, and they brought out the menus, all what we decided to have was not on there. I was crushed. Because I had my mind set on the Halibut. I said it's ok I will just have the Ribeye, mind you I had a ribeye steak the night before. When the waiter came back, my wife asked if it's possible to get the Halibut and he said let me check with the chef. He came back later and said the chef said it's no problem. I was blown away. That was the best Halibut ( besides mine) that I have ever had. Thank you chef Shawn. From one chef to another, thank you. you made my night.“

“Loved the happy vegan bowl.“

“Marmalade Cafe in Santa Monica is the perfect spot for good food, easy drinks, and catching up with your people. Nicki was our server during and after happy hour on a Saturday, and she absolutely made the experience — warm, attentive, and effortless in all the right ways. The spinach and artichoke dip? Divine.

12/10 recommend.“

“REALLY delicious food. Menu is cozy brunchy with a few Turkish influenced dishes via Ebru, the owner. My favorites are the menemen (vegan - tofu) and the chilber. Wonderful outdoor dining patio under a big tree :)“

“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!“

“Service,drinks.food,ambiance.staff,etc.“

“2nd time in 3 weeks and the second was every bit as delightful - chill, counter service, brunch place. Elevated brunch fare (I enjoyed the hash the first time but the chiliquiles were among my all time favorites), exceptionally executed cocktails, ample options of beer and wine and bubbles. There's a variety of seating options from sidewalk adjacent people watching atop the parking lot perch with tables and chairs, to the more outdoor bar like back area, which also seems perfect for events and with TVs etc. The place is easy to miss passing by, a sliver on Main Street. I used to live nearby and still come back frequently. Totally a neighborhood vibe and totally worth stopping in. Quintessential Venice Beach a few blocks from the ocean.“

“Great place and great service“

“Very good breakfast to start the day! The buffet looked so-so, so we opted to order fresh. My 2 egg breakfast came with hash browns & chicken sausage, which was a good value for $16. My daughter's "volcano" French toast looked disappointingly small & not overflowing with berries. We had to ask for the almonds which it's supposed to come with. It tasted good, but not a good value for $22. Coffee was good & strong & they obliged my request for a to-go coffee. Overall, a nice breakfast, but expensive unless you have $18pp hotel credit.“