New American Restaurants in Santa Monica, CA

“My wife and I had a wonderful meal at Tar & Roses last night! Every dish was perfectly executed and our server, Katie, could not have done a better job! The receptionist squeezed us in, with a cancelation just before we called and gave us a terrific table. We were greeted warmly. The wine list had a good selection of wines by the glass and just the wines I needed to pair with my dishes. We can highly recommend the oxtail dumplings, octopus skewers, balsamic glazed short ribs,
Singapore crab cake, fried cauliflower with lavender honey, roasted brussels sprouts, cheesy whipped potatoes, the mushrooms and white beans and especially the strawberry crostata with vanilla ice cream for dessert! The vibe was good and my only disappointment was that we couldn't eat the entire menu in one sitting:-)“

“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.“

“This place was awesome, super local clientele. The food was nice, server was really busy but did a decent job, the restaurant was pretty slammed when we got there. We ordered the salmon and the chicken plate. Both were great, we also ordered the Cesar which was really good. Would recommend for sure, would go back.“

“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!“

“Great place for delicious breakfast, after a good brisk morning walk.
I had a fresh omelet, with mushrooms, onions and cheese. I added fresh toasted slices of sourdough bread and a cup of Americano coffee (stronger than regular coffee). Not a long wait, comfortable seating, attentive server, made it a complete pleasant meal.“

“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 !“

“My sons surprised me with a dinner this evening at Chelsea to celebrate my birthday. It was a wonderful experience from the moment we entered and saw the facility dining room and dim lights, a perfect ambience. The Restaurant also has private rooms in the back which I noted for future larger groups. The server was engaging and the food was fantastic. We started with the truffle fries and I had lobster squid linguine, which was phenomenal and my sons had a duck dish and a boar ragú which they both loved. We ordered one piece of a unique Matcha chocolate cake, which they brought out with a candle. The cocktails look really nice. We had a Prosecco and a glass of wine. It really was a lovely evening and I’m so glad we’ve discovered this little gem.“

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

“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“

“Hi this afternoon my husband and I had lunch with a few friends we already made a representations a few days ago and this is the first time we're eating here a very nice little restaurant right here on the beach in Santa Monica we enjoyed everything I had the hot chicken sandwich in my husband had the shrimp toast everything was yummy and very delicious thank you“

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

“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!“

“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“

“We are from England, but had a day stopover in LA. Decided to visit HiHo for burger, fries and shake and it was fantastic.
Juicy burgers and the best fries and shake we have ever had.
Great atmosphere and service too.
Thank you for making our first visit to America a memorable one.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“the service was spectacular. really fun group of servers... food = excellent - exception: chicken appetizer a little greasy/ excessively fried but everything else: salmon, hamachi, avocado fries, duck tacos, etc. was great. a little too loud at first due to boisterous group in the bar right next to our table. acoustics are not great for conversation when the bar is hopping. this is my second time and I will come back.“

“Loved the happy vegan bowl.“

“Amazing food, lovely atmosphere, excellent service and friendly staff! I couldn’t believe how generous the portions were! 3 eggs on the Benedict?! Home run! Don’t forget to try the Dark Chocolate Macadamia Pancakes… simply divine! I really loved the corned beef hash, too! Cannot wait to come back here!“

“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 :)“

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

“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!“

“I come here every so often and it’s always consistently good and the staff is always nice.
My favorite thing to get is the tahini bowl with chicken or falafel - both are great!
Always a nice chill atmosphere, good food, and nice beer selection. Really can’t get any better than that!“

“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.“