50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Santa Monica

“Excellent food and fantastic service😊“

“PRO TIP: go to Costco and get $100 DoorDash gift cards at 20% off, then use DoorDash pickup to order ahead at Jyan Isaac for no additional fee. Since you will end up spending $50-$200 here if you’re in Santa Monica for any amount of time, the savings are nice. Works out to one free full bagel gravlax with the works for every $100.“

“Nos atendieron muy bien y la comida es fantástica!!“

“I have had many souffle in my life , I personally travel around the world trying the best of the best souffle . This far is the best I have ever had !“

“Loved the cozy environment especially in the patio area . Food was great! The potato cakes with apples was amazing . Our group of 9 loved all of the food ! Would recommend to others“

“Best seafood and Japanese food I've ever had in my life — not exaggerating. The freshest seafood you'll ever taste. I brought multiple people here and they agree I'm not exaggerating. The quality is unlike anything else in LA. Everything is incredible but the raw seafood gets the most special shoutout.“

“Almost too hip of an atmosphere. Looks futuristic and like a hipster puked all over it but it’s still cute. I miss the old schnackenbergs! This place looks odd in old cute charming uptown Hoboken. It’s very Portland-esque. Good salad tho.“

“Impressed it actually lived up to the hype. The addition of cucumber to their lox bagel was interesting in a good way as it added an earthiness and a thicker bite. I like that the lox wasn’t paper thin and actually had some chew to it — they also tasted exactly like the Kirkland smoked, no shame if it is, it’s the best in the game. I really liked the pickled onion because they add sweetness and acidity as well as the inclusion of lemon zest over juice because it added acidity without unnecessary moisture.
I was also surprised at how much I like The Mia. The avocado was super creamy, perfectly salted and I loved how the Fresno chilis cut through the fat. The greens were also well seasoned and added pepperiness. While I did enjoy the pile of toppings, they just kind of fall off and make the bagel harder to eat than it needed to be.
Layla Bagels is still maybe a bit fancy for my taste, but definitely worth the experience.“

“This place came highly recommended from my lady friends who do luncheons regularly. I was blown away by the rock shrimp sandwich, had to control myself not ordering it again for round 2! I hope it stays on regular menu not just DineLA. There are 7 others things on the menu I want to try, well balanced flavors that hits the spot. Lovely atmosphere will definitely come back again and again.“

“Are here last night & had takeout 2 weeks ago 😃delicious both times ! Will be back when in Santa Monica as next 👍“

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

“Via Veneto in Santa Monica is my go-to spot for a romantic dinner, and it delivers every single time. The service is warm, attentive, and authentically Italian—the kind where the staff remembers you and genuinely cares that your evening is perfect. The food is just as consistent. My staple order is the lobster pasta, which almost every other restaurant gets wrong—it’s overcooked, rubbery, or lost in sauce—but here it’s perfection every time. On a recent visit, I started with burrata and prosciutto, which was fresh, creamy, and balanced, the kind of simple dish that shows off true quality ingredients.

Another favorite is their ravioli of the day. They usually feature three different varieties, and each one is delicate, flavorful, and perfectly cooked—never heavy, always satisfying. The fish soup is another standout; it’s made to order, never sitting in a pot, and you can taste that freshness in every spoonful.

The atmosphere is pure old-world romance. Chandeliers cast a warm glow that makes every guest look like a movie star—fitting, since you’ll often spot real ones dining here. It’s intimate without feeling stuffy, glamorous without being pretentious. A Santa Monica staple for decades, Via Veneto is one of the few highly rated spots that still feels like an underrated gem.“

“Amazing chicken. Simply delicious.“

“What an amazing breakfast! Frank our server was amazing! Split a huge breakfast burrito with my daughter and we had the OG and banana nut pancakes! Perfection! Everything so fresh and locally sourced… this will be our breakfast place every time we visit LA“

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

“Great out of the ordinary wine choices!“

“For the price, quality, and flavor, there is just not a lot that beats Katsu Bar. It’s always been there for me, after school, work, gym, etc. So consistent, friendly staff. Nothing to say but positivity. I must recommend the Katsu Sando on Rosemary bread. Absolutely heavenly with a side of curry. 100/10“

“Margarita flights are ‘da bomb!“

“Great service and welcoming environment. ample parking and seating both indoors and out. amazing selection of both beers and ciders on tap. my only major issue is the removal of the tip system to a forced service charge (mandatory tip) system of 18%. we ordered a single flight and a pint at the bar ourselves, no table service or any real interaction yet a tip was fourced upon us on the bill.“

“My wife and I went to the Grove in Los Angeles last night and we had dinner at "Sogno Toscana," an it was outstanding. It was perfect in every way; great food, great drinks, outstanding and friendly staff, beautiful location, etc. I love Italian food but I can't think of one Italian restaurant that I like, until "Sogno Toscano." The food was outstanding, and there was so much more we saw go by that we can't wait to go back and try. And the drinks were outstanding. I love martini's and they served the best martini I've ever had. Giacomo was our server and took great care of us. He's from Italy and "Sogno Toscana" brought him to America when they opened their New York restaurant, and now he's in LA for this new restaurant. Although very busy, the entire staff were very fun to be around, and most of them are Italian which is also great.“

“Best duck taco I've ever had. Came in for the Karaage but they were out, so decided to go with duck and it did not disappoint. I also met and talked to the owner, and he was incredibly generous and kind. I didn't eat there but the vibe was cool, would definitely dine in too.“

“This fresh made, warm and healthy donut is phenomenal. Seriously, you can have one and without guilt or regret. Healthy meets most delicious. Do not forget the matcha latte...prob the most incredible invention in history. I love this place ❤️ is a major pit stop when I visit Santa Monica“

“Great food and the owners were incredibly kind. One of our favorite things about vacation 2023. The Greene's from Idaho love you.“

“Had a nice lunch here. Great atmosphere in downtown Santa Monica right by the pier and across from a parking structure. The restaurant has a nice, swanky, seaside vibe. I had the ceviche and fish tacos, both of which were very good. Would recommend.“

“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.“

“Always a great experience and meal at Orto, strongly recommended!“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“The best! Worth every penny.“

“I recently discovered La Bodega, a cozy little tapas bar in Downtown Pasadena. The wine selection is impressive, and the ambiance makes it perfect for a casual evening out with friends. The seafood paella was to die for, and their croquettes are a must-try. The staff was friendly, but it did take a while to get our order. The prices are fair for the quality, and I’ll definitely return for another relaxing evening.“

“Best nik naks & steak strips ever!“

“Library Ale House is a really cool spot with a cozy, relaxed vibe that lives up to its name—it almost feels like you’re hanging out in a library that just happens to serve great beer. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for catching up with friends or winding down after a day out.

The staff was super friendly and attentive, and they’ve got a solid selection of craft beers on tap, including some local gems. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area and looking for a chill place with character and quality drinks.“

“A cute little gem stuffed at the edge of Santa Monica, I've been in there a few times. The staff are friendly positive. The food is amazingly portioned. The drinks are solid, but what makes this really? One of the best little food joints is the fact that the staff and Joe are absolutely phenomenal. It is a great community location with sensational flavors. Amazing personalities and just good food.“

“One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Los Angeles!“

“What a fantastic plate of oysters. The horseradish was hand grated. Has a lobster roll as well with thin fries with old bay. Service was great food was super fast.“

“Great food and drinks 🍹 really good 👍🏾“

“Great service and great food ! The chicken and waffles are the best and the Nutella waffles to die for!“

“Great food and service. This place never disappoints.“

“Great new neighborhood spot! The food is healthy and delicious. Lots of variety on the menu so everyone should have a few excellent choices!“

“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!“

“Absolutely brilliant. Great Guinness“

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

“We went for happy hour, which is only one hour, from 5-6, but it is truly the best in Santa Monica. Everything on the menu is half priced, but full quality. You can't go wrong. Everything is excellent. The drinks, food, service, atmosphere, and even the other people around you. Everyone is just in a good mood. The servers move fast - unlike some happy hours where they try not to serve you, they serve you quickly and often. It's a good idea to look at the menu in advance to get an idea of what you want. They put on an auto tip of 20% of what it would be without HH prices (which is fair) and they circle it so you're fully aware. Plan to arrive about 10-15 minutes early if you don't have reservations so you can sit at the bar. They open at 5, which is the start of HH, but you can line up earlier than that. Parking is tough as it can be in Santa Monica. It's by the beach, so if it's a nice day, you may need to walk a bit if you don't want to park at the hotel.“

“I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Caffe Luxxe on our interview date. L.A. based small batch coffee roaster Caffe Luxxe is wonderful example of what can grow from the powerful bond of friendship, specifically one that spans decades like that of owners Mark Wain and Gary Chau. Taking the chance to quit their corporate jobs in 2006, they’ve been able to fuel their business from their personal relationship and their love for European luxury caffe culture. A fun fact, Caffe Luxxe is the first of its kind in L.A. for artisan coffee preparation, and boy golly, it is not one to miss at any of its So Cal locations. The coffee world is your oyster when picking your beverage of choice from their delectable menu of drips, pour overs, and a unique variety of Bevande Di Caffe (including a chocolate-y shaken Caffe Shakerato, a sparkling espresso Caffe Frizzante, and a spiced citrus Caffe Nico). If seasonal specials are your thing, have no fear, because they’ve got those covered too! What more could you ask for?“

“Great place and a fun place to be“

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

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

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

“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.“

“My fiancé and I absolutely love this place! Every time we come in the area we drive 3 1/2 hours and this is our first stop every time! We were recently in town and we ate here twice between two days. The food is always consistent and so flavorful! It may look like a hole in the wall, but it is the best food around!“

“Such yummy food and chill atmosphere. The only problem is the close at 8pm when it’s still light outside?!? I’ve seen them turn away several customers many many times. I think it was a covid thing originally so hopefully they go back to more normal hours. At least stay open until 9pm please 🙏🏻!“