We had an excellent dining experience at Rustic Canyon. The cocktails were unique and delicious, and each dish showcased the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, local ingredients. We especially enjoyed the beet and berry salad, the golden rolls, and the white fish — all perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Our waiter was knowledgeable and guided us through the farm-to-table choices and wine pairings with great insight.
The setting is small and open, so while it’s not ideal for privacy, it adds to the lively and intimate atmosphere. Overall, a memorable meal with outstanding flavors and thoughtful service — definitely worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra Kalinowski
Very gluten free friendly!! Not one dud, every dish is pure perfection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SeanLabel
Parking meter should not be taken away for valet!
Jessica Lopez
Nearly empty on a Sunday evening. The waitress was very knowledgeable, but a bit awkward. My friend thought the food was excellent, but for me - a vegetarian with kids in tow - it was not great. Very few options for vegetarian & even fewer options for children. We were told the food was served family style. There were 6 of us, and the plates definitely only served two people max. For the price, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in Los Angeles.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Tripp Cox
Service was slow. Food was a touch salty. Great concept, menu, and vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Lucas
My overall sense of this place is that it has some confusion about its identity, and perhaps the hype around it might influence that confusion.
The restaurant wants to be sort of informal, casual, laid-back in a Monica way. However, the menu, which I would confirm is quite overpriced (see other reviews), makes it feel like a fine-dining experience.
I think what happens is that you get the worst of both worlds here. You pay dearly for the pleasure of dining at Rustic Canyon. Alongside that, you do not receive the type of service/ attention to detail that would be commensurate with the cost.
I think that the food is overall quite good, but considering the portion sizes and the ingredients, I do not think it should cost as much as it does. Great to support local farmers, but incredible how cost prohibitive it has to be.
As for the service, it had some positive moments. Our waitress was attentive to my partner’s food allergies and to his drink specifics. I was offered a dessert for my birthday, which was quite nice.
A pet peeve of mine is when the table is cleared of plates and cutlery, but not wiped or promptly replenished with new plates and cutlery. This was the case with us, and at that point in the meal, the place was quite busy, so attention faltered, and we were left without forks and knives—and never given knives again. If you’re going to take the time to clear the table, it just makes sense to clean it off, and provide all necessary utensils again. It was just annoying, and disappointing to see that the level of attention to detail was not there.
I think I was most disappointed for the treatment of the hostess, who told us our table would be ready in 10 minutes when we arrived on time. We stood waiting in the doorway for about 20 minutes, and were finally sat. This means we were quite hungry before any food got to the table there wasn’t really good communication about the wait. The attitude seemed to be that they were busy, and they knew they would stay busy, so they didn’t think it necessary to make us feel comfortable, or to tell us what was happening. Not classy.
I think that given the array of restaurants in Los Angeles, there are many places where the cost to quality (and service) ratio is much better.
If you’ve got money to blow and patience for mid-range service, give it a try here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
marcus Catanzaro
I very rarely leave reviews but the food here demands it off me. This meal was one of the best I’ve had in a very long time. All of the vegetable dishes were so flavorful and fresh and the fish was Devine. I will say service was quite slow, but staff were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Cigdem Jorgensen
Beautiful food, beautiful restaurant!!! Everything was very creative and delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Lepper
Rustic Canyon offers a truly exceptional menu, from cocktails to dessert. Our server provided excellent recommendations. Everything we ordered was superb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vanesse Della Torre
How have I put off going here for so long?? We had a res at 6pm on a Friday night and at first we were some of the only diners at the restaurant, but soon families and couples poured in to make a likely ambiance. The aesthetic of the restaurant was rustic but chic. Our waiter was super helpful with recommendations and how many plates to order for 2 people. We actually went with most of his recommendations and they did not disappoint.
We started with the steak tartare that comes with pan fried sourdough bread, which was some of the best tartare I’ve ever had, and the tomato salad which was actually insane. I could have licked the sauce on the bottom of the plate and I used some of the bread from the steak tartare to soak it up. Crazy good start to the meal. Our waiter said the corn was the most popular dish at the restaurant, and we quickly realized why. It was like elote on crack but better, so insanely good. For our main entree, we shared the pork chop which came with a chimichurri sauce and cherries. Never had this flavor combo before but it worked! The pork was perfectly cooked and the sauces gave it an herbal and sweet note. Perfection really. Finally, for dessert we had the peach Melba and it was so simple but I can’t stop thinking about it. Fresh peaches, whipped cream, and crumbled crust or cookies. Don’t skip dessert, folks!
We can’t wait to come back to Rustic Canyon. Farm to table at its finest and amazing, yet thoughtful service. Thanks for an amazing meal!
Exquisite food, interesting flavors and great ambiance. Strongly recommend the beets&berries salad was definitely a highlight. Very friendly service as well
Maldon Marvin
Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica offers a cozy, intimate dining experience with top-notch food. The seasonal menu features fresh ingredients, and the flavors are always spot-on. The service is excellent, with staff who genuinely care about your experience. It’s a great place for a date night or special occasion. The outdoor patio adds to the charm and makes for a lovely evening under the stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Joseph Liebman
My wife and I took our daughter to Rustic Canyon for dinner recently and the entire experience was well beyond expectations. The entire meal was exceptional. The skill in taking vegetables you use at home and elevating them to make beyond delicious was a bit of magic. Each dish was fantastic. Seems funny to say but the fish, which was perfect, was actually outshined by each of the salad and veg I dishes we had. The wine was excellent as well. And the service, wonderful. We live out of town but when visiting our daughter, will make it a point to revisit Rustic Canyon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex
Enjoyed our 1 year wedding anniversary here - what an experience. Kicked off with the bread and honey butter. Enjoyed the beet salad (must have) with crudo (unique with strawberries and mint). The sea bass and steak were so tasty too, could even eat the fish skin. The corn was out of this world too. Paired with wine and ice cream, one of the best meals we’ve had in a while. Service and ambiance were top notch too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas Sewitz
Got a very nice email after the meal. The food was delicious.
We had an excellent dining experience at Rustic Canyon. The cocktails were unique and delicious, and each dish showcased the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, local ingredients. We especially enjoyed the beet and berry salad, the golden rolls, and the white fish — all perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Our waiter was knowledgeable and guided us through the farm-to-table choices and wine pairings with great insight.
The setting is small and open, so while it’s not ideal for privacy, it adds to the lively and intimate atmosphere. Overall, a memorable meal with outstanding flavors and thoughtful service — definitely worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very gluten free friendly!! Not one dud, every dish is pure perfection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parking meter should not be taken away for valet!
Nearly empty on a Sunday evening. The waitress was very knowledgeable, but a bit awkward. My friend thought the food was excellent, but for me - a vegetarian with kids in tow - it was not great. Very few options for vegetarian & even fewer options for children. We were told the food was served family style. There were 6 of us, and the plates definitely only served two people max. For the price, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in Los Angeles.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Service was slow. Food was a touch salty. Great concept, menu, and vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
My overall sense of this place is that it has some confusion about its identity, and perhaps the hype around it might influence that confusion.
The restaurant wants to be sort of informal, casual, laid-back in a Monica way. However, the menu, which I would confirm is quite overpriced (see other reviews), makes it feel like a fine-dining experience.
I think what happens is that you get the worst of both worlds here. You pay dearly for the pleasure of dining at Rustic Canyon. Alongside that, you do not receive the type of service/ attention to detail that would be commensurate with the cost.
I think that the food is overall quite good, but considering the portion sizes and the ingredients, I do not think it should cost as much as it does. Great to support local farmers, but incredible how cost prohibitive it has to be.
As for the service, it had some positive moments. Our waitress was attentive to my partner’s food allergies and to his drink specifics. I was offered a dessert for my birthday, which was quite nice.
A pet peeve of mine is when the table is cleared of plates and cutlery, but not wiped or promptly replenished with new plates and cutlery. This was the case with us, and at that point in the meal, the place was quite busy, so attention faltered, and we were left without forks and knives—and never given knives again. If you’re going to take the time to clear the table, it just makes sense to clean it off, and provide all necessary utensils again. It was just annoying, and disappointing to see that the level of attention to detail was not there.
I think I was most disappointed for the treatment of the hostess, who told us our table would be ready in 10 minutes when we arrived on time. We stood waiting in the doorway for about 20 minutes, and were finally sat. This means we were quite hungry before any food got to the table there wasn’t really good communication about the wait. The attitude seemed to be that they were busy, and they knew they would stay busy, so they didn’t think it necessary to make us feel comfortable, or to tell us what was happening. Not classy.
I think that given the array of restaurants in Los Angeles, there are many places where the cost to quality (and service) ratio is much better.
If you’ve got money to blow and patience for mid-range service, give it a try here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
I very rarely leave reviews but the food here demands it off me. This meal was one of the best I’ve had in a very long time. All of the vegetable dishes were so flavorful and fresh and the fish was Devine. I will say service was quite slow, but staff were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Beautiful food, beautiful restaurant!!! Everything was very creative and delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rustic Canyon offers a truly exceptional menu, from cocktails to dessert. Our server provided excellent recommendations. Everything we ordered was superb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How have I put off going here for so long?? We had a res at 6pm on a Friday night and at first we were some of the only diners at the restaurant, but soon families and couples poured in to make a likely ambiance. The aesthetic of the restaurant was rustic but chic. Our waiter was super helpful with recommendations and how many plates to order for 2 people. We actually went with most of his recommendations and they did not disappoint.
We started with the steak tartare that comes with pan fried sourdough bread, which was some of the best tartare I’ve ever had, and the tomato salad which was actually insane. I could have licked the sauce on the bottom of the plate and I used some of the bread from the steak tartare to soak it up. Crazy good start to the meal. Our waiter said the corn was the most popular dish at the restaurant, and we quickly realized why. It was like elote on crack but better, so insanely good. For our main entree, we shared the pork chop which came with a chimichurri sauce and cherries. Never had this flavor combo before but it worked! The pork was perfectly cooked and the sauces gave it an herbal and sweet note. Perfection really. Finally, for dessert we had the peach Melba and it was so simple but I can’t stop thinking about it. Fresh peaches, whipped cream, and crumbled crust or cookies. Don’t skip dessert, folks!
We can’t wait to come back to Rustic Canyon. Farm to table at its finest and amazing, yet thoughtful service. Thanks for an amazing meal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Exquisite food, interesting flavors and great ambiance. Strongly recommend the beets&berries salad was definitely a highlight. Very friendly service as well
Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica offers a cozy, intimate dining experience with top-notch food. The seasonal menu features fresh ingredients, and the flavors are always spot-on. The service is excellent, with staff who genuinely care about your experience. It’s a great place for a date night or special occasion. The outdoor patio adds to the charm and makes for a lovely evening under the stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
My wife and I took our daughter to Rustic Canyon for dinner recently and the entire experience was well beyond expectations. The entire meal was exceptional. The skill in taking vegetables you use at home and elevating them to make beyond delicious was a bit of magic. Each dish was fantastic. Seems funny to say but the fish, which was perfect, was actually outshined by each of the salad and veg I dishes we had. The wine was excellent as well. And the service, wonderful. We live out of town but when visiting our daughter, will make it a point to revisit Rustic Canyon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enjoyed our 1 year wedding anniversary here - what an experience. Kicked off with the bread and honey butter. Enjoyed the beet salad (must have) with crudo (unique with strawberries and mint). The sea bass and steak were so tasty too, could even eat the fish skin. The corn was out of this world too. Paired with wine and ice cream, one of the best meals we’ve had in a while. Service and ambiance were top notch too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got a very nice email after the meal. The food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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