50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Santa Monica

“Excellent food and fantastic service😊“

“Exceptional and delicious food. You can taste the thought they put into every dish. The service was perfect as well, it was attentive but at the same time it did not feel forced or too pushy. Perfect place with a great atmosphere. Definitely recommend and would come back. I also appreciated that they add 4% health service charge to provide health care for their employees. It felt like they care about people working there and it was reflected in the atmosphere of the place.“

“Beyond expectations! Best meal & service in at least 10 years. I’ll be back!“

“This was my second time at Shunji and since it was so consistent, I thought I should give it a shout out. You may miss it if you aren’t paying attention, nestled behind a non-discrete door on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, Shunji Japanese Cuisine is a Michelin-starred gem that redefines the art of sushi dining. Chef Shunji Nakao is a legend and this intimate restaurant offers an omakase experience that is as unforgettable as it is refined.

The heart of Shunji’s allure lies in its sushi, which showcases decades of expertise as one of Los Angeles’ sushi pioneers. Each piece of nigiri is a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, with fish sourced primarily from Japan to ensure unparalleled freshness. Shunji’s (somewhat new Santa Monica location) is a departure from its former chili bowl-shaped home on Pico Boulevard, embraces a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus on the food and quaint experience. The space is divided into two small rooms, each with a blonde wood counter that seats just seven, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and intimacy. Soft jazz hums in the background, and a wall of orchids adds a touch of elegance, celebrating the restaurant’s decade-long legacy. The service is impeccable, with staff (one Shunji’s wife) moving gracefully to anticipate every need, from refilling sake glasses to presenting dishes on stunning ceramic plates.

Shunji is more than a restaurant; it’s a destination The sushi is exceptional, the ambiance serene, and the overall experience a masterclass in hospitality.“

“Recently went to this restaurant with a friend and while her food was delicious, mine was very plain and very undercooked. Disappointed since we had to wait almost an hour for a table. Otherwise, the service was excellent and the overall vibe was super warm and inviting.“

“The food is both eclectic and delicious. The location is both artsy and industrial with warm and inviting staff. I highly recommend this place for a date, business, family, or anything because it’s fabulous.“

“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 !“

“Upscale southeast Asian-French fusion brasserie with a unique twist in culinary flavors. The Grilled Pig’s Tail with the house made fish sauce was simply sublime. Yum-o’licious!“

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

“Finally checked out Father’s Office in Santa Monica—one of the burger joints on my LA bucket list—and I absolutely loved it. The vibe is low-key and cozy, with a laid-back atmosphere and a great selection of beers on tap.

But the real star? The burger. One of the best I’ve had—simple, flavorful, and just perfectly done. Definitely a spot I’ll keep coming back to. 100% recommend if you’re into elevated comfort food in a chill setting.“

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

“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“

“Food was excellent and the ambiance sitting outside was great. We had the pork chop, puréed herb potatoes, appetizer sashimi and olives. Everything was top notch, food and service. Pork chop was very moist and the sauce they serve with it brought the pork chop over the top. Pure heaven. I wish they would change their policy regarding happy hour and allow happy hour if you sit outside. We have a dog and since he cannot go inside the restaurant then allow us to have happy hour outside with our best friend. Most restaurants make this exception. We would certainly frequent your establishment much more often as we love happy hour.“

“We had a good dinner here. We ordered miso soup, seaweed salad, salmon sushi, mixed tempura, spicy tuna roll and a rainbow roll. Everything was very good. The seafood was fresh and had great flavor. We really have no complaints regarding the food. Our server was lovely and they were very attentive. The downside - it's definitely on the expensive side and the atmosphere is okay.“

“Had one of the best meals I’ve had in years. I live in NY and this beats any of my places there in service and unique and amazingly flavorful food. My friend also had a severe dairy and gluten allergy and they were so helpful in accommodating her. This is hospitality at its finest.“

“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!“

“Soo Amazing!!! Still my favorite Italian restaurant in LA. Been dining here for nearly 20 yrs and have only ever had incredible experiences! The food and service are outstanding and the ambience is just as amazing! You truly feel like you're in a romantic restaurant in Italy. Thank you! GS“

“Amazing chicken. Simply delicious.“

“Great food, creative cuisine“

“Great out of the ordinary wine choices!“

“If you want to go to a bar with perfect seating, great airflow, excellent drinks, flawless service l, a fantastic DJ, a parking lot, a nyc vibe, no one rushes you and you can even reserve a table for drinks…go to the Chestnut Club. My favorite new bar. 14th & Santa Monica Blvd @TheChestnutClub same owners as scopa and black market liquor!“

“Margarita flights are ‘da bomb!“

“Great food & treats! Saw on Somebody Feed Phil & had to give it a try“

“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.“

“One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to! We love it!!!! It’s romantic, it’s mind blowing delicious, it’s for people who like to experiment with flavors, like to try smth new and who is a foodie. They don’t make cocktails. The signature dish is definitely a snapper, that’s the main thing we coming here for, but EVERYTHING is super delicious, has a unique flavor. They know how to deliver, they know what they are doing. We celebrate here special occasions and keep this gem only for us, for special more romantic nights. You have my heart.
They desserts to dieeee for!!!!“

“good customer service. the ambiance is cool. friendly staff. the food is superb♡“

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

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“Everything has a high end clean taste. The chips are always hot, crisp and not greasy. Every taco is delicious and what is especially nice is that you don’t feel bloated or heavy after the meal that can happen at other restaurants.“

“We were exploring Main Street and got hungry. Sat in the back patio which was covered but still had air flowing so it wasn’t hot and stuffy. We ordered mozzarella sticks, fish taco, taco plate and the chicken sandwich. Portions were massive! Ordered a cocktail and beer too. We were so full that we had to take a siesta after our meal. Oh, they’re also dog friendly.“

“Best nik naks & steak strips ever!“

“Great food and drinks 🍹 really good 👍🏾“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“It's a cool pub in the middle city neighborhood. There's a long bar and many high tables. The background music was not overly loud. We could comfortably converse with each other. Top notch service. The young man was fast, warm and devoted. All the dishes we had were delicious. Short Rib Poutine and Mussels&Shrimp are my favorites.“

“Always good! Home cooking, great staff and nice customers. Good value and fun funky throwback feel and architecture.
Update: It's been freshened. All the good stuff remains. Seems brighter. Maybe a paint job. New cash register! Credit cards now. Some outside seating.“

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

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

“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.“

“Absolutely brilliant. Great Guinness“

“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.“

“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!“

“Amazing staff. Gigi, Tom, Kian. What positive energy and professional service. Food is delicious. Perfect West Side afternoon.“

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

“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.“

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

“Great place and a fun place to be“

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

“This pizza is awesome!! The best pizza our family has had in years. The service is also first class Thank you so much!!!!“

“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!“

“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.“