50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Santa Monica

“The food was very good. I dined solo and had chicken liver mousse, the yellowtail crudo, the peach and tomato burrata salad, and the crab cake. The mousse was rich and interestingly paired with pickled blackberries and honeycomb. The crudo was delicious with the refreshing citrus. The salad too felt very fresh and like I was holding on to late summer. The crab cake was good, the sauce had a nice balance of spice and sweetness, it was very salty which is not unexpected with crab. The service was kind and attentive. I was very pleased with my experience and would return again if I'm back in Santa Monica.“

“Excellent food and fantastic service😊“

“Lovely place for great pizza & great service. From the outside, you wouldn’t expect it to be a really chill, relaxing vibe type of place with open kitchen and great place of local neighborhood organic ingredients joint. Very organic kid’s drawing pics hanging throughout the place, it doesn’t look out of place but more of family & neighborhood feeling kind of place. It’s an all day place with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Got here between breakfast & lunch and both menu looks fantastic. Want to order them all but settled for pizzas and salad & of course lemonchello spitz. Great pizza dough and the ingredients are fresh and you can see and taste it that it makes with love for sure. Salad was good abit blanched for me but was focusing on the pizza so…very well make and well cook in the wood fired oven. The pastries look delish and smell fantastic. Service was attentive and friendly, no rush but chill vibe type of service. Prices wise, for 2 pizzas, a cocktail, and a salad and with tip…$150. Parking can be a hassle but if you are willing to walk a little, free neighborhood street parking or if you can find parking within 200feets, then it will be paid street parking or paid garage parking nearby. Still thinking of their pizzas, yum!“

“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“

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

“The food was particularly good and even though there aren’t a lot of options, everything was well prepared and tasty. Apparently the chef makes all the pasta in house and there was nice variety and unusual selections. I will go back.“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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 !“

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

“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“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“Came here on Labor Day morning for breakfast. The place is nice and cozy inside. It was busy but I got seated quickly. The staff are friendly.
I ordered eggs, sausage and potatoes with whole wheat toast. The food came out at a pretty descent time. The food was good. It was breakfast, I didn’t order much. They do have a decent amount of stuff on the menu. Definitely will be back.“

“Excellent service, amazing lobster 🦞 with crab rice. I just wish I was given the prices before agreeing on the upgrade. I ordered a family for 2 and CJ server offered to make it 3ppl. I was kinda surprised with my bills and how the restaurant dictate the gratuity %….Overall, I love dining in this restaurant because we were welcome and were given a great and warm reception. Thank you to the staff who made us feel special especially to CJ she was amazing. Indeed, the most expensive meal I have eaten lol it’s worth it.“

“We had a very nice dinner here inside on a Tuesday night. I loved the whiskey cocktail which is brought smoking to your table. We shared the cheese plate and gen ceasar and the servings are quite large and perfect for sharing. The BBQ scottish salmon is a real standout and the fries and blistered spinach great sides. They also have a very nice selection of wines by the glass. The staff is very attentive and we enjoyed the night thoroughly.“

“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.“

“Izakaya Miyabi was an unforgettable place for us. It has a cozy Japanese atmosphere that feels a little more special than a typical sushi restaurant, but still comfortable and relaxed.

The menu has a lot to explore, from sushi and sashimi to yakitori, tempura, gyoza, black cod, and small izakaya-style dishes. We especially liked trying a variety of plates instead of ordering just one main dish. The spicy tuna crispy rice and hand rolls are also great choices.

The service was attentive, the food came out at a nice pace, and the whole experience felt memorable. Definitely a place we would recommend when you want good Japanese food in Santa Monica.“

“We had a wonderful time! Everyone at the table enjoyed their food selections. My personal favorite was the Mezze Platter. We received excellent service from all the staff! I had booked an outdoor table and upon arrival, the staff gave us the option to move indoors if we wanted to due to the heat wave. We decided to keep the outdoor table and we experienced a wonderful sunset and a lovely breeze. The staff offering the indoor option was a nice touch on their part! I can't wait to go back to the restaurant!“

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

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“I had the scallops & the chocolate cake and it was great, the staff were all amazing from the host to the runners/busters with specific credit to Kitty & Anita for helping me and guiding me in the right direction. I definitely recommend you come by if you’re in the area!“

“How does Father‘s Office only get 4.3 stars? This is my dream bar (not that I dream about bars): warm, intimate, unpretentious, truly awesome food offerings, and then of course there is the beer. In LA, for beer, there is no peer.

To those entitled and aggrieved victims of life’s indignities, i.e. commenters who faulted FO because of what is clearly spelled out on the menu:
NO KETCHUP
NO DOGS, EXCEPT FOR SERVICE ANIMALS.
WE DO NOT PERMIT ANY SUBSTITUTIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO ANY OF OUR MENU ITEMS.
- then please be aware that there are plenty of other bars for you to hang out in until hopefully, eventually, you reach adulthood.“

“Loved it. We went in twice. First we walked in & 2nd day decided to make a reservation. This was so close to our hotel. We walked & enjoyed this lovely place. Great staff & service! They were quick, despite being packed & food was awesome!“

“This place is RAD!!!!! Go!! Enjoy the ridiculously fun aesthetic, the friendly service and the delicious food. I got the Not a Cheeseburger, Just Fries and a Coke Zero. 10/10 will be back to try more of the menu and vibe out. Usually have to go to the east side to find a place this cool and this yummy. A neighborhood gem and plenty of free parking around the corner on Georgina Ave“

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

“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!“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“Excellent food and service“

“Came here on a Saturday night to have some food and drinks with friends. They don't make reservations, instead, they put your name on the list so you still have to wait for a table. We only had to wait 20-25 minutes for a table on a busy Saturday night. The service was great, as it didn't take too long for the waitress to notice us and get our drinks order. Ingo's Tasty Diner is Great place to meet up with friends. Quiet without getting silent and the food is amazing. The drinks menu was extensive. Portions were good and I didn't feel like going into a food coma after leaving. Try their Brussel sprouts, it's delicious! Get ready to spend some $$$, as this place is pretty pricey but worth the price in my opinion. There is no parking, expect the metered parking on Wilshire.“

“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!“

“My whole family loved the food and we had great service!“

“Great place and a fun place to be“

“A friend and I visited Il Forno Trattoria last Saturday. After we left, my friend realised she had lost her grandmother's ring, of great sentimental value. We telephoned the restaurant even though it had already closed for the night, and the team immediately invited us back to search. When we arrived, the staff were cleaning up but had already started to look for the ring and helped us look through the restrooms and, kitchen. At least three or four employees actively helped, including providing gloves and helping us go through the trash to ensure it was lost in a restroom trash can. It was clear that everyone was genuinely concerned and willing to do whatever they could. Although the ring was not found, their professionalism, empathy, and willingness to stay late and actively help without question have left a lasting impression. I mustn’t forget the meal itself had been excellent: well‑prepared dishes, attentive yet unobtrusive service, and a well‑chosen wine list. Taken together with the staff’s extraordinary support, the experience showed Il Forno Trattoria at its best. It is the epitome of excellent service. Whether you are looking for quality Italian cuisine or a restaurant where the team truly cares about its guests, I cannot recommend Il Forno Trattoria highly enough.“

“Loved this place, glad we could stop by here for some lovely food and drinks…. We were a bigger group of 8 and they do have sitting in the back for big groups but guess 8 was the upper limit…
I tried BEYOND BURGER and it was good, not great but liked it overall. My friends tried protein plate, fish and taco etc and everyone loved the food
I also had tequila based cocktail which was nice
The server was very kind and the vibe of the place was good
Overall would surely recommend visiting them if you are in the area“

“Nice place 😋😎 fast service 👌“

“great food and huge servings.“

“Try the short rib poutine if you're craving comfort food! Plenty of gravy and meat. Everything was good, portions good, service excellent, kitchen was fast but it wasn't super busy Sunday afternoon. They also do a great hamburger!“

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

“Great food and drinks 🍹 really good 👍🏾“

“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!“

“The dumplings taste really good. Unlike many other places, their dumplings are really juicy and the juicy won't leak out until you bite into it. The service staff are very helpful. They refill my water when the glass is half full. The food comes out fast.“

“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!“

“Great food, deluxe sushi sampler is a deal that’s very hard to beat, pk3 roll is legendary (but could have crispier nori).

Staff is attentive, very friendly and helpful. Always feel welcome.

Extremely disappointed to see an ai generated image in the advertising outside. It doesn’t look like food, is gross and shows the owners are happy to cut corners where they can instead of taking a real photo of the food they make, or (even better) hiring a local photographer to hell them. A photo of a roll isn’t that hard to take, but seeing a gross ai picture is what will stop me from coming here again. I don’t want to find out what other corners the owners cut if a single photo for their lunch stand is a task too hard for them. Big yikes, Kanpai.“

“I moved back to LA after 20 years, and although Bruno has moved on, it still feels like he’s in the kitchen. His lovely soul and legendary recipes live on, deliciously!!
Everything is a delight, including the addition of the outside tables, with a Santa Monica Pier view.
Limited parking in the back, but there is public parking at the mall/pier.
As Paxton always said, “Chicken Parmesan, it’s On its On~ah”!“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“Great food and even better service.“

“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!“

“Delicioso!!!!! Muy recomendado“