50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Santa Monica

“Food is always excellent here. Taste amazing, high quality ingredients, beautiful presentation. One thing about this experience is that when the staff was closing up.. I don't know if they turned off the AC or closed the doors but it got really HOT. And it kind of made me feel like they did it on purpose so that people can leave. I declined dessert, which is my fave, only because it was so friggin hot. But otherwise, dinner was great.“

“Excellent food and fantastic service😊“

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

“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.“

“Guys, I would love to gatekeep this place, but the public deserves to know. This is literally the best food I have ever had in my life. I usually just go to restaurants depending on the actual taste and quality of the food and don't really care about the service, but omg the staff here are actually INCREDIBLE.“

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

“We had a nice, cozy dinner here and really enjoyed the atmosphere. We ordered our pasta without cheese, but it was accidentally served with cheese. The staff handled the mistake very professionally and apologized immediately. They quickly brought us the correct order, and the service throughout the evening was friendly and attentive. Mistakes can happen, but the way they resolved the situation was excellent.“

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

“Went here for Easter brunch and was surprised I hadn’t heard of this place before. The food was great! I ordered the steak and eggs and while my steak wasn’t a perfect medium rare, the flavor and portion size made up for that immensely. The cocktails were delightful as well! Pricing was as expected for the area and quality. We were seated outside in a makeshift patio in the parking lot, but it was well done and the service was quick and attentive. Next time I would probably try to eat inside or in the smaller patio by the entrance, where the vibes and decor are beautifully done. There is ample free parking in the back as well. I will be back!“

“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 !“

“Love this place! I’ve read so much about it and Rae’s didn’t disappoint. Friendly, charming and the food is solid. Ordered the 2-2-2: fluffy pancakes, perfectly “medium” yet yolky eggs, and sausage. I’m a coffee snob and expected standard diner coffee and whoa - was pleasantly surprised by their very good cuppa (two actually)! Did I say the staff is friendly — they’re great! Coming back for their tuna melt and more coffee! Parking was no problem on a Monday at 11:30am.“

“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“

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

“Great place and a fun place to be“

“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!“

“The food, the atmosphere, and especially the service made this a memorable visit.
If it wasn't for Isaac, I probably wouldn't have felt confident ordering the aguachile. He assured me it was worth trying, and he wasn't exaggerating, it was everything I could have asked for. (With more shrimp than agua & chile combined) As someone who loves lime, this dish exceeded all of my expectations.
I came in alone on a Sunday evening just looking to satisfy my appetite, but I left feeling like I had experienced much more than a great meal. Isaac made me feel at home, even bringing extra spices so my Hispanic side would be fully satisfied.
My Spanish (and even my English 😅) isn't always the best, but Isaac is perfectly bilingual and made sure he understood exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you to the Brixton management for building such a welcoming team. These days, it's about more than just good food. People want to feel comfortable and cared for as if they're enjoying Mom's cooking with Dad's warm presence. That's exactly how this experience felt.... I'll definitely be back for more! 🍽“

“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.“

“Great spot with all the feelings Japan. Amazing skewers and phenomenal hand rolls. Couldn’t get enough of the salmon sashimi. Great sake selection (we finished three bottles) and multiple drafts to sip. Engaging staff with a chef who knows what he is doing. We will return! 🍣 🇯🇵 🍱“

“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.“

“A must-visit spot whether you’re vegan or not! Absolutely delicious — everything from the fries to the lemonade, the cheeseburger to the nuggets, is mouthwatering. Definitely come here! The staff are all wonderful and were enthusiastic & welcoming. Plus the take out boxes are so fun.

Also for anyone gluten free, there are high-quality gluten free buns available!“

“The full size beef soup is very small.
The tables are sticky which is not nice.
We were party of 3 They brought the beef soup first and after 10 minutes the chicken noodle. They need to serve all together.
What's the point??

Great workers“

“I love this place overall the food is decent, the place is nice overall love it. our server was amazing (Brian?) but the hostess wasnt the nicest and another lady leading us to the table had a horrible attitude as well that I almost left. but thanks to our server and the food for making it up !!“

“McKayla made my visit to Sweet Maple genuinely memorable. Her bright smile and warm, welcoming personality set the tone the moment she approached the table. She was attentive without ever feeling rushed, and her positive energy elevated the entire experience. Exceptional service delivered with authenticity — McKayla is a true standout.“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“Nice place 😋😎 fast service 👌“

“It was fabulous. We had a lovely table overlooking the beautiful courtyard and pool. Our server, Kitty, was wonderful in every way. We started with a margarita pizza for the table, which was hot and delicious.Then I had the meatballs as an appetizer and they were SO GOOD! I had the pasta pomodoro, and it was delicious. You could tell the noodles were fresh and made in-house. My husband had the scallops and gave them a 10/10. Out friends had the burrata, short ribs and salmon, and had zero complaints. They both were very well pleased. We had the Apple galette and the pineapple cake and both were decadent and worth the calories. All in all, a wonderful evening!“

“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!“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

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

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

“Delicioso!!!!! Muy recomendado“

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

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

“I would give via Venetto five stars based on their delicious food alone, but unfortunately it took forever to get served. I realize it was a Saturday night and they were busy, but it took quite a bit longer than it should have. The food is top-notch- and I'm super picky especially about Italian food. “

“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.“

“😍😍 😍pretty Tasty Pizza😍😍😍“

“Atmosphere, food on point“

“old school~ great food~ great host~ a treasure~“

“My dinner at Kanpai Sushi in Santa Monica was nothing short of extraordinary. Chef Yoshi is a true master sushi chef. While he may not be new to the craft, his skill, precision, and deep understanding of traditional sushi brought me back to a time when sushi was simply done right.

In fact, Chef Yoshi could probably serve me a shoelace, and it would be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.

Everything was exceptionally fresh. The wasabi had a vibrant freshness that elevated every bite, and the ginger practically melted in my mouth. I sampled as much toro as I could possibly eat, along with an incredible selection of fish that showcased Chef Yoshi’s mastery and attention to detail.

The Kumamoto oysters were so delicious they made me want to kiss my fingers and thank the heavens. The uni was phenomenal and remains one of my favorite bites of the evening. However, the biggest surprise was the seared salmon belly. It was my first time trying salmon prepared that way, and it absolutely blew my mind.

Instead of ending the meal with dessert, I finished with a hand roll that combined fresh tuna and crispy shrimp tempura, topped with eel sauce. The contrast of cool, fresh tuna and warm, crunchy shrimp tempura created an unforgettable bite and was a complete game changer.

I’ve been eating sushi since I was 18 years old, and now well into my 50s, I can confidently say this is the best sushi restaurant I have ever experienced. Beyond the incredible food, the staff was attentive, professional, and genuinely respectful throughout the entire evening.

I have officially found my favorite sushi spot.

Thank you, Chef Yoshi. I’ll be back very soon.

— Linda“

“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“

“The best aperitive in LA, with Salvo at 12-12 a wonderful location. Thanks a lot“

“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“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“Great food and even better service.“

“great food and huge servings.“

“AMAZING food and drinks. Purely fresh and tastes fantastic. I can’t wait to come back. ♥️♥️♥️“

“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!“