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😊“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Had an incredible meal here on a Thursday night. Our server Ivette was /phenomenal/, truly the best service i’ve received at a restaurant in quite some time. the food was delightful. I was blown away by the delicious sauce in the squid ink pasta. The pesto was also excellent. after dessert, had to get a second tiramisu to go, it was just that good.“

“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.“

“Absolutely loved my experience at Lunetta! The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. Everything came together perfectly for a wonderful dining experience. Definitely a 5-star spot in Santa Monica—I’d happily come back again!“

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

“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“

“Delicious food and drinks“

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

“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.“

“I'm visiting from Japan, and a local recommended this place to us. It was perfect for our family with kids, especially with the beach so close by. The restrooms were also very clean. We really enjoyed our visit and would love to come back again!“

“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“

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

“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 place and a fun place to be“

“Kappo Miyabi is a hidden gem. I work at a nearby hotel and I'm always happy to recommend this restaurant to our guests for an authentic Japanese meal. The menu has a great selection and the fish is super fresh. If you are looking for a lowkey, neighborhood feel and want to support a mom and pop that really cares, you should definitely check this place out.“

“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.“

“There was a 30 min wait that ended up being about 15 mins. Everything we ordered came out pretty fast and tasted amazing! The chicken dumplings were filling and comes with a tasty sauce. The Oxtail Noodle soup was delicate and tasteful as well! My favorite was Black Pepper Beef plate! I confirmed That’s what I smelled while walking past the restaurant on a previous day! 5 out of 5 stars“

“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.“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“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!“

“Nice place 😋😎 fast service 👌“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“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!“

“Had a wonderful brunch at Fig Restaurant! The setting overlooking the pool was beautiful and relaxing. We ordered the Fig Cobb Salad and Eggs & Steak, and both were delicious. The service was friendly and attentive as well. Make sure to ask for their steak sauce, it’s amazing! Definitely a great spot for a special brunch.“

“Great food and drinks 🍹 really good 👍🏾“

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

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

“Delicioso!!!!! Muy recomendado“

“Sweet Maple was absolutely amazing! The food was delicious, the vibes were on point, and the staff made my birthday feel extra special. They even came out singing “Happy Birthday” to me and surprised me with the cutest dessert!Everyone joined in and sang along, and it honestly made the whole experience so memorable. The energy was definitely HIGH, and I felt so celebrated! I would absolutely recommend Sweet Maple and will definitely be back!“

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

“😍😍 😍pretty Tasty Pizza😍😍😍“

“Atmosphere, food on point“

“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.“

“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.“

“Manager KI Bae is a true Service oriented Manager, his attention to detail, customer service was beyond exceptional. His genuine sincerity is a true testament there is still individuals that care about their performance. The entire staff was great and the main reason why we frequently attend the Santa Monica location“

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

“I’ve come to Kanpai since they opened and never had a bad meal. It’s our go-to Japanese comfort food place in Santa Monica. Love the selection of freshest sashimi and sushi. Excellent cooked dishes and best yuzu ramen in LA. Servers are really friendly and attentive. Happy Hour menu and 50% hand rolls are a great deal. Also love the plenty parking spaces in the rear.“

“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“

“Great food and even better service.“

“I’ve been coming to Z Garden for years and it never disappoints. The falafel is absolutely delicious—crunchy on the outside, tender inside, and seriously mouthwatering. The chicken shawarma plates are just as good: savory, flavorful, and always satisfying. Great Mediterranean food, generous plates, and the kind of neighborhood spot I’m always happy to come back to.“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“great food and huge servings.“