50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Santa Monica

“Overall the food just wasn't very good. The bruschetta was just plain bad. Mushy. The peas were prepared like edamame and did not taste like fresh peas at all. The corn dish was good but not great. My husband likes almost any Brussel sprouts but barely ate these. He had some ribs which he liked and I had some spaghetti which I thought was good but not great. My drink was okay and he liked his beer. Disappointing.“

“Excellent food and fantastic service😊“

“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.“

“Yum! I have to admit, I did not realize it was vegetarian when I walked in. I decided to give it a try anyway. I ordered the mato monster. The flavor was amazing! I couldn’t tell if all of that flavor was coming from the bread or the sauce on the sprouts…but it was amazing. Service was great too.“

“The pasta was delicious, but we had to wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged, and when they did take our order, it was for everything and they “ran out of bread we run out all the time” at 7pm on a saturday. Restaurant 101: greet guests quickly, offer them some wine / drinks, even if you’re delayed on taking their order. Also offer more salad options or appetizers and we would’ve easily ordered dessert if it was offered.“

“This is my go-to spot with my cousin and some girlfriends. We usually get the mushroom pizza and the garlic bread knot. The drinks are always great (we alternate between their cocktails and the wines). We especially love the outdoor patio area—the ambiance is nice and relaxed. It's a spot that we will definitely come back to again and again.“

“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 !“

“Such a fun spot with a playful vibe. We tried the fries and they definitely did not disappoint—crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for dipping. The variety of sauce options is a huge plus and makes it easy to customize your order. Great place for classic vegan fast food when you’re craving something indulgent and satisfying. Updated from previous review on 2026-01-04“

“This place was awesome, super local clientele. The food was nice, server was really busy but did a decent job, the restaurant was pretty slammed when we got there. We ordered the salmon and the chicken plate. Both were great, we also ordered the Cesar which was really good. Would recommend for sure, would go back.“

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

“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“

“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“

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

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

“Delicious food and drinks“

“We had an amazing experience at this restaurant! The food was fresh, flavorful, and pancakes were fluffy, the eggs were perfectly cooked, I had chilaquiles it was delicious 😋 and the coffee was always hot and delicious. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming perfect for starting the day off right. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“A pleasant pitstop while traversing the beach. The food is great, staff very polite and friendly. Would post a Pic but this isn't that type of place. Very chill, put your phone away and enjoy the beach, volleyball courts and smiling passers.“

“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!“

“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.“

“The food and service was awesome. The millionaire bacon is just the bees knees. My small gripe is that all the food leans more sweet than savory but it's literally called sweet maple. I'd lean straight into their sweet oriented food because it's soooo good.“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“Nice place 😋😎 fast service 👌“

“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.“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

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

“Great place for delicious breakfast, after a good brisk morning walk.
I had a fresh omelet, with mushrooms, onions and cheese. I added fresh toasted slices of sourdough bread and a cup of Americano coffee (stronger than regular coffee). Not a long wait, comfortable seating, attentive server, made it a complete pleasant meal.“

“Fun Saturday brunch in Santa Monica. The endless mimosas are the bomb and the food was delicious and nicely presented. The Lobster Benedict was amazing and then I finished it off with the French Toast served with bourbon whipped cream, candied pecans and crumbled bacon. Enjoyable time in a rustic environment. Vote for “Pedro” our amazing waiter who kept our glasses full.“

“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. “

“We had a great experience at our first time visit here. We celebrated my son's birthday and brought in a cake. The food was amazing except for the Alaskan salmon that they substituted from what we originally ordered. They have an all day happy hour on Monday to Thursday. The service was excellent and the servers even sang happy birthday when they brought out the cake. The place was nice and clean and it wasn't crowded when we dined. The only problem was the people on the next table were too loud and there was no wall dividing them to our table so the guy sitting behind my son's girlfriend keeps on bumping into her every time he moved. We will definitely go back here.“

“Stopped in after an errand on an early weekday evening. Forgotten how much I enjoy being there. Above all, a wonderful, welcoming staff. Sat in the bar area at a table, the gentleman bartender is just so outgoing & friendly, wait staff is great too. A nice happy hour menu, but ordered off the regular menu with a glass of great wine.

Only callout to management. You have a great vibe with awesome staff. Upgrade your menu for customers who want more for dinner, than what everyone else on Main St serves: burgers, tacos, fried options. Your food quality & presentation is great, just don’t be content with “bar food”. You are sandwiched between multiple bars, sushi & Mexican food and nowhere on the street is there a nice, casual mid priced venue. You can do better on the menu & also add some more premium wines by the glass. The neighborhood will appreciate it.“

“Best nik naks & steak strips ever!“

“Delicioso!!!!! Muy recomendado“

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

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

“😍😍 😍pretty Tasty Pizza😍😍😍“

“Atmosphere, food on point“

“Perfect in Italian American food that really hit the spot. The boys ate the buttered pasta like it was gold and my wife and I enjoyed the entrees, I had gnocchi and it was perfect. The staff were wonderful and very kind to us with two littles, but I also really enjoyed how kind and involved they were with each other.“

“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“

“The perfect burger and delicious fries. 100% delicate... 👍“

“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!“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“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!“

“This place is awesome! I’m so confused as to why there’s not more people in here right now. The staff is so friendly and were welcoming from the moment I walked in! The food was incredible, and even rivals what I have had in Japan. Stop here if you can!“

“Great food and even better service.“

“Father’s Office in Santa Monica feels like a masterclass from someone who’s seen the world, cut the fluff, and come home to serve only what matters.

You walk in and the room has that quiet confidence of a place built by people who believe in standards, not suggestions. The Office Burger lands like a sermon dry aged beef, blue cheese, sweet onions, arugula all working together with the kind of bold harmony that makes you wonder why anyone ever asked for ketchup in the first place.

The staff moves with the precision of people who care, not because it’s cute but because details are the difference between forgettable and unforgettable. There’s humor in the attitude too a kind of “we’re protecting you from your own bad taste” wink that somehow makes you trust them more. It’s smart, it’s flavorful, it’s unapologetically itself, and walking out you feel like you just tasted something honest in a world that keeps trying to sell you shortcuts.“

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

“Great food and drinks 🍹 really good 👍🏾“

“Absolutely brilliant. Great Guinness“