Famous for its iconic pier and highly walkable Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica has something for everyone when it comes to restaurants. While there are plenty of tourist traps to watch out for and many places that don’t necessarily stand out, the city is chock-full of hidden gems and noteworthy destinations, too. From casual hangs perfect any time of day to fine dining destinations that require planning, here are the best Santa Monica restaurants to try.
New to this update: Eater added the fine dining Indian restaurant Fitoor, Ghisallo, and historic favorite, Chez Jay. We also added back Golden Bull, which temporarily closed following impacts from the Palisades Fire. We removed Orla, Bay Cities Italian Deli, and the now-closed Layla restaurant.
Dining and Cooking