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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Santa Monica

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51 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Blue Plate Taco restaurant
1. Blue Plate Taco
4.5
Awesome(971)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 16 times today
Blue Plate Taco is a coastal Baja-meets-Santa Monica destination on Ocean Ave. We are dedicates to creating all our food from scratch including the agua frescas and margaritas from the bar, the tortillas are made by hand fresh all day, and our salsas are made daily. The entire menu is fresh, light and delicious. We hold most of our tables for walk-ins so if you don't see any reservations, don't fret! We'll get you seated after a short wait while you're admiring the Pacific and taking in the famous Santa Monica pier.Reservations are limited to 90 minutes, we hold reservations for 10 minutes.
A photo of Élephante - Santa Monica restaurant
2. Élephante - Santa Monica
4.5
Awesome(1316)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 259 times today
Chic destination for elevated Italian cuisine in breezy, loungelike dining areas with ocean views.
A photo of Calabra at Santa Monica Proper restaurant
3. Calabra at Santa Monica Proper
4.8
Exceptional(1565)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Santa Monica
Booked 67 times today
Calabra at Santa Monica Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key 2024) is located on the hotel's rooftop. The elevated garden terrace provides an inspiring atmosphere, with the ocean as a backdrop. Whether from the pool sundeck or circular bar, the views are best enjoyed with dinner, boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. Serving Mediterranean & Californian cuisine with a view. Seating arrangements for all reservations at Calabra may include outdoor dining, bar area, as well as our indoor/ outdoor covered lounge space. Be sure to dress warmly.**Dinner reservations are for dining only. Drinks will be accommodated upon first come first serve at the bar area. Private Couch Alcoves are available with a rental and minimum spend**
A photo of 1212 Santa Monica restaurant
4. 1212 Santa Monica
4.6
Exceptional(1771)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Monica
Booked 49 times today
1212 Santa Monica is a unique New American Cuisine restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica on the Third Street Promenade. Our menu highlights the palette and diversity of the SoCal landscape. Complimenting the food, our beverage program includes select wines and creative cocktails to enhance your dining experience.Join us for All Night Happy Hour starting daily at 5pm & Bottomless Brunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with bottomless mimosas for only $28. On specific Saturdays & Sunday brunches we charge a $10 Entertainment Fee for those enjoying drag shows in our Main Dining Area.Enjoy the beautiful beach weather on the patio, or indoors in our massive dining room. Plan a private event or meeting on our Balcony, Private Dining Room or Patio.
A photo of Wally's Santa Monica restaurant
5. Wally's Santa Monica
4.8
Exceptional(108)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Monica
Booked 35 times today
Experience Santa Monica’s favorite location for fine food and wine. Wally’s Santa Monica is a hybrid concept that encapsulates the finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods to provide a one-stop shop for everything delicious. From chill afternoon apps and cocktails, to decadent caviar service—whether you’re in a tuxedo, or just coming from the office—our vibe is ideal for any occasion that calls for enjoying great food and drinks. You can explore our peerless selection of rare spirits, extraordinary seasonal menu, over 100 wines available by-the-glass, and shop the gourmet counter for specialty meats, cheeses, and artisanal chocolates.
A photo of Wabi on Rose restaurant
6. Wabi on Rose
4.5
Awesome(1312)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Venice
Booked 41 times today
This local hot spot suffered a fire in 2018 and triumphantly returned in 2020. With Chef Rain's innovative cuisine and vibrant bar scene, Wabi on Rose embodies the Rose Avenue lifestyle. Sexy, contemporary design, frames this hip spot with a chic outdoor seating area. Neighborhood regulars enjoy the fresh-caught, Pacific Rim, sushi inspired menu,and live fire grill. Swimsuit to business suit, all are welcome.
A photo of Manchego restaurant
7. Manchego
4.7
Exceptional(1118)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 30 times today
Manchego also offers walk-ins!Manchego is a Spanish Tapas restaurant in Santa Monica that focuses on delicious small plates and a cozy atmosphere. We recently relocated a few doors down, to a larger space with a romantic patio in the back.Manchego has always been one of the best kept secrets in Santa Monica, and now locals can enjoy our bigger, more accommodating space that offers outside dining on our beautiful patio. Always a great spot for romantic dates or meeting up with friends and family.We also added a specially curated Spanish wine list that offers mainly small-production, unique wines. Our Spanish wine distributor spends his time traveling the Spanish countryside, sourcing hard to find wines from small, mom-and-pop wineries. The wine list also includes a few South American selections and a great local, organic wine.Follow us on instagram at instagram.com/manchegorestaurant
A photo of The Waterfront Venice restaurant
8. The Waterfront Venice
4.4
Awesome(188)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Venice
Booked 14 times today
The Waterfront Venice is a California Beer Garden with views of the Pacific Ocean. Situated between Rose and Navy on the famous Venice beach Boardwalk, our food & beverage menus celebrate California with carefully selected seasonal produce from local farms.
A photo of Farmshop LA restaurant
9. Farmshop LA
4.9
Exceptional(561)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Brentwood
Booked 53 times today
In 2010, chef Jeff Cerciello opened Farmshop in a space that denotes rustic elegance. Located in the beautiful Brentwood Country Mart, bordering Santa Monica, the restaurant has become a dining destination featuring the very best local ingredients, simply prepared, served in casual fine dining style.
A photo of The Courtyard Kitchen restaurant
10. The Courtyard Kitchen
4.7
Exceptional(110)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Santa Monica
Booked 27 times today
The Courtyard Kitchen is located in a historic landmark building on Montana Ave, Santa Monica. We are a full service bar and restaurant with 4 different dining spaces ranging from old world charm to contemporary upscale dining. We pride ourselves in our Neapolitan style pizza, vacation inspired Mediterranean cuisine and favourite American Brunch classics.

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