Santa Monica’s dining scene reflects the city itself. Polished yet relaxed, coastal in spirit but serious about quality, and shaped by a rare balance of global influence and local abundance. Long known for its oceanfront lifestyle and creative energy, the city has quietly developed one of SoCal’s most compelling culinary landscapes, where Michelin-starred fine dining, neighborhood staples, and destination restaurants coexist within a few walkable miles. Chefs here cook with an acute awareness of seasonality, proximity to farmers and fishermen, and an audience that values both excellence and ease, resulting in restaurants that feel refined without rigidity and ambitious without excess. From white tablecloth institutions that embrace old-world luxury to sun-soaked dining rooms built for brunch and social gatherings, Santa Monica offers a breadth of experiences that reward both intention and spontaneity. It is a city where great meals are as much about atmosphere and context as they are about what is on the plate, and where the best restaurants understand how to deliver memorable food while remaining deeply connected to their surroundings. Here are the city’s best dining experiences.
Mélisse has been a defining Santa Monica address since Chef Josiah Citrin opened the restaurant in 1999, and more than two decades later, it remains a benchmark for a style of fine dining that feels immune to trend cycles, grounded in elegance, discipline, and unapologetic indulgence. Holding two Michelin stars, Citrin’s flagship has evolved thoughtfully over the years while remaining committed to offering an experience that never goes out of style, beginning with the discreet side entrance that immediately signals something more private and intentional than a typical night out. Inside, the enclosed dining room balances a subtly underground, almost secretive energy with classic luxury, creating an intimate setting where impeccable tables, refined glassware, and composed service set the tone for the evening. The experience leans heavily into ceremony, with attentive pacing, confident tableside finishing, and a level of polish that feels increasingly rare in contemporary tasting menu culture. The cuisine embraces French decadence filtered through California abundance, delivering intricate canapés and composed courses built around premium ingredients such as truffles, wagyu, uni, and crab, all presented with clarity and restraint rather than excess for its own sake. At Mélisse, indulgence is not ironic or nostalgic, but purposeful, confident, and meticulously executed, reinforcing why it continues to stand among the most important dining rooms in Santa Monica and beyond.
Rustic Canyon has long been one of Santa Monica’s most dependable and quietly influential dining rooms, a restaurant that manages to feel both deeply approachable and consistently excellent no matter the night of the week. Rooted in a philosophy of seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking, it reflects a California sensibility that values restraint, balance, and sincerity over excess, making it as appealing for a casual neighborhood dinner as it is for a more considered night out. The menu shifts with the seasons and the local harvest, often highlighting the fresh vegetables with the same care and intention as proteins, resulting in dishes that feel thoughtful without being precious and refined without losing their sense of comfort. Pastas, roasted meats, pristine fish, and impeccably composed sides arrive with clarity and confidence, supported by a wine program that leans into California producers while remaining broad and food-friendly. What sets Rustic Canyon apart is its consistency and versatility. It is the kind of place that delivers whether you stop in for a spontaneous weeknight meal or plan for a longer, more leisurely evening, offering a level of execution that never calls attention to itself yet never disappoints. In a dining landscape often defined by extremes, Rustic Canyon endures by doing something far more difficult: making excellent food feel natural, welcoming, and reliably satisfying every single time.
Vibes, vibes, and more vibes. A newish entry on the list, Fia Steak stands as Santa Monica’s most compelling modern steakhouse, a place that channels old school indulgence through a distinctly contemporary lens while delivering some of the city’s most impressive dry-aged beef. Tucked into an intimate, mood-driven dining room, the restaurant immediately sets a sultry, vibey tone, with low lighting, plush textures, and a sense of energy that feels both glamorous and inviting. The atmosphere recalls classic steakhouse swagger without the stiffness, creating a space that feels ideal for celebratory dinners, late nights, and occasions that call for a little drama. At the center of the experience are the steaks themselves, meticulously dry-aged and cooked with confidence, delivering deep flavor, proper char, and a richness that feels unapologetically indulgent. Classic accompaniments and sides are executed with the same care, reinforcing the idea that this is old school done right rather than reinvented for novelty. Service strikes a balance between polished and personable, guiding the meal with ease while allowing the room’s energy to remain intact. What ultimately sets Fia Steak apart is its ability to marry atmosphere and execution, offering a steakhouse experience that feels sexy, relevant, and deeply satisfying, while honoring the timeless appeal of great beef, strong drinks, and a room that knows exactly what it wants to be.
SELINE is a restaurant built around surprise, tension, and release, delivering a tasting menu experience that feels more like a carefully staged performance than a conventional dinner. Under the direction of Chef Dave Beran, the evening unfolds with a sense of quiet confidence, inviting diners to let go of expectations and trust the rhythm of the experience. The room is intimate and composed, creating a focused atmosphere where each moment feels intentional and immersive, and where the boundaries between sweet and savory are intentionally blurred. Courses arrive with a sense of drama that never tips into gimmickry, using contrast and progression to keep diners engaged and slightly off balance in the best possible way. Ice cream might appear alongside savory elements, or familiar flavors may be reframed in unexpected contexts, reinforcing the idea that nothing is confined to a single role. Tableside moments and thoughtful pacing add to the sense of occasion, making the meal feel dynamic and alive rather than static. What makes SELINE exceptional is the way the experience unfolds as a cohesive narrative, challenging diners to stay present and curious while rewarding them with depth, precision, and emotional resonance. It is a restaurant that embraces risk with discipline, delivering a dining experience that feels cerebral, luxurious, and quietly thrilling from beginning to end.
Citrin represents the more relaxed yet still highly polished side of Chef Josiah Citrin’s culinary world, offering a refined dining experience that feels contemporary, confident, and perfectly suited to Santa Monica’s coastal rhythm. Designed as a modern expression of California cuisine filtered through classical technique, the Michelin-starred restaurant strikes a balance between sophistication and approachability, making it equally fitting for a celebratory evening or an elevated spontaneous dinner. The dining room is stylish and energetic without feeling overwhelming, reinforcing the idea that this is a restaurant driven by craft rather than ceremony. The menu is flexible and expansive, moving comfortably between pristine seafood, carefully sourced meats, and vibrant seasonal produce, all executed with precision and restraint. Citrus-driven sauces, thoughtful garnishes, and layered textures reflect Citrin’s French training while maintaining a distinctly Californian sense of freshness and balance. Service is polished yet relaxed, delivering a sense of occasion without formality, and the wine program is deep and considered, designed to support the menu rather than overshadow it. What has made Citrin endure is its versatility and consistency. It delivers high-level cooking without pretense, offering a dining experience that feels current, welcoming, and reliably excellent, a place that proves fine dining can still feel vibrant, comfortable, and relevant in Santa Monica night after night.
Elephante has become one of Santa Monica’s most popular brunch and fun-occasion destinations by pairing an unbeatable coastal setting with food that is as craveable as it is approachable. Perched above the ocean, the restaurant offers sweeping views and sun-drenched energy that set the tone for a relaxed, celebratory experience, while the breezy, design-forward space keeps the mood light, social, and unmistakably fun. The cuisine leans Mediterranean with strong Italian influences, built around bright flavors, fresh ingredients, and dishes designed to be shared, making it especially well-suited to brunch and daytime dining. House-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and vibrant salads anchor the menu, alongside brunch-friendly plates that balance comfort and freshness, all meant to be enjoyed without overthinking. The food is supported by a lively cocktail program that shines in daylight, featuring spritzes, citrus-driven drinks, and playful takes on classics that complement the coastal vibe. Service keeps pace with the room’s energy, attentive but relaxed, allowing the atmosphere to remain easygoing and upbeat. What makes Elephante such a favorite is how effortlessly it brings everything together, casual but polished food, excellent drinks, and some of the best views in Santa Monica, creating a brunch experience that feels joyful, repeatable, and perfectly in sync with its surroundings.
Shunji remains one of Santa Monica’s most quietly serious dining experiences, a restaurant that places absolute trust in craft, restraint, and the intelligence of the diner. Helmed by sushi master Shunji Nakao, the intimate counter-driven space strips the experience down to its essentials, allowing the focus to remain squarely on fish quality, technique, and rhythm rather than atmosphere or theatrics. The omakase unfolds deliberately, guided by seasonality and Nakao’s precise sourcing, with pristine cuts of fish treated minimally to showcase texture, temperature, and natural sweetness. Rice is seasoned with care, knife work is exacting, and each piece arrives with an understanding of balance that reflects decades of discipline. There is a calm intensity to the experience, a sense that nothing is rushed and nothing is accidental, as the meal moves seamlessly from delicate white fish to richer, more expressive selections. Service is respectful and unobtrusive, reinforcing the feeling that guests are participants in a focused exchange rather than an audience. Shunji is not about trends or dramatic gestures; it is about mastery, patience, and purity, offering one of the most authentic and rewarding expressions of traditional Edomae-style sushi in Santa Monica for those willing to slow down and listen.
Pasjoli is one of Santa Monica’s most irresistible dining rooms, a modern French bistro from Chef Dave Beran that manages to feel both effortlessly charming and unmistakably serious about food. The space itself sets the tone, breezy and energetic, with exposed wood beams, brick walls, and gleaming white kitchen tile that give the room a sense of warmth and movement as cooks and servers flow seamlessly through service. The menu embraces an unapologetically French point of view, leaning into richness, technique, and indulgence with confidence, beginning with signature starters such as brioche spread with chicken liver mousse and shallot truffle jam or bay scallops bathed in green garlic beurre blanc. Many dishes are designed for two, encouraging a communal, leisurely style of dining that feels perfectly in step with the bistro spirit. At the top of the experience is the pressed duck, a tableside spectacle and a pinnacle of luxury that anchors the menu with old-world grandeur and precision. Desserts continue the theme of classic comfort done right, with options like a deeply satisfying chocolate soufflé paired with vanilla ice cream or a strawberry tart finished with softly whipped cream, offering a graceful conclusion. For those without time for a full meal, the elegant marble bar provides its own draw, inviting guests to settle in for Champagne, Osetra caviar, and blinis while still absorbing the lively energy of the room.
