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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Santa Monica

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91 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge restaurant
1. Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
4.4
Awesome(852)
Price: Expensive
• French • Santa Monica
Booked 18 times today
Experience the "Joie de Vivre"At LouLou, food, entertainment, fashion, and art converge into a unique, one-of-a-kind destination.LouLou’s carefully crafted menus showcase French Mediterranean flavors with a classic California twist, while honoring the generosity of artisanal and homemade ingredients, as well as local organic produce.A carefully selected wine list offers a tasteful array of wines from both France and CaliforniaNever bowing to the ordinary, whether it’s a legendary brunch, after work cocktails, elegant dinner, or corporate event, LouLou will always deliver an experience to remember.Ample parking is available in the building. We are located on the rooftop level. Suite 300
A photo of Xuntos restaurant
2. Xuntos
4.8
Exceptional(147)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 3 times today
XUNTOS, "together" in Gallego, is a Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, serving small plates of things we want you to try: from the farmer's market around the corner to traditional dishes of Galicia, Asturias, Catalunya & the Basque Country, as they're eaten in Spain.The wines follow the food: natural, fun & unrefined–joined at the bar with Spanish twists on classic cocktails, plus vermouths, sherries & cold cervezas.Walk in to the bar for Xuntanza from 5-7pm, Tuesday-Saturday!Please email us for large parties & private dining: hola@barxuntos.comValidated parking is available across the street at 501 Santa Monica Blvd (Enter on 5th St.): $7 for 3 hours.
A photo of Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica restaurant
3. Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica
4.5
Awesome(66)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Santa Monica
Booked 9 times today
Kappo (かっぽう / 割烹) means cooking food with knives and fire. In simple Japanese terms, means cutting, chopping and cooking food with knife, and so on. And means boiling, cooking food with fire. So the combination of these two Japanese characters are a different expression of cooking with a knife and fire. Kappo is a dish that is improvised by the customer's order and can be enjoyed at the counter or at the table just in front of the kitchen without much formality. From now on, Kappo will be held in Miyabi restaurant, Santa Monica. Miyabi (雅) is one of the traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals, meaning "elegance," "graceful" and "courtliness". There are a lot of complexities of Japanese cuisine, including not only food, but also visitors, music, and order of food. So, there is a burden because of the needlessly cumbersome, expensive, and unnecessary formalities, and we focus on foods that are only used to show off the cooking skills of the chefs and customers.
A photo of Telefèric Barcelona - Los Angeles restaurant
4. Telefèric Barcelona - Los Angeles
4.5
Awesome(745)
Price: Expensive
• Spanish • Brentwood
Booked 39 times today
Get ready to experience the taste of Spain with Telefèric Barcelona. Our journey started thirty years ago in the heart of Barcelona, Spain and we are now thrilled to bring our passion and expertise to Brentwood. Our team of talented chefs and mixologists are eager to showcase the best of Spanish cuisine with our menu featuring a mouth-watering selection of tapas, paellas, and hand-crafted cocktails. With every bite, you'll be transported to the bustling markets of Barcelona. Join us for a unique and unforgettable dining experience, where we promise to delight your senses with our authentic flavors and warm hospitality. We can't wait to share our culture and gastronomy with you.
A photo of RED O Cantina - Santa Monica restaurant
5. RED O Cantina - Santa Monica
4.3
Awesome(856)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 13 times today
What better location to enjoy award-winning cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails, than sitting directly across from the legendary Santa Monica pier? This vibrant city-meets-the-ocean destination is a local favorite. With a beautifully appointed interior and an intimate back patio, RED O Cantina is an oasis of elegance, comfort and beauty. Our culinary team and waitstaff work hand-in-hand to deliver an unforgettable dining experience to each and every one of our guests.
A photo of Blue Plate Oysterette restaurant
6. Blue Plate Oysterette
4.7
Exceptional(1577)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Monica
Booked 16 times today
Blue Plate Oysterette was inspired by East Hampton summer lobster bakes and mouthwatering lunches at Montauk’s favorite roadside eateries. With influences like Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary’s Fish Camp in New York, Oysterette serves lunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu straight out of the seafood shacks you find on the East Coast. Chunky, overflowing lobster rolls, buckets of steamed clams in broth so flavorful that bread demands to be dunked, clam chowder, mussels in broth, ceviche, and raw shellfish so fresh you can smell the ocean. Filling the void in the Westside restaurant scene for a casual, beachy, seafood restaurant and buzzing neighborhood vibe appealing to both surfers and studio heads.
A photo of LA Puglia restaurant
7. LA Puglia
4.7
Exceptional(255)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 11 times today
LA Puglia is a gem in Santa Monica offering an authentic Italian experience. It's praised for its flavorful dishes like fresh orecchiette with brasciole and unique Apulian focaccia. As one reviewer said, the taste of the pastas resembled home-made food in Puglia. The restaurant's decor, described as sophisticated with an artistic touch, adds to the overall ambiance. So, even though it may require a drive, LA Puglia is worth it!
A photo of Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue restaurant
8. Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue
4.4
Awesome(131)
Price: Moderate
• Unspecified • Santa Monica
Booked 3 times today
When LA beach life calls, Sugar Palm is the answer. Viceroy Santa Monica's singular dining and nightlife destination is a sweeping, indoor-outdoor scene where laid-back vibes ripple far beyond the poolside. You'll tap into the coastal energy in each of its vibrant spaces: wraparound indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor dining terrace, modern dining room, coffee bistro, and poolside cabanas. From latte-spiked mornings to cocktail-splashed nights, you'll be inspired to unwind under the palms and let the ocean breeze find you.
A photo of Manchego restaurant
9. Manchego
4.8
Exceptional(1122)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 4 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 Chinois on Main restaurant
10. Chinois on Main
4.7
Exceptional(2362)
Price: Very Expensive
• Chinese • Santa Monica
Booked 7 times today
Wolfgang Puck's second restaurant opened in 1983. A unique blend of Chinese and French fusion explodes with flavors unheard of before. Imitated but yet never captured to this day this fusion of flavors keeps you craving and coming back for more. The food is served family style, creating a fun sharing experience that brings people together. The trend setting open kitchen where you can sit and eat while you watch the dance of the chefs working in unison. ***If you are interested in reserving our dining counter please make a request while making a reservation since seating is very limited***

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Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Santa Monica

Discover the culinary treasures of Los Angeles' Westside, specifically in Santa Monica, where "worth the drive" eateries offer unforgettable dining experiences. These restaurants, celebrated for their unique atmospheres and exceptional cuisine, provide a variety of dining options from sophisticated Italian to classic British pub fare. Santa Monica itself is a vibrant dining scene, blending beachside charm with culinary innovation, making it a destination for food lovers seeking quality and ambiance. Whether you're craving handmade pastas, fresh seafood, or a hearty traditional meal, these establishments promise mouthwatering dishes that justify any travel distance. Each restaurant stands out not just for their food, but also for their service and setting, ensuring a dining experience that's worth the effort. So, if you're looking for an outstanding meal that's a cut above the rest, consider these gems in Santa Monica as your go-to spots for a truly remarkable feast.

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