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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Santa Monica

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46 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Capo restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1325)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 9 times today
Capo, with its modern Italian cuisine, offers a rustic yet elegant dining room with high-beamed ceilings, flickering candles, museum quality art collection, and a large Tuscan-style fireplace where the chefs prepare much of our menu. Capo has an extensive wine list, earning Wine Spectator's top award, and a classic cocktail bar where our guests can enjoy our full menu alongside the warmth of the fireplace.
A photo of Blue Plate Oysterette restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1589)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Monica
Booked 30 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 RED O Cantina - Santa Monica restaurant
4.0
Excellent(861)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 8 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 Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(134)
Price: Moderate
• Unspecified • Santa Monica
Booked 2 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 Papille Gustative restaurant
4.3
Awesome(180)
Price: Moderate
• Farm-to-table • Santa Monica
Booked 6 times today
Papille Gustative LAFarm to table, seasonal Artisan foods, single origin, sustainably grown and certified Coffees and Teas, as well as local craft beers and organic, biodynamic wines. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch . A low impact, Zero waste facility located in Santa Monica CA. Cozy private room and patio. One block to the Santa Monica beach.
A photo of Chinois on Main restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2367)
Price: Very Expensive
• Chinese • Santa Monica
Booked 6 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***
A photo of AOC - Brentwood restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3356)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Brentwood
Booked 19 times today
A.O.C is a small plates restaurant driven by seasonal ingredients, locally sourced. Our California French cuisine was developed by Chef Suzanne Goin, and has some Mediterranean influences as well. We have a large selection of wines by the glass and over 150 bottles chose from, curated by Caroline Styne, all of witch are either organic, biodynamic or sustainable. Featuring a full bar with premium spirits and specialty cocktails.
A photo of Piccolo Santa Monica restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(612)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 7 times today
Piccolo Santa Monica is a neighborhood gem that serves up traditional Italian cuisine with a twist. The restaurant is known for its home-made pastas and fresh fish dishes, not to mention its phenomenal specialty cocktails and wine list. Reviewers consistently praise the food, service, and ambiance, with one noting it as a 'go to' neighborhood restaurant. Its intimate setting, knowledgeable staff, and delicious food make it worth the drive.
A photo of Toscana - Brentwood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1089)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Brentwood
Booked 16 times today
Toscana, a legendary Tuscan restaurant in Brentwood, has been celebrating the authentic, rustic flavors of Tuscany for 36 years. Known for its warm, trattoria-style setting and farm-to-table philosophy, Toscana remains a top destination for Italian cuisine in Los Angeles.Led by Executive Chef Miguel Martinez, the menu features wood-fired specialties like Florentine Bistecca, Prime T-Bone, Prime Filet Mignon, and the Al Michaels Prime New York Steak, named after one of Toscana’s most devoted guests. Handmade pasta, including Ravioli Pomodoro and Gnocchi, are menu highlights, with Spaghetti Pomodoro as a perennial favorite. The Insalata Carciofi, a fresh artichoke salad, is another beloved classic. Wood-fired pizzas, daily specials, and handmade desserts such as Tiramisu, Chocolate Tart, and Torta della Nonna complete the experience.Toscana’s award-winning wine list, recognized annually by Wine Spectator, showcases exceptional Italian varietals. Family meals are are also available.
A photo of Sirocco restaurant
4.0
Excellent(479)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Bel-Air
Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel’s restaurant, Sirocco, presents a Californian Bistro style menu. Highlighting the seasonality of Southern California's ingredients, while also pulling culinary inspiration from our richly diverse home of Los Angeles. Located in Brentwood moments away from The Getty Center, stop in for a quick lunch or secluded dinner with indoor or patio dining available throughout the day.

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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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