Sean’s guidebook
Local Food Scene
Sweet Rose Creamery
225 26th StBest.Ice.Cream.Ever
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StExcellent pizza. INSANELY good cookies.
Little Prince LA
2424 Main StExcellent brunch! Best cinnamon roll ever!!!
Probably the best restaurant in Santa Monica. Err, make that the Westside. Err, possibly in the city. I LOVE this place! Tremendous Asian fusion food and stunning space! One of the toughest reservations to get these days, but it’s a big space with a fair amount of bar and communal seating if you want to try to just show up.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Cassia
1314 7th StProbably the best restaurant in Santa Monica. Err, make that the Westside. Err, possibly in the city. I LOVE this place! Tremendous Asian fusion food and stunning space! One of the toughest reservations to get these days, but it’s a big space with a fair amount of bar and communal seating if you want to try to just show up.
My other favorite Santa Monica restaurant (along with Cassia). Tremendous food and atmosphere! Most things are cooked in a wood fired oven and they use different flavors of wood on different nights, so even the standbys change slightly from night to night. Highlights include the peas, carrots, and the ricotta gnocchi.
83 personas locales recomiendan
Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica BoulevardMy other favorite Santa Monica restaurant (along with Cassia). Tremendous food and atmosphere! Most things are cooked in a wood fired oven and they use different flavors of wood on different nights, so even the standbys change slightly from night to night. Highlights include the peas, carrots, and the ricotta gnocchi.
Possibly the best thin crust pizza I have ever had! They ingeniously figured out how to prevent it from getting soggy. They even have an amazing gluten free version.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Pizzana Brentwood
11712 San Vicente BlvdPossibly the best thin crust pizza I have ever had! They ingeniously figured out how to prevent it from getting soggy. They even have an amazing gluten free version.
Great place to enjoy Josiah Citrin’s cooking without paying Melisse pricing. Both the meat and veggie dishes are amazing. Favorites include the lamb tartare, smoky lamb ribs & flank steak, broccolini, baked cabbage and sticky toffee pudding.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Charcoal Venice
425 Washington BlvdGreat place to enjoy Josiah Citrin’s cooking without paying Melisse pricing. Both the meat and veggie dishes are amazing. Favorites include the lamb tartare, smoky lamb ribs & flank steak, broccolini, baked cabbage and sticky toffee pudding.
AMAZING farm to table restaurant (was one of the first in LA to focus on that and is still crushing it!); Also surprisingly cheap given the quality (expect about $35/person pre-alcohol). Tip: Inside is incredibly loud, so ask for patio when reserving & confirm that when they call.
85 personas locales recomiendan
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney BlvdAMAZING farm to table restaurant (was one of the first in LA to focus on that and is still crushing it!); Also surprisingly cheap given the quality (expect about $35/person pre-alcohol). Tip: Inside is incredibly loud, so ask for patio when reserving & confirm that when they call.
Excellent Italian inspired cuisine in a gorgeous space. The rice ball is amazeballs! The mushroom pasta is also special.
260 personas locales recomiendan
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington BlvdExcellent Italian inspired cuisine in a gorgeous space. The rice ball is amazeballs! The mushroom pasta is also special.
Top notch mid-priced Italian. Chef makes all the pasta in house and by hand. Don’t skip the focaccia either.
93 personas locales recomiendan
Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdTop notch mid-priced Italian. Chef makes all the pasta in house and by hand. Don’t skip the focaccia either.
Thai food like you’ve never had it before in the States. Skip the pad thai and try things like pork toro, fried pig tail, beef grapow and coconut rice
37 personas locales recomiendan
NIGHT + MARKET Sahm
2533 Lincoln BlvdThai food like you’ve never had it before in the States. Skip the pad thai and try things like pork toro, fried pig tail, beef grapow and coconut rice
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveExcellent deli and take away place from the Gjelina team
Excellent quality and reasonably priced hand rolls
24 personas locales recomiendan
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
120 BroadwayExcellent quality and reasonably priced hand rolls
UOVO
1320 2nd StExcellent pasta designed to be eaten quickly and be affordable
This part market, part cafe has the best smoked salmon and gravlox (cured salmon) on the Westside. It's on par with Gjusta, but half the price. They make great pancakes as well with lots of options for mix-ins.
There aren't a lot of seats, but you can also order ahead or for take out and wander down to the beach to eat.
29 personas locales recomiendan
Shoop's Delicatessen
2400 Main StThis part market, part cafe has the best smoked salmon and gravlox (cured salmon) on the Westside. It's on par with Gjusta, but half the price. They make great pancakes as well with lots of options for mix-ins.
There aren't a lot of seats, but you can also order ahead or for take out and wander down to the beach to eat.
This is my new favorite place on Main Street! The quality and presentation of the food is top notch! Fantastic crudo and other raw fish, but also has great vegetable dishes (vegan Caesar salad is insanely good).
Crudo e Nudo
2724 Main StreetThis is my new favorite place on Main Street! The quality and presentation of the food is top notch! Fantastic crudo and other raw fish, but also has great vegetable dishes (vegan Caesar salad is insanely good).
This is a super casual spot focuses on Michelin starred Melisse chef Josiah Citrin's famed panko-crusted “dirty” chicken.
Augie's On Main
2428 Main StreetThis is a super casual spot focuses on Michelin starred Melisse chef Josiah Citrin's famed panko-crusted “dirty” chicken.
Vamos Vamos
2917 Main StreetFun "Nachos & Margaritas" joint run by some acclaimed chefs!
Excellent semi-casual steakhouse with a fantastic patio
26 personas locales recomiendan
The Window at American Beauty
425 Rose AveExcellent semi-casual steakhouse with a fantastic patio
Breakfast by Salt's Cure
714 Montana AvenueTheir griddle cakes are INSANE!!! I constantly crave them!