From oceanfront feasts to global flavors and hands-on cooking classes, Santa Monica serves up a vibrant, sensory-rich journey for every kind of food lover.
Santa Monica offers a dynamic culinary landscape where fresh, seasonal ingredients meet bold, inventive flavors. Whether you’re dining by the ocean, exploring international cuisines, sharpening your skills at a local cooking class, or indulging in the region’s renowned seafood, this coastal city serves up something for every palate.
Beachfront Dining
With the Pacific Ocean as a breathtaking backdrop, beachfront dining in Santa Monica delivers a perfect blend of scenic beauty and culinary delight. A hotspot for celebrities, BOA Steakhouse draws in both residents and out-of-town visitors. While it’s famed for its premium steaks and fresh oysters, the real showstopper is the Classic Caesar salad, prepared tableside to wow the crowd. Guests can also enjoy seasonal cocktails, like the signature BOA 405 — a creative mix of 42 Below Vodka, muddled strawberries, simple syrup, fresh lemon sour, balsamic vinegar, and a dash of cracked black pepper. Reservations are strongly recommended, as this venue is consistently in high demand.
The Taco Twist
Thanks to the region’s rich cultural influences, tacos have become a beloved staple in Santa Monica, with eateries across the city offering their own creative interpretations and bold flavors. Jenny Morton, who first launched the now-closed Blue Plate on Montana Avenue, currently operates two popular spots on Ocean Avenue: Blue Plate Oysterette and Blue Plate Taco, located at the base of the boutique Shore Hotel. The taco joint’s coastal vibe comes alive with its glass and steel architecture, a patio draped in string lights beneath an aqua canopy, and a lively dining space decorated with colorful tiles and basket-style globe chandeliers. One standout dish is the lobster taco—succulent lobster meat combined with melted Jack cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, truffle oil, and green onions, all tucked into a crunchy corn shell. It’s served alongside rice, pinto beans, tangy slaw, and a wedge of lime. Be sure to sample their vibrant salsas, whether it’s the zesty tomatillo or the fiery habanero.
Seafood Galore
In a seaside city like Santa Monica, offering an array of sustainable, ocean-fresh seafood feels both expected and celebrated. Perched at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has been a landmark in various forms since 1923, with a notable revival in 1999. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Collin Crannell, this elegant, glass-fronted restaurant continues to serve top-tier seafood in a refined setting. As the name suggests, lobster takes center stage on the menu — whether gently steamed, poached in butter, folded into mashed potatoes, or paired with pasta. However, it’s the grilled lobster that steals the spotlight. Diners can order a hefty three-pound crustacean (or even larger), expertly split, grilled, and finished with lemon, garlic butter, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Each serving comes with a bib and shell cracker, setting the stage for a hands-on, flavorful feast.
Global Flavours
Santa Monica’s food culture offers a rich tapestry of international influences, blending traditional recipes with modern cooking styles drawn from Asia, Europe, South America, and more. A standout in Mediterranean cuisine is Z Garden, where “Z” stands for zaytoon—Arabic for olive—which also features in the restaurant’s emblem. Originally located near Santa Monica College, Z Garden later launched a second outlet near the bustling Third Street Promenade. This modern, street-facing eatery features wooden tables and an upper mezzanine enclosed by sleek metal railings. The menu begins with flavorful starters like Moroccan carrot dip laced with garlic-infused olive oil, coriander, and cumin; kibbeh—deep-fried shells of cracked wheat filled with a spiced beef and onion mixture with pine nuts; and golden fried cauliflower drizzled with tahini. The kafta kebab, made from minced beef seasoned with herbs and spices, is grilled and served with fragrant yellow rice. Other highlights include tender rotisserie chicken marinated in Mediterranean spices and grilled salmon crowned with a creamy lemon sauce. The vegetarian platter brings together an array of favorites—smoky baba ghanouj, silky hummus, crispy green-flecked falafel, vinegared stuffed grape leaves, zesty tabouli, and tangy pickled turnips. For dessert, don’t miss the baklava, freshly baked at their original Pico Boulevard location.
Cooking School
Santa Monica offers food lovers the chance to sharpen their culinary skills at one of its most cherished cooking institutions. The Gourmandise School specializes in teaching traditional baking and cooking methods while emphasizing the use of fresh, sustainable ingredients sourced from local farms. Classes are designed to welcome all experience levels—from total beginners to seasoned cooks—and are open to both kids and adults. Those looking for a deeper dive can enroll in multi-week courses lasting up to ten weeks, while others may prefer single-session workshops with playful and flavorful themes. Examples include Date Night in Havana, Intro to French Macarons: The French Method, and Southern Fried Chicken Dinner, which is part of a popular lineup of “Couples Night” experiences.
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