Location: Santa Monica
Top Restaurants in Santa Monica
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Where to eat American food in Santa Monica: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Reviews on American food in Santa Monica, California, United States. The beaches of Santa Monica attract all sorts of visitors-- don't be surprised to see families playing on the sand next to a boot-camp fitness class with a barking instructor. Visit the Santa Monica Pier, a haven of shops, restaurants, and carnival attractions (including a Ferris wheel) atop a wooden wharf. By night, the Third Street Promenade is the place to be, bustling with activity from moviegoers, party animals, and talented street performers.
Things to do in Santa Monica
10. Stout Burgers & Beer
Overall Ratings
4 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By Caroltod
Excellent burgers every time and lots of varieties of beer. Fun to try the 4 ounce glass and keep changing till you have had enough or decide on one to repeat. Chicken burgers are delicious, as well as all the beef options. Stout stays open late so its great after a movie or some other evening activity.
9. Pono Burger
Overall Ratings
4 based on 506 reviews
Pono Burger is a neighborhood destination where Chef Makani uses organic, farm fresh ingredients to create handcrafted burgers made with integrity that, above all, taste great. Her burgers feature organic, grass-fed beef cooked on a wood-burning grill, or
Reviewed By Max G
At Pono, it's all about the design of the burger, and they offer some interesting ones. The burgers are a melange of styles and flavors. We tried the Paniolo (a burger topped with sauce and onion rings) and the Posh (blue cheese and truffle aioli). Both were good, but we liked the Paniolo better.The service was warm and friendly.
8. Hillstone Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 744 reviews
Reviewed By tjeatsworld
Nice restaurant on Wilshire. The food is good. The appetizers are the best part. The menu seems confusing to me... like you canât get traction anywhere though.... especially for a nice expensive restaurant. For example: on one hand they have Artichoke Spinach Dip with Nacho chips and on the others thereâs Thai Tuna Sushi Rolls. Quite a mixed bag. But when you find a lane itâs really good. And the service is really great too.
7. R+D Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 201 reviews
A favorite spot with Santa Monica locals, expect a lively, bustling atmosphere each evening. Exceptional artwork, open kitchen and a welcoming staff greet you at the door. Don't miss the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
Reviewed By IanH3989
Although the menu could offer a few more options to encourage regular visits, this restaurant is always solid in terms of quality and consistency. When something does come up, their management is super attentive. Tonight Jeannie, the manager, was very helpful and took amazing care of us. Thanks for another great experience.
6. Tender Greens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 350 reviews
Opened Sept 2011
Reviewed By Out_of_valley
First of all, I have only been to the Santa Monica branch of this chain once. But I have also been to the Westwood, Sunset Blvd., Pasadena, downtown L.A. and Woodland Hills branches. The latter is where I have been the most, by far. In any case, this is a review of the chain, not the Santa Monica place. I love their salmon - they cook it with herbs and spices and it is delicious (but not spicy). They also have a tuna steak, seared around the edges, that is very good. The meal includes a side vegetable, a side of a green vegetable, and a slice of toasted bread with butter. If I go for lunch on a weekday, I go early ,because it gets very busy very soon. One caveat - they don't take cash.
5. True Food Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1348 reviews
Reviewed By khochajee
The Turkey burger is the best! Great atmosphere, good location, the food is organic produce and fresh. The chefs are very innovative with the menus. You wonât be. Disappointed.
4. Upper West
Overall Ratings
4 based on 225 reviews
Upper West is Santa Monicaâs newest dining destination, serving modern American cuisine thatâs as familiar and comforting as it is original and inventive.Featuring an open complete kitchen, a full-service 27-foot bar, a sophisticated wine collection and a
Reviewed By gregh632
We picked this restaurant away from the main drag because it was conveniently close to our concert venue, McCabeâs Guitar Shop. So glad we did! The dishes were delicious, sized just right for a late night bite. I had the pork tenderloin, cooked medium rare with a rich, dark sauce and goatâs cheese mashed potato. My wife had the salmon, perfectly seasoned and served with couscous - not usually a favorite of ours, but very enjoyable in this preparation. Service was brisk and friendly, the wine list was comprehensive and reasonably priced, and the decor was pleasant to look at - large original canvases. It was a bit noisy, and tables were close together, but it suited our mood. A great find in a city with many restaurants, most not nearly as good as The Upper West!
3. Tar and Roses
Overall Ratings
4 based on 614 reviews
Centered around a wood burning oven, Tar & Roses serves up farmers market dishes with global influences.
Reviewed By tjeatsworld
Absolutely perfection. Tar & Roses is a beautiful restaurant. Reservations are honored on time. The staff is friendly, timely and helpful. The dishes are shareable plates of all different sized portions. From beginning to end everything was Heaven! The Bone Marrow was the best Iâve ever had. The chili crab cakes melt in your mouth. And the desserts are EVERYTHING! The two we had ... we practically licked the plates. One was Sticky Toffee Pudding . The other was something strawberry that came with honeycomb ice cream. Way to go Tar and Roses! You rule!
2. Amelia's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By Infomiss_trips
I love this place, this family and the delicious food they make! I had the amazing mortadella sandwich and a beautiful Cafe Latte on my visit. I'm still thinking about that sandwich and the coffee. I'm living in Saõ Paulo, Brazil, where the Mortadella sandwich at the Mercado Municipal is rather iconic, and dang it is superb...but Amelia's is better. The balance is right and the insides are all put in the right place. Hugs and Kisses from Brazil! See you all next visit!!
1. Pono Burger
Overall Ratings
4 based on 506 reviews
Pono Burger is a neighborhood destination where Chef Makani uses organic, farm fresh ingredients to create handcrafted burgers made with integrity that, above all, taste great. Her burgers feature organic, grass-fed beef cooked on a wood-burning grill, or
Reviewed By Max G
At Pono, it's all about the design of the burger, and they offer some interesting ones. The burgers are a melange of styles and flavors. We tried the Paniolo (a burger topped with sauce and onion rings) and the Posh (blue cheese and truffle aioli). Both were good, but we liked the Paniolo better.The service was warm and friendly.
