I am a native of Southern California since the mid-1960's.  Here are some of my food recommendations for guests and visitors for Santa Monica, WestLA, Culver City.  We have many top-rated restaurants here. See Michelin GUIDE

There are so many great restaurants nearby! So many restaurants.  So little time (and money.) 😂

Within Walking Distance

 

4.2       (450) 

· $20–30 

Thai restaurant

 

Vito's Pizza

 

4.3       (734) 

· $20–30 

Pizza restaurant

 

Erewhon 

 

4.1          (1,023) 

Grocery store·  

Upscale health-food store featuring organic, local & sustainable groceries & prepared fare. 

(Lincoln Blvd, 21 blocks away) 

 

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery 

 

4.5       (2,877) 

· $10–20 

Deli

Word famous deli. Get the "Godmother Deluxe" sandwich! Cash or Debit card only. 

 

FINE DINING 

Hillstone

 

4.5       (1,054) 

· $$  

New American restaurant

Get the Hawaiian ribeye and share the artichoke dip 
 

pasjoli 

 

4.4       (465) 

· $100+ 

French restaurant

Must try:  brioche with fois'gras pate.   

 

Mélisse Restaurant 

 

4.5       (396) 

· $200+ 

New American restaurant

Michelin 2-Star Restaurant.  Book 1 month in advance, or go to Citrin below (same building/same owner)
 

Citrin Restaurant 

 

4.0       (159) 

· $100+ 

Restaurant

Advice: Sit at the bar for happy hour for great food with happy hour specials. 

 

Élephante

 

4.3       (3,049) 

Italian restaurant

Nice view of the ocean from its 3rd floor rooftop restaurant and bar.  Very noisy at night.
 

Lunetta

 

4.5          (1,001) 

· $$  

New American restaurant

Chef Raphael Lunetta has 2 restaurants side by side: Lunetta All Day and the evening only dining room.  

 

Water Grill

 

4.4           (2,748) 

· $50–100 

Seafood restaurant

 

Meat On Ocean

 

4.4          (2,597) 

· $100+ 

Steak house   

They showcase their dry-aged beef.  You pay per lb.  High-end, first class.  On Ocean Ave (ocean view)  
 

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

4.8          (1,652) 

· $50–100 

Brazilian restaurant & BBQ  AYCE.

   

Il Moro Restaurant 

 

4.6       (280) 

· $50–60 

Italian restaurant

The calamari and the super-flat, thin crust Margherita pizza are amazing.  

 

PIZZA & BBQ  

 

Bludso's BBQ

 

4.2       (466) 

· $30–50 

Barbecue restaurant

Prime Pizza 

 

4.3       (169) 

· $10–20 

Pizza restaurant

Vito's Pizza 

 

4.3          (734) 

· $20–30 

Pizza restaurant

 

JAPANESE  

Noma Sushi 

 

4.3          (824) 

· $$  

Sushi restaurant

 

Hamasaku 

 

4.5          (409) 

· $50–100 

Sushi restaurant

For ramen, udon, sushi, Korean, Chinese, go to "SAWTELLE JAPANTOWN" 

 

 

Marugame Udon 

 

4.5          (1,952) 

· $20–30 

Udon noodle restaurant

 

MEXICAN