If you’re looking for a rooftop cocktail, a cool beach bar with just right vibe, or a posh breakfast with a view, here are my top picks for the best places to eat in Santa Monica.

The Santa Monica nightlife scene offers everything from pool patios overlooking the beach to dive bars to live music venues and loads of happy hours to make you, well, happy!

They all have a relaxed vibe, are mostly outdoors or have outdoor areas (because you can do that in the great weather here!) and are places you can definitely take your friends on a Saturday night, for a special occasion or just for an after-work drink.

Spoiler – in no particular order, here are my picks for the best places for eating and drinking in Santa Monica!

1. Elephanté

This restaurant is about the hottest property in Santa Monica right now. It doesn’t have the best views, set back from Ocean Drive, but you can see the sea.

What is does have though is a menu that draws the fabulous to sit with a cocktail and a plate of their legendary whipped eggplant with puff bread.

I loved the eggplant (aubergine, we call it) so much, I asked the waitress if chef would give me the recipe, and she told me what was in it. I’ve now made it at home, and nailed it – if I do say so myself.

Here’s my copycat recipe of Elephantés whipped eggplant. It’s super easy!

2. The Bungalow

The Bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel had been waiting to burst onto the scene forever and is now my top pick for a laid back beachy vibe with a twist of class.

I remember staying in the hotel years ago and the space that is now the Bungalow, to the right of the entrance, was just meeting rooms!

Today this cute outdoor cocktail lounge is nearly beachside (well – it is across the road from the beach) but finally its location and charm were recognised and it was out with the suits and in with the cocktails!

Now at The Bungalow you’ll find an eclectic mix of mismatched furniture under trees festooned with lights and the outdoor furniture dotted with fire pits. It’s a laid back vibe inside and out.

Cosy up by the fireplace indoors and sink into one of the leather suites, play a game of pool or hide away in a little nook for a quiet te ta te, or sit outside under the trees and soak up the night with a couple of delicious cocktails.

3. Viceroy

This is a hotel bar with a difference. The Viceroy is probably the most unassuming Santa Monica hotel (don’t blink, you’ll miss it).

It was an office block in the 60s that now hides a jaw-droppingly chic lobby (with an indoor bar) and an even cooler pool area surrounded by cabanas and high wing-backed chairs.

The Viceroy (and the Tides in Miami which we’ve also stayed in) is designed by my girl-crush Kelly Wearstler. I just love what she’s done with a very plain office canvas, transforming this place into my pick for the chicest restaurant and bar in Santa Monica.

For a great time book one of the poolside cabanas for your group, but when I was last there they were empty so we just plonked ourselves in one and chose the charcuterie platter with cocktails. The perfect spot.

This is a great hotel to come for dinner or to start (or end) your evening here in the great ambience.

4. Regent Santa Monica Beach

The Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel (formerly Loews) underwent a $4 million renovation and has some lovely dining spaces for those of us not staying in house.

However if you are a hotel guest, you can also sit poolside and in the cabanas with front row, beach views of Santa Monica Pier and Muscle Beach.

I came here for breakfast with a view on my last visit. Salmon and lox on a bagel and a latte. It beat me, but was worth it for the whole posh ambience! Then I walked to an elevator at the beach end and wandered down to the Pier.

5. The Georgian Hotel

This iconic lady of Santa Monica’s main Ocean Drive has been overseeing the happenings in this city since 1933.

I stayed at The Georgian for a couple of nights on our honeymoon back in 2010, so since it had been such a long time between drinks, I popped back for a cocktail in the magic hour sun.

They’ve added some street-side seating on the pavement, then there is the main lobby restaurant and bar. But I fancied sitting in the last of the afternoon sun sipping my blue gin sour.

6. Eden Rooftop

This styly art deco hotel (formerly Sonder and Shangri La), has now become Eden.

When I popped in recently they told me their rooftop is undergoing a huge refurbishment and won’t be open until after the summer. But with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean it’ll be worth putting on your list.

7. Penthouse at Huntley Hotel

Don’t you just love a bar with a Mixologist on the payroll? Ask for a specialty drink at the Huntley Hotel (that’s why they’re there!) while you enjoy your 18-storey 360° views from to Malibu Beach and over to Hollywood.

This is what you call an Ultra Lounge – a signature LA experience. Great for an occasion. It’s also where you want to come to meet a rich suit, so I’m told…

8. Casa del Mar

Terrazza Lounge is the beach front patio bar and al fresco restaurant at Casa del Mar, one of the very best beach front hotels in Santa Monica. This is your perfect sunset spot, dinner or even breakfast from 7am.

They also have an indoor cabana lounge for a more intimate setting. This would be ideal for a catch up with the girls in this grand old hotel that opened in 1926 and was the premier playground for Hollywood A-listers. And now us!

9. The Lobster

Located at the start of Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster is a delicious seafood restaurant, established in 1923, is one of our favourite places to dine in Santa Monica.

We bring our friends here for amazing lobster, crab legs and everything in between! They also serve steaks, so you meatatarians will be fine too

It brazenly lauds itself as being a great location for film shoots with its iconic view of the Pier.

While it’s most well known for the good food, they have a teeny little bar on an outdoor patio, which really serves as a place for waiting for a table, but the views are exceptional so it made this Best Bars in Santa Monica list!

The Lobster is famous for its truffle fries (I was reliably told they are best on earth – even described as crack!) The patio overlooks the 100-year old Santa Monica pier with its gigantic ferris wheel.

This place is also cool with local celebs dropping a few bucks on whole Maine lobsters.

10. Seaside on the Pier

As the name says, Seaside on the Pier restaurant is ON the famous Santa Monica Pier meaning there is no better ocean or sunset view than here!

You can dine in (their soft serve ice cream push pops are renowned).

But Seaside on the Pier is famous for the best fish and chips in Santa Monica! The menu is casual and affordable. Check out the lobster rolls, crab cakes, poboys and burgers too.

11. Pierside Hotel

I’d been on my feet all day, and as I was staying at the Pierside, located opposite the entrance to Santa Monica Pier, I decided the lobster roll and a glass of wine at The Surfing Fox, on the ground floor.

It’s a super handy location, just behind the shops at Santa Monica Place, for a pit stop.

12. MariaSol

Right on the very end of Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 officially ends, sits the best spot for sunset views: MariaSol. It’s a simple Mexican restaurant with indoor and outdoor tables and epic horizon views.

On a windy day you certainly won’t be having a great hair day, but for lunch or dinner, or a margarita in between, this is cheap and cheerful option and a nice reward for wandering down the pier.

13. Din Tai Fung

One of the newest dining options in Santa Monica is Din Tai Fung. If you’re in the mood for dumplings, or just great Chinese food, then head to the fourth floor rooftop of Santa Monica Place, yes – at the shop.

This hidden gem is spread over a big space, so get a table towards the afternoon sun and a peep of the ocean, order the Xiao Long Bao – and don’t squirt the soup up your nose!

14. Loulou Santa Monica

Loulou is a French/Californian restaurant is also on the rooftop of Santa Monica Place, opposite Din Tai Fung. It has a European menu with pasta, pizza, French dishes and a cool Californian vibe.

Great for brunch with views to the sea, or meet the girls for a drink and bite. Or go all out and get the 20oz prime rib flambe for $119!

15. High at Hotel Erwin 

Actually located down at Venice Beach, the rooftop of the Hotel Erwin, is aptly called High and makes this list for amazing uninterupted sunset views. It is located right where medical marijuana is sold from the “doctors clinics” below – and you will smell the medication.  

The hotel is about 200m from the sand and two miles from Santa Monica. It has been voted in the Top 20 rooftop bars in America. We’ve stayed at the Erwin and really enjoyed its casual chic vibe with a great location.

Sit in front of the flaming gas heater and watch the sun set. Sublime.

What else shall I read?

If you’re planning to stay in Santa Monica, here are 7 really great Santa Monica hotels that I can totally recommend (some are in the list above – and some aren’t!)

You might also like my post on 12 marvelous day trips from LA! It covers beaches, the desert, small towns and yes – a certain theme park

Or further inland, I love these cool rooftop bars in West Hollywood for a sunset drink and these fun rooftop bars in downtown LA.

I was asked to write about one of my favourite LA beaches, so where did I choose? Of course, Santa Monica! Here’s that story on why I like it so much and other bloggers picks for 4 more. Read it here >>

If you’re looking for some cool East Coast vibes, you’ll love this post: The best dreamy rooftop restaurants in NYC. This list features outdoor open-air terrace bars, floor to ceiling window views over Manhattan, neighborhood beer gardens in Brooklyn and even a rooftop winery!