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Best Authentic Restaurants in Santa Monica

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176 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge restaurant
4.3
Awesome(833)
Price: Expensive
• French • Santa Monica
Booked 23 times today
Experience the "Joie de Vivre"At LouLou, food, entertainment, fashion, and art converge into a unique, one-of-a-kind destination.LouLou’s carefully crafted menus showcase French Mediterranean flavors with a classic California twist, while honoring the generosity of artisanal and homemade ingredients, as well as local organic produce.A carefully selected wine list offers a tasteful array of wines from both France and CaliforniaNever bowing to the ordinary, whether it’s a legendary brunch, after work cocktails, elegant dinner, or corporate event, LouLou will always deliver an experience to remember.Ample parking is available in the building. We are located on the rooftop level. Suite 300
A photo of Xuntos restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(140)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 12 times today
XUNTOS, "together" in Gallego, is a Tapas Bar from Chef Sandra Cordero in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, serving small plates of things we want you to try: from the farmer's market around the corner to traditional dishes of Galicia, Asturias, Catalunya & the Basque Country, as they're eaten in Spain.The wines follow the food: natural, fun & unrefined–joined at the bar with Spanish twists on classic cocktails, plus vermouths, sherries & cold cervezas.Walk in to the bar for Xuntanza from 5-7pm, Tuesday-Saturday!Please email us for large parties & private dining: hola@barxuntos.comValidated parking is available across the street at 501 Santa Monica Blvd (Enter on 5th St.): $7 for 3 hours.
A photo of Blue Plate Taco restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(972)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 12 times today
Blue Plate Taco is a coastal Baja-meets-Santa Monica destination on Ocean Ave. We are dedicates to creating all our food from scratch including the agua frescas and margaritas from the bar, the tortillas are made by hand fresh all day, and our salsas are made daily. The entire menu is fresh, light and delicious. We hold most of our tables for walk-ins so if you don't see any reservations, don't fret! We'll get you seated after a short wait while you're admiring the Pacific and taking in the famous Santa Monica pier.Reservations are limited to 90 minutes, we hold reservations for 10 minutes.
A photo of Orto Santa Monica restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1089)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 6 times today
Orto Santa Monica is considered authentic Italian because of its owner's family background in Italian cooking. As one reviewer said, it's 'far more European than most "authentic" Italian restaurants in the States'. They meld local ingredients and organic herbs grown in-house to create traditional Italian recipes, giving a true Italian dining experience. The consistent quality and flavor of both regular menu items and specials have been widely praised, with one reviewer stating, 'It was a pleasant surprise to find this restaurant with authentic Italian food.'
A photo of Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica restaurant
4.5
Awesome(65)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Santa Monica
Booked 4 times today
Kappo (かっぽう / 割烹) means cooking food with knives and fire. In simple Japanese terms, means cutting, chopping and cooking food with knife, and so on. And means boiling, cooking food with fire. So the combination of these two Japanese characters are a different expression of cooking with a knife and fire. Kappo is a dish that is improvised by the customer's order and can be enjoyed at the counter or at the table just in front of the kitchen without much formality. From now on, Kappo will be held in Miyabi restaurant, Santa Monica. Miyabi (雅) is one of the traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals, meaning "elegance," "graceful" and "courtliness". There are a lot of complexities of Japanese cuisine, including not only food, but also visitors, music, and order of food. So, there is a burden because of the needlessly cumbersome, expensive, and unnecessary formalities, and we focus on foods that are only used to show off the cooking skills of the chefs and customers.
A photo of North Italia - Santa Monica restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1479)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 34 times today
Everyone has a favorite dish at North. Every day, our Chefs start from scratch to create handmade pizza and pasta using only the best ingredients to craft inspired dishes from the garden, farm, and sea. North defines the standards for handcrafted Italian. Our menu offers a great selection of antipasti (daily soup, charcuterie, bruschetta), salads full of seasonal ingredients, and a main entrée menu driven by both traditional Italian cuisine and lighter fresh fish dishes. North is a great neighborhood spot for family and friends to meet and share a handcrafted experience. From the food to the service, at North every detail matters. Due to recent current events, we will be only open for to go sales only at this point in time. Thank you for your understanding
A photo of True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica restaurant
4.3
Awesome(1527)
Price: Moderate
• American • Santa Monica
Booked 20 times today
True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Santa Monica for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.
A photo of Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica restaurant
4.5
Awesome(266)
Price: Moderate
• American • Santa Monica
Booked 4 times today
Ye Olde Kings Head- Santa Monica is a beloved British pub in California, offering an authentic British experience since 1976. The restaurant boasts traditional British dishes like Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, and Shepherd’s pie. Reviews often mention the 'warm atmosphere', 'friendly staff', and 'great food', and one reviewer said 'It feels like home'. The place has a comfortable dining room with a fireplace, a private dining room, and an outdoor patio. It's a favorite for many, with the ambience and food often described as 'authentic'.
A photo of LA Puglia restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(244)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 11 times today
LA Puglia is an authentic Italian restaurant that aims to transport its guests right to the Puglia region in Southern Italy. It's not just about the food, but the whole experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the restaurant's authenticity, with comments like 'the food is authentic' and 'the ingredients are fresh and authentic'. The restaurant has even been awarded 'Restaurant of the Year' by the prestigious Gambero Rosso International.
A photo of Gjelina restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2256)
Price: Expensive
• American • Venice
Booked 148 times today
Gjelina is a restaurant specializing in New American cuisine. Open every day from 8 a.m. until 11pm, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, try 9 grain pancakes with butter and maple syrup or warm banana buckwheat loaf with butter and jam of the day. Brunch options include Moroccan baked eggs and 7 grain porridge. Gjelina offers a variety of oysters, crudo, charcuterie and salad options to start at lunch and dinner. Main courses include pizzas from our wood fired oven and entrees like duck confit, house made pastas and roasted organic half chicken.*Only ADA certified animals are allowed in Gjelina*A 20% Mandatory Service Charge is added to your check. Our belief is that every hourly Gjelina employee contributes to your service and 100% of the MSC will be distributed amongst them.

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Discover best authentic restaurants in Santa Monica

Discover a treasure trove of authentic dining experiences in Westside, Santa Monica, where the quest for genuine flavors and unique culinary traditions is met with enthusiasm. From Italian hideaways that transport you straight to Puglia to British pubs that feel like stepping into a cozy corner of England, Santa Monica serves up an eclectic mix of authentically inspired eateries. Each restaurant prides itself on delivering not only traditional dishes but also an immersive atmosphere that complements their culinary offerings. Patrons frequently praise these establishments for their commitment to authenticity, highlighting fresh, quality ingredients, and recipes passed down through generations. The dining scene in Santa Monica is vibrant and diverse, offering a variety of settings from beachfront views to intimate, rustic interiors. Whether it’s the fresh, organic produce used in Californian kitchens or the meticulously crafted Italian pastas, the attention to detail is evident in every dish served. Experience dining where the authenticity of the cuisine merges seamlessly with the charm and character of Santa Monica, making every meal a memorable one. This array of authentic restaurants ensures that every visitor can find something that satisfies their taste for adventure and genuine culinary delight.

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