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Best Date Night Restaurants in Santa Monica

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310 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge restaurant
1. Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
4.6
Exceptional(884)
Price: Expensive
• French • Santa Monica
Booked 35 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 Tar & Roses restaurant
2. Tar & Roses
4.8
Exceptional(4262)
Price: Expensive
• American • Santa Monica
Booked 31 times today
Tar & Roses is a globally inspired culinary experience. Chef Andrew Kirschner has transformed his kitchen into a local and welcoming home, focused on the element of the wood fired oven to bring out the best flavor in our dishes. Coming straight from the visionary mind of our award winning chef, our menu is created with only the highest quality ingredients and fresh, local products. This attention to detail helps makes our food a perfected craft which will inspire you to be adventurous, in the most approachable and delicious way possible. When you step into Tar & Roses, you'll feel like you are coming home. Our entire staff awaits your arrival with warm smiles and thoughtful service ~ please, come share a meal with us!
A photo of Meat On Ocean restaurant
3. Meat On Ocean
4.7
Exceptional(3466)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Santa Monica
Booked 41 times today
Meat On Ocean is a meat-centric, modern steakhouse in Santa Monica that offers both a sense of adventure and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond the offerings of a world-class steakhouse, Meat On Ocean features an artisanal charcuterie bar, an exhibition dry-aging room and a variety of prime beef – from dry-aged domestic cuts to Japanese A-5. Integral to the operation is a highly trained crew of servers and butchers, who communicate directly with Guests about the beef, organically farmed chickens, house made sausages, choice seafood and more.Located on the corner of Ocean and Broadway, Meat On Ocean is steps from the action - including the Santa Monica Pier, shopping and hotels.Starting May 2024, Meat On Ocean is also your headquarters for private dining and events, with customizable spaces that are perfect for social events, corporate meetings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wedding receptions and ceremonies, with full audio/visual connectivity.
A photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA restaurant
4. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA
3.8
Excellent(4127)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Santa Monica
Booked 47 times today
Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.
A photo of Water Grill - Santa Monica restaurant
5. Water Grill - Santa Monica
4.6
Exceptional(6047)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Monica
Booked 48 times today
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Water Grill Santa Monica is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. Located on Ocean Ave. across from the Pacific Ocean and steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, Water Grill Santa Monica is the perfect place to dine, celebrate and host an event for business or pleasure. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of Santa Monica’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill Santa Monica also offers customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.
A photo of Massilia restaurant
6. Massilia
4.5
Awesome(837)
Price: Expensive
• French • Santa Monica
Booked 21 times today
Massilia, a Marseille-inspired brasserie in Santa Monica, is a hotspot for a romantic date night. Reviewers have described it as a 'nice date place', 'fantastic food with incredible service' and a spot for a 'wonderful dining experience'. The ambiance is described as modern industrial meets old world classy, creating the perfect setting for an intimate evening. Plus, their craft cocktails and wines by the glass are half price until 11pm and 11pm, making it an affordable and luxurious date night destination.
A photo of Xuntos restaurant
7. Xuntos
4.7
Exceptional(163)
Price: Expensive
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 14 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 Orto Santa Monica restaurant
8. Orto Santa Monica
4.4
Awesome(1108)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 1 time today
Orto Santa Monica is a date night favorite. With its cozy, intimate setting and romantic ambiance, it's the perfect place for a couple to enjoy a quiet dinner. The authentic Italian cuisine, including pasta and filet mignon, is a hit among reviewers. As one reviewer put it, 'such a cute restaurant! Went here for date night and the ambience is so peaceful.' Another noted, 'a perfect place for a date! It's romantic, cozy and charming.'
A photo of North Italia - Santa Monica restaurant
9. North Italia - Santa Monica
4.3
Awesome(1512)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 22 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 Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica restaurant
10. Kappo Miyabi Santa Monica
4.6
Exceptional(71)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Santa Monica
Booked 15 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.

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Felix
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Went here for brunch with my guy friends and had an absolute great time. We went for the Saturday brunch experience and had a reservation for 11:30am. The hostess was a little late opening up; but got us checked in and seated promptly when they did arrive. Our server was Victoria and her partner in crime Johnny. She set us up and gave us the full rundown of how everything works: from the omelette, crepe stations, to the buffet room and the way she could split the check at the end. She was amazing and kept our drinks flowing. The drinks can be a little pricy (I had the ooh LaLa (a watermelon margarita with a tajin rim) for about $18 per but it was pretty and delicious)They had a live DJ who was setting the vibe and and great taste and transitions. We had a congo line with some of the other patrons in the building. There was 8 of us and it didn’t feel like we were ever in limbo or waiting. It all flowed well and we could all split the check evenly and it was about $135 pp. I will definitely be back!
    More info
    Loulou Rooftop Restaurant and LoungePrice: Expensive• French• Santa Monica
    •
    4.6
  • OpenTable Diner
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    First time being there and it was great love everything we had. I would definitely return again.
    More info
    Meat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica
    •
    4.7
  • OpenTable Diner
    Los Angeles •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Delicious food and great service, I need to go there more often
    More info
    Tar & RosesPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Monica
    •
    4.8
  • Jerry
    1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 2 Mar 2025
    Had a great date with my girlfriend and it was her first time. She said how amazing the food was and the experience
    More info
    Benihana - Santa Monica, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Santa Monica
    •
    3.8
  • OpenTable Diner
    Columbus •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 23 Feb 2025
    Dinner’s food is amazing, brunch was mediocre, but the ambiance is always 10/10!
    More info
    MassiliaPrice: Expensive• French• Santa Monica
    •
    4.5

Discover best date night restaurants in Santa Monica

Discover the perfect spots for a romantic date night in the vibrant Westside of Los Angeles, specifically in the picturesque area of Santa Monica. This locale offers a variety of dining options that cater to every taste and preference, from cozy beachside settings to sophisticated rooftop ambiances. Each restaurant in Santa Monica boasts unique qualities such as stunning ocean views, intimate atmospheres, and menus that feature a mix of local Californian and international cuisine, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Whether you're looking for a place with live music, a quiet spot with a rustic charm, or a lively venue with a cultural flair, Santa Monica's date night selections promise an enchanting evening. The dining scene here is renowned for its commitment to quality and authenticity, providing not just a meal but a culinary adventure. Ideal for special occasions or a spontaneous evening out, these restaurants combine excellent service, delicious food, and a romantic setting to create the perfect backdrop for your date night. Choose from establishments praised for their ambiance, food quality, and attentive service, all designed to enhance your dining experience in Santa Monica.

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