Lula Cocina

4.8

237 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a booking

2 people

14 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 5 times today

Great for happy hour
Lively
Charming

Our story begins over 30 years ago in Mexico City and Lula has been a Santa Monica institution ever since. We serve potent cocktails and fare inspired by various regions of Mexico. Check out the outdoor patio - perfect for lunch and dinner or for private events. We have all day Taco Tuesday and Happy Hour 3 to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Beer Garden
Hours of Operation
Tue, Wed, Sun 11:30–21:00 Thu 11:30–22:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–23:00
Phone number
(310) 392-5711
Website
http://www.lulacocinamexicana.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Geraldine Gilliland
Catering
Full service catering, either out house or yours. Every aspect of your event will be handled by our professional and experienced Event planner & service staff.
Private party facilities
We offer an out door patio that can seat 50 comfortably, a dining room that seats 60, and a bar that seats 20 We are also proud to offer Chef Geraldine Gilliland's estate in Malibu for Catered events. www.ranchochiquita.com

Location
2720 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Area
Santa Monica
Cross Street
hill & ashland
Parking details
Metered parking offered by the City of Santa Monica directly behind the Restaurant for your convenience. #DontGetATicket!
Public transit
Expo line is now open!
Entertainment
Modern Latin Rock, Pop, Funk, & Salsa
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Private dining

Offers

Happy Hour 3-6pm daily at our bar
Multiple dates available
Sun - 11:30 - 20:00,Tue - Wed - 12:00 - 20:30,Thu - 12:00 - 21:30,Fri - Sat - 11:30 - 21:30
Featuring food and drink specials
Taco Tuesday
Multiple dates available
Tue - 12:00 - 20:30
Two tacos and our famous Lula Margarita for $18! Enjoy indoors or outside on our sunny patio, all day.

What 237 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Lula Cocina in Santa Monica is a vibrant gem known for its "fantastic staff," "great margaritas," and "delicious food." The atmosphere is lively, often featuring music, making it ideal for celebrations. While some note recent menu changes, many cherish its "authentic Mexican experience" and "friendly service."

237 Reviews

A
Alice
Yorkshire2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was EXCELLENT and the service was exceptional, really cool vibe.
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M
Melissa
Los Angeles62 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellente! The shrimp tacos at Lula are legendary and flan is TDF (to die for)! Lula is by far, one of the best Mexican restaurants in the greater LA area. The food is exceptionally good, service is prompt and friendly and the patio feels like a trip to Mexico. A+++
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J
June
Los Angeles21 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food at Lula's is always good. Drinks are delicious, Large portions. Good service.
Is this helpful?
JG
JonG
Philadelphia52 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Discovered this restaurant after spending the day in Santa Monica. Authentic, delicious and well priced Mexican food in a cozy spot on Main.
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C
Cindy
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 16 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service friendly, food delicious, margararita effective!
Is this helpful?
B
BEN
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Been going here for over 25 years. Always excellent!
Is this helpful?
P
Pamela VIP
Los Angeles8 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a group of 16 who hadn't been together in almost 40 years! From start to finish, our experience was amazing! We were laughing and distracted, but the staff took it all in stride and gave us excellent service! The food and drinks were wonderful, and we can't wait to return!
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P
Peter
San Diego3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Mojito should have sparkling water. If it did, it was flat
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
New York City2 reviews
3.0
Dined on 5 September 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have not been here since pre-pandemic and was surprised that the menu items have been decreased significantly. This is sad because not everyone on our party could find something they could enjoy. The staff and ambience is still what we remembered and the signature Marguerite’s were still great. Unfortunately we will not return because the food choice and quality was not as good as it was.
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L
Lewis
Los Angeles2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The ambience was colorful, a true Mexico feeling, food was excellent and service was too. It's a place to go.
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FAQs

Lula Cocina is rated 4.8 stars by 237 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

14 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 5 times today

2720 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Additional information

Cross Street
hill & ashland
Area
Santa Monica
Hours of Operation
Tue, Wed, Sun 11:30–21:00 Thu 11:30–22:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–23:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Beer Garden
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Metered parking offered by the City of Santa Monica directly behind the Restaurant for your convenience. #DontGetATicket!
Public transit
Expo line is now open!
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Geraldine Gilliland
Entertainment
Modern Latin Rock, Pop, Funk, & Salsa
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lulacocinamexicana.com/
Phone number
(310) 392-5711
Catering
Full service catering, either out house or yours. Every aspect of your event will be handled by our professional and experienced Event planner & service staff.
Private party facilities
We offer an out door patio that can seat 50 comfortably, a dining room that seats 60, and a bar that seats 20 We are also proud to offer Chef Geraldine Gilliland's estate in Malibu for Catered events. www.ranchochiquita.com

Lula Cocina

Make a booking

Additional information

Private dining

Custom inquiry

Offers

Happy Hour 3-6pm daily at our bar

Taco Tuesday

Menu

What 237 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Lula Cocina restaurant rated?

Is Lula Cocina currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information