21 Best Brunch Spots in Santa Monica (Updated) 2024
Santa Monica is one of the best seaside vacation destinations that has everything like mesmerizing water sites, shopping markets, and renowned places to eat.
It is one of the nicest Californian cities that serves a fusion of different cuisines that are mouthwatering and impressive.
The best part about Santa Monica is that the various delectable cuisine options are available throughout the day and even remain open late at night.
The various 24-hour open restaurants make it extremely travel-friendly for long drive nights.
With so many options available throughout the entire city, there are some of them which are the best when it comes to brunch options.
Therefore waking up early for breakfast in Santa Monica feels like a great dining opportunity.
That’s why we created this list of some of the best brunch restaurants in Santa Monica so that you can explore the various impeccable breakfast and lunch options.
The Best Brunch Restaurants in Santa Monica This Year
1. Massilia
Why it’s a must visit?
The Massilia restaurant is a cozy and modern Marseille-inspired diner that features classic dishes with Morrocan, French, Italian, and Spanish influences.
The restaurant is one of the perfect examples of a fun Friday brunch restaurant that serves excellently crafted cocktails inside its homey space.
The beautiful brick walls and checkered floors of this restaurant, with a warm ambiance, make it one of the cool places to eat brunch in Santa Monica.
It provides good relaxation and luxury with a gourmet menu that feels fancy and comfortable at the same time.
Chef’s choice
It’s better to start with their buckwheat pancakes that come with a topping of fresh berries.
After that, their Socco breakfast pizza is another cool dish that goes nicely with their quinoa salad.
You can also go for a glass of their tasty La Safranaise as a refreshment option.
Location and Contact
- 1445 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2308
- Phone:- +1 310-319-1995
- Email:- info@lezinque.com
2. Benihana
Why it’s a must visit?
The Benihana restaurant is a casual and brick-lined design Japanese restaurant that serves the tastiest seafood selections with its several award-winning specialty cocktails and sakes.
This restaurant is known for offering grill table side dishes and fresh sashimi and is also a sushi bar with several delicious drink options.
It’s one of the best places to have lunch around me when one is looking to have something inside a storefront-like location.
The polished and modern look of the restaurant with beautiful red details actually resembles the Asian essence.
Another great thing about this restaurant is that it is one of the nicest spots to enjoy a nice cooking show in front of your eyes as your food is being made.
Chef’s choice
Give their delicious rolls like Las Vegas, chili shrimp, and sumo rolls a try.
Then complement it with their tasty hibachi chicken rice and Tokyo wings as your main course meal.
People can also relish a glass of their delicious Benihana lemonade or their yummy Haiku Colada as drink options.
Location and Contact
- 1447 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2308
- Phone:- +1 310-260-1423
3. Water Grill – Santa Monica
Why it’s a must visit?
The Water Grill restaurant is a stylish and cozy family-owned restaurant.
It serves daily meals with upgraded seafood and raw drink options, including draft and craft beers with handcrafted cocktails.
It’s also one of the best lunch spots in Santa Monica that have a suave aesthetic and a warm accent that makes it a delightful brunch destination.
The dark wood furnishings with leather seating of the restaurant gives it a luxurious look.
The beautiful presentation of the meals and the aesthetic design restaurant with huge windows makes it a great romantic spot.
Chef’s choice
The restaurant offers people delicious bowls of heirloom tomato salad and New England clam chowder.
Next, it features delicious options like Cioppino, which contains fish, crab, and shrimp with a citation grill broccolini.
Location and Contact
- 1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2106
- Phone:- +1 310-394-5669
- Email:- news@watergrill.com
4. The Penthouse Restaurant
Why it’s a must visit?
The Penthouse restaurant is a bright and elegant restaurant situated inside the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica Beach, offering delicious Californian platters.
The drinks, like craft cocktails, blend well with the scenic ocean view of the city and make for a fine dining experience for brunch.
It is, without a doubt, one of the top-rated Sunday brunch restaurants in Santa Monica that always has something more to offer with its relaxed space and yummy dishes.
The light walls of this restaurant, with cozy furniture, make you comfortable as soon as you sit on them.
Also, the excellent skyline view of the city makes the entire 5-star dining experience worthwhile.
Chef’s choice
Enjoying a delicate basket of freshly baked pastries as a soothing dessert option.
After that, relish their black truffle penthouse Bonerich and lobster with a pairing of their yummy Nutella pancakes gone bananas.
The entire meal becomes blissful by complementing it with a glass of their tasty watermelon cucumber Mojito.
Location and Contact
- 1111 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5003
- Phone:- +1 310-393-8080
- Email:- info@thehuntleyhotel.com
5. North Italia
Why it’s a must visit?
The North Italia restaurant is an energetic and modern restaurant that creates the nicest Italian dishes in Santa Monica with delicious drink options.
It’s a perfect weekday restaurant in Santa Monica with an easy-going menu, a beautiful look, and a spacious dining setting.
The various delightful Italian meals like fresh pasta, homemade deli pizzas, Italian bites, and drinks like beer and wine make it an overall lovely restaurant.
It’s also a perfect place to hang out with your friends and remains one of the hottest destinations for unions.
Chef’s choice
The food near me at this restaurant is impressive, with dishes like Zucca chips as a starter option.
After that trying their Crescenza omelet and rosemary ham with a tasty glazed Italian Donut French toast gives you the most rejuvenating breakfast.
Also, try their beach mimosa feature, as it makes for one of the best brunch restaurants near me.
Location and Contact
- 1442 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2302
- Phone:- +1 310-382-2460
6. Coast
Why it’s a must visit?
The Coast restaurant is a humble diner and an oceanfront café plus bar situated in the shutters on the beach in Santa Monica.
It’s a perfect Saturday brunch restaurant serving Mexican flavors with fresh seafood and drink options like spirits, cocktails, beer, and wines.
It’s an all-day open restaurant that has an airy feeling to it with a resort-like atmosphere and is a beautiful dining spot for aesthetic lovers.
The highlight of this restaurant is its gorgeous beachside views and its interior with the light-colored walls that contrast well with the dark furniture.
The lush greenery situated around this classic restaurant gives it a vintage look with an elegant touch.
Chef’s choice
It’s an excellent branch restaurant that locals love visiting and trying its Chia seed parfait as a starter option.
It’s better to stick with a decadent dish of their Belgian mango waffles and tasty corn beef hash after that.
But if you want to refresh yourself, then try a glass of the delicious strawberry queen mimosa.
Location and Contact
- 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405-1063
- Phone:- +1 310-587-1707
7. RED O Cantina
Why it’s a must visit?
The RED O Cantina restaurant is a relaxed and Royal Ocean side restaurant known for its popular award-winning Mexican dishes.
Gourmet drinks like cocktails and fine wines here make it an elegant dining spot where one can choose to eat either inside or out.
The intricate decoration details at this restaurant have made it a top-rated brunch restaurant in Santa Monica that is perfect for a gourmet brunch experience.
Chef’s choice
The restaurant redefines the idea of fine dining with its appetizers like nachos grande with Pollo asado with a cup of their tasty tortilla soup.
After that, one can try their tasty Mariscos Chile Relleno as the main course dish.
Location and Contact
- 1541 Ocean Ave Suite 120, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2100
- Phone:- +1 310-458-1600
- Email:- mschiesel@redorestaurant.com
8. Terrazza
Why it’s a must visit?
The Terrazza restaurant is an elegant oceanfront cafe and diner with a lounge area situated inside the Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.
It’s a place to go when one is wondering where to eat lunch in a Royal fashion with a nautical-inspired decor restaurant.
It’s a beautiful restaurant that has an inviting and aesthetic space and remains one of the best brunch spots in Santa Monica.
The gorgeous high ceilings of the restaurant with lush greenery surrounding the place give it a bright and thriving look.
Everywhere you go, you will find yourself enveloped in polished glass windows that are huge and look great when they give off the panoramic view of the beach.
Chef’s choice
Start with your delicious avocado toast and tasty granola parfait.
Then pick a serving of their delicious house-cured Wagyu brisket hash that complements their yummy grapefruit Paloma extremely well.
Location and Contact
- 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405-1083
- Phone:- +1 310-581-5533
9. Little Prince
Why it’s a must visit?
The Little Prince restaurant is a vibrant and casual restaurant in Santa Monica that specializes in farm-to-table dining offerings with locally sourced dishes.
It’s a perfect Californian plus American restaurant that serves several delicious herbaceous cocktails, cold craft beers, a specially curated wine list, and Artisanal spirits.
It has become a pretty trendy diner because of its tropical space that feels relaxing and remains a perfect choice for those looking for a delicious brunch at cheap rates.
Chef’s choice
Start with their tasty market fruit plate as your appetizer option.
Then follow it up with their yummy nine green pancakes and their tasty House smoked salmon hash.
In the drinks section, it’s recommended that you go for their Y Tu Mama or their tasty Matcha latte.
Location and Contact
- 2424 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405-3516
- Phone:- +1 424-877-1191
- Email:- info@littleprince.la
10. Ivy at the Shore
Why it’s a must visit?
The Ivy at the Shore restaurant is a spacious end casual diner that is known for its delicious Californian-inspired delicacies with delicious freshly squeezed juices.
The innovative beverages here made with fresh garden ingredients are the reason why it is such a healthy alternative to other cafés.
People can choose to go for their alfresco dining experience or a breezy one.
Chef’s choice
Enjoy a bowl of their delicious spicy fresh corn chowder.
And then go for the Burrata before trying their Ivy fish and crispy chips.
You will enjoy a heavenly feast by pairing your meal with a glass of their delicious blood orange margarita.
Location and Contact
- 1535 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2118
- Phone:- +1 310-393-3113
- Email:- INFO@THEIVYRESTAURANTS.COM
11. Fia
Why it’s a must visit?
The Fia restaurant is a casual and contemporary indoor plus outdoor restaurant that offers seasonal and globally sourced Italian and Californian dishes.
The restaurant also sells drink options like cocktails, beers, and wines inside its upscale and relaxed atmosphere.
It makes for a perfect Saturday brunch option because of its easy outdoor setup and is spacious plus trendy so that one can enjoy the fresh breeze.
The entire place is super accommodating toward its customers and has a rustic feel to it.
Chef’s choice
Energize yourself with their super fruit bowl, which is a nutritious option.
Subsequently, try their shakshuka and their black truffle cheesy scramble on toasted challah.
Make sure to get a cup of their cappuccino to fight drowsiness.
Location and Contact
- 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5823
- Phone:- +1 424-280-4196
- Email:- INFO@FIARESTAURANT.COM
12. 1 Pico
Why it’s a must visit?
The 1 Pico restaurant is a high-end beachfront diner that is situated in the shutters on the beach in Santa Monica.
Thanks to its gorgeous location, it’s one of the best birthday brunch restaurants in the city.
It is widely recognized for serving coastal Californian dishes with handcrafted cocktails, tasty libations, and a fascinating wine list.
Aside from being an outstanding weekend brunch restaurant in Santa Monica, it also has a bright atmosphere with panoramic views of the oceanfront.
Its effortless design and nautical theme make it a pretty inviting dining place with soft couch tables and comfortable furnishings.
Chef’s choice
Make sure to keep their sugar and spiced donuts and oysters a chance, as they are delicious delights.
Grab a plate of their delicious frittata caprese and their mouthwatering simply grilled fish with salad as your meal option.
Quench your thirst with their refreshing lemonade in the shade and the Quench juice as your drink option.
Location and Contact
- 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405-1063
- Phone:- +1 310-587-1717
- Email:- 1picogreeter@shuttersonthebeach.com
13. Calabra
Why it’s a must visit?
The Calabra restaurant is an updated and casual indoor plus outdoor rooftop diner situated in Santa Monica, a proper Hotel.
The restaurant is known for its appetizing California and Mediterranean dishes, including drinks like wines, seasonal cocktails, and spirits.
It also provides a stunning view of the city from its rooftop and is one of the best date spots for a romantic evening.
It is also known as the cutest brunch spot in Santa Monica and also remains one of the most famous restaurants for brunch.
With its gorgeous mid-century aesthetic, this restaurant gives off a cozy vibe with comfortable couches that makes it Instagram-worthy.
The range of refreshing dishes and drinks here also makes it a perfect hangout place.
Chef’s choice
It’s better to start with their delicious Calabra Falafel and their incredible Tahina Caesar salad.
After that, relish a bite of their delicious surah spa toast and have an enjoyable proper breakfast that contains smoked bacon, eggs, veggies, and avocado.
As for the drinks, you can always go for their alchemist wellness or banana cacao smoothie as your choice of drink.
Location and Contact
- 700 Wilshire Blvd (Entrance on, 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
- Phone:- +1 424-390-0737
- Email:- calabra.reservations@properhotel.com
14. 1212 Santa Monica
Why it’s a must visit?
The 1212 Santa Monica restaurant is a modern two-story restaurant that uniquely offers new Californian flavors.
It is known for its inventive cocktails and selected wines that are perfect when one is feeling famished and want to enjoy the best flavors.
Besides its expansive location and classy look, this restaurant has a fabulous menu with tasty bottomless brunch options.
Whether you go for their la carte options or not, you will definitely get a fine dining experience here in a stylish way.
Chef’s choice
Before anything else, start with a few small plates of their delicious coconut red curry mussels and their refreshing Gnocchi Pomodoro.
From other options, you can go for their Savory Porcini Frittata and Burrata salad as your main meal options.
But whatever you order, make sure to go for their bottomless mimosas to get the most exciting dining experience.
Location and Contact
- 1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401-1308
- Phone:- +1 310-576-9996
- Email:- 1212@globaldiningca.com
15. Ashland Hill
Why it’s a must visit?
The Ashland Hill restaurant is a convivial diner that has a chill atmosphere and also is a creative pub offering many favorites.
The dark wooden and black furnishings of the restaurant make it an exemplary diner that looks humble and has a charming feel to it.
It’s a perfect laid-back hangout spot to come with your friends in large groups or with your family, as the choices here are kid-friendly and great.
Chef’s choice
Begin with their tasty House made granola as an appetizer.
Then you can try their Tabit Fattoush salad before going for their Ashland hash as your main course meal with a delicious glass of their nitro cold brew drink.
Location and Contact
- 2807 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405-4009
- Phone:- +1 310-392-3300
- Email:- info@ashlandhill.com
16. Blue Streak
Why it’s a must visit?
The blue steak restaurant is a modern and relaxed diner in Loews Santa Monica hotel that serves seasonal dishes.
The restaurant has a terrace space with a view where it serves incredibly well-made locally sourced American bites with drinks like bottomless mimosas, fine wine, and specialty cocktails.
It’s always a lovely experience dining on its rooftop as it gives a beautiful view of the glistening water at the beach near the sands.
The fact that you are eating breakfast beside the beach makes for an incredible vacation destination to enjoy epicurean delights and sipping cocktails.
Chef’s choice
Go for their Acai Bowl, which comes with healthy blueberries as your starter option.
Then fill your belly to the brim by going for their tasty corned beef hash with their delicious sunrise-pressed juice.
Location and Contact
- 1700 Ocean Ave #200, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
- Phone:- +13104586700
17. Urth Caffe
Why it’s a must visit?
The Urth Caffe restaurant is a beautifully designed European-style cafe that is known for its broad servings of American-inspired breakfast and dessert specials.
It is known for its baked goodies, tasty pizzas, yummy desserts, signature sandwiches, and organic coffee drink options.
It is also one of the most popular breakfast places in Santa Monica and neighbors several incredible restaurants.
The European aesthetic of the restaurant, with a mellow ambiance, makes it a fascinating place to go to transport yourself to another world.
The chic look of the restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere makes dining here feel super delicious in satisfying.
Chef’s choice
It’s better, to begin with their mouthwatering Nutella Girella buns.
After that, their pizza Huevos rancheros make for an incredible comfort dish and combine extremely well with their Double Caffe Bebero as the main course meal.
Location and Contact
- 2327 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405-2219
- Phone:- +1 310-314-7040
- Email:- info@urthcaffe.com
18. True Food Kitchen
Why it’s a must visit?
The True Food Kitchen restaurant is known for its open kitchen setting and is a casual plus modern dining establishment that serves fresh and seasonal healthy food.
It is a sophisticated restaurant that serves tasty dessert platters, healthy dishes, innovative culinary creations, and handcrafted cocktails.
You get to discover the magic of a spacious and trendy dining restaurant at this healthy brunch restaurant near me.
It’s a perfect choice for those who are looking for sleek restaurants that they can comfortably eat at by choosing to eat indoors or outdoors.
It is one of the must eat places for brunch in Santa Monica and has a unique atmosphere and gives one chance to have some fresh air as well.
Chef’s choice
Start with their summer corn soup and nutritious watermelon salad.
People also love enjoying strawberry lemon pancakes that are served with their tasty sunrise bowls.
Not to mention how delicious their cup of vanilla spice latte is, which takes away all fatigue.
Location and Contact
- 395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 172, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2372
- Phone:- +1 310-593-8300
- Email:- tfk1004@truefoodkitchen.com
19. Blue Daisy
Why it’s a must visit?
The Blue Daisy restaurant is another humble diner in Santa Monica, CA, that is known for its offerings of organic and fresh delicacies.
The restaurant is known for its incredible daytime favorites, American cuisine options, savory crêpes, sweet dishes, and cold and hot beverages with bottomless mimosas.
It is a perfect place to enjoy simple dining inside a retro place in one of the local eateries in Santa Monica.
Chef’s choice
Try to go for their baked egg ratatouille as a starter option.
After that, grabbing a bite of their tasty rice porridge made in Turkish style and sweet coconut crepe will feel like a satisfying option.
The reason why it’s one of the great restaurants for brunch in Santa Monica is because of its delicious beverages, like iced coffee, that need to be tried.
Location and Contact
- 609 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2517
- Phone:- +1 310-395-9777
- Email:- bluedaisycafe@gmail.com
20. Bru’s Wiffle Santa Monica
Why it’s a must visit?
Waffles are one of the most flavorsome delights that one can have for breakfast.
And the Bru’s Wiffle Santa Monica restaurant offers the most delicious waffles that one might have never had in life.
It’s a perfect place to enjoy excellent lunch and breakfast delicacies with a range of marvelous dishes, including fried chicken.
Chef’s choice
Even though this restaurant serves the tastiest waffle in Santa Monica, its croissants are also of another level.
The various creamy delights here, like breakfast sando that comes packed with protein, fresh breakfast potatoes, hash, and Benny, make for some incredible options.
They have various healthy drinks as well, like their green wellness drinks, which feel refreshing and have a bit of orange flavoring.
Location and Contact
- 2408 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5806
- Phone:- +1 310-453-2787
- Email:- bruswiffle@gmail.com
21. The Courtyard Kitchen
Why it’s a must visit?
The Courtyard Kitchen is a sophisticated and comfy restaurant.
It is known for its elevated signature New American food items like tasty shakes, shareable platters, cold brews, burgers, and other creative drinks.
The restaurant sticks to the classes for the reason of providing humble eating options with a light taste which is why even their burgers are healthy.
It’s a laid-back atmosphere and ranges of your favorite food options; it is a fun experience dining here and perfect for those looking to come in large groups.
The youthful atmosphere of the restaurant has made it one of the best family restaurants for brunch in Santa Monica.
Chef’s choice
It’s better to start with delicious togarashi fries and umami chicken wings.
After that, getting a bite of the delicious Umami Burger burger and black garlic makes for an incredible main course option.
Location and Contact
- 1211 Montana Ave #c, Santa Monica, CA 90403
- Phone:- +1 310-587-2333
- Email:- tcykla@gmail.com
Final Thoughts
It seems all over that Santa Monica is mostly a beautiful pristine beach location that celebrates the Mamma Mia spirit and calls for a need to discover some excellent places to eat for breakfast.
As a famous oceanfront location, enjoying breakfast in Santa Monica becomes one a kind of experience that somehow needs to be explored while visiting the city.
Sipping cocktails while watching the pristine splashing of waters around small sands makes for a completely unreal experience.
Therefore going to help you get the best out of everything, we created this list of some of the best brunch restaurants in Santa Monica that one can explore.
So have fun exploring and bon appétit!
