Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Santa Monica (90405)
4 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Pasjoli
8.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Instagram Worthy Wonders
James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran transformed his Michelin Plate bistro into a more accessible French experience while maintaining exacting standards. The pressed duck carved tableside remains legendary, but cordon bleu chicken wings stuffed with prosciutto and a French onion soup with explosive gruyère show the kitchen's playful mastery of rich, butter-forward bistro classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cordon Bleu Chicken Wings, French Onion Soup, Pressed Duck ($350, reservation required)
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized bistro from Alinea alum serving technically perfect French fare with California produce
8.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Luxury Dining Elite
Wolfgang Puck's 1983 Asian-French fusion pioneer still delivers the dishes that launched Pacific Rim cuisine, from Shanghai lobster to Mongolian lamb. The open kitchen and family-style service create theater in the fuchsia and celadon dining room that influenced a generation of restaurants.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shanghai Lobster, Whole Sizzling Catfish, Chinois Chicken Salad
What makes it special: 40-year institution that invented Asian fusion and remains definitive despite countless imitators
#3
Via Veneto
8.3
Since 2001, Fabrizio Bianconi's intimate 40-seat trattoria features homemade pastas and locally-sourced organic ingredients with celebrity following. The candlelit narrow space with chandeliers creates authentic Italian ambiance, while dishes like tuna tartare and sampling ravioli platters showcase refined technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna Tartare, Ravioli Sampler, Rigatoni with Truffle Meat Sauce
What makes it special: Owner Fabrizio's Rome-to-California journey creates fine dining without austere atmosphere beloved by celebrities
Chef Vittorio's California-Italian menu with handmade pastas and fire-grilled seafood comes with panoramic Pacific views at Shutters on the Beach. The elevated yet relaxed beachfront dining pairs seasonal cooking with Wine Spectator-recognized selections.
Must-Try Dishes:
Handmade Pastas, Fire-Grilled Seafood, Salted Caramel Sundae
What makes it special: Unmatched beachfront location with direct ocean views while dining on sophisticated Italian-California cuisine