Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Santa Monica (90405)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
The signature restaurant at iconic Shutters on the Beach offers simply grilled premium seafood and steaks with direct oceanfront views from both indoor dining room and heated outdoor courtyard. Chef Vittorio combines coastal California ingredients with Southern Italian technique for handmade pastas and fire-grilled preparations.
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
#2
Il Forno
8.6
Northern Italian trattoria where Chef Domenico Salvatore crafts thin-crust pizzas and homemade pastas in an open kitchen, with standout Ossobuco alla Milanese slow-braised to perfection. The family-style warmth and reliable quality have made this a local favorite for years, with GM Sorin greeting diners like old friends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ossobuco alla Milanese, Homemade Tagliolini, Thin-Crust Margherita Pizza
What makes it special: Open kitchen showcasing Chef Domenico's pasta-making and Ruth Reichl-praised home-away-from-home atmosphere
#3
Lunetta
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Chef Raphael Lunetta's neighborhood restaurant features three distinct outdoor patios serving seasonally-driven California cuisine with house-made pastas and wood-grilled meats. The multiple patio spaces create intimate garden-like settings with string lights and lush greenery, offering both casual daytime dining and romantic evening ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kobe Beef Burger, Wood-Grilled Salmon, Chocolate Lava Cake
What makes it special: MICHELIN Plate recognition with three distinct patios and chef-driven seasonal California cooking
Worthy Picks
7.9
Neighborhood gathering spot centered around a wood-burning pizza oven serving seasonal market-driven plates and handcrafted pizzas. The cozy enclosed patio features a wood trellis reclaimed from a 1920s Santa Barbara bridge, creating intimate ambiance for Ocean Park locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Pizzas, Lamb Meatballs, Burrata with Fava Beans
What makes it special: Wood-fired pizzas and seasonal California-Italian cuisine in a rustic-chic neighborhood setting
7.8
Hotel Casa del Mar's seasonal alfresco bistro sits beachside on the Strand offering fresh seafood, raw bar selections, and coastal fare with unobstructed Pacific Ocean views. Operating seasonally through warmer months, it provides front-row seating to Santa Monica's legendary sunsets and pier views.
Must-Try Dishes:
East and West Coast Oysters, Waygu Hamburger, Shrimp Ceviche
What makes it special: Exclusive seasonal oceanfront patio at historic beachfront hotel with unmatched sunset views
7.7
Shutters on the Beach's casual beachside cafe sits directly on the bicycle path with both indoor and outdoor seating offering contemporary comfort food and ocean views. The self-heating floor provides warmth for cooler evenings while diners enjoy New American cuisine with happy hour specials at ocean's edge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Eggs Benedict, Burrata Appetizer, Fish and Chips
What makes it special: Rare direct beach path access with separate entrance for beachgoers and casual atmosphere at luxury hotel