Best Business Lunch Restaurants in Santa Monica
27 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Fia Steak
Live-fire wood-burning grill creates sensory theater in intimate setting
Essential Picks
#1
Fia Steak
9.1
This intimate 48-seat MICHELIN-recognized steakhouse showcases theatrical wood-fired cooking with U.S. Prime beef and Japanese A5 Wagyu. Chef Tim Cardenas delivers a modern love letter to classic American steakhouses with impeccable Wine Spectator Grand Award selections.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tournedos Rossini, A5 Japanese Wagyu, Tableside Tuna Tartare
What Makes it Special: Live-fire wood-burning grill creates sensory theater in intimate setting
Notable Picks
#2
Citrin
8.8
One Michelin-starred modern Californian by Chef Josiah Citrin blending French technique with seasonal California produce. More approachable sister to Mélisse with à la carte options alongside prix fixe, plus a lively bar scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Artichoke Agnolotti with Comté, Crispy Rouget with Bouillabaisse, A5 Wagyu with Truffle
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred dining with flexible format and bar scene
#3
Farmshop
8.8
Farmshop turns breakfast into a polished, market-driven affair, with dishes built around pristine California produce and a serious in-house bakery. Locals come for shirred eggs, buttermilk biscuits, and excellent coffee before wandering the Brentwood Country Mart’s boutiques.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shirred Eggs with lamb merguez, dates & yogurt, Buttermilk Biscuit with fra’mani ham & sunny-side egg, Brioche French Toast with strawberries & mascarpone
What Makes it Special: A chef-driven breakfast with bakery-level pastries in a chic market setting.
#4
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
8.8
HiHo revolutionizes the classic burger joint with 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef and hand-cut fries cooked in heart-healthy rice bran oil. Their crispy-outside, fluffy-inside fries are double-fried for perfection and served piping hot with house-made sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double HiHo Burger with Fries, Hand-Cut French Fries, Willie Mae Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Wagyu beef burgers paired with perfectly executed double-fried fries
#6
Hillstone
8.7
Upscale American chain known for perfectly executed classics like their legendary ribs and Ding's Crispy Chicken sandwich. The open kitchen, warm wood interiors, and professional service create a reliably excellent dining experience for families and business diners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hawaiian Ribeye with Pineapple, Ding's Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Spinach & Artichoke Dip
What Makes it Special: Consistent excellence in American comfort food execution
8.5
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
This modern meat-centric steakhouse features an artisanal charcuterie bar, exhibition dry-aging room with 30-120 day aged cuts, and Pacific Ocean views. The highly trained butchers communicate directly with guests about their extensive selection from domestic prime to Japanese A5.
Must-Try Dishes:
120-Day Dry-Aged Ribeye, Japanese A5 Wagyu, House-Made Charcuterie Board
What Makes it Special: On-site butcher shop with visible dry-aging room.
#8
Kappo Miyabi
8.5
Since 2019, this kappo-style restaurant showcases the art of knife and fire cooking with an extensive menu spanning sushi, robata, and hot pots. The lunch omakase special provides exceptional value with its chef's selection of premium cuts and traditional preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Miyabi Omakase Lunch, Wagyu Dumplings, Aburi Shime Saba
What Makes it Special: Traditional kappo cooking style rarely found outside Japan
8.5
Since 1990, brothers Mark and Anthony Mollica have served exceptional northern Italian home cooking in a buzzing dining room where strangers swap recommendations. The house-made burrata with heirloom tomatoes achieves perfection through simplicity, while Chef Mark's Sicilian family recipes deliver consistent quality year after year.
Must-Try Dishes:
House-Made Burrata Salad, Rigatoni Bolognese, Fiore di Zucca Fritti
What Makes it Special: 35-year neighborhood institution with Sicilian family recipes and owners who create genuine community warmth
8.4
This hybrid wine bar and gourmet market offers California-French cuisine with over 100 wines by the glass in a sophisticated space featuring communal marble tables and a wine-cave inspired private room. The establishment seamlessly blends fine dining with curated retail, offering artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and specialty products alongside their seasonal menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Pizza with Shaved Black Truffle, Steak Tartare with Quail Egg, Wood Oven Baked Brie
What Makes it Special: Combining fine dining with gourmet retail and exceptional wine program
8.4
Housed in the historic 1929 Clock Tower building, The Misfit champions farm-to-table American comfort food with LA's best happy hour. The high-energy space steps from Third Street Promenade draws crowds for thoughtfully-crafted cocktails and seasonal California cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bacon Mac & Cheese, Pan-Seared Sea Bass, Walnut Bolognaise
What Makes it Special: Best happy hour in LA according to multiple publications
#12
Vito Restaurant
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Happy Hour Hotspots
Celebrating 45 years, this family-owned establishment features Chef Ernesto's legendary Spaghetti Della Casa, often called the best pasta dish locals have tasted. Tuxedo-clad servers provide old-school formal service in a romantic setting with mood lighting and outdoor patio dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti Della Casa, Tableside Caesar Salad, Gnocchi Sorrentina
What Makes it Special: Chef Ernesto's 30+ years cooking with love creates signature dishes like the famous Spaghetti Della Casa
#13
The Counter
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Build-your-own burger destination with thousands of customization combinations from grass-fed beef to vegan patties. This contemporary spot lets diners select everything from bun type to premium toppings like truffle aioli and fried eggs, paired with excellent sweet potato or parmesan fries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Create Your Own Burger, Old School Burger, Sweet Potato Fries
What Makes it Special: Thousands of burger combinations with quality ingredients and dietary options
#14
R+D Kitchen
8.3
Part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group, R+D Kitchen serves elevated American comfort food in a sophisticated yet approachable setting. Known for their artisanal sandwiches and inventive cocktails, this Montana Avenue fixture has been a neighborhood favorite for business lunches since opening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ding's Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Chopped Salad with Blackened Chicken, Sicilian Sliders
What Makes it Special: Hillstone's consistent excellence meets Montana Avenue sophistication
#15
Noma Sushi
8.3
A beloved local institution serving authentic Japanese cuisine in an unpretentious setting since establishment. Known for consistent quality, generous portions, and exceptional value alongside traditional preparation methods that honor Japanese culinary heritage.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase Selection, Chirashi Bowl, Yellowtail Sashimi
What Makes it Special: Authentic preparations without pretense or high prices
#16
KazuNori
8.3
The Original Hand Roll Bar from the Sushi Nozawa Group offers a streamlined counter experience where crispy nori meets warm rice in perfectly timed succession. Each hand roll is crafted and passed directly from chef to guest within seconds for optimal texture contrast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro Hand Roll, Blue Crab Hand Roll, The Sexy Set
What Makes it Special: First hand roll-only concept in the US with signature warm rice
#17
The Brixton
8.3
This neighborhood gastropub delivers elevated bar food with California flair, anchored by crowd-pleasing dishes like short rib poutine and duck confit fritters alongside classic comfort fare. The daily happy hour and eight-TV sports setup make it equally suited for casual drinks or full dinner service, drawing both locals and visitors since 2015.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Poutine, Fish & Chips, Corned Beef Reuben
What Makes it Special: Approachable gastropub fare with California touches and daily happy hour specials
8.2
Chef Andrea Inio grows herbs on-site for traditional recipes inspired by his Italian upbringing, creating a farm-to-table experience with housemade pasta. The second-floor patio offers a family-friendly atmosphere where Farmers Market ingredients meet authentic Italian techniques.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom Tower Appetizer, Tableside Prepared Pasta, Osso Buco
What Makes it Special: On-site herb garden enhancing every dish
#19
Mikomi Sushi
8.1
This 2025 newcomer brings 18 years of sushi expertise from Monrovia to Santa Monica with an expanded menu featuring exclusive specialty rolls and ramen. The modern space offers both sushi bar and table seating perfect for business groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mikomi Special Roll, Yellowtail Carpaccio, Tonkotsu Ramen
What Makes it Special: Newest location with Santa Monica-exclusive menu items
#20
Crimson
8
Health-focused Mediterranean cookhouse established in 2013 using hormone-free meats and organic produce when possible. The open-flame grilling method and 40-year family recipes create flavorful dishes with authentic Middle Eastern spices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon Kebab, Filet Mignon Kebab, Chicken Shawarma
What Makes it Special: Hormone-free meats grilled over open flame with health-conscious preparation
#21
SUGARFISH
8
Chef Nozawa's legacy continues with this no-frills approach to traditional sushi where warm rice and pristine fish take center stage. The Trust Me menus eliminate decision fatigue while delivering a curated progression of the day's best selections.
Must-Try Dishes:
Trust Me Lunch Set, Toro Hand Roll, Daily Special Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Nozawa-style warm rice and no-modifications philosophy
Worthy Picks
#22
Interstellar
7.9
Chef Angie Kim's modern all-day cafe blends Asian fusion with brunch classics in a sleek, minimalist space. The katsu curry rivals any Japanese restaurant while French toast gets elevated with blueberry ricotta, creating a menu that bridges continents with confident execution and specialty coffee drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Katsu Curry, Blueberry Ricotta French Toast, Branzino Ochazuke
What Makes it Special: Asian-fusion breakfast dishes you won't find elsewhere
7.9
Neighborhood Tuscan restaurant established in 1990 serving hearty portions of traditional Italian comfort food. Wood-fired oven from Tuscany produces excellent pizzas alongside their classic meat lasagna.
Must-Try Dishes:
Traditional Meat Lasagna, Pollo Al Mattone, Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza
What Makes it Special: Authentic wood-fired oven handmade in Tuscany
7.8
The original California creativity in pizza form, with hand-tossed crusts and unexpected toppings open until 11pm on weekends. While it's grown into a chain, this location maintains the innovative spirit that started the California pizza revolution.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pizza, Thai Chicken Pizza, Tostada Pizza
What Makes it Special: Original home of California-style fusion pizza
#25
Water Grill
7.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
While primarily a seafood destination, this iconic restaurant serves exceptional prime steaks with Pacific Ocean views. The luxurious copper bar, live saltwater tanks, and robust daily-changing menu offer surf-and-turf options perfect for special date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone-In Ribeye, Lobster Tail Combo, Oyster Selection
What Makes it Special: Best surf-and-turf combination with ocean views.
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Brunch Bliss Spots
Business Lunch Power Players
Modern evolution of the 1999 taqueria bringing elevated Puebla-style recipes with a full bar to the gentrifying Lincoln Boulevard corridor. The family operation maintains traditional preparations while expanding the experience with craft cocktails and weekend brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Breakfast Burrito, Carnitas Plate
What Makes it Special: Family recipes from Puebla passed down through generations with new bar program
#27
Dunkin'
7.5
America's beloved chain delivers reliable classics and signature coffee drinks in a convenient downtown location. While not artisanal, Dunkin' provides consistent quality, fast service, and wallet-friendly prices that make it a solid everyday option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boston Kreme, Glazed Donut, Wake-Up Wrap Sandwiches
What Makes it Special: National chain reliability with extended hours.