Best Group Dining Restaurants in Santa Monica
26 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Holy Cow BBQ - Santa Monica
Serious, multi-regional smoked barbecue with ribs at the center.
Notable Picks
8.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Holy Cow’s original Santa Monica outpost has been slow-smoking baby back ribs, brisket, and tri-tip since 2014, drawing fans from across the Westside. Pitmaster-founder Rob Serritella pulls together regional American barbecue styles under one roof, with hearty plates, standout sides, and a casual roadhouse feel across from Brentwood Country Mart.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs with Original 'Q' Sauce, BBQ Plate with Texas Brisket & Santa Maria Tri-Tip, Collard Greens and Banana Pudding
What Makes it Special: Serious, multi-regional smoked barbecue with ribs at the center.
#2
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
8.6
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
#4
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
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
A Santa Monica Canyon chophouse dating back to 1949, The Golden Bull delivers classic steaks, prime rib, and martinis in a wood-paneled, fireplace-warmed room. It’s a go-to for couples who want an old-school, slightly buzzy steakhouse feel without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, French onion soup, Filet mignon
What Makes it Special: Midcentury steakhouse energy with fireplaces and canyon locals.
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.
#7
Tu Madre
8.4
Born from a happy accident with a fried chicken taco, Tu Madre reinvents the taco game with creative combinations like ahi tuna on handmade tortillas. Their vibrant cantina atmosphere and $1.50 happy hour tacos make this a local favorite for groups and date nights alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Taco, Ahi Tuna Tostada, Street Corn Nachos
What Makes it Special: Inventive fusion tacos with daily happy hour featuring $1.50 tacos
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
8.4
This longtime beachfront cafe attached to the Annenberg Beach House serves a trio of seafood tacos—fish, shrimp, and salmon—steps from the sand. The tacos pair crisp slaw and pico with ocean views that make a casual plate feel like a mini vacation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Salmon Tacos
What Makes it Special: A Santa Monica landmark where you can eat seafood tacos at tables set directly in the sand.
8.4
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Detroit-style pizza specialists with crispy frico crust and creative toppings, housed inside Santa Monica Brew Works. The NYC-bred concept brings square pies with signature sauce stripes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza, Le Big Matt Burger, Caesar Salad
What Makes it Special: West Coast debut of acclaimed NYC Detroit-style pizza with award-winning burgers
#11
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
#12
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
8.2
Inspired by East Hampton lobster bakes and Montauk roadside eateries, this casual beachy spot serves overflowing Connecticut and Maine-style lobster rolls with stellar oyster selections. The outdoor patio offers ocean views while maintaining a laid-back vibe that attracts both surfers and studio executives.
Must-Try Dishes:
Connecticut Lobster Roll, Steamers in Broth, Daily Oyster Selection
What Makes it Special: Authentic East Coast seafood shack experience on the West Coast
#14
Socalo
8.2
Modern Mexican from James Beard and Julia Child Award-winning chefs Feniger and Milliken, built around conscientiously-sourced ingredients and creative plant-forward options like jackfruit tinga tacos alongside traditional preparations. The dual dog-friendly patios and well-regarded happy hour made it a natural fit for Santa Monica groups who wanted upscale execution without fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
Guacamole, Ceviche, Burrito
What Makes it Special: Modern Mexican cantina with plant-forward options like jackfruit tacos alongside traditional carne asada, all served on a dog-friendly patio
8.2
This intimate Thai restaurant brings authentic flavors from Thailand with Chef Wasana Pisaikun's traditional recipes served in an elegantly decorated space with crystal chandeliers. The menu balances familiar favorites like pad thai with more adventurous fusion dishes and house specialties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellow Curry with Coconut Milk, Pad Thai Bangkok Roll, Emperor Duck Rolls
What Makes it Special: Authentic Thai chef creating traditional dishes in an upscale intimate setting
#16
Barney's Beanery
8.1
Established in 1920, this legendary Route 66 roadhouse brings authentic sports bar culture to the Promenade with over 175 beer options and a 1000-item menu. The historic venue serves classic buffalo wings alongside their famous chili varieties, maintaining its status as a Santa Monica institution for over a century.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Buffalo Wings, Famous Chili, Prime Rib Dublin Dip
What Makes it Special: Century-old institution with 175+ beer options
#17
Takuma
8.1
Traditional izakaya offering authentic Japanese small plates and extensive sake selection in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Chef Takuma brings genuine Tokyo-style dining with shareable dishes perfect for groups and an impressive variety of premium sake.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Karaage, Sukiyaki Hot Pot, Sake-Marinated Black Cod
What Makes it Special: Authentic izakaya experience rare on the Westside
#18
Massilia
8.1
Marseille-inspired brasserie since 1997 blending French, Italian, Spanish, and North African influences. Known for exceptional happy hour with 50% off drinks and authentic bouillabaisse that transports diners to the Mediterranean coast.
Must-Try Dishes:
8-Hour Braised Lamb Shank, Traditional Bouillabaisse, Clams with Merguez Sausage
What Makes it Special: Authentic Marseille flavors with incredible happy hour value
Worthy Picks
#19
Lares Restaurant
7.9
A long-running Pico Boulevard Mexican spot built around traditional preparations—mole, chile verde, lengua—served alongside nightly live guitar and weekend mariachi that set the tempo for the whole room. It draws families and large groups who want festive, communal dining with outdoor seating and enough noise to let the table get loud. Expect to raise your voice during peak hours, but that's the point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enchiladas, Mole, Chile Verde
What Makes it Special: Long-running Pico Boulevard Mexican spot where live mariachi accompanies traditional dishes like mole and chile verde
7.9
This two-story New American restaurant brings global influences to SoCal cuisine in a vintage-chic space on the Promenade. Creative cocktail infusions and weekly themed promotions keep the energy high, attracting a diverse crowd from shoppers to date-nighters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Korean BBQ Tacos, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Tuna Poke Stack
What Makes it Special: Two-story space with balcony dining overlooking the Promenade
#21
Fogo de Chão
7.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
Outdoor Dining Oasis
This Brazilian churrasco steakhouse offers continuous tableside service of fire-roasted meats carved by gaucho chefs. The open grill concept with ocean views and extensive Market Table create an interactive dining experience perfect for adventurous couples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Picanha (Top Sirloin), Filet Mignon, Lamb Chops
What Makes it Special: Authentic Brazilian churrasco with endless meat service.
#22
Cabo Cantina
7.8
This party-centric cantina near the Promenade serves mega margaritas and late-night tacos until 2am daily. Known for its 2-for-1 happy hours and raucous atmosphere, it's where beach vibes meet border-town energy with affordable street tacos and bottomless specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Fish Tacos with Habanero Sauce, Grilled Shrimp Tacos
What Makes it Special: 36oz Mega Margaritas and kitchen open until 2am every night
7.8
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Sixth location of this LA institution brings 50+ taco varieties and premium mezcal to downtown Santa Monica. Opened November 2024 with full liquor bar and the famous 'Alcapone' taco grande.
Must-Try Dishes:
Alcapone Taco Grande, Mas Buscados Tacos, No Seas Naca Margarita
What Makes it Special: 50+ taco varieties and premium mezcal selection
#24
Busby's West
7.7
A full-scale sports bar that doubles as a game hall—beer pong, shuffleboard, arcade cabinets, and air hockey spread across multiple rooms alongside wall-to-wall screens. The draw is the activity density: groups come to play as much as watch, with standard bar food (wings, smash burgers, loaded nachos) keeping the table fueled between rounds. Expect volume—50 TVs, DJ sets, and weekend crowds make this a commit-to-the-energy kind of night, not a drop-in-for-one spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Best Damn Chicken Sandwich, Carne Asada Fries, Wings
What Makes it Special: Full-sized sports bar with beer pong, shuffleboard, arcade games, and air hockey alongside wall-to-wall TVs for every game.
#25
JINYA Ramen Bar
7.7
Contemporary ramen chain serving 20-hour simmered tonkotsu broths with handcrafted noodles in sleek modern space. The heated outdoor patio with firepit creates lively atmosphere for customizable bowls and crispy fried chicken.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu Black Ramen, JINYA Bun, Japanese Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Firepit-centered patio creates social ramen experience near beach
7.6
Forrest Gump-themed seafood restaurant offering Southern comfort food with ocean views and movie memorabilia. The interactive service style and kids menu make it a tourist-friendly family destination on the pier.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimper's Heaven Platter, Run Across America Sampler, Lieutenant Dan's Drunken Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Movie-themed dining with Pacific Ocean backdrop