Best Solo Dining Restaurants in Santa Monica
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Satdha Plant Based Thai Kitchen
Pioneering plant-based Thai cuisine in LA for over a decade with no fake meats
Notable Picks
Chef Gunn Pankum's plant-based Thai kitchen transforms vegetables into complex, layered dishes without relying on mock meats. Since 2013, this Lincoln Boulevard veteran sources from local farmers markets to create inventive takes on classics like Khao Soi and Mung Bean Pad Thai alongside unique preparations like Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken' made from lion's mane mushrooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken', Mung Bean Pad Thai
What Makes it Special: Pioneering plant-based Thai cuisine in LA for over a decade with no fake meats
8.4
Since 1990, this narrow Italian dining room has delivered cozy, candlelit plates of pasta and seafood to locals who treat it like their weekly canteen. The space is intimate and slightly old-school, but the cooking is warm, generous, and quietly romantic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zuppa di pesce in guazzetto, Fettuccine Bolognese, Veal Milanese
What Makes it Special: A long-running, snug Italian spot where regulars swear by the pastas and seafood.
#3
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
#4
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
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Happy Hour Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
This neighborhood favorite since 2013 serves generous portions of fresh nigiri and creative specialty rolls in a casual, no-frills setting. The warm greeting from the sushi bar, extensive sake selection, and happy hour pricing (3-5pm with a third off) make it a reliable local haunt where quality consistently delivers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Santa Monica Roll, Hanashi Roll, Salmon Sashimi Salad
What Makes it Special: Huge fish portions on nigiri that locals return to weekly
#6
Caffe Luxxe
8
Caffe Luxxe anchors the Country Mart mornings with serious espresso, silky matcha, and better-than-average pastries. It’s a casual, counter-service spot where locals linger over cappuccinos before school drop-off or a Montana Avenue walk.
Must-Try Dishes:
Matcha Latte, Nutella Croissant, Breakfast Sandwich with egg and cheddar
What Makes it Special: Specialty coffee and pastries with a relaxed, European-style café feel.
#7
Urth Caffé
8
LA institution serving exclusively organic, heirloom coffee with health-conscious California cuisine in Spanish-style building. Founded in 1989, Urth pioneered the organic coffee movement and offers extensive breakfast menu featuring everything from vegan options to decadent pastries, all made with sustainable ingredients in a European-style coffeehouse setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Spanish Latte, Sticky Buns
What Makes it Special: America's first exclusively organic coffee company with celebrity following
Worthy Picks
#8
Rejuice
7.8
Founded by actress Elisabeth Rohm in 2012, this organic juice bar specializes in cold-pressed blends served in refillable glass bottles. The signature G1 (kale, celery, apple, lemon, ginger) and medicinal juice formulas attract health-conscious locals who appreciate the master juicer's attention to functional nutrition and the option to customize cleanse programs.
Must-Try Dishes:
G1 Green Juice, GFT (Grapefruit, Fennel, Turmeric), Chocolate Smoothie
What Makes it Special: 100% organic cold-pressed juices with refillable glass bottle program since 2012
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Serving fresh Mediterranean staples since 1958 from a bright yellow cottage across from Santa Monica College. The tiny counter-service spot maintains original recipes with generous portions and some of LA's crispiest falafel at budget-friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Sandwich, Gyro Plate, Shish Kabob
What Makes it Special: Over 60 years serving Santa Monica with unchanged recipes and $8 falafel sandwiches
#10
Café Bolívar
7.8
South American cafe serving handmade arepas since 2002, with gluten-free cornmeal pockets filled with pulled pork, mango, and panela cheese. The laid-back space doubles as a coffee shop and art gallery, drawing laptop workers and neighborhood regulars for aromatic Colombian-inspired brews and crispy arepas with rosemary aioli.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pulled Pork Arepa, Pacifico Arepa with Mango, Cafe Bolivar Latte
What Makes it Special: Authentic South American arepas in a neighborhood cafe with art gallery
#11
Rae's Restaurant
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Authentic 1950s diner serving classic American breakfast in turquoise-blue retro setting since 1958. Red leather booths, counter seating with griddle views, and old-school hospitality define this local institution where housemade biscuits and gravy, giant cinnamon rolls, and hearty breakfast combos come at remarkably affordable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Biscuits and Gravy, Hobo Breakfast, Fresh-Baked Cinnamon Rolls
What Makes it Special: Genuine 1950s diner with 66 years of local history