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Summer House Santa Monica
Master Critic Reviews (8 Lists)
Summer House Santa Monica
8.2
Summer House Santa Monica brings a SoCal brunch aesthetic to Lincoln Park with a greenhouse-like dining room, pastry counter, and all-day menu. It’s where groups go for sunny eggs, salads, pancakes, and cocktails in a space that feels engineered for daytime celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, Mexican Hash Browns
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A West Coast–themed brunch hall with a pastry counter, big-group tables, and a sunlit glass ceiling.
Who should go: Friends planning celebratory brunch with cocktails and shareable plates.
When to visit: Prime late-morning weekend slots if you want full buzz and energy.
What to order: Breakfast Burrito, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, Mexican Hash Browns.
Insider tip: Check the pastry case on arrival and claim any seasonal sweets before you’re seated—favorites sell out on busy weekends.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.6
Summer House Santa Monica brings a California-style menu and a bright, retractable-roof courtyard to Lincoln Park, making it one of the neighborhood’s most in-demand patios. Diners pair fish tacos, salads, and burgers with cocktails under string lights and a glass ceiling that works in multiple seasons.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Fish Tacos, Griddled Burgers, Housemade Cookies from the Market Counter
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A retractable-roof courtyard and California menu make this one of Lincoln Park’s most reliable all-weather patios.
Who should go: Brunch groups and date-night diners chasing a sunny vibe.
When to visit: Daytime for brunch light or golden-hour drinks on the patio.
What to order: Crispy fish tacos, a big salad, cookies from the market counter.
Insider tip: Ask for courtyard seating when you book and treat dessert like a second stop at the in-house cookie counter.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.6
Summer House Santa Monica is a Lettuce Entertain You spot where California-inspired New American plates, a greenhouse-like dining room, and a high-energy bar scene anchor one of Lincoln Park’s busiest brunch and dinner patios. Locals use it for out-of-town guests, birthdays, and group brunches, especially when they want a lively, dog-friendly sidewalk café along Halsted.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Baja Fish Tacos, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Wilshire Cobb Salad
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A beach-house-inspired Halsted dining room with a buzzing, dog-friendly sidewalk patio and big-brunch energy.
Who should go: Groups and brunch lovers who want upbeat California-style dining.
When to visit: Prime weekend brunch or early evening before peak rush hits.
What to order: Crispy Baja Fish Tacos, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Wilshire Cobb Salad.
Insider tip: Request a patio table along the rail for better people-watching and more space for your dog.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.6
Summer House Santa Monica is a California-leaning New American spot where bright, plant-filled interiors frame a broad menu of salads, pastas, wood-grilled mains, and an in-house bakery counter. It’s a high-volume Lincoln Park standby for brunch, group dinners, and family outings that still feel stylish.
Must-Try Dishes:
California kale and avocado salad, Parmesan truffle fries, Wood-grilled salmon or steak frites
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A beach-house-inspired dining room where West Coast–leaning comfort food meets serious crowd-pleasing volume.
Who should go: Groups and families wanting trendy but approachable dining.
When to visit: Prime brunch or early dinner slots for peak room energy.
What to order: Kale salad, wood-grilled entree, bakery cookies.
Insider tip: Browse the bakery case at the entrance for dessert or takeaway treats.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.2
Summer House Santa Monica brings a bright, West Coast–inspired dining room and an all-seasons courtyard that can be reserved for private brunches, showers, and cocktail-heavy dinners. The menu leans American-Californian, so private parties can mix shareable starters, pizzas, and lighter mains without feeling overly formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh Burrata, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, California-Style Tacos
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A sunny, beach-house-style space with an enclosed courtyard tailored to private brunches and parties.
Who should go: Hosts planning photo-friendly showers, brunches, or casual celebrations.
When to visit: Daytime or early evening when natural light makes the room pop.
What to order: Fresh burrata, crispy Brussels sprouts, California-style tacos for the table.
Insider tip: Use the courtyard for semi-private daytime events, then transition to the bakery counter for coffee and sweets as a soft landing.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.7
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Summer House Santa Monica is a California-inspired spot where a broad menu of salads, pastas, and wood-grilled mains is served in a bright, glass-roofed space that feels polished but not stiff. It’s a go-to for business lunches that need gluten-free and lighter options alongside more substantial plates, with enough ambient noise to keep conversations private.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huevos Rancheros, Parmesan Truffle Fries, Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Cookies
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A Michelin-recommended, California-style dining room with a flexible menu ideal for professional lunches.
Who should go: Teams needing crowd-pleasing menus in a polished setting.
When to visit: Midweek lunches between the early rush and late afternoon dip.
What to order: Huevos rancheros, a shared plate of parmesan truffle fries, cookies for the table.
Insider tip: Book a table near the atrium windows for better acoustics during working lunches.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.2
Summer House Santa Monica is a bright, California-inspired all-day restaurant where weekday Martini Hour brings $10 martinis, discounted wine and beer, and a concise menu of bar bites. The skylit bar is popular with Lincoln Park crowds looking for drinks-first meetups that can flow into dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Cheeseburger, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Ahi Tuna Tostadas
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A beachy, skylit space where weekday Martini Hour anchors the bar scene.
Who should go: Cocktail-focused groups wanting bright, West Coast energy.
When to visit: Mon–Fri 3–6pm Martini Hour at the bar.
What to order: Espresso martini, Prime Cheeseburger, truffle or parmesan fries.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for martini pricing; dining room doesn’t get the deal.
Summer House Santa Monica
8.6
Summer House Santa Monica brings a bright, SoCal-inspired dining room to Lincoln Park, with wood-fired pizzas, market-driven salads, and a dedicated kids menu that keeps families coming back. It’s more polished and pricey than a casual cafe, but highchairs, kid-friendly options, and a bakery counter of cookies make it workable for multi-generational groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ahi Tuna Tostadas, Costa Mesa Salad, Make-Your-Own Kids' Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A breezy, California-styled room where families share pizzas, salads, and a serious kids menu.
Who should go: Families wanting polished dining without losing kid-friendly flexibility.
When to visit: Early weeknight dinners or late weekend lunches before peak.
What to order: Ahi Tuna Tostadas, a shared pizza, cookies from the bakery case.
Insider tip: Request a booth or patio-adjacent table; they’re easier with strollers and toddlers.