Chelsea in Santa Monica is a restaurant that’s become one of our family’s regular spots — this was our second visit, and it confirmed it. Step inside and it feels like a moody London pub that wandered onto the California coast: dark wood, low lighting, cozy booths, but with an energy that stays lively rather than stuffy.
We went on a Saturday evening — my husband, our two daughters, and me.
What We Ordered at This Santa Monica Restaurant
We started with warm naan bread and two dipping sauces — a cooling raita and a vibrant red chili sauce. It’s simple and it works, and it was an immediate hit with our daughters.
Next was the Yellowtail & Watermelon Sashimi — delicate yellowtail against crisp watermelon, dressed in chili oil, ponzu, shaved onion, and serrano pepper. It’s a genuinely interesting combination, and our older daughter dug right in. Our younger daughter, who has a strict no-fish policy, sat this one out.
If you order one thing here at Chelsea, make it the Sweet Corn & Ricotta Ravioli in Thai Green Curry Sauce. Italian stuffed pasta meeting a Southeast Asian curry sounds like it shouldn’t work, and it works beautifully — sweet corn and creamy ricotta against a curry sauce that hits sweet, salty, sour, and umami all at once. This one’s non-negotiable.
Burgers, Fries, and Drinks at This Restaurant
My husband and I split the signature Burger — caramelized onion confit, sharp cheddar, pickles, jalapeño, and roasted garlic aioli, juicy and well-seasoned. We paired it with truffle fries, though next time I’d get plain fries instead; the burger is rich enough on its own, and a plain, salty fry works better as a palate cleanser between bites. Our daughters split a straightforward cheeseburger with plain fries and were perfectly happy with it.
To drink, we had the house-made lemonade, bright and not too sweet. On our first visit, I tried the American Samurai cocktail — olive-oil fat-washed vodka with yuzu, lime, and arugula — and it’s stuck with me as one of the more inventive drinks I’ve had. Worth exploring the cocktail list here if you’re in the mood to try something different.
The Showstopper at Chelsea
Don’t skip the Banana Flambé for dessert. It’s tableside theater — real flames caramelizing the bananas right at your table — and our kids were glued to it. We weren’t the only ones ordering it that night either; we counted at least three other tables at the restaurant doing the same.
A Couple of Tips
Pair Chelsea’s burger with plain fries instead of truffle fries if you’re the type who likes a palate break. And download the inKind app before you go — it’s worth checking for dining credits at this restaurant before you sit down.
Read More
If you enjoyed this, check out a few other posts along the same lines:
- The Little Known Truth About Sushi Roku, Santa Monica
- Chasing the Sunset: Why You Need to Visit Gladstones Malibu Right Now (Before It Changes Forever)
- Science of the Sip for a Complete Sensory Reset
- How to Experience Santa Monica’s Most Magical Garden Dining for Less
- Massilia Santa Monica: Fine French Dining That Will Surprise You
