Santa Monica. The name itself conjures images of sun-drenched beaches, Ferris wheels, and that distinct, breezy coastal cool. It’s a fantastic place to visit and a beautiful place to live. It’s also a secret spot for some of the Westside’s best dining experiences. Forget the usual tourist traps on the Third Street Promenade; I’m here to tell you that the real Santa Monica culinary magic—the kind that elevates a simple dinner into a memorable event—is often found right inside the luxury hotel lobbies.
And when I say “magic,” I mean high-quality content for your eyeballs.
There’s a special kind of allure to hotel dining, isn’t there? It’s a cocoon of luxury, a promise that everything, from the lighting to the linen, has been curated for your pleasure. For travelers, it’s the ultimate convenience—no Ubers, no parking stress, just an elevator ride to culinary excellence. For locals, it’s an elevated escape, a way to play tourist in your own town. In Santa Monica, where the hotel scene is particularly chic, these dining rooms offer stunning ocean views, and a level of polish that few freestanding restaurants can match.
But the real, unsung benefit of hotel dining in a place like Santa Monica? It’s the versatility. These are places designed to cater to everyone: the power diner, the romantic couple, and yes, even the family with children. Many upscale restaurants balk at a tiny human demanding chicken fingers, but hotel restaurants are masters of seamless accommodation. They know you might be having a business meeting at 5 PM and a family dinner at 7 PM. They nail the vibe.
I’ve recently embarked on a highly scientific, extremely delicious, and occasionally overpriced investigation into Santa Monica’s top hotel restaurants, all for the benefit of your future reservation book.
Fig Restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel: The Unbeatable Value-to-Vibe Ratio in Santa Monica
If you’re a regular on the Santa Monica dining circuit, you know Fig. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an institution nestled within the lush grounds of the Fairmont Miramar. With its focus on seasonal, market-driven cuisine and its stunning patio beneath the iconic Moreton Bay fig tree, Fig provides a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere.
Fig is a guaranteed hit for a date night. The ambiance—all soft lighting, rustic elegance, and the faint, happy murmur of conversation—is inherently romantic. For the traveler, it offers a quintessential California dining experience that feels both luxurious and authentic.
But let’s get to the true holy grail, the reason anyone should risk the 405 freeway traffic: The Five at Five Menu.
The Five at Five: A Dinner Deal That Defies Logic
Imagine this: a daily happy hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM where almost the entire menu, including the wine and cocktails, is 50% off. Yes, you read that right. It’s a culinary miracle that makes an upscale dinner approachable for everyone. It’s, simply put, the best value I have found for quality dining in Santa Monica. This makes it an ideal spot to take your child for an upscale dinner, as the kids’ menu is also included in the discount. You get to feel fancy, and your wallet doesn’t need to cry.
I was just there on Friday celebrating a friend’s birthday. We were lucky enough, as always, to be seated in Matt’s section. Matt is the kind of server who is so consistently excellent, so perfectly attuned to the rhythm of the meal, that he feels less like staff and more like a highly valued, knowledgeable dinner companion. He has become both my friend’s and my family’s go-to guy at Fig—a testament to the personalized service here.
My Cocktail and Dish Deep Dive:
- Crimson Summit: I loved the creativity here. The blend of Aspen Vodka, strawberry-rhubarb purée, ginger beer, and lime created a complex, vibrant, and surprisingly well-balanced drink. It was a perfect start.
- Emily’s Revenge: My love for Mezcal and Tequila drew me to this one: Nosotros Blanco, 400 Conejos Mezcal, lime, pineapple, ginger beer, and honey habanero pineapple shrub. Full disclosure: I suspect the pineapple juice wasn’t freshly squeezed, but it was still a nice, smoky, complex sip. Word of caution: this is a heavy drink. Pair it with lighter dishes unless you want to be sipping through your main course.
The Shared Plates Showdown:
- Sweet Potato Falafel: Unique and recommended. How often do you see falafel, let alone a sweet potato version, on a high-end Santa Monica menu? It’s a must-try for its novelty alone.
- Crispy Calamari: Standard, tasty, but not a revelation. A solid filler while we waited for the main event.
- Persimmons and Burrata: Highly recommended. This dish is a seasonal star, light, flavorful, and a brilliant example of Fig’s commitment to peak-season fruit and local produce. It’s the kind of dish that makes you grateful for California seasonality. The Center for Food Safety states that local, seasonal eating reduces transportation and pesticide exposure, and Fig clearly embraces this philosophy in its preparations.
The Main Event:
- Gnudi: We split this because of the generous amount of vegetables nestled in the dish. The Beurre blanc sauce hugging the ricotta gnocchi and seasonal vegetables was pure comfort. A great, hearty option.
- Salmon: Simple, perfectly cooked, not fishy, and a good size. Sometimes simple is best.
Dessert:
- Apple Galette with Vanilla Ice Cream: Light, very tasty, and perfect for two people to share—unless you want more than a sample, in which case, order your own!
Fig is consistently excellent. The ambiance, Matt’s top-tier service, the food, and the vibe are always a home run. It hasn’t failed me yet.
The Penthouse at The Huntley Hotel: Santa Monica Views for Days (But Bring Your Patience)
If Fig is about grounding you in California elegance, The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel is about taking you to the clouds. Located on the 18th floor, the experience starts with a ride up a special, external glass elevator that offers a sneak preview of the unparalleled coastal vista. The doors open to a chic, comfortable space that feels like a glamorous beach house in the sky.
This is where you go for the beautiful view. It’s a phenomenal spot for a date night where the scenery does half the heavy lifting, and it’s a mandatory stop for travelers who want that iconic Santa Monica photo op. We brought the whole family—my children and husband—on a recent Saturday visit. It’s possible to take your child for an upscale dinner here, and the views will certainly keep them entertained… for a while.
The service, however, was a masterclass in slowness. Our waiter and the management were kind and accommodating, but the pace of the food and drinks bordered on glacial. My daughter, bless her impatient soul, actually declared she wanted to go home because things were taking so long.
Drinks and Starters: Freshness vs. Firepower
- Freshlove Cocktail: Vanilla liqueur, freshly pressed lime and grapefruit juices, Basil, and yellow bell pepper juice. It was indeed “fresh and vibrant”—a truly unique combination. However, it was pretty weak in the alcohol department.
- Maplewood (Elijah Craig Straight Bourbon Whiskey): My husband’s pick. Again, very “fresh” tasting, but equally lacking in the necessary alcoholic oomph. Perhaps they are focusing on session sipping, but when I’m 18 stories up, I want the drink to match the drama of the view.
The Must-Order Starters:
- Epi Baguette with European Style Butter, Honey Granules, and Volcanic Salt: Get this. Do it just for the butter, which is transcendent.
- Truffle Honey Burrata with a Squid Ink Coral Cracker: A truly unique dish you won’t find at every corner restaurant. The Coral Cracker’s presentation and flavor were memorable.
The Main Course Conundrum:
- Rib Cap ($75): My husband had this. It was fine. Just fine. Not an ounce better than a great cut of steak at a dedicated steakhouse, and certainly not worth the price tag. The Michelin Guide’s criteria often focus on the quality of ingredients, skill, and value, and I’m afraid the Rib Cap missed the mark on value. I wouldn’t order it again.
- Australian Sea Bass: Didn’t stand out. Perfectly adequate, but forgettable.
- The Sides: The real stars. The Farmers Market Vegetables and the Mashed Potatoes with Brown Butter were the highlight of the entire main course experience.
Kid-Friendly Verdict:
- The kids were happy! Sliders/fries and Spaghetti Marinara/fries were both large portions and met with zero complaints. The food was good, and the portions were generous.
Dessert & Special Occasion Perk:
- Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake: Good, but I’m going to toot my own horn and say I make a better one.
- Birthday Surprise: They brought my daughter complimentary cream puffs with ice cream and a giant sparkling candle—a lovely touch that made her night. If you are celebrating, tell them!
Final Penthouse Takeaway: The view is priceless. The food, particularly the pricey mains, is not worth the cost. Future visits would involve more appetizers and perhaps pasta, skipping the main entrees entirely. This restaurant is on the inKind app so make sure you use the app when you go to this restaurant to save some money.
ORLA by Michael Mina at the Regent Santa Monica Beach: High-End Mediterranean Bliss
My previous visit and review of ORLA still stands: this is where you go for a very unique, high-end Mediterranean experience. Located in the luxurious Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel, this restaurant is a true embodiment of the high-end hotel dining promise.
This is a phenomenal date night choice and a superb option for travelers who appreciate the best ingredients and culinary innovation. It is expensive, yes, but unlike my experience at The Penthouse, at ORLA, you get what you pay for.
Chef Michael Mina, a name well-known in the industry and recognized by the James Beard Foundation for his impactful contributions to American cuisine, has curated a menu that is innovative, flavorful, and uses top-tier sourcing. The food is consistently great, the service is impeccable, and the ambiance is beautiful.
Can you take your child for an upscale dinner here? Yes, but it will be a costly outing. If you have a child who appreciates and enjoys refined food, ORLA will deliver.
The Georgian Room at The Georgian Hotel: A Secret Society Vibe
The Georgian Hotel is a landmark with beautiful architecture, and The Georgian Room, offers an experience that is less about culinary excellence and more about theatrical escapism.
I recommend this primarily if you have children and want a unique family outing.
On Sundays, the secret Georgian Room hosts “Spaghetti Sundays.” The sheer experience is what you’re paying for:
- Check-in at the hotel desk.
- They call ahead to the Georgian Room.
- You walk around the side, knock, and are led into a “secret” speakeasy-style room.
- Inside, you find an old-fashioned bar, red big booths, and live piano music.
It is genuinely cool, and your kids will love the “secret club” vibe. However, as an adult looking for a high-quality meal, this is one to skip for date night. The food—pasta, salad, garlic bread, and dessert for a hefty price—is decidedly mediocre and an average value. According to my taste buds, which have been refined by years of chasing the perfect beurre blanc and $95 steaks, the food is just passable.
As the National Restaurant Association often notes, the customer experience is a blend of service, ambiance, and food quality. The Georgian Room nails ambiance and service, but the food quality needs an upgrade to match the price point.
My Final Takeaway:
Santa Monica’s hotel restaurants are not just for the jet set; they are high-quality dining destinations offering something for everyone. They promise and often deliver a seamless blend of world-class views, stellar service, and high-quality cuisine.
If you’re seeking unbeatable value, fantastic service, and seasonal California fare, make a reservation for the 5 at 5 at Fig.
If you want an iconic, breathtaking view and are willing to pay a premium (and wait a while), head to The Penthouse. Stick to the small plates.
If you desire a truly high-end, contemporary Mediterranean meal where the quality matches the price, choose ORLA.
And if you want a fun, immersive, secret-club experience for your kids, visit the Georgian Room on “Spaghetti Sundays.”
Santa Monica’s hotel dining scene proves that sometimes, the best adventures are just an elevator ride away.
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👩🍳 About the Author: Ginger Graham
Ginger Graham is the chief culinary explorer and designated cocktail connoisseur for Culinary Passages. With a deep-seated passion for the science and art of flavor, Ginger approaches every restaurant experience as a critical mission. She believes the best meals are a perfect confluence of ambiance, service, and a chef’s uncompromising commitment to high-quality ingredients. She resides in Los Angeles, where she is constantly hunting for the next perfect plate and the best happy hour deal that makes her husband raise an eyebrow.
