A pristine beachfront setting combined with world-class dining that is brought alive with the open-air neighborhoods, active cultural scene and friendly locals – this is exactly what Santa Monica, Los Angeles’ beachside city is all about. And keeping up with the status of highly acclaimed dining experiences that the state of California is renowned for, Santa Monica boasts of a Southern Californian vibe that is reflected in its rich bouquet of award-winning restaurants.
It comes as no surprise then that the 2021 Michelin Guide California awarded its coveted stars to three highly lauded restaurants in Santa Monica. These include Mélisse, with two stars, and Pasjoli and Rustic Canyon each with one star.
For an elevated beachside dining experience, Mélisse is an offering from Chef Josiah who has revived his Michelin two-star institution with an intimate 14-seater restaurant with Chef de Cuisine Ian Scaramuzza at the helm.
It provides an ideal setting, where the kitchen and dining are one, for a leisurely indulgent culinary adventure of 2.5hrs – an 8-course tasting menu with canapés, amuse-bouches and mignardise, all of which showcase global flavors using both modern and classic techniques guided by expert chefs and sommeliers. Chef Josiah works closely with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley to source the most unique and best-quality ingredients.
Pasjoli, a French bistro, by award-winning Chef Dave Beranis where you can experience standards like onion soup and beef tartare elevated to their highest reaches. Beautifully utilizing the rich bounty of produce from Southern California to bring classic French cuisine alive, Pasjoliis a reflection of Beran’s thoughtful cooking style. Located at Main Street, this restaurant will make you reminisce of the Parisian markets and one can choose between inside and outside seating, or their private back patio perfect for family-style dining.
Another Michelin-starred, neighborhood restaurant in Santa Monica that brings together fantastic food, exceptional wine, and great people is The Rustic Canyon. Run by Chef/partner Jeremy Fox and Executive Chef Andy Doubrava, this seasonal kitchen and wine bar has the feeling of a timeless institution with a menu inspired by the local farmers market and highlighting their resplendent produce. The dining room and lounge are toasty and relaxed, thanks to a neighborhood vibe and boisterous local clients. Additionally, the local artisan beers available on tap and by the bottle and a range of classic and seasonal cocktails that incorporate fresh, farmers’ market produce and small-batch spirits add to the flavors of a delicious meal.
All these three award-winning fine dining establishments share a dedication to seasonality, creativity and an unwavering dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients possible from the Santa Monica Farmers Market and beyond.
In addition, the 2021 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for California was announced, which is an esteemed rating that recognizes establishments that serve good food at moderate prices – the list features restaurants making their first appearance in 2021. Two Santa Monica standouts were recognized including Colapasta and Tumbi – a craft Indian restaurant offers a mélange of the Indian street food with haute cuisine. The Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants gauged to be both excellent quality and good value by the team of Michelin Inspectors. Which means that not only will your meal be delicious, but it will also be relatively inexpensive for three courses.
Colapasta is nestled into a breezy locale just a few blocks from the Pacific in Santa Monica, packs a big culinary punch, thanks largely to the considerable talents of chef Stefano De Lorenzo. His approach to sustainable food and farm-to-table menu creates an unparalleled dining experience with raw ingredients sourced from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, supporting the community and serving the freshest organic ingredients possible. Here, you can dig into some delicious organic Italian pasta coupled with award-winning wines.
In a city full of sea of Italian and Mediterranean-influenced restaurants, Tumbi stands out with its elegant flavors representing India’s cultural heritage blended together in an innovative menu that combines authentic Indian street food with haute cuisine. Here, the owners, RJ Singh and Chef Ram Krishna Naidu will take you on a journey throughout India offering an array of robust flavors, spices, fresh ingredients and inspired dishes that celebrate the best of each region. This restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere with an ultra-chic vibe.
Lastly, ten Santa Monica restaurants also received a Michelin Plate award: Birdie G’s, Cassia, Chinois on Main, Citrin, Elephante, Fia, The Lobster, Lunetta, Michael’s, and Milo + Olive were honored.
Santa Monica is indeed a home to an incredible culinary bounty, reflected in its outstanding restaurant scene. It has the right kind of restaurants for about everyone, from the casual to the fine dining end of the spectrum including Michelin star restaurants.
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