Z Garden is a middle eastern restaurant in Pico, Santa Monica.
Editorially verified August 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Mixed grill over saffron rice with garlic sauce
Tip: Portions run huge; a single mixed grill plate with extra garlic sauce covers two people at lunch.
Address: 2350 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Satdha Plant Based Thai Kitchen has cooked gourmet vegan Thai food on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica since 2013, no fake meats, just vegetable craft.
Order: Khao soi and the lion's mane mushroom fried chicken
Tip: Chef Gunn Pankum's lion's mane mushroom fried chicken converts sceptics; the khao soi is the quiet best dish.
Alfalfa packs farmstand plates and breakfast burritos into a friends-founded counter on Main Street in Santa Monica, salads and smoothies with real intent.
Order: Ancho Potato breakfast burrito or a farmstand plate
Tip: The Ancho Potato breakfast burrito is the local order; it travels well for the four blocks to the sand.
Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe has anchored the boardwalk below the Santa Monica Pier since 1902 as Loring's Lunchroom, burgers and buckets on two patios.
Order: The famous burger with a bucket of beers
Tip: It became Big Dean's in the 1970s; grab a patio rail seat, order the burger and watch the boardwalk crowds.
The Galley has kept its portholes and rope nets on Main Street since 1934 as Santa Monica's oldest restaurant and bar, steaks, littlenecks and stiff drinks.
Order: East Coast littleneck clams, then the filet
Tip: Sit at the South Seas Bar under the year-round fairy lights; the East Coast littleneck clams are the classic starter.
Ye Olde King's Head has poured pints a block from the Santa Monica Pier since the mid-1970s, the British pub whose fish and chips built its name.
Order: Fish and chips with a pint of bitter
Tip: Afternoon tea is served Monday to Saturday until 16:00 in the tea room; the gift shop bakery sells sausage rolls to go.
Library Alehouse has poured independent craft beer on Main Street in Santa Monica since 1995, California gastropub plates and a wood-lined back patio.
Order: Rotating California taps with the house burger
Tip: The back patio hides from the Main Street noise; pair the Mayberry IPA with whatever burger special is running.
