What to order at 1 Pico

Must order
Whatever the seasonal coastal tasting plates are, with a Route 66 centennial cocktail
Editor tip
Ask for a window table at sunset; the Coast cafe downstairs covers the casual all-day beach service instead.
CuisineCalifornian
Price$$$$
NeighborhoodOcean Avenue
HoursDinner nightly; weekend brunch
Last verified

Fine dining: tours, tastings and classes in Santa Monica

Gourmet Hollywood Walking Food Tour★ 3.2 (2)

Guided tour · 3 hours

Gourmet Hollywood Walking Food Tour

Step into the glamor of old Hollywood as you dine at historic restaurants once graced by silver screen legends. Explore top-rated contemporary fare and diverse immigra...

from$167 Check dates

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Location

Address: 1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Also in ocean-avenue

Ivy at the Shore ★ 4.1

$$$$ AmericanOcean Avenue

Ivy at the Shore keeps its bougainvillea-draped pink facade on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, an American menu served on the same florid patio since 1985.

OrderCrab cakes and the fried chicken, plus a gimlet on the patio

TipBrunch runs to 13:00 weekdays and 14:00 weekends; the patio people-watching is the real product.

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More fine dining in Santa Monica

Elephante ★ 4.3

$$$ ItalianDowntown

Elephante stacks a coastal Italian kitchen onto a 2nd Street rooftop in Santa Monica, whipped eggplant, pizzas and pasta with the ocean over the rail.

OrderWhipped eggplant dip with flatbread, then a pizza as the sun drops

TipGo before sunset for the light and stay for the DJ; weekend mornings it runs ricotta pancakes from 09:00.

Fia Steak ★ 4.4

$$$$ SteakhouseMid City

Fia Steak is the wood-panelled chophouse next to its sister garden room on Wilshire in Santa Monica, built on dry-aged cuts and old-school table service.

Order14-ounce New York strip with grilled Castelvetrano olives

TipTime Out rates it among the city's best; start with the ahi tuna cigar before the 14-ounce New York strip.

Ivy at the Shore ★ 4.1

$$$$ AmericanOcean Avenue

Ivy at the Shore keeps its bougainvillea-draped pink facade on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, an American menu served on the same florid patio since 1985.

OrderCrab cakes and the fried chicken, plus a gimlet on the patio

TipBrunch runs to 13:00 weekdays and 14:00 weekends; the patio people-watching is the real product.

Citrin ★ 4.8

$$$$ CalifornianDowntownChef Josiah Citrin

Citrin is Josiah Citrin's modern Californian flagship on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, a Michelin-starred dining room built on market produce.

OrderThe prix fixe, built around Santa Monica farmers market produce

TipBook the a la carte room; the 14-seat Melisse counter behind it is a separate, pricier reservation.

Melisse ★ 4.9

$$$$ CalifornianDowntownChef Josiah Citrin and Ken Takayama

Melisse is the 14-seat tasting counter hidden behind Citrin in Santa Monica, a two-Michelin-star room from Josiah Citrin and chef partner Ken Takayama.

OrderThe full tasting menu; the kitchen builds it around the week's market

TipAround 800 dollars for two before wine, with a strict no-cancellation policy; book two to three weeks out.

Pasjoli ★ 4.8

$$$ FrenchMain Street

Pasjoli on Main Street is Santa Monica's French bistro benchmark, lately loosened up with a bigger bar menu and its famous tableside pressed duck restored.

OrderTableside canard a la presse, or the cordon bleu chicken wings at the bar

TipThe pressed duck is a 350 dollar whole-bird production for the table; order it when you book, not on arrival.

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