Seafood$$$$ocean-avenueSun-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
Water Grill Santa Monica works a daily-changing seafood list on Ocean Avenue, live Alaskan king crab tanks, shucked-to-order oysters and wild local fish.
Order: Live spot prawns in season, plus a dozen cold-water oysters
Tip: Ask what came off the boats that day; Santa Barbara spot prawns are charcoal-grilled when the traps are running.
Californian$$$$ocean-avenueDinner nightly; weekend brunch
1 Pico is the oceanfront dining room at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, coastal Californian cooking with Southern Italian leanings above the sand.
Order: Whatever the seasonal coastal tasting plates are, with a Route 66 centennial cocktail
Tip: Ask for a window table at sunset; the Coast cafe downstairs covers the casual all-day beach service instead.
Italian$$$downtownMon-Thu 10:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 09:00-01:00; Sun 09:00-00:00
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.
Order: Whipped eggplant dip with flatbread, then a pizza as the sun drops
Tip: Go before sunset for the light and stay for the DJ; weekend mornings it runs ricotta pancakes from 09:00.
Steakhouse$$$$mid-cityDinner nightly
Fia Steak is the wood-panelled chophouse next to its sister garden room on Wilshire in Santa Monica, built on dry-aged cuts and old-school table service.
Order: 14-ounce New York strip with grilled Castelvetrano olives
Tip: Time Out rates it among the city's best; start with the ahi tuna cigar before the 14-ounce New York strip.
American$$$$ocean-avenueTue-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri 11:00-21:30; Sat 10:00-21:30; Sun 10:00-21:00; closed Mon
Ivy at the Shore keeps its bougainvillea-draped pink facade on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, an American menu served on the same florid patio since 1985.
Order: Crab cakes and the fried chicken, plus a gimlet on the patio
Tip: Brunch runs to 13:00 weekdays and 14:00 weekends; the patio people-watching is the real product.
CalifornianChef Josiah Citrin$$$$downtownDinner, by reservation
Citrin is Josiah Citrin's modern Californian flagship on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, a Michelin-starred dining room built on market produce.
Order: The prix fixe, built around Santa Monica farmers market produce
Tip: Book the a la carte room; the 14-seat Melisse counter behind it is a separate, pricier reservation.