What to order at Water Grill Santa Monica

Must order
Live spot prawns in season, plus a dozen cold-water oysters
Editor tip
Ask what came off the boats that day; Santa Barbara spot prawns are charcoal-grilled when the traps are running.
CuisineSeafood
Price$$$$
NeighborhoodOcean Avenue
HoursSun-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
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

See all 166 bookable experiences in Santa Monica

Location

Address: 1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Also in ocean-avenue

1 Pico ★ 4.3

$$$$ CalifornianOcean Avenue

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.

OrderWhatever the seasonal coastal tasting plates are, with a Route 66 centennial cocktail

TipAsk for a window table at sunset; the Coast cafe downstairs covers the casual all-day beach service instead.

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.

Full ocean-avenue food guide →

More fine dining in Santa Monica

1 Pico ★ 4.3

$$$$ CalifornianOcean Avenue

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.

OrderWhatever the seasonal coastal tasting plates are, with a Route 66 centennial cocktail

TipAsk for a window table at sunset; the Coast cafe downstairs covers the casual all-day beach service instead.

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.

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