The places in Santa Monica the guidebooks miss.
The places in Santa Monica the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Sunny Blue wraps made-to-order omusubi on Main Street in Santa Monica, miso beef and curry rice balls pressed warm behind a six-seat counter.
OrderMiso beef omusubi, plus a spicy salmon to go
Why locals goA six-seat omusubi counter most beach crowds walk straight past; regulars queue quietly for miso beef rice balls.
TipMiso mushroom is vegetarian and gluten-free; get one spicy salmon for the walk down to the beach.
La Purepecha hand-presses corn tortillas on Broadway in Santa Monica, a Michoacan-style counter of asada tacos and machaca burritos without the fuss.
OrderAsada tacos on handmade corn tortillas
Why locals goA Michoacan family counter hiding a block off the Promenade; tortillas pressed by hand while tourists eat elsewhere.
TipTacos on handmade tortillas with cilantro and onions are the order; parking sits right beside the shop.
The Gaslite has held its Wilshire Boulevard corner in Santa Monica since 1962, a come-as-you-are karaoke dive open 06:00 to 02:00 with free popcorn.
OrderCheap well drinks and a turn on the karaoke list
Why locals goA 1962 karaoke dive on a corporate stretch of Wilshire; locals guard it, opening at 06:00 for the graveyard-shift crowd.
TipIt bills itself as Southern California's longest-running karaoke; sign up early because the nightly list fills by 21:00.
The Daily Pint stocks more than 500 whiskies behind a Pico Boulevard dive-bar front in Santa Monica, with sharp rotating taps, pool and shuffleboard.
OrderA rare pour from the 500-bottle whisky wall
Why locals goFrom the street it reads as a sports dive; inside is one of LA's deepest whisky walls, 500 bottles strong.
TipAsk the bartender to steer a whisky flight; the beer list turns over constantly and skews serious.
Chez Jay has kept its nautical dive-bar dining room on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica since 1959, a city Historic Landmark of steaks, peanuts and lore.
OrderSteak and a martini, peanut shells on the floor
Why locals goA sandy-floored 1959 landmark wedged between hotel towers; celebrities and old-timers share the same red booths.
TipThe sandy-floored front room is the landmark bit, designated by the city in 2012; the Backyard patio opened in 2019.
Le Great Outdoor grills everything outside in the Bergamot Station yard in Santa Monica, lamb chops and tartines off open fire at long picnic tables.
OrderBlistered lamb chops and the goat cheese tartine
Why locals goAn all-outdoor kitchen in an art-centre parking lot at Bergamot Station; no signage on the street gives it away.
TipThe kitchen is entirely open-air in the arts-centre parking lot; book Resy for dinner, walk in at lunch.
AJA Vineyards pours its Malibu Coast AVA estate wines in a 2nd Street tasting room in Santa Monica, flights and glasses beside boards of cheese and snacks.
OrderThe Malibu Coast estate flight
Why locals goA family Malibu winery's quiet 2nd Street tasting room, missed by nearly everyone marching to the Promenade.
TipHappy hour knocks 5 dollars off flights Wednesday to Friday 15:00-18:00; outside food is allowed for a 15 dollar fee.
Lady & Larder builds California cheese boards and stacked deli sandwiches on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, a sister-run shop with serious wine to go.
OrderHot Girl Salami sandwich and a picnic cheese board
Why locals goA sisters-run cheese and sandwich shop on unglamorous Pico; the Westside's chefs shop here on their days off.
TipSandwiches like the Hot Girl Salami sell out before 14:00; order boards for pickup a day ahead.
Andrew's Cheese Shop has cut artisan wheels to order on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica since 2008, with grilled cheese and monthly pairing nights.
Why locals goA Montana Avenue cheese cave, open since 2008, with monthly pairing nights that never make the tourist lists.
TipThe monthly cheese-and-drink pairing events sell out; sign up in the shop and grab a grab-and-go sandwich meanwhile.
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.
OrderKhao soi and the lion's mane mushroom fried chicken
Why locals goA pioneering vegan Thai kitchen on a traffic stretch of Lincoln; chef Gunn Pankum has cooked here since 2013.
TipChef Gunn Pankum's lion's mane mushroom fried chicken converts sceptics; the khao soi is the quiet best dish.
Jyan Isaac Bread bakes deeply fermented sourdough on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, bagel sandwiches and brunch beside the Ghisallo pizza kitchen.
OrderA sourdough loaf and the tuna melt at lunch
Why locals goA bread-first bakery on residential Ocean Park Boulevard; the sourdough sells out before visitors find it.
TipLoaves sell down by early afternoon; weekend brunch adds duck confit hash and cereal milk french toast.
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