Chez Jay is an american restaurant in Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.
Editorially verified August 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Steak and a martini, peanut shells on the floor
Why locals love it: A sandy-floored 1959 landmark wedged between hotel towers; celebrities and old-timers share the same red booths.
Tip: The sandy-floored front room is the landmark bit, designated by the city in 2012; the Backyard patio opened in 2019.
Address: 1657 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
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.
Order: Blistered lamb chops and the goat cheese tartine
Why locals love it: An all-outdoor kitchen in an art-centre parking lot at Bergamot Station; no signage on the street gives it away.
Tip: The 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.
Order: The Malibu Coast estate flight
Why locals love it: A family Malibu winery's quiet 2nd Street tasting room, missed by nearly everyone marching to the Promenade.
Tip: Happy 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.
Order: Hot Girl Salami sandwich and a picnic cheese board
Why locals love it: A sisters-run cheese and sandwich shop on unglamorous Pico; the Westside's chefs shop here on their days off.
Tip: Sandwiches 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 love it: A Montana Avenue cheese cave, open since 2008, with monthly pairing nights that never make the tourist lists.
Tip: The 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.
Order: Khao soi and the lion's mane mushroom fried chicken
Why locals love it: A pioneering vegan Thai kitchen on a traffic stretch of Lincoln; chef Gunn Pankum has cooked here since 2013.
Tip: Chef 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.
Order: A sourdough loaf and the tuna melt at lunch
Why locals love it: A bread-first bakery on residential Ocean Park Boulevard; the sourdough sells out before visitors find it.
Tip: Loaves sell down by early afternoon; weekend brunch adds duck confit hash and cereal milk french toast.
