What to order at Tar & Roses

Must order
Oxtail dumplings, then the whole fried snapper with soba
Editor tip
The whole fried snapper with cold soba is built for two; smaller plates share better than they look.
CuisineCalifornian
Price$$$
Neighborhooddowntown
HoursDinner Tue-Thu 17:30-21:00, Fri-Sat 17:30-21:30; closed Sun-Mon
Last verified

Must order: Oxtail dumplings, then the whole fried snapper with soba

Tip: The whole fried snapper with cold soba is built for two; smaller plates share better than they look.

Location

Address: 602 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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Holy Basil ★ 4.5

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Holy Basil brought its Bangkok street-food kitchen west to Santa Monica Boulevard in late 2025, crab fried rice and pad kee mao with natural wine and sake.

Order: Bangkok crab fried rice and pad kee mao moo krob

Tip: Owners Deau Arpapornnopparat and Joy Yuon plan seven-day service and brunch in 2026; until then dinner books out.

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Cobi's ★ 4.5

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Cobi's cooks Southeast Asian food in a florid Main Street bungalow in Santa Monica, a Bib Gourmand room of curries, dumplings and wood-grilled plates.

Order: Pork dumplings, nasi goreng and a wok-tossed curry

Tip: The Michelin Bib Gourmand crowd books ahead on Resy; the weekend brunch sitting is the calmer way to get a table.

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Crudo e Nudo ★ 4.6

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Crudo e Nudo runs a chalkboard of daily raw fish on Main Street in Santa Monica, chef Brian Bornemann dry-aging ikejime catch from Baja up to Monterey.

Order: Daily crudo flight and the tuna tartare with seeded loaves

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Water Grill Santa Monica ★ 4.5

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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.

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The Lobster ★ 4.2

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The Lobster has watched the Santa Monica Pier from its Ocean Avenue perch since 1923, grilling Maine and spiny lobster above the beach crowds.

Order: Grilled lobster or the lobster roll with truffle parmesan fries

Tip: Book Resy for a window at golden hour; the lobster roll at the bar is the affordable route.

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Ivy at the Shore ★ 4.1

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

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