Around Din Tai Fung Santa Monica
2 stops, all within a short walk
1
0.3 mi
5:30 PMDinner with a view
2
7:00 PMNightcap
← Best restaurants with a view in Los AngelesDate night guide · Los Angeles
A night with a view in Santa Monica
Dinner where the view does half the talking.
12 spots · Jump to the list
Dinner with a skyline, a coastline or a sunset in front of it. The view does half the work on a date, which is why the best tables go first — ask for a window or patio seat when you book, and time the reservation for the last hour of daylight.
This guide ranks 12 restaurants with a view in Santa Monica. Editors' picks come first, then the rest by rating, and the plans below build a whole evening around the best of them.
Nights couples planned here
Published date nights with a stop on this list.
Make a night of it
Routes around the top spots on the list, with the best-rated places nearby for the rest of the evening.
Around 1 Pico
2 stops, all within a short walk
1
0.3 mi
5:30 PMDinner with a view
2
7:00 PMNightcap
Around The Penthouse at the Huntley
2 stops, all within a short walk
1
0.7 mi
5:30 PMDinner with a view
2
7:00 PMNightcap
Restaurants with a view in Santa Monica
Editors' picks first, then by rating.
RestaurantDin Tai Fung Santa Monica
4.5(11)Santa Monica · $$$
Restaurant1 Pico
4.4(8)Santa Monica · $$$$
RestaurantThe Penthouse at the Huntley
4.4(5)Santa Monica · $$$
RestaurantThe Lobster
4.3(21)Santa Monica · $$$$
RestaurantCalabra
4.3(7)Santa Monica · $$$$
RestaurantIvy at the Shore
4.3(6)Santa Monica · $$$
RestaurantTerrazza
4.2(11)Santa Monica · $$$$
BarSirena Bar
4.2(6)Santa Monica · $$$
RestaurantThe Cove
4.0(23)Santa Monica · $$
Seafood RestaurantWater Grill
4.4(22)Santa Monica · $$$
Italian RestaurantÉlephante
4.0(5)Santa Monica · $$$
American RestaurantSeaside on the Pier
3.8(10)Santa Monica · $$
Good to know
- What's the best restaurant with a view in Santa Monica for a date?
- Our top pick is Din Tai Fung Santa Monica, rated 4.5 out of 5. 1 Pico and The Penthouse at the Huntley round out the top 3.
- Are there affordable restaurants with a view in Santa Monica?
- Yes — The Cove and Seaside on the Pier are all $$ or under.
- Do I need a reservation?
- It depends on the spot. Book ahead for Din Tai Fung Santa Monica and Ivy at the Shore.
- What should we do before or after?
- Make it a night with a view: dinner with a view, then nightcap. The plans on this page pair each top spot with the best-rated places within about a 20-minute walk.