Top Restaurants On Montana Avenue
Montana Ave, the the quaint and beautiful tree-lined street in Santa Monica, is home to a plethora of boutiques and walking traffic of fit and healthy people. This chic-lined strip in Santa Monica is home to yoga fanatics, hippy actor types and is just minutes from the ocean. The charming 17-block destination offers over a dozen of restaurants and cafes, but here are the best.
R+D Kitchen
1323 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-3314
www.rd-kitchen.com
A favorite spot with Santa Monica locals, R&D Kitchen churns out delicious items from the esteemed Hillstone Group night after night like it's no big deal. Here, you can expect a lively, bustling atmosphere each evening. Diners will enjoy beautiful artwork, an open kitchen and a welcoming staff that greets you at the door right off Montana Ave. Serving inventive sophisticated and fresh American fare in their indoor-outdoor space, make sure to not miss their signature (regular and veggie) burger, as well as Ding's crispy chicken sandwich.
Rosti Tuscan Kitchen
931 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-3236
www.rostituscankitchen.com
Located on the corner of Montana and 10th Street, Rosti is an informal neighborhood Italian restaurant featuring Tuscan specialties like wood-fired pizzas, pastas, chicken dishes, home-made ravioli and gnocchi, delicious soups, sandwiches and freshly chopped salads. The restaurant offers diners a great casual place to eat as the portions are large, the taste is authentic and the price is a great value. The neighborhood has undoubtedly changed since the 90s with healthy and fit people galore. To cater to the crowd, Rosti is perfect, as they offer gluten free pasta and pizza along with vegan and vegetarian menus.
Forma
1610 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(424) 231-2868
www.formarestaurant.com
Named after their star ingredient "Formaggio" (cheese), Forma offers a diverse, contemporary Italian menu in a modern setting with a collection of small plates and entrees, wine, beer and cheese tasting options. Along with their cheese bar which features an extensive selection of cheeses from all over the world, they serve pastas or risotto "Dalla Forma," which is when freshly cooked pasta is then finished in large cheese wheels prior to being served. Along with the pasta Dalla Forma options like the Carbonara, Cacio e pepe and tortellini with truffle, other menu favorites include the char-grilled Spanish octopus and filet mignon tartare.
Locanda Portofino
1110 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-2070
www.locandaportofino.com
On the southeast corner of 11th and Montana, Locanda Portofino melds authentic Northern and Southern Italian cuisine in its romantic restaurant. Founded in 1995, the cuisine from co-founder Florestano Caracciolo di Nicastro focuses on fresh and high-quality ingredients that are locally grown and organic whenever possible to produce classic Italian dishes. With both indoor and alfresco seating and a selection of over 400 wines to choose from to pair with menu highlights such as the fritto misto, spaghetti Portofino and a few veal options, you and your guest are set for an intimate ambiance for a special night.
Blue Plate
1415 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 260-8877
www.blueplatemontana.com
Blue Plate is Montana Ave's favorite beachy-chic neighborhood family-friendly cafe serving healthy comfort food with a California twist. Open for breakfast (served all day), lunch and dinner, the menu has something for everyone. The blue-and-white eatery with an open-kitchen features menu highlights like strawberry banana pancakes, Jen's egg white frittata, salmon protein & quinoa salad and housemade soups, sandwiches and wraps. Make sure to get there early though as there is generally a wait. It's that good!
Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 736-2224
www.fathersoffice.com
Sang Yoon, the chef and proprietor of Father's Office gastropub, has been credited for trailblazing the gastropub movement in L.A. and beyond. Father's Office is known for its signature craft brew selection of over 55 local and small-batch varieties and the proprietary "Office Burger". And just like most of Montana Ave being a celebrity stomping ground, stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Owen Wilson, and Leonardo DiCaprio have enjoyed Father's Office burgers. The simple and casual restaurant, modeled after Spain's tapas bars, opened in 2000 on Montana has become a staple for great beer and burgers. It can also be credited for creating the craft burger in Los Angeles.
