How is Michael's - Santa Monica restaurant rated?

Name: Michael's - Santa Monica
Address: 1147 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90403
Telephone: (310) 451-0843
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.3

Michael's - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

Img - Michael's - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

Michael's - Santa Monica

4.3

1419 Reviews

$31 to $50

Californian

Top tags:

Michael's Santa Monica has maintained the standard for 'California Cuisine' with our newly renovated art filled indoor/outdoor garden dining, bar and private party spaces. Our seasonal menu is composed from the finest ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market and products responsibly sourced from the best sustainable producers.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 5:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(310) 451-0843
Website
http://www.michaelssantamonica.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Michael McCarty is one of the founders of California Cuisine-food inspired by the best ingredients, simply cooked and beautifully presented. Michael's prides itself on excellent service & customer satisfaction in a beautiful dining area.
Private party contact
Drexel J Heard II: (310) 451-7470

Location
1147 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA 90403
Neighbourhood
Santa Monica
Cross Street
Between Wilshire Blvd. and California
Parking Details
Valet parking offered daily. Public lot next door.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Best Bars for Foodies in Los Angeles

What 1,419 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.3

4.3 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
4.3Service
4.5Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

1,419 Reviews

M
Mike
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 14, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Unfortunately, it was virtually empty. These are difficult times. The food, service, and everything else was excellent.
1 person found this helpful
FS
FranklinS
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 13, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best wait staff in my whole life. Excellent wine recomendation. Fantastic new menu
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V
Vikas
Los Angeles
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have been going to Michael’s for a few years now and we love it! Wonderful staff and food and drinks! It’s our go to for happy hours mostly but for dinner it’s an extra treat!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food!
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MG
MartyG
London
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely perfect!!
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V
Veronica
Los Angeles
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the most beautiful restaurants in Los Angeles! The food was fantastic the red leaf salad first, oysters and the waygu beef. We loved it!
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LP
LP2014
New York Area
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely seating in peaceful back garden room. Tables are nicely far apart and noise is subdued. Waiter was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. All the food we had was delicious, fresh and attractively presented. We intended to try different restaurants each night during our brief vacation in Santa Monica but are really tempted to go back to Michael's.
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JN
JoshuaN
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 20, 2020
overall5food5service4ambience5
This was my first experience at Michael's and it was amazing. Every course we had was exquisite. The staff was very polite and offered great recommendations. The food was unbelievable and we will definitely be back again to try more things on the menu.
1 person found this helpful
PM
PoppaMike
Los Angeles
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food in a lovely garden setting. Very attentive wait staff.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant, delicious food and knowledgeable staff. Loved it 😊
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall3food2service4ambience5
Valentines
Is this helpful?
LL
LauraL
Los Angeles
12 reviews
vip
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall3food3service4ambience5
Really love this place and our waiter was amazing. It felt like the kitchen was not really prepared for the prix fixe menu on Valentine’s Day though. Wine pairings poured very early, time between courses was long and inconsistently timed. Our waiter apologized for the delay at one point and brought us more wine, which we appreciated, but typically, this place is better than that.
1 person found this helpful
MH
MarkH
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food is always fantastic. Service is great. You'll eat something there you've never had and their wine list is first rate. Always enjoy my dinner there.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great Valentine’s Day set course menu. Wonderful staff. Amazing and unique dishes.
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RW
RichardW
Los Angeles
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food4service5ambience5
Excellent delicious food, but our entree was served cold and needed to be returned to the kitchen... everything else was perfect
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i
intheflats
Los Angeles
30 reviews
vip
2.0
30 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall2food2service4ambience3
Michael,s was very disappointing. Yes ,the patio is very beautiful. The food should been better. They made a BIG profit.
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FR
FRANCOC
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, wide array of unique flavors Slightly on the pricey side
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E
Ella
Los Angeles
53 reviews
vip
2.0
53 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2020
overall2food2service2ambience4
This was a birthday dinner with friends. On the positive side, the garden area is beautiful, romantic and stylish. But it won't be enough to get you there more than once. The food was poor; the sushi apps probably the pick of a bad bunch but the entrees had few redeeming dishes: lamb ribs were pure glazed fat, pasta was tasteless (and we had 3 of 5 on the menu). That brings me to the wine: Not only was every single bottle we picked out not in stock, but the sommelier could not have got our taste in wine more wrong. Having ordered Sancerre, he replaced it with one which was orange in color and bubbled in the glass. Undrinkable. Each bottle he recommended (between $70-$120) got progressively worse; smokey, buttery - nothing like we originally ordered. It became a running joke. Probably the most disappointing dining experience in a long time.
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MT
MbT01
Los Angeles
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Definitely, my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. Worth it every time!
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j
jcraiss
London
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2020
overall5food5service4ambience5
Michael’s is back in form
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RD
RandolphD
Los Angeles
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, great environment, one of my favs in Los Angeles
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G
Gourmande
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Michael’s is a wonderful spot. The food is more imaginative and exciting now. Excellent and friendly service!
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DI
DeborahInLA
Los Angeles
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Neither of us had been to Michael's in probably 20 years, prior to which our experiences had been mixed (as opposed to when it first opened, and the food was extraordinary). We decided to give it a try again during Restaurant Week and were delighted to find that the food was again extraordinary, the service was as always gracious and excellent, and the ambiance still spectacular (I'm referring to the outside garden patio; being over 35, I can't recommend the inside room, where the shiny walls reflect the voices of large groups of younger people). We checked the regular menu and the prices, especially for entrees (limited # of them the night we went). So . . . Michael's is back on our rotation!
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M
Mayer
Los Angeles
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Looks amazing, taste amazing, feels amazing!
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F
Foodlover
Los Angeles
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience5
Fried quail was excellent. I also enjoyed the salmon. The outdoor seating area is open and gorgeous . A romantic setting. Will be back again.
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S
Serena
Los Angeles
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice ambience great food and service
Is this helpful?
Y
Yana
Los Angeles
38 reviews
vip
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2020
overall5food5service4ambience5
Compliments to the chef, great dineLA menu, lovely garden table! Thank you for a fun & delicious evening!
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M
Melja1990
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 25, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exceptional food , gorgeous ambiance, exceptional service.
Is this helpful?
DL
DavidL
Los Angeles
36 reviews
vip
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We absolutely loved our meal at Michael’s. We went for a special meal to celebrate several occasions. The happy hour on a Friday was in full swing, and we were seated with a view of the gorgeous patio but comfortably indoors on a chilly night. The service was impeccable. We were greeted by Michael, who graciously welcomes all of his guests whenever he is there - such a class act. The food was perfect - from the yellowtail crudo and buttermilk battered quail, to striped sea bass and wag you sirloin entrees, and our passion fruit soaked pavlova desert. Still the quintessential Santa Monica dining experience. We will be back soon for more.
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v
velcro
Los Angeles
97 reviews
vip
5.0
97 reviews
Dined on January 23, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hadn't been in years - is it possible it's better???
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j
jimsm
Los Angeles
32 reviews
4.0
32 reviews
Dined on January 23, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience5
We went for dineLA. Really enjoy patio seating, complete with heat lamps. The yellowtail first course came with a delicous and unusual sauce. For the main course we chose the wagyu strip and the striped bass. Both were cooked properly but didn't find the sauce that interesting. The two desserts we selected were the pavlova and the dark chocolate ganache tart with persimmon filling. Of the two, we preferred the pavlova, a dessert we love and wish it were served more often. Service was excellent.
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MP
MPPL
Los Angeles
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2020
overall5food5service3ambience5
Dinner wax excellent and can’t wait to return.
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JH
JohnH
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, lovely patio and attentive service. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very quiet beautiful patio. Solid California/new American fare and great cocktails. Super friendly staff.
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K
Kate
Los Angeles
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2020
overall5food5service4ambience5
We tried the Dine LA menu which was excellent. All portion sizes were full size , the food delicious. The Roasted Squash and Persimmon Salad was the best salad ever! And, the Pavlova is a must!
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MP
MatthewP
Atlanta Metro
8 reviews
vip
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2020
overall2food4service2ambience4
We didn’t get everything we ordered and the sommelier was rude and condescending. Very disappointed in this visit.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on January 19, 2020
overall2food1service3ambience5
Great atmosphere, friendly staff. Disappointing food.
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c
cp1306
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2020
overall5food5service4ambience5
Had early reservation sat right away. Waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Early on Michael the owner came over and gave us such friendly greeting I was half-wondering whether we had previously met! The food was great especially the sliced Wagyu steak and rabbit sausage pasta. Excellent wine selection, I will be back to see my “buddy” Michael.
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m
minkminkinshield
Los Angeles
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on January 16, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place!!! Everything on the men is amazing! Love the pea tendrils salad, the whole deep fried fish, the pasta with 3 kinds of caviar, and the sun chokes are the bomb!!! Beyond that the service was impeccable and this might just be the most romantic restaurant in the whole city!
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LS
LidaS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 12, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I hadn't been to Michael's in thirty plus years, as I'd moved out of the area. My memory of the restaurant was that it was a stellar dining experience. Well, it is still a top notch dining experience from beginning to end. The wait staff is courteous, efficient and professional in every way. The French gentleman serving us was outstanding. He recommended the Tagliatelle for two with truffles (which coincidentally was what I'd planned to order) and it was one of the best, if not the VERY best I've had. Uppercase compliments to the talented chef. The oak lettuce salad - superb! Did I mention that I'm a picky eater who likes her food to be clean and high quality or I won't eat at all? We had the great pleasure of Michael coming to our table (as he did to others), which further explains the longevity of this premier dining establishment. I could write a book on how much my husband and I enjoyed celebrating his birthday at Michael's. Absolutely no complaints!
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FAQs

Michael's - Santa Monica is rated 4.3 stars by 1419 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

1147 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Additional information

Cross Street
Between Wilshire Blvd. and California
Neighbourhood
Santa Monica
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 5:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Parking Details
Valet parking offered daily. Public lot next door.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.michaelssantamonica.com/
Phone number
(310) 451-0843
Private party facilities
Michael McCarty is one of the founders of California Cuisine-food inspired by the best ingredients, simply cooked and beautifully presented. Michael's prides itself on excellent service & customer satisfaction in a beautiful dining area.
Private party contact
Drexel J Heard II: (310) 451-7470

Featured in

The Best Bars for Foodies in Los Angeles

Michael's - Santa Monica

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

The Best Bars for Foodies in Los Angeles

Dessert

PavlovaUS$11.00

Dark Chocolate EclairUS$9.00

Creme BruleeUS$11.00

Cognac / Brandy / Armagnac

Pierre Ferrand Original 1840US$16.00

Eric Artiguelongue 1995US$17.00

Boulard VSOPUS$15.00

Amari

Nonino AmaroUS$13.00

AvernaUS$12.00

CynarUS$13.00

Fernet BrancaUS$11.00

MontenegroUS$12.00

Vermouth + Spirits

Alysian BittersweetUS$12.00

Alysian BiancoUS$12.00

Yuzuri Yuzu LiqueurUS$13.00

Grappas- IL PoggioneUS$16.00

Sherry

Valdespino FinoUS$11.00

La Cigarrera ManzanillaUS$12.00

Grant la Garrocha AmontilladoUS$12.00

El Maestro Sierra 15yr OlorosoUS$13.00

Dessert + Fortified

Barbeito Madeira, Single Cask Malvasia, Portugal 2002US$18.00

Quinta do Infantado Port, Portugal 2012US$15.00

D'Oliviera Madeira, Sercial, Portugal 1989US$26.00

D'Oliviera Madeira, Sercial, Portugal 1969US$50.00

Dumangin, Ratafia de ChampagneUS$18.00

Breuil de Segonzac, Pineau de CharentesUS$18.00

Cocktails

Irish CoffeeUS$14.00

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Michael's - Santa Monica restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Featured in

The Best Bars for Foodies in Los Angeles