38 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles for Street Tacos, California Cuisine, and Flawless Omakase | Condé Nast Traveler

"It's got that effortless beachside elegance that only works in Santa Monica—bright, airy, and sophisticated without trying too hard. The kind of place that makes you want to order a glass of wine at 3 p.m. and call it research. Housemade pasta that rivals anything in the city, plus Italian classics executed with California sensibility—lighter, brighter, but still satisfying. The seafood dishes make the most of the proximity to the ocean. Italian wines that transport you somewhere warmer, plus cocktails that lean into the coastal location. The Negroni variations are particularly strong here. You're coming for Italian comfort food that doesn't leave you needing a nap. Perfect for long lunches that turn into early dinners." - Celeste Moure