Casa Martin | Ocean Ave

Casa Martin in Santa Monica hits that sweet spot where the food feels homemade and the vibe feels like a warm welcome. The moment you sit down, the staff treats you like they are genuinely glad you came in. Service stays quick, friendly, and attentive without ever feeling rushed. The menu is familiar in the best way. The guacamole tastes fresh, the tortillas come warm, and the salsas have real flavor instead of heat for heat’s sake. The enchiladas are tender, the fajitas arrive sizzling, and the margaritas land with the perfect balance of citrus and bite. Portions are generous, and everything tastes like it was made with care. The space has an easy energy. Lively enough to feel fun, calm enough that you can actually enjoy your meal. It works for a casual dinner, a laid back date night, or a group that wants good food without a fuss. If you want authentic Mexican comfort in the heart of Santa Monica, Casa Martin delivers every time.

BEST BEST BEST!!!!! Don't know where to start you guys! Best location, best drinks and oh the best food ever! I have never had a better salmon, better guacamole and chips! And the service above and beyond!!!!! Can't wait to come back again and again!!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Local Family Owned restaurant on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica. Extensive menu with several house specials. The Casa Martin Al Pastor for 2 is fab. House guac, salsa and chips also good. Parking in rear.

Casa Martin in Santa Monica is a hidden gem that delivers amazing food, great prices, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Their cold beers are perfectly refreshing, especially on a sunny day by the beach. The homemade guacamole is a must-try—fresh, flavorful, and the perfect balance of creamy and zesty. What truly sets this place apart is the hospitality. The owner is incredibly kind and attentive, making sure every guest feels right at home. If you’re looking for delicious food, great drinks, and a friendly vibe, Casa Martin is the place to be!

Clean and convenient place to get high taste Mexican food at a reasonable price in Santa Monica. Mari took exceptional care of us and even treated us to their homemade flan which was delicious. We shared a platter of their chicken and beef fajitas and the taste was awesome. Highly recommended.

This was an excellent Mexican Food restaurant. I loved everything from the service to the delicious food. We tried the nachos with chicken. They were tasty and the chicken was tender and savory. The guacamole was good as well. We had beef enchiladas. They weren't our favorite because the meat was shredded beef instead of ground beef. They prices were pretty high. Overall the service was excellent and the food was great.

This spot is pretty tight! You're two blocks from the Santa Monica Pier, but paying prices as though you're 10 blocks away. The service was excellent and the food 👌🏾 authentic! Can't say enough positive things, strong recommend.

Are you kidding me? This place is hands down the best Jalisco style food in the state. The drinks, the food, the service and the vibe. The brothers know how to deliver and present great food. We had the queso fundido, suprema and pineapple margaritas to start, then had the Mar Cielo, Tiera Molcajeta for our main. Just wow on that dish, on point. For desert we had the flan and it didn't disappoint at all. Will be back when I lose the 10 lbs I gained. We ate the Promenade location amd they have tons of outdoor seating. No reservations unless you have a group of 5 or more. Mariachi band on the weekends from 5 to ?

Casa Martin really holds up to their mission and story; this spot had me thinking I was having carne asada at my mom's backyard. The meat was extremely juicy and marinated to perfection- the means and rice also 10/10. The soft fish tacos were also delicious, the fish was buttery soft and fresh. The guacamole served in a molcajete as tasty as my mom's. The food was beyond my expectations! They really have authentic Mexican food. As for the service they made us feel right at home. Our server, Fernando was very attentive, kind and friendly. They had the Sunday football games playing so that was a plus. Lastly, The micheladas WOW but order it with the modelo negra, also tasted as if I made one back at home but theirs was obviously better. If you're craving authentic Mexican food you gotta stop by, right near the pier too. I'll definitely stop by again and would recommend it to a friend.

I want to start by saying this isn't a critique of the food or service. This is about a policy that, in this instance, lacked compassion. I parked right in front of the restaurant and asked to use the restroom to change my disabled child's diaper, and was denied because we weren't customers. I've worked in restaurants--I understand rules are important. But there should be reasonable exceptions, especially when it comes to the basic dignity of children with disabilities. This wasn't a situation of someone abusing a bathroom for convenience; it was a child in need. I hope this business (and others) reconsider how these policies are enforced, particularly when there's no risk or safety issue involved. A little humanity goes a long way.

I don't typically write many reviews of restaurants but I did want to share our experience at Casa Martin. At first glance, the place seems really nice. Staff are very friendly and inside has really nice decor. However, one of the main reasons for this review was how awful the food was. As soon as we sat down, our server brought over some chips & salsa...Terrible! the salsa was essentially just tomato water with little to no spice and the chips were so oily! Moving onto entrees, I ordered the chile verde; virtually no spice in the tomatillo sauce and the rice & beans virtually had no flavor! This was a common theme amongst my entire party's selection of dishes--no flavor nor spice. As we were eating our meal, we were being absolutely bombarded with awful and loud music (club/rave-like) that does not match the decor/atmosphere that Casa Martin is trying to showcase. Lastly, it was crazy pricy; yeah I get that everything's expensive now but please go somewhere else and get your money's worth. Even for a tourist trap like this place is; they need to focus on having higher standards for food!

The food was disgusting I was up all-night taking tums. the service was indifferent and surly. The waiters talking to each other so loud that we couldn't carry on a conversation. TACO BELL IS BETTER.

Worst experience ever! As soon as we walked in, we felt concerned by how empty the restaurant was for a weekend lunch! There were two people inside and that was it. Service was absolutely lacking. The woman in the front seemed like we were inconveniencing her when we needed more time to look at the menu. Food came out faster than the drinks. I got a mango Margarita blended and it was so bland. Food was the worst mexican food I've ever had. I got fajitas, and nothing had any flavor. The veggies didn't even have any salt. An added bonus, they didn't tell us there was automatic 18% gratuity for our party of 5, and this policy was not listed anywhere on the menu or told to us. The food is overpriced, flavorless, and all around disappointing. The service is also rude and disappointing. We did not feel welcome here. Do not ever come here.

The best!! Can't wait to come again and again!! Had the best salmon, best cocktail and the beeeeest guacamole I've EVER had

I can't say enough great things...what a cool spot for happy hour. The owner Sandro was very nice and friendly. Great drinks....food delicious and great prices! Loved the decor too!

Good food! Fast service.. gorgeous space! Great bar and staff. Definitely recommend them!

Excellent food, friendly service, and nice decor. I Usually have the chicken tostada, which is terrific. Prices are reasonable and they don't skimp on portions. Plus, everybody is very nice and mostly greet you at the door.

I hate to do this because I Love going out and enjoying my food & drinks on the weekends But this time it was a disappointment, The restaurant was empty and still said " Let's try it out" anyways... The service was good ( Jasmine ) was very polite, and thankful for us. coming to the restaurant.. The food is another thing. Order the shrimp cocktail and it was a warm cocktail, I for sure know that it is supposed to be cold and not warm. Jasmine did apologize for it and took it off from the bill. But what a disappointment from the chef sending it out warm. He should know better. Maybe there is a lot of other reasons the restaurant is empty. So sad.

Food and service was perfect. Paid attention to detail with our drinks and our meal. The ambience was perfect not too crowded but we came on a Tuesday afternoon. Not gonna lie don't waste your time with anything else you get burritos just take a look at those two pictures big Hardy and delicious. Highly recommend will definitely come back when we have another beach day.

I've been here several times with family and friends and it has always been a good time. The service is always great. The waiters/waitresses interact with you and make it a personal experience. The food is tasty! We celebrated my god daughter's graduation and everyone loved their food and drinks. This place also has a very good selection of Tequila

Service loved he was patient and recommended us what to eat witch we loved My phone died so I could take pictures But I'll be back and have my phone fully charged lol Also their Horchata 10/10 Food 20/20 When we went it was just us so it was nice and quiet with great music and fresh air right by the beach

Shady Pricing and Overhyped Experience - Never Again We had dinner at Casa Martin and left completely disappointed. The food was meh, the service was meh, and the atmosphere was equally forgettable. But the real issue was the shady pricing tactics. They charged $36 for a double shot of Casamigos tequila -- more than we've ever paid anywhere, including Ruth's Chris, which only charged $20 for the same pour. That alone felt like a rip-off. Worse, they automatically added an 18% gratuity for a party of two -- without telling us, and with no disclosure on the menu, receipt, or anywhere visible. That's not just shady, it's likely illegal. Under California Civil Code §1770 and Business & Professions Code §17500, restaurants must clearly disclose any mandatory service charges before you order. Casa Martin didn't -- and that's a huge red flag. There are plenty of great restaurants in Santa Monica that respect both your time and your wallet. This is not one of them.

I don't know how this place is in business. The food had no flavor and it was crazy expensive.

We came to Casa Martin on a Thursday night around 8:20 PM, and were greeted by a stanchion in front of the open door, as if they were closed, despite the posted hours being until 10:00 PM. The waiter/host said they were "about to close" because there was no one there (he pointed to the empty dining room) and they "have rent to pay." He then said we could come in but "they would be closing in 20 minutes" [at 8:40 PM?]. We had no where else to go and were starving, so we entered. It was a bit of mixed messaging at that point, as he handed us drink menus despite saying that they'd only be open for 20 minutes. The food was...meh. The shrimp burrito, while enormous, was filled mostly with rice. Likewise, the grilled fish tacos did not have much fish -- much more slaw and sauce. I don't know if this is standard for Casa Martin or because it was the end of the night for the staff. An 18% gratuity was automatically added to our bill. We were a party of three. I don't recall anything about the ambiance. Our main objective -- having dinner -- was fulfilled, but we won't be going to Casa Martin again.

Definitely recommend the food came out fast. The restaurant was very clean and the bathrooms were also clean. I believe the owner was the one who came up to our table to explain the menu and he checked on us after we got our food. I would come back! The food was very good and big portions.

It's not like I was expecting the red carpet at the promenade, but I walked out based on how they treated my service dog. Restaurant was dead otherwise, staff didn't seem to be aware they were being discriminatory.

I wanted to watch the game, Maria was in charge, she was a buster, bartender,cashier, server....you name it, she was above and beyond like we were the only ones there, food was amazing and honestly what else can you expect from a place that is being run from a single person

Me and my sister came here on our day off, it was my first time in a while. They are located right on the promenade! They have happy hour during the week! M-F 3-7 I believe! We ordered the chicken nachos 10/10. Also we ordered drinks the sangria was 10/10 my sisters margarita 10/10 too! The owner was very nice and very welcoming! He's such a nice guy! The place is beautiful , & they have great music! Will definitely come back again :)

Small Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica. This was a step up from some of the Mexican chains from my childhood. The carnitas was good, but the refried beans, guacamole, rice and tortillas were average at best.

The food the staff are amazing. The staff is so kind and professional. Stopped for drinks early Sunday and ended up staying the entire afternoon. The owner is a great host. Margaritas were awesome and so was the Sangria. The tacos were excellent. Highly recommend. The music with the Mariachis completed a fabulous day in Santa Monica.

this was my second time here and I again sat at the bar. my sister and I decided to have an impromptu dinner. we got the mixed fish ceviche and chicken fajitas to share - portions are huge so sharing is a good idea. bartender and the rest of the staff are all very friendly. the interior is really nice and the restaurant is nicely located on 3rd street promenade.

I wanted to love this place but I felt it average for the price. It was similar to like el torito. Not super authentic Mexican food, but not bad either. The prices were insane for the quality. We came in around 4pm on a Sunday and the place was completely empty. We were seated and ordered. I got the chicken fajitas which were just average and my husband got the steak fajitas. His was good too but nothing special. We got nachos as well and again average. I would skip it all together and head to one of the other many amazing restaurants nearby. Structure Parking close by

Service and drinks were amazing . Food was good . Nice place I'd go again. Enjoyed the atmosphere. There was a Mariachi band when I went and the sun was out. Vibes were so good .

The service was amazing! Orlando took care of us and was very attentive and friendly . The ceviche was DELICIOUS and the tacos carne asada definitely recommend. The workers here were very sweet. Not much people but better because we got more attention haha! the ambiance was welcoming and definitely will come back . Especially because Orlando made the time great

We were looking for a late dinner in santa monica and walked by Casa Martin. The owner called us in and we decided to go for it. before ordering I asked him if it was ok for us to eat there and he said no problem. we order, he brought us food then he immediately stopped the music and started to clean the place. brought us the bill and told us we had 10 min to go. by the way, the bill was very high. Very bad experience.

I was here yesterday for a business networking event through Alignable. This was my first time here. It was about 35-40 of us in our total party. The Chef/Owner actually took my order. The menu was very extensive, and it had a lot of my favorites, however, I didn't see one thing, so I asked the chef, if they had Al Pastor, his eyes lite up and said " of course" and he then recommended the Al Pastor tacos lunch special. OMG, life changing... perfectly marinated, and grilled Al Pastor, cilantro, onions, and small diced pineapples!!! Of course rice and beans on the side. The rice, was nice and fluffy and full of flavor and beans were rich and creamy with sprinkles of cojita cheese on top. All of this served on a cutting board type platter. OH for those adventurous folks, get the green salsa... its spicy.. Love IT!!!!! I meant to ask if he serves Horchata (dang it). The food was great, The Chef was very grateful for our time and for us patronizing his restaurant. I was one of the last few to walk out, and I personally thanked him for everything.

This restaurant was pretty good. They did have a baby looking at me though. The staff was really nice and friendly. The guy did forget my order of ginger ale so I had to remind him. The shrimp was also really cold. The salsa also had almost no taste at all. The menu was also a tad confusing. Overall the restaurant was good! The restaurant was also pretty warm which I like. The interior was nice looking with the floor.

We just happened into this place. OMG food and service was outstanding. Would come back anytime I'm in town!

Yelp directed us here while visiting the area and this place did not disappoint. Great service from greeting to departure. We asked our server what they'd recommend and had him bring that out. The portion was perfect for 2 people. The mar, cielo, tierra molcajete special was so incredibly delicious. I'm still thinking about it... Only minor complaint, I know we were by the ocean but it was really warm and we were sweating quite a bit. The doors/windows were open but not much ventilation. But please do not let that deter you from stopping by, drink and food are well worth it.

Came here after doing a beach clean up near the pier. The prices were high, but that's to be expected so close to the pier, Beach, and a big tourist area. So I went for a super carne asada wet burrito and it was the bomb. Flavor in every bit. Customer service was good outside of it being difficult to get refills of water. I'd come back.

Me and boyfriend stopped by after spending half of the afternoon at local Shutters on the Beach & Casa del Mar Hotel. We were really craving some Mexican food and found this spot on Yelp via a search. We were iffy about it since it had mixed reviews. Nonetheless, we came and checked this place out. It has been very hot in LA this week so there was almost to no people walking on 3rd Street Promenade. We came at about 4:30pm and there was absolutely no people except only one other couple . Cristina was our served and she was very friendly and attentive. My boyfriend ordered the chicken fajitas and I ordered the grilled chicken torta. We waited about 20 minutes for food and everything came out and looked delicious. However, when I did actually did taste it, it tasted like your average Mexican food. I know of a few restaurants in the Torrance area where the food has tasted the same or even better. I have no complaints about the food or wait. From the looks of it, there was only one cook working that day so it made sense. It is kind of on the pricier side. The chicken fajitas were about $32 and my torta was $21. I think this was a good place to satisfy our Mexican food cravings, but is not a place that I would come to often. And I am not saying that because I am not from the area, but because I genuinely do know of good Mexican restaurants that are worth the buck. Still come and give it a shot!

Awesome food, libations and service! Jasmine is the best! Sunday Session post fires with friends displaced from their homes. Support your local restaurants and businesses!

This place is incredible. We flew in from Tennesee curious about California Mexican food... HOLY CRAP THIS FOOD WAS INSANE. We had absolutely incredible food, service was insane. The owner showed us his family who the recipes came from. It was so so so so so good!

When we arrived, the person in front with the green hair, was listening to a patron. The patron, a woman, was making a complaint. The "hostess" rolled her eyes and as the lady walk away, looks straight at me and says, "I don't know what she wants me to do about the bathrooms, that not my job"So right at the door, it was negative. The server brought us blank menus. They were black pages. No menu. She came back and she was sweet. She brought us new menus. I ordered beef taquitos appetiser. Three over fried taquitos, 8 inch long, cut in half. A teaspoon of guacamole and a teaspoon of dry pico de gallo was $18.50 it took 30 mins for my drinks and food to arrive. The server was sweet and smiled, but the food was dismal and over priced for the portion and quality. I was brought a bottle Sprite and a Smart water. $5 each. The bill was $28.50 at this point. The DJ and the dance instructor were very sweet... they really helped keep the good dancing vibe going. Then I get the bill and they have added 18% tip to my bill. That is disappointing. $40 for burned taquitos, dry salsa, a teaspoon of guacamole and 2 bottled drinks?!? I was going to recommend the place to my friends, later today, at Mi Corazon, but food wise it's a no. The venue is clean, but the bathrooms were a mess. Ugh. I will not be recommending Friday nights at Casa Martin. From the Negative Nancy at the door, to the over-priced food and the TIP ADDED TO MY BILL FOR A PARTY OF 2 people... it's a no.

After a long day, we decided on some Mexican food and this place was the real deal! Mom & pop family feel to it. We seated ourselves. We found out it was still happy hour so that was a pleasant surprise! Service was good! Ordered our delicious margaritas. For dinner, my husband and I split 2 carne asada tacos, 2 chicken and 2 fried fish tacos. All were good, but the carne asada tacos were our favorite. All were stuffed with meat and very filling! The kids loved their quesadillas (they aren't the adventurous type). Portions were big! If we had a fridge and micro we would've taken leftovers to hotel. All in all, highly recommend!

Came in for happy hour, apparently missed it by 1 minute. Asked about the happy hour prices when I got my receipt, advised they put the order in before happy hour ... checked time stamp, literally 1 minute too early. Chips were very clearly not made in house or dressed up in any way... salsa was very watery. Ordered a margarita with mango and added jalapeño, thought it was a house margarita ($10 happy hour price) but was charged for one of their speciality margaritas, Pacos Mango $17. Ordered the Tex Mex cheese dip $17, could literally taste the Velveeta and a very small portion. Next up is the shrimp ceviche, small portion for $22 and the liquid the shrimp and veggies were sitting in was a gray color. I don't eat sea food but my son who ordered it said it didn't taste bad but it definitely wasn't good. Left most of it on the plate. Lastly was chicken wings $18 (I know, chicken wings at a Mexican restaurant but I was looking for something on the happy hour menu my 7 year old would eat) ... large wings that tasted ok.. were definitely reheated, not freshly fried. All of this wouldn't have been that bad I guess, you take a gamble when you eat somewhere new in a town you aren't from. But the happy hour thing just pissed me off. $81 for literal trash food.... Kids left hungry, going to In N Out as I type this.

This place was so so good!!! I could have eaten here everyday while I was visiting Santa Monica!! We kept walking past this place coming to the beach from the hotel, and they had outdoor seating available along with indoor seating with the front window removed, so there were plenty of options available. The first time we ate here, I had the salmon salad!! Wow was that good!! That salmon was cooked perfectly, and it was a very big piece of salmon. The whole meal was very filling. A few days later, we were thinking of a place to eat, and I couldn't get that salmon out of my head, so I went back. The waitress was so nice, she informed me that they were out of salmon, so I asked if they could put shrimp on it instead. She thanked me for being patient, and said they would throw some extra shrimp on there for me. She wasn't kidding, extra shrimp and they were big also!! I'm not even sure which meal tasted better!! 5 stars for this place without a doubt!!!

What a wonderful experience! We left Cabo Cantina because we hated it there and found this little gem. It's a very clean beautifully decorated restaurant. Large room in the back as well with very large TV. Great place to watch sports. Place was packed because of the soccer game so the servers had their work cut out for them. So busy there were no tables so we sat at the bar, which was very comfortable. Fernando and Salvador were just amazing. I had the skinny margarita which was excellent! He had the sangria and he loved it. Cocktails were very refreshing and made very well. Then I got the chicken Chimi flautas, which were nice and crispy and filled well with meat. Very fresh guacamole and salsa came with the plate. He had the shredded chicken burrito and really enjoyed it. He could not finish it it was so big. My only complaint would be the salsa that was served with the chips is a little runny. Had a nice flavor, but needs to be chunkier. Overall, just a fabulous experience! Will be back!

Absolutely wonderful service. Fernando made our drinks as we sat by the bar. Great location to host an event or have a dinner. Nicely decorated and look forward to returning.

Highly recommend! Amazing staff and ambiance. The food was delicious and the drinks were strong! I recommend the chicken enchiladas and their steak fajitas.

My daughters and I were in the Santa Monica area and decided to try Casa Martin for Mexican. We started with their guacamole and chips. While it was good it seemed to be missing some spice and lime juice as it was somewhat bland. The tortilla chips were also slightly over fried and a bit thicker than what I usually like. For our entrees we ordered the shrimp enchiladas, the combination platter of a beef enchilada mole and a pork tamale and the veggie fajita taco and a spinach and cheese enchilada. The beef mole enchilada had a touch of sweetness and was very good. The pork tamale was good but nothing special. My daughters loved the shrimp enchiladas and the veggie fajita taco. The corn tortilla used for the taco was hand made and delish! The spinach and cheese enchilada needed something more. It would have been tastier with mushrooms or something else to give it more pizzazz. Casa Martin satisfied our hunger pains and was overall good.

Pro-tip: Generally speaking, Ocean ave. Santa Monica restaurants are plagued with tourist traps. Casa Martin Mexican Restaurant, is no exception. They wouldn't even let me pre-order a super-burrito. Instead, I had to inconvenience myself and wait extra. WhY? For what possible reason. Ordered the super burrito with the orange sauce. Unjustifiably priced at 28 dollars. The Super burrito is super-bland And the burrito was just average (minus) at best. Not even a lot of steak to be found amongst the pickings, instead, you'll find overcooked rice. Yeah, it's big, but is it tasty? Arguably no. Better spots out there. Including most street/food truck burritos. Sad.

Good vegetarian options. Most Mexican restaurants either don't have vegetarian beans (made with lard) or rice (made with chicken broth), not Casa Martin. Their beans and rice are both vegetarian. Food and ambiance was good also. Service little slow in refilling chips and salsa.

Amazing food, great service, 10/10 recommend!! Fish tacos are a must have! Great location, ambience & vibe!

OMG. Just had the biggest Burrito Ever!! And yes, it was delicious!! You just don't see big burritos on the Westside.. And always after a delicious meal at Casa Martin, I can just take a stroll on the pier!!

We were in town for the weekend and we decided to return to this place ( we came here 4 years ago). For our surprise this restaurant is not the same that used to be. All the food, salsas, shrimp cocktails, burritos, all the food we ordered was flavorless, even the guacamole was watered down, prices are of course expensive and you don't even have a choice to leave your "own" tip, they automatically charged you an 18.5% tip, that's abusive. The service was ok and I guess for regulars is good, but for real Mexicans like us the food quality was pretty tasteless. Hopefully the owners make some changes and this place come back stronger.

$27 for chicken enchiladas is criminal. They were mid and made my stomach upset. First and last time here. Why would anyone spend so much money on this place?