The Buffalo Club

Came here on Saturday night for a date night. Let me tell you, from start to finish, everything was exceptional. The food was absolutely delicious (you can tell they use high quality ingredients), the service was attentive, and the hospitality especially from their manager William was truly top-notch. We felt like a VIP! The ambiance is warm, intimate, and full of character, making it one of those rare restaurants that instantly feels special. The standout of the night was their table side service Prime Ribeye Chop for Two, it was high quality, cooked to absolute perfection, and easily the best steaks I’ve ever had. The Cheddar Burrata Mash Potatoes was nothing I’ve ever had. I 100% recommend!! And to finish off the evening, we had The Baked Alaska, absolutely mind blowing! We were full at the time but it was so good we ended up finishing the enter dessert. This is definitely a place I’ll be returning to regularly, whether it’s to host a dinner, celebrate with friends, or enjoy a perfect date night. We’ll be back soon!!

Amazing spot! Cocktails are super fun and creative. Service is spot on (+tableside service.) The courtyard is beautiful and the interior is a welcomed reminder of a traditional east coast steakhouse meets Hollywood hangout. And for the most important part of the review… The food was outstanding… I loved everything we ordered! Starters: the Zucchini Blossoms, Tuna Tartare, Oyster Shootout. Main: Boeuf Bourguignon. I also got the Buffalo Bars for dessert. Sorry no photo… it looked too good to wait! Everything was perfect, can’t wait to come back!

I’ve loved going to The Buffalo Club for years. It never disappoints. From the phenomenal service to the astounding food, this latest visit did not disappoint. The Beef Bourguignon was to die for. This latest experience was no exception, the zucchini blossom starters are delicious. Thanks for a great experience, as always! The Buffalo Club outdoor patio late evenings has a DJ, more of a club atmosphere, also fun. So grab a meal first then head to the patio!

Came here on a Friday night for a girls dinner with some friends. Food was excellent!! Loved everything we got. Drinks were also very good - I recommend the espresso martini but the wine I ordered was also fantastic. Service was not slow but definitely drawn out so I’d plan on taking your time which we were happy to do! Our server was wonderful. Overall great experience and would come back again.

Love this place! I can't believe I have never been here before. Wonderful red leather booth atmosphere, delicious food, and lovely service.

Super fancy place with very comfortable old school environment. Always playing period good music and old frames decoration, at the bar you have a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, whiskey, prosecco and wines. The bartender Christian is the best, always making and serving the drinks with a big smile on his face. Wonderful waiters and manager service all the time ready for your requests and recommendations. The food was amazing experience that I’ll never forget but I forgot to take the pics because I was hungry and didn’t wait to eat.

A delicious dinner. Opened in 1994 by the writer, producer, and creator of Miami Vice, the TV show, it has really turned into a neighborhood gem. Originally a dive bar it’s in a more industrial part of Santa Monica, but that just means that parking here is really easy compared to over on Ocean Boulevard. I was able to find a free space right out front. They kept the theme of an East Coast style speakeasy and currently there are only 11 tables inside. Tons of nautical and landscape paintings strewn all over the walls with dim lighting and a full bar, it’s the sort of place you will want to stay awhile. There was only 1 waiter working tonight, but he was working really hard and did a great job. Hopefully next time they have 2 working to expedite wait times. Tonight we ordered the Softshell Crab and Tuna Tartare appetizers to start and we loved both of them. I usually prefer pan friend softshells and these were fried, but were still very good. For our entrees we chose the Barramundi and the Chicken Pot Pie. All the tables around us were ordering the Beef Bourguignon, which I should have ordered, but both of our entrees were very tasty as well. The fish was cooked perfectly complete with crispy skin and the pot pie was deconstructed with Jidori chicken and a delicious sauce on the bottom. Overall a great meal and I would easily recommend it to anyone for any occasion. I already plan to come back in the near future to try different dishes.

Food: Delicious. However, the entrée portions are not all equal. The Impossible Moussaka would more accurately have been listed as an appetizer compared to the other entrées. Try the squash blossoms. Ambience: flowering, vined courtyard lit by sunlight and string lights at sunset. Great place to take your parents, have a romantic date, or celebrate a special occasion. Service: Goldilocks. Not too much attention, not too little.

I came here for a Galentine's Day dinner with around 12 girls and we had the best time! I had never heard of this place but it was so delicious and the staff couldn't have been nicer! Very kind! It was giving old Hollywood dinner spot! I loved it and can't wait to come back!

We had a terrific meal at the Buffalo Club; the salmon with the cauliflower grit was interesting and delightful. I also recommend the tuna appetizer. The service was impeccable. The ambiance is as described, relaxed and old-school. Not inexpensive but worth it. Hopefully, they will add some more gluten free dessert options soon!

My husband and I came here with a large group and we thoroughly enjoyed our outdoor dining experience! They have a lovely patio and outdoor bar and the chef is super talented. We had the beef bourguignon (excellent), the prime rib (omg), the soft shell crab (lightly deep fried but the dough was a bit thick) and a bottle of French wine. The breads were freshly baked and delicious too! The entire experience was made better since they prepare the beef and rib Dishes table side which is nice, and the wine selection by William was excellent. It was a bit chilly outside so we needed a heat lamp- it's best to bring a sweater.

It is crazy this place has three stars. (I sifted through the reviews and it looks like the majority are 5-star reviews with a few disgruntled 1-star reviews that don't at all reflect the experience of the place as a bar/restaurant). This place is AMAZING! Incredible old-school ambiance, amazing people, and 10/10 cocktails. We haven't yet tried the food, but will be back soon. The menu looks so delicious - super savory and hearty options. We got to meet the owner and manager who were both wonderful. Our bartender was Caesar who was also fantastic. We're so excited to make this our spot for fun and special occassions. They also do events and parties!

Excellent food Excellent service Adult and sophisticated One of my favorite for adults in Los Angeles

A delicious dinner. Opened in 1994 by the writer, producer, and creator of Miami Vice, the TV show, it has really turned into a neighborhood gem. Originally a dive bar it's in a more industrial part of Santa Monica, but that just means that parking here is really easy compared to over on Ocean Boulevard. I was able to find a free space right out front. They kept the theme of an East Coast style speakeasy and currently there are only 11 tables inside. Tons of nautical and landscape paintings strewn all over the walls with dim lighting and a full bar, it's the sort of place you will want to stay awhile. There was only 1 waiter working tonight, but he was working really hard and did a great job. Hopefully next time they have 2 working to expedite wait times. Tonight we ordered the Softshell Crab and Tuna Tartare appetizers to start and we loved both of them. I usually prefer pan friend softshells and these were fried, but were still very good. For our entrees we chose the Barramundi and the Chicken Pot Pie. All the tables around us were ordering the Beef Bourguignon, which I should have ordered, but both of our entrees were very tasty as well. The fish was cooked perfectly complete with crispy skin and the pot pie was deconstructed with Jidori chicken and a delicious sauce on the bottom. Overall a great meal and I would easily recommend it to anyone for any occasion. I already plan to come back in the near future to try different dishes.

The four of us had a soft shelled crab tempura and shrimp mousse stuffed squash blossoms for an appetizer. The barramundi, boeuf bourguignonne, and lamb ribs were all excellent. We brough two exquisite wines, which were uncorked and decanted perfectly. The white tablecloths and 1960s music all made us feel like we were in an exclusive club. This is a hidden gem in Santa Monica.

Ever since the pandemic we have been frequenting the large outdoor patio at Buffalo Club. The drinks, food and service are all fantastic! Same loyal staff to make your cocktail just the way you like it every time. Indoor seating is more formal so that's why I like the patio which just feels comfortable. Tables are spaced apart so you have plenty of privacy. And lighting is just right.

I live this place! They take your coats, top notch service and the food was the best we ve ever had in Santa Monica. We can't wait to go back. Amazing music and lighting.

If you want one of the most beautiful bar / restaurants in all of Los Angeles, check out this spot. Has the timeless feel and tone of the bar from The Shining complete with the perfect bartender and Sinatra playing on the speakers. The drinks and food are perfect.

The Food was excellent!!! From the bread, to the cocktails, main courses , and dessert- WOW.....1st time here- The Bar was impressive- great looking. The dining room was quant and could be very romantic. The olive tapenade for the bread was the best. The service was A-1 First Class..... They have outside seating but was taken by a Private Party..... The outside looked great for dining.....Definitely a great experience... the lamb ribs just fell off the bone!!! Everything was wonderful !!!!!

Such a good restaurant and meal! The beef Bourgogne is outrageously good. So are the lamb ribs, you can't go wrong here. The atmosphere is romantic, elegant, European but also homey. Service is terrific. Can't wait to come back. Perfect place to celebrate special occasions. V

One of my favorites. Old school Rat Pack Vibe super cool Manager and staff very attentive. I recommend the restaurant over the club. Club is ok but the restaurant is great.

Not only can you listen to a great mix of music but you can also have a conversation. Service is excellent from beginning to end. William sets the tone with his hospitality and the meal comes perfectly timed and the preparation and presentation are excellent. You can't miss ordering any of Chef Patrick Healy's food, nothing disappoints.

The Buffalo Club is awesome. The food was so outstanding. The flavors were like a party in my mouth. The presentation equally amazing. The service was great in every aspect. The ambiance of the club is truly unmatched. It has an incredible feeling when you are there. It feels like a vacation. The management and staff were such a comfort. The experience overall was outrageously fun. It is a dinner club like no other in Los Angeles. If you are out for a wonderful time and experience do not miss this club... Also dancing with my girlfriend after such a great dinner was so much fun. Adding a heightened level of romance to the date. My thanks to everyone at the Buffalo Club Rick

Food is great and fresh Service in fantastic Cocktails are great It's a must try place , we love it

Food, Service, ambiance Exquisite ...i have gone there so many times in there past year , super pleased every time ..

A lovely old school west side restaurant. Wonderful decor and food inside, and a beautiful outdoor space as well. Service and staff are all so accommodating and kind, and the food is fantastic. The cocktail list is perfection. Definitely recommend this place!

I went here for Valentine's Day, and needless to say, I made the right choice. The food was top-notch and arrived quickly the service was kind and genuine. I sat outside back in the month of February, and with the heated seats and heaters I felt warm and toasty zero complaints here.

This place has a 3-star average and that sounds about right. I think it suffers from a certain amount of identity crises. For dinner, it tries to be an upscale dining establishment. The service is very popular and would easily fit into a fancy steakhouse. But the food misses the mark. To start, the cocktails were full or ice chips, showing the bartender is either not very experienced or a bit lazy (please double strain next time). For the meal I had the beef bourguignon, which was pretty good in terms of taste but a bit too tough (ie, overcooked). Then, at 10:30, the entire place transforms. They take away all the tables and put in high tops and it turns into a club. 10 pm - empty. 10:45 pm - packed. Clearly the club business model is working better, so maybe stick to that?

I RSVPed for a Thanksgiving event on Friday Nov 24 2023, to join some friends who arrived at 9:30pm. The invitation clearly stated the hours of 9pm till 2am, and so did the confirmation email (screen shots attached). However, I arrived at 10:30pm and the host told me to pay a cover of $20 because the event ended at 10pm. Of course I caved in, as I was already committed and had driven there. It's not the end of the world, but I would like to know of businesses who engage in such deceiving ("bait-and-switch") practices, so that I may support other venues instead.

If you haven't dined at The Buffalo Club you are missing out. One of the best dining experiences in town. Fine dining, amazing food, great service and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our server was very attentive and made excellent menu recommendations. The Chef prepared everything to perfection. Our group was small so we shared several appetizers Tuna Tartare, soft shell crab and the burrata and for our main courses we had the lamb the pot pie and the barramundi. I will definitely return.

Another superb meal by Patrick. ! The bourguignon is to die for. The service is five star. The Iroquois room is classic. We love this place so much!

The atmosphere, the service and the food are all impeccable. Always a great meal and a great night out at the Buffalo Club.

A true hidden gem. Sitting in the deep leather booth we half expect to see the ghosts of Sammy Davis and Frank Sinatra sitting in the corner.

We had dinner at the Buffalo Club last night and what a great experience. The food and the service was excellent! The ribeye for two, prepped at the table was excellent! We had a great night out in Santa Monica.

So fun! Franco is the best!!! GM is super nice - overall great establishment feel proud supporting this business

Classiest place ever! Been going since 1994! Food is phenomenal, service impeccable and ambiance is incredible!

Such wonderful food and service in a cozy home-like atmosphere. The boeuf bourgignon is a must, and the meal is to savor in its totality.

This club is CANCELLED. Used to be fun but now is pretentious AF. They will charge you $20 cover to walk into a bar with 10-15 dancing. Place clears out completely by 12. The woman at the front running the show needs to figure it out. Very rude. Buffalo club, you have failed us time and time again....CANCELLED.

Where to start? The old world ambiance is wonderfu. Like stepping into a magical time machine. The service is perfect attentive without being intrusive. The food is absolutely excellent. Definitely coming back whenever we can.

Loved the Wonderful Food, the Great Atmosphere and Vibe, Attentive Service!! Throwing an event here in March, will be a fantastic venue!

We love the Buffalo Club! Both the inside and outside garden provide a different atmosphere, both beautiful. The service is top notch and the food wonderful. Really like the soft shell crab lettuce cups.

New to SM noticed the sign driving down Olympic. Looked it up made a reservation. My friend and I really enjoyed the courtyard, entire staff was wonderful, just the right amount of attention and service. Looking forward to my next meal.

The Buffalo Club is truly a special place for outdoor dining, cocktails in the clean and crisp air of Santa Monica, and an interior that takes patrons to a grand era of fine dining in the city of Angels. I co-organized an office dinner party for 16 and we were all impressed with the quality of the continental style cuisine. Prime rib chop for two included thick bone marrow, bordelaise sauce and fine creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus. Beef Bourgogne, like the prime rib chop, was also served tableside and featured a gravy of unusual richness and depth that seemed to be made for hours and include lots of red wine. Friends had nothing but kind compliments for the barramundi and black mussels. The organic red wine from Provence was a favorite pick of William, the friendly and hard working wine director, and it was not only very pleasant but reasonably priced. Some wished the bread could have been served more quickly, but the variety and high quality of what went into the basket were well worth the wait. Overall the service was admirable and experience highly enjoyable. I look forward to going back.

A culinary gem hidden in Santa Monica. Like a few other reviewers, I was not aware that Buffalo Club served dinner. I mostly frequented for the night life experience (which is top notch). So I was pleasantly surprised when my taste buds were greeted by an array of delectable flavor combinations, over the course of my meal! To start we ordered the Parmesan Egg Farm Salad and Mac & Vermont Cheedar, delicious! For a main the lamb ribs, wow just wow! And for desert, you must try the Buffalo bars. I highly recommend them. Yum. If you're a drinker then cocktails are fab. I opted for a classic espresso martini - did not disappoint. All in all, I'd say this is a must try for anyone who deems themselves a foodie.

I hadn't been here for dinner in a while, and I have to say, the chef is creative and talented. The salads were fresh, the dressing unique. I had the pork chop...incredible.

Had no idea they served dinner as well! Always have gone at night. Was pleasantly surprised. Food was so tasty I couldn't get enough!!! The vibe of the restaurant at night is so calming too its a great aesthetic :)

Worst place ever. do not come. the bouncers are so mean and don't care at all if you've pre paid or anything. i hate this place and the workers with all my being. avoid at all costs unless you want to have the worst night of ur life and be verbally assaulted by bouncers.

Listen. The buffalo club has fantastic music and the vibes CAN be great if you're there the right night. But I wanna talk about the downfalls of this place because there are more negatives than positives unfortunately. The security/employees of buffalo club are on the most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious power trip there ever was. The bathroom attendant gives you a 2 minute countdown to use the bathroom. 20 seconds in she goes 1 MINUTE. Like babe I just paid 20 bucks for a tequila soda and I'm getting treated like I'm in the barracks...let's chill. The other bouncers and employees have the same energy and it makes me wonder if working there is just an absolute hellscape? We may never know. Anyways, looking forward to going back next weekend!

This is the perfect place for a date night, girls night, or birthday celebration. We were seated in the courtyard which was the perfect atmosphere for my friends and I, cute twinkle lights on the trees and delicious cocktails to add to it (the El Diablo was incredible). Everything about our experience was great, from the atmosphere, servers, drinks, and food. For appetizers, we had the Zucchini Blossoms and the Burrata Tomatoes - both very tasty. I got the Pork Chop and it was cooked perfectly, all of my friends were also delighted with their entrees. Had such a lovely experience and already can't wait to go back!

Man... I have lived near the Buffalo Club for over a decade and never went because, like many, I assumed it was just a night club, but no, earlier in the evening it's a excellent, trapped-in-time steakhouse. As the NYC in-crowd trends toward classics rather than bleeding edge novelty, I suspect - and hope - Buffalo Club becomes a spot more people visit in the hours before the DJ booth is occupied.

Last Saturday night at Buffalo Club did you know that when the Lady that Collect the money inside the door Leaves, the security still make you pay.. what I mean is that me and my lady friend came to Buffalo Club after 1:30 Am and the big security guard with the mustache told me that the only way I and my lady could get in the club if we pay him . So I didn't have enough money on me so he said I can Venmo him.. So could someone at the Buffalo Club Explain that to me .. Well me and my friends are not coming back to the Buffalo Club and I'm going to Spread the word that security charges after 1.30 Am.. And watch out for the big guy with the mustache he's one of the charges..

I was invited to the Buffalo Club by a good friend. His younger sister was graduating from USC and the club was supposed to be having a big party for graduation -- there was a $60 minimum per person for table service (which was required to get in) but then they extorted me at the door by saying to add a 7th person would cost us an extra $350 to the minimum because it would be breaking Covid protocols. We paid the extra $350 because we had already waited in line for an hour (yes I know it's stupid to fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy). We ordered a bottle of Belvedere and a bottle of tequila and I unfortunately realized the vodka was watered down. I did not try the tequila. I did a taste test comparing the vodka from our bottle to a shot I ordered at the bar and was extremely disappointed-- I'm giving this establishment 1 star because of their poor ethics and dishonesty. The waitresses, DJs, and bouncers were great, but it's clear management only cares about extracting money from naive college students. :/

If I could give this place negative stars I would. I made a reservation in advance for my friends visiting out of town. Before we even walked in, a staggered 5'5" man demeaned us at the door when I asked if they had availability for bottle service after dinner. He proceeded to open his phone, scrolled through a bunch of irrelevant names on a guest list & said "as you can see we're very busy, so you should've planned in advance." Once we FINALLY got our drink order in, I ordered a spicy margarita -- which ended up as a regular margarita with a SUGAR rim. How fun. Then they my friend ordered a lemon drop drink, to then receive a margarita. I told the waiter that the manager of the restaurant was incredibly rude & was the reason we were leaving, then the waiter grabs the bill out of my hand before I could even sign it. WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED.

I feel like this place is in need of a serious overhaul. We came with a friend visiting from out of town and wanted to show her a cool LA spot. These days though it seems impossible to get in anywhere unless you make a reso 3 weeks in advance. The fact they had so many reservations available on a Friday night should have been concerning. When we arrived, we couldn't find the door in (lol). I think they are trying to be like one of those cool hidden bars. But instead of walking into a hip trendy restaurant with fun music there were just a lot of old men and a tv above the bar with a basketball game on. Not necessarily the vibes we were looking for. With an uncovered patio and Bougainvilleas cascading off the walls, I feel like this place has potential. In its current state though, it feels like an Applebee's disguised as a fine dining establishment. The service was ok, but slow. I feel like our server was new and he was trying really hard which I can appreciate. You could tell he just wasn't really sure when was a good time to jump in or when to grab our plates, but he was very careful to repeat back our order so it didn't get messed up. Work in progress. As for the food, it was ok. I was a little taken aback by the prices and wasn't really in the mood to spend $50 on a dish that was likely going to be sub par (based on reviews I had read prior to coming). Our server recommended a few dishes and he also mentioned a few of the dishes people usually don't like. I appreciated the heads up! Unfortunately, those dishes were our first two choices (which included the chicken pot pie). So with two of the entrees ruled out there were limited items remaining. Instead, I decided to opt for the tuna tartare and just a side of the squash. Both were fine but nothing special. Definitely missing any sort of wow factor and not worth the prices. Looks like they've had the same thing on their menu for years. This could be a really cool spot if they put some work in!

What a gem this place is. Amazing food and even better service! Had a girls dinner here and we had the best time.

SO good!!!!!!! The food&drinks were bomb and the service was great. The outdoor dining space is so cute and there's great music every night. Would definitely recommend the impossible sliders, burrata salad & mac n cheese but everything is good. We devoured everything, definitely try this spot!

Adorable atmosphere! Came here for dinner with the girls and had an amazing time. Service was great and a lot of vegetarian options. Will definitely be back!!