The Courtyard Kitchen

Really nice and cozy place, great service. Unfortunately when we arrived, only pizza and drinks were available. The pizza was delicious and the cocktails were too. I would like to return here and try different dishes.

The restaurant mood and service were great. The quality of food was good, but not excellent. Unfortunately, one of the poached eggs was close to hard boiled egg, and size of burrito felt little small for the price.

Hmmm, unfortunately, while the staff is friendly and the ambiance is nice, the food we received during brunch fell short. We ordered 3 items: - Truffle fries: Pretty good as expected but nothing to write a lot on, as this is a relatively simple and straightforward appetizer. Not bad, but not memorable, either. - Spanish chorizo hash: the best of the 3 with a good variety of components that work together. The Spanish Pork Chorizo was rightfully front and center and paired well with the herb potatoes. - Panuozzo: the most underwhelming dish that we ate. On paper it looked enticing, as this "Pizza Sandwich" had prosciutto, parmesan, tomato confit, aragula, and pesto sauce. Unfortunately the pesto sauce overwhelmed everything, and nothing else stood out. So rather than a symphony of taste, eating this dish became a flat and monotonous experience. I felt I was just going through the motions of eating it rather than enjoying it, and when I looked down, I still have a whole other half to finish. It's just too one note and somewhat bland. I may give this another shot to explore the actual dinner or lunch menu, but I'd have to really read the reviews to see what's actually good here.

I visited this restaurant in the morning when there were many empty tables and only a handful of customers. Despite this, the hostess approached me and claimed a table was “reserved” (with no sign indicating this) and asked whether I was going to be quick. She was extremely unprofessional given how empty the restaurant was. I’ve been here before and returned mainly for convenience, but honestly, the food is mediocre and overpriced. The kitchen is not exceptional enough to justify the prices, and when you add poor service on top of that, the experience is disappointing. Staff training clearly needs improvement. Between the average food and the dismissive treatment, I do not recommend dining here.

Amazing interior and atmosphere. Very colorful, interesting, eye catching and vibrant. Very clean and with taste. Food we had was very colorful and beautifully presented but flavor wise was not that impressive. Cocktail Bloody Mary was very watery. Restaurant is located in Montana neighborhood which is very cute and vibrant area to walk and explore.

The spot is nice, you can seat outside or on their inside patio. But, I was disappointed with the food especially my 2nd time coming here. The food wasn’t bad - it was okay. But, the proportion was ridiculous. I got the morning bowl that looked interesting, and that small bowl was almost empty. One of the ingredients of the plate is goat cheese and I could barely see anything… Not that I want them to fill in the plate with green salad, but even that felt pretty small. The service was fine - nothing more. Overall, an average spot, but that dish side really killed it for me.

We’re Santa Monica locals and have been coming to this restaurant for years. We stopped by with our two kids for a last-minute early dinner during the Montana Walk and experienced the worst service we’ve ever had here. From the start, the staff was unwelcoming and made a big fuss about our e-bike. Despite explaining we had no lock and this was an impromptu stop, they insisted we leave it on the street—claiming it was safe, even after we shared that our bikes have been stolen multiple times, even from our own garage. The passing waitress and the manager, Aaron, both had an off-putting attitude that made us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. When the manager, Aaron, approached our table, he did so without a calm or professional demeanor. We explained that our bike had already been placed discreetly to the side by the bathroom, behind the high chairs and clearly out of the way. We noted that if we were required to move it outside, we would have to leave. His response was dismissive—he told us to either place it behind the hostess stand or leave. His tone carried an air of entitlement, more reflective of someone benefiting from others relatives' hard work than a responsible manager. This interaction wasn’t about guest safety, which we fully respect—it was about poor communication and lack of professionalism. Ultimately, we chose to leave. Why spend time or money at an establishment where the service, especially from management, is unwelcoming? Very disappointing experience at a place we’ve supported for years. We wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless ownership addresses these serious gaps in management and customer service.

Be prepared for a wait as they do not take reservations, however it was very good. Chipotle Beef burger was very good, my wife ordered it without the aioli & onions as she is not a fan of those. I had the Roasted Turkey Club on toasted sourdough, it was very good. Our son had the Commoner Breakfast with the scrambled eggs and he said it was very good also. The staff was very friendly and courteous. I can highly recommend as it was a very good food and a very busy place!

The Courtyard Kitchen is exactly what Santa Monica needed! Great food, relaxed vibe, and friendly service. Can't beat it.

I come here for dinner to have drinks and apps with my girls every Saturday! Best place in town.

Christmas Day. 2024 has been a trying year and I think I had quietly thrown my hands up re the holiday, to an extent. Hubby found this place for us to meet our eldest and I was really impressed, because I usually have time be the event planner, tour guide etc. Not only did he find us somewhere open on Christmas, but the space was beautiful and the atmosphere--really pleasant. Our eldest made a reservation and met us there and I have to say everything was seamless. We were shown in right away, the food was good, and the service was right in the pocket of being enough, but not too much. It was a lovely way to start a Southern California holiday day. Much appreciated

Great spot for breakfast! I've come here twice now when I visit LA and Ive loved it both times. There's a good amount of seating indoors and a few tables outside as well to enjoy the nice weather Service is friendly, and the food hit the spot after our morning hike. I'm sure I'll be back when I stop by LA again

Though I hadn't been to The Courtyard Kitchen in awhile, it was great to return for a fun lunch with friends! From the delicious pizza to the crepes, and other dishes, we indulged a bit. We had excellent service here: friendly, quick, and knowledgeable.

This is my favorite restaurant in la. I come here at least once a month and have never had something I didn't like. Amazing atmosphere! Brunch? Amazing? Lunch? Perfect! Dinner? Go! Indoor and outdoor seating! Would be so cute to go on a date here. Erick is the best!

I came here based on a recommendation from a friend and glad I did! Good food, good service, and fun ambiance. I ordered the salmon dill burger and opted to substitute the salad for roasted potatoes. I enjoyed the meal! It seems like their menu has a lot of healthy, fun options. I came here on a visit to Santa Monica but I would eat here again on a future trip!

Came here after book club on a Sunday morning and what a cute place! Service was a little slow for food but we sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and attentive. I loved the drinks! The food was a little pricey for me considering it wasn't anything to write home about...maybe if I'd ordered something else I would have liked it more.

Came here because R&D kitchen was full. As soon as I walked in, staff was amazing, our server viola was AMAZING. Their pizzas were made the proper way and the atmosphere was the best.

Great local diner with a fantastic happy hour 4-6 daily - yummy house cocktails, like Roma Spritz (imagine an Aperol made with grapefruit); they have delicious, exotic pizzas- but I loved the traditional meat lovers the best. The space has expanded and the back patio is amazing. We went for a large, birthday party for a late afternoon Saturday happy hour, which was fantastic . Gave the review 4-stars instead of 5-stars, as we were asked to be quiet during the celebration, which was a bummer, as we were enjoying a fun party.

Courtyard Kitchen made my stomach sing, dance, and then take a nap in a hammock. The ambiance is so chill!

Loved this place for brunch! The ambience was so cute, it was like a little house turned into a restaurant and had such a cute homey feel. The food was absolutely delicious, we shared a Benedict, omelette, and a side of pancakes. It was really well made and lots of flavor and good taste. The potatoes were so nice and crispy too! Service was great - friendly staff and we were able to sub the Benedict as vegetarian which was helpful too

Sadly, my friends and I had a very poor 1st experience at The Courtyard Kitchen. Our server was non existent. It took 10 minutes for someone to come around to ask if we wanted water. Then another 10 minutes for the water to make it's way to our table. We were ready to order but he was no where to be found. We were not asked if we wanted dessert? or anything other than water. Based on my visit, I would not recommend this establishment. We all were sad all around.

Looked for places to have a late breakfast on Christmas Day, we called and they said they were open. When I got there 3 min later the hostess mentioned that they are not taking any walk ins, very sad! Maybe next time..... maybe

The food was delicious, everything was made well with strong flavors and quality ingredients. Had a girls night here with very attentive and friendly service. Loved the cozy and intimate ambiance, would definitely return!

I really wish I knew our servers name as he made this a 5 star experience for us. The food of course was also good since it does take priority. They have a great happy hour menu as well. Really cute spot with a nice ambiance. There are different areas you can sit in so take a look around before just taking a seat.

I ordered the Wagyu burger & it was DELICIOUS ! It reminded me of barbeques growing up when the burger is fresh off the grill & just melts in your mouth. The french fries are so yummy as well ! The servers are super friendly & provide such amazing service. The restaurant itself is very cute & offers indoor & outdoor seating.

Fun brunch vibe. Nice outdoor space. Friendly service. Great cocktails. Large menu selection.

Haven't had a bad meal here! Got the bone in steak which was a tad salty but is to be expected with most steaks. Pizza is more of the spongey dough type rather than dry and crispy but I'm a fan! We've had the short rib which was decent as well and we're not huge polenta people. Bonus points for the gal who likes kids and entertains our toddler every time she passes!

I've only been to The Courtyard Kitchen a couple of times, but I really loved both visits & I look forward to coming in more regularly. The location is in one of my favorite parts of LA on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. When I walked by, I was drawn in immediately by how the space reminded me of cafés in Europe with the room & outdoor garden / patio area that was so quaint and pretty. I ordered the Spring Chop Salad with Chicken and a latte, they were both tasty. They have a brunch I'm really hoping to try out soon as well as some of their dinner entrées. Their staff were friendly and I was taken care of well while there. *I'll update this review with better photos and more input when I return. :)

Run don't walk to their newly-expanded space in the rear - just gorgeous. Service is excellent, pizzas tasty though mine had a soggy bottom. A few more food options in happy hour menu would be welcomed.

The Courtyard Kitchen has become my favorite neighborhood restaurant. Their recent expansion has added wonderful ambience for date night and the service is still the best in town. I tried their new pizza and could not believe my tastebuds. Having recently been to what was rated as the top pizza places in the world (in NYC), Courtyard's pizza stood out as better. Their dough melts in your mouth. I went back a few nights ago, to see if it was a fluke and ordered a different pizza. It was magnificent. They need to be rated and join the ranks on the top pizzas of the world.

My go to place! Great atmosphere, love the service. As well as the food they have ! Would recommend

Came here with my mom and was shocked by how much it changed! We sat by the bar at the hightops. I had the smoked salmon toast and she the Greek Island Bowl. YUM! This place really punched it up a notch. Will def be returning.

Looked like a nice place but my fork came smushed with the previous dudes guacamole. Coffee was ok. Server was ok.

Nice Happy Hour menu! Tueday- Sunday 4-6pm. 5pm starts the "bites" food. We arrived at 5pm. The restaurant was not crowded and we were able to choose any table. This is a dog friendly restaurant, as long as you are seated in the front patio section. My friend ate prior so she just opted for the Apersol Spritz. She truly enjoyed it! Sara, our waitress was patient and allowed up to chat and catch up. I ordered the Peach Bellini and Grilled Fish Tacos with the pineapple salsa. I have had these before and love them!!! By 6pm, the restaurant was packed. This made me smile! The ambience is lovely with the twinkle lights and candles. There are heaters all over, so no worries about feeling chilly when sitting outside.

This place was just okay. We liked the ambiance and the service was decent but it just felt so overpriced for what we got. I would personally prefer not having to cut my own chicken when I'm paying $30 for a salad. Other than that, I can't complain too much.

I haven't been here in a while so was super surprised to see their new bar! Really beautiful place, food was same but different?? I think better than from a few years ago, can't really remember. Lovely service, delicious food. They didn't have our reservation for some reason tho But the host still sat us right away on a busy brunch so.. ya check it out.

This is my 4 th time having dinner I love that it has different seating options Everything I have eaten has been very very good but I agree the pizza crust in the middle needs to be less soggy I love this restaurant and am praying the next time I am there the wine pour is a bit larger Also they accommodated my dogs on the outside 5 stars just so lovely

Groovy local spot on the wonderful Montana Ave. Lots of options and variety with fantastic fresh ingredients and friendly service.

This is a great go-to place if you're looking for a dinner out that's more than casual dining, not too loud, and not an overly expensive or fine dining venue. They have indoor seating with vintage artwork, a back quieter patio, and a front patio on both sides of the sidewalk. I had the chicken rigatoni with pesto genovese and spinach and my friend and I split the French Provence Stew - holla if you're an eggplant fan! Unfortunately, they're not the type of restaurant that provides a complimentary dessert for a birthday or celebration, but super nice servers and the bus boy even chased me down when I left behind an item. Much appreciated and thanks for the delicious meal

We loved everything! Service is excellent. Food is delicious & creative. The ambiance is amazing. Beautifully designed. Can't wait to go back.

I love this place so much. It's where i go to have a cocktails and read during the weekends. The dinner menu is absolutely fantastic! Family run place, has my heart!

Great food and atmosphere and reasonable prices on Montana. Our server Andre was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and always there if we needed something. All the salads are fresh and lightly dressed and the moroccan chicken was a standout. Also the pasta papadele was spot on. The suggested wines we well paired and priced and we loved the homemade chocolate chip cookie at the end. The family that owns this establishment really cares and it shows in every respect.

Was on Montana Ave looking for a place to eat. Food is decent, although a bit overpriced (but typical for Santa Monica). It's a really cute cozy place, too!

"Chef Driven" is a correct appellation, yet notwithstanding the consistent quality of menu and fare, price points remain quite reasonable. Elevated Santa Monica cuisine, quite American, yet which also reminds the palate of Trieste, Genoa, or many fine establishments in the Balkans perched in the Mountains or near the Mediterranean Sea. In for a treat.

Came here with a friend for Saturday brunch. The restaurant was pretty full but we were able to be seated within 10 minutes. We received great service from our waiter, Jose. For drinks, I ordered the peach Bellini (highly recommend) and the grapefruit mimosa. The aperol spritz is also a house favorite. The food took a long time to come out, but our dishes were pretty good. I ordered the El Benedict and added grilled chicken. Flavor was just okay initially, but the house hot sauce kicked it up a notch. My friend got the harissa shrimp bowl, which he enjoyed. Street parking is available in the adjacent neighborhood.

Sad to write this as this resturant has been our go to for the last 4 years. My husband and I love it here and come most Saturdays. We have noticed the service has been getting worse for the last 3 months but we thought maybe it was just due to construction. They opened the new area and it looks beautiful! We came today, it took over 20 minutes to get our coffee and juice, the food took about 35-40 minutes. They changed the Avacado toast which was my absolute favorite which is okay I get it resturants change but overall service and food was just okay... Hopfully it gets better

Great food and service! We got the appetizer of the day which was pear with burrata and prosciutto and it was delicious. I got the olive tapenade crostini to start too and it was okay. Very garlicky and nothing special. My friends got the blue cheese crostini and they said that was good. For dinner I got the Pappardelle and it was fantastic. My friends got the burger and the short rib & polenta and both said their food was also great. Would definitely go back as there were many other things I wanted to try on the menu

I was so disappointed, because I got a good recommendation to try this place, but they never even gave us the chance to. We sat down around 2:30pm for a late brunch. There were only a handful of customers around, yet we waited for 15 minutes before someone came over to pour us some water. We said we were ready to order and that we had been waiting, so he told us our server would be right over. We waited another 15 minutes, then decided to get up and go to another spot.

A cute cozy restaurant that is kid friendly with outdoor seating. Great for brunch. Parking shouldn't be an issue. Staff is nice. Pricing and portions are as expected. Menu is very accommodating to various dietary restrictions.

The restaurant just opened up their back dining room that has a full bar and this is EXACTLY what Montana Ave needed. The atmosphere and design is beautiful, and felt like we weren't in Los Angeles for the couple of hours we were there. What a treat!

Cute little place in Santa Monica. Unfortunately, the service lacked: when I sat down with my group which was only a group of four other people, they all ordered food, and then the waiter turned to me and asked me if I was going to order food! WTF? I'm with the family! Of course I'm EATING! I also ordered lavender coffee and it came without any lavender or any syrup. Once the food finally came, it was super delicious. It was a nice portion and a nice presentation. I just think the server needs to do a better job of not being a space case.

This is a very cute spot. It's primarily an outdoor restaurant which I found really nice. They have few seatings inside. The main courtyard seating area is covered which I also thought was nice. It helps with still getting that outside vibe while blocking the sun. I had made reservations for 5 people - 4 adults and my son. When we got there she was sweet but it seemed she was annoyed I had my son and a dog. I wish I was able to add it to the reservation but I couldn't. We also had our stroller with us which luckily closed up. That also caused a little drama. We were seated inside. Then moved to a little bigger area outside which seemed like a better option. We ordered our food. I knew it was going to take a few minutes since it was busy. While we were waiting I did notice people were building up close behind us. Turns out the bathrooms are in the kitchen area. That was a bit annoying but I also don't know how they would resolve that issue. Food was delicious. Did taste very fresh. I would recommend the chorizo on the huevos rancheros. Do wish there was a bit more. Overall it's a cute little place. Space is limited so try not to go if you have a lot of items on you. We will be smarter next time now that we know.

Great vibe for breakfast and brunch in their street-side patio. The small courtyard inside is also pretty charming. Good selections on the menu. Breakfast staples such as oatmeal, frittata, and egg Benedicts, are all good. The giant chocolate chip cookie is such a treat! We came on a busy Saturday morning, the service staff seemed a bit stressed but they did a great job in attending to all tables. Parking can be difficult as this is a popular shopping and restaurant area. There are metered parking on Montana (the busy street) and if you drive up the side streets you may be able to find free parking. Lots of shops, boutiques, unique stores around the restaurant so you could take a stroll after the meal and enjoy.

Great food, great service, great ambiance. I appreciated their expansive menu and their food quality. FOOD: I got the garden omelet with egg whites. It was cooked well (albeit slightly oily). But impressively cooked for the challenge of egg whites. I'd order it again. AMBIANCE: Nice restaurant that's bigger than it looks from the outside. They have multiple areas: indoor, patio, and a more separated room area (where we sat). All three are satisfactorily upscale and comfortable. I'd definitely recommend sitting outside but you can't go wrong. SERVICE: very good and attentive PARKING: we parked on the street. Not sure if there are better options, but potentially expect a short walk.

Delicious! My first impression walking in was "this place is so cute!" They decorate well and covered every space in a fashionable way. There are lots of menu options and I finally chose the Spanish Chorizo and it did not disappoint!! So tasty! My husband got the shakshuka and it was also really good! That was our first time trying Shakshuka too. Parking was surprisingly good across the street (about $3 something for 3 hours) using the meter. It's also on a very cute street with lots of shops to walk by and to take a nice stroll.

Great spot for brunch! I got the shashuka and it was very good but wish I asked for more pita. The staff was nice and attentive. I loved the back patio decor and just overall inviting and homey feel. Would love to come back!

Loved this neighborhood gem. Didn't even know it was in my neighborhood. Food was great. We had attentive friendly service in an eclectic atmosphere. Can't wait for the full bar to open!