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CRIMSON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Good for working
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Crimson

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Reviews With Photos - Crimson

Menu back
Jessica H.

The food, flavor and portions are good. There is a lot of the menu to chose from for food and drinks. I would say the prices are a little higher than I would like. But overall it's a good place.

White chicken kabob and kale salad and dolmens.
Vanessa P.

Ridiculously delicious tender mouth watering white chicken kabob and kale salad!!! Highly recommend this restaurant! It's clean, staff are friendly and the cook must be an Arabic Chef. This is beyond delicious.

Massive chicken kebab (dark meat) plate with shirazi salad and garlic sauce! So juicy and tender
Jonathan H.

The food at Crimson is so good, fresh, and healthy. I would eat here everyday if I could. Very solid Mediterranean option if you're in the Santa Monica area. Plenty of indoor seating and the restaurant is clean and full of sunshine. The staff are really friendly and helpful with menu recommendations. I have had the grilled plates here, which are excellent and very filling. If you are looking to get a good amount of protein for the day or hit your macros, this will do it. The meat is grilled to order so it takes a bit more time to cook, but it is so worth the wait. The chicken thigh kebab is so juicy and the garlic sauce (toum) is to die for. My recommendations for the side are the broccoli salad (I know, very random for a Mediterranean restaurant but trust it is so good) and the babaghanoush. You can't go wrong with any of their side salads though and they don't skimp on the leafy greens! They also have free cucumber water if you dine in.

Chicken Kabob.
GlobeTrotter L.

In A Nutshell: -Crimson is a super good Mediterranean restaurant that offers huge portions for a fair price. -I love ordering the Chicken Shish Kabob w/ 2 sides for $22. -The service is always proactive w/ plenty of smiles. Overall, the food tastes very good here & it's quick perfect for lunch!

$21 filet
Bradley K.

First time trying this spot. Full of regrets :( 2 stars because the staff was really nice and apologetic or it would be 1 star. Ordered the filet kabob and just fyi, it's the smallest portion of meat you've ever seen. Order 2 meals @ $21.00 each if you're hungry!! The meal comes with just a couple small cuts of meat, two small corners of pita and a 5 gallon bucket of rice. I would recommend checking out some of the other similar spots to eat Mediterranean in the area that offer normal sized portions. $42 later, I now have 6 small pieces of meat, 4 pita corners And 10 gallons of rice!

Holly B.

Food was disgusting. I ordered the sirloin kabob and it smells and tastes like dog food. The tabbouleh salad was old and wilted and looked like it's been out for a while. The kabob was so bad I had to spit in into my napkin. For $50+ for two plates that's insane.

Ground Siloin Kabab - Fake Meat
Makoto C.

Crimson is in my opinion the equivalent of airport-food court Mediterranean food. Nothing feels like it was made with care or passion. It for the most part resembles the actual Mediterranean food without going above in any area (except their fries are good). Their pita bread taste like it was taken out of a Ralphs pita-value pak. And their ground sirloin ka-bab is just awful (although it looks super good in photos). It isn't real meat. When it only costs $2.50 to add a whole 2 extra kababs to your plate you know it isn't real meat. I wish they would up the prices and make the food real.

Mark L.

Definitely worth the walk from 3rd Street Promenade--this place has some of the best Mediterranean food in the area. Every dish my family ordered was delicious and satisfying. The prices were fair, and the ambiance was lovely and inviting. Overall, it's incredible Mediterranean cuisine that shouldn't be missed by anyone.

Outside
Roselia G.

Seriously good Mediterranean restaurant! It's all street meter parking, but we were lucky enough to get a spot right outside the door. I love the interior, and that wall sign right by the register too. It's kinda funny and sad at the same time, but it's the perfect table to sit at right under that neon sign if you're breaking up with someone. You'll get it when you walk in:P Amazing meats, really good sides, and great service. I am one of those that really only eats dark meat, so I was pleasantly surprised that they offer both options! I had to try the filet mignon wrap first, and it was so good! I'm gonna have to come back for the dark meat chicken kabobs, cuz I have never seen that offered anywhere else! I'll also have to get more of the sweet potato fries. They were probably the best I've had! Oh and the Persian Latte was so good! I had never had it before, but it's part coffee and part tea. You gotta try it if you never have.

Chopped Salad with Salmon
Jaenell C.

The food here is good. The salmon is perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The salad is tasty and the dressing is a nice compliment. The portions are decent as well. The service is very hit or miss. If you're dining in it becomes pretty apparent the restaurant favors to go orders. Almost every time we've eaten here it's practically empty. Still if you don't mind a quieter spot with consistent food I'd check it out.

Chicken Gyro (White Meat)
Jia Y.

Pretty good pretty good! The chicken kabob plate was definitely pretty good and very filling!

Salmon kabob, Filet Kabob, Chicken kabob
Maylee W.

Ordered thru Grubhub/ chicken kabob, filet kabob and salmon kabob - delicious! The filet was very tender and juicy. My order was delivered very quickly. I would definitely order from Crimson again.

Salted caramel (right) and tan and black or something like that.... both good!
Sonia V.

My bestie and I hit this spot up after a hike and we were not disappointed! She ordered the salmon plate and loved it! I don't eat seafood but it did look bomb! As for my falafel wrap with spinach tortilla -- overall, delicious! I asked for the garlic sauce and spicy sauce on the side and with the sriracha, it was just *chef's kiss!* Highly recommend adding the sriracha to each bite! It changed it for the better. The falafel itself wasn't completely moist and soft... it definitely could have been better but the overall wrap was good. It's pretty good so unless you're really hungry, you can take half to go! Your order comes with either 1 side or 2 sides, depending on what you choose and we got the broccoli salad! Super good! Light and delicious! Do recommend. I also tried the tzatziki and it was good. Nothing noteworthy there. I ordered the salted caramel latte iced w/oat milk and it was sooo good! It leans more on the salty side instead of sweet which I liked! It was one of those drinks where you just sip a little more and you can't stop sipping cuz it's addicting! Service wasn't bad! Staff was friendly but despite a nearly empty restaurant, it did take a while to get our food. There was a Yelp check-in deal that they did NOT honor. Oh well! For the two drinks and two entrees (one with 1 side and the other with 2), our total was about $65 (+tip). Seemed like a lot and not sure if we were charged correctly, but then again... SaMo.

Chicken Kabob plate

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6 months ago

This is my favorite Mediterranean food spot! Love the salmon plate and all the sides they offer are fire!

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Ask the Community - Crimson

Does this place serve halal meat?

Yes, the do serve halal meat and use organic ingredients as much as possible.

Do you order at the counter or is there a waiter?

Hi Sam, we are a counter service restaurant, however for parties of six or more we are happy to provide table service.

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Calabra

Calabra

3.8
(457 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$$$
Rooftop seating
Romantic vibe

Service was on point. They check with us during our 1.5 hours stay. Our return is guaranteed.read more

Quite a beautiful rooftop restaurant located in the very fancy Santa Monica. Came here as part of a…read morework dinner, so I was in a large group (12 people almost!). The beauty of Mediterranean food is that it's perfect to share with large groups. Because I had some fellow vegetarians (and veg friendly people) with me, ordering was quite fun. We almost ordered every vegetarian mezze, which included: Mezze sampler: the Muhammara was my favorite of them all and the naan was amazing. Very soft, but flavorful. Sprouted cauliflower: interesting way they made it. Golden tahini had a nice touch. Pickled vegetables: loved them Greek fries: can't go wrong with that Roasted sweet potato: surprisingly quite good and a very different palate from the fries. Baked feta: interesting, but this wasn't a fan favorite amongst the group. While our non-vegetarian colleagues enjoyed the octopus, we were nearly full with just the mezze. We decided to go ahead and order the mushroom skewers while the other side enjoyed the tomahawk. Everyone was full after all this food. The cocktails kept flowing. I stuck with just one Urfa mezcalita while enjoying the views for the remainder of the night. This lasted until dessert where plenty were ordered. I got a chocolate gelato not realizing I'd get two scoops. Sadly I could only finish one scoop. Anyhow, there are heaters all over the rooftop so that people can enjoy throughout the year. They do have to crank it up as needed, but it's there. Can't mention price much because this was work sanctioned, but it was a great decision.

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Mon Ami

Mon Ami

4.4
(144 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$$

Reservation: not needed unless particular preference for seating and cancellation fee applies if…read moreno-show Parking: free 90 min in Santa Monica parking structures Service: immediately seated, great recommendations provided, and full explanations of specials Vibes: GORGEOUS patio with pastel colors, plants, and string lights - cute for girls' night or romantic date night; inside restaurant atmosphere classy Food: one of my most memorable meals in Santa Monica - every dish I had was well cooked, seasoned, balanced, and nicely plated Other: InKind app had good deal

Phenomenal restaurant all around -- delicious food, beautiful ambiance and incredible location…read morenestled on Ocean Ave. right by Santa Monica Pier, and fantastic service. Lobster alla catalana pasta 5/5 - Lives up to the hype, so delicious with a bit of a spicy kick, strong lobster flavor with lobster pieces throughout and fresh basil Chicken tagine 5/5 - delicious flavors and well balanced, the serving size is huge and served in a traditional tagine! Can likely serve 3 comfortably, may be nice to also order a side of carbs to soak up the scrumptious sauce Perfect for a date night; offers both indoor with bar and outdoor seating with heat lamps so can be dog friendly. Beautifully decorated and themed both inside and outside with overarching vines and lights in the outdoor patio area. Access right on Ocean Ave with the restaurant tucked at the end of the pathway around other restaurants; there is a hostess and podium with the restaurant sign right on Ocean Ave. to direct you in. For some reason, Google Maps suggested entering from the back of the restaurant, which is not the best way to enter. A bit on the pricier side but reasonable for this prime location and with hearty portion sizes. Overall highly recommended!

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Hungry Pocket Falafel House

Hungry Pocket Falafel House

4.4
(1.1k reviews)
1.1 mi
$$

Hungry Pocket makes the best falafel I've ever eaten…read more I started going here in 2009 while attending SMC. It was the first falafel I'd ever tried. Since that time, I have eaten falafel not only in different LA locations but also at locations across the country while living in NYC. Verdict: from coast to coast, Hungry Pocket makes the best falafel I can find. All other falafels seem to taste like dirt in my mouth in comparison. If you don't like falafel, you just haven't tried Hungry Pocket yet. I will edit this review if I find better falafel or if Hungry Pocket has changed/changes their recipe (will be visiting tomorrow for quality assessment purposes). The ambiance is that of a hole in the wall that you only know about if you went to SMC or know someone who went to SMC. You don't want anything to change because the whole point is that it feels like a hole in the wall that no one knows about. The service is direct. You order, they make your food right in front of you, you get it when it's ready, you eat it, and you are grateful. The baklava is also the best baklava. You should get a piece for dessert. Thank you, Jeff!!!

I enjoyed my meal here! We got the lamb gyro plate and it was fresh and light. I enjoyed the baba…read moreghanoush and tabbouli especially. We also got the showafel with chicken - the chicken had a nice char on it. Overall, good for a light lunch. But the ambiance is nothing fancy, it's pretty minimal and bare. 3% surcharge on credit card transactions so bring cash!

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Dining area
Dining area
Hungry Pocket Falafel House
Hungry Pocket Falafel House

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Naab Mediterranean

Naab Mediterranean

4.3
(365 reviews)
3.1 mi
$$

Naab is a great Mediterranean eatery. This on is in Marina Del Rey, but I know there are a couple…read moreother locations. The place is super cute and really clean. It is new to us and for some reason we never saw it. You walk in and place your order at the counter and they give you a number. The service there is very nice and friendly. They will help you with the menu. The food we had there was great. I love Turkish coffee and Naab serves great Turkish coffee. We had their Lentil soup and it was some of the best with just the right amount of spice. We also loved their salmon and they have great rice and salad. The Chicken shawarma wrap has so much chicken and it is so flavorful and not at all dry like some wraps at other places. The steak kebabs are cooked perfectly and so tender. It is all great. Have fun.

This unassuming spot has the tastiest food and shockingly reasonable prices. The chicken and gyro…read moremeats are spiced just right, the hummus and lebne are served with fresh, warm pita, and the iced tea is rose flavored! I've never ordered the lunch special, but it's prominently featured at the counter. My typical order for two is either a single wrap plate to share, or two different wrap plates, so that we can each share both - with enough to take home. The inside of the location is clean white tile, with wood tables and a few TVs. The servers are friendly. My first visit was because they are located near Costco, my subsequent visits have been because they have delicious food at wallet friendly prices

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Naab Mediterranean
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Javan Restaurant

Javan Restaurant

4.3
(1.5k reviews)
3.0 mi
$$
Free parking
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The service by the staff here was absolutely wonderful, they make you feel right at home, they…read morehelped us with the menu choices letting us know everything they had to offer. The restaurant itself is is so clean, big screen tvs, we were able too watch the World Cup matches. The music selection was peaceful great ambiance overall. We started off with Dolma and a fresh cherry refresher (I had never tired this drink its officially my favorite). The Naan was delicious don't dip it in the cucumber yogurt. The sides of mint and raw onion don't miss. For my main dish I had Chenjeh Kabobs with tasty filet mignon this staple dish wit take you straight to the Middle East. Try it with their signature cherry rice. The freshly cut cucumber and tomatoe salad is very crisp and a perfect side dish. I definitely will come back. Overall 5 star meal. The plates are pretty as well. With fresh cut flowers and plenty of food. There is parking underground so you don't have to take up time looking on the street just call and ask for instructions to get in.

Amazing amazing amazing!!! Food was SO good. Got the chicken koobideh, lamb shank - dill…read morepickle/fava bean rice, eggplant stew w/ chicken, and our vegetarian pals got the gormeh stew vegan. The meat was SO GOOD - cooked so so well, came right off the bone, and mixed w the flavors so well. The vegetarians rated their dish as 3-4 out of 5. But I think the meat dishes really carried and are so worth trying. Not the most vegetarian options So maybe 5/5 for meat eaters and 3-4/5 for vegetarians! Defs recommend will be coming back

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Javan
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Crimson - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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