If you love cheese and carbs, Forma is the place to go! We came during happy hour on a Sunday with a group of friends and had a wonderful time. The restaurant was pretty empty when we first arrived at 2pm but quickly filled up within the hour. The servers were very attentive the whole time, even when the place got packed they knew when our drinks were empty without us having to say a word. The only thing was you had to ask for the happy hour menu, they didn't just automatically give it to you upon arrival. We started with a round of drinks, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their drink. I got a peach bellini that was lightly sweet and very refreshing, it paired well with the heavier food we ordered. Since it was our first time we went a little crazy and ordered a variety of appetizers, flatbreads and pasta. We got 11 dishes to share and there wasn't a single dish that disappointed. I love how well they timed the pacing of serving each dish, making sure we can try everything as it's freshly cooked. They also started from the lighter appetizers then progressed to more flavourful and filling dishes, taking us on a nice food journey. The highlights were the Gnocco Fritto, Mushroom Flatbread and Trofie Al Pesto. Honestly all their pasta were sooo good it's hard to pick a favourite. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce coated every bite beautifully. Each bite was creamy, savoury and packed full of flavour! The Gnocco Fritto was fried to perfection. It was light, fluffy and not greasy at all, the crispy exterior with the airy chewy interior made for a great bite. My only complaint is the sauce container is too small to drunk the gnocco in, making it hard to get the sauce on it for the perfect bite. All their mushroom dishes had wonderful umami truffle flavour and creamy delicious cheese. I personally love fresh baked bread so the flatbread made for a wonderful vessel for the mushroom topping. I'm getting hungry just reminiscing about the scrumptious meal. Highly recommend stopping by if you're on the west side and craving Italian food. read more

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We had a work dinner for 20 people and I must start with that as it plays into a lot of my review comments. 1) thank you forma for accommodating such a large group and handling it masterfully. 2) all of the food, good or bad, came out correct over the course of a three hour dinner. And by bad it wasn't that anything was wrong some folks just didn't like their dishes. 3) my wish is that we had the ability to be seated inside With such a large party we were sat in the back patio. Which would not have been bad except: 1) it was in an alley 2) you had to walk past multiple dumpsters to get to it 3) if you had to use the restroom you had to walk past those dumpsters twice in each trip 4) it was a hot day and the sun had us sweating until it went behind the buildings I would like to experience the restaurant from inside and get to see the pasta being spun on the cheese wheel instead of hearing about it. But for outside Forma did the best they can to make it feel homie. The food was all very enjoyable. The chicken meatballs. The burrata. The arancini. I had the branzino for my main. It was good not great but I was full off of the appetizers. We all shared the Cacio E Pepe and it was enjoyed. The short ribs was ordered a lot and not loved but the pastas seemed to be the stars of the night. The desserts were good. The gelatos were refreshing specially with the heat. The apple cake a nice twist. For drinks they have an abundance of spritz options. No real cocktails could be made as all their drinks are prebatched. That was disappointing. Prices were reasonable across the board and a good time had by all. Our server was Anso and he and team did a good job. If I was scoring off the alley seating it would be a one or a two star. But some folks like it out there. It's less noisy than inside. So my rating is a benefit of the doubt four star. Next time I have to sit inside. read more

I visited Forma for happy hour on a random Monday night, and it was really enjoyable. It was during the beginning stages of the World Cup too, and there's a TV at the bar which was nice to watch the games. Happy hour is from 2-6p Monday through Friday at the bar only. I'm a big fan of sitting at the bar. The happy hour prices are really good, some of the best in town. Just an FYI, the dirty martini is not on happy hour. * Burrata: It was good, but he doesn't like tomatoes which kind of takes away from a good burrata if you don't have tomatoes. * Filet mignon tartare: This was delightful. I'd order this again and again. * Pesto gnocchi: This was my favorite dish of the day. It was so light and tasty. * Salamino flatbread: Flatbread is always a good choice and the burst of spice from the salami was great. * Arancini: These were a hit. I really liked these a lot. While the happy hour was great, I'd love to come back to Forma for dinner so I can try more things. read more

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I visited Forma Santa Monica about a month ago with my parents and my older brother, and all the dishes, including the pasta, were incredibly delicious and exceeded our expectations. The restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere as well. Since it was very busy, we weren't able to dine indoors and ate out on the patio instead. The servers were extremely kind, and everything, including the restrooms and the dining area, was very clean and well-maintained. If we visit again next time, we would love to have a meal inside the restaurant. read more

Forma Santa Monica - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I've heard a lot about this place due to the cheese bowl preparation for their pasta which sounded like 'a lot' for me. However, I finally gave in after a co-worker took someone special for dinner here, and they had a wonderful time. Checking out their menu, I enjoyed the fact they had decent lunch selections, but appreciated that their happy hour had a ton of options, and is currently from 2p-6p which is generous. I had a couple things I wanted to try, so I headed on over. Parking on 16th street (a residential area so read the signs for street cleaning, etc.), it was a short walk over into an empty restaurant. I almost wondered if I had the hours incorrect but then a lady came out and let me sit at the bar as she brought over the menus. There is also an extensive wine list if you're a wine drinker but I'm here for the food. I started with the Chitarra "Cacio E Pepe" ($14) and then ended up adding the Chicken Greek ($15). If you want bread, there are at least two paid options which I skipped this visit. The pasta I selected was very good! The portion is smaller for happy hour which makes sense, and was perfect since I was trying it for the first time. This also ensures I will be back at least a second time, it was that enjoyable. The Chicken Greek I didn't enjoy as much, but came with a generous amount of cucumbers which were fresh and crispy. Different tomatoes (red, green, yellow) were also in this with feta cheese, olives, and red onions. I tried a green tomato for the first time, and I will not be trying this again. However I took this to go, reheated it later on and I swear I tasted rosemary (which I really like) so I did end up finishing this later. Still, my next visit will be another pasta, most likely the (beef) bolognese and maybe the basic bread at $7. Service was nice, the hostess was very helpful, and the other customers actually chatted with me which made this an overall nice experience! I look forward to a future happy hour or lunch here at Forma- read more

Forma Santa Monica - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Back when I first moved to LA, I used to visit this neighborhood more often than I currently do, and had always been interested in visiting Forma. We finally came here in early 2026, with a last-minute reservation. We found street parking easily nearby and were seated as soon as we came in. It was a Saturday night around 5:30 ish when we came in, but the restaurant was buzzing. Every seat was full, and there were people without reservations trying to get tables. The dining room was dimly lit and tables are quite close together, making it feel more like a restaurant in NYC than in LA. We could hear very clearly what tables around us were saying. Our waiter was brusque and efficient. There wasn't any friendly chatter between us, but we always had everything we needed when we needed it. We ordered two appetizers and two main dishes, as well as dessert. I will say the lasagna here was delectable. It was honestly hard to stop eating this, even when I knew I was full. It was on the heavier side, but felt very comforting eating this on a winter's night. For my main, I had the chargrilled calamari and shrimp which were very good. This would be a good one to order if you're not in the mood for pasta. We couldn't go past the bomboloni for dessert, which was good, but not amazing. They had several other dessert options which sounded great too. This is a solid choice for dinner if you're craving Italian in Santa Monica. Will likely be back in future. read more

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Five stars for everything, but only 4 stars for the back patio covered seating area. I can see this was supposed to be a temporary patio, perhaps during Covid, and they have tried to make it as cozy as possible. My only suggestion is to make the drywall look less like a construction zone. The only reason I am writing this is because I wanted to have photos taken of us by the waiter, but changed my mind due to the ugly drywall behind us. I am not an interior designer, but maybe a wall covering? They did their best with plants and lights. The 5 star for this back patio area is that one can bring their dogs, and it is much more quieter so one can have a conversation. The main restaurant is beautiful, cozy and inviting, but the noise level is too loud and jarring at dinner. I don't know how the noise level is during lunch. We all loved our food. I ordered 2 appetizers, chicken meatballs and crispy artichokes and this was filling for me! My friends ordered main courses for their dinner. My friend really enjoyed the Pasta Ragu and finished it completely! My other friend ordered the calamari and shrimp pasta and she really enjoyed it too. We all shared the tiramisu for dessert and loved it. Oh! I forgot we started with a Aperol Spritz, which we really liked! We will definitely return. I might try to venture to sit in the main restaurant next time! Ha! read more

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This place was fantastic as usual. We went for lunch and were very happy with the food and the service. We are huge cheese fans so the charcuterie board was perfect. Our entreees were the perfect size. We were very happy with our trip here. read more

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Like heavens kiss this place is filled with bliss. This location has the dark lighting, beautifully decorated inside with the leather walls and chairs and minimalistic chair design. This place is attention to detail and filled with wines from all different options. The service was followed through with attention to detail and I accidentally dropped a cheese and it was replaced by another by the waiter. The water refills and table check ins are smooth and effortlessly. The food was the best part, the truffles with perfection and the sea food dish was exquisite. The stand out was the octopus and consistency with being a well balanced pasta. However, I will be giving it 8/10 not because of the food. But due to the parking spaces and no options for a designated parking location. Often times you find these locations to be exquisite and worth the drive but the parking space and the absence of such secure parking is missing. Make sure you have extra time prior to your arrival , to secure a parking spot. A food note:I would mussels with the clam for an additional kick. I thought it was great but more mussels with clams, makes it a more riveting experience. read more

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Mid food. Mid service. Mid experience. The Fettuccine Bolognese was just so bad. The meat tasted pasty & grainy at the same time. The sauce was too oily. The huge chunks of parmesan weren't helping either The Spicy Vodka was alright. Nothing too special in my opinion. The Fondue Cauliflower was actually very good but NOT what i was expecting Our waiter led us to think we were getting Fondue that is served in a hot pot that we would dip the cauliflower in. You know, the Swiss way! Instead, it comes mixed in like a sauce over the cauliflower. Still tasty. read more

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Our favorite neighborhood dinner restaurant. Consistently delicious food and super friendly staff. Happy hour is a great value, if you can get a seat at the bar. read more

Forma Santa Monica - My favorite pesto, delicious! - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

First time here and the food is delicious! The waiter that my family had was so nice; he said that he can make the chicken mushroom without dairy. Kudos for him! The ambiance is amazing and casual. Great place for a get together with friends and family. read more

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Forma Santa Monica & Cheese Bar is located on SaMo's vibrant Montana Avenue. This restaurant is a wonderful establishment with a refined atmosphere for a drink & dining experience with a diverse contemporary Italian menu. Forma specializes in a process in which pasta is finished in a cheese wheel before being served. They also offer a large menu of authentic Italian selections, in addition to their superior menu of 8 types of 57 different cheeses. Yes!, a full menu of cheese tasting selections. We enjoyed a bowl of Fettuccine Bolognese (two sizes are available) along with an order of Burrata and bread. The burrata was heavenly with its rich, buttery flavor and a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It was served over a bed of arugula graced with sliced beets and cherry tomatoes. The Fettuccine was prepared al dente with a delicate meat sauce. The portion of the small bowl offering was perfect for lunch. The breads were lightly grilled and served along with EVOO and a spicy calabrese spread. Our server, Tommaso, was very attentive, friendly and professional. The environment was immaculate. read more

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I'm not sure what happened to our favorite pasta spot, but it's been getting worse every time we go. Last year, I was tempted to downgrade to a 3.5 stars but hoped it was just an off day. We went this past weekend and ordered our usual (Trofie al Pesto $26, Pappardelle $29, Rapini $10) and it was tolerable at best. We had to bring the Rapini home and put it in the oven to crisp up to make it edible. The two pastas were oily and heavy and lacking in flavor. I hate to see this happen to one of our favorite restaurants, but we probably won't be back. read more

Forma is in such a prime Santa Monica location, nestled among all the cute shops and cafes, it's a great lunch or dinner spot after a long day of exploring all that this location has to offer. The happy hour menu is great to get smaller portions and then share, and that's exactly what my husband and I did! We shared a Citrus Avocado salad and Cacio E Pepe, which is one of the pastas made in one of their cheese wheels. It was so delicious I asked for the full sized entree! The wait staff have great recommendations for what wines to pair with your meal, and if you're inclined to, I'd recommend sitting at the bar. There's always very interesting conversations to jump into! You can also watch the chefs make entrees through the back wall windows, exposing the kitchen. Always a fun time at Forma! read more

Forma Santa Monica - Chitarra Cacio E Pepe - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The sole fish was totally bland. It had no flavor. I asked for tartar sauce to enhance the flavor. They said they didn't have any. Service was good. The gnocchi appetizer was in some kind of sauce. that made it less than tasty. We did not enjoy the lasagna ... not sure if it was was the cheese Or some kind of seasoning I don't believe we shall be returning. read more

Forma continues to be a favorite when I visit my sister in Santa Monica. For classic Italian food, fresh cheese, pasta and pizza you can not go wrong. We started with a margarita pie that was topped with so much fresh shaved parm. For my main I tried the veal picatta on special which came with three substantial sized pieces of veal. This was flavorful and delicious. The star of the show is always the cacio e pepe which is rich and buttery perfection. Even the kids menu spaghetti with butter and cheese is almost as good as the cacio e pepe which is saying a lot. This is the kind of place that I probably would visit monthly if I lived close by. Mangia! read more

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We decided to check out this place with our two kids and this place is surprisingly family-friendly. The restaurant is a bit dark, so would recommend coming here for dinner. We came here for lunch and it was super bright outside but significantly darker inside unfortunately. The citrus salad was really good - loved that and recommend it. I'm not a fan of bone marrow but the gnocchi that comes with it is amazing. I split the pesto with my son and he and I liked it. I think it would be much better with coarse black pepper or red chili flakes. Got the prosciutto/burrata flat bread and the mushroom one. The mushroom one has a cheese sauce on it, which isn't my favorite but my daughter loved that one (truffle flavor!) The alla'assassina (yeah what a spelling) pasta that my husband got wasn't my favorite but my husband liked it. Love the rinds of cheese and the idea of using that cheese in the pasta. Pasta tastes fresh. All in all, food was decent - not my absolute favorite since I've had incredible Italian food elsewhere. Service was pretty good. read more

We made a reservation for a Saturday evening at 6:45pm and boy am I glad we did because soon after we sat down there was a line out the door of people waiting to get a table here. We enjoyed a couple of appetizers and got the pastas stirred in the cheese wheels. I was sad we didn't get to see the pasta being stirred in the wheel at our table but it doesn't look like there is room for that here because there are so many tables packed together in the dining area. However, if you want to see the wheels they are displayed near the kitchen area so you can walk by them. The arancini was really lovely - crispy on the outside and creamy inside. The burrata was loved by everyone at our table. I had the cacio e pepe which was also delightful. Not too overpowering or spicy but still had flavor. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente. I would recommend this place for a group hang or a date night. read more

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Lunch at Forma on a Saturday was very nice. I had the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes topped with whipped ricotta and warm maple syrup, which were light and airy. Plus it was $11 which I thought was an excellent price. My friend had the hamburger, which was a big amount of burger plus the condiments and fries. $19. Service was friendly but a little slow. Parking in the neighborhood on the street. read more

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Went on a Thursday evening for my younger daughter's birthday dinner. We all love good Italian food so I took her to try this Italian which is our time. In fact, I was checking which is a good restaurant in the area serves cheese wheel pasta and this was suggested in one of the forums. I was happy that I called and made a reservation few days prior as this place was so full when we arrived and for a Thursday night. We were seated right away as we had an appointment. The tables are pretty close to each other like any other restaurant in Santa Monica. The vibe was very good. Warm lighting and parking can be found easily. The portion size of all the items were decent, if you are really hungry, then you might as well order one entree per person. The cheese wheel pasta was delicious, could taste the freshness of the cheese in every bite. Overall the experience is great. read more

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Didn't love this place. The pasta was underwhelming and very expensive. Go to Courtyard or Rosti if you're in the area. Courtyard Kitchen is far better in my opinion the ingredients, the quality, and the price are far better! read more

The food was amazing! We ordered way too much for two but we just wanted to try everything We started off with the bone marrow then the lobster pasta and 12ounce. Steak that was to die for. The service was so great and helpful for our first time. The dim lighting and smooth music really set the mood. read more

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Our second time here at this wonderful restaurant. Now it's on my go to list for sure. My husband and I had a date night and enjoyed our meal soooo much. We walked in around 5pm and the lovely hostess welcomed us with a smile. She sat us right away which was great since we didn't have reservations. It was an unplanned dinner but it worked out perfectly. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. The ambiance here is amazing, when you walk in you right away smell the cheese ... yummmm We started with a salad that had fried artichokes. OMG a must try ... we both ordered the Cacio e pepe , freshly made pasted swirled in a pecorino cheese wheel. It was soooo good. Can't wait to go back and have another one. We had a wonderful dinner, I highly recommend this place read more

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Every time I will order the same ,and always good ! Maybe next time I will try different things read more

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Parking is a bit tricky since there's only three dedicated spots behind the restaurant. I do recommend parking in the residential area as long as it's not a do not park day. Staff was super friendly and was able to get a reservation same day. Nice ambience that you walk in, the lunch rush was an effect, but still managed to hold the conversation without it being too loud. The food was amazing. The assassina was the star of the meal with the avocado citrus tied for best. read more

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Everything I was hoping for in a pasta & more! Came to this beautiful gem on a Saturday afternoon - beautiful decor, very kind and attentive staff. We tried 3 items from the "Specials" menu. One being the bone marrow, the steak with a side salad and the truffle pasta (I'm so sorry, I don't remember the exact names). 10/10 for all three! The bone marrow was divine and paired with gnocchi. The dish overall was beautifully seasoned without being overpowering and still allowed the bone marrow to be the star of the show. The steak was seasoned perfectly as well, so tender and buttery. Now, the pasta .. prior to coming I was really hoping there was something buttery, cheesy and truffle-y on the menu. This hit the mark & exceeded all expectations of the pasta I imagined in my head lol. Balanced in all regards, I couldn't be more satisfied! Extra points to Forma for having spumoni on the dessert menu! I could've done without the chocolate shell but the ice cream itself was great! Thank you Forma team, wonderful job! read more

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Food was forgettable I'm writing this 5 years after going. You think pasta prepared in a cheese wheel would be amazing but. Service was nice. Ambiance was; where am I again?! Maybe it got better, maybe? read more

If you're looking for excellent food, attentive and hospitable service, and a cozy, elevated, and modern ambiance, then Forma Santa Monica is your spot. I was skeptical coming to Forma. There are many overpriced spots in Santa Monica where the food is far from authentic, and looks much better than it tastes. Not the case here. Everything was divine. The food is made with intention and tastes just as good as it looks. And the staff is so attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, that they will steer you in the right direction if you're unsure about what to get. The menu is extensive so there's something here for everyone. But don't sleep on the short rib + short ravioli split entree. If you like beef, then don't think twice about ordering that dish. This is the perfect date night spot, or spot to impress out-of-towners. I'll for sure be back! read more

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I went in with low expectations, it was one of those restaurants that kept falling off the radar. Although my friends and I missed the happy hour menu (only available at the bar) we all agreed the food was excellent! Roasted seasonal vegetables can be hit or miss at some restaurants; these were a hit, well-seasoned, with a diverse array of fresh veggies including radicchio, gem lettuce, carrots, pea pods, mushrooms and more, well-covered (but not drenched) in fresh olive oil. My appetizer portion (was not tiny) of Assassina Burnt Spaghetti was delicious & rich. My friends loved their Mushroom & Truffle Risotto, Chicken Meatballs and Chittara Cacio de Pepe. We started with bread & Calabrese spread, that filled us up enough that none of us finished our meals and had leftovers. Service was attentive and conscientious. When my friend didn't care for the sweetness of her glass of wine, they brought her sips of other options until she found one that suited her palate. Lively dining room, but not loud. This will stay on my radar since there were many other dishes on the menu I'd like to try. read more

This was definitely a hidden gem! All of the food was excellent, and I thought all of the variety of cheese and charcuterie was such a fun aspect of the restaurant. Any cheese lovers, this is your new favorite spot. The space inside is fairly small so I highly recommend making reservations and as the night got on, it got extremely crowded and a bit noisy. I also enjoyed their expansive wine selection and would definitely return here again. The parking can be a bit rough so I would give yourself some time to find a spot. read more

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Love that they have novelty proteins on the menu like wild boar. This place is often packed yet it is a simple Italian food place. You might have to wait going in but it's pretty good. It's cool how they actually make some of the foods inside a cheese wheel with the those marked on the menu. Definitely really cool and somewhere you should go. It's not like a must go though sooo if you're having trouble deciding where to eat maybe just choose this place but then again if you were me.. no. Ambience basic / it being dark at night clutches up. read more

Forma Santa Monica - Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragout - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Been a while since I been in Santa Monica I came here as a friend recommended we have drinks here and because they been wanting to try it for a long time Arrived and noticed everyone at the bar on a Sunday afternoon and that's because they have a happy hour so of course I had to do this lol They are known for their cheeses so I had a few of them and ugh forgot to take a pic but they were delicious alongside with the usual accoutrements The caccio de peppe was delicious and all other items were good and delivered rapidly The service was great and friendly The place got pretty full once we had been there a short time. Ambience is relaxed and chill read more

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I ordered asparagus and hollandaise sauce to be delivered to my house. Don't do it. My hollandaise sauce is broken all butter on top not good. I also ordered a watermelon melon salad to go, but what I got was a grapefruit salad unfortunately I take chemo pills and thyroid pills that don't go with grapefruit. I wish I would've known that's a big deal for most people you should have grapefruit written in. read more

Forma Santa Monica - This is supposed to be hollandaise sauce - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Server was nice and food was good. Burnt Spaghetti 9/10 I've only heard about burnt spaghetti before, so having it for the first time was a pleasant surprise. It does not have the burnt flavor when you overcook something, but rather it's cooked to be nice and crunchy. Tortellini 9.5/10 This dish was delicious. It was cool seeing the pasta in the cheese wheel and tortellini was creamy. Loved the mushrooms Pappardelle with Wild Boar 8.5/10 Tastefully gamey Gianduja "Semifreddo" 9/10 We had this on recommendation from the server and were glad to have listened. It felt like a combination of a gelato and pudding read more

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Such a fabulous time! I've been for dinner a couple of times and now tried their amazing happy hour. It only goes from 4-6 and there were tons of options! It was hard to decide. We ordered the kale avocado salad, gnocchi, cacio e pepe, Sicilian flatbread and mussels. I got the cab and a red Italian wine as well. Look forward to coming back!! read more

Forma Santa Monica - Italian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Checked out Forma for the first time Saturday around 3 for their happy hour. Their happy hour is everyday at the bar from 3-6 including weekends which is a big plus! Despite us being seated at the bar, the service was fast and everyone was attentive and friendly. Overall, the food was great - we ordered the gnocco fritto, tortellini, and cheese plate with humboldt fog, gouda truffle, and dutch girl. The tortellini was absolutely amazing - it has a delicious creamy truffle sauce. The cheese plate was also wonderful, although I do wish there was some sort of happy hour special on the cheese! If you plan to come for happy hour, I'd recommend getting there closer to 3-4 since the bar can fill up pretty quickly. Can't wait to come back and try more dishes! read more

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Had a great time here for a last minute Friday date night! Despite the last minute plans, we were able to get a reservation for the outdoor patio. The interior definitely has more ambiance, but the outdoor patio is great if you want a bit more space and less noise. The food was all really good! We ordered the green on greens salad, the cacio e pepe and the bolognese. These were all delicious, but there were tons of items of the menu that also sounded fantastic. read more

We loved the environment here! Everyone was so sweet and helpful. Our sever, in great detail explained the menu to us. They have lots of vegan cheeses to choose from plus they have many vegan options on the menu. The food was delicious. Next time we go I have to try the rest of the vegan options . read more

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Great menus for lunch and dinner, even weekend brunch. Incredible service, great happy hour and a wonderful staff make this a favorite. Great spot for family or even a business lunch! There's too many incredible dishes to recommend one. Enjoy! read more