Came here for happy hour. They have seating up front and in the back (front more casual and back more vibey). I tried the kobe beef taco ($5) which was correctly described to us as an upgraded Taco Bell and was filling. We shared the tostados ($9) as pictured which were tasty. Great drink deals. Peach cobbler for the birthday dessert for the birthday girl was very good as well. read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Was so looking forward to trying this place it's a glorified Mexican restaurant service is terrible and food was meh. Wouldn't go back and can't comfortably recommend it to anyone read more

Second time that I have made the drive during "business hours" and they were closed. Such a waste of time and gas. Will not be returning. UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS HOURS read more

Happy hour is a must. This restaurant is beautiful, so intentionally decored. Our server was very friendly, made sure we got our orders in as desired. We came by for happy hour on a Friday (5 - 6:30pm) to a lovely menu. $8 margaritas was hard to pass up on (so I ordered 3). Tacos were around $5 each and these are not the classic small street tacos, these are substantial. The back room was very cozy & energizing at the same time. The one thing I probably wouldn't order again is the guac. It was okay; but nothing special. I'll definitely back for happy hour again to explore the main menu a bit more. Thanks Jonah's. read more

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Favorite dishes: Lomo Saltado-juicy well marinated beef, perfectly blistered tomatoes and onions, easily one of the best I've had in LA Waygu Crunchers-ideal happy hour bite, reminiscent of Nobu. Well priced and packed with flavor Spanish Octopus -tender and citrusy, it's hard to execute the perfect char without overcooking the octopus and it becoming rubbery. This was our tables favorite dish, it was hard to not order 3 more. It was that good Favorite cocktails: Happy hour Paloma- strong, well made cocktail with real grapefruit juice instead of soda Spicy margarita- this one is no joke, jalapeño infused and super fresh tasting Smoke show- a mezcal lovers dream Service: Reza, the owner, greeted us with impeccable hospitality when he stopped by the table to introduce himself. From the get go, he made our party feel right at home. Our server Kayla was super well versed when it came to menu recommendations and our busser was on top of his game keeping our table clear and our waters full. Ambiance: beautiful space, resort type vibes with a great playlist. We sat in the back patio/lounge area on a cold, windy evening and the heaters kept us nice and toasty. Overall highly recommend whether you're looking for the perfect low key date night spot or an after work happy hour, this place has the vibes on lock! read more

The best word to describe this place would probably be eclectic. In the good way. Where else can you have one of five ceviche dishes for an appetizer, bbq Korean chicken with kimchi as a main, and then walk to the back room for after-dinner drinks at the tiki bar? And all of it was really quite good! Even the atmosphere of the place is a mashup that manages to work: dim romantic lightning under a thatched ceiling with an open kitchen starring a big-ole grill (plus the aforementioned tiki bar in back). You could come here ten times, have very different meals, and I'm willing to bet that all of them would be good. read more

Best vibe and music. For a restaurant you are looking for relaxed atmosphere this is the place. The service was amazing, Joe in the back makes an amazing lemon drop w/ tequila muddled with strawberries, fantastic! read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Strawberry lemon drop with tequila - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious meals. Their menu options make it hard to choose only one entree. I must go back to them all!

I don't know how is it possible for this place to have a 4.5 stars... I am really curious how can people rate it so high. Service was unfortunately all over the place. Drinks were pricy and not really tasty. We ordered the " special enchiladas "...... And 1 shrimp and 1 " wagyu beef taco" I can't even describe how poorly prepared, greasy, and salty all these dishes were. Very unfortunate visit, and terrible dinner. read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Beyond salty heirloom tomato salad - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I've been to Jonah's twice now. 1st thing I notice about a restaurant is how friendly the staff is. Well, everyone was sooo sweet, esp. Kaila, Tre and I wanna say Stephanie? Anyway, we had the lamb chops, surf & turf, oysters and lobster tacos. Every single dish was mouth watering. The oysters were so buttery and flavorful! The drinks were almost as delish as Jonah himself! I had the pleasure of meeting him in the back dining area, which is the spot to be after dinner! All-in-all, i've sent a ton of friends there and will continue to visit regularly! P.S. If I had 1 complaint, it would be to bring back the Viking platter! I was in awe of it on my first visit and couldn't wait to order it upon returning, but it was no longer an option. read more

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Been coming for years. Food is great. It's never too busy you can almost always walk in without a reservation. Atmosphere is beautiful. We love Jonah's!! read more

Overpriced for quality and menu options. Not sure I will go back for dinner. Good waiter service, but took awhile for food to come out during the week and the restaurant was not crowded. read more

A friend and I popped in on a Friday for a happy hour bday celebration. We got metered parking right out front, but there's a small small lot in the back too. HH seems to have changed (now Sat 5-6:30 and fri / sat 10:30pm-close) so keep an eye on their insta @JonahsKitchenLA to stay up to date there. You can get counter serve in the front or hit the back indoor/outdoor room for a little more ambiance and table service. Stephanie was holding down the whole area on that busy Friday night - she and the bussers were impressive. I'll be back, I keep thinking about the shrimp tacos and the tasty margs. The ceviche was good too and the papas needed a tiny bit more salt but we're perfectly crispy. read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - SHRIMP TACO - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Wonderful menu and courteous staff. Beautiful tree in section in the back but front area is not as noisy. Great chef!

Ambiance: It's dark, but not too dark. It has a tropical aesthetic with a latin flare. Not too loud inside, and there was aplenty of seating. Our host mentioned there would be a 45 min wait without a reservation, but we were seated in 10 mins. Food: I ordered the black angus brisket tacos. Sadly, I did not enjoy the tacos. The brisket itself was great, I wish I had just ordered it in a different form, maybe a sandwich (which is a menu item). However, everyone else in my party thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The drinks on the other hand were fantastic. I tried everyone's drink at my table and they we're all very tasty. Service: I have no complaints about the service. It wasn't over the top service, but everyone was nice and attentive. The standouts for me were that Our waiter was patient with us, as we were a bit indecisive, and our food and drinks were brought out in a timely manner. Overall, this is a great choice for dinner. I would definitely eat here again, but I will be trying something else on the menu. read more

I wish they took reservations because it's impossible to get a table here on Friday or Saturday nights. However during the week it's pretty easy! The food is very good. I especially love the crispy potatoes, market veggies, brisket mulitas, the ceviche, tacos--basically everything I've had is great! I love the bbq sauce and the salsa! The grill items don't come with any sides FYI so you have to order those separately. The drinks are delicious especially the frozen margaritas. I haven't tried their desserts yet but they look amazing. It's a nice place for a group because everyone can order separately. The back patio has nice vibes and they have heat lamps--important to me because I'm always cold. I've definitely spotted some celebrities there but everyone ignores them and only sneak discrete glances. read more

Great place. Atmosphere was was apersone and the decorations were very welcoming. Food was fire! read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Oysters - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The west side has needed a place like this for a long time; I love the food here! The chicken enchiladas and chipotle creamed corn are unmatched! I also love the vibe here esp on a Tuesday night tacos and tulum;Live DJ, singing and dancing *5 stars! read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - So fun! - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I finally had the opportunity to try this place and it did not disappoint. I'm telling you the food was like a symphony on a plate. The brisket sandwich, K Town Chicken paired with a salad of fully ripened heirloom tomatoes and beets had us eating off each other's plate. Thank goodness there's still room on my hips for a good dessert because the banana cobbler, which was served with vanilla ice cream, was a pleasant surprise. I needed the vibe, cozy atmosphere and energy that permeated the place that evening. The service was spot on. I'll be back for more. read more

It was reasonably quiet for a Saturday night, and had a good atmosphere. The food was mediocre and the service was rushed, however. Disappointing overall. read more

LOVE this place. Jonah's is the perfect bar-dining experience, great for chill dates or nice (but not awkwardly posh) family dinners. It has a laid back, bohemian chic atmosphere that is intimate, but never stuffy, and welcoming to all. I have gone here twice and both times the food was perfect. Their cocktails are to die for and they have a great selection of both fruity and classic custom drinks. The owner is amazing, and you can tell he truly cares about the experience of his customers. He personally offered me a free dessert tonight for my birthday- my family and I just couldn't accept because we were so full from the amazing savory food we already ate (which truly is a treat in itself!). I completely recommend this place and will be coming again. read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Seating at the front booth - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We loved this place. You wouldn't I ow it from the store front but the Ambiance is great. They have a cool patio in the back. The food was excellent and the cocktails really good. We'll be back! read more

My friends were celebrating a birthday and we decided to come to Jonah's because of their wide selection for gluten sensitive people. We were part of a large party, and opted for tasting menu so we could try everything on the list. We ate a lot, to say the least. The most memorable ones were their grilled octopus, ALL of their ceviches, and surprisingly, their peach cobbler! I had also ordered the LAX to OAX drink and it was STRONG! Service was great, we were constantly fed food, almost a bit too quick because our servers struggled to find space to put more dishes on our table. Overall, this was a quaint little place for a night out, with lots of different dishes to satisfy the various dietary needs! read more

The Ambiance was the best part of the restaurant. The truffled potatoes were really tasty. Half of the serving of brisket was super fatty and soggy . Honestly couldn't believe they served such a fatty piece like that . read more

I gave myself a few days before writing to make sure I was being fair and level headed. I had dinner there early-ish on Sunday. When I arrived, it was fairly empty in the front portion, but busier in the back bar. As some other reviewers have stated, it's a little confusing when you first enter to figure out how to get service. We caught onto the board that stated it was a counter-service style restaurant and then made our way to the front to order. Later on during our meal, we noticed several groups walk in with the same sort of confusion as to how to order, but they all figured it out eventually. I think a sign up front right by the door would be more helpful than tucked away on a board by the kitchen. They're newly opened so I forgive a lot of the hiccups like how long it took to take our order, constantly checking to see if they were out or had some items, etc. In the end we ordered a beer and glass of wine (they give you a beer but no bottle opener, I had one on me), appetizer and entrees. I really liked the yellowtail ceviche. My husband said the steak tacos were fine, but thought it was overpriced. My surf and turf was also okay, but not great. I think I felt as if the cost of the food was at odds with the type of restaurant this was. It is obviously going for a more laid back/casual atmosphere, but the price point did not match that. About 10-15 minutes after we sit down, my husband waited in line to order another beer and a cocktail for me. In the next half hour, I inquired about it twice, the second time asking them to cancel. When it hit the 30 min mark, it finally comes out. I'm done with my meal and I tell the guy (maybe manager?) that I already asked to cancel this. I didn't appreciate his attitude towards me and said there's nothing he can do about it and I can leave it untouched and wait in line to cancel it. At this point the line is very long and I had no interest in waiting even longer to cancel it, so we just left. Jonah's decor is beautifully casual. I can see it more as a lunch spot except for the pricing, or at least offer table service for those once seated in case you want an extra drink or item so you can avoid standing in line again. Because of my overall experience, especially towards the end, I don't think I would return as I don't see the food or experience being worth it. read more

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First time here. The food was great. I tried 4 different tacos and they were all delicious. I love tacos. There's so many tacos spots in LA but none of them like the ones here. Super delicious. My husband had the burger and he said it was the best burger. We will definitely be back soon. The staff was great. Amazing ambiance. read more

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I came here a few weeks ago with a friend since we had heard so many good things about this place. We were impressed from the moment we stepped in the door at the attention to detail. The staff were all so kind and friendly and each dish was made with so much flavor packed into it. This place has got to be one of my favorites in LA! I ordered the lobster mac and cheese and a few appetizers and everything was incredible. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes! read more

The food is delicious here. I always come during happy hour to eat some yummy apps for a cheaper price definitely recommend that. The service is great no matter how busy they are. The ambiance is amazing they have live music some nights as well which is even better. read more

Damn, DAaMM,DDAAMMM!!! !! I'm so glad my buddy showed me his "secret spot." Everything I ate was GOOD and the old fashions are good too! I'm leaving here feeling Satisfied and Buzzed!! read more

The food, the service, and the ambience were all fantastic. I'm new to the neighborhood, it's a great find.

The ambiance alone draws you in; seeing all the sparkling lights with natural greenery. Ordering 1st then finding a spot has a unique approach to fine dining. Welcoming atmosphere, seeing the owner Tetris the tables around to accommodate the parties coming in. Great to see a hands on approach with greeting from all members. My mouth was saltivating before I even tasted the deliciousness I was about to encounter. The drinks were great, not heavy handed with alcohol but did the job. Elegant presentation with the food made it so desirable to taste. Flavourful with the right amount of touch. I cant say enough how fresh the sashimi Ahi tuna was. Crispy potatoes, seasoned to perfection. Chipotle cream corn had me wanting more! Definitely a hidden gem; Thursday a DJ was there fun, to engage everyone for karaoke Don't sleep on this place if you're seeking a classy, chill, vibe with amazing food! read more

Jonah's Kitchen + Bar - Natural tree; tree house vibes - Latin American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We really enjoyed Jonah's! I loved that there was a fun bar in the back - it has a sort of speakeasy vibe. This is the perfect spot to go with friends who want to split the bill perfectly based on what each other gets, as you order at the counter but the dining experience itself feels more like a sit down restaurant. The lighting is moody and the food is tasty. It isn't the cheapest meal, but it is very good and feels like a fun place for a night on the town. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Tasty food and drinks! Great happy hour until 6:30pm. Super cute front dining room and back bar/indoor-outdoor space. Will definitely be returning! read more

Always eyeballed this place on my way to and from work. Finally tried it a while back and was meaning to leave a review. Love this place. Great vibes, they have great drinks and good food. Really cool place to come for a night out to chat with your best friend or your significant other. read more

Vibes for days! What a delicious and fun place. The visit was even better because of our phenomenal server STÉPHANIE! What a lovely person and she succeeds in every aspect as a server. So gracious, patient and pleasant. We had a big party, we ordered a lot of dishes and all was so good. We sat in the cozy back patio area, lots of heaters above make it snuggly. They've done a lovely job with the decor. The food was all fantastic. We started with a tuna tartare dish with amazing crispy tortillas. Grabbed some tacos off the HH menu, the crunchy Pibil was the star. Tried the shrimp Saltado, which I would get again. Super flavorful with the spicy Peruvian green sauce, my absolute favorite. The wedge salad is huge, slathered in a delicious buttermilk ranch. So good! Others loved the massive grilled meat platter and the mussels were another favorite. Those crispy potatoes are delicious. I'd return just to eat them. Overall, everything was excellent. Very flavorful and unique. Great quality meal. Our entire party was impressed with the food, interior, cocktails and the amazing service. Thanks for such a wonderful night. We will all be back! read more

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Food and cocktails were fantastic. A surprise visit to our table from Jonah himself was a treat.

I was invited back to this restaurant to try it with improved service. It was definitely improved! Our waitress was attentive and expeditious. We received all the food we ordered and it was perfectly prepared. The ambiance on the patio was lovely again, we will be back :-) read more

Came here on a Thursday evening for dinner and drinks. Our server Shanice was awesome and gave us great recommendations! Can't go wrong with the Mi Amor ceviche, so fresh and delicious. The mushroom caps were tasty, as was the steak pichana. Love that they offer mocktails in addition to cocktails, the Smoke Show and More Life beverages were really refreshing, looking forward to returning! read more

The food and ambience were lovely but the service was absolutely terrible. It was not crowded but a server was not assigned to our table, and so we waited 15 min just to get water. Then they forgot part of our order, never asked about salsa or condiments and took a long time to get the check when we asked. We almost just walked out! The food was decent but overpriced. I wish i could provide a more positive review- We were hopeful! read more

I was skeptical of how many 5 star reviews I saw for such a mew place... but After visiting, I 100% agree. Our server, Thomas, was fantastic. So kind and clearly passionate about the food and drinks he serves. 10/10 service. We started off with the Spicey margarita, followed by a white wine and then another cocktail with mezcal in it (can't remember the exact name). The spicey margarita was so light and refreshing, didn't taste like you're regular margarita with store bought mix, that's for sure! For the food *get ready* we tried the tostada de tuna, a white fish ceviche, the shrimp Acapulco, crispy potatoes, chipotle cream corn, the king Wagyu tacos, Texas style brisket, K-town chicken, garlic shrimp, salmon, the Lomo Saltado, farmers market selection, and finished it all off with the frozen custard. While everything we tried were home runs, there were definitely some super stars that knocked it out of the park. For me, that was the white fish ceviche, the tostada de tuna, the wagyu tacos, the Texas style brisket, and the Lomo Saltado. The grade of tuna they used for the tostada de tuna was fabulous and really let the tuna shine in the dish. It wasn't over powered by the accompanying veggies, which is often the case with these kinds of dishes. The white fish ceviche was so limey and delicious, it's exactly what I'm looking for in a ceviche. I DREAM of the wagyu tacos. Think, Taco Bell's millionaire cousin... what Taco Bell wants to be. The shell is so crispy and the meat is so flavorful and juicy, but the chopped cabbage on rope keeps it from being to heavy. It's *chefs kiss* amazing. I am a proud Texan and quick to judge any kind of baroque, ESPECIALLY a slab of brisket served with chimichurri? All I know is, that brisket was melt in your mouth and serving it with the chimichurri showed that you didn't need to douse some dry a** brisket in barbecue sauce; no, this brisket was so flavorful and moist (and not super fatty ) it deserved to shine with out barbecue. Lastly, the Lomo Saltado was something I've never had before and I can't wait to have it again. Something about perfectly cooked red meat and sautéed veggies in a wonderful sauce always gets me. I LOVED it. Overall, my friends and I were so incredibly impressed by Jonahs. The service and food made it a 10/10 experience. (Also the seating area in the back is super cute, definitely recommend). read more

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